ALIYA

Chapter 3 - Aliya

Just when I was hoping I would get a job and finally start taking care of my own self, the devil smiled at me and poured sand on my face. Like seriously? Just because I could not tell my story to those guys they refused to give me a job? Well, their company is not the only place in this world to seek a job from - they should know that. And if not because Samira, my best friend recommended it for me I would not have even apply for a job there talk more of being humiliated by them. I mulled over as I left the building and headed towards the gate.

"Madam, how was the interview?" The kind and friendly security man asked as soon as I approached him by the gate. "Was it good?"

"Let me just say, Alhamdulillah..." I faked a smile and then bade him goodbye. Actually, some things are better left untold, you know!

While searching for a taxi back home by the roadside, a car pulled over in front of me and the next thing I saw was a man coming out of the car. "Hi, young lady. Can I give you a ride?" He asked smiling at me. He was an aged man.

"No, thank you" I said, not wanting to sound rude to him. I disliked being rude to people.

"Haba, beautiful angel. Someone like you isn't supposed to be wasting time looking for taxi, I can practically drive you to anywhere you want to go in this entire world, baby" He said.

Actually, that was the story everyday. There had been no single day that I would go out without men disturbing me, maybe I should just start wearing Niqab but how about my cubby body? My hips could easily lure men directly to me, so I guess I should just learn how to start ignoring them whenever they approach me. After all, I wasn't ready for marriage yet. Talking about marriage, had I ever fall in love? Hmm, not really. I used to view relationships as chain around the neck.

"Baby, I am talking to you" The man added.

"Hmm, I appreciate your kindness, sir. But I would prefer a taxi or..." I was saying when a keke napep (tricycle) pulled over by our side and dropped 2 passengers. "Tsaya, mallam" I said to the cyclist and then stormed inside. "Mu je, mallam... da sauri!" I said, hence the cyclist unhesitatingly accelerated me away.

Ma Shaa Allah, I sighed in relief.

There was no passenger left in the tricycle, therefore I told the cyclist where he should convey me to and then bargained with him while he drive. "Mallama, e be like say that man e dey pollow us por back pa!" He said.

Wait a minute, which man? I asked myself.

The one I ran away from? I gulped so hard.

"Ya Salam" I uttered as I looked outside the tricycle. Verily he was right, so I decided to change my destination to Samira's house. I didn't want the man to know where I lived.

*******

Samira lived in the same area with me, but their house wasn't close to ours. Just as we arrived at the house, I paid the cyclist and quickly ran towards the gate of the house. I was so lucky it wasn't locked, so I stormed inside and locked it while panting so hard.

"Aliya?" Someone bellowed, making me to tremble. Actually it was Mansur, Samira's brother - he was busy washing their car.

"Yes, it's me. Is Samira around?" I asked.

"Yes" He nodded his head. "Are you okay?"

"Of course, I am!" I faked a smile as I went straight into their flat. Samira was puzzled seeing me in their house unexpected, I had never visited her without phoning her first.

After greeting her parents, we went to her room. "How was the interview?" She asked.

"It didn't go well" I said as I took off my veil and then sat on her bed. "They annoyed me"