Chapter 34: Chapter 34

Halima’s POV

I woke up quite early because all the females in the house were supposed to have a session with the gyaran jiki crew.

I dressed in a black leggings and a black short sleeved top then tied a black turban on my head. I didn’t even have my breakfast before Teemah came and dragged me out of the room into a large parlor.

I had my gyaran jiki session and it was painful though my leg skin turned out smooth but still. I went to sleep but was stopped by Teemah’s aunt, the mother of the brides, Aunty Maryam.

She asked me to take sone food to where the gyaran jiki session was being held. Albeit I was tired, famished, drained and sleepy I couldn’t say no to her.

I ended up taking seven big trays filled with snacks and ten packets of soft drinks. How they were going to finish all of it, I didn’t know. I was going to the room when she stopped me again and said I should please help her take some snacks around the house.

I was about to politely decline when Ya Sa’eed came and said that he’d gladly take it for her. I sent him a smile that spelt thank you and he winked at me. I couldn’t help but blush.

Ya Sa’eed had been such a sweetheart, saving me from his Aunt that kept on taunting me, the one that insulted us the day we arrived whose named happened to be Aunty Nana.

He had been helping me and I can’t help but say that I might be falling for him all over again. Yes, I Halima Audu Kalshingi am in love with Sa’eed Abba Sulayman.

I walked to the room I had been sharing with Teemah, Amal and Afnan. I laid on the bed then set my alarm to 9am.

I slept off only to wake up some minutes to 10am. I hurriedly changed into an A- lined material gown then picked my phone. I checked it and saw that the battery was drained. No wonder the alarm didn’t ring.

I rushed out side and saw that our driver from Abuja was checking Mummy’s car. He had arrived the previous night with mummy and daddy’s luggage.

He greeted me and we entered the car. I plugged my phone into the car charger and played music in the car. We arrived there at 1:30pm dot.

We waited and once their plane landed we drove back and arrived some minutes to 5pm. We prayed Zuhr and Asr then ate. After everything I collected mine and Teemah’s Saari and left them to rest after the long flight.

We started helping to make the wedding preparations. Me being a graduate from Habmoniz Culinary School (HCS) I helped in yhe food, snacks and all other edibles whike

Teemah helped in the decorating of the event centers since the brides’ father said he wasn’t paying for the decorations, apparently it was part of the punishments.

The rest of the week was whiled away like that and then the day for the Kamu came. Since the wedding was rushed only the brides’ friends wore anko.

The color of the day was wine and black. The brides and their respective grooms wore wine and cream while the friends wore wine and peach. The whole décor was on point. Courtesy of my bestie.

We danced and danced. After all the dancing I couldn’t seem to find Kalt so I moved out of the hall and I felt the hair at the back of my nape stand. It was as if someone was following me.

I turned and saw a guy who should probably be around nineteen to twenty years old. He was wearing a white kaftan and a blue zana bukar cap perched perfectly on his head.

He was emanating a diminishing aura. The type that makes you feel smaller or inferior to him. I looked up to his face and the idiot was, smirking? He was freaking smirking.

I gulped then said “excuse me. Is there any problem?”. He gave me a once over and his smirk grew wider. He then replied “nothing is wrong. I just want to talk to you. Can you lend me a minute?”.

I said okay and he started “I’m AbulKhair Umar. A younger brother to the groom. I’ve been noticing you and I must say you are quite beautiful”. I looker at him then scoffed.

“so you followed me from the venue just to tell me I’m beautiful? Thanks. Excuse me will you? I have to make a call. Thank you”, I said then turned to call Kalt and ask her where she was.

“hello Halli bazan  jinki bah {I won’t hear you}. Just text me”, Kalt cut the call once she said that. I quickly on my data still feeling the hair at the back of my neck stand. I turned and saw that the AbulKhair was still there. I rolled my eyes then continued to text Kalt.

