Unknown Betrayal

Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Aaleyah

“Good afternoon uncle”,Fawaz greets daddy who mom wheels out from their room.

“Good afternoon”daddy smiles. I stand up and hug him excitedly.

“I missed y’all. How’s things?“.

“Alhamdulilah, how are you two anyways? Fawaz do you want anything? I know you like moi moi so I made it for you”,mommy tells him.

“Am always hungry for moi moi”,Fawaz says which made us all laugh.

“Good then. Aremu’s get him something to drink while I se-“.

“Mama sit. I’ll serve him. Have y’all even eaten sef?“.

“Serve who? Sit down and talk to your father. He’s missed you since. Talk, I’ll serve”,mommy smiles then she hugs me again and kisses my cheek.

“Okay then”I smile and sit beside Fawaz.

Fawaz phone rings and he looks at it then excuses himself as he picks it up.

“So how’s everything? Be honest. Are you happy with him?“,daddy asks me in a whisper.

“Yes daddy. He’s a nice man. And also caring. He’s lazy with housework *chuckles* but I think we all knew that considering autny spoils him. But other than that, he’s really amazing”.

This time daddy actually smiles, a genuine , content smile.

“Have you visited your friend? Her wedding is next week Saturday. She’s been stressing out over it”.

“Yeah Basha called me and told me everything. That’s why Zayn and I came earlier. So we can help out. We’re going to hers after here actually. Aunty wanted to see us and I need to see Zaynab. Apparently she found out that Aayan has feelings for her”.

“Wow. Took her a long time. Everyone BUT her could see that boys love for her. And I don’t understand why she won’t marry him. Besides culture, Aayan is perfect for her. Am not a big fan of Abioduns family either, but Abiodun himself, from what I’ve seen, is a nice, gentle guy. Its obvious that he would keep her happy. But i fear that his family will put him against her in the future”.

“I tried explaining to her but at this point she’s angry at everyone for not respecting her decision so I just stopped. If it works out then great and if it doesn’t...then we’ll be here for her”.

Zayn walks back in the same time mommy walks in with a plate of moi moi on s tray and African bread on the side.

She places it on the dining table then Aremu’s places another plate there and fills two cups with orange juice.

“Okay eat. I know you have places to go and you’ll eat everywhere out of respect so I got you a little, so you don’t fill yourself here alone”,mama explains to Fawaz who chuckles.

“Yeah makes sense makes sense”he nods.

“Thanks aunt”,he nods then looks at me.

“If you need anything call Aremu”,mommy tells him as she wheels daddy into the living room. Aremu’s follows after leaving both Fawaz and I alone in the dining room.

“Zaynab isn’t talking to any of the twins. Basha called her to come over but she declined. Said she was too busy”,Fawaz says as he cuts himself a small piece from the African bread.

“Yeah. I know. She’s distancing herself from Aayan”I sigh.

“Still can’t believe she finally found out. And the worst part is Aayan doesn’t even know that she knows that he has feelings for her. And the even worse part is WE CANT TELL HIM”.

“If they’re meant to be...they’ll work and if not then not”I shrug.

Aremu storms itmnto the dining room with anger all over his face as he walks into the kitchen.

“See this one. If I smack the happiness back on your face”I hear mommy yell from the living room.

Aremu starts mumbling to himself in the kitchen then he walks out with a cup of water.

“What’s wrong?“I ask him

“Nothing”he mumbles.

“What’s wrong? What did you do?“.

“I didn’t do anything. I just asked for new shoes and mommy started yelling about the new ones she just got me. That was last month. Obviously its going to go old”.

“Last month? Aremu its only been a month and you’ve managed to damage it. Why are you giving them a hard time. If you need something then just tell me. You know they already have a lot to deal with, don’t add your own stubbornness to it”I tell him.

“Fine how much is the new shoe?“I ask him.

“It doesn’t matter. I don’t want it anymore”he mumbles.

“Aremu. How much is it?“.

“€56.98”.

*so €57 for one shoe?“.

“It’s not just any shoe. All my friends have it. Even Idris had it”.

I roll my eyes then look at Fawaz.

