ORNAMENTS✅

Chapter Thirteen

Marari, Nigeria.
2021.

Baba Alhaji was seated by his shop, listening to the radio, when the same man who had attended Fadimatu's wedding made an appearance.

"Bello?" Baba Alhaji called his name, probably because he hadn't been expecting him.

"Yes, it's me. Baba Alhaji."

"Welcome," Baba Alhaji offered a seat, and they exchanged pleasantries. "I thought you weren't going to come again since you didn't show up the day after Fadimatu's wedding."

"Well, I'm here now, and you know very well why I'm here. So, where is she?"

"Bello, I told you she’s in Dasuki!" Baba Alhaji replied.

"Why is she in Dasuki? Baba Alhaji, did you forget the promise you made me years ago?"

Baba Alhaji burst into laughter, as if this man were trying to turn him into a joke.

"You’re one to talk about promises, Bello. You promised to pay me to take care of this girl, but you disappeared after a year. Aren’t you supposed to be grateful that I’ve taken care of her all these years and got her married to a rich man in the city, eh?" Baba Alhaji said, annoyance evident in his voice.

"Wannan ai maganar banza kake, Baba Alhaji. Are you telling me you sent her all the way to Dasuki?"

"Of course, that’s what I’ve been trying to tell you. And you should be grateful that I performed your duties as a father when you neglected them. You should also be thankful that I’ve kept this truth hidden in my tongue for twenty years. When Baba Alhaji keeps a secret, he keeps it for good. You left your daughter and disappeared. I thought you were dead, and now, after all these years, you come back and want to play father? At least, even though she wasn't my daughter, I didn’t neglect her. I made sure she reached her husband’s house."

"Enough of your nonsense, Baba Alhaji. If he’s really rich like you said, what's his name? I'll look into him."

"Asad Yabo," Baba Alhaji revealed.

Bello stood up almost immediately after hearing the name of the so-called husband. Did he hear correctly?

"Asad Yabo? Yabo, Yabo from Dasuki? No, Baba Alhaji, you must be joking. How did his son end up with Umaimah?"

"Why are you getting worked up? Isn’t it a good thing that your daughter is with a renowned, rich family?"

Bello began pacing, then immediately left without another word to Baba Alhaji.

"Don't come back here again, please. I’ve done my part!" Baba Alhaji yelled, hoping his message would reach Bello.

--

Nabeel walked into the premises where the Halaka was about to be held, but first, He had to meet up with Asma—his fake girlfriend. Don’t tell her though.

He spotted her sitting beautifully in a nude-colored jilbab. Sometimes, He feels bad for whatever he's doing to her. She’s an innocent soul, but Umaimah was also innocent. So, he's sorry, but he can’t help it.

And right there, seated beside her, was the lost girl. She looks so beautiful now, up close. Not like during her wedding when her face was covered with makeup. Here, it's her natural beauty, and boy, she’s so pretty. He's sure Nini would shed some tears at the sight of her. Allahumma Barik, Fa Tabarakallahu Ahsanul Khaliqeen. She’s one of the prettiest ladies he has seen in his entire life—what a creation. Just like Nini, finer than Nini.

He could see she was staring at him, and he's sure she didn’t realize he was doing the same because she seemed lost in admiring him.

Nabeel, she’s a married woman, damn it, his subconscious reminded him. He had to stop checking out someone’s wife, so he turned his gaze away to Asma, a girl who isn’t someone’s wife—yet.