When we first met (A Zatima Story)

Why Are You Here?

It had been two weeks since Zac and Fatima's date. Their connection had grown stronger, yet both were hesitant to openly admit their feelings. Zac, however, had been planning to ask Fatima to be his girlfriend. He was hopeful that their budding relationship could solidify into something more permanent.

Meanwhile, Maya, an ex from Zac's past, had been scheming to break them apart. Her jealousy and unresolved feelings led her to hatch a plan to confront Fatima and assert her claim on Zac.

One afternoon, Fatima had just finished a phone call with Zac, discussing their plans for the weekend. Her mind was preoccupied with thoughts of him when she heard a loud knock on her door. Her parents were out, so she was alone. She opened the door, expecting maybe a delivery or a neighbor, but instead, she found Maya standing there with a smirk on her face.

"Maya!?" Fatima exclaimed, her voice tinged with irritation.

"Hey, Fatima," Maya replied nonchalantly.

"What are you doing here?" Fatima demanded, trying to keep her voice steady.

"I just came to talk to you. Can I come in?" Maya asked, her tone dripping with false sweetness.

"No, you may not. You can stand right there and tell me what you need to," Fatima said firmly, trying to maintain her composure.

"Alright, well, me and Zac are getting back together, so I need you to back off," Maya declared, her gaze hardening.

Fatima's eyes widened in disbelief. "Girl, y'all are not getting back together, so what I need you to do is get off of my property."

Maya's expression darkened. "I don't think you understand what I'm saying. Stay away from him."

"Seriously, Maya? Get off of my property," Fatima said, her patience wearing thin.

Maya planted her feet, crossing her arms defiantly. "Not until you agree to stay away from Zac."

Fatima's temper flared. "You are officially trespassing, so I can officially beat your ass."

Maya scoffed, "Bitch, you ain't gonna do shit—"

Before Maya could finish her sentence, Fatima's rage boiled over. She lunged at Maya, fists flying. The confrontation turned physical quickly as Fatima began hitting Maya repeatedly in the face. Maya stumbled backward, but Fatima was relentless, following her down and continuing to pummel her.

Fatima was consumed by anger. "Bitch, I've been real motherfucking nice. I gave you a chance to leave, but you stayed. Now, I can't get any charges for beating your ass. Dumbass bitch!"

The violence only stopped when Mrs. Wilson, Fatima's mother, burst into the scene. Her eyes widened in horror at the sight of her daughter attacking Maya. "Fatima Elizabeth Mare Wilson, STOP RIGHT NOW!" she shouted.

Fatima, fueled by rage, didn't immediately respond to her mother's commands. The fury of the moment overwhelmed her. Mrs. Wilson called Mr. Wilson and Zac, desperately seeking help to pull Fatima off Maya. It wasn't until her father and Zac arrived that Fatima finally stopped, panting and glaring at Maya, who lay on the ground, bruised and battered.

"WHAT?" Fatima snapped when she saw Zac and her father.

"Fatima, if you don't have any type of excuse to justify your actions, then you're going to be on probation. I've paid too much money for your past to disappear," Mr. Wilson said sternly, his face a mixture of anger and disappointment.

"She came here talking shit and I told her to leave twice. She didn't, so I took matters into my own hands," Fatima defended, her voice shaky but defiant.

Zac stepped forward, his expression a mix of concern and frustration. "Fatima, why would you do that?"

"Nigga, did you hear anything I just said?" Fatima retorted.

"Fatima, she looked halfway dead when the ambulance came and got her," Zac said, his voice laced with worry.

"So?" Fatima replied coldly, her anger still simmering.

"I'm going to go see if she is okay," Zac said firmly, turning to leave.

Fatima's frustration boiled over. "So it's just fuck me, huh? Why are you going to see her?"

"Because Fa—" Zac started, but Fatima cut him off.

"You know what? I already know the answer. Go be with your girlfriend that came to MY HOUSE TALKING SHIT. Don't call me, don't text me. Lose my fucking number, Zachary!" Fatima shouted, her voice breaking with emotion.

"Fatima, I don't want her. I want you. Why don't you see that? I've been doing my hardest to be there for you, showing you that I am the man that you need," Zac pleaded.

"Okay and..." Fatima responded, her voice cold.

"Fatima, I was going to ask you to be my girlfriend this weekend when we went on our date," Zac confessed, his eyes searching hers for understanding.

"Really?" Fatima asked, her tone softening slightly.

"Yes, Fatima," Zac affirmed.

"Well, shit, you probably don't want to ask now because I just beat the shit out of your girlfriend," Fatima said, her voice tinged with regret.

"She is not my girlfriend. You are, Fatima," Zac insisted.

Fatima hesitated, her emotions still raw. "Zac, I didn't even say yes, plus you didn't even ask."

"Fatima, will you be my girlfriend?" Zac asked earnestly.

Fatima paused, weighing her feelings. "Ummm, I don't really know. Give me 2 to 3 business days."

"Fatima..." Zac started, his voice pleading.

"Fine. But if old girl comes at me sideways again, I'm beating her ass again, again, and again. That's a promise," Fatima warned.

Zac nodded, trying to reassure her. "She is not coming after you, so calm down."