Chapter 1
Sitting beside the window, enjoying the breeze and viewing the amazing sunlight that we experience in autumn, something suddenly flashed in my mind. The thought that makes me angry, the thought that leaves me sad and the thought that reminds me of heartbreak. This thought that I don’t like having in my mind is the abandonment of my father.
I was only ten years old when my dad left us for another woman. I had seen my mum cry all night but I could do nothing as I was only a kid. Those days were one of the days that I would never forget. As this was the period when I started experiencing life without a father. I was really much closed to my dad so his leaving left me lonely and disappointed. I was very young then to understand that what Allah destines to happen will surely happen. After this I had promised myself not to ever love or trust a man because I’ve seen how hurtful heartbreaks can be.
I was in deep thoughts when my phone suddenly beeped, it was a message from my friend asking where I was. I looked at the time and it was 09;30hrs, OMG I had to attend lectures at 11:00hrs. I hurriedly left the window side and rushed to the bathroom. Without knocking, I went into the bathroom and met Fatima inside taking bath.
“Aishaaaa!!! WTH, how could you enter the bathroom without knocking?” Fatima shouted, giving me a death glare and showing just how annoyed she was.
“Oh gosh, I almost fell because of the intensity of your scream and besides you’re with your underwear,” I scoffed, annoying her even more.
She frowned and glared more, if that’s even possible.
“So? You can’t just come into the toilet without knocking. You know the rules Aisha, don’t make me remind you,” she said rolling her eyes.
“Ok sorry!” I unnecessarily shouted and dragged the word longer
“It wasn’t intentional. I was in a haste because we’re almost late for Management Accounting (MA) lectures.
“Oh yeah you’re right, we should indeed hurry up before the lecturer makes us the topic of discussion today too,” she laughed.
“But first, get out and make sure to lock the door while leaving,” she scolded me. Literally destroying my ear drums.
“Geez! Okay, leaving,” I said, turning to leave the bathroom. I stop at the door and turned around facing Fatima again.
“You look hot in there though,” I teased giving her a wink and shut the door, not wanting to hear her threats.
I smiled victoriously walking to my bedroom to prepare the materials I need for Uni. I finished doing that pretty quickly and checked my phone only to realize that it’s already 10:00hrs. “Oh dear, we’re definitely going to be late today too.”
We arrived at Uni by 10:58hrs. We hurried as fast as we could to get dress and make it to class on time but we were only 2 minutes away from reaching that goal.
So here we are, being looked at by almost all classmates while trying to get to our respective seats that our friends kept for us.
“Ladies, were you preparing lunch for your hubbies that you almost came late?” Khadija asked, clearly showing the sarcasm in her question.
“Hahaaa! Not funny ok,” Fatima replied back with a fake laughed.
“Well, what else could’ve been the reason?” Khadija asked again.
“Well mine’s a long story so p…”
“Please don’t ask? We know that’s what you’ll say. But anyway, you’re lucky that the lecturer seems to be in a good mood today,” Khadija cut me off.
Looks like I’d said that quite often. Just then, I saw Mr Jacques Dube walk in class and positioned himself infront of his students.
“Speak of the devil and he appears,” Fatima whispered.
“Don’t say that about him Timah!” Zainab scolded. “Discussion postponed till later”
“Of course mum,” the remaining three of us said while laughing and just then, Mr Jacques Dube started lecturing.
My friends and I headed to an empty class to observe our Dhuhr prayers.
“I have something to tell you Aishii but we should observe our Dhuhr prayers so I’ll tell you after prayers ok,” Zainab said, avoiding eye contact.
“Oh Ok then, let’s go to the classroom,” I replied.
“Hmmm, is it a hot gossip? Please tell me it is....” Fatima began looking all excited.
“You my dear friend, you’re too much. Let’s go and pray first, you’ll have your answer when we’re done,” Khadija said and laughed.
Fatima began sulking and we all just laughed at her for being childish.
After prayers, we decided to stay in that class to hear what Zainab had to tell me.
“What is it that you wanted to tell me?” I asked Zainab again.
“Yes yes tell us now, we’re all ears,” Fatima joined, eyeing Zainab curiously.
“Well.... Yusuph texted me yesterday,” Zainab said, looking at me.
“What?? How could you? Didn’t we all agree on blocking his dial?” Khadija asked furiously.
“No! First listen to how it happened please. I had blocked his dial and is still blocked but....” Zainab tried saying but was cut off by Fatima.
“But what?”
“He texted me with a different dial,” Zainab tried defending herself.
“So what does he want?” Khadija asked.
“He said that he’s sorry for what happened and he’s greatly regretted what he’d done,” Zainab said while avoiding eye contact.
“So he thinks that he can just be forgiven for what he did? And even if he’s forgiven, what difference will it make to him?” Fatima asked looking really annoyed.
“Indeed,” Khadija added.
“Well, he said that he wants us to be the way we were before, that’s to be close to one another once again,” Zainab said.
“In his wildest dreams! You know, this conversation is really making me angry,” Fatima yelled furiously.
“But we can at least....” Zainab started saying.
“Enough Zain enough! Let’s just forget about this topic please,” Khadija said already feeling exhausted.
“Aishii what’s wrong you’re quite. Please say something,” Fatima asked me, looking all worried.
“I’m… I’m fine,” I said almost expressionlessly. “Can we go home now Tima?”
“I’m really disappointed in you Zainab,” Fatima told Zainab giving her a disappointed look before turning to me. “Let’s go Aishii.”
Timah held my hand and we left the class. It was a bit hard to have a cab but we had one after standing for some minutes. As soon as we reached home, I immediately went to the bathroom to have a shower just to forget the sad memories popping in my head. I had tried not to tear up but I couldn’t help it. I cried bitterly under the shower. The pain was like someone putting their finger in your wound and playing with it. I tried crying all my pain out, to cry all the remaining pain in me so that I’ll be strong again the next day. I had spent almost an hour in the bathroom crying and lost in thoughts.*
“Aishii! Aishii! Is everything okay there?”
I heard Fatima knocking on the door and calling out my name.
