In Dilemma

💝 Episode Three

Not edited
It was early in the morning and still dark when Jameela woke up to someone shaking her roughly. She groaned and mumbled to herself, half asleep.
'Jameela! Wake up it time for solat. She jerked fully awake at the sound of the familiar voice. It was her elder sister Basma.
'Get up, it time for solat'. she said again.
'Asalam alaykum sis she greeted', yawning loudly.
'Walaykum salam, I trust you had a good sleep.'
'Yes, sis'
'Good, have your bath, observe solat Fajr and prepare for school.'
Jameela plodded to the bathroom.
She took her shower, and perform wudu.
She dressed up in her black pinafore over white shirt and white cape.
Today would be a bright new day she thought to herself.
★
She ate her breakfast of beans and plantain.
Her mother pack her lunch and she was set to go.
She picked up her schoolbag and slung it over her shoulder.
'Study hard' her mother said to her as she left for the door.
She stand outside the gate waiting for her friend.
Someone called her name. It was her next door neighbour and school mate Fatimah, running toward her.
Fatimah was a slight pump girl with round friendly face. She was a jovial and gentle girl from family of five.
'Why are you late?' Jameela said glaring at her wristwatch.
'We woke up late today.' Fatimah replied, panting heavily.
They stop a bike and both board it to school.
They got to school just before assembly was due to start.
The morning assembly took place on the school playing ground and students lined up according to their classes.
A few teachers were waiting by the gate, ready to punish the late comers.
At eight o'clock the assembly prefect Anas Bello called out the national anthem and students raggedly joined in.
After the national anthem and assembly prayers, the principal gave a brief talk.
When the assembly was over the students matched to their classes in excitement. Looking forward to the day's activities.
★
After school, Jameela and Fatimah walked behind a block of classroom. It was empty there and closet to the back wall of the school.
A rose flower bloom there, and they sat under a huge cashew tree.
'Jameela you're glowing this days, what your secret.' Fatimah asked sweetly
'Nothing but Allah's grace.'
Hmm, or it this your new found love that is making you flourish.
Jameela blushed.
'So have you informed your sisters?' Fatimah inquired
'No, why do you ask?'
'Nothing, I just felt you should let them know so they could advice you on what to do.'
'I don't need their advice. I had better keep this to myself, my sister's mouth aren't that seal they would tell ummy and once they do that I would be in hot soup.' Jameel mumbled
'What of him, don't you think you should let him know how you feel?.
'No, not now I will tell him when the time is right.'
But....
A suddenly movement startled them. It was Anas Bello, one of the junior prefect.
'Here you're Emily. What are you two doing here?'
'Nothing' Jameela said sharply and quickly get up to go.
Jameela doesn't like him at all, although he was Jammal cousin, they were two different people. Jammal was nice and friendly, while he was naughty and troublesome.
He like teasing and making fun of her. He calls her different silly names. One of it is Emily and she hate it, but he won't stop calling her that. She had warned him several times to stop calling her 'Emily oni kaba' (Emily that wears gown). But he won't listen, she has even reported him to Jammal, yet he still continues to call her Emily. What a stubborn boy she said to herself.
Although he was her senior and one of the brightest boy in school, yet she find it hard to respect him because his naughtiness irritates her.
' Meet me at the library'. she said to Fatimah and left.
'Why did she hate me so?' Anas muttered as she left.
'Why won't she hate you, when you like teasing her? Can't you be gentle like your cousin.' Fatimah said rolling her eyes.
'I and my cousin are two different people. I feel bored trying to be cool, am not use to it. My happiness lies in making fun of people. Beside the name I call her is lovely.' He said smiling
Hun! Lovely indeed.
Besides I like her, she should stop running after my brother. She needs to grow up and stop been soft hearted she needs someone tough like me to make her strong. She should stop looking up to my cousin, he would soon marry and abandon her. She should start looking up to me instead.' He said proudly.
'Brother Jammal is getting married!'
'Yes what wrong in that?'
'Nothing am just... em.. em... Never mind, have gotta go.'
She picked up her bag and run to meet her friend.
★
That night the sky was full of stars, it was a full moon night.
Jammal walk to the window in deep thought.
He stare at the twinkling stars, the moon shore brightly in the sky.
He had chatted with Asiyah that evening and she had promise to send her picture. Although they ought to have met, they were once neighbour before her parents relocate and she when to Dubai to stay with her elder sister.
His phone beep and he quickly open his whatapp message. He stare at the picture, he'd a hazy memory of her and had been expecting___ well, he wasn't sure what he had been expecting__ but certainly not the woman in this picture. Would I like her? He thought aloud.
A hand patted him gently on the shoulder, jolting him away from his thought. It was his mother.
'Sorry if we're imposing a woman on you, we only want the best for you. You're old enough for marriage and soon we would join our ancestors, we don't wish to leave the world without beholding our grandchildren. We're not forcing you to marry Asiyah, but please bring someone that would replace her if you aren't interested in her.
But I can assure you that Asiyah would make you a great wife.