Blooming

1.

𝑵𝑬𝑾 𝑩𝑬𝑮𝑰𝑵𝑵𝑰𝑵𝑮𝑺

Although the street was not as she used to know it. It still had the same feel as always.The last time she visited, well, The last time was actually three years ago. Most of the trees had been cut down to build a few more houses but the sun was still as shy as it was hiding behind clusters of leaves. Finding the sun in a clear sky at Wambai street was like looking for the moon in broad daylight on those days but things have changed now.

Right from when she approached the intersection from behind Chicken republic, she could feel the change. The smell of leaves and flowers kissed her nose. the warm breeze caressed her skin languidly as waves of memory hit her. There was always an unmatched ambiance that the street had which always calmed her. The same warmth that drove her into making the decision to come here in the first place.

The golden colored gate shone beautifully in the light of the sun which was peaking behind leaves. She honked and the gate was opened for her by Mallam Hashimu.

"Barka da Zuwa" he greeted when she entered. His eyes following her car in a sympathetic stare. How could she have done this? He had never taken Halima to be like all those spoilt rich kids. If not for poor upbringing and over exposure, how could. a Woman do this? Doesn't she not care about her Family's reputation or her Son? He shook his head in dismay at his own thoughts and watched as she eased into the parking lot and proceeded into the house after carrying her already sleeping son in the backseat.

She didn't have the patience to wait for the maid to open the door after she rang the bell. So she pushed open the door which much to her surprise, was not locked. As soon as she entered, her eyes met his. He was sitting directly opposite where she stood. Despite the ample space between them she felt intimidated by his eyes. As she willed herself to proceed to where he sat in the Living room, She couldn't help but wonder if the news bad reached them. But even if it hadn't, she was very sure the Packing Company's car had relayed the news louder than any rumor. It was as if water had been poured on the floor because her steps were wobbly as she dragged her feet which felt unusually heavy.

She almost dropped Kamil as she bumped into Hajiya who was standing at the foot of the staircase. "Sannu da gida Hajiya" she greeted.
Hajiya didn't reply. She only stretched out her hand towards the shoulder on which kamil was lying on. She handed kamil over to her and proceeded to go meet the Person whom she was sure has been waiting for her from when he heard.

Hajiya's response to her greeting didn't bother her at all. At this crucial moment, words were the last thing their heavy hearts could summon. Even she, if not for formality sake, she was sure she wouldn't have been able to greet Hajiya.

She sat a few steps away from him after muttering the salaam to his hearing. In case he decided to use his hands to portray his disappointment, she would have the opportunity to run.
He did not answer the salaam like Hajiya, she also refused to utter another word. What did they want her to do. she possibly couldn't go anywhere. They were the only people she had in this situation. As they sat in a silence which was louder than any voice as she could feel the unsaid words hanging above them.

"Your belongings are at the east wing. That is where you will be staying." She doesn't know what she had done. Because if she did, she wouldn't have had the audacity to come to him. Of all people, why did she choose to saddle him with this responsibility? He Wondered.

"Nagode Abba. I....." She couldn't continue as tears flooded down her face.

He raised his hands signalling for her to stop and then said,

"Go and rest. Meet me later."

Oh she knew what later meant. It meant After the Isha Prayers when he comes back from the Masjid. She also knew it meant Alone in his wing.
So help her God.