Unknown Betrayal

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Aaleyah

“Mmm my lil boo babyyy. Oh my, lil boo baby”,I hum to myself as I put my braids in a bun.

“So I ordered us room service”,Fawaz walks out of the bathroom in some black shorts and bare chest.

“Watchu get?“.

“Well since we going out, only asked for some drinks”,he shrugs.

“Only drinks? Well actually makes sense”,I whisper. I put on my coffee coloured hijab to match with my coffee coloured turtle turtle neck shirt.

“You talked to your parents yet?“,Fawaz asks as he also gets dressed.

“Yeah, early this morning. Just checking up, everyone wished us on the group chat and Malik says to call him when you free”,I tell him.

“Oh”he hums and sits on the bed while scrolling through his phone. He chuckles and shakes his head then begins to type furiously fast.

“Aayan “accidentally” poured vanilla milkshake on Zaynab then took a picture calling her white”,he laughs.

“He did what?“,I gasp loudly then rush over to Fawaz. I sit beside him and take his phone. Zaynab just looked shocked. Her eyes are shut and shoulders raised slightly with her lips parted. The milkshake is covering her face, which makes sense with Aayans statement.

“She is gonna kill him” I shake my head.

Fawaz presses the voice note sent by Aayan. All that came through was a chorus of laughter.

“Oh my God. They were wrong. You do go back once you go black”,Aayan yells.

“No!“both Fawaz and I explode in laughter.

"My chwestttt”-Fatima types.

“Oh my Gooood, Aayaaan, am done! “-Malik

“Zaynab is gonna kill this boii forreal”-Musa

“He called her white. Aayan is officially bout to be hospitalized”-Zara

“Guys. My friends, lovely dear friends. Say your goodbyes to Aayan now. Because in 2.5 seconds. You ain’t seeing him no more. The nigga dying today. *no comment*“-Zaynab.

"“-Fatima.

“B don’t do anything crazy please”-Me

“Enjoy your honeymoon b. Forget about this idiotic fool. I feel sorry for his future wife sef”-Zaynab

“That’s mean b. I thought me and you were getting married no? “-Aayan

“MY HEARRRRRRT  God forbid.“,-Zaynab

“ouch. Ouch. That hurt my soul”,-Aayan

“Your soul ain’t gon be the only thing just once am done with yo dumb ass”-Zaynab

“Oooooo am waiting for you “-Aayan.

“NO HARAM s**t HERE!“,-Fatima

“How you gon type that and then curse”,-Aayan + Zaynab

“Well am sspecial “-Fatima

“Yeah. Special needs kinda ting”-Zaynab

"“-Aayan

"“-Fatima

“Am telling your husband on you. What kind of example are you setting for your future child Fatima?“-Aayan

“Shut up Aayan”-Fatima + Zaynab

“Daaaaaaaaaang FINE THEN!“,-Aayan

“Y’all crazy forreal”-Fawaz

“Hey Fawaz. Enjoying honeymoon witcho boo thang? “-Zaynab

“Sure am sure am. We bouta make our own future baby up in here. Bet “-Fawaz

“My chwest. My Guy”,-Aayan, Musa, Malik +4 others

“Ooooh I see you Aaleyah “-Zaynab

“B stooooooop”-me

I look up at Fawaz who smiles then presses a soft kiss on my lips.

“mm”I let out a low giggle and part away.

“Come on I want food”I pull him - well I tried. Boii was too heavy. I couldn’t deal with all that stress so I dropped him.

“Girl yous weak”,he chuckles.

“Nah fam. I just contain all these strength for future use ya know”,I smile and flex my invisible muscles.

“What am I looking at?“,Fawaz squints his eyes at me which made me smack his chest playfully.

“Come on stop playing”,he laughs.

***

Zaynab

“So you agree?“,I ask mommy and daddy as I try to hide my excitement.

“If you like him....he clearly likes you too and his parents agree. I don’t really like his parents though. His mother looks like a 2 faced kinda person”,mommy expresses as she gathers some beans to cook for daddy.

