TREASURES AND THORNS

Chapter Twenty Three

“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing there is a field. I’ll meet you there."
                       -Rumi
           
                 
AHMAD

UNEDITED

I had spent the days left of the week at home. The thought of resuming work had not crossed my mind even once. I was consumed by the guilt of not being there to protect her and more by the failure of the security team to come up with any leads concerning the intruder. It was utterly frustrating -whenever I got a chance to think about it-  which was not often because I spent most of the time with her.

Mammy was equally fed up with the whole situation. It didn't help that she couldn't visit us because Rukkayya might sense that she knew what happened. I decided to kill two birds with one stone by taking her to the mansion. I knew it would do her a lot of good to leave home for a while, besides Nusaiba would help keep her company at the mansion.

Abba was never be one to show his feelings but the truth was evident in his tone. He was just as fed up as I was about the breach. I was on edge because ever since the incident he was yet to demand a detailed explanation of my whereabouts when it happened. My father never misses even the tiniest of details. The longer he dragged the query the more anxious I became especially when I was heading home where I would inevitably meet him.
Mammy engulfed Rukkayya in a hug before She got the chance to kneel to great her.

"You guys haven't visited in a while, How are you?" Is Ahmad taking care of you?"

"Mammy one question at a time," I chiped in.

"Yi mun shiru! (Keep quiet!) My dear have a seat," Mammy said as she helped her seat. I wished I could get her to stop being extra so she wouldn't arouse suspicion but I knew it was like telling a bird not to fly.

"Tell me now Rukkayya, has Ahmad been good?"

Rukkayya bowed her head low.

"See Mammy, you're making her uncomfortable!"

"Is that so Rukkayya?"

She shook her head.

"I forgot to mention, Nusaiba doesn't have lectures today, so she's in her room. Would you go over there or remain here?"

"I'll go to her," Rukkayya said before walking out of Mammy's room.

"Mammy is Abba home?" I asked. It was a Saturday but my Father cares little about weekends.

"He went to the office but he will be back shortly. Ahmad, how is she?"

"She's strong Mammy, she's very strong! She's getting better day by day."

"Hmmm, Alhamdulillah! Ahmad who could have done this?"

"Mammy, I have no idea. it doesn't make sense though. The team hasn't come up with any leads too. By Allah, its so frustrating!"

"It is indeed but you need to be of clear mind to take hood care of her. So let the team worry about finding the culprit."

"Ok, Mammy I was thinking a change of environment would do her some good."

"Yes that doesn't sound like a bad idea.

"Where do you have in mind?"

"I was thinking Zanzibar."

"Sounds perfect!"