Everything I could ever ask for
Episode 4"How can you do this to me Zahra'u. I feel so betrayed. Why didn't you tell me Ya Adnan was back." I said frustrated.
We just finished our first lecture and were sitting in the school cafeteria.
"Ha'an, I'm sorry. I just wanted to surprise you."
When I first met Zahra,she told me all about her brother. He was schooling in the UK. When I first saw his picture, I had a die hard crush on him. And the way he treated me today, I don't think he feels the same way. Urgh who am I kidding? I'm just plain old me.
I ignored her and asked my next question. "Yaushe ya dawo?"(When did he come back)
"The day before yesterday."
I gasped. I know I'm over reacting but hey he's my crush.
"And I'm just knowing?" I cast her an annoyed look.
"How many times do you want me to apologize? Just fashi it girl. Let's talk business. Did you see the way he looked at you?" She wiggled her eyebrows at me.
"Nah..don't play jokes with me. He was even kind of rude. Left without saying goodbye." I said.
"Don't mind him,that's how he is. But you have to bear with him. He's not used to interacting much with the opposite sex because of....." she quickly clamped her mouth shut as if she said too much. Now that piqued my curiosity up.
"Because of what?"
She shook her head. "Not my story to tell."
"What happened to us being best friends and never hiding anything from each other?" I raised a brow at her.
She sighed. "Sorry best frenn. I can tell you anything but this."
I noticed the atmosphere was tense so I decided to divert the topic.
"No problem Zahra'u." I then stretched and said. "And to think ya Ahmad asked about you today." I sighed and was painting my nails with an invisible nail polish.
That got her attention straight up. She has a huge crush on ya Ahmad just like I had on ya Adnan. We always joked on how we are gonna be in laws and marry each other's brother.
"Tell me tell me. What did he say?"
I smirked at her and replied. "Not my story to tell."
"My words right back at me,huh?" She smiled.
I nodded and stuck my tongue out childishly. Being the disturber that she is. She kept insisting and I had no choice but to tell her.
"Oh my Allah." She exclaimed after I finished telling her. She looked like someone who just won a lottery.
I laughed. "Sis in-law speechless much?"
A wide grin spread on her face. Even though it wasn't much she sees it as some kind of progress.
"For this great news. I must do everything in my power to make sure ya Adnan notices you."
Now it was my turn to smile widely.
"Oh thank you thank you Zahra'u,what can I do without you." I said and hugged her.
Yes we were childish like that.
She laughed and hugged me back. We continued talking about random things before it was time for our next lecture. We were having Field Archaeology I . One of my best courses.
After an hour, the lecturer dismissed us. But not without an assignment. I love the course but damn I hate assignments.
We gathered our books and went to the parking lot to wait for Adnan.
"I can't wait to see ya Ahmad when he comes to pick you." She said excitedly.
"Oops,I forgot to mention that he isn't coming. You guys are taking me home."
"Awww." She pouted. But then she immediately plastered a smile.
"At least ,you'll spend some time at my house koh? And then I'll begin 'operation get Adnan to fall for Ikram'. " She sighed dreamily.
I laughed. "Where did that come from? But sha I won't stay long,you know I have chores to do."
She wanted to protest but decided against it. Good. Just on cue, A shiny black BMW drove and parked in front of us. The window was rolled down and surprise surprise it was Adnan. He was wearing a black polo shirt with a face cap. He looked handsome as always. He caught me staring and I lowered my gaze blushing slightly.
Zahra made me sit in the front seat and and she sat at the back. Singing loudly to Alessia cara's scars to your beautiful. I mentally groaned. She's too loud.
"Zahra, please keep quiet or lower your voice." Adnan spoke. Turns out I'm not the only one cringing at her loud voice.
Of course she didn't and even raised her voice more if possible.Typical Zahra.So we both decided to ignore her.
I was uncomfortable with the silence so I decided to make small talk with Adnan.
"So..you're finally done with your studies?" I asked. Then realized what a stupid question it was. Of course he's done. My subconscious rolled her eyes at me.
He just nodded without bothering to look at me. How rude. I wanted to talk more but I decided it was best I keep my mouth shut.
"Where is your house?" He asked without even sparing me a glance.
"Uhm..I'm actually going to your house to spend some time with Zahra." I replied.
He gave me a curt nod and continued driving. What's with him and nods?
We arrived at the Mammanur's mansion. Yeah it's literally a mansion. I never get used to gaping at the house. It had that simple yet stylish look with modern decor. I was lost in my thoughts admiring the mansion when Zahra'u knocked on my window. Turns out Adnan has even left the car without me noticing.
"You're always in a trance every single time you come over,which is most of the time and you are yet to get used to it?" She shook her head and opened the door for me.
"Hey,it's not my fault you have such a beautiful home."