He hums and takes out his wallet then takes out two €50 notes.

“There you go. €100, spend the one you need for your shoe and keep the rest. Start saving and spend on only things you really need. If you need anything else. Call me. Stop pestering mommy and daddy. Okay?“.

“Okay. Thank you”he smiles with excitement.

“Now go apologize to mommy for making faces when she was talking”.

“I was-“.

“Yes you was. I could tell by the way you stormed into the room”I tell him.

He sighs then he walks out of the dining room.

“Thank you”I look at Fawaz who smiles.

“Don’t thank me. You know I don’t like that. He’s like a lil bro to me”,he says and caresses my the back of my hand which made me smile.

***

“Zaynab Aaleyah and Fawaz are here”,Idris yells from the top of the stairs.

I swear by now my stomach is ready to burst. Aunty forced us to eat white rice with perfectly tasty and fried beef stew. It was delicious but am full.

Zaynab runs down the stairs in sweatpants and a long sleeve black top. I stand up and smile. She screams and jumps on me. The two of us rock side to side as we embrace each other. I feel like its been forever since I’ve seen this girl. I really missed her.

“Aww look at you looking all beautiful and s**t. And what do we have here. Fawaz Fawaz. My guy”she hypes up Fawaz who chuckles.

“Well you know. Its got to be a sin to look this fly yeah”,Fawaz jokes which made everyone including aunty and uncle laugh.

“How’s the wedding planning going by the way?“Fawaz asks her.

“My guy. I am exhausted. I don’t know how people do it. I don’t know how YOU did it witcho lazy ass”.

“Heyyyy don’t insult my perfectly amazing self now”he flicks her forehead.

“Nigga”.

“Anyways I have my dress, his clothes have arrived too. The only ones am waiting for are bridesmaids. I told aunty not to make any other dress. we both want a simple wedding so am wearing one clothing for the entire function. The make up artist is contacted, the hall is done. The only important thing left are the catering. The mosque are making food on our side and on their side so it shouldn’t cause too much trouble. But everything is actually going as planned”,she smiles.

“That’s good. That’s good. Well congrats again anyways”Fawaz smiles.

“Thanks b”.

“Am guessing mommy already forced food on y’all”she chuckles.

“Shut up who ask you”aunty smacks her head.

“We’d love to spend more time with y’all but with all the visiting, am exhausted. Thanks for the care”Fawaz tells aunty and uncle.

“Ah. Come back soon and take care”aunty kisses both our foreheads then she says a little prayer for us before finally letting us go.

***

I open the wardrobe and gasp loudly as Fawaz’s clothes fill the entire row and columns. Dang the boy has clothes.

“Oh yeah. Sorry about that”Fawaz chuckles from behind me.

I turn around to find him applying on some moisturizer.

“Yeah, you really wasn’t lying about it” i chuckle then pick out black shorts from the wardrobe. I turn around and hand it to him. Apparently he doesn’t like wearing briefs or boxers to sleep so he only wears his shorts and nothing else, no shirt, no nothing. Now compared to me, I like to have something on, so I wear my lace nightgown which ends at my knees to sleep. Its free and comfortable.

“Thanks”he hums then puts on his shorts. He throws his towel on the chair then gets on the bed.

I pick up his towel and walk out of our room into the upstairs hallway. I lay the towel on the railing then walk back inyo the room. I take out my nightgown from my suitcase and change into it then untie my hair letting it fall onto my shoulders freely then get into bed.

“Do you need the lamp or nah?“,I ask Fawaz who’s busy on his phone. He shakes his head then puts his phone down onto the bedside table. I put mine down too and lay down with my head on his chest and his arms around me.

“We’re going for the meeting tomorrow right?“.

“Mmm”he hums. My phone starts vibrating, Zaynab’s name fills the screen so I pick it up.

Me: hey b wass-

Z: are you busy? *sniffs*

I sit up quickly with confusion.

Me: Zaynab are you crying? What happened? Is everything okay?

