Zainab entered her class with Maryam, Yasmin and Jamila. They were all talking and laughing. Suddenly, Zainab's laughter subsided and she stopped dead on her tracks. She was looking into a boy's hazel brown eyes and she quickly moved back a bit. They mouthed sorry in unison and she felt quite embarrassed, as heat crept up from her neck to her cheeks. She then walked to her desk."Hey, that was the new boy that was supposed to come yesterday but was caught up with something." Jamila said to Zainab."Oh." Was all Zainab could say at that moment. She felt something deep within her spark and tried to ignore it. She opened her locker and shuffled through it as she looked for her Maths textbook."Zainab! Zee!" Aisha snapped her fingers. "I've been talking to you since. What happened?
"Wow." Aisha said munching on her meatpie. They were in the school cafeteria eating. "He's handsome alright.""Yeah. And that was why our damsel here has fallen in love". Jamila said grinning.Zainab has been annoyed with them lately."Look guys, for the last time, it's just a crush. I'll get over him sooner or later." She said."I hope so, and you better make a move or else Maryam will snatch him in just a snap of her fingers." Jamila said."Yes, I've noticed too. She's been clinging to him like a leash." Aisha said. "Uh-oh, here he is, and he's coming over here." She squeezed Jamila's hand and she shoot her a glare.Zainab turned and their eyes locked. Hazel brown met honey brown. They kept staring at each other until Jamila cleared her throat and spoke."Um... hi, you are the new boy in our class jss3 right?"He smiled and
"You gave him your what?!" Maryam cried glaring at Zainab. "What were you thinking?!""Look here Maryam. I didn't tell you this so that you can yell at me or glare at me." Zainab said a little hurt her own friend could say this. "I told you this so that you can rejoice with me as Aisha, Jamila and Yasmin did. Besides, why do you even care?" She crossed her arms as she returned the glare."FYI I'm backing up Maryam." Yasmin said patting Maryam on the back. Maryam ignored Zainab's question as she scowled even more."Me too." A quite voice behind them said. "Missed me?" They all turned to look at the intruder."Hafsa!" Yasmin and Maryam yelled pouncing on her."Guys! You
Zainab was having dinner with her Dad, Mum, and 3 siblings."Khadija pass me the mayonnaise please." Zainab said to her 12 year old sister."Ok." Khadija said and gave her sister her request. They continued eating in silence until their Dad wiped his mouth with a serviette and spoke."I'm going to your Aunt's house in kinkinau. Who's coming with me?" His eyes darted round the table."I'm cool." Yaya Ameer their 18 year old brother said."No, thank you." Zainab said and headed to her room."Till you come back Baba." Khadija said and followed her sister."Baba ka gaishe su." (Baba greet them). Abdullah said and picked his iPad.Their Dad now turned to their Mother."Since the kids are not going then I'm also not coming with." She shrugged. "Send my regards. She then left to her room. Yaya Ameer and Abdull
Zainab woke up with a throbbing headache. She muttered her azkar and went to take panadol then gulped it down with some water. She then headed to the bathroom, took her bath and performed ablution. She then wore her blue tracksuit and her long hijab, sprayed her praying mat and observed her salat. She poured all her worries to the Al-wadud in her prostration. When she was done, she folded her hijab and praying mat and wore her blue short hijab. She didn't bother to apply some kohl on her eyes cus she was not in the mood. She was sick in the inside and outside. She picked her bag and made her way downstairs. There, she met her Mom making pancakes whilst her Dad and siblings were busy digging in theirs. "Good morning everyone." She said sitting and began preparing her tea. "Morning." They all said in unison.
