"Please the Creator, not the creation."

•
C H A P T E R     T W E L V E

Wednesday, 8th November 2021.
8:03 am.

The next morning, Mehreen and Hammad crossed paths
outside their apartments, almost colliding as they simultaneously reached for the door handles. They paused, facing each other awkwardly.

Mehreen, still hopeful from their unexpected connection the previous day, smiled tentatively. "Hey, Hammad. Good morning."

But Hammad's expression was stern, his eyes cold. "Don't get too excited, Mehreen. Yesterday was a momentary lapse. That doesn't mean we're friends." His voice was brusque, dismissive. "Take it as it never happened."

Mehreen's smile faltered, her words caught in her throat. She felt like she'd been slapped. "Oh...okay."

Hammad turned away, striding off towards the elevator without another glance. Mehreen watched him go, her mind reeling. What had she done wrong? Why was he shutting her out again?

She stood there, speechless and confused, wondering why she had ever thought he had changed.

Mehreen shook off the disappointment and stepped into the other elevator, heading to the café on the ground floor. As the doors opened, she was greeted by the warm sunlight streaming through the large windows, illuminating the bustling café. Outside, the Parisian streets were already alive with activity, despite the sweltering heat of the Sunday morning.

Mehreen couldn't help but compare the weather to her hometown in Nigeria, where the heat was more intense and humid. "Nigerian heat is way better than this," she thought to herself, missing the familiar warmth of Abuja.

She ordered a rich cappuccino and paired it with soda crackers, settling into a cozy corner table by the window. As she took her first sip, her phone rang, displaying her mother's name on the screen.

"Mama!" Mehreen answered, her voice brightening. "How are you? How's everyone at home?"

Her mother's warm voice filled the line, "We're all doing well, dear. How about you? How's life in Paris treating you?"

Mehreen smiled, feeling a mix of emotions. "It's...complicated, Mama. But I'm managing."

Mehreen chatted with her mother for a while, catching up on family gossip and sharing laughs. After the call, she headed back to her apartment, exchanging greetings with Taheera before dashing into her room to grab her camera. She slung it around her neck, feeling a sense of excitement and purpose.

As she stepped out into the Parisian streets, the sunlight danced across the historic buildings, casting a warm glow over the city. Mehreen's eyes sparkled with delight as she snapped photos of the charming cafés, ornate fountains, and picturesque alleys. She strolled along the Seine, capturing the beauty of the river and the city's iconic landmarks.

Eventually, she made her way to the Eiffel Tower, its iron latticework gleaming in the sunlight. As she raised her camera to capture the perfect shot, she noticed a lovely couple gazing into each other's eyes, their hands entwined. Mehreen's finger clicked the shutter, preserving the romantic moment.

For a fleeting instant, she imagined herself in their place, standing under the Eiffel Tower with the love of her life, lost in each other's eyes. A wistful smile played on her lips, but she quickly shook off the thought, chuckling at her own singleness. "Not for me, not yet!" she thought, shaking her head with a grin.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Mehreen decided to treat her friends to a sweet surprise. She stopped by a charming café beside the road, where the aroma of freshly baked croissants and the colorful array of ice cream flavors tantalized her senses. She purchased a few scoops of her favorite flavors and a handful of flaky croissants, carefully placing them in a bag to preserve their delicate goodness.

As she hailed a taxi, the evening air enveloped her, carrying the whispers of the city's nightlife. She slid into the cab, feeling the soft leather beneath her, and settled in for the relaxing ride home. With a contented sigh, she lowered the window, allowing the cool breeze to caress her face. The gentle wind carried the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the distant sounds of laughter and music, blending into a soothing melody.

As the taxi glided through the streets, Mehreen closed her eyes, letting the rhythmic hum of the engine lull her into a state of tranquility. The soft rustle of the wind through her hair and the occasional chirping of birds created a symphony of serenity, melting away the stresses of the day. With each passing moment, her breathing slowed, and her mind quieted, surrendering to the peacefulness of the evening.

