Chapter 20: Chapter 20

Salamat and Saleem became best of friends and they were always together whenever they were free.

She introduced him to her parents as her friend and they welcomed him with open arms. Saleem was treated like a son by Salamat's parents and he feels at home whenever he was with them.

Mrs. Ade who was working as an accountant with Buks International school was offered a job at UBA bank in PZ. She tendered her resignation letter the following day while Mr. Ade was still involved in business.

He was able to raise money from the sales of his house at Ogun state to start the construction of a filling station, not far from the house. He was also in a corporate business with SUNSEED company.

Saleem was intimidated by the lavishness of the furniture and decoration of Ade's home. He blushed at Mrs. Ade's remark that he was very handsome.

"Has anyone ever told you that you are handsome?", she asked him unashamedly.

"Not ma", he smiled, while Mr. Ade laughed seeing how embarrassed he was looking.

"What?", Mrs. Ade said, widening her eye dramatically. "Even my daughter?"

"Yes ma...", Saleem replied, shyly.

"What? Something must be wrong with her eyes then. Tell your mummy that I congratulate her for giving birth to a beautiful son like you. If not that I am hooked with this old man, I would have married you", she said and everyone laughed.

"Your mum is a very funny and dramatic person", Saleem told Salamat, on their way back to school.

"Yes, she is", she replied.

"You have a nice and lovely family", he uttered, again.

"Thank you."

Saleem sighed.

"Why did you do that?", Salamat questioned staring at him with a frown.

"Nothing."

They were silent till they got back to school.

Another year was fast approaching and Saleem was worried about how to get his fees and also money for his project considering his father's ill health. The earnings from his mum's shop alone would not cover everything.

Saleem quitted his job after the unexpected test he had months back which was seriously affecting him academically. But now that there was no way to get money for his final year's project, he was debating on whether to take the job back or not.

He was sitting in his departmental garden, lost in thought when he was knocked on the head by someone. He looked up abruptly, then he saw Salamat grinning above his head and he smiled.

"Bighead what is the matter with you?", She inquired, peering at him.

"Bighead?", he said, widening his eye and touching his head with his two hands. "Is my head that big?"

"So you don't know all this while? Of course, it's very big", she responded, sitting beside him.

"If I am a big head, then what are you?", he asked.

"Well, I am an average head", she answered with a grin.

"Average head my foot", he said and laughed before saying "You are headward."

Salamat frowned and he quickly apologized. "You have a small head", he said and they both laughed.

"Why are you sitting here all alone?", Salamat demanded.

"Hmmm", he sighed, deeply. "Nothing really, I just needed to clear my head."

"Clear your head? What is inside that big head of yours that you are clearing?", She uttered, with humor.

"Stop it, don't be sarcastic."

"I just want to pull your legs", she remarked. "So tell me, what's bothering you", she asked.

"Nothing much."

"You don't want to tell me what it is right?" She asked with a wide eye.

"Alright, I will", he gave in.

"Oya I'm all ears."

"You know I quit my job already... I... am just thinking of how to raise money for next year's project and also school fees. My dad is very ill so he can't go to work and mum can't raise the money alone."

Salamat puffed out air. "Is that why you are worried?"

"Yes."

"Mr philosopher, I am disappointed in you. Why not let the time come before you kill yourself with worry. When you get to the bridge, you will cross it successfully, so don't worry. Examinations will start next week, instead of reading you are here thinking of next year's problem. I won't be happy with you if you continue like this and it ends up affecting you during exams. There is always a solution to every problem and I believe that God will perform miracles before the time. As for your dad's ill health, we will keep praying for him, May the good Lord answer all our prayers", she encouraged him.

"Thank you very much, dear."

"You are welcome, big head", Salamat said, giggling.

"Naughty girl."

***********

TWO MONTHS LATER

They were done with examinations already and another session was close by.

