One Girl Carri Water 1 & 2 #Featured

. 2.

Amina begun to replay all that had happened over again in her mind as soon as the cell door closed behind her. She had made sure to read the looks on the faces that gawked at her during the interrogation, giving meaning to every single gesture and blinks, not leaving out tones and pitches that accompanied every sentence. In less than no time she was able to find her missing cue. Yes!! There it was right before her; the ministers themselves had their fears, doubts and limitations. They couldn’t be so sure of their fate after the trial, considering that Amina possiblehadn’t lost her lure on the number one man in Africa.

“I’d rather say charm” she said to herself with much glee as she reclined wittily smiling into the lone futon that had become her cell-mate. “Bring it on Meenah!! You know you garrit”

********

“Kaka quit giving yourself unnecessary worries, you know your girl Amina so well. She’s got it all covered and also with Isah on her side, it’s a dished meal” Salma said to Grandma Dije if only that would help her to stop bothering the whole house in anxiety of wanting to know the outcome of the trial. She had eaves-dropped on Isah and Salma’s discussion earlier that morning before he left home. It was now close to 9 in the evening and Isah who usually returned home at 6 was nowhere to be seen. His phone was off and when Salma tried to call his office it went straight to voice mail.

Grandma responded saying “I hope you’re right Salma, or else you and Isah better be ready to bury me soon”
“Please Kaka no one is burying anyone” said Salma trying to usher the older woman up the stairs to her bed room “It’s late you must be tired”
“I don’t want to sleep until Isah returns. He has bad news; why else would he come home late today of all days?” she argued
“Mama stop bothering the poor girl” said her daughter - Amina’s mother. “Let’s go to bed, we’ll find out everything tomorrow”
Grandma Dije sighed in displeasure “Those two children of yours will be the death of me” she said before beginning to ascend the stairs. Salma quickly reached out for Grandma’s hand to help her. “I can walk on my own, I’m not a child” said Grandma pulling away from Salma and proceeding on her own.
“You should go and get some rest as well. Don’t you have that interview at the university tomorrow?” said Amina's mother who Salma now referred to as Aunt Maryam
“I think I’ll wait a little longer” said Salma
“Don’t stay up too long, goodnight”
“Good night”
Salma watched the two women walk up the stairs before she returned to the living room and sat down on one of the couches. Isah’s house was big even bigger than the Fulani's family house that was given as part of Amina’s bride price. She sighed as she read through her letter of transfer for third time that day in an attempt to get her mind off the waiting. Unable to sit still any longer she got up and begun to pace the living room. Why hadn’t Isah called to give her an update on Amina? Was Amina’s execution date being set as Salma paced?

A car horn rung out followed by the distinct sound of the main gate opening. Salma quickly walked to the window and looked outside. Sure enough Isah’s vehicle was pulling into the drive way. Salma walked to the front door to wait for Isah. A minute later Isah walked in to the house while loosening his tie.
“What happened?” asked Salma
Isah sighed “Amina did great but when the panel voted it was a stalemate. We’ve been arguing for hours, that’s why I’m back so late. Anyway we all decided to sleep on it and vote again tomorrow morning but if we came to a stalemate again the chairman will make the decision”
“Who’s the chairman?” asked Salma
“Who else? Okojie. That ungrateful favor-seeker that won't stop chasing after me”
“The minister of defence? Isn’t he the one everyone expected to get your position?” asked Salma
“Yes, his becoming a thorn in my flesh. We need to get rid of him”
Salma nodded “You must be hungry. Mama left something for you in the kitchen”
“Yes, I’m starving” said Isah before following Salma into the kitchen
“How do you plan on getting rid of the minister?” asked Salma as she put Isah’s plate of supper into the microwave.
“Once Amina is back in the villa she can plant a seed of doubt and I’ll make sure that the President loses confidence him. Or we could pin a crime on him”
Salma shook her head in disappointment “You can’t go around framing people for crimes they didn’t commit. He may want Amina dead but I’m sure he also has a family to feed”
“You’re too good for me, you know that?” smiled Isah
“I know” Salma placed Isah’s plate in front of him on the kitchen table where he was seated “I’m going home to see my mother after I drop my transfer letter off at the university. She’s not happy that I decided to come back to Nigeria without consulting her”

