EPISODE FOURTY ONE 41: AGAIN.

Flashback.

AUTHOR'S POV

Julian sat with his two best friends, shamelessly rating how much they "loved" the girls they'd been with, their foolishness dripping from their voices. They were content with their reckless lives.

"Yo, Jay," Bryson began, swirling his champagne, "I saw this hot, covered-up girl at your school the other day. You up for another bet?"

"Nah, don't even go there," Julian replied, rolling his eyes. "You know I don't do towel heads. They act like they're the best thing in the world. Besides, I'm good with the girls I have-occasionally."

Bryson leaned back, smirking. "C'mon, man. This one's worth adding to your track record. You've done this to so many girls-it'll be a breeze."

Their conversation was interrupted when Julian's sister, Anna, walked in wearing a short skirt and crop top, clearly ready to go out.

"What are you guys talking about?" she asked, nosy as always.

"Your brother's too scared to take a little bet on the hijabi at his school," Bryson said with a sly grin.

Anna's expression darkened. "That stupid girl? The one who had the audacity to embarrass me in front of a whole restaurant? I'm Anna, and no one does that to me and gets away with it. Brother, you're taking that bet. Get her in your bed and ruin her life."

"If you insist," Julian shrugged, his tone cold and detached. "Besides, they're the reason Mom's gone. It's time to make them pay."

"But a girl like that?" Matt chimed in curiously. "Do you think she'll agree to get close to you?"

"He doesn't need to sleep with her," Anna interjected with a wicked smile. "Just make her look like a whore. Post some pictures. Break her mentally. That'll do the trick."

"How much if it works?" Julian asked, his interest piqued.

"Twenty thousand pounds," Bryson offered.

"Fair enough. Let's start." Julian's voice hardened, resolute. "I'll make her pay-for humiliating my sister and for her people killing my mom."

---

JULIAN'S POV

I miss her. I miss her eyes, her smile-everything about her. That kiss we shared meant everything to me.

I regret everything. I regret listening to Bryson and Anna. I regret toying with her. I broke her heart, and in doing so, I broke mine. I've prayed for forgiveness, but she won't even take my calls. She won't look at me at school.

Walking through the campus now, my head hangs low with shame. I've become a laughingstock, even though idiots like Dylan and Ryan hail me for what I did.

Then, I saw her-swinging gently, seeking tranquility amidst the chaos I caused. Even in her pain, she was beautiful.

"Nick," I called softly, and she looked up, disdain flashing in her eyes. She went back to her Quran, ignoring me.

"Hadizah, please hear me out," I pleaded.

She stood, walking away.

"Hadizah, for the love of Allah and the Prophet Muhammad, please," I begged.

She stopped, glancing at her watch. "Fifteen minutes. That's all you get."

"Nick, I'm sorry-"

"Don't call me that!" she snapped. "You've lost that privilege. It's Hadizah. Hadizah Damilare. Now talk."

"I was pressured into it," I began, my voice cracking. "It wasn't supposed to be you. I was angry, vengeful... because of my mom."

Her expression turned cold. "What about your mom?"

"Your people killed her alright if you would just give a few minutes to explain myself Hadizah I would love that," I said screaming untop of my lungs.

"Fine Julian, explain yourself," she said giving me the liberty after being shocked by my outburst.

My mom was killed in a terrorist attack," I explained. "She was a journalist. Five years ago, she went to Afghanistan for a story. She was abducted and after the the ransom of releasing their leader wasn't paid she was killed in a bombing. I hated Muslims after that. I hated them all. And then... then I met you, and I took my anger out on you. I'm sorry."

Her eyes filled with tears, but she held them back. "Your pain doesn't justify what you did, Julian. I loved you. I trusted you. And you destroyed me."

"You... you loved me?" I asked, stunned.

"Yes, you idiot! I loved you. I thought you'd never hurt me. But you did."

"Hadizah, I've changed," I pleaded. "I've stopped sleeping around, drinking, swearing-everything. Please give us another chance."

