Chapter 24: Chapter 24

Despite the threats, the tantrums Shafa'atu and her mother have thrown, that didn't stopped Rukayya and Talhah from being hitched. Neema made it to the wedding too. Inna was ecstatically happy, she could finally rest, and she knew their father would be proud of them.

Talhah's felicity wouldn't be vocalized. He was grinning widely. All he needs is to be ensconced in the warmth of Rukayya__the love of his life.

Back in Rukayya's room; there was alot of their friends. Some were there to gossip, for Talhah wasn't Shafa'atu's love only, almost all the girls were crushing on him, and adding more salt to their wounds___they got married on a short notice.

Fatima came in with a bowl of tuwa, and a calabash brimful of fura. She sat down close to crying Rukayya and held her hand. "Ruru, Inna said you should stop crying and eat your food, the groom would be here anytime soon. You know the city is a bit far," she cajoled with an ecstatic smile on her face. Talhah and his family did all they can and bought a mud house in the outskirts of Zaria; Gwargwaje. And Rukayya would be taken there without any walima or so.

Rukayya lifted her eyes, she almost choked on her saliva, at the glare Shafa'atu sent her way. She gulped down the lump in her throat and looked at Fatima with her misty eyes. "I'm leaving Inna, Fatima. How would I survive without you by my side? Inna too? Even Neema, though she has been away for sometime," she whimpered and let the tears flow freely from her eyes. She was afraid. Afraid of everything. Afraid of what Shafa'atu and Baraka would do to her when she's away from home, when there isn't anyone to protect her. No Neema and Fatima. Her life saviours.

Fatima lifted up her face, with the smile not leaving her face. She was the chivalrous type. "C'mon, Ruru. You're going to the city, where you'll have all those luxuries. You'll even get admitted to a school, isn't that a pleasure to be grateful of? Oya! Stop crying and eat your food now," Fatima palcified, as she began feeding her friend.

She ate the food quitely, without any thought. What Fatima said depleted her worries. They changed into the outfit that would suit the city, checked Rukayya's things if they were intact; and in the blink of an eye___they heard the women yodelling, entering their house, some were singing happily.

Rukayya's stomach grumbled. She couldn't help but let the tears flow freely. This was the most agonizing moment of every girls life. Neema and some women took her to Inna's room; where they both cried their eyes out, before she was taken out of the house. A bus was bought by Talhah, where Rukayya, her friends and family would be taken to the city; and they would be returned today.

She hopped in the car reading out the supplications she was taught. And off they went. They arrived at the house some minutes past 1pm. They entered the house, re-arranged her iron bed and tumblers, before the old women were taken back home, leaving her friends; Neema and one Aunty.

Talhah and his friends bought them food from a woman on the street. They rejoiced, talked, and her friends couldn't help but go out to see for them selves; how the city is. It remained only Neema and their Aunty, Neema asked if she could escort her to a nearby shop, she has something to buy, as she was used to the city life, even though they live in Kaduna. Their Aunty couldn't help but let out a chortle "Who wouldn't want to go out and see the city? I was afraid of being stolen that's why I haven't go out since." With that, they bid crying Rukayya adieu and left, saying they would come back as soon as possible and would tell Talhah to come and sit with her before they comes back.

In some minutes, Talhah salaamed and entered the room, she was still sitted at the edge of the bed, a big veil draped over her face, as she was still crying. The space beside her dipped, which emanates that someone has sat close to her. She quickly moved back, her sob intensifying. All her life, she hadn't sit that close to a guy but today___it was damn horrifying.

Talhah stifled a laugh, he knew she would act this way. Had it been it was that shyless girl, Rabb! He doesn't even want to think about her. "Are you afraid of me, Debbo am (My wife)?" He asked, reaching out for her hand. He didn't miss how she let out a sharp breathe, as her body shudders.

Rukayya wanted to yank off her hand, she was seriously quivering. "No...I am not," she stuttered, finding it so hard to control her streaming tears.

He drew her close to him, with a felicitous smile plastered on his face. Without hesitation, he took her into his embrace "Thank you so much for marrying me, Debbo am. I love you," he whispered, and let the silence to emote the implicit feelings.

Rukayya let out a breathe and made her head comfortable on his chest. They sat in an eerily silence, being ensconced in the warmth of each other was an embedding endearment. They heard some stomping foot steps, it was probably Rukayya's friends. He wanted to go out and tell them she was sleeping, so they couldn't wake her up, but it was too late; as Shafa'atu has already barged into the room.

What she saw made her brain into a haitus, as her heart nearly shattered into shards. The tears were at the verge of cascading; but being the girl she is; she stifled back the tears. "Oh! I shouldn't have barge in like that without a salam, sorry for disturbing your peace," with that, she trudged out of the room. But Talhah knew there was something laced on her tone, and their was an obscured feeling beneath her words. He didn't missed the glare she sent Rukayya's way.

