song for chapter is Slow Down by Why Don't We in the media above.

057| A Strain

~K O M I S O L A~

Seeing Ibrahim annoyed me to the core. He'd done nothing wrong, and he sure didn't offend me but maybe it was the fact that out of all people he could date, Ameenah was the best option.

Scratch that.

It was the fact.

He'd put a strain on our relationship by doing so.

I wondered if both of them had come to a sort of agreement or contractual relationship because I was not understanding shit. Ibrahim was quick to observe things so how could he not see she didn't like him?

Why was I even angry? He was the one who made the decision himself.

And now that he was coming up to me, I really wished the ground would open up and consume me. I didn't want to talk to him. I don't know if it was possible to do that without bombarding him with questions on why he was dating the Ameenah Ahmed.

"Hey," he greeted, taking his seat and settling down beside me. I eyed him as he moved my water bottle closer to me. Hanniel would pick it up and hold it throughout our conversations. And the random snatching of my ear pods too to tell me all about his day.

Hanniel wasn't even here but I was thinking about him.

You miss him.

I wouldn't deny that. I've changed.

"What's up?" Ibrahim asked, seeing that I wasn't eager to give a response to him.

I shrugged lazily. "Nothing. I'm listening to music."

Ibrahim nodded. "That's cool," he said.

Hanniel would have taken my earpods already, played the song, criticized it even when I didn't ask him to and then listen to it with me no matter how good or bad it was for him.

But Ibrahim wasn't Hanniel.

The atmosphere was pregnant with silence, an awkward air lingering around us. Usually, I didn't have to say much when I was with Ibrahim, he was always the one who made up a conversation. Boring conversations about sports, but interesting ones about novels, Greek mythology, and all of that. But today I think he could sense that I was trying to push him away. Avoid him.

"Are you okay?" he questioned, eyes seeking into mine, causing me to clear my throat involuntarily. "You miss Hanniel, don't you?"

"Why do you ask?" It was good to feign ignorance at times, but other times it was of no use.

"I noticed something. You and Ameenah, you've got this weird thing going on-"

"Aren't you dating her?" I interrupted. I didn't even know where that came from or how I said it but I did. And I had to say it.

Ibrahim gave me a small smile, looking away from me briefly. "That got around quickly."

I fought the urge to roll my eyes.

"My relationship with Ameenah is weird. We both needed distractions, and it's funny because we like different people."

Wait, he knew?

"Ameenah likes Hanniel, and so do you."

I was sure I looked like a deer caught in headlights. "You know you can't even deny it," Ibrahim added, shaking his head to assure me there was no convincing him otherwise. So I didn't deny it. What was the use of denying it anyways? Ibrahim wasn't the type to tattle to everyone and anyone.

"How did you know?"

That question was the only thing I could say.

"It's obvious. Not as obvious as his, because he doesn't even try to hide it. He's shameless when it comes to you, everyone knows that. But I noticed how much you liked him too. You never smile so genuinely with any one but him, not even when I talk to you."

He managed to make me feel bad there.

"I..." I started to say but Ibrahim calmly cut me off.

"You don't have to feel bad for that. Everyone has their comfort person, and Hanniel happens to be just that for you. And that's why I'm dating Ameenah."

My brows involuntarily quirked at that. "Ameenah is your comfort person?" I questioned. "Ha, that's nice." I couldn't hide my sarcasm and distaste to save my life.

"No matter how shitty Ameenah is, it doesn't mean she won't have someone to be with, Komisola."

I frowned at that. Was Ibrahim using a hard tone with me? Because of Ameenah? Going all defensive?

"I say this very politely, Ibrahim, but the last thing I really, really need right now is you defending a person like Ameenah Ahmed," I stated. "I can't say I'm happy that you're dating her, because I expected better from you, but it's your life. Do whatever suits you, Ibrahim. Just don't defend Ameenah in front of me again."

Silence ensued after that. The air was thick with tension. Was I too harsh on Ibrahim?