“Yeah but am not going to marry his mother or father. But yeah I don’t really like her too”,I nod and sit beside her.

“How can you then marry into a family you don’t like?“,she asks me.

“When she’s not marrying his family”,daddy says backing me up.

“Yeah. He’s a nice guy. And he has a good job too. He prays, recites the Qur’an, goes to the masjid too”.

“Well if you like him. I don’t see why not. Your father will call his tomorrow. But you know your father and I are travelling to Nigeria in 2 months. The wedding has to be before that. Idris is going to be staying with Aayan and Khalid’s family”,mommy explains then she stands up and heads to the kitchen so I follow her.

“But why there? Can’t he stay at Aaleyah’s family house?“,I ask her.

“With Aaleyah now at her husbands house, do you really think its sensible to put Idris there? Use your brain. Her mother already has a lot on her plate, we can’t add Idris to it. We’re going for a month too and we can’t let him stay with you because you’ll be newly wedded and we definitely can’t let him stay with your sister. Her and her husband already have to take care of their baby and she’s already giving your sister a lot of trouble. Do the twin’s place is the best choice. Plus Ameerah doesn’t mind and Idris doesn’t either. He likes it there”,she shrugs.

I add some salt and little sugar in the beans then cover it up a little with the cover.

“So you don’t like Aayan or Khalid?“,mommy asks me.

“Them? Mommy really?“I scoff.

“Why not? They’re both nice educated, successful and kind, caring, men. I really thought you and Aayan would end up together. Everyone was sort of counting on it”,she confesses.

All I could do was stare at her with shock. Is this even my mother? She’s suggesting me and him? as in? Come on?

“I thought you’d want me to marry someone our own culture, someone that’s Nigerian? He’s Arab”.

“Yeah I know. But we know his family. Me, Abisola and their mother have been friends since college days. And the two boys are too good too. If we weren’t good friends, I’d want you to marry someone Nigerian. But nowadays you can’t even trust these Nigerian boys. I want what’s best for you and if I know someone that I think is good for you, I’ll tell you”,she explains.

“Soooo?“I trail off not really sure where this conversation is going.

“You don’t like them?“.

“I don’t like em like that. We’re just close friends like. Plus am pretty sure they don’t even think of me that way either. Like I said we just friends”,I try to assure her but it didn’t look like momma was buying it.

“Sure. Aayan sure looks like he likes you more than that. Anyways. Think about it”,she tells me.

“Mommyyyyy why are you suddenly pesturing me about him? What are you hiding?“I ask her suspiciously.

“Nothing”she shrugs.

“Mommy did he say something?“.

“Nooo. But your father and I had a talk with his family. They think he likes you too so they thought we should arrange for you both to get married.....that was before you told us about the other boy...what’s his name again?“she asks.

“Mommy stop playing. His name is Abiodun Adebisi. And me and Aayan are just friends. Even if I did want to marry one of them. It’d be Khalid. I can’t deal with Aayan 24/7”.

Mommy chuckles and shakes her head while stirring the pot.

“Aaleyah called us this morning. She sounded happy. That’s good”mommy smiles.

“Yeah. Her and Fawaz are perfect together”,I smile.

“Just like you and Aayan”mommy slyly whispers.

“Mama”I let out a loud groan then walk out of the kitchen only to hear her laugh to herself.

My phone starts ringing flashing Basha’s name. I pick it up and smile.

Phone Conversation:

Me: Asalam Alaykum b wassup?

B: Walaykum Salam. Am bored will you come over? Sleep over tonight, I need help to study too

Me: eh sure am not doing anything anyways

B: eeee thanks. Get some snacks yeah

Me: your even telling me? Of all people? You already know am emptying out the entire shop

B: *laughs* I know. Hurry

Me: okay okay girl chill. See you in a bit inshaAllah (if Allah wills)

B: inshaAllah

I hang up and turn to daddy.

