ORNAMENTS✅

Chapter Nine

Dasuki State, Nigeria

2021

Lately, Yazid has been acting... off. Gone is the cheerful, lively Yazid everyone knew, replaced by someone distant and brooding. Nabeel feels guilty, but deep down, he knows it’s for the best.

"Yazid, don’t tell me this is about your sister," Nabeel asked, sitting on Yazid’s bed. He had lost count of how many times he’d ended up in this room.

"And what if it is?" Yazid shot back, his voice low and strained.

"Easy there, Angry Bird. I thought we’d already discussed this."

"Nabeel, I need to ask you something, and I need you to be honest with me."

"Okay, anything for you, bro."

"If Maryam—sorry, Umaimah—was your sister too, would you still have let her stay with Asad?"

"Why are you...?"

"No, just answer me, Nabeel."

"Yes, I would."

"You would?"

"Yazid, listen. My dad’s a good man, but he has his flaws. Like anyone, he’ll change when circumstances demand it. Just like..."

"Nabeel, you don’t understand," Yazid interrupted, his voice shaking. "I'll tell you. My father caused my sister’s disappearance. Before that, he was the reason for all the misery in our lives. But the worst was when he caused Mum to give up on their marriage. Losing her daughter broke her. Do you know why I’m telling you this? Even though you already know?"

"No…"

"Nabeel, your dad might turn bad to protect his family. Mine? He’d throw his loved ones under the bus just to protect his ego."

Nabeel, trying to stay calm, suggested, "What if we tell Abba we found her? Maybe he can help. Maybe things won’t be as bad as you think."

"Yaziiiiiiid."

Yazid collapsed into tears and clung to Nabeel, who held him tight.

"Nabeel, look at Nini’s eyes. Every day, she’s waiting for her. She blames herself, even though she isn’t to blame. It’s our father. I hate him. I really hate him."

Nabeel tried to console him. He understood the feeling. While his own situation was different, he felt no affection for his mother. He knew she had done something terrible, something that would haunt the people of Dasuki forever. The war between Alh. Yabo and Alh. Shamaki—he would eventually uncover the truth behind it, the truth behind his parents’ divorce.

"Yazid," Nabeel said softly, "maybe it’s best to leave things as they are."

---

Later, Umaimah stood in front of Hajiya, who was clearly furious.

"Do you really plan on humiliating us like this? Have you forgotten you're no longer a maid? You're Asad's wife now," Hajiya snapped, her tone harsh.

"Hajiya, they’re my friends..." Umaimah started.

"Friends? You, girl, are Asad's wife. Let me make myself clear: I never want to see you in the maid’s quarters again. If you're lonely, stay with Asma. Got it?"

"Yes, Hajiya."

"Good."

Umaimah walked out, heading to Asad’s apartment. She couldn't even sleep where she wanted.

When would she ever be truly happy? Maybe never.

A week passed. Umaimah’s routine was monotonous. Wake up, eat, chat with Naja and A'i, then sleep. That was her life.