I asked where she was in the text and she said she was on the dance floor. I asked her to meet me outside where I was and she said she’d be there in five. I turned to the AbulKhair guy and said “don’t you have anything worth doing? I don’t mean to sound rude but you’re making me really uncomfortable. So if you could excuse me please”.

He smirked then looked at me. What’s this guy’s thing with smirking, I thought then rolled my eyes. He said “I just want to have a few words with you. But since I’m making you uncomfortable can I know where you live?”

“Abuja. Why?”

“okay so you’re here on holiday?”

“yeah is there a problem?”

“no nothing. So where are you staying for the holiday?”

I was getting pissed off so I said, “why do you care? Just say what you want and leave. You’re really disturbing me and invading my privacy”.

“oh sorry. I just think you have all what I need in a wife so, can I have your contact number?”.

I scoffed and before I could reply. I felt a shadow over me. I felt like screaming in frustration. I turned and saw Amir. I didn’t even know when my mouth said his name out if it’s own accord. But it came out more of a question because I was beyond surprised.

He looked at the AbulKhair and said “why are you disturbing my younger sister? Is there any problem?”. I looked at him in confusion, sister? He winked and I couldn’t help but think, has the world finally gone mad?

Firstly, this AbulKhair guy had been annoying the crap out of me. Then there was Amir calling me his sister and winking at me. I was pulled out of my reverie when Ya Sa’eed suddenly appeared behind AbulKhair and said “hey bestie”.

Without looking at his face I could sense he was smirking. I looked up and the look on AbulKhair’s face was priceless. He clenched his jaw then said “Sa’eed”. The way he said the name made it sound deadly.

Ya Sa’eed smiled then noticed Amir beside me making me move a little away from him. He gritted his teeth before smiling again. He looked at AbulKhair and said “ashe an fara iya dressing {so you’ve started learning how to dress}. Great to know you took my advice. Why are you disturbing this beauty?”.

“Sa’eed. Why do you always have to be involved in everything I do? Mtcheeeww”, the AbulKhair guy said then swiftly left and Ya Sa’eed turned to Amir and said “and you, what’s your problem? Leave Halima alone!”.

Amir flinched then rose his hands in surrender “dude chill. I was just trying to help. The guy was following her so I lied saying that she’s my sister”. He left and me and Ya Sa’eed walked back to the venue together where I danced to my heart’s content.

The walima happened the next afternoon and the dinner in the night. For the walima me and Teemah wore the matching Saaris mummy designed. I made up our face and we left like that.

Due to our dressing we were asked to sit on each sides of the brides since mummy brought matching Saaris for them too. It started around 2pm. The walima was a women only event and a malama was invited to perform the Sermon which lasted for three hours.

Once it was 5pm we all dispersed to get ready for the dinner. The next day would be the day the knot would be tied and then the brides would be conveyed to their matrimonial homes. Adda Afrah was going to be conveyed to Abuja while Aneesah to Kaduna. They were both going to be conveyed ny plane.

For the dinner I dressed in a blue french lace sewn into a mermaid gown. Teemah tied my head tie into some sort of beautiful design. She also wore something similar to mine but hers was a lace sewn into a mermaid skirt blouse that looked like a gown.

I did our makeup and Mashaa Allah it was flawless. Ya Sa’eed drove us there in Ammi’s car and Teemah left with Amir saying that we might not meet again till she returned home so I should go ahead and have fun.

When I asked what was going on she just said she needed to catch up with some of her friends and cousins that she hasn’t seen since our Jss3 holiday.

I knew what was wrong because I kind of read her chats with Amir and I saw that they were going to share their first kiss. I could’ve talked to her but I just got my best friend back and I didn’t want to loose her again so I just let her be. Moreover, the junior secondary school Islamic studies teacher said that we should let her be because if we make her sad and she cries the Jinn might use it as an opportunity to get back into her body.

I went ahead to eat, have fun and make new friends and chill. I went back home around 12pm because I was famished. Once I entered the room I was sharing with Teemah, Amal and Afnan I heard sniffles.