“Can I sleep over at the twins? Basha needs help studying and has nothing to do”,I tell him.

“Ask your mother”,he hums with his eyes focused on the football game along with Idris who just has his maths book in front of him.

“Idris your not even working”I smack his head then enter the kitchen before he could start yelling.

“Mommy can I sleep over at the twins? Basha needs help studying and has nothing to do”.

“Is that it? Or you j-“.

“Mommy don’t please na”I frown.

“Okay okay. Go. Just be careful, you know its already late”.

“Yeah okay. See you tomorrow”I smile and run out of the kitchen. I go into my room and pack my PJs and an extra pair of clothes for tomorrow morning and my make up bag.

***

Basha opens the door in her plain cream PJs and her hair in a messy bun.

“Hey b”,I hug her then lock the door.

“Where’s aunt and uncle?“.

“Here”she leads me into the living room where aunty, uncle, Khalid and Aayan are all seated watching a Mufti Menk lecture.

“Asalam Alaykum”they greet

“Walaykum Salam” I respond with a smile.

“Why are you here?“Aayan asks leaning over to the table and grabs a slice of chicken, sweet corn, pineapple and jalapeño pizza.

“Ooooh pizza. And why do you care? I basically live here too sooooo mind yo own business”,I tell him with an eye roll then take a slice of pizza for myself.

“Why so harsh? Aww are you still upset I turned you white?“he asks.

“I wanna strangle you but am too good for that. And news, my parents agreed to the proposal”I tell them.

“What proposal?“,Khalid asks.

“Abiodun. They met him and his family. They’re a bit skeptical because his parents suck and even I don’t like em. But am not marrying them so daddy agreed then mom agreed so”.

“Oh. Your getting married to Abiodun?“aunty whispers with a hint of disappointment in the tone of her voice.

“That’s great”Aayan says.

“I feel sorry for the guy”,he shakes his head.

“Hey stoooop”I smack him with the couch cushion repeatedly until he burst out laughing.

“Okay okay am messing”he yells.

“Yeah you better be”I hiss at him then fix myself.

“Sad marriage tho”,he says.

“Aayan”I scream but he runs away before I could attack him.

“Oh betta be lucky am not in the chasing mood”,I squint my eyes then scoff.

“Aw its okay b. I getchu. Fat life ting”.

“Aaayaaaaan”I whine.

“Okay b okay”he chuckles.

“Betta”I roll my eyes.

“So we’ll be in our room if y’all need us”,I tell them then drag Basha into her room.

“There’s some jollof rice that your mother cooked in the fridge and chicken”aunty yells which made me run out of the room instantly and into the kitchen while totally disregarding the enormous laughter that filled the room.

I take out the jollof rice bowl and get myself a plate, rinse it, and pour some rice onto it. Am a very hungry girl so it may look bigger than it should be. I place a piece of chicken on top then put the bowls back in the fridge. I put the plate in the microwaves and heat it up then grab my fork and walk out into the living room with it in my mouth.

“I swear your gonna turn fat in this house”Aayan comments.

I look at him and was about to insult him back but decide against it.

“I know right”I pout then sit beside him and place my head on his lap. I turn on my phone then put in my pin unlocking the screen revealing notifications of messages from group chats, Aaleyah, my sister, Khalid and Abiodun.

I disregard the rest and click on the notification from Abidoun.

Ab: hey your parents talked to me this evening about my proposal and they agreed, mine too. How early do you want to make all this?

“Aunty how early is TOO early to get married after accepting proposals?“I ask her.

“Well your uncle and I got married like 3 weeks later. Everything was planned for us so it was much easier. I suppose it depends on you and your fiance and also on how fast you can get preparations done”.

“Makes senze makes senze. Thank Youuuuuuu”,I smile.

Me: I don’t mind really. Am ready when you are. Depends on how fast we can get preparations done. But my parents are going to Nigerian in 2 months so the wedding has to be before that. So I’d say this month, maybe the ending? I don’t know I’ll talk to them about it.

