ORNAMENTS✅

Chapter Fifteen

Dasuki State, Nigeria.

2021

Eid had arrived, and Umaimah felt a sense of joy she hadn't experienced in years. This year, she had nearly twelve sets of clothes, a stark contrast to the one or two outfits that Fadimatu and Samira had received back in Marari. She had never gotten anything new before, always watching as Fadimatu and Samira were the ones to receive clothes. But today, she had twelve sets, and it made her heart swell with happiness.

Yet, despite the outward joy, thoughts about her parents weighed heavily on her. She had almost given up hope of finding them. If she ever did, would they even want her back? She questioned whether she was a burden, abandoned because of her perceived uselessness.

Her mind also lingered on the fact that Ramadan had passed without her menstruating. She remembered the time in Marari when Fadimatu had missed hers, and Hajja had taken her to a hospital in the neighboring village. After receiving some mysterious treatment, Fadimatu had gotten her period the next month. Could that be what was happening with her? Or had her body simply changed?

When Asad walked in, she noticed he had returned from the Eid prayer, which she had outrightly refused to attend. She nervously fidgeted with her fingers, unsure how to bring up the topic that had been troubling her.

“I wanted to ask you if you can take me to the hospital, please,” she said, finally voicing her concern and waiting for his response.

“Why do you want to visit a hospital?” Asad asked, his eyebrow raised.

“You’ll know when we go there, but I really need you to take me,” she replied softly.

He paused for a moment, contemplating her request. “Okay, we’ll go the day after tomorrow. I’m busy today and tomorrow.”

She sighed in relief, grateful that he had agreed.

She then began removing the Ramadan decorations, replacing them with the Eid Mubarak hangers that Asma had brought for her to exchange. Asma had seemed down lately, worried about her boyfriend who had been unreachable for two days. Umaimah reassured her friend, offering comforting words to help calm her nerves.

Later, they gathered for a family picture in the main house, though Baba—Alh. Yabo—wasn’t around. It was nothing new, as his absence had become a common occurrence.

Eid had been hectic, but one bright spot had been attending the Eid Durbar, a royal event hosted by the Royals of Dasuki. She even had the chance to see the handsome Prince of Dasuki, Saif Audi Tofa, who was admired by girls all over town.

For the first time in her life, Umaimah felt true happiness during Eid. Growing up in Marari, she had often hawked goods just to make ends meet, but this year had been different. This year, she could smile.

Asad had agreed to take her to the hospital, and soon they were on their way. Umaimah couldn’t help but admire her husband’s appearance—his fair complexion, pink lips, well-trimmed sideburns, and muscular build. He was the epitome of handsomeness, and she couldn’t help but stare at him as they drove. However, her daydreaming was interrupted when Asad snapped his fingers in front of her face.

“Hey,” he said.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was lost in thought. Let’s go,” she replied, following him into the hospital. As they entered, the other women in the waiting room couldn’t take their eyes off Asad, which made Umaimah feel protective. She had to fight the urge to confront them.

Thanks to Asad’s influence, they bypassed the long queue and were ushered straight to the doctor, a woman who listened patiently as Umaimah explained her symptoms. After a thorough examination, the doctor smiled at her in a way that made Umaimah uneasy.