I saw Teemah sitting on the ground with her knees up and her head in between them shaking uncontrollably. I moved over to her and once her she flinched.

35: Heartbreak

Fatima’s POV

After the Walimah which was boring by the way, Ameela called me to Aunty Nana’s room so I went there. I saw her with an iPhone and I knew that her mother was a widow so there was no freaking way she could have bought an iPhone for her.

I entered the room flabbergasted and she dragged me to sit on the bed. I sat down and couldn’t help but ask “Ameela waya saya miki waya? {Ameela who bought a phone for you?}”.

“wani gaye na samu wai shi sunansa Aliyu, yana da wayoyi uku sai ya bani daya. Wai shi yana sona. Dana zo na fadawa mamana tace inje in ansa. Yanxu ya bani sim dinsa da numban wayansa yace gobe mu hadu a lokacin dinnner. Keh gayen ya hadu. Ga gashi kamar na larabawa {it was one guy named Aliyu, he has three phones so he gave me one, saying that he loves me. When I told my mother she said I should go and collect it. So now he gave me his sim and phone saying we should meet tomorrow during the dinner. The guy is very fine. With hair like an Arabian} “.

I nodded then said “ wai toh shidin waye ne? {so who is he?} “.

“ wai shi ya raka wani ne shine ya ganni {he said he accompanied someone and that was when he saw me} “.

“ toh shikenan ayi soyayya lafiya {okay happy loving} “, I said then stood up to leave. She held me back and asked for my number I gave her and she immediately sent me hi through whatsapp.

I replied and went to dress for the dinner. On my way there I stopped to think, did someone really stop Ameela and give her a phone or did she throw herself at him as usual.

Ameela always used the littlest of opportunities to throw herself at a male irrespective of age, status, financial status and physical appearance albeit she’s a beautiful girl.

One glance at her and you’ll know that she has Fulani blood running through her veins. I shrugged the thought off since it was none of my business. I went to the room and started getting ready for the dinner.

After we got dressed I told Halli to go and have fun that I needed to catch up with some of my friends and cousins.

I know I shouldn’t have lied and she knew I was lying because she gave me the seriously look. Moreover, I caught her reading my chats with Amir and I’m sure she had seen the part where we talked about sharing our first kiss.

She went then I and Amir found ourselves an empty table. He excused himself a few minutes later and when he came back he was quite angry so I suggested we go back.

When we went back he asked about the kiss and I went to get him water. I went and when I came back the dimwitted fool was kissing Ameela like his life depends on it.

The nitwit was even moving his hand all over her body and the abnormal human being I consider my favorite cousin was moaning.

I didn’t know when I dragged her and landed a slap on her face. My body was acting without my mind thinking and I decided to let it do its work. I absent-mindedly told Ameela “Nagode Allah ya saka da alkhairi. Abun da zaki saka min dashi kenan koh. Bah komai Allah zai rama min. Allah ya isa ban yafe bah {thank you may Allah reward you abundantly. So this is what you repay me back with right? No problem Allah will avenge for me}”.

I turned to Amir hitting him with my frail arms albeit I knew that it would be useless “ as for you this useless idiot, dimwitted nitwit, brainless perverted animal with no common sense, how dare you? Betray me? What do you think of yourself? I trusted you but..” by then my entire makeup was ruined with tears which had started falling unknown to me.

“… You decided to betray me. But what should I expect from someone like you. Men like you have no use on this earth”. I then turned to Ameela. “ke kuma munafuka, wato kin maymaye min saurayi koh? Nagode ki cigaba da gashi suya sai ranar sallah {as for you hypocrite, so you have taken over my boyfriend right? Continue}”.

I left them there and when I was out of the room, I heard Ameela ask with her bad English “ Aliyu but you tell me you no have girlfriend, what about my sister?”.

On a normal day I would’ve laughed at her but alas, it wasn’t a normal day, at least for me. The perverted fool replied, “you know I told you that there are a lot of girls after me. She’s one of them. She loves me and when I told her I don’t love her she wanted to kill herself”.