Z: I- i- *cries* oh my God Aaleyah they’re going to call off the wedding. I know they are

Me: why would they do that? Slow down b your not making any sense. Talk to me

Z: remember I told you I’ve been missing my period? Its been 4 months now

Me: well you obviously can’t be pregnant. Am sure its something else

Z: am not pregnant Aaleyah. That’s the thing. I was concerned because I’ve never missed it for that long so I got an infertility test done. Something didn’t feel right so I got it done. And it came back today as positive. Aaleyah I can’t conceive

Me: *speechless*

Z: are you listen-

Me: there must be something else. There’s no way that’s correct. Get a second opinion and even a third one

Z: yeah am going for another one tomorrow but there won’t be any wedding. Abioduns mother is an asshole in the first place, she won’t let me marry her son

Me: maybe he’s not meant for you

Z: ........

Me: Zaynab?

Z: I called you because I felt like s**t and scared he’d call off the wedding.....and all you tell me is that?

Me: Zaynab its not like that. Am just saying. Your moms not really into it, even our aunties are skeptical about it. Am not even that into the idea either. Why can’t you just think about Aayan prop-

I hear a beep which made me instantly stop talking.

“Hello? Hello? Zaynab?”

A gasp escapes my mouth as I realized that she hung up on me. She actually hung up on me.

“Can you believe she hung up on me?“,I gasp loudly and turn to Fawaz.

“What’s wrong with her?“.

“She missed her period for 4 months now so she got tested and found out that she can’t conceive. She’s worried about her wedding. I just simply said maybe its not meant to be and she hung up on me”.

“She can’t conceive Aaleyah. She doesn’t need you to tell her what everyone else has been telling her. And more importantly she needs support now not criticism”,he tells me then adds a small smile.

I let out a sigh then hum.

“Drop me off at hers. I’ll spend the night with her. I’ll see you at the meeting”,I tell him as I get out of bed

“Now?“.

“Please”.

He sighs and throws his head back lazily before rolling out of bed.

***

“I’ll see you tomorrow morning”I take off my seatbelt and turn to Fawaz who hums.

“Okay. I love you yeah”I kiss him which seemed to brighten up his mood.

“I love you too. Now go. Am sleepy”he waves me off playfully which I just laugh at. I get out of the car then run up to the house door and press the doorbell. I turn around and find Fawaz still there.

“Aaleyah? What are you doing here at this time?“,i hear aunt gasp which makes me turn around to find her clutching onto her hijab.

“Am spending the night with Zaynab....she needs me tonight and we sort of had a misunderstanding tonight”.

“Oh she told me about it. That girl I swear. But its a good thing you came, she’s been sulking since morning”aunt smiles.

“Your husband is here too”she smiles towards Fawaz who was now out of the car and beside me.

“I’ll take your leave”,he tells her. She nods and hums. He looks at me and hums then jogs back to his car before driving off.

“Goodnight”I tell aunty who walks into her and uncles room. “Goodnight”she smiles before closing the door.

I open the door to Zaynab’s room slowly and find her laid on her stomach.

“B”I call.

She shifts a bit then she finally turns around and stares at me.

“What are you doing here?“she mumbles with an eye roll.

“Do you have your outfit for the meeting tomorrow? Apparently we’re ordering out pizza, chicken and all to celebrate the union of Fawaz and I”I tell her.

“I know. I organized it”she rolls her eyes.

I frown then sigh and sit beside her.

“Am sorry” I whisper.

“Your going through a difficult time and I shouldn’t have been so insensitive about it. Am sorry”.

“Its okay. I don’t think anyone’s really happy about my decision. Mommy definitely isn’t happy. It makes me feel like it really is a bad decision.....but then I really like him, he makes me happy and feel some type of way. I don’t know anymore. Everything’s ready. It would make no sense to stop now”she sighs.

“Have you told him?“.

“How can I even?“.

“Don’t get mad st me but can I ask a question....about Aayan?“.

She looks at me then sighs and nods.

“Aayan loves you. He’s an amazing guy. You both have an amazing chemistry. Would it hurt to put aside the cultural differences? Or you just know that you can never love him? Real talk. Talk to me”.