The taxi ride became a sensory escape, a journey of relaxation, as Mehreen let go of all worries and simply existed in the present moment. The darkness outside was offset by the warmth of the taxi's interior, enveloping her in a cocoon of comfort. Time stood still as she savored the stillness, her heart filled with gratitude for this little slice of serenity in the midst of a bustling city.

The taxi pulled up to her building, and Mehreen paid the fare before stepping out into the evening air. She entered the apartment, carrying the treats, and was greeted by Sarah and Taheera's excited faces.

"Ice cream and croissants! You're the best, Mehreen!" Sarah exclaimed, as they both hugged her and thanked her.

As they settled in for a movie night, Sarah popped kernels into the microwave while Taheera and Mehreen debated on what to watch. Taheera suggested Maleficent, but Mehreen vetoed it, insisting they'd seen it too many times.

After some back-and-forth, they finally agreed on Me Before You. Taheera grumbled, calling it a "stupid movie"

Taheera argued, with an eye roll, "Maleficent is the best! Angelina Jolie's sassiness is everything! But no, you want to watch some sappy romance instead."

Mehreen laughed, "Sappy romance? You're one to talk, Miss 'I've-seen-The Notebook-ten-times'!"

Taheera threw up her hands, exclaiming, "Hey, that's a classic! But Me Before You? Really? That movie is like eating a whole pizza by myself – it looks great at first, but ends in regret and a food coma!"

Sarah chuckled at Taheera's dramatics, while Mehreen countered, "It's a beautiful story, I promise! And it's not just a romance, it's about—"

Taheera cut her off, her voice laced with sarcasm, "Oh yeah, I'm sure it's a real page-turner. 'Hey, let's fall in love, and then I'll leave you in a puddle of tears'! Sounds like a real blast."

The three friends burst into laughter, Taheera's exaggeration clearly ridiculous. Sarah wiped tears from her eyes, "You're killing me, Taheera!"

Mehreen grinned, "Come on, it's not that bad! And it's a great story about—"

Taheera interrupted again, "—about how men are basically useless and will break your heart? No thanks!"

The friends erupted into laughter again, their banter back and forth. Finally, Mehreen conceded, "Fine, we'll watch it, but only if you promise not to make fun of me when I cry!"

Taheera smirked, "I make no promises, but I'll try to contain my eye-rolling."

•

Monday, 6th November, 2022.
6:34am.

Mondays! The universal sign of dread. The first day of the week, screaming "Work! Stress! No more weekend!" Mehreen woke up with a scowl, her grumpiness palpable. She wasn't excited about the morning, or the long day ahead. Their shoot with Diana, the notoriously difficult client, was scheduled, and Mehreen knew it wouldn't be a walk in the park.

As she stepped into the shower, the warm water washed away some of her grumpiness. She felt her muscles relax, and her mind began to clear. She applied her strawberry-scented lotion, feeling the sweet aroma transport her to a happier place. Getting dressed, she chose a beautiful purple Ankara outfit, sewn into a lovely skirt and blouse. She felt a sense of comfort and familiarity, as if she were back home in Nigeria. The thought made her chuckle, and she draped a matching veil over her shoulders, feeling a bit more at ease.

With her essentials gathered, she left the room and headed straight to the kitchen, ready to face the day. she walked into the kitchen, and her grumpiness faltered. On the counter, a steaming cup of coffee awaited her, courtesy of Taheera. Mehreen's face softened into a smile. "How cute is she?" she thought, feeling a tiny spark of joy in an otherwise dreary morning. The small act of kindness was just what she needed to start the day on a better note.

As Mehreen, Taheera, and Lois finished their breakfast and approached the elevator, Mehreen's heart sank when she came face to face with Hammad and his friend. A wave of hate washed over her as she locked eyes with Hammad. In that intense moment, it felt like a storm of unspoken animosity and regret brewed between them.

Mehreen's gaze burned with resentment as she met Hammad's eyes. The silent exchange felt like a battlefield of emotions, each stare filled with unspoken words of hate and sorrow. The air around them grew heavy with the weight of their shared history, a history tainted with regret and sadness.

