All Boys School

CHAPTER 4

There’s the smell of food everywhere I go. Despite me telling my Mom to WAIT for me so I could help her prepare the food, she didn’t listen and did everything by herself and now she is not talking to any of her children.

Mehmat is currently trying to win her heart back by giving her hands a massage. I think he also wants something from her. Maybe money for books? As if he already doesn’t have a ton of books in his room.

“You all never help me!” she cries, pushing my hand away from her arm. I try to stifle my laugh. I think we all kids are trying to keep our laughter in control.

Abbud sighs. “Mom. Will you at least stop this fake crying? Uncle and Aunty would be here any second and we don’t want them to think we don’t treat you nicely. Because we DO.”

We all nod our heads in agreement.

“You all never help me!” she protests, shaking herself so that none of us children’s hands are touching her. “I had to make three dishes all on my own. Do you have any idea how hard that is? I have only TWO hands!”

The bell rings.

We all look at each other. Correction—they are all looking at me.

“No way,” I scoff, rolling my eyes. “I am not opening that door.”

Nobody says anything. The bell dings again. Nobody makes a move to get up.

I huff out an aggravated sigh, hoist myself up and storm towards the main door, making sure that I have my sweet smile on display.

Instant force almost throws me off guard when I open the door, and it takes me a moment to realize that Zainab has thrown herself at me and is currently crushing me to death. How strong is this girl? She doesn’t even eat anything and it shows—where did the superpowers come from?

“Hey!” she squeals. We both pull back and this time my smile is genuine.

“Hi!” I show her the same enthusiasm.

Zainab looks beautiful—as always. Her natural black hair are tied in a neat bun atop the crown of her head, a hair look only she could rock. I’d look insane in it. Her slim figure is hid behind a long shirt and striped pants and like me, she also wears her trainers everywhere she goes.

Behind her, I spot Uncle and Aunty so I say a quick greeting to them and don’t bother saying anything to Zaid. I don’t even like him.

Zainab and I go upstairs while the rest of her family stays downstairs with Mum. The boys are—obviously—in the lounge playing X-box but I didn’t miss how Abbud just STARED at Zainab while we were climbing up the stair case. Was I mistaken? Does Abbud like her? Or maybe Mehmat and Abbud both like Zainab? Oh, that is going to not end well.

Inside the room, Zainab takes off her trainers and jumps on the bed, laying on her back and staring at the ceiling.

“So, how was your day, Miss sub,” she grins, turning to me. I take a seat on the dresser stool and roll my eyes.

“Are you going to make me regret telling you everything? Please, don’t torture me.”

She pffttss. “Oh, come on. Anyway. See any cute guy?” she seems to think for a second. “No—I bet not. There aren’t any cute guys here.”

I couldn’t agree with her more.

“Except for your brother—brothers.”

I stare at her. She stares back. Then, I burst out laughing.

“Hah! I knew you liked one of them. Tell me, is it Abbud, or Mehmat?” I wriggle my eyebrows in suggestion. “Or all of them?”

Her eyes widen in horror. “Wow, is that what you think of me?”

“Which one is it?” I ask, desperate to get the answer out of her.

“Don’t tell anyone, okay?” she pleads. I nod my head. Her bottom lip disappears between her teeth. “I really like Abbud. Gosh, he is so. . .handsome.”

I try to stifle my laughter because I don’t think she will appreciate me laughing in her face just when she has so bravely poured out her heart in front of me. She needs a reassurance that it is, actually, a matter of seriousness. But why am I making it sound like it is a very big thing?

“Never did I ever think you would swoon over one of my brother,” I smile at her. “But you do know that he could possibly already have a girlfriend, right?”

She sighs. “I know he has one. I stalked him on i********: some days back, and oh my God Lina! She is so beautiful! No wonder he had liked all her pictures.” A wave of sadness passes her eyes.

Awn, man! She really does like Abbud!

“Should I like indirectly ask him about his love life?” I want to as much help to Zainab as I can be. She never likes anyone, and now that she has, she could finally think of marriage in the later years.

“No!” she blurts. “Never, ever! I don’t want him to think of me as some wannabe trying to gain his attention. I think it is just the hormones. I like him for his looks. He could be a total jerk for all I know.” She realizes what she blurted so she adds, “Sorry for calling him a jerk.”

I wave a dismissive hand in the air. “Don’t worry about it. He might be my brother, but you are also just like my sister. I love you both.”

“Aww, Lina.” She pushes out her bottom lip. “I love you, too.” She blows me a kiss and I blow one in return.

“I’ll get you something to eat,” I say, getting up and walking towards the door.

“Yeah okay. I’ll be checking your books once again.”

I almost scream when a see a figure standing just outside the room. Abbud puts a finger to his lips, telling me silently to keep quiet. I don’t know why he would possibly be here, but what I am aware of is that he might have eavesdropped and heard the entire conversation about Zainab confessing her crush for him.

“What the heck?” I whisper-yell at him. “How long have you been standing here?” if looks could kill, Abbud would be on the ground right now.

“For long enough to know Zainab likes me.”

I groan. Oh Lord! Why did I not shut the door!