Maryam and Zainab soon joined the volley ball practice. They both slipped into the game, thinking that the sport master didn't notice them."You two, Zainab and Maryam go seat over that bench there and wait for halftime." He said."Uh crumps." Maryam muttered and sat on the bench with a thud. Zainab joined her as they watched the rest of the girls play. She was cheering for her friends' team. There on the other wing of the field were the boys playing football.Maryam smirked at Zainab mouthing tsk tsk tsk.When it was halftime and they were given 10mins to freshen up, Jamila and Aisha dragged Zainub to the other side of the field."Why were you late and what in the world were you doing with Maryam?" Jamila asked raising a brow."That's a long story." Zainab said."Zainab, we're asking you and you're giving a damn answer." Ai
"Bruh that was incredible I didn't know that you can dive like that. And a summer salt that is just too much." Isma'il said to Abba rubbing his hair dry with a towel. They were in the boys changing room."Thanks. I can teach you if you want." Abba said putting on his tracksuit. "Let's go."They headed to their class, unlocked their lockers and brought out their spelling books. Isma'il was about to close it when he saw a paper stuffed into the side of his locker. He hesitated at first but then he picked it and read. He was puzzled as he read it twice, and then thrice. He then held the paper to Abba who also looked baffled as he is."You've also found a letter?" They both said in unison."From Zainab?" Isma'il asked while Abba said from Maryam."But why? Why would they do this? I mean I'm dating Maryam while you aren't dating Zainab. Or are you?" Abba asked curiously.
ISMA'IL'S POV I watched as Zainab's friends talk to her while she only replied with a nod, "uhmm" "okay" and sometimes smiled. Gosh, why am i looking even looking at her. After all she did. She's so unpredictable. I've got to get her out of my mind. I glanced at Abba who has his earpiece plugged into his ears and he's eyes were closed. I shuffled on my seat and closed my eyes too. I then heard Maryam's voice and I opened my eyes to see her smirking at Zainab. "Not again" I muttered."I'm just here to tell Jamila that she should have picked on someone her own size. But I'm not here to make any fuss so don't give me that kind of I-will-rip-off-your-throat look. Thank you for listening." I heard Maryam said but she still stood there her hands akimbo. Maybe waiting for a remark I guess.I can see Jamila trying to stand up but then Aisha whispered something in her which made her relax
He woke up after sleeping for nearly an hour. It was time for Zuhr prayer already. "I'll be back my love." He whispered as he cupped her face and kissed her forehead delicately. He headed to the mosque and performed ablution before offering his prayer. He stayed back for some minutes to do some dkirs and nawaafils before going to the waiting room. He met Maama crying profusely whilst Maami tried to console her, tears brimming in her own eyes and he's heart skipped a beat. What had happened to his wife?"Maami what happened? Is Zainab okay?" Maami looked down, her lips trembling."Say something please." He urged. "I think you should go see the doctor Ismail." Maami finally said and he obliged. He dragged his heavy legs to the doctor's office and knocked on the door. He opened the door when he heard a "come in.""Mr Ismail." He offered his hand for a hanshake. "Please, take a seat." He gestured to the two chairs in front of his large oak desk. Ismail sat down and prepared himself for
Everything happens to us for a reason whether we are aware of it or not. We might think of many impossible ways to try and change it and make it 'unhappen' but well...we are not God. We can't turn back the hands of the clock.After the doctor informed them about the loss of Zainab's second child, she has been moved to a room in a female ward. Visitors were not allowed in yet. The doctor is running a test to ensure that she's safe and healthy without any complications. The doctor also explained her injuries. She had obtained a fractured rib, a broken leg and a concussion because her head had badly hit the steering wheel.The news has now spread like a wild fire. His wife was in an accident and she lost her second child. Ismail had to switch off his phone after answering eight calls. He went to the hospital mosque, where he offered two units of rakaats and vehemently prayed for his wife's health.Zainab would be beyo
It was a miracle that Ismail arrived at the hospital in one piece. All he kept hearing when he was driving like a mad person was "your wife just had an accident. Your wife just had an accident." His wife. His Zainab. Zainab!He quickly walked to the waiting room, just in time to see his in-laws waiting there already. He weakly exchanged pleasantries with them. His own parents and Afrah soon came after. Maheerah was clutching her grandmother's skirt, her eyes brimming with her tears. They all refused to answer her unending questions. Where is her mommy?"Ismail you're supposed to pray for her." Ameer said as he patted his shoulder. Ismail looked at him with bloodshot eyes. He wasn't even aware that he was crying. He sucked in a deep breath before facing his brother in-law."You don't understand how I'm feeling Ameer. She can't leave me. I need her. I need her more than ever. My life will have no meaning if she leave
"What? Innalillahi wainna ilaihi rajiun. Is she okay? Were you contacted?" She threw one question after another."I'm... driving. I'm on my way home." And he hang up. She squeezed her phone in her hand as she muttered several duas under her breath. What should she do? Should she just sit down and wait for his arrival? Should she tell someone? Who would she tell? Ya Allah! How did the day turn out from better to worse? After thirty minutes of pacing to and fro, the bedroom door creaked open, revealing a distraught Ismail. She immediately rushed to him."Ismail how did this happen? Who are the kidnappers? Did they contact you?"He sighed as he sat on an armchair, his hands holding his head."The kidnapper called me. He threatened that if we don't get her married to him in the next 48 hours he would do some unspeakable things to her. He's her ex. He's obsessed with her.""Ya salaam!
