The Second Path

Chapter 34

Chapter 34

"Here." Zainab said while squeezing the napkin from inside the hot-warm water bowl and pressing it on top of my forehead, "Is this better?"

I nodded weakly, "Thank you."

"I never knew heartbreak was worse than HIV like this." She teased.

"I told you how many times, it's not heartbreak. I have fever."

Which was a lie. It was heartbreak that led me to this condition. It has been five days since I broke up with Hamid and out of the blue, I became sick. Maybe because I kept crying too much, or I kept overthinking. But one way or the other, I have been sick.

My mind was weak. My body was weak. And my heart... dead. I am never falling in love again.

"If you say so." Zainab said and dropped the napkin back into the water before turning back to face me. Then she started hitting my arm continuously, "Get better Miriam! We're not going to enjoy our Easter holiday if you keep being like this!"

I groaned and sat up on the bed before glaring at her.

"I'm still angry with you." She added, "We didn't even celebrate Easter yesterday because of this your 'heartbreak' disease."

"Zainab." I warned, knowing that I didn't have enough energy to argue with her.

"Come sef," She said, "I still don't understand why you broke up with mr soldier when you still like him."

For the past few days, I had explained this thing to zainab over and over again and she still kept asking the same foolish question.

I rolled my eyes, "I told you one million times, it was because of General! General Abdulkareem! His father!"

"Even though," She argued, "You should have just discussed with mr soldier that his father didn't want you people to be together, then you two would have found a way to keep your relationship a secret. Easy. Isn't that what you've been doing in school for months?"

"This is General Abdulkareem we're talking about. He will know if we are still dating. That man has eyes everywhere."

"Is he God?" She hissed.

I just ignored her and looked away. My eyes diverted to Kauna who was sitting on the floor and drawing in her diary. It seemed like that was the only thing she ever did. Draw.

Soon, my chest started to ache at the thought of inna Hauwa. I have not told Kauna about her mother's death and I didn't know how to. But I knew one of these days, I had to tell her whether I like it or not.

"Miriam," Zainab cuts my attention and I looked at her. She gave me this side eye and I looked at her in confusion.

She signaled her eyes at Kauna and mouthed, 'Tell her.' Then I knew what she was talking about since I told Zainab everything that happened in General Abdulkareem's office.

"No." I shook my head.

She still insisted but I refused to agree then she just groaned and gave up.

"I'm not going to force you. But promise me you will tell her after I leave."

"Definitely I don't have a choi-" I stopped talking and looked at her when I realized what she just said, "Leave to where?"