EPISODE NINETEEN 19:HOME ALONE

HADIZAH'S POV.

"I'm fine, mummy, go to work," I reassured my mother for the umpteenth time, but she remained hesitant to leave.

"Are you sure about this? What if you have another one of your attacks?" she asked, her concern evident.

"I promise, I'll take my drugs, and you won't have anything to worry about," I replied with a smile, trying to alleviate her worries.

"Are you sure?" she pressed.

"I'm sure. Okay, fine, if you don't go, then who is going to pay the bills?" I quipped.

"Okay, I'll go. If anything happens, don't hesitate to call me," she said reluctantly.

"Mummy, I've heard. Okay, go," I insisted.

"Okay," she relented, grabbing her bag to leave.

"I might take a stroll out," I mentioned casually.

"Just be careful, okay?" she cautioned.

"I'm not a kid; I take care of myself," I retorted.

"Fine, just don't stay out too late. You can have this," she said, handing me some money.

"Thank you," I said, hugging her before she left for work.

As her car drove off, I went upstairs to my room, contemplating what to do next. Sitting on my bed, I gazed at the mirror on the north wall, reflecting on my life. Despite my spacious room in our four-bedroom apartment, I couldn't shake off the feeling of ruin inflicted upon me at the age of fourteen, marked by a year of sorrow.

Turning to my computer on the reading table, I attempted to chat with Ava, but she was unavailable, out for lunch with a family friend. Frustrated.

I started playing Pacman on my laptop, to be honest I loved this old game because it was significant about how we want everything to ourselves but there are creatures that stop us. I heard a sound so I took off my headphones to confirm the sound.

Suddenly, the doorbell rang, interrupting my game. Surprised by the unexpected visitor, I hastily donned a jacket and hijab before answering the door, where I was greeted by an unexpected sight.

"Julian!" I exclaimed, nearly embracing him before catching myself.

He was wearing a black t-shirt with black trousers and an overall brown coat with boots to go.

"Almost," he remarked with a grin, amused by my reaction.

"What are you doing here? How did you find my house?" I bombarded him with questions, feeling a mixture of confusion and excitement.

"Can I come in?" he asked politely.

"Ye...," I began, then hesitated, realizing the implications of having a boy in my room. "Hey, how about we take a stroll instead?" I suggested, trying to divert his attention.

"That wouldn't be bad, but I think you should wear something warmer," he advised.

Realizing he was right, I quickly changed into warmer attire before joining him outside.

I grabbed a magenta coat and I wore it over my body hug. It is long so it passes my knee and I wore jeans under to go and a black hijab. Then picking up a pair of sneakers.

"You look stunning," he complimented me as I returned.

"Thanks," I replied, feeling a blush creeping onto my cheeks.

"So, where are we going?" he inquired.

"There are many beautiful places around here. Let's just walk around and maybe get some ice cream," I suggested.

"I'll pay, don't worry," I insisted.

"Like I'll let you do that," he objected.

"Seriously, I can handle it," I argued.

"Nope, not happening," he countered, taking my hand as we left the house, sending a shiver down my spine.

We walked together on the streets.

Man Scotland was beautiful, the air was fresh and it was just bustling with everything.

You live in a pretty area and it is more crowded than the place we live," he said.

"Meaning," I asked.

"I mean where I live is more chill than this place," he said.

"Well I like bustling and happy," I said.

"So I'm guessing you don't know about the Golden Valley," he said and we finally took a seat.

"Duh," I said.

"So apparently Ethan's dad owns the estate and only the richest of the rich can live there, you either pay or you get an invite to live there," he said.

"So practically all you rich elite live there," I asked.

"Yep, I thought you lived there also, I mean I thought you were...," he said.

"Rich right, I know, it's one of my drawback at school," I said.

"I'm sorry if that made you feel bad," he said.

"It's fine, I get that a lot, but I don't have to tell anyone about my family, at least I'm comfortable and I don't care," I said.

"That is what matters," he said and put his arm across my shoulders. As much as I liked it, it was wrong. I nudged him to take his hands off and he obliged.

"You know it's been really cool, having a friend like you, I know it's faster than normal but you are different, you are way different," he said and I just chuckled.

"Tell me about your family," I said.

"There's really nothing to say," he said.

"Seriously you have a whole family and there's not much to say, was I born yesterday," I asked in sarcasm.

"I'm not a people person," he said.

"Give it a try," I said as I nudged him a bit with my shoulder.

