Ever since Farida's confrontation, I hadn't been myself. That night, I could not bring myself to sleep, as Farida's awful words against me, kept on troubling me. Thankfully, the next day was a Saturday. I didn't have to attend any lectures.
After fajr prayer, I folded the mat and went back to my bed. I didn't know about others, but I had a feeling Hala was ignoring me. After the way I snapped at her yesterday, it was justified. I made a mental note to apologize to her later.
I was still engrossed in my thoughts, when Hala came to sit beside me, on the bed.
"After how you spoke to me yesterday, I'm supposed to be mad at you, but" she paused for a while, before continuing. "Because you're my best friend in this school, I will let it slide."
"I'm sorry." I apologized. I realized just how rudely I had behaved with her, when she was only trying to defend me. "I shouldn't have snapped at you."
"That's correct." She rolled her eyes. "You shouldn't have, but, like I said, I have forgiven you already. I know you didn't mean to."
"Thank you." I gave a tight lipped smile. I really appreciated her for understanding.
"What happened?" Hala inquired. "I thought you said she's your childhood friend."
I hummed; unsure if I should tell her or not.
"You can trust me. I promise not to judge you."
"She's accusing me of flirting with her fiancé, Farouq." I opened up. "She overheard him professing his love for me."
"So she jumped into the conclusion that you've been seeing him behind her back?"
Sullenly, I nodded. "I really didn't know Farouq would say that to me. I...I only gave him my number because he deceived me into doing that. This is all his fault. I have a feeling he did all these deliberately. There is no way he couldn't have seen Farida standing behind me. I believe he said those words right then, because he wanted her to hear it."
"But why would he want that?" She reasoned. "Farouq seems like a nice guy. Maybe he truly does love you. That Farida is a hellcat. I wonder how Farouq managed to put up with her. She's so full of herself."
"Farida isn't like that." I defended. In spite of everything that had transpired between the both of her, I could not bear to listen to Hala say bad things about her. "She was just hurt, that's all."
"She was hurt. Yes. No one is denying the fact, but that doesn't justify her action. How could she just come in here and slap you? Aswear you vex me yesterday." (I swear, I was vexed by your action, yesterday) she seethed. "You should have retaliated. I'm surprised you still feel the need to defend her."
"That's because I know her well. We've been friends for a long time. Farida acted that way, because she was deeply hurt."
"See, let me tell you something; if you don't stand up for yourself now, she will continue to hurt and harass you."
"She won't do that to me." I shook my head. She may be angry with me at the moment, but I was certain she will calm down and apologize to me later on.
"Me, I have told you my own. The sooner you stand up for yourself, the better it would be for you. I love you, that's why I'm telling you this. The next time Farida tries to mess with you, you shouldn't allow her." Hala instigated. "If you think you won't be able to take her on alone, then you should tell me. I will personally deal with her."
"Please don't say that, Hala. It hasn't gotten to that yet. In shaa Allah, (God's willing) nothing of a such will happen."
"If you say so." She shrugged. "I cooked spaghetti. Do you want some?"
"Yes, please." I responded. I was famished. I didn't have anything to eat the previous night.
After I was done eating, I picked up my phone from the bed and the first thing that caught my eyes, was a message from Farouq. Anger instantly surged into me. His name alone exacerbated the newfound hatred I had for him.
Without bothering to view the text he had sent, I deleted it and then went ahead to block and delete his contact from my phone.
Fresh tears prickled my eyes as the memory of how saddened, rather than angered, Farida looked. Even though I had a clean conscience, her sad face still hunted me. Her confrontation only made me feel guilty, when I shouldn't be.
The feel of my phone, vibrating in my hand, pulled me out of my trance. I gazed at the screen of my phone, but I couldn't properly see the caller's ID, because the tears had blurred my vision. I had to wipe the tears away, to restore a clear vision. "It's abii." I made sure to clear my voice, before clicking on the receive button.
"Assalamu alaikum." Came abii's voice. More than ever, I missed him.
"Wa'alaikum salam, abii. Good morning."
"Morning, baby. How are you?"
At that moment, I wished I could tell him how emotionally hurt I was. His question triggered a repressed sob from emerging. I quickly covered my mouth with my palm, but it was already too late. Abii had heard it.
"Manal." He called in a firm tone. "What's wrong? Are you crying?"
