Chapter 9

"Come down Mumina" Hajiya Ruqayya said sliding out of the car. She handed her bag to Ahmed who hasn't been able to stop smiling since they left the prison. Asma'u slowly got off the car, looking at her environment cautiously. For a moment there, her thoughts went on why Ahmed and his mother want to help her. She hoped they weren't ritualists looking for whom to use for sacrifice.

"Come on, let's go" Hajiya Ruqayya said beckoning on her to come to the front door. Asma'u stood transfixed on the spot. Her eyes looking for an escape route, incase they aren't what they seemed to be.

"Hey, are you alright?" Ahmed said coming close to her. She was quick to take a step back, her hands up in a defensive manner. Ahmed looked at her amusingly, he understood she was having second thoughts about their niceness; he understood she has every right to be inquisitive, isn't the world a terrible place? Hajiya Ruqayya rolled her eyes; she was tired and stressed out. She could not believe Asma'u is having second thoughts now; she's been so occupied with thoughts of being saved, that she didn't think of a possibility of kidnap, at least not until she got to the Lion's den. What if they were kidnappers, is this how Asma'u will vanish into thin air?

"Bala, come and open the door" Hajiya Ruqayya said watching her son trying hard to explain to the scared girl, that nothing will go wrong. She watched as Asma'u's hand slowly lowered themselves to her sides. Ahmed was still explaining, she saw how the poor girl's expression changed slowly from fear, agitation and questioning to relief and slightly trusting.

Hajiya Ruqayya slid into the house, waiting for her son and the newest visitor to come in too. When Asma'u stepped into the living room, all the air in her lungs left her. She's never seen anything as beautiful as this, not even during her stay in Kano. Out of paranoia, she hadn't taken much look at the surrounding of the house to expect such beauty on the inside. Asma'u stared at the chandelier at the centre of the living room. It illuminated every inch of the living room. Hajiya Ruqayya watched as Asma'u moved to the sofa, she saw Asma'u poke the sofa. When her finger sank into the cushion, Asma'u pressed her palm on it smiling giddily at the effect it had on her hand. How long has this girl been kept in the prison? Hajiya Ruqayya wondered seeing how Asma'u had preoccupied herself with the things in the living room.

"Come on; let's go to the dinning room, so you can eat" Hajiya Ruqayya stated. With a satisfied smile, Asma'u trailed after the elderly woman. Ahmed had gone to drop his mother's bag in her room. He came in time to find Asma'u seated comfortably on the dinning chair. She was bouncing her feet like some school girl. He smiled at her before settling down too.

Ahmed passed a hot plate of pounded yam and a heavenly assorted eforiro to Asma'u, who collected it quickly. She kept pinching herself because everything felt surreal. She wanted to wake herself up, if at all she was dreaming. She murmured a Bismillah, before starting to eat. She let out a satisfied moan after taking the first bite. She's never tasted anything as devine as this in her entire life, not when she was at home; not when she came to Kano; certainly not in kirikiri. She felt her body tingle in delight with each bite she took. She'd close her eyes savoring the taste. Her mouth felt like heaven, she ate as slowly as ever, not wanting the food to finish.

After dinner, Asma'u quickly packed up the plates, asking for the directions to the kitchen.

"You don't have to do the dishes, the maid will do them tomorrow" Hajiya Ruqayya explained for the umpteenth time, Asma'u was already scrubbing the plates, paying not heed to the elderly woman's pleadings. It took a few minutes to arrange the dishes, she trailed behind Hajiya Ruqayya who had instructed her to follow her to the room she'd be occupying.

"Masha Allahu! It's so beautiful ma. Thank you" Asma'u said plopping down on the bed.

"We could change the curtains if you don't want these ones" Hajiya Ruqayya offered enjoying how happy Asma'u looked. Asma'u shook her head with a whole lot of force.

"This is more than enough. Thank you so much.....” Asma'u's gratitude was cut short by the "salaam" she heard from the living room. Her room is the closest to the living room. She noticed Hajiya Ruqayya's demeanor change drastically. She looked alarmed, and mostly worried. She watched Hajiya Ruqayya re-tie her headgear, and smoothen her attire which wasn't rumpled in any way.

