Shirk in Disguise

Chapter 20

The Sunday morning in which she was to embark on her life-changing journey to boarding school couldn't dawn more slowly for Azeema. When it finally dawned, she lost no time in getting ready for the memorable journey ahead of her. Though she wondered how the school would be like, it certainly appealed to her and presented a whole new exciting prospect – an escape from her grandmother's shackles.

"How many times do I have to call you before I get an answer?" a thunderous voice boomed from the door of the little cubicle of a room she stayed in. She quickly dropped the things she was holding in fright. Her grandmother's face was clouded with anger.

"I'm sorry ma, I didn't hear you..." Lost in her daydream, she'd completely been oblivious of her surroundings and didn't hear her granny's calls.

"Whatever," the old woman snapped. "You should get going, it's almost noon."

"Okay, ma," she dutifully replied as she picked up the spilt things. She quickly stuffed them in her bag as she noticed her grandma leaving the room through the corner of her eye.

It was a good thing that the letter came with money for transportation and provisions; the old woman wouldn't have contributed a penny. God had helped her by letting her meet the mailman at the door. If the letter had reached her grandmother first, she certainly wouldn't have heard a word of it.

"I just can't help thinking that she's even glad to get rid of me," she murmured as she dragged the luggage out of the room. Nevertheless, she pushed away the ugly thought as she brightened up on her luck.

It was time to go.

Three-quarters of an hour later found Azeema sitting on a window seat on a bus heading to Kaduna state, where Queens' College was located. She stared, open-mouthed as the scenery passed her by. However, she soon got bored and concentrated on her life instead.

Actually, she was really happy and excited at the prospect of furthering her education, especially since it was to be away from her grandmother and her rigours. Even though the future was still a bit uncertain and she didn't have any idea what lay in store for her at the boarding school in a city she had never been to, she believed that it couldn't be worse than her granny's house.

Throughout her fewer than dozen years on this earth she'd known that her father's family, especially his mother, didn't like her. She never knew the cause and was afraid of asking her father about it. She'd envisaged that her father would eventually tell her about it when she grew older but alas, he died before that, leaving her distraught because she had no one to turn to, for she had never known her late mother's relatives.

However, Azeema had enjoyed momentary sympathy from some of her father's kinsmen during the period of her father's death. She was patted, spoken mildly to and was even given some naira notes. Even her grandmother seemed to soften up a bit but all that changed after the visit of a certain man barely forty days after her father's demise.

After that fateful day, Azeema's tale of woe began. Before the young man's visit, her granny was just cool to her, but the coolness changed to outright hostility the moment he stepped out of the house, briefcase in hand. Azeema, who was oblivious of the proceedings in her grandma's parlour that day, never completely stopped wondering the cause of the sudden change.

Unknown to her, the reason for the abrupt change in her grandmother's conduct towards her was certainly related to the young man's visit. Clad in a black suit with a white shirt and a matching tie, he'd appeared quite smart and out of place as he entered the traditionally-made house to answer the old woman's summons. He was Yusuf's lawyer.

The young man, who later introduced himself as Barrister Richard Ikenna, received a warm welcome from his host. Azeema, on her grandma's orders, brought a tray of cool water and edibles for the guest and turned to leave after greeting him.

"Is she the bereaved?" the young barrister asked with a concerned look on his face.

"Yes," replied the old woman. "In fact, she's part of the reason I summoned you here."

"Okay..." encouraged the young man. He was eager to hear her out.

The old woman cleared her throat. "You know times are hard," she began, "and I'm an old woman with no standard source of income."

"That's right," the lawyer agreed, wondering where the conversation was heading to.

"I'll go straight to the point," she stated, giving him a fixed stare.

"I'll appreciate that very much."

"As my son's lawyer, I need you to hand over his bank savings to enable me to at least take care of his daughter."

Her words dropped like a bombshell on him. So that was what it was all about! He never expected such a demand from the old lady, though he'd noticed her suspicious movements. He remained speechless for some minutes before her words jolted him back to reality.

"You're silent, Mr. Lawyer..."

"I'm sorry I almost got carried away," he replied, mopping his brow.

"Well?" she asked as her eyebrow shot up.

"Actually, Ma'am," he began, not minding her sour expression. "I can't do that."

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU CAN'T DO THAT?!" she thundered at him, all the hospitality gone from her voice.

"The thing is," he continued, "he trusted me with the account and..."

"Don't tell me nonsense, boy!" she exclaimed, shaking her index finger at him. "As his mother, don't I have the right to..."

"I'm sorry you don't, Ma'am. It's a fixed deposit account."

"Just what the hell do you mean by that?!"

"The only person capable of withdrawing the money is his daughter, when she comes of age. The account is in her name"

"What!" she exclaimed. "WHAT SORT OF NONSENSE IS THAT?!!"

"I'm afraid I'll have to take my leave..."

"Yes, you'd better do that right this minute!" she pointedly stated, showing him the door.

The young man quickly turned his back and made his way to the door.

"Wait," her voice stopped him at the door. "What of other accounts?"

"Well, his main account has some change but most of it got expended while he was sick..."

"Enough!" she cut him off, shooing him off with her hands.

Mr. Richard didn't need further prompting; he quickly scurried away. Meanwhile, the angry woman stood in the parlour with arms akimbo. 'What an insult!' she exclaimed.

She had reluctantly offered a child she hated food and a roof over her head in the hope that the girl's inheritance would be handed over to her but instead, she was completely disappointed. Yusuf hadn't left her much inheritance, and she couldn't even take over the girl's share. It was right then that she resolved to transform the poor girl into her maid-cum-slave. According to her, nothing goes for nothing.

Therefore, on the day of her granddaughter's departure, she was actually glad and somewhat relieved to see her go.

          "Good riddance," she'd muttered under her breath.

Tell me - what do you think???

Azeema's grandma's behaviour might seem a be a bit over the edge to you but remember, she never liked Fanna after all. However, it's certainly not fair to take out her frustrations on the poor girl just because she's her daughter...right?

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