“Why don’t you wait for the weekend so I can take you? Things are tense in the country right now you know”
“Isah, I can take care of myself and besides unless you’re planning to come and pay my bride price, I’m pretty sure my mother doesn’t want to see you” said Salma before taking a seat at the table as well.
“Okay” said Isah and Salma could tell that he wanted to argue her choice but was simply too tired. “How long are you staying there? Can I at least come and pick you up?”
“Only a couple of days, I’ll call you” said Salma
“I need to make some calls and see if I can get Amina some more votes” said Isah
“You need to make sure that she lives”
“I will. So have you packed your bag already?”
"What do I need more than just a few clothes and some other little things? Am all set big brother"
“What do I have to do to make you stop calling me that?” asked Isah earnestly meeting Salma’s eyes.
“Aren’t you supposed to be the smart one? Figure it out” with a sigh Salma pushed her chair away from the table, got up and went to the sink which was full of dishes.
Isah abandoned his supper and followed Salma “Give me a hint”
Salma shook her head and begun to do the dishes.
“Please.........” Isah persisted

In all the years she had known him Isah had never been one to beg. “Three little words” said Salma but she knew the words where not little at all.
“Okay.......Uhmm” begun Isah pretending to think about it “You are beautiful?” Salma could hear the laughter in his voice.
“No” she laughed “try again”
“I adore you?” smiled Isah
Salma shook her head again “Try again when I come back from my mother’s house”
"Alright then, thanks for waiting up for me" Isah said with gratitude written all over his face.
"My pleasure honourable minister, you should go ahead now, freshen up and rest while I do the dishes"
"As your majesty wishes" he replied with a bow.
Salma giggle as he walked out of the kitchen.
“I love that sound” Isah called out
Sure now he says the word love Salma thought to herself.

Salma woke up good and early the next morning hoping to catch Isah before he left for work. Unfortunately he was already gone when she woke but had left her a text message wishing her a safe journey. Salma felt nervous as she left Isah’s house that day. She was nervous to see her mother but most of all she was nervous for her friend. She trusted that Isah would do everything in his power to save Amina but the whole Andrew thing had opened her eyes to the fact that there where things even Isah couldn’t do.
Salma wasted no time at the university; quickly leaving her transfer letter and heading to the bus station to get on a bus for Rigasa. As soon as the bus started to move Salma checked all of her social media for any news of Amina. Finding that there was nothing new Salma sighed and turned to stare at the world outside her window.
There were nearly at the main station in Rigasa when the bus abruptly came to a stop jarring Salma out of her thoughts. The noise coming from outside was loud and clear.

‘Ku Saki Amina!’ Came the chants sounding almost like a song.

Free Amina! Ku Saki Amina! Free Amina!

Salma much like the rest of the passengers stood up from her seat and peered ahead through the wind screen of the vehicle. She gasped at the sight before her. The Men and women of Gusau stood in the road refusing any vehicles to go through and chanting in protest. She immediately pulled out her phone and took a video of the brave men and women. Soon the sound of approaching police sirens blared out causing the passenger to demand that the bus driver make a u-turn and use another route. As the bus drove out of the main road police arrived dressed in anti-riot gear and begun to throw tear gas at the protestors. The protestors even more angered by the police’s reaction to their peaceful protest begun to throw stones at the policemen. Salma made sure to get the whole incidence on video. She couldn’t believe it when she learnt that the protest actually did start from Rigasa, it was all a surprise to her that the timid people of her home community could ever be brave enough to stand up for Amina. They had all watched her grow up. She had carried water from the well for their old and she had helped them take care of their children while the parents worked in their farms. And of course it was her wedding that had brought them development. Indeed the people of Gusau owed Amina this kindness. Salma could not help the smile that took over her face.
Looking up to the sky, she nearly could see her friend Amina as if standing tall and riding on the clouds. “Go get them my friend” she said to herself almost audible. She wished she could join the protest but she immediately remembered the position of her potential soon-to-be husband. No! No! No! I just need to go straight home she quickly nodded to herself.

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