Gemini

7 - FATIMA

FATIMA

"Hello?" I answer the home phone.

"Hello, Aliyu?" A feminine voice replies

"No. Who am I speaking to?"

"Uh, it's Jasmine. Jasmine Isa" I gasp a little.

I can't believe it. It can't be.

After all we've been through together; Aliyu would look me dead in the eyes and lie to me.

He told me she died. He said she died to my face, this has to be a mistake. Because why would he lie to me?

"And who are you looking for?" I ask with hopes that this is not the woman I think it is.

"Aliyu, Aliyu Abdullah" she said.

"Who are you to Aliyu?" I don't know what I expected to hear but I certainly didn't expect what she said next.

"I'm, uh" she stutters "I'm his fiancé or was" she whispers, my heart sinks. My blood was boiling; I wanted to rip the phone into pieces.

"That can't be possible. I am his wife" she takes in a sharp breath.

"I didn't realize he was married. I'm sorry I bothered you" she hung up.
I walk to the other room where Aliyu was.
"Aliyu" I say as calm as I can between gritted teeth.

"Yes?" I can't worry about his mood right now.

"Your fiancé called" I spit. I can't be too bitter with him but I can't pretend I'm not hurt and humiliated either.

"What do you mean?" he looks at me confused.

"Jasmine called" I cross my arms. My face is burning with anger I could feel the heat.

"That is not possible. She is dead" he says.

"Call the number back" I hand him the home phone in the hotel.

He dialed, put it on speaker and we stood in silence.

"Hello?" she says.

"Hello" Aliyu's shaky voice replies.

"Aliyu, it has been so long. I haven't heard from you or seen you since before that night" what night? The night Javed abused her?

She is still talking, I can't hear any more. I turned around and head to my room.

I had no idea it was possible to this angry at someone I love so much.

Out of all the horrible things he does to me and says to me I have never been so upset.

I slam the door and pull out my suitcase and throw stuff in.

I'm not thinking straight, I run into the toilet and pack some things. With Aliyu banging on the door asking, no, demanding that I let him.

Tears are rolling freely down my cheeks as I pack.

I zip up my bag pulling it behind me as I open the door.

I push past him and rush over to Ameerah's room.

"Mommy" she says getting up from her toys and walking over to me as I open her bag and stuff her clothes in there.

I put her jacket on her and pick her up placing her bag on top of mine and pulling it behind me.

"Don't do this Fatima. You can't!" he screams.

This frightens Ameerah; she buries her head in the crook of my neck and wraps her hands around my neck tight.

"She means nothing; I don't care about her anymore. I actually thought she was dead-"