I have read the previous chapters and saw so many grammatical, and tenses mistakes. I will edit them Soon in sha Allah.

By the way, Assalamu alaikum.

"Ya Muhseen just give up already. I don't want to make a conversation with you, just accept that and leave me alone." Fatimah twisted the edge of her lips on completion of her statement. She saw no reason why he should be clingy, after all she's just like a clothes hanger in his life; which, someone, hangs for several years, and leaving it ignored for a very long time.

"I don't have any girl is that all?" He raised an eyebrow. Fatimah glared at him. Who told him she was concerned about his relationship status or something like that. She was just trying to draw back lest she could cause a rift between him and his girl and perhaps his mother... And nothing else.

"No." She said sternly as though the words were forced out of her throat. Muhseen's eyes studied her. She was a difficult human being; so hard to be understood. The look on her face at that moment was something else, one could swear she had never ever smiled in her life.

"Fine." Fatimah felt the synergy of his voice, she could imagine the binding and clenching of his teeth. When she turned to look at him, he smiled, small. She could see the opaque state of his emotions via his eyes. Her heart dropped at the sight.

"I am sorry," she bit her lower lip, deep in thought. Dr Muhseen was a nice guy but... She couldn't found any fomular to solve their problem. Like, they're unlike terms, so they can't work out. As much as he wanted them to be equal, they just can't be; she wouldn't allow that. But also *she didn't want them to cancel out*

"No matter the unlikeness, we will integrate and see the outcome," Fatimah opened her mouth to talk but the words flew away.

"Here's an assignment for you. What's friendship?" Before she could blink her eyes, Muhseen exited the kitchen. She continued her work and the question kept swimming in her head.

****

It had became a routine for Mimi; to read Sadiqu's note every morning. She just couldn't sum up things when she read it all. It was so unbelievable. Folding the paper, she slipped into an abaya and walked to the parlour where her parent were waiting for her. As she approached the parlour, the pulse of her heartbeat increased.

"Good morning," she greeted them both and sat down. She didn't missed the stern look on her father's face.

"How are you?" Her mother asked.

"Is it true?" Her bloodflow streamed faster.

"What exactly? Father?" She asked in a whisper.

"That you want to study here?" Mimi didn't know when she released a deep breath. She answered him and later on found out that the stern look on his face had no relationship with her. He was just moody because election was approaching and he wanted to be reelected but from the looks of things, people don't like him therefore would probably not vote for him again.

"Father I have a request please," she ignored the look on his face because she knew her wish was always a granted one.

"What is it?"

"I don't know how the government works but please can you help and order for the reconstruction of Rimin Gata hospitals and roads?" Hajiya Maryam got the point immediately. Mimi was talking of Sadiqu's village.

"Why Rimin Gata to be specific? Anyway, I shall see what will happen." He rose to his feet and walked out. Mimi followed his footsteps and left her mother alone in the parlour. Hajiya Maryam pursed her lips forward at their attitude.

****

"Dude, you see depression is going to kill you. Just have a sniff of this, everything will disappear into the thin air." Jameel's co-prisoner persuaded.

Jameel has been long forgotten in jail for crime he mistakenly indulged in. Others had been bailed but because he was nothing but a mere street wanderer searching for knowledge, no one cared about him. He has been jailed for over three months, with no one to look for him.

"Come on," the guy handed him a smoky wrapped paper. The smell was irritating but not any more. He has gotten used to sniffing it everyday. He wondered where and how the intoxicants were sneaked into the jail.

"I have told you this before, I don't smoke. I hate it." Jameel protested.

The guy laughed hysterically. "Who told you, you have to like it? When I was new here, I don't smoke but over time, I have gotten used to it. I have been here for almost ten years; long forgotten." Jameel widened his eyes. To him, that wasn't enough reason to join drug abuse. He hated it and won't even start.

"I am still on my words." He turned his face to the other side and bore it into his palms. Where was Ya Sadiqu and Inna? Weren't they looking for him? His Malam, does he even care? No, did he even noticed Jameel was missing? His so called friends that got bailed, have they forgotten about him?

Grief and anguish enveloped his heart as he asked himself those questions. If only he remained satisfied with selling satchet water, he won't have been here. If only he had endure a little more patience he would have been sleeping under his roof with mosquitoes feeding on his blood; well, that would have been better than the mess he was in, now. If only... And many more.

•

"*yaro dai ya bata* but whatever it's, he's in a good place I assure you." The Malam told Inna with nonchalance. Bareerah didn't know when she let out a loud wail. What? Her Jameel was lost just when she was ready to give him a good life. Oh lord, she's doomed.

"Malam," the man dropped the slate on his hand and stopped her. He didn't even know Jameel was missing until when she came, he begun searching and couldn't find him.

"We will pray. He will soon be back,*zamu karanta thumma alaina bayana. Zai bayyana, kin san mu malamai ba'a ja da mu.* he will be back very soon. Have faith." Bareerah stood still, her feet glued to the earth. What would one do with penury? What type of life was this? What... Bareerah knew if she continued to talk, she will be misguided.

As she stopped a cab, with all hope, lost, a boy around Jameel's age stopped her.

"Jameel was caught."

"Innalillahi wa inna ilahi raji'un. Are you sure it's my Jameel?" Bareerah chanted. The boy affirmed his words to her that Jameel was arrested and jailed.

Bareerah wept after she visited Jameel. She wept for ruining his innocent life, for putting him into hardship beyond his holding capability. For sending him far away from her for the fear of poverty whilst forgetting that, He, whom gave her Jameel would provide for her in ways she never expected.

Glad tidings to the patient people who endure every test! She knew she failed as a mother, yet again; she failed this test. How will she be able to forgive herself? She would have to live with guilt until Jameel get released and even after that.

She knew, she would live with it for the rest of her life.

★

"Mimi tell me the truth. What's wrong with your friend?" Maleekah's mother inquired.

"That's why I came too. I've been nudging her to tell me but she said she's fine." Mimi replied.

"She's so difficult. I don't know why she likes bottling up her problems." Leek's mother looked at Maleekah then at Mimi before she stood up and left them together.

"I don't know why mother is all worried. I've told her I'm fine but she won't hear any of it." Maleekah whined while Mimi glared at her.

"*dalla can* shut up. Tell that to the birds. Now get ready we're going to the park and you must tell me what's wrong with you." Mimi spoke authoratively which Leek found amusing.

"You don't look like a boss, you know." They giggled and marched to Maleekah's room to get ready.

"So?"

"Nothing." Maleekah shrugged.

"What's wrong with you Leek?" Mimi asked for the final time but that didn't changed Maleekah's decision of not saying a word about what's worrying her.

Maleekah tapped her foot on the soft and flushy rug before she sighed. Mimi drew a dressing stool, sat and began to apply powder on her face. She would never say it, at least not to Mimi because she wasn't ready for disaster. Although she wasn't sure of Mimi's feelings for Sadiqu, still, she couldn't tell her.

"I will get over it soon. You all should calm your nerves." She joined Mimi on another stool while they looked at each other's expression in the mirror. Mimi was worried; her friend has never hide something from her. On the other hand, her heart usually beats faster than normal when her eyes mirrored Leek's.

"Stop thinking far. I'm good." Leek waved on her face.

On contrary, Maleekah pitied herself. She knew there was no way out for her mess then why would she share it with anyone since it's pointless. She hoped she will stop thinking of him real soon; as soon as she join the university, perhaps she will forget about his existence. Mayhap it was just a childish infatuation which will eventually fade away. That's how she calmed herself and began to distance herself away from his thought.

It's a double update.💃

Thank you.🙏