Beyond The Scars

Farah's POV“Farah.”I heard my name and felt a hand on my shoulder. I was surprised and wondered who would know me in my sister's university. So I turned around to see who it was.“Aunty Hameedah, ina wuni?” I said as I hugged her. To say I was surprised to see her was an understatement.“Farah, how have you been? I have missed you so much. And what are you doing here?” Aunty Hameedah asked as she released herself from the hug.Before I could reply, Mom came out of the toilet.“Subhanallah, is that Hameedah?” Mom exclaimed in shock.“Yes, Rukayah, it's me,” she replied with a huge smile on her face.Before she could say anything else, Mom engulfed her in a bone-crushing hug.After releasing her from the hug, Mom invited her to sit under our canopy so they could talk better.After introducing Hameedah to Aunty Memunah, Mom explained that Ya Nadia's convocation was today, which was why we were there. Aunty Hameedah said her nephew Zayd's convocation was also today, which was why she wa

Abdulrahim's POVI don't understand why Farah is so stubborn.Well. I've tried.I've apologized more times than my pride is comfortable admitting, and every single time, she finds a new way to throw it back in my face. If she still wants to hold onto three years of anger over something I didn't even do, that's on her. We went that long without speaking and we both survived it, Alhamdulillah. Neither of us fell apart. We can keep going like that, easily.At least, that's what I told myself, over and over, until it almost started to sound true.---Three weeks had passed since the convocation, and Mama had taken to visiting Aunty Rukayah almost every other day, like the two of them had suddenly discovered they couldn't survive without each other's company after a decade apart.Every single time, she asked me to come along so I could see Farah.Every single time, I found a reason not to. A headache. An assignment. A friend who needed help moving something. Mama never questioned it out lo

Abdulrahim's POVAsad came to pick me up, as always, to drive me to the airport.We finally got there after listening to his endless ranting throughout the journey.I brought out my luggage, and Asad helped me with one of the bags.Just as we were about to enter the main airport, Asad accidentally bumped into a girl wearing a black abaya and veil.Her phone fell to the ground.Before Asad could say anything, she started talking.“Can you see what you've done? Look, now my phone has a crack in it. Don't you watch where you're going, or do your eyes not work properly?” she snapped.I was surprised that such a beautiful lady could be so rude.She reminded me of Farah.“Wait a minute. Who do you think you are to talk to me like that?” Asad fired back. “How dare you? If it's a new phone you want, I can get you an iPhone 16 right now. I can see you're only using a 15 Pro. If you want, we can go and get it now. I know that's what girls like you are looking for.”“Asad, calm down. I'm sure sh

Farah's POVClasses were finally over for the day, so I called Zinat and Rodeeyah, our friend. Rodeeyah studied the same course as Zinat, so the two of them were almost always together, even though she lived off campus.Zinat picked up after two rings."Hey, what's up? I'm done for today. Are you guys still in class?""No, we finished a while ago. We've just been waiting for you," Zinat said. "Come meet us in front of the Faculty of Education.""Okay, no problem. See you in a bit."---"Rodeeyah! Assalamualaikum. Long time no see," I said, pulling her into a hug."Wa'alaikum salam. How have you been?" she asked."Alhamdulillah, great.""Okay, okay, enough of that. So neither of you noticed I'm standing right here? You'd think you two hadn't seen each other in years," Zinat cut in, and we all burst out laughing."Can we go now? I parked not too far from here," she added."No problem," I said.As we walked toward Zinat's car, Rodeeyah went on about some guy in Business Administration —

Farah's POVFinally. My last paper was done.I practically floated out of the exam hall, already thinking about Abuja, about Mama's fura, about helping Ya Nadia into her gown, about being useless and giddy for an entire month with nothing to do but wedding prep. I was halfway back to my apartment when my phone buzzed."Assalamualaikum," I answered."Wa'alaikum salam. How have you been? Haven't heard from you in a while," Samad said."Alhamdulillah, I've been good. Exam stress, you know how it is.""Are you done with all your papers now?""Just finished the last one. I'm on my way home.""That's great," he said. "Can I meet you at the restaurant outside school?""Sure, no problem.""See you then."I hung up and smiled to myself.Samad and I had started talking back when Zinat and I ran into him outside the restaurant one afternoon, the same restaurant where Abdulrahim and I had our argument. He'd recognized me and pulled me aside while Zinat waited in the car. At first I was ready to