EPISODE FOURTY FOUR 44:THE TRAUMA.

HADIZAH'S POV

My maternal grandparents gave birth to five children: my mum and her twin sister, their older sister, their older brother, and their last-born, another girl.

My mum and her twin sister were inseparable. When they had their first children, it felt like destiny repeating itself. My mum had twins-a boy and a girl, Hakim and Hadiyah-and her twin sister gave birth to a boy, Hameed.

Not long after, my mum gave birth to me, and her sister had Hafidha. It was like fate was determined to keep the bond alive. Hafidha and I grew up as best friends, just like our mothers. She wasn't just my cousin; she was my soul sister, my confidante, my safe space.

Hafidha had always been brilliant, excelling in both religion and Arabic. I admired her deeply, but I wasn't as socially inclined. Instead, I found myself drawn to her brother, Hameed, for guidance. He was patient, understanding, and an excellent Islamic teacher.

I wish I could go back and undo that choice.

"My brother could have taught me," I said, taking a deep breath, trying to steady my voice. My face was blank, but inside, I was screaming. "But he was preoccupied with learning computer programming."

"Hadizah, if you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to," Daniel said softly, his voice gentle, careful, as if one wrong word could shatter me. "You can just go home."

"No," I replied, my voice sharper than intended. I had to tell this story-I couldn't keep it bottled up anymore. "I'm fine. I'm already over it." I paused, steeling myself. "So... one day, when Hameed was teaching me and Hafidha, we got into a fight. He stepped out to get us drinks, and Hafidha stormed off angrily, leaving me alone in his room."

---

"Where's Diya?" Hameed asked as he walked back in, holding two cups of juice.

"She left angrily. That's her problem, anyway. It's not like I care," I said, crossing my arms, trying to act indifferent.

"It's not good for Muslims to fight with each other," he said, placing the drinks on the table. "Okay, have this. I'll deal with her later."

I reached out to take a cup, but he gently moved my hand back. "That one's not for you. I know how much you like strawberry."

"Thanks," I said, a small smile tugging at my lips.

I took the drink, and the sweetness washed over me, calming me. But only for a moment. Suddenly, my vision blurred. My head felt heavy, and my body grew weak, like I was sinking into an endless void.

"Hameed... I feel strange..." I murmured, my voice trembling.

"Just relax," he said. But his voice was different-low and sinister, sending chills down my spine.

The last thing I saw before everything went black was his blue clothes.

---

When I woke up, the cold air pricked my skin. My body felt sticky, and I realized with horror that my clothes were gone.

The door creaked open, and my mum walked in. Her face froze, then crumpled into anguish as she took in the scene before her.

"Who did this to you?" she asked, her voice trembling, her eyes filled with tears.

"I... I don't know," I whispered, my voice barely audible, my mind clouded with confusion and shame.

"If you don't talk now, your rapist will roam free forever! Who did this to you?" she demanded, her voice breaking.

"It's Hameed," I said finally, my voice cracking as the words left my lips. "I was with him last... and he gave me something to drink..."

---

My father's face was a mask of disbelief as he stared at Hameed.

"Hameed couldn't possibly kill a fly," he said, shaking his head as if trying to wake from a bad dream.

"Hameed is a monster!" my mum screamed, her fury blazing. "He ruined my daughter!"

"Do you have any tangible evidence?!" Hameed's mother shouted, his face red with anger. "Hameed, did you do this?"

"No, ma I didn't " Hameed stammered, his voice trembling, his hands shaking. "I didn't do it. I even went out to look for Hafidha."

"Did you see Hameed, Hafidha?" her mother asked, her voice hesitant, searching for truth.

"Yes," Hafidha said softly, her voice barely above a whisper. "He did come to look for me, but it was only a few minutes ago."

My mum was trembling with rage. "I'm suing your son! I don't care if he starts his life in juvenile detention. He deserves to pay for what he's done!"

---

"Ma..." I called out weakly, interrupting her outburst.

"What, dear?" my mum asked, rushing to my side, her face etched with concern.

"My eyes... the colors... they're changing, and it hurts. My hair too," I said, tears streaming down my face.

My mum turned to my father, her voice frantic. "We need to get her to the hospital! After that, I'll make sure your son rots in jail!"

---

At the hospital, the doctor explained that the chemicals used to spike my drink had permanently altered the chemistry of my body. My once-dark hair and eyes had turned gold, a cruel, inescapable reminder of what had happened.

It became a curse I could never escape.

That's why I hate when people compliment my eyes.

"That's why you don't like people complimenting your eyes," Michael said softly, his tone carrying a weight of understanding.