It was hard to keep as a reminder, but Ameenah wasn't as bad to everyone as she was to me.

That's one fact I struggle to come to terms with.

"I don't even like Ameenah in that way, Komisola," Ibrahim finally spoke, his voice low and gentle, like he was trying to persuade me or make me understand. "Don't you get it?"

I could have missed it. But I didn't. The underlying tone of frustration his words held. "Why do you think I'm dating Ameenah?" he continued.

He just told me they both needed distractions, so what did he need me to say exactly?

"Even Ameenah knows this, Komisola. Everyone can see it from the way I hang out with you."

Wait.

Hope it wasn't... oh, no. Definitely not.

Ibrahim Abdelnour definitely did not like me, did he? No way. At all.

And then he dropped the fucking bombshell. "I like you a lot, Komisola."

~

I'd never avoided someone this much. I hated myself for it but I had no idea what to do. I had no other option. It didn't stop me from feeling shitty all the times I'd see Ibrahim and literally either turn back or dash to the other direction.

And when I managed to catch his eyes, he always looked like he was seriously regretting the decisions he made.

Yes, you shouldn't have told me.

Now the whole friendship is awkward.

I was the only one in class as usual, only different about every thing was the fact that this was ten minutes after seven in the morning. What was I doing in school by this time? Honestly, I didn't know.

For three months and a few weeks, there was no Hanniel to come as early as me.

But it was fun being an early bird. Latecomers absolutely disgusted me. I believed punctuality was actually one of the most important standards in life. It always started from days like this. Ordinary school days.

It was never that serious to be honest, not as serious as the teachers or prefects would react to and treat latecomers. But at the same time, it was good to make it an habit of arriving early to wherever.

I always believed the habit of lateness would affect anyone who practiced it.

"I love how you are sipping quietly on your chocolate drink this early in the morning, Grey eyes."

The way my eyes flew up. To say I was stunned was an understatement. It felt like my imagination was pulling a trick on me because there was no way Hanniel was standing in front of me currently.

Wasn't he meant to be in Australia?

I blinked repeatedly, and with a dramatic flair to myself, dropped my chocolate drink on my desk, pinched myself twice and when I heard the voice of his rich laughter, I was fully convinced that was Hanniel standing in front of me.

He was actually here.

He was actually here.

I shot up from my seat, at a great loss for words as I watched the Aussie boy make his way towards me, dressed in the school's uniform.

I hadn't seen him in it in so long.

And there it was, the familiar scent that would never feel foreign to my nose. I looked up, wondering why he seemed to be a little bit taller and making me feel like I was five feet or something. I was actually quite tall. I took in every detail of his face, staring at him unabashedly like he was doing to me too. He curls were slowly returning, and he packed his hair into a bun and left a few tangible strands that laid atop his forehead and fell down his face.

His hair was longer again. But his face looked rough. The bags under his eyes totally gave him away. He looked like he hadn't gotten any useful sleep for the past few months.

Hanniel looked exhausted. But still beautiful.

And then tucking a twist of my hair behind my ear, he said, "you look even prettier, Komisola."

I melted.

I melted.

Did this boy learn how to work his way through with words like this?

"Come here." He spread out his arms, and I could see a flicker of hesitation in his eyes. I knew what he was feeling; fear that I wouldn't embrace him because of my phobia.

But we were closer than that now. My phobia was still significant, but Hanniel was an exception. Things had changed. I felt comfortable with this Aussie boy.

And I proved it to him by wrapping my arms around his body, letting his scent envelope my nostrils and take absolute control of my senses.

Hanniel Cardin was finally back.

a/n: oh Lord.
i missed them sm, hanniel and komi :) but Ibrahim... oh, Ibrahim. anywaysss, quick update, right? yes :)

today was kind of a shitty day but we'll be finee. i don't have much to say in this author's note and this chapter is unedited, so have fun reading... byee.⭐️