He shook his head and layed Rukayya slowly on the bed, careful not to wake her up. How she looked radiant and beautiful was a sight to behold. He pecked her forehead before sauntering out of the room; only to meet Shafa'atu and some of her friends talking in hushed tones. He knew she was probably telling them what she saw. Upon seeing him, they dispersed into different directions. He knew some might call Rukayya different names.

They slept there, Talhah was busy bringing food for them in the morning. Some of their relatives were brought there for the walima, when the little event was over; they began packing their things, ready to leave. Rukayya was crying riotously, as she held Neema and Fatima tight.

When she finally let them, Shafa'atu manoeuvred and hushed some inscrutable words to her ears. "You've finally married him huh? Welldone; Ruru. But mark my words, you'll never find peace in this house, and I will surely marry him." With that, she flashed her a factitious smile and majestically sauntered off.

Rukayya wiped away her tears and trudged inside the house. And that__marks the beginning of her life!.

~Three years later~

Peeping through the black magic calabash, was Shafa'atu and Baraka, whose faces were glum; emoting sheer anguish. Shafa'atu saw Rukayya and Talhah sitted in their living room, chatting fascinatingly, as if they haven't unleashed a predicament between them.

"Boka (Wizard), even though she isn't going to give birth, they're still happy, I see no reason for turning down her womb," Baraka spoke sombrely. She's really worried about her daughter's problem, as Shafa'atu wasn't ready to get married.

The wizard looked up from his kneeling position, where he had been chanting some enigmatic words. "What do you exactly want, Hajia?" He asked, his bloodshot eyes piercing directly through their souls.

"I want you to unleash a dilemma in their marriage, let him be humiliating her because she couldn't give birth, and she should be the one to ask him to marry me, and he has to agree," came Shafa'atu's fast reply. Her eyes were emoting nothing but selfishness.

He let out an enigmatic chortle, his red teeth showing completely. "That wouldn't be a problem, just go back home, give me atleast three weeks; you would be his bride," with that, he began mixing some things in his magical calabash.

Baraka stood up and lifted Shafa'atu. "Help us please, Boka. My daughter here had being called a spinster for almost three years now," she beseeched, placed a huge amount of money on a red stone and they left. Once they were out, Shafa'atu let out a breathe, with tears filling her eyes. "I wish this would be the last time," she silently prayed.

***

Rukayya was sitted at the edge of her bed, her hand supporting her chin. She had been experiencing some changes from Talhah these past few days. He hardly talks to her, nor does he eats her food. She let out the tears, as she was in agonizing pain. He no more call Neema for her, they hardly talk for good five minutes now.

A tap on her shoulder jolted her out of her trance, she looked up and quickly cleared her tears, and plastered an ephemeral smile on her forever beautiful face. "Welcome back," she spoke glumly, hoping he won't answer briskly as always.

Talhah hissed and yawed his gaze from her sight, he kinds of feel irritated by just glancing at her. "What's there to be welcome about? When I couldn't see the apple of my eyes. If this house is supposed to be a home, my kids would've welcomed me with hugs, not your sour voice," he bellowed and walked pass her, leaving her rooted in her spot___this is really intensifying.

She stood up and brought water in a clean tumbler for him, and knealt beside him, tears dripping from her eyes. "Gorko am (My husband), It wasn't my fault for not giving birth, I really want to see my kids too. Please don't add more salt to my wounds, I've had enough," she was crying profusely, she couldn't vocalize the pain she's in. It was a pain that could crucify a heart. She wasn't used to having problems, she wasn't used to all these tears. Her husband was a loving and caring husband, what has turned him into this?

He abruptly stood up and looked at her, even her voice annoys him. "What are you saying? That it's my fault you didn't give birth or what? Lady....or should I say woman? Give me babies, if you want to see my smile!" He yelled, fuming with rage. He couldn't understand how all this while, all his friends were even expecting their second child, but here he is; without even the first.

She let out a wail, and stood up too. She was the serene type, but this was something that completely tensed her up. She couldn't just sit there like that, she has to stand up for herself, even for once. "Talhah, but what does this supposed to mean? Don't you believe in destiny? How would it be my fault, when the giver isn't willing to give us? Talhah you should think well, count me out of this. It's a blessing, and he shall bless us, sooner or later," she half yelled. If her thin-serene voice could be called a yell___the tears not leaving her face. This is just too much to withstand. She needs a shoulder to cry on, she needs her Inna and Neema, but Talhah isn't ready to take her to them.

Talhah let out a humorless laugh. So this girl can even yell at him? Despite not giving him the happiness of his life? Well____he see no reason to live with her. He too is tired. "I'm tired of this nonviable life, Rukayya. As a matter of fact, I think I hate you!" As he let the words slipped out of his mouth; Rukayya's world crashed at that instant.