“Are you sure you want to marry him? Your parents know a lot of people and even they’ve never heard of him before. I don’t know”.

I look up from my phone at aunt who looks at me with concern.

“Auntyyyy not you too..mama said the same thing. He’s a good guy. I’ve talked to him for a few months now”.

“I don’t know. For some reason my mind isn’t really on him”she whispers.

I sigh then sit beside her.

“I get it aunty. Your jealous that he’s going to have all my attention. But don’t worry nobody is that special to take my attention from you”,I tell her which made her laugh.

“Your a crazy child”she picnhes my cheeks playfully then gives me a kiss on my cheeks which made me giggle.

The microwave dings signalling that my food is FINALLY ready. Hunger dey kill somebody.

“Food is lifeeeeeeeee”,I groan with satisfaction as I walk out of the kitchen with my plate of heaven.

“You and food should get married”,Aayan shakes his head.

“Aayaaan don’t insult me na”,I kick his leg then sit beside him. I smile and rub my hands together with excitement before I dug in and release a moan of satisfaction.

“I can see you want to eat too. And your insulting me”,I smirk st Aayan who rolls his eyes then he opens his mouth.

“Be lucky Allah made me a nice person like”.

“Yeah yeah sure”he snickers. I feed him some jollof rice then cut some chicken and add it in his mouth.

“Thanks b”he smiles as he chews away.

“Am actually hungry now. Ugh”,Aayan groans.

“You just ate”Khalid tells him.

“Yeah but seeing her eat makes me want to eat again”.

“Am not sharing”I tell him quickly.

“Oh please”he begs.

“Ugh why am I so nice like”,I fan myself then place the plate on the table.

Him and I sit in front of the table and on our knees. I put my fork down and pull up on my sleeves. “Yo guys the crew says hey”,Khalid says putting his phone camera towards us.

“Am about to murdaaaa this food with my best frannnnn”,I wave towards the phone along with Aayan who’s throwing up useless hand signs.

I dig in with my hand and moan.

“I swear food tastes ten times better when eaten with your hands”,Aayan says.

“I agree”both Khalid and I nod.

“Join us”I tell Khalid.

“Am full”he smiles while typing away on his phone.

“Hey. Am tired, am going to bed okay”,Basha says as she yawns.

“Okay b. Goodnight. Love Youuuuuuu”.

“Night. Love you too”she chuckles tiredly and enters her room.

Jollof Rice Image

I pick up my phone from the table after it vibrating a few times. Abiodun’s name pops up so I click on it.

Ab: Yeah they just talked to mine, they were thinking the same thing. Ending of this month, which means we have about three weeks to get everything organized. I was thinking we should meet up to talk about it or we can talk on the phone, either is fine with me

Me: we can talk on the phone

Ab: are you free now?

Me: well am eating but you can call anyways

Ab: ight cool

I lick my fingers then wipe it off the kitchen paper towel. My phone rings as am cleaning my hands.

I answer it and use my fork to eat instead.

Ab: asalam Alaykum

Me: Walaykum Salam

Ab: wait are your parents there?

Me: uh nah. Am not home. Am at the twins house. Aayan and Khalid, you’ve seen them

Ab: oh......

Me: what?

Ab: isn’t Aayan the guy everyone was expecting you to end up with?

Me: oh....you heard that too. News to me too, but nah. We just friends like so it ain’t nun serious like

Ab: mmm okay. Anyways so any ideas?

Me: okay I know what to wear and I know who to make it. Aaleyah’s mom is making me my first dress, and am buying the other one. I want a simple wedding so we’re doing the nikkah and walima together, same place

Ab: yeah, your parents mentioned that too...makes sense, I honestly prefer that too

Me: nice right. So my clothes would take about a week to get here, so worry about your own clothes. Tue hall decorations, are you okay to pay for it? I was thinking that we should split it half, half

Ab: *chuckles* I’ll pay for it. Its not a big deal

Me: *smiles* nice so you get that done. I want light blue and white decorations but simple. We’ll take care of the cake and catering but your mother and her half of the mosque have to help with it because with guests, my family won’t be handling that alone.....is that okay with you?

