Tumultuous Love

Chapter 2:

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Time had flown by quickly and it was already 3 months since Fatimah moved to Jiddah, her classes had been going quite well and she had adjusted to her new life. People had always portrayed Medicine as a very tough course in the university. One time, she had almost changed her mind when her friend's sister was exaggerating the whole thing. Mama had to sit her and explain to her that nothing good comes easy. She had made up her mind that day never to back out. Now that she was studying it, she realized it isn't as hard as people portray it to be. Of course it is hard, but it is not hard enough to make her drop it.

School had been comfortable for her too, she didn't have problem blending in as she was one jovial kid, everyone loved her. A few mean people made snide remarks about her color, but she never let it get to her. The fact that she could cook was an added bonus as she didn't have to worry about buying food all the time. The days she missed home, she cooked local delicacies at home and relished them, other days, she just opted for eating out which was only on days she was tired. She had also made a new friend; Amina who lived a few blocks away from her apartment so they often hung out together. It was an added advantage that they were studying the same course in the same school so they always went to classes together. Amina was also a Nigerian from Bauchi State, so it was easy for them to communicate. In summary, Fatima was slowly starting to get used to living without her mother and doing more things for herself. She always Skyped with her mom anytime she got the chance to and made sure to call her every day. They would tell each other about how their days went and it almost felt like they were together, alas the distance was still there.

*•••*

Fatimah quickly locked the door to her apartment and kept it in her bag as she swiftly walked to the elevator. She entered and pressed on the button to take her to the ground floor, it is 11:30 and she has a class by 12:00. An Uber driver was already waiting for her downstairs, she had ordered for one the moment she came out of the shower, around 11:20. She had over slept as a result of staying up late the night before, she had an assignment to finish.

When she got downstairs, she greeted the receptionist and walked out. She gave the Uber driver the address after greeting him and they drove away. She thanked him and paid him before moving out of the car and into the school building, it was already 11:50. She quickly walked to her lecture hall and she was happy the teacher was not there yet. The lecturer had a habit of coming to class at least 20 minutes early. He didn't start the class until it was time but it always felt intimidating when you come into class and see your teacher already seated. It happened to her once in her first month here and it wasn't a good experience, she didn't want it to ever happen again. She found a sit and settled down bringing out her books and phone from her bag. She then called Amina to ask her where she was, "I am almost there" was her reply before Fatimah muttered an 'okay' and ended the call. A few minutes later, Amina was in the class and walking towards Fatimah. They hugged each other and Amina settled down with Fatimah asking her why she was just coming, her reply was, "I thought it was a 2pm lecture".  Fatimah shook her head at her friend's carelessness. They conversed for some time before the lecturer walked in and the class stared.

Almost three hours later, the lecture was over and they all exited the hall. They decided to go eat at a restaurant nearby as they both didn't have anything for breakfast. They placed their orders after finding a table at the restaurant, while the waiter was getting their orders. They made small talks about random things as they waited for the food. Mama's FaceTime video call came in and Fatimah got her AirPods from her bag.

"Mama Ina wuni" Fatimah greeted, the moment the line got connected. They exchanged pleasantries and talked about things, Fatimah was teasing mama about her missing her when the waiter came back with their food. Fatimah kept the phone further away from her so that mama could see her clearly and she would be able to eat comfortably. She was so hungry she didn't realize the look mama was giving her, "Fatimah is that breakfast or lunch you are eating?" Mama asked and Fatimah looked up startled, she had forgotten she was on a call. "Mama it... it is..." She stuttered and mama cut her short, "ba na hana ki fita gida without eating breakfast ba?" Mama scolded and Fatimah gave her the puppy face, "I am sorry it won't happen again, I promise" Fatimah said holding her ears, her food long forgotten. She heard snickers in the background and snapped her head up to see Amina muffling snickers, she gave her a deadly glare, 'if looks could kill' Amina thought.

"Who is with you?" Mama asked, "Amina ce" Fatimah replied. "Send my regards to her" mama said and Fatimah nodded. Mama told her to eat her food before it turned cold and she did just that as they conversed. "Before I forget, your father said you should find time to go and meet Mommyn Riyadh and the kids" mama stated. "But mama, I don't even know them fah", Fatimah whined. "I know Fatimah but they are your father's family and I know they are very good people, besides you have talked to Saudah and the boys before, haven't you?".