"Yes," I whispered. "My mum took them to court. We found multiple pieces of evidence against them. Hameed was sentenced to twenty years in jail."

"Serves him right," Ava said, her voice sharp. She had been sitting beside me the entire time, listening intently.

But then Hadiyah's voice broke through, trembling and filled with disbelief. "Hameed would never do that! He loves me-he wouldn't hurt my sister!"

Her words cut through me like a knife. I stared at her, my twin sister, hoping she would see the truth in my eyes, but she didn't.

"You're just blinded by a stupid crush!" my father barked, his anger boiling over. "He broke your sister, and that's all you can think about?!"

"I'm leaving this house!" Hadiyah screamed, tears streaming down her face. "I'll never come back. You've broken his family. His mum is in a psychiatric hospital, their dad cheated on her, and God knows what their daughter is going through right now! You don't even have the slightest clue what you've done!"

"Hadiyah, I should be the one angry, not you," I pleaded, my voice shaking as I clung to her arm. "But please... please don't leave the house. I'll be all alone! Please don't go!"

She shoved me off, her eyes filled with cold resentment. "Get away from me! You've always gotten everything you wanted, leaving me with the crumbs to feed on!"

My mum rushed to my side, helping me up.

"If you leave this house, Hadiyah, you are no longer my daughter!" my mum shouted, her voice trembling with rage and heartbreak.

"Fine! I don't care! You never loved me anyway!" Hadiyah yelled, slamming the door behind her as she walked out of our lives.

I collapsed onto the floor, sobbing uncontrollably. "No! Please, come back! Please!"

But she didn't.

---

A few months later, Hakim couldn't bear staying in the house without his twin sister. He told my parents he wanted to study in America. They let him go, and just like that, another piece of my family was gone.

My parents tried their best to make me happy, but the void was still there. I wasn't the same. I wasn't whole.

I opted for homeschooling. I went to a British-themed school but eventually had to drop out and have private tutors. I was thirteen when the nightmares started.

One night, I woke up in a cold sweat, shaking. I couldn't stay in the house. I needed air, so I walked out, not caring where my feet took me.

The streets were empty, silent, and eerie. Then I saw it-a motorcycle speeding toward me, carrying building materials. I didn't move. The rider swerved, but a thin metal bar pierced through my eye.

All I saw was red.

---

I woke up in the hospital, surrounded by machines and the smell of disinfectant.

"She's alive," I heard someone whisper, but it sounded far away.

I learned I had been in a coma for three months. When I finally woke up, the first person I asked for was Hafidha.

"I'm sorry, Hadizah," my mum said, tears streaming down her face. "Hafidha is gone. She... she committed suicide. She thought you wouldn't make it, and the backlash from people was too much for her to bear."

Her words shattered what was left of my heart. My best friend, my other half, was gone.

---

I continued homeschooling, but the pain was unbearable. One day, I decided that my past wouldn't define me. I started seeing a therapist and enrolled in boarding school. It wasn't easy, but I managed. I worked hard, juggled therapy, and excelled in my studies.

Then, out of nowhere, my mum moved me to London. I didn't ask why because I knew it would make her angry. Later, I found out from my aunt that my dad had cheated on her with her best friend. That's why she left.

When I had Julian I thought I could give love a second chance that was why I gave him my all, man I loved Julian and he broke mr.

No matter how many time men tried to flirt with me or any nonsense, my mum would always say, "Adunni not all men are the same, look at your father."

Now I'm beginning to think it's not all true, my dad ended up breaking her heart didn't he, I can't take it anymore.

Julian's betrayal and the heartbreak only added to the weight I carried. I lost control and took it out on my friends, especially Michael.

"I'm sorry," I said, my voice breaking. "I'm so sorry for hurting you guys."

I felt a warmth envelop me. It was Daniel. His arms wrapped around me protectively.

"You don't deserve any of the pain you went through," he said, his voice trembling. "You deserve more. You're pretty, you're smart, and you're one of the best people on this earth."

Ava joined in, her voice steady. "He's right. You'll get through this. We'll get through this. We're here for you, every step of the way."

Tears streamed down my face. "I'm so glad I have you guys. You're the best."

I glanced at Michael, expecting him to say something, but he just stared at me like I had just returned from a battle.

"I don't know if I have the right words," Michael started, his voice barely above a whisper. "But, Hadizah, you're the strongest girl I've ever met, and for that... I don't even know where to begin."

"Thanks," I said, wiping my tears. "But I have to go now. I think I might even have my scholarship revoked. I just beat someone up, and I stabbed you. The principal is probably already looking for me. I need to go, guys."

