EPISODE THIRTY-SEVEN 37: GIRL TALK.

HADIZAH'S POV

I and Anne were paired together for a project, so she was going to meet me at a nearby study café to discuss it. The quiet hum of conversation and the faint clinking of coffee cups filled the air as I sat down, waiting for her to arrive. Five minutes later, she walked in.

"Thank you so much for waiting for me," she said, a small smile playing on her lips as she dropped into the seat across from me.

"No problem. I just got here too," I said casually, glancing at the clock on the wall.

Anne and her sister were practically carbon copies of each other. The resemblance was uncanny, like looking at mirrored reflections. Sometimes, I wondered if Julian was the one born in a different sac.

"So, we're talking about ways to reduce noise pollution," she said, her fingers already flipping open a notebook.

"Yep, but before that, I need to use the restroom," I told her, rising from my seat.

"I'll be waiting," she said, her focus drifting back to the notes.

---

When I returned, Anne looked up from her phone. "Your phone rang," she informed me as I sat back down at our table.

"Thanks," I said, checking my phone. Julian's name flashed across the screen-though to me, it showed as "Domo," a short and funny twist on his middle name, Dimitri. I smiled to myself, dialing him back. Apparently, he just wanted to check up on me. Typical Julian.

"So, let's start," I said, sitting down more comfortably and putting a cookie in my mouth.

Anne's eyes lingered on me for a second longer than usual before she asked, "My brother-do you like him very much?"

Her question hit me like a cold gust of wind. I blinked, caught off guard. "Why would you ask me that?" I stammered, trying to mask my surprise.

"I... I don't want you to end up being hurt," she continued, her voice tinged with concern. "My sister Anna-she's plotting something against you. And it's something big. Just be careful."

My heart raced, my mind scrambling to keep up with the turn this conversation had taken. "Why would you say that about your own sister?" I was flabbergasted, the weight of her words sinking in.

"I'm just... I don't know," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "I feel like history is about to repeat itself. My sister, she has a mental disorder. It feels like my obligation to warn you."

"Oh God," I breathed. "I didn't know."

"It's because of that she got expelled from our former school. Our dad didn't want us to be apart, so we all had to change schools," she said, her eyes shadowed with old memories.

"Anne, are you sure about what you're saying? About your own sister?" I asked, needing to confirm if what I was hearing was real.

"I'm not lying. I'm serious-just watch your steps," she said, her tone pleading.

All this feels like a dream, I thought to myself. I must've said it aloud because she looked at me with sympathy.

"Take some time to think this through. I'll leave now. Let's finish this tomorrow," she said, packing her things and walking away.

As I watched her leave the café, I let out a deep sigh. My mind was spinning in too many directions at once. Could I trust Anna? Or maybe not? Could I even trust Anne? I picked up my bag and left, the weight of the conversation hanging over me like a dark cloud.

---

"Hey b*tch," came a familiar, yet irritating voice from behind me as I stepped out of the café.

I rolled my eyes before turning. "What, bully?" I shot back, my voice laced with defiance. If she wanted trouble, she'd get it.

As I moved to walk past her, she gently grabbed my arm. I expected it to be a rough pull, but her touch was surprisingly soft.

"Hadizah, please-we need to talk," she said, her voice unexpectedly sincere.

I narrowed my eyes at her. "It's so crazy how you suddenly want to talk to me, but it's such a buzz killer that I'm not interested," I said coolly, pulling my arm from her grip.

"It's serious, okay?" she insisted. "I'm not here to bully you and f*ck this sh*to I've started taking therapy to come off it."

"That's none of my business," I replied sharply. As I spotted Julian down the street waving at me, instead of feeling happy, I felt annoyed. Maya's words were a shadow over my thoughts, darkening my mood.

Her voice dropped to a warning whisper. "This b***tard you're getting entangled with-trust me, he's going to be the death of you. Literally. See you at the next game," she said before turning on her heel and walking away.

I stood there, my heart lodged in my throat, the weight of her words wrapping around me like chains. What if Maya was trying to warn me? What if she was right? Or was she just trying to mess with my head?

"Hey, Fury," Julian's voice snapped me back to reality.

"Hey," I replied, trying to shake off the confusion clouding my mind.

"You're not really here with me today. Who's been messing with my babe?" he teased, but his tone was warm, concerned.

Something inside me snapped. I couldn't hold it in anymore. "I'm not your babe! Don't you get it? I'm not your girlfriend! Please, Julian, just leave me alone!" I shouted, feeling overwhelmed. "I just have a lot going on right now, and I don't know what's going on in my head!"

I started to walk away, desperate for space, but Julian wasn't about to let me go.

"Hadizah Damilare!" he shouted, grabbing my arm and pulling me into an empty classroom nearby. Before I could react, my back was against the wall, and he was leaning in close.

