Dasuki State, Nigeria
2023
The driver pulled over, and we stepped out into the familiar dust and warmth of Marari. The road was as rough as I remembered—no cars could pass here, so we had to walk.
A strange feeling washed over me as I stood there. This place, the same one where I spent my childhood, was filled with memories—some good, some bad, do i even have good memories in this place?
It felt like I’d never left, yet somehow everything had changed. Zayyanah, her husband and daughter parted ways with us we were headed in different directions. We were going to Baba Alhaji’s place, while they were off to their own.
As we walked, silence stretched between us, the kind of silence that fills the space with unspoken words. I whispered my taslim aloud, my voice mingling with the quiet of the dusty road. No one responded. I repeated it, and then, a familiar voice rang out belonging to none other than our dearest Hajja, sharp and clear.
“Who's there? Why are you standing there, repeating words? Come on in!”
I smiled despite myself. Some things, it seemed, never changed.
We stepped inside. Hajja was by the firewood, trying to get it going but it kept smoking and flaming. While Samira sat quietly in the corner as usual waiting for her mother to finish cooking and she'll eat.
"Umaimah?" Samira asked as if unsure, she never thought she'd see me like this right? She hoped I'll keep being miserable for the rest of my life didn't she? Ha! I made sure to wear the most expensive lace i had, designer bags and shoes. In your face, suckers!
Hajja smiled warmly, though there was something calculating in her gaze as she eyed the man behind us, carrying a Ghana Must Go bag. I could tell she assumed it was filled with goodies—It was.
“Drop it here and bring the rest,” I said, as though it was nothing. We had picked up groceries and foodstuffs for Baba Alhaji, and I wasn’t about to show up empty-handed if i wanted to brag.
The man complied and left leaving Hajja and Samira to continue being dumbstruck.
"I thought I'd never see you again, i was planning to come to the city and meet you, Umaimah." Hajja said standing up from the firewood and spreading a mat from the floor.
"Sannunmu, Ina Wuni." Hajja said greeting Nini.
"Lafiya, how's everything?" Nini asked as we sat on the Mat.
"Fadimatu, Come out quick. Umaimah is here." Hajja shouted, her gaze never moving from me or maybe it was my expensive clothing she was looking at.
Samira quickly sat beside me, smiling as she exhibited all set of her not so White array of teeth, she wants to get on my goodside now that i have something to offer.
Samira stood up and returned with a jug containing water, While the man kept unloading the goodies we brought with us.
Fadimatu walked out, a baby tied to her back with a wrapper. “Umaimah” she said, her voice laced with forced cheerfulness. But I could tell it wasn't genuine not even in the slightest bit.
"Fadimatu," I reply in a tone as fake as her's.
"Ina Wuni " She greeted Nini whilst she spread another mat and seated, removing the baby from her back.
"Lafiya lau" Nini answers as I extended my hand to take the baby don't blame me I Love Babies.
"What's his name?" I ask lulling the baby that's already asleep in my hands.
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ORNAMENTS✅
Mystery / Thriller©2024 COPYRIGHTS. ❝It's you i want not your virginity, literacy or marriage count.❞ Nabeel became her shadow, her protector in a world that had abandoned her. He fought for her, bled for her, and, in the end, claimed her as his own. In his arms, she...
