Al Qulub Haris

Nine

Zahra shook her head for the umpteenth time as two girls muttering to each other scurried past her with their books clasped tightly to their chests. Since she stepped out of the car, she turned many heads and everyone was saying the same thing 'Is that not Zahra Sahabi Kamba?' .They all wondered what she was doing in Nile University after all, her father was loaded and contesting for the position of the President in the upcoming elections. Even Zahra didn't know why Sahabi had chosen to let her school in Nigeria, left to her she would've gone with Fadil and Fadila.

Flashback

Maryam was seated on the vanity stool facing Sahabi who had just gotten into bed.

"About Zahras school, she'll be registering for the UTME tomorrow in sha Allah but its just by the way" she began, taking off her earrings "She said something about Taibah University"

"And where is that?"

"Madinah" she smiled. He shook his head which put a puzzled expression on Maryams face.

"She's not leaving the country" he said turning to his side.

"Why?"

"If we keep sending our children out of the country who is going to attend our own schools? There are many dangers of schooling abroad. We lose our culture and heritage, we learn the ways of the white man which is mainly against our religion, many children just go there to mess up their lives. I know people do that here too but at least you'll be a bit cautious knowing you may bump into someone who knows you. Find her a good school here in Abuja"

End of flashback.

Zahra made her way to the faculty of law with Andrew following closely behind. She asked him to get her a copy of the timetable while she entered the HOD's office to submit a file she was given. They both made their way to the venue of her ten o'clock class, the class was only half filled since it was the first day of resumption. Andrew insisted on following Zahra into class but since she didn't want any more attention than she was already getting she pleaded with him to remain outside the class.

On entering the class, her eyes met with that of the boy she had met during their orientation program. He smiled at her and gestured for her to come sit next to him, Zahra smiled back and quickly walked past the murmuring girls to where he was seated. They exchanged pleasantries and she sat down which gained her many death glares from admirers of the boy.

"You've forgotten my name right?" he asked. She shook her head her smile still tugging onto her lips "Okay tell me then"

She caressed her chin with her fingers while looking up, pretending to be in deep thought. How could she forget his name when he was one of the nicest people she had ever met with good looks to go with it. He had chocolate brown skin and beautiful eyes, his eyes were what got her attention in the first place, his eyebrows looked like a special project carved by God himself. She sighed as she remembered how good he looked in his grey kaftan the first time they met, how he stood tall and slender without an atom of attitude in him. The boy shook his head and chuckled "Its-"

"Sshhh" Zahra interrupted "Haidar. Haidar Aliyu" his smile grew bigger when Zahra said his name making her swallow hard at the sight of his glorious smile. They both turned their attention to the front of the class where the lecturer was now setting up the smart board. The bearded man paced to and fro in front of the board which displayed the course code and title "Ahem-ahem- Good morning class" he greeted and the students chorused a reply "My name is Professor Dalhat Midiri and I will be taking you the first part of this course which is Introduction to civil law" The lecture lasted for an hour and they were dismissed. Zahra excused herself to check on Andrew outside the class where she found him looking at the paintings that decorated the corridor.

"Hey, aren't you tired of standing out here?"

"I've always told you that my job is to protect you. I'm not supposed to let you out of my sight"

"We're in school Andy, nothing will happen to me. Just go wait in the car, I don't want you standing out here alone. At least you can listen to the radio and chat with Usman" After much persuasion, Andrew agreed to go wait in the car and Zahra walked back into class to wait for the arrival of the lecturer for the twelve o'clock class.

✊✊✊

Flashback

The twelve year old had turned pink with her palm pressed against her lips to hold back the bursts of laughter within. Fadil frowned at her "Zarah by Allah if you laugh I'll" he didn't get a chance to finish his sentence before Zahra burst out into fits of laughter, clutching onto her stomach. Fadils frown grew and he walked away from her.

"Fadil! Wait" Zahra managed to stop laughing and ran after him, she overtook him and stood with hands akimbo "Sorry you know I can't help it" Fadil scoffed and looked away "Fadilu na, I'm sorry" He looked at her and frowned even more, he hated when she called him that. "Ana asif ya 'akhi (I'm sorry brother)" that made his frown disappear immediately, he loved it when Zahra spoke Arabic to him.

"I won't laugh at you again, I promise" Zahra regretted making that promise because Fadil tripped a lot and he only tripped when Zahra was around.

End of flashback

Zahra pressed her lips together trying to stop a laugh from escaping them. She looked up to the sky and shook her head while saying a silent prayer.

The devil is a liar!

I shall not laugh!

She was doing a good job holding back her laugh until it happened again, Haidar tripped. Zahra shortened her laugh to a giggle but deep down she was rolling on the floor laughing.

"Evil" Haidar said amused by how free Zahra was around him.

"I didn't mean to laugh, its just that I enjoy seeing people trip or fall"

"And if you fall?"

"I laugh too, its even more hilarious when its me" she chuckled.

He sighed and shook his head "God you're something"

xoxo hairanumar