Chapter 12

Bashir ran his hand through his close cropped hair three times in quick succession and fixed her in a stare that could have frozen the Pacific. He snarled more than spoke. "Malika you're the most annoying person in the world. Are you sure you have a heart? Are you sure you have feelings? What sort of stupidity is this? Chasing a man for over a year and you still get the same answer; you’re not needed.”

His words didn't bother her anymore she was used to it. "How did you even know I was here?" He was enjoying a call with Ameenah at the park when Malika showed up. "Bashir, it's high time you accept my love. Aren't you even tired of me pestering you? It's time you accept my love. We're meant to be; I can feel it in my heart."

He furiously looked at her dressing. Tight ripped sky blue jeans and white shirt. Her hair was tied in a high bun. No scarf and she expects him to take her to his parents as his wife to be? "Malika when will you have sense please? Look at how you're dressed, SubahanAllah I feel disgusted with your dressing. Malika you're a Muslim, you never cover your hair. You never cover up your body. You wear artificial hair and nails. SubahanAllah, Malika repent." She rolled her eyes in complete annoyance. "I wasn't talking about that! Just accept my love." She spoke more like a command.

He rosed up. "I will never love you or someone like you. Anyone that'll give you a glance will think you're a protitute." She gasped. "Yes you know that. I can never marry someone like you. I want a decent girl who fears Allah. Who will take me close to Allah. Not you. And I have found that girl." He walked away leaving her there standing.

He has someone now. She felt the jealousy rising. White knuckles from clenching her fist too hard, and gritted teeth from effort to remain silent, her hunched form exuded an animosity that was like acid - burning, slicing, potent. Her face was red with suppressed rage, and whoever speaks to her that moment, she will swung around and mentally snap.

This isn't the first time she killed someone because of him. Yasmeen, she killed her. Killing someone again wouldn't be a problem, to her. "Hm!" She scoffed. "I won't rest till I get you, Bashir. And whoever that girl is, consider her dead." She spoke full of anger.

Xx

"Yaya What's wrong? You look upset?" Safwana asked with so much care fher brother. "Nothing baby sis. It's just... Malika." He sighed. "Seriously," she chuckled dryly. "That senseless human being shouldn't bother your happiness bro. She's not worth your wrath." She explained. "Yeah, you're right." He smiled.

"I have observed something," she smirked looking at her brother. "Hmm! What's that?" He didn't remove his eyes from the tv. "You look happy these days. Who is she?" He quickly moved his gaze to his sister. "What are you even doing in my living room?" He asked instead. "Yayaaaa!" She dragged. "I'm just keeping you company. Or you need some time alone to call my sister in law?" She winked.

"You're not serious." He chuckled shaking his head. "Now yaya tell me who's the lucky girl?" She asked getting more comfortable. "Ameenah is not my girlfriend," he blurted out. "So Ameenah is her name ayy?" She smirked. "Yaya stop pretending. I'm so happy you have a girlfriend now." She giggled. "I told you she's not my girlfriend. We're just friends." He defended. "Oh c'mon yaya Bashir."

"Safwana I'm serious. You know I won't lie to you. I like her but I don't think she'll want me as her boyfriend." He sighed. "What?! No! Yaya have you seen your handsome face in the mirror? Do you know how many of my friends are crushing on you? You're so handsome Masha Allah." She commented. He shook his head no, "No, Ameenah doesn't care about looks trust me. I don't know why but she seems scared, that's why I didn't approach her with that talk." He explained. She shifted comfortably. "Yaya it doesn't work that way. Shoot your shot before someone gets her first. Yaya don't let this girl go, she really makes you happy I can say. She's the one for you even though I haven't met her yet but I trust you. You will never get someone like Malika I'm very sure she's nice and obedient."

Bashir nodded, smiling. "You're right. I'll talk to her about it In sha Allah." She smiled, "that's my brother."

Xx

He ran his hand through his hair, looking at Ameenah's number. He has been calling all day but she wasn't picking. He stood up as if he was sitting on a needle. He grabbed his phone and car keys. He left the building to his car.

He drove fast to Adam's house. He couldn't resist it. What's wrong with Ameenah? Did something happen to her? He parked at the parking lot before alighting from the car. He pressed the doorbell button thrice. Impatiently waiting. He stuffed his hands into his suit pocket.