“Me and Aayan just can’t happen. I don’t even think of him like that sef. Am even shocked that he had feelings for me, it changes everything totally. Now I can’t even be in the same room as him. Its not just cultural differences. He was supposed to be like a brotha ya know. Now our relationship is just confusing. It wasn’t supposed to be like this”.

“Mmm I understand. Well if your sure about Abiodun...you still need to tell him before the wedding”.

She doesn’t reply, she just lays down on her bed with her arms hugging herself.

The following evening

“This betta be damn good, having a nigga out here in the cold like”,Fawaz complains for the hundredth time as we walk towards our usual meeting room in the mosque.

“Stop complaining boii”,I tell him then open the door but the whole room was dark.

“Guess they not here yet too. What kind asshole s**t is this. A niggas cold and they’re all la-“.

In the middle of Fawaz complaining, the lights switch itself on then Zaynab and the rest of the members jump up screaming ”WELCOME BAAAAAACK”. I instantly jump back with shock and would’ve hit the floor if Fawaz hadn’t held me back.

Zaynab and Aayan burst out laughing accompanied by the rest of out friends.

“Y’all suck BIG TIME”,Fawaz chuckles.

“Ma niggaaaa”,Malik yells jumping side to side all hyped.

“I see you”,Fawaz gets hyped with him and they both perform their bro handshake before giving each other a brief hug.

“Ma nigggaaaa”,Zaynab mimics Malik who rolls his eyes and pushes her away.

“Y’all hyped s**t sucks. Ours is betta”.

“Really? Show us then”,Malik smirks.

“B”Zaynab screams.

“Zaynab take a seat abeg”,I roll my eyes.

The whole room instantly erupts with laughter.

“How your own girl gonna diss you like that”Malik yells into Zaynab’s face.

“Shut up you asshole. Am too good for all you niggas ANYWAYS”,she rolls her head in so many directions I was afraid it was going to fall off.

“Your embarrassing me Zaynab”,I shake my head as everyone laughs.

“Your so mean and to think I got you a present. Asshole”she rolls her eyes at me then huffs.

I hop over to her and hug her wurb my eyes shut tightly then roxk us both side to side.

“Yeah yeah let me g-“.

Her phone rings cutting her off.

Her: yeah Walaykum Salam

She furrows her eyebrows with confusion then covers her face tiredly.

"Okay. Thank you, I’ll come get the results tomorrow”.

She hangs up and her whole mood drops.

“Everything okay?“,Aisha asks her.

“Results for what anyways?“,Aayan follows after which looked like it just annoyed the hell out of Zaynab.

“Who ask you. Can you actually just stop trying to talk to me damn”she suddenly snaps.

Aayans jaw drops and his eyes widens with shock.

“What? Why? I ain’t even do nothing. You been giving me the cold should for the past week for NOTHING at all”.

“Aayan I s-“.

“How about we calm down and not ruin tonight for the couple. This night IS for them....not us”,Fatima tells the two.

Zaynab looks away then she storms past Fatima and out of the room.

“The f***s her problem”,Aayan whispers.

“She’s just going through things. Just be patient with her”,I tell them then I follow after Zaynab. I find her at the window just staring at it.

“Was that Abiodun?“.

She glances over then shakes her head.

“The hospital. I got Dr Lowry to Carey anothwr test. She said the same thing”.

“Zaynab not gonna pretend to know it feels because I don’t. But there are other ways that one can get pregnant or have children”,I tell her.

“its not the same. I want to be able to have my own kid, naturally.....but for some reason. Nothing is in my favor and it sucks. It really sucks”,she vents out.

“I get you. You love kids and such a news is devastating”I whisper.

She looks away and fixes her hijab.

“Come on let’s go back in”,I pull her up and thankfully she doesn’t complain. I get her back into the room where everyone is helping themselves to some pizza and chicken wings.

“Food?“.

“No it’s okay. Its your party, enjoy it with your husband. Am not feeling it”,Zaynab whispers.

“Oh.....okay”I mumble with disappointment but I don’t complain. She is experiencing a hard time at the moment.

She walks over towards the window sill and takes a seat before taking out her phone and get a busy on it.

“Aaleyah”Aayan walks over to me then he pulls me over to the side.

“Hey”I smile.

