I AM ABLE

Chapter 5 - Fatimah

Today my timetable said I had lecture by ten in the morning but while snoring after Fajr prayer, Qudrah called and told me the timetable had been changed and that our new lecture time for today was eight dot. I was astounded, thus I withdrew from the bed and began preparing myself for school. The time now was quarter to eight, meaning I was about to be late. But why would the department change our timetable without notifying us beforehand? I wondered. I was so angry, the new timetable had ruined my morning sleep which would have given me more strength to concentrate during lectures.

After preparing for school, I took my car key and G-Tab before biding my mother goodbye and driving to school. It was a swift drive, I parked the car in the faculty's parking lot and I headed to the department to check the new timetable even though I was few minutes late already. I just wanted to be sure I wasn't fed the wrong news.

While walking towards the notification board my eyes landed on the annoying guy that I met in Dr. Marwan's introductory class yesterday, the same person that overtook me and also borrowed my pen. Today he was wearing a very tight black longsleeve T-shirt and a very blue jeans which actually fitted him. He was fair, hence black and blue suited him quite alright.

Hey, why on this earth was I even complementing him? I took my eyes off him and glanced at the notification board. Immediately I saw the new timetable I lifted my Tab and snapped it. Today I decided to bring my Galaxy (G) Tab since I was unable to buy another pen yesterday and I wouldn't have time to buy it before our lecture time. All that while, Yusuf had been staring at me – I could feel it, but I pretended as if I didn't even know he was standing right there.

Just as I turned about leaving the place he called my name making me to halt. Was he trying to hand me over my pen? I thought, not moving an inch. And what would I even do with the pen again? I would use my Tab for today's lectures and then buy new pen afterwards, I concluded and left praying he shouldn't call me again. I was scared of him, very handsome but had ruined himself. He looked like all those gangsters in North America (don't mind me!).

The lecture was taking place in Hall C5, with just few students. I knew many would miss it, especially those that didn't have someone like Qudrah to call and tell them the time table had been changed. I took permission before walking into the class. The lecturer was a very beautiful woman, and she talked like an American. Was she African – American? Actually, she had their accent!

Qudrah gestured me to come sit close to her, she had secured a seat for me in the front. I nodded and walked straight to where she was and sat close to her. "Morning" I whispered into her ear while wearing a broad smile.

"Morning" She whispered back.

Judging from her jotter, they weren't far so I concentrated on the lecture and as soon as the lecturer was done she asked if we had any question to ask and I stretched up my hand.

"Yes, what's your question?" She said to me.

"Actually," I cleared up my throat as I stood to my feet. "I just want to add up to your previous explanation about Business Finance. Do I have your permission?"

"Add up to my what?" She smirked at me. "I am sorry, but I have already said it all"

Seeing how angry she was, I nodded my head with a smile and sat down on my seat. "Thank you, ma" I cheerfully said swallowing my idea.

"You're welcome" She said about leaving the hall with her laptop in her hand when she turned to me. "And lest I forget, I don't like late coming in my class. Next time, stay outside... and not just you, anyone that falls victim"

With that, she lightly smiled and left – leaving us with our mouths agape. "This woman is so mean" Qudrah said returning her jotter into her bag.