"Umm Maheerah." He attempted to help her but she held up her hand as she regained her balance. Stubborn tears stung her eyes but she pushed them back, biting unto her lower lip as it quivers."So now I'm Umm Maheerah huh?" She taunts and he looked at her amusedly and she seethed. Does all these sound like a joke to him or something? Well, he must be deranged!"So enlighten me dear husband. When did you plan on telling me about the new love of your life. Just some hours ago we both exchanged 'I love yous' and now you're doing the same with someone else? This is unbelievable!""Amor you need to calm down. Just let me ...""Don't call me amor anymore and don't you dare tell me to calm down. I don't deserve that title cus it's already reserved for someone else right? I can't believe you Ismail! I really can't. After all those years, after everything we have been through. After all the ups and downs. Afte
"Mommy!" A four year old girl barged into a room, her pigtails bouncing up and down."Maheerah, what did I tell you about barging into our room?" Zainab scolded."Mommy am shorry. It's Uncle Abdullah. He refushed to let me watch SpongeBob!"Ismail walked over to Maheerah and scooped her into his arms placing her on his shoulders as she giggled."How about we go out for some ice cream?" He said and she nodded giggling more.He dropped her down and she ran out of the room with full vigour."Maheerah be careful!" Zainab called out."She would be fine." Ismail assured her as he sat behind her snaking his arms round her waist and she shivered.After all those years he still has an effect on her."You've spoiled this girl rotten!" She said rolling her eyes."And she's still my
"Zainab!" Ismail roared and she stiffled a laugh as she sprayed her perfume. She smoothed out the non existent wrinkles on her black and white maxi dress and rushed out banging the door behind her."Zainab! I'm going!" Ismail hollered again. He was standing impatiently in the sitting room playfully glaring at her as she ran down the stairs."I thought you were going to take forever up there." He said. "And you look beautiful.""Hmm you don't look bad yourself." He was dressed in a plain white shirt that hugged his abs and designer jeans with a jacket."Don't you mean I look hot and irr...""Okay let's go or else we will lose our flight.""If you say so then.""Are you ready wife?" He asked."Uh-uh.""Let's get going then." He said as he took her hands in his.
Zainab woke up and felt two strong arms holding her. That was when she remembered that she slept in Ismail's room. Together. In the same bed. She has the strong urge to pee but she just couldn't get up as she was afraid that she will wake Ismail too. She can hold it for a little while.She stared at his face and wondered how someone can look so gorgeous while sleeping, without even trying. And let's not get started with his hair. She wondered whether his a half cast and didn't tell her, because there's no way a Nigerian man can have such a glistening and curly hair that always fall over his eyes, casting a dark shadow on his face.And then she gently touched his hair, her eyes never leaving his face. To think that she had hated this man? Who was she kidding. She blushed when she recalled last night's events...Tears brimmed at the corner of her eyes as he uttered those last words. Was this really Ismail?&nb
"I'm busy Zainab. Go and sleep." Ismail said, massaging his temple, not even sparing her a glance. "I know you aren't busy. Please. Can I come in? I know that what I did was not right but please." She pleaded. He sighed and muttered come in. Seconds later she was in front of him, staring at him as she took a deep breath. "I'm sorry." She said. He didn't spare her a glance so she continued. "I...I was in the wrong too and...and am tired of hiding my feelings for you anymore. I love you Ismail. I'm so sorry." She sniffed and blinked back the tears that threatened to spill out. And her words totally took him off guard. He stared at her as she lowered her head. "Come here." He motioned to her to come closer and she did, sitting beside him. She stared at him for a while before she placed her forehead on his chest, trying to push back her tea