Hajiya Ruqayya excused herself, forgetting to lock Asma'u's door. Asma'u's wondered why Ahmed's mother was behaving that way. She sighed softly, moving towards the door to secure it when she heard..

"How many years does it take to move down from your room to the living room?" She couldn't hear Hajiya Ruqayya's reply but it seemed to have upset the person more. "Hold your excuses Ruqayya, I don't want to hear it. It seems as if that's the only thing you're good at! What were you doing in kirirkiri?" The person asked irritation clearly in his voice. "Kasimu said he saw you in kirirkiri. Can you explain what you went there for?" He boomed louder than before. For the second time, Asma'u couldn't hear Hajiya Ruqayya's reply. She had closed the door quickly when she heard a door in the far end of the hallway closing. She didn't want to be found eavesdropping.

She heard nothing for a while, then she heard Ahmed's voice, he sounded really angry, so did the second voice. They seemed to be arguing badly. Asma'u picked up words like "don't talk to her that way just because she puts up with your rotten attitude" She quickly entered the adjoined bathroom, trying to drown their voices. They sounded just like Mallam and Matar Mallam in Kano, arguing all the time. Hajiya Ruqayya's voice calling out her name, made her come out of the bathroom. She stood by the door waiting for the woman to enter inside. Hajiya Ruqayya handed her a black Abaya.

"Strip out of the prison uniform, wear this quickly. Don't tell him you're from the prison" Hajiya Ruqayya said quickly, Asma'u noticed how red Hajiya Ruqayya's eyes were, but she didn't say a word, it wasn't in her place to pry.  When Asma'u and Hajiya Ruqayya got to the living room, she saw Ahmed seated on the sofa, swiping and tapping his phone, a big frown etched on his face. The other man was engrossed in TV program, equally wearing a frown. Both of them had been the ones trying to shout down the roof of the house.

"She's here" Hajiya Ruqayya said getting their attention. She squatted quickly, greeting the man.

"How are you? Hope you're fine?" He asked assessing her with his eyes. His scrutinizing gaze made her silently thank God her head is covered. He would throw her out if he sees her month old hair style.

"I am fine thank you" she replied swallowing hard. It was hard not to tremble from his questioning eyes.

"Ruqayya, this girl looks nothing like any of your family members, and you know I know everyone. Which relative is it?" He asked staring at Hajiya Ruqayya. Why does he talk to Ahmed's mother this way? Asma'u wondered staring at the elderly man.

"She's a distant relative, you do not know everyone! When was the last time you actually saw them? Twenty years ago?" Hajiya Ruqayya retorted making Asma'u shudder in disbelief. Why were they talking to themselves this way? If she is causing trouble for Ahmed and his mother, she will gladly leave. She didn't want to be the source of anyone's unhappiness. She had no idea; this unhappiness has been there long before she could walk.

"I knew it! I knew you will bring it up. That's the only thing you're good at, digging up buried stuff. Young girl, which school did you attend?" He asked masking his irritation with a smile that doesn't meet the eye.

"I did not go to school. I went to islamiyya in Kano. I have memorized the Qur'an and I know........” He politely raised his hands up urging her to shut up. Her Islamiyya stories is the last thing he wants to listen to.

"You're right Ruqayya, I don't know her" he said adjusting his glasses and Babban Riga before exiting the living room. Asma'u saw Hajiya Ruqayya breath out in relief. Ahmed on the other hand, took long strides to his mother. He hugged her tightly talking softly at her.

"He's not very nice. Why do you allow him into your home?" Asma'u asked earning a snort from both mother and son, a snort which turned into a full blown laughter. Asma'u wondered why they were laughing at her.

"If a person owns a house, I believe they're entitled to coming and going whenever they please" Hajiya Ruqayya said wiping away a tear that trailed down her left cheek. Asma'u stood dumbfounded for a minute before it dawned on her that the man who had left is Ahmed's father. She turned crimson immediately. She couldn't believe she had advised getting rid of her saviour's father on the very first day here. "I'll just go to my room" she said dejectedly

"No please stay back. It's been a while since I laughed like that. Let's watch a movie please" Hajiya Ruqayya suggested, unwrapping Ahmed's hands from her body.  Asma'u nodded following the elderly woman, who settled for a Hausa movie on Arewa 24. Asma'u ended up falling asleep on the sofa, as she was so tired from the day's activities. She couldn't remember how she got to her bed. The alarm clock blared loudly waking Asma'u up, it showed 5:00am. she had no idea who set it up, sighing softly she got off the bed. She headed to the bathroom to perform ablution. She didn't need to be told twice that it was time for subhi prayers.

