•Hamza

I literally turned into a fan girl yesterday. Aaliyah-my Aaliyah stepped foot in my house. I wanted to talk to her but I was too shy and I think the feeling was mutual.

I was saddened because she looked frail and tired. She couldn't even look at me while I couldn't take my eyes off her.

I desperately wanted a change of clothes and more perfume clouding me just to impress her but they'd all know why especially Bilal so I decide against it and just put on perfume before running downstairs to entertain my guests.

They came with a man. He looked weak and unkempt. I'd like to help him but I need to hear his story first.

He'd narrated it and now we know he's the reason behind my beauty's sleepless nights. I'd like to hate him but in this case he begged for forgiveness and he's in need of serious help. He needed to be fed and catered for but so was my habibty (love).

After Bilal left to take her to the hotel, I was left with this man. I was quite wierded out. He was too quiet and I just couldn't leave him here. He was Bilal's uncle meaning he was mine too. I took him to the guest room where he ate and took a proper bath and ate again. I left him to pray while I waited for Bilal to get back.

To while away time, I decided to call my mother's number again and this time she answered it.

"Salamu Alaykum Umma."

"Hamza baby!" She squealed.

"You left us without calling or leaving a message. Last time I saw you, you said you were going to Yola and you weren't there." I answered in a dry undertone.

"I know. I had things to take care of somewhere else."

"When are you coming back?"

"Soon." She said meekly.

That wasn't enough of an answer.

"Hamza I know you went to Balaraba. I don't blame you, just don't get worked up because I'm not there. I'll be back soon so tell you father and sister's to stop worrying."

"But why did you leave without telling us where you were headed and then switching off your phone to keep us in the dark?"

"I'm sorry baby." And she hung up.

I didn't even understand what had just happened. I dialled her number again and it was as usual, unavailable.

I didn't bother trying again.

****

This morning, I tried to call my mother again but she rejected it.

I waited for Bilal who said he was coming with Aaliyah so that we could go back to her house but they were both no shows.

African time things...

They arrived later than planned but I didn't have a problem with it because I managed to complete some of the things I had planned out in my itinerary. I drove us to Bilal's aunt's house so Aaliyah could go in and get a few of her belongings and a document she mentioned holds some valuable information regarding her savings.

As the getaway driver, I parked the car in close range to the house but hid it behind a large truck just in case anything funny happens we can escape quickly.

She drops down from the car in all her glory and I watch her from the rearview mirror as she makes her way to the gated building that was formerly owned by her father.

The gateman opens the gate for her immediately she knocks and she disappears inside. I'm extremely worried she may not make it out of there today. I mean scar free or with her life.

Twenty minutes has passed and she isn't back. I turn to Bilal who's asleep on the passengers seat for help but decide against waking him up since he gets terrible migraines whenever his sleep is being distorted. I called her phone to reduce the tension but she didn't answer it and it made my anxiety rise to an even greater level together with the churning of my stomach.

I look up at the beautiful, blue sky as it gets darker and the clouds  preparing to bless us with heavenly water from the above. The view makes me less tensed. But again worried she may come out at exactly when the showers start.

I hear the the sound of the gates open and I'd never been more happier. Looking to the side, I see she isn't the one the gate is being opened for.

It's Aunty Raliya. Oh God, please no!

Now how are we going to get out of this mess?

The thrills make me jumpy. I want to rush into the house and get her but settled on saying a little prayer before sending her a text message.

Hamza [10/02/20 15:00]: Abort mission!

Habibty😻 [10/02/20 15:01]: I'll be out in a minute. PROMISE!

Masha Allah!

She fulfilled her promise and came out on time but what she didn't notice was that Aunty Raliya had crept up behind her and was about to drag her by the elbow.

I don't know how she knew but she ran as fast as she could knowing she'd beat the woman in the mini race they had just engaged in.

She pulled the handle of the car and flew in, slamming the door hard.

As we left that street, we made a turn to go to cherry on top because we unanimously agreed we were hungry after the wild goose chase. Even in deep sleep Bilal just couldn't resist food...

The car was unceremoniously silent and Bilal just made it worse by sleeping whilst Aaliyah typed away on her phone smiling like she had just won a lottery ticket. We shared occasional glances on the mirror before setting our eyes back to the prior location. As curious as I am to know why she's smiling profusely with her eyes sparkling, I ignore the nagging thought as I set my eyes on the road but I winced every minute I thought of another man being the reason she's in this state.

Bilal, the sleeping princess woke up some minutes before we arrived at cherry on top.

"How was it? I saw you jumping back into the car but was too sleepy to speak. Kinyi jamming da Aunty Raliya ko? (You met with Aunty Raliya right?)" He turned to the back sit, asking Aaliyah.

"Why are you such a fool?" She snapped, rolling her eyes as a small smile threatened to cover her face but she hissed and folded her arms around her chest.

Bilal pulled at her cheeks and laughed, ignoring her question.

"You're not serious. You slept throughout and now you're asking how it went." I joked, punching his arm softly.

"You were available to play hero for your wife here so..." He shrugged nonchalantly, looking at Aaliyah through the mirror with that stupid smirk he usually had plastered on his face.

"Anyways, let's go and get some foooood!".

I got out immediately, so he wouldn't embarrass me further.

They followed behind me and we climbed the stairs leading to the fine eatery. A girl spills her drink on Aaliyah's chiffon top, staining it with her strawberry flavoured slushy. Instead of apologising, she starts throwing insults at her.

"Are you blind?"

"Watch your mouth! You don't want to play this game with me." Aaliyah said almost screaming, with her fingers being pointed at slushy girl.

"What game? If I slap you ehn..."

"If you slap me what will happen? You spilled it on me and expect an apology then you must be crazy!"

"Ok. That's enough. You guys should stop this. We're in public." Bilal steps in front of them, trying to talk some sense into them.

She ignores him and starts again.

"Sai kin biya ni ko na hada ki da 'yan sanda (You must pay me or I take you to the police)."

Now that's how you know a broke Abuja girl.

Why in the world would you take someone to the police because of #500? That's just...

"Let's just go. I don't need stress. We can order some food once you drop me off or we eat at the hotels restaurant." She looked at both me and Bilal who were on the verge of laughing at their little dramatic scene.

"What are you laughing at? Let's go!" She snapped her fingers. She just looks so cute when she's being feisty.

I guess slushy girl wasn't done dissing Aaliyah.

We turn to go then she speaks up again and if not for her friend, I think Aaliyah would've beat the spirit of madness out of her today. Don't get me wrong. I'm not dissing slushy girl too. I'm just saying what I think my habibty is thinking.

"It's girls like her that don't have respect for their bodies. Hotel ko? Go now! Sai ta yi ciki za ta fara kuka (Till she gets pregnant, that's when she'll start crying)." She was speaking to her friend but turned to address Aaliyah with the last sentence.

As if Aaliyah was possessed that moment, she ran towards her, slapping her with all the energy she had and bruising her face in the process. Aaliyah rolled her sleeves and I knew she was ready to use her taekwondo skills on her. Funny story, Bilal said she learnt it when she was little to beat all the boys that annoyed.

She was about to throw a kick but her friend, who's name I think was Manal, begged for forgiveness while her friend just stood there fuming like the senseless Barbie doll she was.

After much begging from me and Bilal, we finally managed to cajole her into leaving.

So, we dropped her off at the hotel where she went to eat in the hotels restaurant while me and Bilal didn't bother staying to eat because we got an emergency call from the office.

We exited the hotel soon after apologising, leaving her to enjoy her late lunch alone in the empty restaurant.
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~Aisha Safiyanu🥀