Beyond Our Ties

Chapter 1

MAIDUGURI, NOVEMBER 2015

Fear paralyzed every inch of her being.

This can't be happening!, she muttered under her breath.
How could they have done this to me, she thought .
The parking lot have been too quiet for her liking, she had told them she doesn't know her way around town but they left nonetheless.
Dragging her hand over her face she sighed.
Ya Allah! What am I going to do now, she asked no one in particular.

Maybe if Mama finds out she isn't there she will send someone after her.
But the possibility is very narrow since the house is flooding to brim with people.
No one will notice ,she cried silently.

if that stupid girl haven't spilled that forsaken drink on her dress, she will now be with the stars in her dream.

The venue is eerily quiet and she just hoped someone will emerge to take her home.

The event ended pretty late and she had to clean her dress before going back.

This caused her almost spending the night outside

"What are you doing here alone Zahra?, " A deep voice interrupted her train of thought
She literally jumped out of her skin from fear.
Auzubillah! ,she muttered  you scared me.
"What are you doing here?  He inquired again typing away something on his phone.

They left me here ,she answered picking her bag from where she dropped it on the ground.

And...?, he tilted his head scanning her

I don't know my way around town ,she finished her statement.

Clad in a grey shirt and black sweats, Zahra wondered what the lad is out for at that unholy hour

Let's go, He said leading the way to where she assumes his car is.
She followed him quietly opposing her normal talkative demeanor,
They walked a good distance and she couldn't catch a glimpse of any car nearby.

Where's the car?, she asked curious as to where he is leading them to.

He turned slightly and answered, I parked it a little distance away from the this place, the security around here is very tight after midnight since the attack on the barracks".

She almost forgot, Maiduguri is really not safe at night with their curfews and insurgency

She is really lucky to get someone to take her home at that hour of the night.

The thought of staying there for the night horrified her, she silently thanked Allah for sending her a savior

But what were you doing there too? I thought everyone went home? She stared at him curious.

I came here to pick something ,He answered dismissively

This guy is really something she thought, one minute he was talking nicely and the next he is acting all bossy.

She finally saw the car not too far from where they stood.

It's a Hilux.

He unlocked the car and asked her to get in

The ride back home was a silent one only for the faint music playing in the background.

The car zoomed to their gate and the gate was opened in no time ,He drove in and parked the car.

"Thank you", she said
Allah ya saka, she added opening the car door

He only nodded his head and she knew he isn't going to say anything

She took that as her cue and went inside.

The house was lively for that time of the night and she sauntered in.
The cooks were busy preparing the stew for the wedding reception, she made her way to the main living room