The Price Of Revenge

Two

Aunty and Rumaisa had been talking for hours, catching up on the years they had lost to distance and busy lives.

She laughed at the same stories Rumaisa remembered from childhood, scolded her for some habits she still hadn't quite outgrown, and reminded her of the little moments that had brought them so close.

By the time Aunty finally excused herself to sleep, Rumaisa stayed behind, leaning against the arm of the sofa and thinking about the next recipe she wanted to feature on her blog the following week.

After a few minutes, she called Afifa.

"How are you?" Rumaisa asked, trying to keep her tone casual.

"I'm in Kaduna. I can't miss the wedding," Afifa replied.

"I didn't expect that," Rumaisa said, surprise coloring her voice.

"You don't sound happy about it. You sent me the invitation, after all."

"Yeah, I know... but you said you were busy."

"Not for you. Never."

"Okay."

"I heard you'll only have the yinin biki and dinner. Why?"

"Kabir doesn't want much, and honestly, I agree with him."

"Sounds good."

"It's my wedding anyway, so I make the decisions," Afifa said lightly.

"Okay then. See you tomorrow," Rumaisa said before ending the call.

She placed the phone down, a small sigh escaping her.

Afifa didn't really want her at the wedding, and to be honest, Rumaisa hadn't been planning on going.

But Mama had insisted. She always did when it came to maintaining social bonds.

"It's good to keep friends," Mama had told her. "You never know when you might need them."

What Mama didn't understand was that Afifa had changed.

She wasn't the girl Rumaisa had grown up with.

Afifa now seemed nervous, almost uncomfortable around her, and many of Rumaisa's friends had noticed it over the years.

She seemed to shrink in Rumaisa's presence, her confidence buried beneath layers of insecurity, often forcing Rumaisa to compensate for her or smooth over her awkwardness.

But since she had promised Mama she would attend, Rumaisa resolved to put her discomfort aside and see her.

She entered the guest room, the soft hum of the air conditioner filling the space as she settled in for a brief rest before the yinin biki.

⸻

The yinin biki was already in full swing when Rumaisa arrived.

She wore a simple atampa with a matching veil and flat shoes, carrying a small pouch for her essentials since she knew they would be dancing and moving around.

The hall was alive with chatter, laughter, and music.

Every step she took seemed to draw attention, though she couldn't understand why. It wasn't as if she had overdone her attire.

Perhaps the stares were out of curiosity, or perhaps old rumors never fully faded.

She walked in and was greeted by familiar faces.

"Maryam!" Rumaisa exclaimed, wrapping her in a hug.

Maryam laughed warmly, as though no years had passed.