She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "You know what, if not for Ethan that said forgiveness lifts burden away from your shoulders then I would never have forgiven you, I'm kind enough to forgive you Julian, but I won't be stupid enough to trust you again. We're done."

She handed me the necklace I gave her, her most cherished possession. "Here's your necklace. And your jersey. I'll return your basketball when I can."

As she walked away, my heart shattered. I had ruined everything-for a bet, for vengeance.

*****

I entered into the white and gold lush building, it was beautiful and the Arabic words inscribed on it made it more beautiful, I am glad I'm getting to know this religion more.

A man with a full beard and a pure white cloth appeared to me.

"What do you want young man," he asked.

"I'm here to see the Imam of this mosque," I answered back.

"He's over there," he said pointing to an even older man.

As I approached the Imam, I gently sat at his front.

"What do you seek young man," he asked.

"I'm here to take my Shahada (witness that Allah is one)," I answered.

"So you want to revert," he said.

"Yes, as soon as possible," I replied firmly, because I'm now on a path of good.

MICHAEL'S POV

I walked out of my room into the parlor, where the twins' favorite show, Paw Patrol, played on the TV. That explained why Papa had gotten them a dog-they were obsessed.

Maria sat on the couch, glued to her phone, while my mum and dad were on the other sofa, Mum's head resting on Dad's shoulder. Even after 25 years of marriage, their love still seemed like something out of a fairytale. I envied it.

Being back from boarding school felt strange. Dad had a meeting we had to attend, and Marion and I were supposed to go together. But first, I needed to pick up a new tuxedo.

Before I could say anything, Marion was teasing the twins.

"Pick a number between one and one hundred," he said with a smirk.

Marco shot his hand up. "I pick five!"

Marion handed him five pounds. "Here you go, Mr. Williams."

"You're such an idiot, Marco," Marcus sneered. "I'll pick seven."

Everyone burst out laughing.

"You're even dumber than I am!" Marco shouted triumphantly.

"No, I'm not!" Marcus growled, and it looked like things would escalate.

"Hey, that's enough, you two," Marion said, handing each of them ten pounds. "There, now no fighting."

They took their money and bolted out of the room, still bickering.

---

Later, I was in a car with Marion when it broke down in a dark alley.

"Sorry, Michael," Marion apologized. "I had to see some friends here. Don't worry; I've called John. We'll get a replacement soon."

"It's fine. I just hope we don't run into any of those crazy boys around here," I muttered.

Suddenly, Marion bolted out of the car. I followed him in confusion, only to find him pinning a man down by the neck. Nearby, a girl sat on the ground, shaken and terrified.

Her lavender shirt was torn, her hijab missing. She tried to cover herself with trembling hands.

"Hadizah," I whispered.

I quickly shrugged off my blazer and covered her up, gently placing her hijab back on her head. Anger boiled in my chest.

"This bastard tried to ruin her life," Marion growled.

I clenched my fists. "These animals deserve no mercy," I said, dialing 911 to report the assault.

We drove Hadizah home after the police took the man away. She didn't say much-just "Yes" or "No" to my questions. Her usual lively spirit was gone, replaced by a haunting emptiness.

*******

After we dropped Hadizah off, her mother greeted us warmly but still confused as to why we were at her house. When she saw her daughter, tears immediately started flowing down her face.

"Oko mi, (my darling) what happened? Are you okay?" she asked, her voice trembling.

"I'm fine, Mum," Hadizah whispered, barely audible. "Michael, thanks for the blazer," she added, handing it back to me before walking upstairs and shutting her door.

I stood there in stunned silence, watching her retreat into her room. Marion, who had filled her mum in on what happened, looked just as upset.

Her mum thanked us repeatedly, but there was nothing we could say to make the situation better. As we left, Marion and I exchanged a quiet promise to keep the details to ourselves. We didn't want to burden our mum with the truth.