"OK, OK, fine," he said.

"I'll tell you about my family," he said with a smirk.

"That's the spirit," I said with all my pearls showing.

Eventually, we found a spot to sit and talk, overlooking the scenery as the sun began to set.

"So my dad, Mr. Petros, owns one of the biggest ranches in the world. He's currently at number two, I guess. He is married to my stepmom sister Maryam," Julian began.

I immediately felt spit caught up in my throat, Julian is Muslim, was I stupid all this while, why didn't I get caught in on this, was it the reason we bonded pretty fast. All this thought came all of a sudden he need to give  answers I thought.

"Are you Muslim," I asked.

"Let me continue first," he said.

"Sorry," I said because I knew I was going too fast.

His voice tinged with a mix of bitterness and resignation. "He got married to her when we were twelve, five years ago, after my mom died. He even converted because of the so-called love he has for her. He married her two years after our mom died."

A wave of emotion washed over Julian as he recounted the painful memories. He wiped away tears and continued, his voice trembling with suppressed anguish.

"I didn't know your mom was dead. I'm so sorry. I'm sorry I forced it out of you. If you don't want to say anything more, you don't have to," I said softly, sensing his distress.

"Nah, it's fine. I'm used to it by now," Julian replied, his voice heavy with resignation.

"If my mom died, I wouldn't be able to live with myself. It would hurt like hell because she is a part of me, she made me, well, me," I thought again as the emotions flushed through me.

"I was so angry at my dad for just letting another woman take our mother's place in our home. Anna wasn't okay with it, and she was always quiet about it. Sometimes she would just scream out of sadness, but most people would think it's anger. Anne loved the idea. She loved the fact that she was getting another mom and probably another sibling. Because mom only had the three of us, I, on the other hand, wasn't sure where I stood. I was still broken with everything going on in the family," Julian confessed, his pain visible.

"But then my step-sister, Zendaya, was born. I felt a very strong connection to her. I carried her, played with her. She never felt like we were step. I made sure of that. She is probably the most beautiful four-year-old I've ever seen," Julian said, his voice softening as he spoke of his stepsister.

"How do you feel about your dad and stepmother today?" I asked, trying to ease the tension in the air.

"Well, I and my dad talk to each other occasionally. He discusses the family business with me. He was always a good father. When he first married Sister Maryam, he tried for us to bond with her, but it just didn't work out. Only Anne bonded with her. I was still trying to get myself out of the chaos of my mom's death, but my dad and I are good, I can say," Julian replied, his tone more composed now.

"And your stepmother?" I inquired, curious about his relationship with her.

"For starters, Anne calls her mom. Anna just ignores her most of the time, and I don't even understand myself," Julian admitted, a hint of sadness creeping into his voice.

"You've been through a lot," I sympathized, reaching out to offer him some comfort.

Throughout his recounting, Julian's emotions were palpable, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of empathy towards him.

"Yeah, but I'm trying to cope," he replied with a forced smile.

I saw his face and it was like his sadness brought out his emotions, every single word was like a volcano waiting to erupt, but why was he telling me all this, what am I to him, did he confide in me so much. But I didn't want to bug him much because he was hurt and I wanted to help.

"Did she impact you in any way," I asked and he knew I was talking about religion.

He only smiled, giving me a pleasant look, "I'm trying but no promises, change takes a lot of time, I like slow and steady after all we are all sinners," he said with the biggest forced smile.

"It's all right," I said.

"Was that why you changed schools," I asked.

"More or less yeah, my dad thought we needed a change of environment," he said.

He took my hand in his and I could feel the warmth surge through my body, all this cold and it was just Julian holding my hand I needed.

"Julian, you are stronger than you think, you are a boy soon to be a grown man, all that is gone, you should face your future and anything that comes after, you should face it head on. Accept your new family, be a good big brother and always pray," I said

"Whenever you find yourself doubting how far you can go, just remember how far you have come," I said, offering him words of encouragement.

"Have you ever thought of becoming a motivational speaker?" he teased.

"Stop it, mumu," I laughed, lightening the mood.

So you are speaking in your own foreign language, because I don't understand it right," he said.

"Go and learn it on Instagram," I said.

"OK, I'm sorry," he said.

"Apology accepted, anyways I called you a moron," I said.

"I deserved that one," he said.

"Yeah you do anyway I like foreign for my language," I said.