“What’s wrong with Zaynab? Did I do something? She’s been getting mad at me for the longest now. She even ignores my calls and messages. What’s going on?“.

“Uh honestly I don’t know, she’s been just going through some things, I guess that’s why. Plus her wedding is close too, its natural to feel stresses out”.

“Oh. Okay. So she’s not angry with me”he smiles.

I smile and shake my head.

“Greats. Thanks. Oh and congrats”,he smiles then gives me a brief hug.

“Thanks b”,I chuckle at how suddenly excited he got.

“You think I can talk to her?“he looks towards Zaynab who now has her eyes closed.

“Try”,I shrug.

He smiles then walks towards her.

“That probably wasn’t the right move”,Fawaz stands beside me and raises an eyebrow at me.

“He can keep annoying her. She’ll give up fighting him soon enough. She always does. Deep down I know her stupid ass has feelings for him.....she probably just doesn’t know it”.

Aayan taps Zaynab’s shoulder, she opens her eyes then rolls her eyes. He says something and I swear I saw a smile spread.

“See. Progress”I tell Fawaz then join the rest of the group who are now gathered in a circle.

“Aayan, Zaynab. Y’all get y’all asses here”,the girls yell.

Zaynab takes a seat beside Khalid and across from Aayan.

“Okay so Zaynab how’s prep going? Am so excited”,Aisha squeals with excitement.

“Girl just say you want to dress up”,Zaynab tells her which made us all laugh.

“Yeah that, plus your boy is cuuuuute”.

“I know right”Zaynab gasps loudly.

“His dimples are the cutest, Aww when he smiles I swear I dont know whether to faint or smile”,she adds.

“Relax dude. Y’all not married yet. No haram thoughts please”,Malik tells her.

“Aw boo is you jealous? Don’t worry I love your dimples too”,she winks at him.

“nigggaaaaaa”,Malik yells.

“Oh f**k you dumb ass nigga”,she gasps loudly.

“Nah but seriously am happy for you. You been single for too long”,Fatima hugs Zaynab who smiles.

“I know right b. Thank you”Zaynab smiles happily.

“And he’s beautiful too”Fatima adds.

“He ain’t even all that like”,Aayan mumbles to himself but we ALL heard......including Zaynab who glares at him.

“Aw we forgot Zaynab is leaving her loverboy behind. Aw don’t worry Aayan, she’s always gonna love you”,Aisha smiles.

“I know right”,everyone excluding Fawaz, Zaynab, Aayan, Khalid and I laugh.

“That’s not why. I just don’t like him”Aayan shrugs.

“Yeah obviously because your in loooooove with Zeze”,Fatima winks at him.

“Am not”he mumbles.

“Okayyy next topic”,Zaynab yells.

Someone’s phone starts ringing then Aayan picks his up from the floor.

“Asalam Alaykum mama”

He hums continuously then he turns to Zaynab.

“Mama wants to talk to you”,he holds out his phone towards her so she takes it.

"Walaykum Salam”,she instantly smiles then starts laughing.

“Nah nah it ain’t even like that aunty. Youpo always be my number yeah. I just been busy ya’knowwwwww. Don’t worry, I’ll come tonight and spend time with you yeah. Okayyy. Love you tooooo. Bye”,she smiles then hangs up and gives Aayan back his phone.

“So your coming with us then?“he asks her.

“Am coming alone”

“That’s sorted then. Your coming with US”,Khalid tells her and she doesn’t reject.

“Yo. Y’all always get that sudden relaxing feeling after praying Fajr?“,Fatima gasps.

“Am like a bird after. Those the best sleep ma nigga”,Malik yells and everyone instantly agrees.

“What y’all talking about? The best sleep is after Esha”,both Aayan and Zaynab yell.

“What?“we all turn to the two with a raised eyebrow.

“Well maybe because I don’t usually sleep after Fajr, but esha is the best”,Zaynab adds.

“Yeah same. I don’t sleep far Fajr so most likely thats why”,Aayan shrugs.

“Y’all some weird ass niggas. The f**k”,Malik mumbles.

