"We have to go to class. There is no time for snapping pictures" Saadiya said walking out of the room but Hamida dragged her back making her sigh in frustration.

Hamida has been begging her to snap pictures since they got ready. She said that she wanted to post on social media with the caption "Post Resumption Glow" and Saadiya didn't see the point in doing that. In fact, she saw it as a waste of time. But Hamida wouldn't agree.

"Alright. Just don't let us get to class late. And I'm taking only one" she stated her conditions then Hamida responded with "As you wish my lady" making Saadiya roll her eyes.

She took one with Hamida and one alone. Without even wasting time to look at the pictures, she jogged out.

(())

"And where do you think you're going to?" Came Mr Martin's voice. It was obvious that he was referring to them because they came really late.

"Sorry sir?" Hamida said, more like a question.

"I'll allow you to stay because this is your first time. Never ever try to come to my class late. I won't take it lightly with you. Now go and sit" he yelled as they both made their way to some empty seats.

After two hours of a stressful lecture, they went out for lunch. Saadiya and Hamida strode to the cafeteria and ordered food. Saadiya just bought a bottle of Pepsi alongside a hotdog. She wasn't really hungry. While Hamida settled down for a plate of French fries, one meatpie and a bottle of fanta. She was a big fan of fanta while Saadiya didn't find anything interesting in it.

They quietly ate their food, each of then drowned in her thoughts. Just then, Saadiya's phone rang. She picked it up and said her greetings. It was her dad.

"No daddy. I forgot that's why........ And this morning I was almost late to class.........I'm sorryyyyy" she whined
"Okay daddy.......insha Allah....nothing, in fact I slept like a baby......peacefully. My regards to mommy and tell her I'll call her once I get to the hostel.......alright bye......love you more" she smiled at the end putting her phone back to her satchel bag.

"Hamida, what happened? You've been quiet all these while even when I was talking to daddy you didn't say a thing. Is anything wrong?" She said looking concerned

"Of course. Everything is wrong! What you're doing isn't fair. You're not being fair to yourself and also your parents. Tell them the truth, tell them what happened. Maybe that will mark the end of your stress and worries. And you slept peacefully? Saadiya I was wide awake when you woke up drenched in tears and sweat. You were having a panic attack. You didn't even sleep but you're here saying you slept like a baby. Aren't you tired? Don't you want to live a life like every other person? Don't you want to be free of all this drama?"

Hamida said keeping her voice as low as she could not wanting other people to hear her, but she was loud enough for Saadiya to hear. Her voice was weak. She was tired of seeing her friend in that condition.

All this while, Saadiya had her head ducked down, she knew all she was saying was true but how will she face her parents when they get to know what she did. They are really proud of her now but as soon as they get to know what she did they'll be ashamed to call them their daughter. Her father's hard earned image will be tarnished as well as her mother's.

Her parents will disown her! That's what she feared most. She can't afford to lose her parents. They are her source of happiness and she can't live without them.

"Hamida...." She paused not knowing what to say
"Ina ji( I'm listening)" Hamida sipped her Fanta.

"I'll tell them when the right time comes, in sha Allah"
"That's what you've been saying. Look Saadiya, if you don't tell them I'll tell them" Saadiya looked at her abruptly. Her heart was beating so fast against her ribcage as if it wanted to jump out.

Sweat beads were already forming on her forehead as her temperature got high. She started suffocating and gasping for air. She could see Hamida's lips moving but she couldn't hear her.

She lost balance and fell off the chair she had occupied earlier causing the chair to make a loud bang as it collided with the floor. That caught the attention of other people in the cafeteria while Hamida was trying to make her breath normally but to no avail.

She was trying to breath but it was as if her lungs were disagreeing with her. Thankfully, some people there offered to take her to the school clinic.

(())

"What happened to me?" Saadiya said looking around, noticing that she was in the clinic.

"You had a panic attack" the nurse stated "what caused it?"

Saadiya looked to her left and saw Hamida looking at her, she hoped that she didn't tell anyone anything. As if Hamida read her mind, she signalled her implying she didn't tell anyone.

"Can I take my leave?" Saadiya said sitting up. She hated this place and this was the first time she was brought here throughout her stay in the school.

Well, second time. Her subconscious self reminded her. The incident came rushing to her eyes. She was seeing everything right there and then as if it was happening. She quickly blocked her ears as she searched for something she could use to protect her self. Her eyes landed on an antiseptic bottle, she immediately took it and threw it in the direction of the door, making it to shatter into pieces.

"Saadiya!" She heard Hamida's voice from where she was sitting. Just then, she realized that it was in the past, nothing is going to harm her. She's now safe. She breathed in calmly and looked at the ageing nurse whom stared in confusion.

"Ma'am I'm really sorry. I didn't mean to.."
"It's okay dear. But I really think you need to visit a psychologist. I don't know what's wrong with you but I have a feeling that it's related to PTSD" the nurse cut her off and walked away.

Hamida helped Saadiya to get off the bed as she took her their room. None of them said a word to each other till they got into the room.

"Hamida please don't tell anyone I beg you in the name of Allah. I promise to do anything you tell me walahi but please don't just tell them what I did" Saadiya said already in tears.

Hamida just hugged her and reassured her that she won't tell anybody
"Just..just calm down" Hamida said about to break down. She really wanted to help her friend out but how? She was really confused and at the same time worried for her friend.

Soon it was time for asr prayer. They both prayed and did azkhar till it was time for Maghrib. They observed it too and ate dinner.

Modupe noticed tension in the room and was sensible enough not to cause more problems.

That night, Saadiya had a nightmare too, but this one was different. This one scared her to an extent that she didn't want to sleep again. It was a two in one type of nightmare. In the nightmare, her parents found out and they found out from the main reason of her nightmares.

Chapter three🎉😁

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Amina Hassan❤️