Feeling a surge of bitterness, Mehreen turned away abruptly, her jaw clenched with unresolved anger. She hastily pulled Taheera and Lois towards the other elevator, desperate to escape the suffocating presence of Hammad. The thought of sharing an elevator with him at that moment filled her with a deep sense of regret and sadness, emotions she had buried but now resurfaced.

Taheera and Lois exchanged curious glances, their eyes questioning Mehreen's tense reaction.

"What's going on, Mehreen? What happened between you and Hammad?" Taheera asked, her voice laced with concern.

"You guys were staring at each other like you were sworn enemies," Lois added, her brow furrowed in confusion.

But Mehreen's expression turned cold, her eyes flashing a warning. "I don't want to talk about it," she snapped, her voice firm and final. "Just drop it, okay?" She turned away, her shoulders squared, effectively shutting down the conversation.

Taheera and Lois exchanged uneasy glances, sensing the depth of Mehreen's pain and anger. They knew better than to push her further, but their curiosity was piqued. What could have happened between Mehreen and Hammad to create such animosity? They had never seen Mehreen react so intensely before.

The elevator fell silent, the tension between them palpable. Mehreen's friends didn't dare to probe further, respecting her boundaries. But their minds raced with questions, wondering what secrets Mehreen was hiding. As the elevator doors opened, Mehreen quickly exited, leaving Taheera and Lois to follow her, their concern and confusion evident on their faces.

As they settled into the car, Fahad turned to Hammad, his eyes inquiring. "Dude, what just happened back there? You and Mehreen were staring at each other like you were about to kill each other!"

Hammad sighed, rubbing his temples. "It's a long story, Fahad. One I don't really want to get into right now."

But Fahad's curiosity was piqued. "Come on, man! You can't just leave me hanging like that. What did you do to her?"

Hammad's eyes flashed with a mix of guilt and anger. "I didn't do anything, okay? It's just...complicated."

Fahad raised an eyebrow. "Complicated? That's not an answer, Hammad. You owe me an explanation."

Hammad hesitated, knowing he couldn't avoid the truth forever. "Fine," he began, his voice low and measured. "I told Mehreen about my past"

Fahad's eyes widened in shock, his mouth agape. The silence that followed was deafening, punctuated only by the hum of the engine.

Hammad broke the silence, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I didn't tell her everything. Just about my father's passing. Not the rest."

Fahad's expression remained frozen, his eyes still wide with disbelief. But to Hammad's surprise, it wasn't the revelation about his past that had shocked his friend. Fahad's voice was laced with awe when he finally spoke. "Hammad, this is the first time you've opened up to someone about this. Ever." Hammad's brow furrowed, confusion etched on his face.

"What do you mean? I've told people about my father's death before." Fahad's gaze locked onto his, intense and serious.

"No, Hammad. You've never spoken about the pain, the hurt, the guilt. You've never let anyone in. But you just did, with Mehreen. And that takes courage."

Hammad's eyes dropped, his mind reeling with the truth in Fahad's words. He hadn't realized it himself, but somehow, with Mehreen, he had found a sense of peace, a sense of trust.

Fahad's voice brought him back to the present. "You like her, don't you? That's why you told her." Hammad's eyes snapped back up, a mix of surprise and vulnerability on his face.

Hammad's response was swift and sharp, a defensive mechanism kicking in. "No, I don't. It was a mistake, a moment of weakness. It should never have happened."

Fahad's expression remained skeptical, his eyes searching for the truth behind Hammad's words. "A mistake?" he repeated, his tone gentle but probing.

"That's not what I saw in your eyes when you looked at her, Hammad. I saw something more."

Hammad's face hardened, his jaw clenched in denial. "You saw wrong, Fahad. I don't have feelings for Mehreen. It was just a momentary lapse of judgment."

The silence that followed was heavy with unspoken emotions, Fahad's eyes still searching for the truth, while Hammad's walls went up, hiding his true feelings.

Hello guys 🫣

I'm so sorry for the last update 😭 this even came up after ishaaaibrahim kept telling me to update so here it is. A whole chapter dedicated to you baby girl 💕