Aisha herself opened the door, she smiled, "Bashir?" She sounded surprised. "Salamu Alaykum," he greeted, feeling shy. He started regretting coming. He never thought Aisha would be at home. He was expecting to see Ameenah. "Wa'alaikumus Salam, please come in." She welcomed him. He did as she said. They settled down at the living room. She ordered the maid to bring some refreshments for him.

"I... I actually came to... uhmm see... Ameenah." He stammered. "Ameenah?" She asked. He nodded eager to hear more. "But Ameenah left few hours ago. She's already in Zaria." She explained. "I thought she told you," she added.

"What?!"

Xx

Zaria, Kaduna

4:32PM.

She nervously walked to her department feeling like every being is staring at her. She hated being in places like that. She hated being in a crowd. It scares her. Her phone shrilled yet again. She sighed and shoved it back into her handbag. She has been ignoring his calls and text messages.

She couldn't come up with a plan. How would she tell him she left. Not even saying goodbye. She shook the thoughts away and continued walking to where she was directed to.

That day, she started processing her registration. It was almost Maghrib when she left the school to her Aunty's house. Baba's junior sister who's living with her husband and two kids at Tudun Wada. She has been there before so going there wasn't a problem.

She paid the man before heading inside the three bedroom house. She turned the door knob, "Assalamu Alaikum," she entered feeling blithe. Her two cousins welcomed her. "Ameenah!" A girl who's a bit younger than her spoke. "Manahel, surprise!" She hugged her. "You didn't tell us you were coming to Zaria," the other girl hugged her. "Yes I know. But Aunty Sa'adah knows I'm here." She removed her shoes.

Aunty sa'adah came out from the kitchen. "Oh Ameenah you're finally here." She hugged her niece. "Good evening, aunty." She greeted. "How was your journey and the registration?" She asked holding Ameenah's hand. "Alhamdulillah," she smiled sheepishly. "Hm! This girl you're just like your mom; so shy and pretty." Ameenah closed her eyes smiling.

Manahel helped her with her suitcase to their room. "Go freshen up and pray before we eat dinner," she said. Ameenah nodded before walking to Manahel and Bilkisu's room. "We have so so much a lot to catch up on. Omg Ameenah I missed you so much." Manahel hugged her again. "You have always been the crazy one." Ameenah laughed. "Now go take a bath before you pray. It's almost time for Maghrib."

Ameenah took her bath and performed ablution. She came out before getting dressed. Manahel helped her with hijab and praying mat. She prayed Maghrib and made Du'a. She sat on the bed waiting for them to pray before they all head to the dining.

She inhaled and exhaled thinking of calling bashir. She knows she's so in trouble with him. She bite her lip tapping on his number not thinking twice. Two rings and he picked up. "Ya Salam Ameenah I have been calling and texting you all day! Are you alright? Why didn't you tell me you were leaving today? Do you know how scared I was?"

"I... I'm so sorry I didn't tell you. I didn't know how to explain. I knew you wouldn't like it. I don't want to hurt you..."

"Ameenah are you alright?" He asked. "Yes I'm fine. I'm at my aunty's place." She answered. He sighed. "That's what I want to hear. And it's okay since you're fine."

"I'm really sorry I didn't tell you I was leaving," she said in a low voice. She could feel her cousins gaze on her. She was so uncomfortable. She knew they'd bombard her with questions about him.

"Listen Ameenah, I'm not mad at you or anything. I just thought something happened but Aisha explained. I'm happy nothing happened to you." She smiled, her heart warming up. "When are you going back to Kaduna?" He asked. "Uhmm when I'm done with my registration, In sha Allah."

"Promise you'll tell me a day before you're leaving," she nodded as if he's there "yes I will. I promise. I won't repeat what I did today." She assured. He smiled. "That's my girl." She lowered her head, blushing. "I miss you so much precious gem."

Ameenah's blush seared through her cheeks and for a minute she thought her face was on fire. She suddenly felt awkward, demure, and coy; even going as far as attempting to hide her rosy features behind her slim fingers. The brunette haired woman knew that their pairs of eyes were looking at her – all eagerly waiting for her to end the call. "Uhmm I.. I have to go now." She murmured. She wondered how his little flirts made her go crazy. "I feel so hopelessly, helplessly, insanely and totally addicted to you. Somebody help me! Actually only you can." She chuckled, without even knowing she did. "Make sure you eat please. I'll check up on you later okay?"