“How many times can a nigga say nigga in just an hour. Ma nigga you’ve been saying that since you entered here”,Zaynab yells at Malik but the girl just ends up contradicting herself.

“How the f**k you gon try to out him when your saying the same thing”,Fawaz laughs then everyone joins in.

“Actually your right. The amount of time that word comes our my mouth, I can’t keep count like. I feel ya”,she nods at Malik then the two do a bro handshake.

Aayan whispers to Khalid who shakes his head.

“f**k y’all been whispering at since?“,Malik asks.

The twins look up and smile.

“Nah nah. I don’t trust those smiles. What yall at?“,Fawaz swuints his eyes.

“What you mean”Aayan chuckles.

“The last time y’all smiled like that, I ended up drowned”.

“Oh yeah. Good times”,the twins both sigh with satisfaction.

“And nothing, just talking about how dad is tryna force Khalid to get married”,Aayan shrugs.

“NO!“,everyone gasps.

“Yeah but it’s not like he minds but guess with who though?“.

“Don’t tell me it’s his ex”Zaynab laughs. The twins kept on a straight face and all out eyes widen.

“Your getting married to your ex?“,we all yell with shock.

“My f*****g niggaaaaa”,both Malik and Zaynab burst out laughing.

“Are you serious?“I gasp.

“Yeah. He told me two days ago. He said he’s giving me a day to decide and if its a no am still gonna marry her so I don’t know why I need time to think if he’s just going to force me anyways” Khalid groans.

“See. This is why. My Nigga. You don’t do haram things. If you hadn’t dated and gotten yourself a GIRLFRIEND, she’d be your beautiful wife. But now shits complicated”,Zaynab shakes her head.

“Yeah yeah. You know I already regret those times. But I guess Allah is still angry with me yeah. Now I have to deal with Ayoubs whiney, spoilt self”,Khalid shakes his head sadly.

“See she’s not even that bad like”.

“Girl. She only wanted Gucci bags and s**t. Watchu mean she wasn’t bad. She was awful. I’d dip quick”,Maryam shakes her head.

“Yeah but she can cook, she’s friendly, she’s respectful....she may want a lot of things....but we all have our flaws right. I actually think she’d be an amazing wife...and who knows. Maybe she changed”,I tell them.

“Well I guess. I met her yesterday when her family came over and she was dressed in an abaya. Her hijab was even wrapped properly and you know how she uses HEAVY MAKEUP. Well this time she had on light make up and mashAllah Wallahi she looked way better than before. I guess your right”Khalid hums then he stands up and picks up his phone.

“Are you going to agree?“Aayan asks him.

“Baba is gonna make me anyways so its not like I really have an option. But I guess I don’t mind as much now. Thanks for the talk”he smiles at me.

“No probss b”I smile.

“So Aayan when you gonna get married?. Khalid is getting married and so is Zaynab. So when’s yours?“,Maryam asks him.

“At this point I may as well be a dumbfuck and marry myself. Ya’knowwwww”.

“Aww you poor thing. Haven’t found the right one?“,the girls frown.

“More like she’s taken”Aayan whispers.

This time all eyes were suddenly placed on Zaynab who gives them annoyed looks.

“Well then its a sign to marry someone else if she’s taken”she tells Aayan.

“Yeah except she might be the only person I can think of. Plus its not that easy to just forget it”.

“Its not that deep bruh. Am sure she’s not even that special sef”,Zaynab rolls her eyes.

“Oh she is. She is. I hate her at times but damn most times she’s just.....I don’t even know”,Aayan let’s out with a smile.

Zaynab just stares at him as she listens to Aayan talk to her about herself without him knowing that she knows that he’s talking about her.

“Wow Aayan. The girl must be special. What’s her name?“,Aisha asks him.

“Uh”Aayan looks up and clears his throat.

“Umn Dilasa?“he let’s out then all of a sudden both Fawaz and Zaynab pet out a snicker.

“What? Shut up man”Aayan rolls his eyes.

“So what’s this “Dilasa” like?“,Fawaz asks him.