He had caught me. Lying would only make him suspicious and probably make him embark on an unplanned journey to Zaria. "Yes, abii. I really miss you, Ummi and Imran a lot. I miss home." I sobbed. Instead of being in the midst of bunches of strangers, I wanted nothing more than to be able to hug my family and feel protected in their midst.
"We all miss you too, baby. I hope you're taking good care of yourself, like promised."
"I want to come home, abii." I sniffed.
"I know you want to. I also want you to, but I'm afraid you can't. For now, you should focus on your studies and make good grades. If that happens, I'm going to reward you with whatever you request for."
"I promise to make you proud, abii."
"And I trust you will. Take good care of yourself and..." His voice turned stern. "Keep away from boys."
"Okay. Bye, abii. Greet Ummi and Imran for me."
"Alright."
After he had ended the call, I lay down on my bed and pondered over what Hala had said to me. I hoped what she said wouldn't come to pass. I didn't want the problem we had to intensify, due to lack of communication, so I made a mental note to go to her room later in the evening and try explaining my side of the story to her. Hopefully, she would realize I never backstabbed her and that it was merely a misunderstanding - an incongruous one.
•
As planned, I went to Farida's room, in the evening to speak to her. Nervously, I lifted a hand and knocked on the door.
Shortly later, Jane, one of her roommates opened the door.
"Good evening, sister." I greeted her. "Is Farida inside?"
"Yes." She opened the door wider and ushered me in. "Farida, your friend is here."
"Friend?" Farida asked and walked up to Jane. "Who is that? I don't see anyone here."
"Farida." I swallowed and grabbed her hand in mine. "Please just hear me out. After that, you can choose to stay mad at me or not. I won't complain."
"Amina, Harielta and you too, Jane, you guys should come forward and see the traitor I was telling you all about." She yelled.
"Farida, please, you don't have to do this. I will just leave quietly if that is what you want." I turned to leave, but she grabbed my hijab and forcefully pulled me back. I staggered. Thankfully, I did not lose my balance, otherwise I would be made a laughing stock in front of the girls.
"Where do you think you're going?" She scoffed. "Running away? Aside from being a liar and a cheat, are you a coward now?"
"That's enough, Farida." I swallowed; trying so hard not to retort. I knew exactly what she was trying to do; she was trying to frustrate me into retaliating. I refused to give her the benefit of that.
"Or what?" She asked; gazing directly into my eyes. "What will you do next? Get married to Farouq? Well, you can go ahead and have my trash all to yourself. You both deserve each other. Losers!"
"Calm down, Farida. Take things easy on her." Harielta intervened. "She wronged you, but the way you're handling this isn't right at all."
I didn't wrong her! - I wanted to scream that at her face, but I was already too demoralized to do anything.
Like a zombie, I stood there, while each and everyone of them gave me a piece of their mind.
"I don't think Farida is doing anything wrong." Amina chimed in. "If to say na me ehn..." (had it been me) she trailed off, biting her lower lip, contemptuously. "You're too soft abeg."
"I agree with what Amina said." Jane remarked. "Farida's action is justified, Harielta.
"And guys, do you all know what is even more appalling?" She smirked; her gaze fixated in mine. "She's only seventeen and she's already a flirt."
Jane gasped. "Are you serious right now?"
"Yes." Farida responded. "She may look innocent on the outside, but she's a green snake under a green grass. If she can betray me this time, I can't even imagine what a homewrecker she would turn out to be in the future. No wonder my brother doesn't like you. Jawaad must have noticed -"
"Farida!" I yelled at the top of my voice, making her flinch. That was the last straw. My patience had completely diminished. I couldn't keep standing there and listen to her belittle me in front of her roommates.
With unshed tears in my eyes, I gazed at her for few seconds, before opening the door and running out.
All I could think of while running, was Hala's words. Indeed she was right. I needed to stand up for myself. I sat on a stairway and vigorously wiped away my tears. "This is the last time you will do this to me, Farida."
•
Assalamu'alaykum/hello!
I really pity Manal. 😪. Farida has overstepped her boundary 😤
Hala fans where are y'all at? 👀
CHECK OUT MY NEW BOOK: SECRETS AND LIES. I'M CERTAIN YOU'RE GOING TO LIKE IT 😍
A follow would be nice too 🤗
deey_jah
Ciao