Salamat spoke to her dad about Saleem's situation and he offered him a job at his filling station. Saleem was happy and grateful to Mr. Ade. He was able to raise money for his school and accommodation fees from his first salary.

Saleem was already in his final year and was still in need of money for his last field trip and project work. He called his mum to ask about his father's health.

"Mummy, Ina wuni (good afternoon mummy)", he greeted his mother in Hausa and she answered from the other side.

"Ina wuni, ya karatu? (afternoon, how is studies)?"

"Alaafia mummy (it's fine mummy), how are you doing and how is daddy's health? he asked.

"We thank God, my dear. He is much better now. He has been troubling me since morning", she said and laughed.

Saleem was happy to hear her laughter and also knowing his dad was better.

"All praises to God mummy, I am delighted to hear that. I hope you are not annoyed with me for not coming over during the holidays. I now have a job that's why, so please help me explain to dad. I don't want you two to worry about my fees anymore, just concentrate on that of Hadiza's", he explained.

"I understand my son and your dad does too. We ought to be apologizing for not being able to perform our duties as parents for some time now", she responded with a sad voice.

"It's ok mum, my regards to Hadiza and Rekiya. Please take good care of yourself and dad too, I will be home soon."

"Alright, sai kazo (see you soon)", said his mum and disconnected the call.

Two weeks later, after the resumption, Salamat and Saleem were gisting on their way to the community market which was within the campus when Salamat sighted a familiar figure waving at her.

She stopped walking and looked closely to see who it was. She couldn't believe her eye when she saw Bimpe smiling and coming towards her.

"Is this Bimpe?", she asked herself.

"Salamat darling, how have you been and what are you doing here?", Bimpe asked smiling evilly.

"I am fine, how are you doing too?", Salamat asked smiling too.

"I am fine too and who is this handsome guy? Is he your new boyfriend?", she asked, looking at Saleem.

"Saleem meet Bimpe, an acquaintance, Bimpe meets Saleem, my friend", Salamat introduced.

"Nice to meet you", said Saleem.

"The pleasure is mine", Bimpe replied winking. "I just got admitted into the University to study Medicine", she told them proudly looking at Saleem.

"Wao! That's nice. I am a final year student of Archaeology Department", said Saleem, while Salamat looked at them as they conversed.

"Really? I've heard a lot about the course but I have no idea what it's about. Now that I know you, I'm sure you will explain what it is about to me in detail", Bimpe said, smiling broadly at him while Saleem nodded.

"Ehen Wumi", she turned to Salamat. "That reminds me, why didn't you tell anyone you were moving out?", Bimpe demanded facing Salamat.

"I went to your house but no one was around and because you were avoiding me then, I couldn't come to see you in the shop. I hope you understand", Salamat explained.

"Of course I do, it's okay. You are forgiven. It's just that Habib came looking for you and I told him we haven't been seeing each other. He was devastated and hurt that you left without telling him. Maybe he has moved on already sef", said Bimpe with finality.

Seeing how uncomfortable Salamat was, Bimpe continued, "And about what happened to you, I........."

"Bimpe", Salamat called, cutting her short.

Bimpe smirked and said, "I guess your new boyfriend doesn't know about it. It's ok, let me be on my way. It's nice seeing you again Salamat and it's nice meeting you handsome." She smiled at Salamat and winked at Saleem.

She then walked away swinging her hips as she walked.

Saleem let out a short laugh and said."She is so dramatic.. where do you know her from?", he asked as they continued walking towards the market.

Salamat answered: "We used to be friends when we were residing in Abeokuta."

"Oh really? So now she is no longer a friend but an acquaintance?" He inquired out of curiosity.

"Yes, something like that."

"Okay, so who is Habib?"

"He is someone I used to know", Salamat replied getting irritated with his questions.

"She was about saying something when you interrupted her, is it about the guy?", Saleem asked oblivious to her irritation.

Salamat stopped walking and looked at them in anger and then, continued walking again. Saleem got the information and kept mute.

He ran to catch up with her.