The shady vermin

13

Nabila was calm now. She told me Baba Nasiru asked to buy the house we were staying, after saying hurtful stuff. Of course, she declined and sent him out but for some reason she was not satisfied. I could tell from her countenance. She asked to be alone, which I didn't find any problem with, and she went into her room. She's probably going over stuff in her head. So I went on with my day, hoping when she was better she would come to me. The day went by, but I didn't get anything. I thought to myself, that she probably slept off, so I waited for a couple of hours more.

My mind was not at ease. It was getting dark already, but I didn't see nor hear from her. I headed to her room. When I go there, I met the door ajar, quite baffled I was. I knocked, softly. I waited for her to come, but she did not. I didn't even hear footsteps, not movements, nothing.

"Nabila", I called out, as I knocked on the door a bit harder. I waited a bit, listened, but still yet.  Nothing. I went inside, slowly and cautiously. I went into the room, checked around, but she was not inside. Now, I was beginning to panic. I could hear the shower running, so I decided to check the toilet. I quickly opened the toilet, and I saw Nabila in the shower, a razor in her left hand. Both her forearms were slit open, as the shower washed the blood the bled from them. I quickly moved to her and started shaking her gently to see if she was not dead. She can't be dead. No, not now. My chest felt clustered, as if my breathing had ceased. This can't be happening.
I heard a strong thunder clap, which shook my out of my negative daydream. Looking out the blinds, I saw it was cloudy with a high change of heavy rain.  I got up and went straight to Nabila's room. As I reached my hand out to open the door, it opened from the other side, as if I was anticipated. It was Nabila at the other side of the door, it seemed she was already coming out.

"Hey", I said casually.

"Hey, what's up?", she answered. A feint smile followed.

"You had me worried, where've you been?", I asked.

"I was in the room, thinking somethings over. You know...the stuff earlier today. Also, everything...I guess", she said. She looked at me, as if she was trying to see past my soul. She came closer to me, slowly placed her hand on the side of my face, and she gave me a wide wholesome smile. As confusing as it was, it was soothing, and made me calm. I smiled back, though might not have been the finest, but I did.
I thought to go back to my room, since my worry has been cleared.

"Oh! Saleem? I wanted to give you something", Nabila called. She went to her bedside, pulled the top drawer out.

"Nabee? Did you leave the shower on? Or is that the tap? Isn't that sound coming from the bathroom?", I drew her attention to the sound of running water.

"I don't think...let me just check it", she said, baffled. She hurried to the bathroom, and then she pushed the door open.
"Oh my days!!! The water tap for the bathtub is broken!", her voiced echoed from the bathroom.
I immediately went to assist her. I got there, and saw the tap, actually broken. Water overflowed and filled the tub, and had started flooding the bathroom. I turned off the water to the faucet, and removed the broken part. The water gushed out more, drenching me. Nabila got out of the way, getting wet a bit. I noticed only the tap broke not the faucet.
I managed to stop the water, drenched, completely. I called Nabila, briefly explained to her, and suggested we called the plumber. Whilst I explained, she was giggling, because I got soaked obviously. The laugh had quite the sting, she was just being annoying. I asked her to come take a look, which she did. As she got carried away looking in the bathroom, I splashed water on her. She gasped, then froze as the water dripped down while I mimicked her giggle. As I walked past her, to leave, she pulled me back with all she had. With the element of surprise, I was taken off balance, so she had the chance to push me (which she did), down into the bathtub full of water. The same second I was falling I held her arm also, due to reflexes, and we both fell into the bathtub. She got up, trying to breath with her mouth. I was also up, catching my breath, then she started hitting me (not painful hits), and laughing.

"You're so annoying Saleem!", she complained.

"Stop. Let me out, Nabee", I said, while I tried to stop her hits coming.

I got up, stepped out of bathtub, plugged the drain, and then pulled Nabila out too. I took her towel and wrapped it around her. I nudged her to go out but she refused. She stood, shaking, cold. I lifted her up, like a baby. I sat her at the edge of her bed, and looked at her. She had a funny "I'm upset face".

I didn't want to hold up any conversation, ( plus it was really cold). But what can I do, it's Nabee. Should I act dumb and walk away? Or stay and talk to her? I mean she probably needs comfort. Yes?

But...Wahala no dey finish?