“Well she’s funny, we fight a lot but at the end of the day its those kinda fights where your mad at the point, but if you don’t fight then you know there’s something wrong. Her smile is like the best and her laughter? Wow, this sounds corny as f**k but it literally brightens up my day, after hectic day at work, just hearing her or talking to her makes everything okay for me. She can cook too, she’s respectful to elders and elders also love her. She’s basically like out of this world. Bet”.

“Oh my God that’s so sweet”,the girls and I whisper. I frown then look at Zaynab who’s staring at Aayan as he finishes.

“Then nigga talk to your parents. She sounds amazing to me. s**t if you won’t take her I will”,Malik let’s out which made us all erupt with laughter, including Zaynab.

“I can’t. She doesn’t feel the same”,Aayan whispers.

“No? That girl out her damn mind tho. What the f**k. She doesn’t even know what she’s missing like”,Maryam gasps.

“What culture?“.

“Uhhh”Aayan clears Hus throat and scratches his head.

“Just know we have different cultures. She’s just not into it I guess”,he shrugs.

“s**t. Sounds like Zaynab to me. What the f**k. Zaynab there’s another you in this world. What a disaster”,malik shakes his head which made everyone laugh.

“Shut up. That was sweet and all but maybe she just doesn’t want to ruin the friendship and closeness y’all got with marriage”,Zaynab tells Aayan.

“Nah. She’s just not open minded. And she comes up with this dude that she suddenly wants to marry. First of all, the nigga is lying to her and I don’t even like him”.

“Lying about what? did you look up on her dude?“,Fatima gasps loudly.

“Well...Basha did and told me what she found”.

“What did she find?“Zaynab asks with an edge to her tone. I could tell she was about to explode.

“B you want to go get some air with me?“I ask her.

“No. Aayan what did Basha find about the guy?“she asks with a stern tone.

“Its not serious. Never mind. Forget I said anything”Aayan mumbles.

“Aayan. What the f**k did she find?“she yells.

His jaw drops then he clears his throat and looks away.

“Aayan f*****g Ali. What did your sister find?“she asks with a much calmer tone.

“I don’t know. She didn’t tell me”.

Zaynab leans back and raises an eyebrow at him then all of a sudden she picks up her phone and turns to me.

“Am sorry. I’ll call you later”she gives me a brief hug.

“I’ll cook you jollof rice to make up for me leaving early”she tells Fawaz who smiles a little. She gives him a hug too then she storms out of the room.

“Aayan”Fawaz whispers.

“Yeah?“.

“She knows that you were talking about her”,he tells him

“Fawaz”I yell.

“What! She’s our friend but so is Aayan. So its unfair to not let him know”,Fawaz looks at me then he turns back to Aayan who has on a look of confusion.

“Wait are you telling me Dilasa was Zaynab?“,Malik’s eyes widens.

“Why are you so dumb. Everyone knew”,Fatima chuckles at Malik.

“Y’all did?“Aayan gasps.

“nigga. We could see your love for her for a while now. We knew you were talking about Zaynab. We just wanted her to know how much you actually loved her, that’s why we kept asking those questions”,Aisha tells him.

“Oh”he frowns.

“Wait but what are YOU talking about?“he asks Fawaz.

“The last time she was at y’all place. She overheard you and Khalid talking. She knows that you have feelings for her”,he tells her.

“She doesn’t. Please tell me this I’d a joke to get back at me”Aayan whispers.

“Am sorry but yeah. That’s why she hasn’t been talking to you”.

“Why didn’t you tell me”he turns to me.

“Am sorry. But she told me and I obviously couldn’t tell you. What kind of friend would I be?“.

“Right now a shitty one”,he says then he stands up and grabs his coat before walking out.

“Aayan am sorry”I stand up.

“Just leave me alone”he mumbles before exiting the building.

I turn around and glare at Fawaz.

“Are you happy?“I ask him.

“Oh come on. Its our fault for not telling him soon”.

“No. She told me something and as her friend I wasn’t supposed to open my mouth to anyone else. I told YOU because your my husband and I didn’t want any secrets in between us. And now you’ve gotten two people mad at me. Thank you”I snap angrily then storm out of the building.

“Babe come on. Its not even like that. Am sorry”,I hear him yell after me but I ignore him.