I called and called but she wasn't picking. I went home, she wasn't there. I went to her father's house, nothing. I called Kabir and called Noor, multiple times. No one had seen her.
I am losing my damn mind. I've never been this afraid all my life. Not even when that son of a bitch slashed my back with a machete.
Where could she be? What if she's hurt? The level of uncertainty was making my insides twist painfully. My heart is breaking to the point of physical pain. It's like nothing I ever felt in my life. Damn I really love this girl.
By the time night crawled in, i was aimlessly roaming the streets of Abuja feeling miserable. My phone pinged and I almost crashed my car. I've never been this on edge about anything. Is this normal?
It was a text. A single sentence that calmed and aggravated me at the same damn time.
'I'm fine, stop worrying'.
How the hell am I supposed to stop worrying when I don't know where she is? Is she crazy?!
H: how am I supposed to stop worrying when you've been gone for hours?!! where are you? Why did you leave without me? Please my love I'm sorry just tell me where you are and I'll come get you so we can talk about this. Forget about what baba said you know I'm not marrying Aisha. It's just you. Always has been, always will be. Please?
My fingers were moving so fast and I sent it without thinking twice. I was panicking. So many emotions at once, making me feel like puking. My heart is pounding so loud I could hear it in my ears.
Ten minutes. No reply. I was parked by the roadside at night like a homeless man with my foot on the stirring wheel. I chuckled. This girl really has me whipped.
My phone rang. It was Kabir, not who I wanted it to be.
K: Hey man. She turned up yet?
H: wallahi nothing har yanzu. It's been f*cking five hours.
K: calm down. Did you check with Noor?
H: severally, still nothing.
K: she'll turn up in sha Allah. Keep me posted and stay calm.
H: thanks man.
From then on, my phone kept going off. Her mom, my mom, Noor and even my sister Aisha. I didn't pick any. I can't tell them I misplaced my wife. I drove home and prayed. The house was eerily empty and quiet.
I prayed and lay on the carpet, staring up at the lamps. It felt strange. We always pray Maghrib and Isha together. It was past midnight and i wasas far from sleep as humanly possible.
***
Three days. Three f*cking days! Not even a call. I feel like punching a hole in something so bad.
I went to the gym and exerted my hurt and anger on the everest punching bag. It wasn't doing much for me but it was better than being miserable at home. Far better.
Three hours later, I drove home. I'll just shower and continue my search. Maybe involve the police.
Sameerah was lying in a foetal position in the middle of our queen sized bed. She was sleeping but her forehead was creased. She looks so drained. I've never seen her like this. I couldn't move. I just stood by the door, staring at her sleeping form. My heart breaks at the thought of what she's went through.
I thought I was going to snap and shout when I found her but here I was, motionless, nonsense.
I should take a shower.
