CHAPTER FIVE

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. Her Mom brought her her pancakes and Zainab mouthed her thank you. Her Mom raised her daughter's chin up examining her face.

"Zainab what happened to you? Are you ill?" She asked.

"I'm okay Mama." Zainab said smiling a reassuring smile. Khadija glanced at her, shaking her head in a negative way.

"But you look pale just look at her." Mama said addressing her husband.

"Are you sick habibty?" Baba asked concerned.

Yes, I am sick Baba. I am sick emotionally. She thought.

"Um... maybe it's cus I didn't apply em.. kohl today."  Zainab said munching on her pancake.

"Ok." Mama said and sat down opposite her husband.

Yaya Ameer finished up his breakfast and stood up.

"You kids should hurry up it's 7:14 fa." He said.

"See pot calling kettle black. Aren't you a kid?" Khadija sneered at her brother.

"Hello, I'm older than you with six years so keep your limits and give a little respect." Yaya Ameer said wearing his snickers. "I'm off Mom, Dad see you. And you kids should meet me in the car." He then went out.

"Respect my foot." Khadija muttered under her breath. Her Mother shot her a glare.

Five minutes later they all filed in the car and went to school. Zainab and Khadija are in the same school and were the first to be dropped followed by Abdullah who is in P4 and then Yaya Ameer who is in KASU.

"Are you sure you are going to be okay with "him", Khadija said air quoting 'him' with her fingers.

"Yeah, I will. How hard can it be?" She said glancing at her sister smiling.

"Good." Khadija said nodding. "I'll be heading to class oh spelling bee is today."

"Spelling bee?" Zainab asked shocked. "I've forgotten wallahi."

"Yeah you will, with all these Isma'il issues you will." Khadija teased.

"Deeja! Go to class." Zainab said giggling.

"Okay, okay." Khadija said and jogged to her class.

Zainab shook her head. A voice spoke to her from the back, startling her.

"Easy there, it's just me." Isma'il said grinning.

A lump formed in Zainab's throat which she swallowed, gathered up her courage and spoke softly to him.

"Hi friend." The word friend sent a shiver down her spine, which she chose to ignore.

"Only Hi friend that's all." Isma'il said shaking his head. "Your friend is even better than you."

She knew which of the her friend he meant. Maryam.

"Yes, I know." She said coldly. "You can have her if you want." She then walked to her class, leaving him staring at her.

Zainab walked over to her friends.

"Zainab!" Jamila yelled and enveloped her friend in a hug. Aisha joined in the hug too.

"Are you okay?" Aisha asked. "You look pale or is it that you didn't apply kohl?

"Yes, I guess" Zainab said.

"Zainab hope you're well and didn't stress yourself over that thing called Isma'il." Jamila asked.

"Don't worry. He wants to be friends, we'll be friends." Zainab said determined.

"Jamila told me all that happened and I'm very sorry." Aisha said making soothing circles on Zainab's back.

Maryam walked over to them smiling warmly.

"Zainab, can I have a word with you? It will only take a minute."

"Ok." Zainab said still rooted to her seat.

"Alone." Maryam said gesturing outside.

Zainab heaved a long sigh and stood up. "Guys, I'll be back shortly." She said addressing her two friends.

They both walked to the girls toilet.

"Zainab, first of all, I'm sorry for being harsh to you the other day. Can you forgive me?" Maryam asked with pleading eyes.

"You're forgiven." Zainab said smiling.

"Thank you." Maryam said. "Second of all, the reason why I burst at you that day was because I heard some bad news about him."

Zainab listened without uttering a word and Maryam continued.

"I heard that he dates girls and dump them like trash. They fall for his good looks and charms and then he dump them in a short period of time." Maryam now held Zainab's hand giving it a light squeeze. "I swear Zainab that is what he is. And as your friend I don't want you to get hurt. Please Zainab just let go."

It took a second for Zainab to process all what Maryam said. She nodded at her friend and said thank you.

"You're welcome." Maryam said. "Now here's an idea. You'll write a letter to him telling him you know his true character, and you won't fall for his tricks and more."

"Yes, I think that's what I'm going to do. Let's go."

They went back to the class and saw them going to the field.

"It's time for our volleyball practice. The spelling bee follows." Jamila said. "Let's go."

"I'll catch up with you guys later. I've got an important thing to do." Zainab said.

Jamila and Aisha gave her a 'we'll talk later' look and walked away. Maryam dictated what she was going to write.

Ismail,

"Perfect." Maryam said. Wait, hold on a second." She then started writing a letter to Abba. When she was done, they put the papers inside their lockers and headed to the field.