•Aaliyah

"Aaliyah open the door! I'm at your doorstep."

"What?!"

"Zo ki buɗe kofar!"

"I'm coming."

And so I rushed out of my bed at exactly 09:00am.

09:00am. Why?

Trust Safiya to be the one to destroy your blissful affair with the night this early morning.

I took my time, walking as slow as ever because I was so annoyed. Finally I reached the door and opened it for her to step in with a large box.

Come, is she moving in?

And into who's house?

"What's up?" I ask, pointing at the large travelling bag she brought along with her.

"Relax. I brought you some materials to buy."

"I was sleeping! You could've come later. By the way, how did you find my house?"

"Is that how to welcome your visitor? Moreover, I'm not a visitor. Ni *yar gida ce ai. Yusra gave me the address. She bought some for her wedding so I asked her if she knew where you were. "

"True, how can I forget? Bring them in. I'll be with you shortly." I said, while shutting the door.

She stopped in her tracks, "Why the formalities? Just say you're going to brush your smelly mouth!"

We both laughed and I left to my room to take care of my hygiene.

I was out after about twenty minutes then I made us two bowls of cereal.

We ate in silence till we consumed the cornflakes to the last bit before a conversation was started.

"Now I have strength to talk." I said as I got up to open the bag.

"You'll be doing like one hungry lion."

"Don't disturb me!"

She laughed.

We brought out all the beautiful materials and spread them on the neatly vacuumed carpet. They came in different colors of beige, maroon, lavender, peach and a whole variety of others which made the carpet akin to a Picasso original.

"So which do you like? Also I'm supplying the *anko for Yusra's events fa. They're just two. Here they are. As for the other events, you can wear anything. She'll explain more when next we go to see her." She dragged a peach and pink ankara that was hidden underneath the mountain of clothes and another that was torquoise with a touch of purple that was planted on different sections in tiny stars that formed a larger one.

"How much for them?"

"Bring #14,500 for the two."

"Haba yayi yawa." I protested.

"It's not too much. This price is exclusively for friends."

"Hey! Safiya you and money ehn. No problem zan baki."

She keeps them aside and we continue looking through the materials.

"I'll buy like four since I have enough for now."

I picked four out of them which I planned to wear at Yusra's other wedding events.

"So, how much for these ones? Kuma kar ki kira min kuɗi dayawa."

She laughed, "I'm not going to give you a high price. Just bring #21,000."

"For what?"

"Ke it's #4,000 per material but I left it at #3,500 for you and the lace is just #8,000. But bring #7,000."

"Toh #20,000 plus the other #14,500, that's #34,500."

"Just give me #34,000."

"Ok then I'll transfer the money to you now."

"Ok. Do you know that she's no longer marrying Abdullahi?" She lowered her voice as if Yusra was within the vicinity.

"Why? I really liked them together."

"You didn't hear? Ciki ne da ita and her dad said she has to marry the father."

"Pregnant? How? She was supposed to quit living that lifestyle before all this happened. I warned her!"

"I warned her too but look where all her stubbornness led her to. I don't even care. I'm just there with her because I know I'll get a lot of money from her."

I stared incredulously as Safiya spewed all those objectionable words. I actually started to wonder if this was how she spoke ill of me behind my back.

I'll have to be careful with this one.

"Don't think that way Safiya. We should all be there for her in her trying times. I'll try to visit her within the week."

I successfully transfer the money to her and she packages all the pieces of clothing into a tiny bag and handed it to me.

"So when should we be expecting your wedding? I haven't seen anyone around. What happened to Jabir?"

"Forget that one. Now I'm with one Abba like that. He has the looks and deep pockets. I've made it!"

I nodded in disapproval to her nasty ideology.

"When he goes broke what will you do?"

"It's just to move to another guy. Simple! I also have that your cousin Bilal on my radar."

It was my turn to really laugh now.

"He's already in a relationship. As for Abba, try and stick with him. Maybe you guys will even get married eventually."

"Only marriage will stop me from chasing Bilal. Also, stick with who? He has already started vexing me and we've only been together for a month. I'll wait and see where it all goes sha."

"Ok. Just be careful."

A knock on the door brings a halt to our gossip session and I get up to check the door.

"He's here!"

"Who?!" I asked, confused.

"Abba! I sent him the address to come and pick me up. Be nice please."

"Shut up! I'm nice. What are you saying?"

We spoke in hushed tones as if he would catch a whiff of what was being said about him.

"I hope he's fine?"

"Ke, ya haɗu ba kaɗan ba!"

"You're lucky kenan."

The door was opened. Lo and behold, my infamous ex, Abba Tukur Mamman.

Akward...

Tell me I'm dreaming!

It would've been better if she was with Abba the further mathematics expert that came in SS3 but this one, that's a no go area.

Fam he's off limits!

He does nothing but shamelessly gawk at me before his eyes land on his current girlfriend.

"Babe! Har kun gama?"

"Yes fa, we're done."

"This is..."

He interjects, "Aaliyah."

She looks at both of us stupefied. With suspicious eyes even.

"Care to explain." She looks at him.

"I'll tell you about it in the car. Let's just go." He said quickly and for a second there I noticed his diamond coated wall of confidence faltering.

"No! Tell me here."

"It's not important. Please don't be stubborn. Let's just go." He begged as he bent to help her with the bag but she angrily pulls it out of his hands.

Isn't he cute?

She stood her ground and waited till he finally made a statement.

"We were once together." He sighed.

"When was that?"

He ignored her question and walked down the hall without bothering to look back and see if she was following.

I noticed her gaze switch to the direction of her phone in her hands. He must've messaged her because I see her turning to leave hurriedly as she drags her bag behind her with a little wave thrown at my direction.

"That was weird." She says before completely stepping out of my door.

____________________________

*Yar gida refers to someone who's close to one's family. Like a family friend so to say. If translated literally it'll be house person. In some cases it can be used to refer to a family member too.

I hope this has cleared any confusion.

~Aisha Safiyanu🥀