Being His(Updates Every Friday)

13.

Hey my lovessssssss, between being in camp, leaving and now going to my relocated state, I've been one busy woman! But, today's chapter is here because you people haven't stopped reminding me that this book is here to be written. I promise, I'll finish what I started and consistently as well.

Just let's not forget our agreement. Abeggg. Vote and comment!!!!

"UmmulKhair!" 

Nadia flopped down on her room's rugged floor and leaned against the wooden chair that was set in front of it. UmmulKhair would sit there and plait her long overdue for plaiting hair. 

UmmulKhair was at the door about two minutes later with a tub of leave in conditioner and a spray bottle of rosemary water. 

"You don't need those things, this hair had grown enough as it is. If it grows any further, I'll cut it off completely and start again." UmmulKhair eyed her with contempt and walked to her, palming some of the twelve inch long and dense, dark hair with shiny brown highlights. 

"Your hair is so beautiful. I think it would be a sin to cut it off." Nadia raised her head to look at her cousin, this time showing contempt with her eyes. 

"It's hard work to take care of. Imagine all the sectioning I need to do just go wash it evenly." UmmulKhair sat on the chair behind Nadia and sprayed it evenly with the rosewater solution. Then she sectioned it and took out a bunch of strands to plait the first cornrow. 

"Ya Nadia, what do you think about a man that calls you everytime and texts you, sends you things you want to eat and when he travels, buys you little knickknacks?" UmmulKhair suddenly ended the silence that had reigned between the time she plaited the first and fifth cornrow. 

Nadia considered it for a moment. Then she cleared her throat to ask. "Has he made his intentions known?" She turned to look at UmmulKhair who wanted to cut a new line of hair strands. 

"Isn't doing all that stating intentions?" Nadia pulled away so she could look up at UmmulKhair's face more clearly. 

"Buying you gifts, calling you, texting you, paying you attention isn't exactly stating intentions. For all you know, he could have a lot of free time on his hands. Ask him exactly what it is he wants and if it doesn't align with what you want, let him go." Nadia saw how UmmulKhair's face crumpled. It was hard but if she didn't ask the right questions early, it would be hard to get out. 

"I'll ask. Let's continue your hair." Nadia scooted backwards and let UmmulKhair touch her hair again. They were at it for a few more cornrows until there was a knock at the door. Nadia invited the knocker in and it turned out to be Sarah with Maymunatu trailing behind her. 

"Assalamualaikum Yaya." Nadia watched as Sarah flopped down on the rugged floor and lay there, leaving Maymunatu to wring her hands. After a few seconds though, she got over the awkwardness Nadia didn't understand and flopped down on the floor as well. Crossing her legs, Indian style, she took off her hijab to reveal rough nape length braids. 

"How are you, Maymunatu?" Nadia asked, with a smile in her voice. 

"Between Daddy stressing out my lab work and my cultures dying in the lab, I don't know how I feel." Everyone laughed at the face Maymunatu made as she responded to Nadia. 

"It's the truth, I feel like sneaking off to Chiroma, just so I can hold my Gwaggo again." They laughed again and silence reigned for a few minutes until Nadia's phone rang. She saw the caller ID and harrumphed, then she set down the phone. 

"Ya Nadia, your hair is so beautiful. Ma Sha Allah." Maymunatu said after a bit, Nadia stopped thinking about the caller and lifted her lashes to say thanks. Just as she finished speaking, the phone rang again.