---

AVA'S POV

"My favorite daughter is in the house!" Mrs. Damilare announced as she spotted Hadi walking in.

"I'm your only daughter," Hadi whined, but her mom walked right past her, pulling me into a warm hug instead.

I hugged her back with a smile. I felt that comforting, motherly warmth radiating from her.

"Seriously, mom? Anyway, I don't mind sharing if it's with Ava," Hadi said with a playful shrug.

"Come on, Ava-oh, I mean Sumayyah-let's go upstairs," she said, motioning for me to follow.

"Call me whatever you want, just let's go," I laughed, following her up the stairs.

As we reached the top, her mom called out after me. "Sumayyah, you'd really rock a hijab, you know."

"Mom! You promised not to pressure her," Hadi groaned, though there was a playful smile on her face.

"It's fine, Hadi," I reassured her. "Mrs. Damilare, I'll try, but I don't want to jump into something I'm not fully ready for I need to be dedicated to whatever I want to do."

"I know you'll make a great Muslimah," she replied with a wink. "No rush."

"Jazaakallahu khairan," I said gratefully.

As we entered Hadi's room, I couldn't help but smile at the purple door. Only Hadi would paint her door purple-her obsession with the color was almost legendary.

As we sat down to watch a movie I goat bored and tried to bring a conversation up with her.

"How are you and Julian?" I asked, trying to start a conversation. Hadi started munching on her chips slowly, avoiding my gaze.

"We're good," she muttered, her eyes fixed on the TV.

I grabbed the remote and turned it off, earning a dramatic groan from her. "What did you do that for? It was just getting good!"

"Your voice already sounds babyish, and now you're acting like a baby. Stop pouting before you actually turn into one," I teased.

"Yes, I am mommy's baby," she said, hugging the pillow tightly to her chest.

I crossed my arms. "I know you're hiding something from me. Spill it, Missy, or I'll drag it out of you."

"I'd like to see you try," she said, raising her brow, trying to get under my skin.

"Seriously, come here and see if I won't do it," I threatened, inching closer to grab her pillow.

"Okay, okay, fine, I'll tell you. Jeez," she said, giving in.

"You better start talking," I said, sitting back.

"We were at the lounge one time and then he told me that he loves me," she said nonchalantly, as if it wasn't a big deal.

I blinked. "And you're saying it so casually? Not all girls get to have a boy tell them he loves them in high school-especially a Muslim one."

Hadi still didn't look happy, though. Her blank stare gave it all away.

"Say something," I urged, concerned.

"I don't know what to say, okay?" she said, her voice a little shaky. "It's just so overwhelming. I love him too, but I don't know if he actually means it. This is my first time falling in love. It's weird, and I just hope I'm making the right choice." She gripped the pillow tighter, as if it were her lifeline.

"Hadi, calm, calm down. If you like him, you like him. Nobody's going to pressure you-not on my watch," I said, sitting beside her. "And if you truly love him, I think you should let him know."

"Are you sure about this?" she asked, doubt lacing her words.

"I'm sure. My dad always says, 'Tell them you love them before it's too late.' If I loved someone, I'd never hesitate to let them know."

"I don't know, Aves. I've barely spent six months in London, and I already like someone this much. It scares me. Really, it does," she said, her voice barely more than a whisper.

I wrapped an arm around her. "I've never been in your shoes, but I know I can help you through it."

"That's why you're my best friend, Aves. I thank God for you and everything He's done for me," she said softly, her gratitude palpable.

"It's fine. That's what friends are for. So, are we telling Julian?" I asked.

"I don't know, but I think I'm going to," she said, though her tone still held uncertainty.

"No problem. I'm going to pray. Are you joining me?"

"Nah, I'm off Salah," she replied casually, reclining back into the pillows.

I shot her a playful glance. "No wonder you're munching on chips like they're going out of style," I teased.

"It's not my fault," she said, shrugging with a smile. "I get these crazy cravings." She reached over and handed me a folded hijab. "You can take it home with you. I see you struggle with that a lot."

"Thanks, babe," I said, grateful for her thoughtfulness. I had been needing one for a while but didn't want to bother my dad. Hadi always seemed to know what I needed before I said it out loud.

"No problem," she said with a grin.

I began my salah, and as soon as I entered into prayer, I felt the connection with God, like a soft light warming my soul from within. It was moments like these that grounded me, bringing peace amidst all the chaos swirling in my life.

WRITER'S NOTE :

The next chapter is going to be hot, I'm starting to have my doubts about some people and I'm starting a new book next week, so hold on tight. The book title is Data : A Blackwood Legacy.

QOTD :If you don't correct them when they upset you, they will never learn how to treat you right.