Chapter 32: Chapter 32

It was the end of level 4 and Salamat was home on holiday, hoping to start her final year in the University Teaching Hospital in Shika.

She was in the living room reading a novel titled BETROTHAL when her phone beeped signifying a message. She dropped the novel and picked up her phone to read the message.

The message was from Saleem.

He had gone home the previous week after the successful completion of his youth service. Shocked at the details of the message, she stood up quickly and went to her mum's room.

"Mummy", She called. "You need to see this." Her mother was arranging some files and Salamat moved closer, stretching the phone to her.

Mrs. Ade dropped the files and collected the phone from her daughter. She read the message and smiled. She returned the phone and replied,  "That's a good idea, congratulations to him."

Salamat was dumbfounded at her mum's behavior and she shouted out of frustration. "Mum."

"Yes dear", Mrs. Ade replied calmly and continued arranging the files.

"Saleem is leaving me. He is going to Florida next week and you are saying congratulations?", she asked.

"Is that a question or a statement?... My dear, I am not Saleem that you can nag the way you like, so if you think you need my advice, you know how to go about it."

"Mummy, sorry for shouting at you", she apologized.

"It's ok.... the poor boy is going abroad for his masters, so what's the problem with that? He broke the record by graduating with a first class from his department. So there is every probability that the department will retain him. It's an achievement that's why I said congratulations to him."

"Mummy if he goes, he won't come back again, that's the problem", Salamat mumbled, slumping to the chair beside her.

"What makes you think he won't come back? Besides, I don't see that as a problem or is it a problem to you? A good life awaits him overseas."

"Mummy, he is leaving me", Salamat said tearily.

Mrs. Ade stood up from where she was working and moved close to her daughter. "That boy deserves the best Salamat, don't hinder him from becoming a great man. There are great opportunities overseas unlike our country and I am sure before 2 years, he will become a successful man."

"Mummy, it hurts knowing he is leaving me. I feel jilted like everyone used to make me feel. Saleem is my only friend and I don't know how to cope without him. I don't want him to leave me, it's unfair", Salamat declared, and sat on the bed cleaning her tears with the back of her hand.

"Why don't you want him to go?" Mrs. Ade demanded.

"Because....I...I don't want him to", Salamat stammered.

"Then it means you don't want his success. Don't be childish Salamat and stop being selfish", Mrs. Ade remarked truthfully and returned back to her seat.

"Mummy, it's because I am scared. I don't know how I feel", her daughter finally confessed.

Mrs. Ade smiled. "You are being difficult Salamat and you are being unfair to yourself. You are denying yourself the happiness you deserve. Don't be scared dear, just let life take its course. Do what you have to do at the right time before it goes away. I know you like him but you don't want to admit it to yourself."

"Mum, if I give him a chance, he might get tired of me someday."

"Is that why you are scared?", Mrs. Ade asked while Salamat nodded.

"How would you know when you haven't given him a chance yet. I see no reason why you shouldn't accept his proposal. Omowunmi dear, follow your heart and I assure you that you won't regret it. Saleem is serious about you, so please give him a chance to prove the love he has for you. You are no longer a child and I see no reason why you want to keep running away from guys. I thought you have gotten over the past?"

"Of course I have", she responded with certainty.

"No, you haven't because if you have you won't be depriving yourself of what you desire. Call Saleem now and you guys should sort yourselves out. The decision is yours.... remember the saying 'make hay while the sun shines'...... this might be your last opportunity. If you lose it, it will be gone forever", Mrs. Ade said.

Salamat was reluctant at first but eventually dialed his number. The call went into voicemail and this got her angry. She was pacing round her mother's room still trying his number.

At the fifth trial, it rang continuosly but there was no response. She became agitated and was on the verge of crying. "Cry cry baby, be calm... I am sure lover boy is trying to compose himself before picking his darling's call", Mrs. Ade said, winking at her daughter.

"Mummy, it's not funny", Salamat sulked.

Mrs. Ade was done packing the files so she quickly cleared the table and stood up. "Of course dear, it's not but it is quite amusing", she replied and walked out of the room swinging her hips.

Salamat laughed. "Where did my dad see this woman from? She is indeed a drama queen."

She dialed Saleem's number once again but there was still no response.

She sighed and thought of giving Hadiza, Saleem's sister a call.

Hadiza picked at the second ring and greeted Salamat happily. "Long time, how have you been?"

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

"I am good too, hope you are not upset with me that I haven't been calling?"

"Of course not. I understand how stressful school work is, it's ok. Besides I am also guilty of that too."

Hadiza laughed. "So what'sup?"

"Nothing much, is your brother home?"

"Yes he is", Hadiza answered.

"Please I need to speak with him. Try all you can to give him the phone. I have been calling him for the past 30 minutes now but he refused to pick", Salamat said.

"Hmmm", Hadiza sighed.

"What's the matter? Is everything fine? Is Saleem ok?", Salamat asked with agitation.

"Everything is fine sis, it's just that your request will be quite hard. Bro has locked himself up in his room since morning. He even refused to eat and if I dare go to him, he might pour out his frustration on me. He only listens to mum whenever he is like that and mum isn't home now. When she is back, I will talk to her, she will know what to do to make him come out. I will call you when that is done", Hadiza explained.

"Ok thank you."

"Don't worry, he is fine. I promise to call you back later."

"Ok", Salamat said unhappily and disconnected the call. She tried his number again but it was unreachable this time. She got tired and threw her phone on the bed before sitting on the floor.

Different thoughts were running through her mind and the memory of how they met came.

She smiled.

Thirty minutes later, she called his number again and it rang. Saleem picked at the fourth ring with a coarse voice. Salamat was overjoyed and relieved to hear his voice.

"Saleem is that you?", she asked

"Yes, how are you?"

"I have been calling you since morning Saleem, but you refused to pick my call", she said sounding teary and ignoring his question.

"Sorry, it was on silent mode", he replied calmly.

Salamat was silent for a while before saying. "I got your message, please don't go."

Saleem remained silent on the other end and Salamat called his name making him snap out of his thought.

"Salamat, it's best I leave, the torture is too much to bear. I am sorry but I have made my decision. Besides, you told me the other day that you don't care whether I leave or not, didn't you?", he asked.

Salamat gasped and replied, "Saleem, I was only kidding."

"Well I took it seriously and I have made my decision. Do take good care of yourself and your parents. Always remember that I love and adore you. Goodbye", he said, about to hang up.

"I love you too Saleem, please I beg of you, don't leave me."

Saleem was dumbfounded hearing the long-awaited words from Salamat. The words he dreaded would never come out of her.

"Saleem if you leave me, I will hate you for the rest of my life and I will not go to school again. I won't eat again and I won't sleep again", Salamat said childishly which made Saleem smiled.

He was speechless afterward because he couldn't believe what he was hearing. He was about to speak up when Salamat said. "Won't you answer me? Are you doubting me? Please don't doubt me, I am being sincere. Those words are from the bottom of my heart. I didn't realize what my feelings for you were on time and when I finally did, I refused to admit it to myself. I'm sorry I took so long, my bighead please don't leave me", she pleaded.

"Salem, please say something", she called out in frustration.

"You are a thief", Saleem announced.

"What?", she questioned with comfusion.

"You stole my heart, please give it back to me", he said again.

Salamat laughed and said, "I'm sorry but it belongs to me already."

"Thank you Salamat, I love you", he shouted.

"Stop shouting", Salamat said and they both laughed.