"I know I have but I cannot be free with them, I have never seen them face to face.", she complained. "Fatimah I really don't know what to say to you, your father wants you to and I cannot just go and tell him you don't want to meet his other family, do you think he will be happy?" Mama tried using emotional blackmail. "No don't tell daddy I am not going, I will find time and go" Fatimah replied panicked, she didn't want to hurt her father's feelings. "Good girl, now take care of yourself okay?" Mama smiled at her, warmly. " okay, you too. Bye!" Fatimah replied and waved at her before disconnecting the call.

15 minutes later, they were both done eating and had paid the bill. They made their way out and walked to the nearest metro station. When they arrived, there were people scattered everywhere waiting for the metro that went to their variety stations to arrive. Fatimah and Amina found a bench at one corner of the open space, waiting for the metro which is arriving in ten minutes. They stayed in silence for a few minutes before Amina broke the ice, "so what was mama saying earlier?" She asked, curious.
"Daddy wants me to visit my stepmom" Fatimah deadpanned, not the least bit concerned. Amina was shocked, she couldn't utter a word for over 3 minutes. When she finally talked, she asked, "you are joking right" and Fatimah simply shrugged.

"But how, you have never talked about her for the 2 months I have known you for, not even once" Amina stayed, matter of factly. "You wouldn't be surprised if I told you I have never seen them, will you?" Fatimah asked as she stood up seeing that the metro had arrived. Amina stood up too and they walked to the metro and found seats. Amina was still giving Fatimah the 'explain' look. After avoiding it for over five minutes, Fatimah sighed and started explaining.

Alhaji Kabir; Fatimah's father was married before he met Fatimah's mom, the first wife had lived in Riyadh for the better part of her life. Even though, mama, the second wife had heard so much about the first wife who everyone called 'Mommyn Riyadh', she had seen her only once. Her husband rotated between both countries every five months. In that way, the other family won't see him for five months while he was away. Mama already knew about this before she married Daddy and she was in concord with the way things would be. When she gave birth to Fatimah, Daddy was in Riyadh so he wasn't able to come until Mommyn Riyadh persuaded him to come with her, he didn't want to go because he wanted to be  fair, it will not have been fair had he gone back to Nigeria without Mommyn Riyadh as it was her time to be with him. Daddy and Mommyn Riyadh arrived in Nigeria one week after her birth and they barely stayed for two weeks, that was the first time mama saw Mommyn Riyadh. Both women were living in two different sides of the world hence, they didn't have any business with each other, everyone was living his life in peace.

On Fatimah's 18th birthday, a few months before she left for Jiddah, Mommyn Riyadh had called to wish Fatimah, that was the first time Fatimah ever talked with anyone from her father's other family, she had talked with her children too; Hammad, Habib and Saudah. She didn't talk with the eldest as he was not around at that time.

Now that Daddy has told Mommyn Riyadh that Fatimah was in Jiddah, it will only be courteous if Fatimah paid them a visit, that was why Daddy had told mama to pass the message across.

"So you mean you have never met your step siblings?" Amina asked when Fatimah had finished narrating her life story to her. Fatimah nodded as they walked out of the metro station, they had already arrived. Amina was still surprised and shocked, how could a person not ever have known his step siblings?

They walked quietly everyone deep in thought, they arrived at Amina's apartment first. They hugged each other and bade farewell before Fatimah walked away.

*•••*

I don't even know why I'm so lazy🤦‍♀️ I've had the draft for this chapter completed for two weeks now and I was too lazy to edit.
How do you like the chapter and how are you liking the story so far? Do you think there is anything I should change? Kindly drop a comment so I'll know what you think about the book. Make sure you like, comment and share❤️
Random fact: I wrote 'like, comment and subscribe' at the end of the last chapter😂 I didn't even notice until my cousin pointed it out🤦‍♀️ YouTube really is getting into my head

With love,
Fatimah❤️