"Don't you think you want to go home, it's getting late and you need to rest if you are coming to school tomorrow," he asked genuinely concerned.

"I'm fine, I've rested enough, it's almost six and my and my curfew is almost over. Let's wait a bit," I said.

For the next few minutes we were just silent as we watched the sunset over the railings on the water.

"It's beautiful," he said.

"Yeah Allah creates beautiful things, it's why he is Al-Khaliq (the creator)," I said

"Yeah God is so unique, I wish I am more than I am," he said.

"You just need to take things slow and God will show you the way, don't rush yourself,"I said placing a hand on his shoulder.

He rested his hands on mine, "I know, I know I'm trying to get on the right path, trust me I've made mistakes I'm still accounting for," he said and I slowly let my hand down.

"I understand," I said.

"I think you should go home," he said.

"I think so too," I said and I looked in his eyes, I was left in trance he left me unaware of what was happening, I felt safe in his space and I think he did to.

"I should get going," I said and I lowered my gaze.

"Let me walk you home," he said.

"Thank you let's go," I said.

"Jeka lo (let's go)," he said and everytime he speaks Yoruba, it lightens my mood.

I couldn't stop laughing.

"Don't worry I'll get better so you don't get to laugh at me," he said.

"Deal," I said.

"Deal,"he said.

He took a long walk in between laughs and chuckles and teasing each other, I loved it.

"We are here," I said as we stopped in front of my house.

"Yeah," are you coming to school tomorrow, he asked.

"Yeah, in shaa Allah (if God wills it)," I said.

"If God wills it yeah," he said.

"I'll go now," he said.

Suddenly I felt his warm hand on my face, what did he do that for. He slowly took my hair and placed it perfectly into my hijab.

"Thanks," I said.

"No worries," he said and he left for his car.

He opened the car door, "bye Nick," he said.

"Bye Julian," I said and he hopped Into his car and he sped off.

I slowly walked into our house and gently teslimed (greeted) the house.

I climbed the stairs and I went into my room. I thought about the day and I'm glad it went as perfect as it was. I wouldn't have want to spend the day with anybody else.

I got into the bathroom and I did my business. I slowly got in my robe and I sat in front of my mirror to get things done.

The door to my room slowly creaked open.

The beautiful face of Ummi (my mum) made its way to mine.

"I thought you would be asleep," she said, smiling.

"Asalamu alaekum mummy," I said from my seat.

"Wa alaekum salaam, Adunni," she said.

"How was work," I asked.

"It was fine, did you get any better, was your day OK," she asked.

"Yeah Alhamdulillah (All thanks belong to Allah)," I said.

"Do you want dinner," she asked.

"No I already had something to eat, I'm fine,"I said.

"OK, I'll get your uniform ready," she said.

"You'll let me go to school," I asked very excited.

"Yes, I'll you go, you are my strong baby girl," she said.

"Thanks mom," I said.

"No worries, get some rest," she said and she closed my door.

I prayed magrib and I logged in to speak with Ava and the rest of the night went well.

I slept with a smile on my face.

I got up the next day, took the school bus because my mum had work. I got to school quite early so I branched at the library to get into some lessons.

I felt a shadow hovering on top of me.

I looked and I regocnised those ginger wavy curls.

Julia.

"Are you here to taunt me again," I asked but this time, I was not going to back down. I stood up to leave.

"Please wait," she said.

"What, I asked on the verge of making noise I the library.

"I've come to apologize," she said.

"Is this a joke," I said as I scoffed.

"I'm serious, I was in a bad mood that day and I lashed out in you instead, I'm sorry, I was an idiot," she said and she was genuinely sorry or was I being naive, I thought. But then again I need to learn to forgive.

"OK, I forgive you, but you need to promise me that you won't do that to anyone ever again," I said.

"I promise I won't," she said.

"Let's settle down,"I said.

"I'm not in the science department,"she said.

"You can just settle for something else," I said.

"OK," she said and she sat down.

For the rest of out time in the library, we talked like we've known each other but I still had to carefull.

The bell signaled that it was time for assembly we both stood up and left.

I later on met Ava and we went to watch the boys football game. It was fun and I was glad I made a new friend.

WRITER'S NOTE:

Its been a loooooooooooooog time. Over a month. I missed all of you too. But hey it's another update and you can see lots of vibe between Hadizah and Julian. Vote and comment.

QOTD: which superpower would you wish to have.

Mine would be super speed. Flash gang.