She didn't even bother to reply me.
We walked in to their house and went straight to the kitchen. I saw umma,her mum cooking. Yum smells delicious.
"Zahra'u kun dawo ne?"(you are already back?) Ha'a who am I seeing? Ikram how are you. It's been long that you visited."
"Umma ina wuni (good evening). I'm fine Alhamdullilah. Wallahi umma ba haka bane (it's not like that). You know mama is not feeling too well that's why I rarely come."
"Ayya. No problem. How is her health?"
"She's getting much better Alhamdullilah."
"Okay greet her for me when you get back kin ji?"
"In sha Allah umma."
That's when Zahra decided to but in the conversation. This girl sef. She can be talkative but she can also be invisible that you don't even know she's there. Is my best friend bipolar or something? I always tease her about it.
Start from the beginning
"Umma what's cooking?" Zahra asked.
"Your favourite. Tuwon shinkafa da miyan yakuwa."
"Aww Umma. I'm so hungry."
"Where's Adnan?I didn't see him come in." Umma asked.
The way my heart raced when I heard his name. This thing I'm feeling is escalating from a crush to God knows what. Seeing him in real life and not in a picture brought out things I've never ever dreamt of feeling. It was ecstatic. It was pure. Something out of the world. If only he'd give me a second glance. If only...
Umma told the maid to serve us our food. We sat on the dining table waiting for her. Adnan walked in and sat down on the chair facing mine. My heart skipped a beat. He wore a grey sweatpants and a white t-shirt that hugged his chest. I was busy checking him out that I didn't notice the food was served. When I raised my head,our eyes met. I quickly put my head down and blushed. Throughout the meal I could feel his gaze on me. Though it was uncomfortable, I felt like I was finally making some progress with him. At least he was looking at me.
After the meal, Zahra and I went to her room. We did our assignments and when we were done, we decided to chat a little before I go home.
"Did you see the way my brother was looking at you at the dining table?" She squealed. Not again.
"I don't think so. Don't give me false hope." I pretended not to have noticed.
"You sef. Instead of you to be happy that he's shown a slight interest in you. You are busy telling me you don't think so. I just don't understand you." She said rolling her eyes at me.
I sighed."I'm trying not to get my hopes up."
"Get all your hopes up young lady because I'll make sure you and my brother end up together just as I'll end up with Ahmad." She sighed dreamily.
"Oh, so this is what it's about koh? You're only helping so I could help you with Ya Ahmad." I fake hurt.
She laughed. "You know it's not like that. Besides we are doing each other a favor, don't you think?" She winked or rather tried to.
I laughed with her. "Sha it's true. I hope we both get what we want. And let what we want be what's best for us."
"Ameen."
We made small talk before I realized it was getting really late. And I'm kinda scared of walking home alone.
"Zahra,lemme start going home. It's getting late."
"Haba mana. So soon?" She pouted.
"Yeah."
She sighed. "Now I'm gonna be so bored. And I know ya Adnan won't even keep me company."
As Zahra was the last born,she always feels lonely and I always felt bad for her. I wish we can trade places and she can have my annoying siblings.
"Don't worry,we'll meet up in school tomorrow in sha Allah."
She smiled."Can't wait."
I went to the living room where I saw umma and Adnan watching TV. I bade Umma farewell when she stopped me.
"Are you going back alone?"
"Yes Umma. Ai the house is not far."
"No haba. It's already late. Adnan tashi ka kaita gida da mota."(Stand up and take her home with the car)
"Umma I'm tired." Adnan replied. I could hear the displeasure in his voice.
"No it's okay Umma. I can go by myself. No need to disturb ya Adnan."
But Umma was not having any of it.
"No,you can't go home alone by this time. It's too dangerous. Adnan ba magana na ke maka ba?(Am I not talking to you)
He grudgingly stood up. Carried the car keys and went outside.
I thanked Umma and Zahra escorted me outside. Not before giving me her famous wink and knowing smile.
I just shrugged because I know he wouldn't even glance at me.
She just smirked and left. I entered the car and off we went. The silence was so awkward I decided once more to break the silence.
"Thanks for..uh..giving me a ride." I mange to stutter.
Silence. Silence. And more silence.
I decided to let it go. Everything needs time I tried to reassure myself.
We arrived at my place and I muttered a thank you and bye and exited the car without waiting for a response I'd never get.
I went inside and went straight to greet mama. I was really tired but I've got to cook. I went to the kitchen and started preparing Jollof rice.
When I was done, I called Najmin to take the coolers to the dining table. Surprisingly she did without nagging. I wasn't really hungry so I prayed maghrib and Isha then just went straight to bed. Immediately my head touched the pillow. I went to dream land. Dreaming of a certain some one.
To be continued.