YASMIN'S ORDEAL

PROLOGUE

*PROLOGUE*

He looked from the stairs, fingers wrapped firmly around the rails and tears slipping slowly from his eyes as his mother whipped the girl mercilessly for a crime he's certain she didn't commit.

After making sure she'd whipped her enough to leave marks visible for weeks long, she sent her away to go carry on her chores and promising not to give her anything to eat for days.

He hurried up the stairs as his mother approached the staircase raining insults on the girl and headed straight to his room lest she sees him and rebuke him for crying or perhaps even reading him the riot act as well.

He felt so mad and angry at himself that he couldn't do anything, just like always, but just watch as the girl was maltreated, day and night, come rain come shine. It's been the same story, it still is and will still be.

Just when he was happy that her father will finally take her away from his heartless mother, life dealt the poor man dirty and he's all back to square one.

He waited until the quietude stretched longer before he got his backpack and wallet, sneaked out of his room and out of the house.

He could've gotten her something to eat from the kitchen but knowing his mother well, she'd pounce on the girl again if she notices anything missing.

He went to a mart not too far from home and got enough snacks with the money he had before heading back home.

He safely landed in the girl's room after taking the back door and was heartbroken at the sight he beheld.

He knelt beside her as she sobbed, tapped her back soothingly. "It's okay, are you hungry?"

She shook her head, inched away from him. "You should go back Ya Khalifah."

"She went out."

Yasmin sniffled, wiped her tears. "I'm okay, I really am."

"I saw it, you must be in pain."

She pulled her shirt to conceal her neck area, hugging herself tightly.

"Should I get you some ice?"

She shook her head. "It doesn't pain so much."

"It could leave a scar."

"I'm... really okay. You should leave now."

He sighed, disappointed that she's trying to put a wall between them.

He remembered years back when she used to be so comfortable with him, they'd laugh and play all day. He'd console her when she's in pain, play with her when she's lonely, they shared quite the bond, that's before his mother ended their short-lived bliss. Her countless tactics and heartlessness made them grow apart through the years and it hurt him that Yasmin was also maintaining that distance.

He pushed the backpack slowly towards her. "It's not much but have something to eat."

She raised her eyes to his and the warmness in them made her wonder; how much have they grown? How much has changed?

She could clearly remember the first time she came into that house. His mother had always kept her children away from Yasmin since the get-go.

At first Khalifah was just like the others; cautious of her. The warmth in his eyes... when did it get there? At first he'd only look at her with eyes of pity, then he started secretly sharing stuff with her; toys, food, snacks, he'd sneak in and dump them somewhere she'd notice, she knew cos she caught him doing so after several times.

After he's caught, he started staying with her, whenever his mother wasn't near. They'd sit in silence, at first it's uncomfortable but then they both grew to like it. He doing what he did while she doing hers as well.

And then they started exchanging words, at first thank you's and sorry's and before they knew it, they'd laugh and cry together, play together, do their home works together while he taught her a thing or two, but that's all before his mother began to notice how close they're growing to be.

He's always the mysterious one compared to the others. He could be so cold or warm depending on when he wanted. He always stayed out of trouble but could wreak havoc over the smallest of thing. He's hard to understand, he could be really nice to her this minute and the next, he's keeping his distance.

She didn't know who to blame for it, did she? Because yes she knew she tries to stay away from him as well. His mother? Probably, her coldness was always extra whenever she sees them together. Or was it just him? Was it just how he was?

"Why do you still care about me? Hajiya will punish you if she sees you here again."

"I think I've gotten used to it." He chuckled nervously, trying to make the atmosphere more comfortable. He opened the bag and fished out a bag of chips. "Here, have this and keep the rest for later. Try to eat even if it's a little, she won't notice."

She bobbed her head, tore the bag open and nibbled on a piece. "Thank you."

He smiled. "You're welcome." And they sat in welcoming silence as she enjoyed her snack.

His attention reached the bare skin of her hands and neck and he felt disheartened by how ruthless his mother was towards her.

He pulled the bag closer to him and brought out an ointment. "Here. I got it from the pharmacy, I don't know how effective it is but give it a try. You must be in pain."

She hesitated before collecting it when he urged her to, mumbling a thank you.

"Take care of yourself Yasmin, please."

She stared at his worrisome face, becoming more confused as to the type of relationship they shared. Cousins? Friends? Or was he just a caring young Sir? "When are you leaving?"

The question came so out of the blue that he couldn't process as answer to it. And the sad look in her eyes and voice made it even harder to give her an answer.

She looked down at the floor. "Next week right? It's already Thursday."

"We can talk through Basma's phone."

She forced a smile, nodded. She knew better than to put her hopes up on that.

It wasn't the first time he's leaving home but this was different. He's leaving the country entirely, the continent to be more exact. The earlier he'd be back is in a year, or probably until he's acquired his bachelor's.

"You'd always be my good friend Yasmin."

She reciprocated the warm smile on his face after which they sat for a long time in silence, both sad in their own little worlds.

So how is the prologue, please do make sure to vote and comment 🤗.

Much love ❣️.

A book from mhyz-serena and sswweeddyy 🤗.