EXTRA MILE FOR LOVE

35: Stuck in the elevator

Najma's Residence.

Najma's heart sank upon seeing Baba's car parked. "Basma Baba is home already, Just go home home. I will face this alone." Najma declared. There was no way Basma was going to allow Najma to sleep alone tonight. With what could she possibly deal with? With Nabil's harsh words and rejection or Facing Baba?

"You know there is no way I'm going to allow you to face this alone. We started this together, we will finish this together, okay?" Basma squeezed Najma's hand, as Najma nodded.

She knew she was in a lot of trouble today. Mummy has been calling her line nonstop since she left Nabil's house. How could she have answered? She hasn't said a word since she left Nabil's place until now.

They entered the parlor with salam on their mouths as Mummy and Daddy answered. Basma excused herself to go upstairs but Baba told her to sit in the parlor. He wanted to talk to the both of them. Najma was ready for the worst right now, no matter what Baba was going to say, It will never be able to be as hurtful as Nabil's words. She was so sure she wouldn't hear more hurtful words this year.

"Ina yini Baba( Good afternoon)" Basma and Najma chorused, but Baba didn't give them a reply. "Where are you coming from Najma?" He asked. Najma knew since he asked, It could only mean he knew where she was coming from.

"I'm talking to you Najma, give me an answer!" He yelled, making Najma startled as she moved back a bit. "Alhaji please take it easy on......." Baba didn't allow Mummy to finish saying what she wanted to. "Hajiya please, you have always being too lenient on this girl." Mummy kept quiet.

"I'm.......co........ coming...... fro....... From Nabil's house." Najma stammered. Baba slapped Najma so hard that she fell at his feet holding her right cheek. An outrageous outburst of tears was threatening to fall but Najma was ready to fight it back with all that she had. This was the first time ever Baba hit her. She was shocked but not surprised, Baba's reputation means a world to him.

"Najma are you in your right senses kuwa? What has come over you? Do you know who that lowlife criminal boy is?" He barked. To his surprise Najma gave him an answer. "Baba he is not a criminal, he didn't do it. Why would......" Najma's words trailed off as she dodged a slap Baba targeted her with.

"You think I wouldn't find out what you have been doing behind my back? I ordered DSS to be keeping a close eye on you for the past one month, Since I got the news that you and that criminal have been hanging out together.

"And you Basma, I'm so disappointed in you! I thought you'd be more reasonable and sensible than she is. Turns out you both are birds of the same feather. How could you allow her to drag my reputation like that?" He barked. Basma couldn't say a word. She knew Baba had a temper, but today's temper was the worst she had ever seen.

"Your mother grounded you from going out for one week but you lied about having test in school to go out and see that lowlife criminal boy!" Najma shut her eyes tight. She didn't know for how long she would be able to bear hearing such bad things about Nabil.

"The last thing I will ever allow you to do is to paint my reputation black and dirty, even though you have started doing that already. Get ready, You will be leaving Nigeria for Dubai in one week time. You will no longer see that lowlife criminal and you won't get the opportunity to use school to lie to your parents."

Najma felt as if a hammer was used to squash her head, she felt dizzy that instant that she had to hold her head. What did Baba just say? She hasn't finished accelerating all of Nabil's hurtful words, Baba threw another one at her. Now She was debating on whose words were more painful and devastating.

"Alhaji what about her studies? She has gone too far to quit." Mummy declared, one could hear the agony in her voice. "Hajiya I'm a literate person, I planned this well. Since they're starting internship at school, She will be going to that a Culinary school she has always wanted to go. I'm sure 6 months is enough time to wipe away the thoughts of that lowlife criminal off her mind. She will come back and continue her studies." Baba declared.