Ab: yeah sure

Me: you sure? Cuz yo ass ain’t really saying anything besides agreeing with everything I say

Ab: *chuckles* I don’t mind. I just want you to be happy with it, you can take over.

Me: ah see nize one nize one. Someone has sense. Anyways so your grooms men and y’all worry about y’all clothes. I’ll worry about mine and my brides maids. This all won’t take that long....hopefully

Ab: yeah, I’ll contact a decorater tomorrow morning and get her to talk to you so you can tell her what you need done. I’ll get my clothes easily and my groomsmen are only two so that won’t be a problem. I want everything to be simple and not long

Me: me toooooo oh my God same. So we both agree then. Some nice thing

Ab: okay I’ll let you eat then. Imma call you tomorrow morning before i head to work inshaAllah

Me: okiiiiii good night

Ab: night

He hangs up and I instantly sigh tiredly.

“Sooooo y’all wedding is actually happening?“,Aayan raises an eyebrow.

“Well duh. Watchu think we was playing?“.

“Nah. I just don’t think he’s right for you that’s all”,he shrugs.

“Now Aayan. What would you know about who’s right or wrong for me?“.

I look at him and he actually looked serious. It wasn’t his usual insulting stupid self talking. The way he looked at me kinda felt intimidating but the way I suddenly squirmed under his gaze was just plain weird. Nothing felt right anymore.

“Am just saying. He’s not right for you. There’s something about him that I can’t pinpoint. Plus how can you marry into a family where his parents and sister act like assholes”,he tells me with a questioning look.

“Am not marrying them Aayan. Plus since you know me so well. Who do you suppose is right for me?“I ask.

“Shrek”he blurts then attempts to run away but your girl was too fast for him. I had him on lockdown before he could even move his feet.

“Say that again?“I yell as I sit on his back.

“Your gonna suffocate me ya’knooooow”he groans loudly.

“I know. So you better start apologizing”.

“Fine am sorry damn. Is it suddenly wrong to tell the truth nowadays?“.

“Ooooooohhhhhh boii boii oh boii”I shake my head.

“Y’all done being haram? People want to sleep”,Khalid tells us.

“Not before he apologizes”.

“Fine am sorry”.

I stand up and look down at the table to find the plate gone.

“Mama took it to the kitchen”,Khalid says.

“Oh. Thanks au-“.

I turn around to find aunty and uncle gone.

“Wow that was fast”, I whisper.

“Okay serious talk. Are you sure you want to marry him?“,Khalid asks me as he sits me down in between him and Aayan.

“Guys YEESSSS. Can everyone stop asking me that. Its getting really annoying. I really like him and it wouldn’t kill anybody to actually support a nigga damn”.

“Its not that we don’t support. You know your like a lil sister to me. I just wanted to make sure your happy”Khalid tells me then smiles.

“Thanks b and yeah. I like him and am sure”I smile.

“Okay that clears it. Can’t wait for the wedding then. Now go sleep. You got a big day tomorrow with wedding planning and all”.

“You right. Okay goodnight boys”I ruffle both their hairs then walk towards Basha’s room. I open the door but stop it midway when I hear my name coming from Aayan.

"I don’t like the guy. I feel like he’s messing with Zaynab”, Aayan says.

“Yeah me too. But she seems to really like him. I guess your chance is up”, Khalid tells Aayan.

I turn around facing the living room then hide behind the wall making sure they couldn’t hear my footsteps.

Aayan chuckles sadly then he shakes his head.

“I never had a chance with her anyways. She wouldn’t have married me either ways. No matter how close we are, she’s still never going to feel the same way I feel for her. She’s too bent on marrying someone from her culture.... She doesn’t care who, just as long as he’s Yoruba. Which actually annoys me”.