She said goodbye before cutting the call. The two screamed and jumped on the bed, where she was. "You didn't tell us you have a boyfriend omg Ameenah! You finally have a boyfriend." Manahel spoke with so much excitement. "Manahel he's not my boyfriend please. We're just good friends." She defended. She knew she had something for him. For the past few weeks he made her feel something that not even Aamir did. "Pfft! Liar." Bilkisu rolled her eyes. "Have you seen how you were beaming? Like a maniac. Ameenah you love this guy admit it, he's your boyfriend and stop arguing."

"I so don't have your time." She stood up from the bed. She grabbed her veil. "Cmon lets go eat. I'm really hungry." Ameenah said walking towards the door. They all followed suit. They entered the dining room same time Aunty Sa'adah was keeping the last piece on the table. Ameenah greeted her aunty's husband before they settled down to eat.

After dinner, the girls did the dishes before heading to their room to pray Isha. After they've offered their prayers, Ameenah was about to head out to the living room. "No wait!" Manahel stopped her. "What?" She asked her hand on the doorknob waiting for Manahel to speak up. "You have to tell us about him." Ameenah scoffed before heading out.

She met Aunty in the living room making a phone call. "Oh she's here. Yes she's fine, lemme give her the phone." She handed the phone to Ameenah. She hesitated. "It's your mom." She explained. She collected the phone and placed it on her ear. "Salamu alaykum aunty. Ina yini." She greeted. "I won't answer your greetings. So you've arrived safely in zaria hours ago and you can't call and inform me?" She sounded furious. Ameenah lowered her head, feeling guilty. "Aunty I'm sorry..."

"Shut that your mouth!" She cuts her off. "Do you know how scared I was? Why can't you atleast text me? What is wrong with you?"

"Mama I'm sorry please I won't do it again. Mama I'm fine nothing happened to me. It skipped my Mind I'm so sorry." She apologized. Aunty sighed. "Keh dai kika sani. Good night and my regards to your cousins." She ends the call.

Ameenah sighed removing the phone from her ear. She handed it back to Aunty Sa'adah. "Why didn't you call her? She called asking if you were here and I told her. I thought you have informed them that you're in zaria. Haba Ameenah don't ever do that again." She scolded. Ameenah nodded, "In sha Allah I won't do it again."

Aunty Sa'adah smiled, "good." They chit chatted nothing but everything. The girls came out few minutes later. Ameenah's phone shrilled making everyone's attention to her. She looked at them and looked at the caller ID. Manahel giggled already knowing it was Ameenah's boyfriend as they think. "It's okay dear go in and pick up," aunty Sa'adah said. "I'll be going to my room. Good night girls." She added. "Good night Aunty." She replied.

Her phone started ringing yet again. "Pick up already. He's obviously eager to hear his girl's voice," Ameenah sent daggers her way before walking into their room. "Hey," she answered closing the door behind her. "Hello beautiful. How are you?" He asked. "I'm fine Alhamdulillah. How was work?"

"Well, work is stressful. I just got home," he sighed. "You sound tired," she chuckled. "Yes I was but hearing your angelic voice is a stress reliever." He flirted. "Oh please stop it." She blushed.

"So there's someone that wants to speak with you." He informed. "My kid sis," He added. He didn't wait for her reply. "Salamu alaykum." Her heart skipped a bit when she heard safwana's babyish voice. "Wa'alaikumus Salam," she replied, her voice shaking a bit. "Ina yini." Safwan greeted. "Lfy lau. How are you dear?"

"I am fine Alhamdulillah. I have heard a lot about you Ya Ameenah. I can't wait to meet you. You have no idea how my brother is happy now. Thank you very much for taking care of him. Really can't wait for the wedding." Ameenah couldn't utter a word.

He snatched the phone away from safwana and sent her out of his room. "Hey sorry about that. She can be a talkative sometimes." She still didn't say anything. "Ameenah?" He called out. "Hmm?" She jolted out of her reverie. "Don't worry about what she said please." He assured. "Oh it's okay. She sounds nice."

"She really wants to meet you. She thinks you're my girlfriend." He said making her to chuckle nervously. Girlfriend! "Uhmm I.. I have to get going now. I'm so tired.."

"Oh yes you need some sleep." He said. "So we'll talk tomorrow?" She nodded together with a yes. "Alright then, Precious Gem. Good night. Oh hey don't forget; you have a special place in my heart, just you." She blushed. "Good night."