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." Aisha said glaring at Zainab.
Zainab sighed in defeat. She knew this two will never let go of her till she said the truth. So she told them all about Maryam's confession, Isma'il's true character and more.
When she was done they both looked speechless. Jamila spoke when she found her tongue."Are you out of your mind Zainab?!" She said in a loud whisper. "You don't have any idea what you've done do you?"
Zainab stared blankly at her. What is she talking about? Zainab thought. She should be congratulating me because I did the right think, all thanks to Maryam.
"She doesn't." Aisha whispered to Jamila.
Suddenly the Sports Master whistled indicating that the game will begin anytime soon. The three went back and played their ball. When it was over the Sports Master announced the two winners and they all went back to their various classes.
"Zainab you've messed up, like really messed up. You're stuck." Jamila said immediately her butt came in contact with her chair.
"I still don't get you." Zainab said sincerely. She took out her bottle of water and gulped it down.
"Jamila please just stop beating round the bush and tell her how she really messed up." Aisha pleaded.
"What I mean is that Maryam lied to you. She did that just because she likes Isma'il then she sensed that he might like you. So she just formed a false story and you went ahead and executed a trap for yourself! Did you even think for a second? Did you even know what the heck you wrote on that damn thing you call a letter?!" Jamila asked raising her voice a little.
Zainab stared at Jamila star stricken. She didn't see that coming. Jamila is right. Maryam had really played with her and scored. She felt like a fool when she wrote all those harshful things in the letter. She felt so stupid that she trusted Maryam. Now she ditched her. Her blood circulated all around her body then repeatedly.
"We've got to make sure he doesn't see that letter." Aisha said panicking.
Zainab stood up abruptly. There were only a few students in the classroom. She went over to Isma'il's locker and found it locked. Great.
"Its locked" she whispered her eyes stung with tears. "I shouldn't have trusted Maryam after all what she's did. Now he'll hate me for rest of his life on something that wasn't my doing." A tear slipped down her cheeks and she wiped it away.
"Don't wipe it, you cry it out." Aisha said and brought Zainab to an embrace. Zainab sobbed on her shoulders wetting Aisha's shirt in the process. But Aisha didn't care. As long as her friend will calm down she would do anything in her power to see that.
"It's okay, everything will be okay." Jamila said patting her back. But Zainab wasn't sure if everything will be alright.
Maryam is trying to separate her with her first crush!
"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
Isma'il 's pov"Hello." Yasmin said on the other line. To be sincere I really hate her when I came to the school but she's a really good friend so we're getting along pretty much I must say. And Hafsat too. "Hi Yasmin I was meaning to ask you a really important favor." I said. Damn it this whole thing is really making me nervous. "Ok I'm all ears." She said. Me: u know with all these fight between me and Zainab Maryam stood up for me right? Yasmin: yh go on.
Zainab's povIf wishes were horses beggars would ride......I wish I will have a chance to talk to Badman Binladin. Yeah. I've ever seen him once when I went to my Aunt's house in Abuja to spend the holiday. I saw him in Silver bird. I wanted to talk and maybe snap some pics but my Aunt was like u guys shld hurry up we're going to be late. And that was how she spoiled my mood. To cut my depressing story short, I'm now playing his song, my favorite song super and here is Deeja trying to spoil my mood."Wai why are you obsessed with this Badman ne. You're here worshipping him while his there clueless of your existence." She said. I ignored her as I sang the song with my future husband."Oya do the do super scary scooby doo... ""Your wallpaper, his picture. You even have a special file in your laptop titled Bad
Zainab's pov ? "It was really good hanging out with those two." Deeja said licking her ice cream cone. We just stopped at Kreamy kones."Yeah." I said licking mine too."You really don't give a damn about Maryam now do you. I was really scared that you might have Philophobia." She said. I didn't know what to do but laugh and i earned a you-are-not-serious look so I stopped laughing. I'm immune to Maryam's stupidness btw."Hey don't worry i won't it's not like we dated or anything. Oh that's what I was thinking but insha Allah nothing will happen to me. She smiled at me and we hugged. I love my sis soo much. When Mal Hashimu opened the gate they was an unfamiliar ash and black Sienna parked. Guess we have some visitors."Oh they are back already" Mama said as we walked into the palor. Baba's aunt from Abuja Aunty Salima came with her chi
Dedicated to all the readers that voted from the first chapter and will always keep on voting. Thank u guys sooo much. Zainab's pov Remind me to never share something ever again with Khadija. I told her about last night about that call. Right now she's trying to make my life a living paradise. Note the sarcasm... "I knew it. I smelled that love in the air since ever then. I'm so happy that finally you're gonna move on." The mad Deeja said jumping up and down like a kangaroo. You see why I told you that I regretted telling her. I think she's hyper on something. "Uhhh...you're unbelievable! You always think negativ
Maryam's povI was really short for words when i heard Zainab talking back for the first time. But I composed myself and shot back. When I pushed her Jamila held her and I kept taunting her. To my surprise she twisted my arm and knocked me on the floor. The next thing I did was wail and I kept saying my ankle my ankle. My vision was blurry and I can't make out who was kneeling in front of me squeezing my ankle lightly. I was half conscious and the next thing I knew it I was on bed whilst the school nurse inspects my ankle."Maryam right?" She asked and I nodded."Where are my friends?" I asked her referring to Hafsat and Yasmin."They just went out to attend the class. I'll send for them before break. Right now you have to rest. I've bandaged your ankle and in four days it will heal quickly, but for now on you'll be using a crutch because you can't just limp about. A
5 years laterShe watched through her window as his black Mercedes Benz drove out of their gate. She didn't intended to reject him but what could she do? She drew the curtain and sighed slipping down to the floor as a lone tear escaped her eyes.Flashback.... "Hello ina wuni." She said sitting down on the chairs in the balcony. "Lafiya sis yakike da kowa da kowa?" "Alhamdulillah hope everyone is fine too.""They are masha Allah." They was an awkward silence before he spoke. "Have you thought about it?"She kept mute and then said. "I still need time musty it's not easy you know.""Yes I know sis it's hard but it has been a month. I call you almost four times in a week and all I hear from you is that you need time.
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