“Yeah I know. I just wished she actually could see how much you care about her. But she’s blinded by her view on Arabs and Pakistanis that she doesn’t want to be married to one. But it makes no sense if we hang out and talk anyways. I mean we’re basically family so I don’t see why she’d still think that”-Khalid

“I don’t want to go to her wedding. Do you think she’d notice if am not there?“-Aayan

“Of course. She may not feel the same for you but she loves you as a friend. She’ll notice all right”-Khalid

“Is it weird that makes me happy?“-Aayan.

Khalid and Aayan both laugh and Khalid ruffles Aayan’s hair.

“Hey maybe your not meant to be. Allah (SWT) will bless you with a pious and beautiful wife. One that will love and care for you”.

“Thanks bro. I just pray it was Zaynab. You don’t understand”Aayan sighs.

“Ye-”

I couldn’t stand to hear all this anymore so I just enter Basha’s room and shut the door slowly and quietly.

I get in bed beside Basha and sigh.

They’re all right after all. Aayan does love me. How could I be so blind, it all makes sense now. He always got annoyed with me every time I talk about other guys, he didn’t even pay attention when I first brought up Abiodun and he’d been throwing shade at him all night.

Aayan Ali likes me- no he loves me. Wowuuuuu.

CHAPTERSPrologueChapter 1SubmittedRenameDeleteChapter 1Chapter 2SubmittedRenameDeleteChapter 2Chapter 3Unsubmitted ChangesRenameDeleteChapter 3Chapter 4SubmittedRenameDeleteChapter 4Chapter 5SubmittedRenameDeleteChapter 5Chapter 6SubmittedRenameDeleteChapter 6Chapter 7SubmittedRenameDeleteChapter 7Chapter 8SubmittedRenameDeleteChapter 8Chapter 9SubmittedRenameDeleteChapter 9Chapter 10SubmittedRenameDeleteChapter 10Chapter 11SubmittedRenameDeleteChapter 11Chapter 12SubmittedRenameDeleteChapter 12Chapter 13SubmittedRenameDeleteChapter 13Chapter 14SubmittedRenameDeleteChapter 14Chapter 15SubmittedRenameDeleteChapter 15Chapter 16SubmittedRenameDeleteChapter 16Chapter 17SubmittedRenameDeleteChapter 17Chapter 18SubmittedRenameDeleteChapter 18Chapter 19SubmittedRenameDeleteChapter 19Chapter 20SubmittedRenameDeleteChapter 20Chapter 21SubmittedRenameDeleteChapter 21Chapter 22SubmittedRenameDeleteChapter 22Chapter 23SubmittedRenameDeleteChapter 23Chapter 24SubmittedRenameDeleteChapter 24Chapter 25SubmittedRenameDeleteChapter 25Chapter 26SubmittedRenameDeleteChapter 26Chapter 27SubmittedRenameDeleteChapter 27Chapter 28SubmittedRenameDeleteChapter 28Chapter 29SubmittedRenameDeleteChapter 29Chapter 30SubmittedRenameDeleteChapter 30Chapter 31SubmittedRenameDeleteCreate New Chapter: Create Chapter Upload ManuscriptMicrosoft Word files (only *.doc and *.docx) are acceptedNEWEST COLLECTIONSHorror Books With GhostsBooks for High School StudentsBooks for Over 18sPoems For Under 13sPoems For High School StudentsPOPULAR COLLECTIONSBooks Similar to 'The Perks of Being a Wallflower'Romance Books For Young AdultsBooks About AnxietyBooks Similar to 'The Da Vinci Code'Books Similar to 'Fallen'OTHER COLLECTIONSBooks About CarsScifi-Romance Books for High School StudentsBooks For Animal LoversBooks Located In AfricaParanormal-Horror Books For Over 18'sABOUT US:Inkitt is the world’s first reader-powered book publisher, offering an online community for talented authors and book lovers. Write captivating stories, read enchanting novels, and we’ll publish the books you love the most based on crowd wisdom.

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