LAHADI (SUNDAY)

Chapter Sixteen

Lami didn't return to school for almost two weeks because she had severe headaches after working for too long. But she felt better gradually with time.

Her father's elder brother, Mallam Isa came to visit her. And after he dropped the huge bag that contained meat and fruits, he sought out Mallam Isah privately, telling him that they need to talk. When they've finished discussing, Lami with her sister and mother were called back into the compound.

"I was already coming to you and when I heard that Lami was sick, I decided to come a little bit earlier than before. After years of toiling and hardwork, I have attained the position if director-"

"Alhamdulillah." Sadiya's voice echoed in the background.

"So of course," Mallah Isa continued, "I can't leave my little brother the way he is. I have already arranged to get him a land in Sunda, where he can continue to farm just like before. If it's of no problem,I would like you to move back to Sunda, so that I can keep a proper eye on you and we'll watch each other's back. After all, we're all we have left since our half-siblings are no longer concerned with us."

Lami was thrilled with the news.

She was happy to hear it.

She...truly wanted to be happy yet...

She felt horribly because of her thoughts. They've all suffered these few years her father had nothing to do. And now that a solution had come, now that their prayers were answered, all she could think of was her classmates who now wave good morning and goodbye.

She thought of her classmates who stop by her desk to talk to Nasiba and her.

She thought of Nasiba.

She thought of Mustapha.

She didn't want to,but she couldn't control the tears that rolled down her cheeks.

Her mother held her, "I know how you feel Lami, our bad days are over." She was crying too. She thought Lami was shedding happy tears and that made Lami even more guilty.

* * * * * *
The days went by, even though Lami wished they didn't. But she still woke up everyday,she still went to school and she talked to Nasiba like nothing was going to happen.

She thought that if she told herself nothing will change, nothing will. She told herself she wasn't going anywhere, she'd continue to go to Islamiyya where she'll try to avoid Mallam's marzakkwaila. She told herself she'll see Mustapha during the holidays.

But Lami was a terrible liar.

The days went by and they started packing. Her father got to sold the house to the government and the money was securely kept by Mallam Isa, where he already got them a house.

Just a few things left to do which Lami failed to understand when her mother explained why they're staying with Mallam Isa first before they move into their house.

Lami was so distracted that she couldn't study for her exams properly and Nasiba had to be staying with her to whisper answers for her.

"Finally!" Nasiba sighed. "It's going to be the holidays and I'm going to rest while you restore the your brain you managed to get damaged." She glared at Lami.

"Look, I didn't know I was on the road. I told you several times." Lami's heart was not into the banter. Today was the last day of school. The last day she'll ever see Nasiba again.

"Only an idiot says that. Even a blind person knows to not cross the road like some maniac." Nasiba retorted.

Lami didn't reply because Nasiba's driver pulled up.

Lami imagined herself chasing Nasiba's car down the road screaming the words she wanted to say, but Nasiba didn't noticed her. And when she did, the wind didn't let her understand.

"I'll see you after the holidays." Nasiba waved. She was already in the car.

"Nasiba wait!" Lami startled, afraid her imagination might come true.

"I'm not coming back."

"You're changing school?"

"We're moving out, Nasiba. We're going back to Sunda town." Lami nervously rubbed her arm. She knew Nasiba will be mad she didn't tell her earlier. But Nasiba blanked out and didn't say anything for a while.

"Oh." She said, confused.

"Yeah," Lami was also lost for words.

"I... understand. What...what do I tell Yaya? Any words?" Nasiba said in a very mature and admirable way. She wished she could be as cool as Nasiba will all her being.

"Just tell him goodbye and that I'll miss him and you too. You both." Lami chewed her lower lip.

"Okay, this is goodbye then?"

"Yeah, I'm sorry. I..." Lami didn't know how she was supposed to finish that sentence.

"Yeah, I'll see you sometime then okay? Bye. Let's go." Nasiba turned to her driver. When she turned back,the car had started moving and she waved until the car was out of sight.

Lami waved, proud that she didn't cry. Her pride didn't last when the tears fell on her way home, or even, when they fell as she went to sleep.

* * * * *
"There's an empty seat, go and sit." The teacher instructed her.

Moving wasn't easy, everything was foreign, everything was new. Lami was afraid.

She trailed to the seat not making eye contact with anyone. She quietly sat and tried to pretend the staring didn't faze her. The teacher left and the class continued making noise. Lami kept her head down until a voice talked.

"Hey, excuse me? This is our seat."

Lami looked up to see two girl standing by the seat.

"I'm sorry, the seat was empty and nobody said it was taken."

"Keh Zainab. Mallam Ayyuba ne yace ta zauna." The girl in the front seat turned and interrupted.

"Okay," the girl named Zainab said as she sat at the empty seat behind them. The other sat and reached out a hand.

"Karima. You? What's your name."

"Amina, but I'm called Lami."

"That's Zainab,but I'm sure you know by now."

"Yeah, sorry by the way Zainab. I didn't know." Lami turned to look at the girl behind her.

"It's okay, I like having the seat to myself."

During break, Zainab and Karima invited Lami to eat with them. They showed her the school after that.

"Come eat with us everyday,okay?" Karima suggested after break was over.

"Okay, thanks." Lami smiled. She made friends on the first day of school and she's not the pathetic girl in class now. She might like this new school.

_____
To Asma'u Dauda, the girl in my primary five who was bullied and called pathetic just because she didn't have nice things. This part of the story is utterly dedicated to you.
I pray wherever you are, your scars have healed and the harsh words and tears you've endured made you stronger.

I thought I was rescuing you,but I was no better than the bullies. I'm sorry.

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