---

Days later, I found myself in the waiting room of my therapist's office. Therapy had become a routine for me, something I knew I needed to take seriously if I didn't want to hurt my family anymore.

As I walked out, feeling lighter than before, I spotted Hadizah leaving the psychiatrist's office. For her to be in the psychiatric room then definitely her issue is more than I have thought it to be.

She looked... different.

Pale. Tired. The spark in her eyes was gone. I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt for her.

I approached her, grabbing her arm gently.

"Hadizah, what's going on?" I asked, my voice soft.

She tried to pull away, but I held on.

"It's none of your business, Michael," she muttered, not meeting my eyes.

The coldness in her tone stung more than I expected. I hadn't seen her like this in days, not since everything fell apart.

"Hadizah, please talk to me," I urged, following her as she walked toward the exit.

She stopped abruptly and looked at me, her expression hardening.

"Don't bother me, Michael. Don't ever get close to me again," she said sharply before turning and walking away.

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. She had no idea how much it hurt me to see her this way.

---

HADIZAH'S POV

After everything that happened-my encounter with Julian, the betrayal, and now this near-assault in the alley-I was spiraling. The fact that history was about to repeat itself was very daunting, I don't think I want to pass through that kind thing in my life again.

I hadn't left my room in three days. I didn't want to face anyone, especially my mum, she did not have to suffer from my mistakes, she always been a great mother.

But eventually, I knew I had to talk to her.

"Mum," I called softly as I finally emerged from my room.

She looked at me with concern. "Hadizah, I know it's been hard since you came to the UK. But you'll get through it, don't worry. You've been so down lately. You need to open up to me."

Taking a deep breath, I sat down next to her.

"Mum, I have something to tell you," I said, my voice trembling. It was now or never. I couldn't keep her in the dark about what had happened with Julian.

"Go ahead, Adunni," she said gently, nudging me to continue.

I took a deep breath and started. I told her everything-about the bet, Julian's sister, how he almost got me to sleep with him, how I ended up kissing him, and everything that followed.

When I finished, I felt lighter but also terrified of her reaction.

"I kissed him, Mum. I regret it," I whispered, my eyes filled with shame.

Mum was silent for a long moment. Then, her face hardened.

"Hadizah, you know how much I trusted you," she said, disappointment dripping from her words. "I never thought you would be one of those girls who goes rogue once they get abroad. Who can I blame but myself? I knew you were changing, but I couldn't correct you before it was too late. You stopped covering properly, your hijab barely covers your chest anymore. You stopped praying Tahajjud. Maybe I shouldn't have let you be, I should have know that you were still mentally derailed, I should have kept an eye on you."

Her words hit me like a slap in the face. I hadn't realized how far I'd fallen until she pointed it out.

"Mum, please," I pleaded, but she shook her head.

"Don't touch me right now. I don't know what's going on with you," she said, her voice cold. "I wanted to give you good news, but now... It's bittersweet. Aunt Qudrah and her children are coming next week. Go get whatever you need for their stay here."

Her words cut me deeper than I expected. I had failed her.

She walked away, leaving me standing there, feeling like I'd let everyone down.

I went to the kitchen to wash my hands, trying to hold back the tears. But when I looked up, I couldn't hold it anymore. I collapsed onto the floor, crying for everything I had lost.

---

The next day, I checked my messages, and there were a few that stood out. One from Michael.

Michael: Are you okay? 😨

I stared at it for a while, unsure if I was ready to talk to him. He had hurt me too, just like Julian. If he had told me sooner, I wouldn't be in this mess.

I thought more about it and I put him unread.

Then, another message popped up. It was from Ethan.

Ethan: Are you okay? I know this is a bad time, but I need your help with something.

Me: OK, no problem. At least it's better than sulking all my life.

Ethan: Thanks. And this is how it goes...

WRITER'S NOTE :

I finally spilled all the tea, I'm happy phew. 😩😩😩. I think this was a good chapter don't you think.

QOTD :

Even miracles take a little time.