Rihannat stared at the smug faces of her brother, her father, and the biggest traitor of them all—her fiancé, Basit.
Slowly, she turned her gaze toward Basit.
The look in her eyes said only one thing:
It's you and me later.
Just wait and see what I'm going to do to you.
Basit's confident smile instantly faltered.
Across the room, Seifullah and Mr. Collins, who had been eagerly waiting for praise and admiration, exchanged glances.
Uh-oh.
The boy was in trouble.
And unfortunately, they had dragged him right into it.
The reaction they were getting wasn't anywhere close to what they had imagined.
She wasn't following the script.
"We didn't tell you because we thought you might act suspicious," Seifullah explained quickly. "Or maybe become too calm and accidentally give something away. So we decided to keep everything from you."
He grinned proudly.
"But honestly, sis, you surprised all of us. The way you handled yourself out there..."
He shook his head in admiration.
"You were amazing. I'm proud of you."
Beside him, Mrs. Collins lifted her chin.
"Of course she was. She takes after me."
Mr. Collins scoffed dramatically.
"Excuse me? Last time I checked, she was my daughter too."
"Only biologically."
"Ha! That's unfair."
The room erupted into laughter.
Even Rihannat couldn't stop the small smile that escaped her lips.
After more teasing, playful arguments, and countless reminders to stay careful and safe, everyone eventually began dispersing.
The friends returned to their respective rooms.
Finally.
Some peace.
What a day.
As the room quieted down, Folakemi suddenly wrapped her arms around Rihannat.
"You did well today, dear."
Rihannat blinked.
Folakemi smiled warmly.
"I'm proud of you too."
Her voice softened.
"Don't think too much about everything. Let's continue doing what we've always done—leave it with Allah."
She gently squeezed her friend's hand.
"The Qur'an teaches us that whatever is entrusted to Allah can never truly be lost nor harmed."
A calm smile spread across her face.
"So let's keep our hearts at peace."
Rihannat nodded slowly.
Abdullah Residence
Faridat had been visiting her parents' house more frequently lately.
At least there, she could find comfort in her mother's company.
And perhaps...
Just perhaps...
A chance to hear something about Ridwan.
Or see him.
Or accidentally run into him.
Lately, she had even begun dragging Basit along whenever she visited.
If there was any possibility of following them to Ridwan's house, she intended to take it.
And fortunately for her, they visited often.
Unfortunately for her, Ridwan always seemed to disappear whenever she arrived.
The first time she dismissed it as coincidence.
The second time...
Not so much.
That day, after arriving with her parents, she learned that Ridwan had supposedly gone to visit Basit.
Again.
Faridat forced a smile, but inside, disappointment settled heavily in her chest.
Is he avoiding me?
The thought tasted bitter.
She asked Ridwan's parents whether he knew she was coming.
Their answer only made things worse.
Yes.
He knew.
But apparently, he had already planned to visit Basit.
According to them, Ridwan wanted to spend more time with his best friend before leaving for his studies abroad.
Faridat's heart sank.
He's leaving...
And he remembers Basit before remembering me?
Fine.
If he wanted to play games...
She could play too.
Ridwan's parents watched the expressions crossing Faridat's face.
Then they exchanged a glance with her parents.
A knowing glance.
Slowly, smiles appeared on all four faces.
Perhaps...
Just perhaps...
Their long-held dream might finally come true.
Later that week, Faridat put her plan into motion.
She informed her parents that they should tell Ridwan's family she would be joining them on their visit.
Naturally, they questioned her.
"But you're not coming."
"Exactly."
Her mother frowned.
"Then why should we say you are?"
Faridat clasped her hands together.
"Please, Mom."
"What are you planning?"
"Nothing."
The suspicious smile on her face suggested otherwise.
"Just tell them I'm coming. Then when you get there, say something came up and I couldn't make it."
Her parents exchanged glances.
Finally, her father sighed.
"Fine."
Thirty minutes after her parents left, Faridat heard a car pull into the compound.
She peeked through the curtains.
A familiar vehicle.
A familiar figure stepping out.
Ridwan.
A victorious smile spread across her face.
So you were avoiding me.
Fine.
Today is today.
We're settling this once and for all.
Downstairs, Basit sat comfortably in the living room.
Normally, he would have retreated to his room.
Today, however, he had chosen to stay.
There was something he wanted to confirm.
A few moments later, Ridwan walked inside.
A bright smile on his face.
"As-salamu alaikum, bro—"
A door upstairs opened.
The sound cut him off instantly.
Ridwan froze.
His smile disappeared.
His head snapped toward the staircase.
"Someone's home?" he asked casually.
Far too casually.
Basit almost laughed.
"Oh, my sister is home."
The reaction was immediate.
Nervousness.
Panic.
Fear.
Basit caught every single one of them.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
"Sit down, Ridwan."
Ridwan shifted uncomfortably.
"Actually, Basit, I have to—"
"Ridwan?"
A familiar voice interrupted.
His eyes widened.
Faridat stood at the top of the staircase.
Smiling.
There was nowhere left to run.
"You're here."
Basit leaned back on the sofa, thoroughly enjoying himself.
Good.
Now he wouldn't have to do anything.
Faridat would handle the rest.
Ridwan swallowed.
"Ah... yes."
Basit answered the greeting Ridwan had completely forgotten.
"Wa alaikum salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh Akhi."
Faridat descended the stairs gracefully.
Basit rose to his feet.
"Faridat needs to discuss something with you."
Faridat looked at her brother thinking 'when did I say that?!. What is the nonsense Basit is saying.
Ridwan immediately stood as well.
"No."
Both siblings looked at him.
"No?"
"I mean..."
Ridwan cleared his throat.
"I'll come with you."
Basit nearly burst out laughing.
"Come with me where?"
"Anywhere. Aren't you going to your room?"
Faridat folded her arms.
A dangerous smile forming on her lips.
Ridwan suddenly felt like a man standing before a firing squad.
Basit patted his shoulder sympathetically.
"May Allah make it easy for you, my brother."
That words jolted Ridwan. As if the secret he had been guarding is out, known to Basit.
His eyes sincerely relay a message to Ridwan that goes beyond play like before.
"What do you mean Basit? Am I a lion? He has been avoiding me for a long time now. Like I'm a virus or poison." Faridat stomped her feet. Annoyed at her brother's use of words.
"May be you are. Even I can't take your drama."
"Let me take my phone, I'm coming Ridwan."
Then he turned and walked away.
Leaving Ridwan alone.
With Faridat.
The silence that followed was terrifying.
Faridat took one slow step forward.
Ridwan took one step back.
Her smile widened.
"Now, Ridwan..."
She tilted her head.
"Let's talk about why you've been running away from me."
@OlukoyaZainab