After observing her prayers, Asma'u sat on the prayer mat thinking about her life. She couldn't believe how it had changed, in a blink of an eye. She could remember when she was brought to kirikiri, she had felt this way too but in a bad way. After reciting some zikr she learnt from Kano, and then she prayed to God for forgiveness of her biggest sin, the sin that haunts her dream. Speaking of dreams, she didn't have a nightmare. Exhaustion had really taken a toll on her.

………….......

"Drive slowly manah! It's not as if we are late!" Hajiya Ruqayya warned Ahmed for umpteenth time. He rolled his eyes. Bala drives way faster than him, but never ever had he heard his mother complain. That was how she had knocked him on the head because he over took an elderly man.

"Ahmadee kill us oo! Just kill us" she yelled holding onto the roof handle in an excessively dramatic way. Ahmed was watching her through the rear view mirror; he couldn't help but laugh at his mother's angry face. Asma'u was smiling too; she could not laugh because she was afraid Hajiya Ruqayya will find it disrespectful. Ahmed turned around to soothe his mother's worries, only to agitate her more. "Ahmadee face your front Dan Allah!" She yelled making Asma'u and Ahmed burst into laughter. Hajiya Ruqayya's frown deepened, she kept grumbling and mumbling about how she will never enter any car Ahmed drives. She even went ahead raining praises on Bala's driving skills much to Ahmed and Asma'u's amazement. Hajiya Ruqayya had decided to take Asma'u shopping for clothes; she had sold out her clothes. A friend had recommended a boutique to get beautiful clothes for Asma'u, when Hajiya Ruqayya got off the car, adjusting her veil in a dramatic way. She eyed Ahmed before dragging Asma'u into the boutique with Ahmed trailing behind them. After three frustrating hours, Hajiya Ruqayya decided the clothes are enough. Asma'u had changed into a shoulder split maroon jumpsuit and a black turban. Hajiya Ruqayya kept staring at the girl; she looked nothing like the one from the prison uniform. Ahmed couldn't take his eyes off her, she looked every shade of perfect. He loved how loose the fitting of the jumpsuit is, yet it made her look sophisticated. After paying up for the clothes and shoes, the sales girl packed up the bags ushering them outside.

"Excuse me ma!" A young woman who is probably in her thirties called out. Hajiya Ruqayya turned her attention to her, urging Ahmed and Asma'u to go.

"Good afternoon ma!" She greeted squatting down. Hajiya Ruqayya peered at the woman, squinting. She was hoping she could recognize her.

"Good afternoon my dear, how can I help you?" Hajiya Ruqayya replied adjusting her veil.

"Please ma, is that girl your daughter?" She asked making Hajiya Ruqayya frown immediately. She didn't want people intruding in her life.

"Yes she is. How can we help you?" Hajiya Ruqayya asked watching the woman's expression brighten up immediately.

"I am Mrs Maymunatu Bukar. I own MBEE's fashion house, I couldn't help but notice your daughter is perfect to model for me. I was ho.........

"A'a! I am not allowing her to showcase her beauty to the whole world. Thank you" Hajiya Ruqayya deadpanned walking away from the woman who didn't give up. She followed Hajiya Ruqayya on hot heels trying to explain how harmless being a model is. Hajiya Ruqayya wasn't having any of it. They got to the car, where Ahmed and Asma'u were busy stuffing the bags in the booth. Hajiya got into the car and banged the door, telling Asma'u and Ahmed to get into the car.

"Assaalamu Alaikum" Mrs Maymunatu greeted Ahmed who answered much to his mother's dismay. She winds down the glass telling him to ignore the woman. Ahmed ignored his mother, urging Mrs Maymunatu to continue with her explanation. Knowing how dramatic Nigerian mother's tend to be, and not wanting to put Ahmed in trouble. She quickly handed him her card begging him to contact her. She sped off not wanting to agitate Hajiya Ruqayya more.

"What did she give you?" Hajiya Ruqayya asked watching her son pocket the beautifully printed card.

"Nothing ma" he said smiling at her.