"Oh my god! what happened?" Layla said after screaming her throat in the phone. She called me that she saw Raliya's mother's picture on the Abuja News line as one of the rescued hostages.
I sighed. "Its not the way they are casting it, you know most Newslines wants to add sugar to their News just to trigger people for more information but to be honest its not that worst, she is not even one of the hostages but escapee".
"What do you mean by escapee?". She asked sounding confused.
"Its a long story, just don't worry".
"Okay, I will be there and my mom will like to come too, because when she sees the news, she felt pity for her but her shift its just in 20 minutes". She explained.
"No she don't have to worry, she's very much fine now". I said.
"Okay till I come pretty".
"Okay bye". I hung up the phone. I went downstairs just to meet with the furious Kawu faruq pacing about the living room.
"Kawu! What is the matter?". I asked. He looked towards me and pointed at the TV. My heart flipped before I realised what he meant. "Kawu I have already watched it in my room it is nothing much to worry about". I said and glanced at Ammi, Raliya, Aunty fati and Raliya's mother sitting and looking somber. "Look, you all don't have to worry about anything, what they casted was just your picture as one of the saved hostages". I sat on the cushion "I am certain that its nothing to tarnish your reputation". I stated, trying to console Raliya's mother.
"So why will they include her, when they assured us that they won't cast it in the News". He said.
"I totally disagree with what they said because my instincts tells me they won't videotaped her story just to keep".
"I..I don't even know what to say". He said checking his wristwatch.
I sighed. "We don't need to do anything because after all its not changing anything". I said.
"But the CP said they will do something about it because its out of their knowledge that they posted her picture". Aunty fati said.
"They should at least tell the News casters to take out her picture".
"Okay I will try to articulate that to them". He said pressing his phone. "Hello". He phoned. He strolled out talking on the phone whilst we stayed for some moments all in thought and Ammi broke the silence.
"Raliya, are you coming back if you leave with your mom?". She asked coldly.
"Ammi I will come back InshaAllah". Raliya answered.
"Aunty you don't have to worry because Raliya is now your daughter, so she will be back before you ask". Raliya's mother said.
"Okay but please don't forget to call us with whatever you need". Ammi said.
"Okay Ammi". Raliya said beaming, they all looked better with the News case, probably surpassed it. I smiled at their little conversation, it was so nice to see everyone at least not at the edge.
Kawu entered with a smile. "The CP assured that the Newsline will clear the misconceptions about Yaya being one of the abducted victims, and they will erase her picture in the coming News". He said sitting. "And he told me that they will send an escort for us to travel to Birnin yaro".
"MashaAllah". We all chorused.
"We will be leaving after 2pm". He announced.
***
"Aunty I'm so sorry about what happened to you, my mom is also sending her greetings". Layla said with Salim sitting beside her, after Layla narrated the story to him, he agreed to bring her and also came inside to greet her too.
"We wish you quick recovery and may Allah protect you against ever experiencing this again". Salim prayed for her and we all answered Ameen. He stood to leave "Layla call me when you are done". He bade us goodbye and walked towards the door, where he nearly collided with Raliya and he stiffed looking at her. We shared glances with Layla and layla chuckled. He hesitantly said Sallam to Raliya and left. Raliya entered and informed us that the driver has arrived.
"Ammi thank you once again, and by god grace, Raliya will be back in no time". Aunty fati said.
"All thanks to Allah, and safe journey". Ammi said, Raliya hugged me and Ammi, they hopped in the car, waved at us and sped out. I sighed with the utmost relief, I've been yearning for.
"Ammi yajib 'an tadhhab watanaman.Ammi you should go and sleep, I will bring your lunch for you afterwards". I said holding her to the stairs.
"I'm not feeling sleepy habibti and I will help you with the lunch". She said.
"You don't have to help and by the way you look tired, you need to rest". I gently took her to her room. "And how was your headache?" I asked sitting beside her bed.
"It is subsidizing, and much better from the past days".
"Ammi", I paused looking at her. "we really need to go to the hospital, maybe its mild but they will know what is causing it".
"Ana muta'akid min altawatur.I'm sure it's stress, but I'm now okay Ikhi", she smiled "la taqlaq.don't worry". She said holding my hand and after awhile I finally compelled her to sleep and walked to my room.
"Layla there is the off button for a reason, your hands will ache just by the way you are pressing your phone". I said sitting beside her and peeking to what she was typing on her phone.
"You know, there is this guy that posted some lame stuff about Arewa ladies(northern ladies) and people are re tweeting, mostly supporting him, so I'm on the opposing side, well tweeting the great things an Arewa lady can do and her qualities". She said showing me her phone screen "besides you should tweet about it too".
"I will do that later, I will go and make lunch".
"Okay let's go".
"You aren't coming with your phone are you?".
"Why won't I?" She asked confused.
"Well you won't want an explosion in our faces".
"Right!" She dropped the phone and sauntered into the kitchen. We engaged ourselves with the utensils.
"I don't even know what to cook". I said slicing an onion.
"Don't worry, I got this". She said maneuvering to the gas. "What about your Sadiq and his cheating scenario?".
"I'm not sure who sent that but I think is a prank".
"Hope so".
*****
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Behind My Walls✔️
General Fiction[COMPLETED] This is the story of a young lady who found herself being the only child of her parents which seems normal at first, but it comprised of hardship, struggle, grief, love and partial joy. ~ My name is Ikhbal, I am 19 years old from Abuja N...
