Again Shauqina

Chapter 11 Found

 'We swear to God that we did not see your girlfriend...well, sort of not see...!'

'You no good...(more expletives)!'

'Matin...' Isaac's voice was firm.

I tried not to pluck the grass as I sat outside the tent opening, within clear earshot of the interaction inside it. I had wanted to go further but Isaac had peered out of the tent and with one look, pointed at the spot where I was sitting now.

'Sit!' he had commanded, pointing at the spot.

I was about to protest when he gave me a look which reminded me of my Abah when he was about to ground me and I relented. So sat I did at the spot like a good puppy, pardon the imagery.

I could hear clearly the exchange between my friends and the young men.

'Then how come you are in her tent?' Matin's voice rang loudly.

'Bro, two days ago, my friends and I came here at around midnight to have some fresh air. We were by the beach when we heard a pack of dogs barking like crazy wolves. We went in the direction of the barkings and saw a pack of dogs about to bit a tent. We thought it was funny to chase the dogs away so we took some branches and stones and whatever and threw at the dogs. We heard a scream and were so scared, we ran back to the beach...but we saw a figure came out of the tent and went running in that opposite direction.'

'Your aim must have been superb to have hit a lady!' I heard Isaac said wryly.

'Then, you happily sat in this tent?' Matin's voice then sounded more desperate than angry.

'Bro, we waited till morning! You see us like this, but we give you our word, we don't bully women, alright? We slept there! At that big stone there!'

'But she never came back!' Another voice said almost defensively.

'Even when we slept in here for the second night, we told ourselves we would give back the tent to the owner should she come back. Then, you came!' Another voice rang clear, almost accusingly.

'Now see my friend here? What you did to his handsome face?'

I made a face. These guys are gays or what?

'Have you ever thought that perhaps, she came back, saw your... (more expletives) here and got frightened? Have you ever thought of that?' Matin almost screamed.

I could almost imagine Isaac pacifying Matin again.

'Okay...here's my number...please call if you have any other information...how long do you plan to stay here?'

'Erm... you want the tent back?'

'Matin...' I could almost 'see' Isaac gripping Matin by the wrist.

'Yes—please!' said Isaac, overly courteous. Anybody could detect the threat in that tone without looking at the speaker's face. I guessed the young men realized that too for they answered in chorus.

'Okay, okay...give us time to arrange everything neatly, alright? '

I smiled, despite myself. Isaac was dangerously beginning to be a big brother we could depend on. A sudden gust of wind blew past and I hastily pulled at my tudung as it went berserk. My eyes then caught sight of the public toilet and a shack selling snacks in the distance. I remembered Isaac and standing up, made my way towards it.

I reached the toilet first, went in, took my ablution, and then headed again towards the snack shack.

I had to ask the smiling uncle whether he had what I wanted then he suggested that the only way to get it was to buy some drinks. I relented and bought two bottles of green tea and the newspapers.