A Window of Escape

1.

".....Asma'u, have faith in Allah, be strong!..."
She was completely veiled in white, her face as bright as the moon, like always.
She waved and walked away smiling, I could'nt stop her...

I was woken up by the Adhaan for Subh prayer.
I dragged myself out of the blanket and stopped halfway...

Ya Rabb i dreamt of Ummi again...

I turned my gaze to the bedside drawer and her picture was there.

Ummi I love you, but Allah loves you more.

I performed Al-Wudhu and observed the early morning prayer together with the recommended  Nafils.
I raised both my hands in supplication to the King of All Kings.

Ya Rabb, Grant my mother the absolute best in her grave and bless her with Aljannatul-Firdaus, Ameen.

With tears in my eyes, i picked Al-Qur'an from the bookshelf and recited continously till daybreak, before going back to sleep.

"Husna, can you please borrow me the notebook you jotted yesterday's lecture?" Afeeya asked.
"Why not...here" i said as i handed her the notebook.

The session ended quickly, school closed, which means i have to go back to where i came from, Nigeria.

I booked a flight to my fatherland and arrived safely. Every step i took out of the plane tells me something is or is gonna be wrong. I remembered Ummi's words from the last dream i had.
"Asma'u have faith in Allah, be strong!"
I came back because of one reason, and that's my father, AVM Ibraheem.

I took a taxi from the Airport to where i live--My father's residence in Nigerian Airforce Base, Abuja.
I stopped calling it 'Home' right after Ummi's death, exactly 4years ago.

It was'nt home anymore.

I went straight to my room with my luggages as i could'nt find anyone. I opened it using one of the keys hanged-in my keyholder --a customized keyholder with Ummi's and my picture on it.
The room was the way i left it. I was'nt expecting any change, nobody does clean it. Not even the housemaid.

I did all the scrubbing and washing and wiping and mopping myself. I lighted Turaren Wuta using a magic-coal.
The scent reminds me of Ummi, A gorgeous woman from Shuwa-tribe. Ummi was Shuwa-Arab.

I washed myself and dressed-up in Black Abaya with red-embroidery on it.
I went to the living room to see if i could find anyone and to my utmost suprise My father and his wife were seated comfortably, watching news update on Channels.

"Assalamu Alaikum" i salaamed and they all turned and my father answered.
"Wa Alaik Salam...Husna" He called.
Where is that father's love and affection towards his daughter?

"Daddy, Barka da yamma" i greeted.
"Husna, when did you come back?" He asked.
"Dazu" i answered.
"Ina wuni" i greeted My father's wife.
Will tell you about her later.

"Lafiya" she replied, with a frowned-face.

Whatever..

Father's attention was completely not on me. Why is he like this now?

Ummi, why do you left me, could'nt you take me along? Astagfirullah, i istigfarred, all in my thoughts.

"Husna!!" My father's voice interrupted my thoughts.
I looked at him.
"I'm going to london for a few weeks, you can ask your mother here if you need anything" He said and walked away without waiting for any reply.

My mother? this woman is not my mother and will never be.

I went back to my room on cold knees. I have to go back to Ghana, school is much more better than this house.

I need to get out of this place.

*****************

MashaAllah, The first chapter, How was it?

Vote✔✔
Comment.

Aysha 💗💗