“shine take cemi wai ni yar iska ce {and she calls me a wayward girl}”, Ameela said then hissed. I so wanted to go inside and apologize to Ameela but I wouldn’t let Amir have the pleasure of seeing me broken even though he had already seen me broken twice.

I walked to the room I and Teemah were sharing. I could feel my heart beat against my ribcage so fast that I thought it would come out.

My breath was slowly withering. I heard someone call my name but it was as if my throat was blocked I couldn’t say anything. I couldn’t even move. I felt so lifeless.

I then felt someone hold me so I flinched thinking it was Amir but when I remembered what he told Ameela I realised it couldn’t be him.

I took in Halli’s chocolate fragrance. The girl always scent of chocolate. I remember when she and her parents went to Dubai the previous year and she begged them to take her to a chocolate factory.

When they took her there, beside the chocolate factory was a perfune factory. She begged the owner of the perfume factory who happened to be her uncle to please make a chocolate fragrance for her. At first it didn’t work out but when she kept on bugging him it finally worked and that had been her signature scent.

I didn’t know when I engulfed her in a hug burying my head in her torso. I realized that she had always been right and I was wrong. She had warned me but I didn’t pay any heed to her and I was paying for it.

She started soothing me and once I had stopped crying she rose my head up and I asked if I wanted to talk about it. I nodded and she dragged me to the bed.

She brought a cup of chilled water and gave me and I took it in all in one gulp. I laid on her lap and she adjusted for me to lay down properly. Once I was comfortable I told her about everything.

She rose my head up such that my eyes were looking directly into her eyes then sighed. We both laid down facing the ceiling and she said “there was this book I read on wattpad. It was about two girls, Anita and Greg. Anita and Greg were best friends and they both loved the same guy. Anita had promised herself that she would do anything to make the guy hers.

“ Greg on the other hand was ready to give up anything for her best friend. She gave up the guy but the guy didn’t give her up. He kept on pestering Greg and she finally said that if the guy really loved her he had to date Anita.

“ the guy started dating Anita and he betrayed her. At the end Anita found out what Greg had done for her and she asked her why she did it and fo you know what she said?”

I nodded in the negative and she said “Greg told Anita that ‘no matter what I won’t ever let a guy come between us’ Those words sank in and that was how I decided to let you and Amir be”.

Her words brought tears to my eyes. I was such a fool to have believed all of Amir’s fake promises. I engulfed her in a hug that lasted a long time.

Once I stopped crying she released me from the hug and said “now clean that beautiful face of yours so that I can make you up”. Make me up? “but Halli why makeup? It’s after twelve fah”, I said utterly confused.

She looked at me and said “so that you can go and give that betrayer a piece of your mind and show him that you don’t care. You shouldn’t let him know you’re hurting because of his foolishness”.

I nodded in understanding and went to wash my face. After washing it I sat down and Halli quickly made my face up. I stood up and sighed. I walked to the room I saw them in a few minutes ago and they were still there.

Shameless perverted fool. I entered and hugged Ameela taking her by surprise. She looked flabbergasted to say the least. I gave her a wide smile and said “I’m sorry dear. I shouldn’t have done what I did. Kiyi hakuri kinji.”

I turned to Amir and said “hey ex”. The look on his face was priceless. How I wish I could take a picture. I smirked internally then smiled and continued “How you doing? I hope you are enjoying your new girlfriend. Happy dating dearies. Have a nice life”.

I walked back making sure to walk majestically in the stiletto Halli forced me to wear. I walked out and immediately I entered the room I saw an apple laptop, a tub of ice-cream and two bowls of popcorn from Eaman.

I saw Halli coming out of the bathroom in her Alena of Avalor pajamas and I couldn’t help but squeal and jump on her. We fell to the ground together and she laughed.

I shouted I love you in her ears and she flinched. We watched Mulan one and two while eating popcorn and taking ice-cream. I really missed my bestie so much.