"You do your thing, but your scholarship won't get revoked. I'm sure of that," Michael said with certainty. "Principal Mavis will understand."

"I'll be optimistic," I replied, though I wasn't entirely convinced.

---

After I went to the principal's office, she surprised me. She didn't revoke my scholarship. Instead, she gave me fourty-eight hours of community service and a week of detention.

I returned to my room that evening, relieved but exhausted. My head rested on the bed, my legs stretched up against the wall.

"Didn't know you became a witch," Jamilah said, walking in.

"I just became one today," I said with a small smile.

There is a Yoruba superstition that witches slept with their legs on the wall. It was silly but amusing to think about.

"You're more giddy today," she remarked.

"I just let something out," I replied. "And I realized I have the best friends and family on earth."

"I'm happy for you," she said, her tone genuine.

"Thanks," I replied. "I'm happy for me too."

A comfortable silence washed over us until she broke it. She joined me, mirroring my position with her legs on the wall.

"What would you do if two guys were in love with you at the same time, and you were finding it hard to choose?" she asked out of nowhere.

"That's hard," I said thoughtfully. "But just think about the one that makes you think of the sunset. The one who makes you happy just by thinking about him. The one who sees the real you. The one who makes you the happiest. And lastly the one you see yourself with in the future with, deep down your heart knows already" I paused, curious. "Why are you asking? You already have a fiancé."

"It's just... you know how our family works with arranged marriages," she said hesitantly. "I like the person I'm betrothed to, but I think I love his brother more. But his brother... he's more rebellious. I don't know how to tell my mum. It would bring shame to our family."

"Your happiness matters more," I said firmly. "Tell them. You'll get through it."

"Thank you," she said, her voice thick with emotion. "I really wish I had a sister."

"I wish mine was here," I replied softly, my heart aching at the thought of Hadiyah.

"She's here, but in your heart," Jamilah said with a small smile.

"I know, and she forever will be," I said, tears welling in my eyes.

"Let's go to bed," she said, sensing my emotions.

"Yeah," I agreed, but then my phone buzzed with a notification.

Michael: Are you okay? My parents are looking for a high school student to come teach my younger sister arts and crafts. If you're up for it, I put your name down. Just say yes, and the job is yours.

I smiled faintly at the message and replied:

I'll think about it and get back to you. And Michael, thank you very much for always having my back.

Michael : It's no problem. You mean more to me than you can ever imagine.

Thanks, I texted back before turning off my phone and drifting into sleep.

MICHAEL'S POV

I stared at my ceiling, replaying everything that had happened today. Ava's words echoed in my mind, and I couldn't stop thinking about Hadizah.

Ava had pulled me aside earlier, and her words hit me hard.

---

Flashback:

"I need to speak to you, Michael," Ava said, her tone serious.

"We're already talking," I replied, trying to lighten the mood.

"The way you look at Hadizah, it's different," she said bluntly. "You like her, don't you?"

My eyes widened in shock. I stammered, trying to deny it. "Uh... I... I-"

"You don't have to lie about it," she interrupted. "I know you do. And if you really care about her, Michael, you won't confess your feelings to her. Not now. With everything she's gone through, she needs time to heal."

I bowed my head, her words sinking in. "I understand," I said quietly. "I won't say anything. Not until she's ready."

"Thank you for understanding," Ava said, turning away.

Ava was right. I couldn't burden Hadizah with my feelings, not after everything she had been through.

---

I stepped outside, the cool night air brushing against my skin. The garden's varanda was quiet, but a soft sound caught my attention-shuffling and muffled sobs.

I walked toward the noise and found my sister, Maria, sitting on the ground, trying to clean a large wound on her arm.

"Maria, who did this to you?" I demanded, my voice laced with anger and worry.

"It's none of your business!" she snapped, quickly covering the wound.

"If you don't tell me, I'll go upstairs and tell Mama and Papa," I threatened. "It's either you tell me, or it blows up."

"Fine!" she said, her voice breaking. "But please don't tell Mum. She hasn't trusted me since I lost the earrings Dad gave her."

"Who did this to you?" I repeated, my voice softer but still firm.

"It's Alex," she admitted, tears streaming down her face. "Alexandra Hunters."

My blood ran cold. Ethan Hunters... Alexandra Hunters... Could they really be related?

WRITER'S NOTE :

Hadizah feels liberated and it's good, isn't it, but she still has a long way to heal, luckily she has the best of friends to that for her.

QOTD :

Give yourself credit. You've come a long way.♥️♥️♥️