Chapter 61: Chapter 61

Friday 12:00 pm

Habib came out of the police station with a smile. He was now at peace with himself after seeing Salamat and asking her for forgiveness. She had forgiven him without a second thought and was very happy to see him.

When he informed her of Habibah's death, she couldn't help but shed tears. Habib also wept as he recalled the fact that the girl he shared a bond with, was long gone. She was dead because of their unidentified father.

Habib and his mother heard about the death of Ayoade when they went to visit his mother's friend. They were close to the compound of brother Jamiu when they saw people trooping into the compound. His mother's friend informed them about the death of Ayoade and the belief that Salamat was responsible for the death.

He knew right away that something was amiss and this was the perfect time to make amends for not only his mistakes but also that of his mother and late sister, Habibah.

But he couldn't help but wonder what happened, how it happened, and when. He couldn't figure out the reason for the accusation.

He knew brother Jamiu to be a big brother to Mr. Ademola and Bimpe was Salamat's secondary schoolmate. Why then would Salamat want to hurt anyone of them?

She was a girl with a pure heart and he was sure she hasn't changed a bit from the good girl he knew her to be.

A rare gem she was, he thought to himself.

And his first love!

He remembered all that happened between them and the guilt came rushing. He felt bad and remembered the vow he made to himself. He promised to seek her forgiveness, no matter the distance.

Now that he knew Salamat's location, it was time to go Up North. He would also use the opportunity to meet his boss, Naim the freelance guru.

Habib couldn't sleep throughout the night. He didn't know if it was the fact that he was about to meet Salamat, after a very long time or as a result of the unfortunate situation she was in.

He realized how much he missed her company and couldn't wait to see her again. His mother supported his decision in tears and was willing to go with him to seek for her forgiveness too.

Their life was back to normal. His mother had learned to ask for forgiveness and was trying to move on by letting go of her past mistakes.

Habib's job was doing well after convincing his clients that he was indeed capable of the job. He was able to win back their truth after a trial which he took his time to do.

They had enough to eat and he was working towards opening a shop for his mother before the year runs out. But something was missing and that thing was genuine happiness.

He hadn't been able to find any woman attractive after the incident with Salamat, not until the day he got to Kaduna. He was asking for directions from a guy who ignored him completely when a lady tapped him from behind. She was wearing a niqab and Habib was surprised to hear her speaking English fluently.

She opened the veil and he couldn't help but get lost in her beauty that was radiating with the rays of sunlight coming from the East. Her nose was well-structured with full lips and brows. He was mesmerized by the beauty in front of him.

She jerked him back to life by waving her hand in front of him and asked if he understood what she was saying.

Habib went straight to the police station according to the information given to him by his mother's friend, who accompanied Bimpe's parents to the car park. He got to the counter and was about to ask for Salamat when he saw the picture of his crush.

Shock was an understatement when he heard that she was a wanted person. She was connected to the case of Ayoade and Salamat. After hearing the whole story, he concluded that she must be the killer and tried to let go of the stupid crush he was having on her.

Getting her would mean Salamat's freedom and he willingly gave out the information he had.

After spending some time with Salamat, he told her he was going to come back and rushed out to meet up his appointment with Boss Naim. He was about to stop a tricycle when his phone rang. It was his mother.

"Mummy, sorry I haven't called", he quickly apologized.

"It's ok. Are you there already?" She asked from the other side.

"Yes, ma."

"Can I talk to Salamat?" She requested.

"I just left there now, mum. But I would come back tomorrow. I want to go and meet my boss."

"Ok," his mother said and kept mute.

"Mum?" He called. "Are you there?"

"Yes, dear."

"Why are you silent?"

"There is something I have been meaning to tell you since we heard about Ayoade's death but I haven't been able to summon up the courage to do that." She said and kept quiet as her son listened with attention.

"What is it, mum? Talk to me."

His mother began to cry and he became apprehensive.

"Mum?" He called again.

"I'm sorry, Habib. Ayoade is your step-brother." She sobbed.

"What!" He exclaimed.

"You two share the same father."

*****

Friday 2:30 pm

Raliat came out of the central mosque with her niqab intact. She had just finished observing the Jumu'ah prayer and had gone out immediately after the teslim so she could easily find her back to her hotel room.

The central mosque accommodates more than 10,000 faithful and once they start trooping out, it will slow down her pace.

She got to the main road and stopped a tricycle. She entered the tricycle and relaxed her back on the seat, thinking of her fears.

Her fears were beginning to manifest. Her dad had sent her some money as he promised on Sunday evening, coupled with her savings but all the money was almost gone. The hotel had exhausted all the money. She had spent 6 days in the hotel already and another 6 days will make her go hungry.

She needed to do something about it. She couldn't contact her people. They would try to make her voice out where she was hiding. She couldn't go to her step-uncle's house in Malali GRA because she knew her secret would not be safe. She thought of giving herself in to the police and quickly waved the thoughts away.

She thought of Ayoade, her beloved, came to her mind and a tear dropped from her eyes. His death had shattered her and almost affected her mental health. A day wouldn't go by without thinking or dreaming about him. The nightmares she had been having for the past two days were beyond the ordinary.

She tried not to think of him, but it was all in vain.

She thought of her father and her mother. She knew they would be dead worried by now. She thought of Kaka, her paternal grandmother, and wondered how she was faring.

Then, she thought of Salamat and sighed as she alighted from the tricycle and paid the man before venturing into the hotel. She went straight to her room and removed her clothing in a hurry. She wasn't used to wearing a niqab and she was sweating heavily.

She tossed the clothes on the floor and went towards her small polythene bag to find something light to wear.

She had been wearing the same cloth since Sunday and had gone out the day before to get a jeans trouser and a T-shirt, that was not too expensive since she was running out of cash when she saw a young man asking for direction from an almajiri boy, who ignored him because he couldn't comprehend the English the young man was speaking.

Raliat was in shorts and an armless vest as she sat down on the bed. She was about to lay down when her stomach grumbled. She remembered she had nothing to eat that morning and thought of ordering some food.

That would be her breakfast, lunch, and dinner, she thought with a sad smile, when the door burst open. She gasped and hastily darted for her hijab which was in a heap of her clothing, to cover her nakedness.

She hoisted her head up and sighed in resignation as she saw more policemen entering her room with all sorts of weapons.

The one in front of them grinned widely with his multi-colored teeth and pot belly as he moved closer to Raliat while muttering to himself, "Finally! Finally!"