Her Little Secret (Prime)

F I V E

MUJAHID

THE FIRST time I came to  Yola, I knew I was going to come back because it brought me peace and exhilaration.

And I did came back, a lot of times in the past two years. Only that this visit is longer and there's certainty that I would be visiting a lot more than before.

Hajja was someone so intriguing and I wanted all of the warmth she gave me. No wonder my mum was warm. Mothers are truly blessings. But grandmothers are a peak of that blessing and no one would tell me otherwise.

I hadn't expected any exceptional event but the exceptional had found me hours before I left.

It was safe to say that instead of being a man and owning up to what I felt then, I had refused. Maybe I thought I had the luxury of time to wait until I was ready. I thought I had to be ready.

Nothing prepared me for what I found out when I got back to kano and what had become of me for the next few months. And the next few months. And the next!

Until it was two years already and so many bitter realities have come to live with me.

Now back in Yola as a visiting lecturer in American University of Nigeria, I hoped that somehow, the chance I had lost two years ago would present itself again. Little do I know that it'll follow me to where I was and flaunt itself at me at a time I definitely never expected.

"Kai Mudi, just make sure you arrive super early tomorrow. That should make up for your tardiness on your first meeting." I was perched on my bed, dressed lightly to accommodate the hot weather and talking to my lifelong friend, chastising him about a meeting he had that didn't go well because of his tardiness.

It is safe to say that our relationship still remain the same after my heart-touching confession. Because if it was not he wouldn't call me to rant.

"Amnah" I stood alarmed as the little baby on her lap started to whimper.

She had brought her in earlier to show her off to me before Mudi's call came in. I had plucked her cheek and noticing the child was a bit bigger than Amnah's stamina, I told her to sit since she didn't want to give her to me.

"Amnah! Ya Allah! You are straddling her, she's restless." She was wrestling to keep the baby in place.

"Yalla! Bring her!"

But seeing the baby still stirring a bit in discomfort, I figured out maybe she badly needed a change so I asked Amnah where her mother was. Amnah probably pried the baby off her back immediately she stepped in, I thought.

"Mimi" I heard her before I saw her. And somehow my brain knew even before I knew.

So I stood rooted to the place. This, must be a dream. Because there's no way I was prepared for the tornado of feelings that descended upon me as I stood watching her while she approached me, eyes transfixed on the baby.

"Mim..." her hand stopped midway as she stretched it to get the baby and I had no idea why.

She didn't look at my face but was struck with I-dunno-what for a few seconds. When she recovered, she grew solemn but took the baby nevertheless.

I watched her for a few seconds before I ventured in to greet the women. A smile danced on Mrs Mikail's face and when I figured out why, I made my way outside hoping to catch some fresh air that'll blow the eeriness I feel away.

I didn't think this would happen early, and just like the last time I wasn't ready.

But I knew what I needed to do.

~

Beauty they say, is in the eyes of its beholder. For the nth time, I am reaffirming to himself that Haleemah 'Aliyy Kamal is simply an enigma of beauty. That which is close to me, yet so out of reach.

Five years ago, I was a kano man who had nothing to do with Yola. And now I have everything to do with Yola because I'm almost relocated. As a visiting lecturer in AUN, I'm visiting way more than normal.

I had watched her walk briskly out of the gate of the 'Aliyy towards her car fixated on her IPad rather anything else in her surrounding this morning. Work was important to Haleemah two years ago, but it's even much more important to her now.

I stared until she disappeared behind the door of her car and Garba revved it to life. I had revved mine the same and drove behind her until the difference in our destination separated us.

And now I sat behind my desk in my office with thoughts driving around how I can't seem to do anything even though I wanted to do everything.

"I thought to remind you of the dinner, Hajja said you should be home before 5." Mrs Mikail had stated on the phone. "You could bring something too if you want. You know, as the gentleman you are."

"What should I bring?"

"You should figure it out. Just make sure it's something interesting. You know, Haleemah's going to be around."

I didn't have the energy to fight because it's definitely what she thinks. Or what they think rather. Because everyone has been giving side glances since they saw what they saw.

But the problem is, I just realized as I parked behind Haleemah's car in ATV, that I have no idea how I'll survive dinner. Because, I had no idea how I ended up there in the first place.

But because I saw her earlier, I wanted to see her again.

And I also find that it's just as difficult as it was years ago to muster up the courage to walk to her and gain her attention, everyone be damned. Nadeer or Mudathir! Everyone!

"How comes you are here at this time? Ain't you supposed to be at work?" Alhussain queried and I just laughed it off.

I might've ditched a lecture or not, but I'll definitely make it up another time.

"I had a little time to kill." I managed to say.

Alhussain seems to think for a few seconds before he asked me to follow him.

"Journalist Haleemah is around. Let's say hi." He says immediately he diverted towards her office, knocked and pushed the door open.

He peered in and sidestepped so I can walk in. I wasn't sure why until I heard the door close behind me and I cannot find his figure walking behind me.

I couldn't dwell on how to deal with Alhussain because I saw something that didn't sit well with me.

"You okay?" I asked.

"Why do you ask?" The guy standing opposite her who I can recognize very well even in my dreams retorted.

I nodded in dismissal and turn to Haleemah. "Hajja sent some things. Please come outside to get them."

She didn't spare him a second glance before she walked out of her office and I followed suit.

When we got outside, I told her to get in the car so I can get it out of the boot and she did.

She came out fifteen minutes later to check on whatever it is I was yet to bring out of my car.

But there was no errand. And I wasn't even trying to bring anything out of the car.

________________

Glossary:
Yalla: Hurry up

ITS FRIYYAY💃

Don't forget your Friday sunnah.

Drop comments guys, who knows I may be motivated enough to drop another chapter by weekend.

Till we meet again,
InkLove✍️
Mi'ah 💕