A walk on thorns

Chapter 24| Contrasting Thorns

Anisha’s POV

"Mama! Mama!" I called out desperately, my voice trembling with fear and frustration. There was no answer. My heart skipped a beat, and dread washed over me. Innalillahi wa’inna ilaihi raji’un! Could something have happened to her? Panic settled in as I quickly dialed her number again. After a few agonizing rings, the call was picked up, not by Mama, but by Aunt Saudah.

“Aunt Saudah! What happened to Mama? Is she okay? Please, tell me she’s alright!” My voice cracked as I tried to suppress the rising tide of tears.

“Please, Anisha, what is wrong with you?” Her voice came sharp, harsh, and impatient, cutting through my distress like a blade. “Huh?! Can’t you let this woman have some peace in her life? Didn’t we tell you that marriage requires patience? Did we ever tell you to keep complaining every single time? Are you the only married woman in Nigeria? Tell me has she ever called you to complain about your father?” The reprimand came swift and biting, each word stinging more than the last.

“But Aunt Saudah, you need to listen to me! This is serious! Things have gone from bad to worse, and if you don’t interfere, I might lose my marriage altogether. I don’t know what else to do!” My voice was pleading, almost breaking, but I pushed through.

“What?!” she exclaimed, her tone shifting from irritation to alarm. “What did you just say, Anisha? Talk to me now!”

“Yes, you heard me right, Aunt Saudah. Divorce is looming, and it’s not my fault!” I stammered, struggling to get the words out.

“Sabrina, right? She’s behind this, isn’t she? I knew it!” Her voice now carried a mix of outrage and vindication.

“Yes, she is! Mukhtar hosted a party for his friends, and she destroyed everything! She insulted the guests, shattered a bottle on one of their heads, and even called his marketing director a... a whore! And now Mukhtar is furious—he’s determined to throw both of us out of the house. Instead of apologizing, she insulted him and locked herself in her room!” I choked on my words as the tears flowed uncontrollably.

“Innalillahi wa’inna ilaihi raji’un!” The phrase came in unison, and that’s when I realized the phone was on speaker and Mama had been listening all along.

“Where is she now?!” Mama’s voice cut through the air, sharp and demanding.

“Mama, forget about Sabrina for now! Please, tell me what to do! Mukhtar has given me just a few minutes to pack my things and leave. I don’t know where to go! Baba will kill me if I come back home!” My sobs became uncontrollable as I poured out my fears.

“Ya Salam! What a bless-less girl Sabrina is!” Mama spat in disgust.

“Haba, Hajiya Rukhsar! Why curse her now? If she’s already stubborn, how do you think this will help? Are you trying to make her worse?” Aunt Saudah scolded, her voice rising in defense.

“What?! Isn’t she the same Sabrina we know? Her insolence knows no bounds, her stubbornness is inexhaustible! And now, look at the disaster she has caused! What do you even expect me to do about this mess?!” Mama fired back angrily.

“Stop arguing, please! Help me out! This is spiraling out of control!” I cried, my voice barely audible through the sobs.

“Ke dan ubanki! What do you want us to do? Was your mouth glued shut when Sabrina was causing all this trouble? Don’t push me, Anisha! This is a result of your weakness! This is the consequences of always behaving like a cooked vegetable, I guess your mouth was paining you then?!” Mama shouted furiously. Her words were like daggers, cutting deeper into my already wounded heart.