Two Brothers, One Heart (Rewriting)

Chapter two 2

~~school~~

Firdausi strolled alone in the muddy lawn, the rain leaving its mark on every inch of the school grounds. The heavy downpour had turned the usually bustling school into a hub of activity, with students finding creative ways to pass the time. The absence of an assembly only added to the chaos, as some of the less serious students took advantage of the rain as an excuse to skip school.

As Firdausi watched the boys play football in the field, she couldn't help but feel a sense of loneliness. All eyes were on Enoch, the intelligent science student who had a reputation as both a Casanova and a top-notch scholar. But Firdausi had never been interested in him, despite the rumors swirling around him and Bianca, her classmate, being involved in relationships.

Lost in her thoughts, Firdausi's reverie was abruptly interrupted when a muddy ball landed on her blazer, leaving an irritating mark. She winced in pain, trying to navigate the direction it had come from. And there he was, a slender and good-looking boy with a remorseful expression on his face, making his way towards her. Her heart began to race, her pulse quickening with each step he took.

"We are so sorry from the bottom of our hearts," he said, his voice laced with genuine regret. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a neatly folded handkerchief, offering it to her as a gesture of apology.

Firdausi found herself lost in his presence, her eyes fixed on his face as a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions swirled within her. Time seemed to stand still as she grappled with her own feelings.

"Excuse me," he snapped his fingers in front of her face, breaking her out of her trance. She flinched, realizing her mind had wandered off into a different world.

"Oh God, what's wrong with me?" she muttered under her breath, her words barely audible. She quickly regained her composure, hoping he hadn't heard her whispered confession.

"Excuse me?"

"No thanks," she declined his offer and rushed to the washroom. How on earth could she accept an offer from a boy other than Mubarak Tijjani, her best boyfriend and cousin brother?

Firdausi stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection. "What's wrong with me, oh God, help me," she whispered to herself, feeling a mixture of frustration and confusion. She splashed water on her face, hoping it would wash away the turmoil inside her.

As Firdausi wiped her face with her handkerchief, she noticed the stubborn smudge of mud on her blazer. It seemed to mock her, a visible reminder of the mess her emotions had become. She sighed, knowing that the rest of the smudge could only be washed away with detergent.

Charles, her seatmate, had always been a friendly presence in her life. They had never had a long conversation, but whenever his name was mentioned or she caught a glimpse of him, her heart would skip a beat. It confused her because her relationship with Mubarak Tijjani was different. They shared a deep bond, strengthened by their friendship and family connection.

Leaving the washroom, she wished she could turn back time and avoid the situation altogether. But her plans were shattered by the sound of the bell, signaling the end of the break. She couldn't help but direct her frustration towards Marvel Jonathan, the school's timekeeper and her senior.

"Seriously, Marvel? Can't you ever get the timing right?" She muttered under her breath, her voice filled with annoyance. Marvel's strict adherence to the schedule had always rubbed her the wrong way, and this latest incident only fueled her frustration.

**
Thence, she went to her class but felt uncomfortable with the way the girls looked at her. She decided to go straight to Mubarak's seat.

"Hey, Salamualaikum! How was the never-ending weekend?" she greeted him, shaking his arm.