***

Mimi hopped out and walked to the gate with Maleekah alongside. The gateman recognized Maleekah and let them in. The compound of the residence was long and vast.

"What are we doing here Leek?" Mimi couldn't hold her patience anymore and Maleekah hasn't say anything yet about the visit. Mimi had known the honourable Bala's residence since infancy and knew there was no female of their age in the house.

"No questions. If you don't want to come in you can wait for me in the car." Maleekah said with a nonchalance troat. Mimi stifled a laughter thinking that Maleekah's attitude was all on influence of the cramps.

They were about to take the corner that will lead them to the main house when they spotted hon Bala sitting on a chair sipping coffee with a newspaper on his hand. He was looking as if he will explode.

"Good evening father." They chorused.

"Ah Mimi," he revealed his teeth and marched to where they were standing. Mimi frowned when he was not looking at her. He was her father's friend who said he loves her.

"It's you in my house." He repeated and shifted his gaze to Maleekah.

"You can go in and leave us here ko?" Maleekah didn't missed the look on Mimi's face. She now understood why Mimi had been whining.

"I will get in then. Have a nice time." She winked at Mimi who was on the verge of bursting.

***

"You actually came." Fatimah held Maleekah's hand and dragged her into her room. Maleekah looked at the well spread bedsheets mattress, and the box beside it in the room. By the other side of the mattress, there was a lamp and a handfan. She raised her head and saw that there was no fan in the room whilst every other room in the house has an air conditioner.

She wondered why it was always like that when she visited other houses. The houses were usually furnished well but the maid's room was always looking like a den. Wasn't it supposed to be equally good? Employing a girl who needed help doesn't mean one should treat them like trash. In fact, they're actually like amanah entrusted to the hand of their employee.

The maids were also girls with dreams, girls with wishes, girls with hope that someday they will be something in life. If their parent have chose to demolish their dreams, plans and hopes by sending them to work, at least, just at least the employees should try and help them.

They also have feelings. They are humans too and they're entitled to every freedom every other person has. Maleekah was immersed in deep thought when Fatimah came back with a plate of food and a bottle of water.

"Please eat." She entreated and sat down beside Maleekah. Maleekah was awed. Whose food did Fatimah brought to her? She knew maids normally don't have the right to touch foodstuffs.

"That's your food. You don't know I will come so I have no right to eat what's yours. You need it more." Maleekah's eyes were small, wallowed in pity.

"Don't you know the hadith that said you should respect your guest? Or the Hausa adage that said baqon ka annabinka? (Your guest; your prophet). So please be my guest and eat this food." Fatimah pushed the plate toward Maleekah's leg and opened the lid. It was jollof rice.

"Thank you so much then, but we're eating together." Fatimah nodded in gleam.

"Let's go and wash our hands." Fatimah suggested and they did so.

When they were done eating, Maleekah sighed and shook her head in pride. She was really impressed with the way Fatimah treated her. Another lesson learnt. She made a mental note.

"I hope your leg doesn't pain you anymore." Maleekah queried. Fatimah straightened her leg and showed it to Maleekah.

"The scar is even gone." She answered with a smile.

"Alhamdulillah. I'm so sorry again. You know that particular day, I was so late and that's how I hit you but I will be extra careful next time." Fatimah nodded.

"I told you it's fine. I'm awed with your kindness. Ya Muhseen said you're really kindhearted so you have nothing to worry." Maleekah was about to reply her and the window of Fatimah's room glided.

Muhseen appeared. "Your brother called." He handed her his BlackBerry8700. Since the last time Fatimah visited Inna, she collected Sadiqu's digit and gave it to Dr Muhseen.

"Ya sadiqu!" Fatimah squealed. It's been long since they talked. The phone was always off. Sadiqu told her the phone has some faulty because he bought it as a second hand.

The time stopped for Maleekah. Did she heard Sadiqu or was she hallucinating?

One second,

Two seconds,

Three seconds!

Maleekah wake up from this dream!

"My brother wants to talk to you." She heard Fatimah say, it's real. Ya Allah.

Her hands tremble before she collected the phone. "Assalamu alaikum warahmatullah." A tear dropped from her eyes when she heard his voice. How could this be so real?

"Wa'alaikumus salam." She replied him. His world also stopped at that moment. Was that his Madam M or was he dreaming? He hoped it wasn't someone with her voice. He sincerely hope so.

"Aisha Maleekah?"

"Ismail Sadiqu?" They asked simultaneously. Fatimah was dazed. Did they know each other?

"How have you been? I missed you so much M, You ignored my letter right?" Maleekah blinked her eyes. Where did that name came from? Was he mistaken?

"I'm fine." She replied coldly with every hope dissipating into the thin air. Sadiqu has mistaken her. She wasn't the one he's looking for, maybe her name coincide with his girlfriend's own.

"My sister said you helped her and I knew you're that kind. I really appreciate. How's the tofu business with Inna?" The phone slipped off Maleekah's palm out of happiness. He recognized her! She picked the phone to talk to him but the credit was exhausted. Fatimah took the phone and gave Dr Muhseen who was standing by the window.

"Thank you." She mouthed to him, and smiled. He smiled too and left the place.

"Did you by any chance know him?" Fatimah tapped Maleekah who was completely oblivious to the whole world. She just couldn't absorbed all that happened few seconds ago.

"I..-" the door of the room creaked open and Mimi came in frowning her face.

"Sit down Mimi." Maleekah dragged her hand.

"God forbid me to sit in a maid's room! The room is even reeking, Leek I can't stand for another minute here." She looked at Fatimah with disregard and palmed her nose.

"Mimi what is this?" Maleekah shouted.

"I will wait for you outside." She stomped out immediately. Maleekah shifted her gaze to Fatimah who wasn't shaken a bit from what Mimi did to her.

"I'm sorry. She's like that but I will talk to her." Maleekah apologized.

Fatimah smiled. "It's okay I understand. Let me escort you out." She wore her hijaab and they trudged out. Fatimah walked Maleekah to the gate and thanked her before she came back into the house. Maleekah forgot to collect his digit. That's a landslide!

"Hey," Muhseen's voice stopped her. She looked sideways to see if honourable Bala wasn't looking or if any of the workers weren't gossiping.

"Ya Muhseen." She smiled at him and ducked her head low. He marched forward and signaled her to follow him. When they reached the corner that will lead them in, he stopped and lifted a nylon revealing a flask.

"Sit and eat." He commanded.

"Ya Muhsee-" he placed his finger on his lip.

"Shush I don't want to hear anything. Now eat." He folded his arms and watched her eat in calmness.

***

It's a short one, manage it.
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