BFFs: troubles within A Year

30. Birthday Party

Fatima's POV

I have been avoiding Amir because everytime I look at him, I feel like billions of arrows are being sent to pierce my heart. He makes it hard because every time he sees me he tries to start up a conversation and in a bid to show him I'm not hurting, i go on.

When I told Ya Sa'eed what conspired between us, he wanted to trample Amir's head but I stopped him. Amir never deserved me but I just couldn't see it. I was warned but I paid a deaf ear.

I push all those thoughts away as i line my eyes with kohl. It's the day for the conveyance of the brides and as usual all the young boys and girls are to sit in the main parlor where the khutbah {sermon} would be conveyed by Goggo.

I sit by her left leg in my grey abaya and a black veil. Once we are all settled Goggo starts.

"Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem . Afrah, Aneesah, this message was supposed to be solely yours but i felt the urge to tell everyone that will be in your shoes next time In Shaa Allah." I tune out her voice like I always do until I hear her ask someone to look up.

"Yaro kallo nan {boy look here}." Amir looks up and Goggo her eyes.

"Ya sunanka {what's your name}?"

"Amir Aliyu." She looks at him again and asks him to come closer.

"Wallahi he looks exactly like Uwani." Ameela looks up and looka at him.

"wallahi kuwa he looks like Aunty Uwani sosai wallahi." Goggo glares at her and she shut up.

"kai yaro who's your mother?"

"Uhm, my parents died when I was thirteen."

"oh ayya, may their soul rest in eternal peace and tranquility." We all mutter an Ameen.

After the bride has been conveyed, Ammi suggests we go to her parents house. We go and spend one week there. After that we decide to go back to Abuja but decide against it when we remember that the next day is Halli's birthday.

Ammi, Abba, Mummy and Daddy organize a surprise party at Yankari resort, Bauchi for Halli. We make sure we all keep mum.

We lie about going back to Abuja the next day when in the real sense we are arranging a surprise party for Halli in her dream tourist attraction center in the northern part of Nigeria. Ammi orders cakes, cupcakes and small chops ready for our surprise while Abba books the whole place for us. Ammi and Abba make sure everything would be ready.

Mummy and daddy on the other hand take care of the place we will lodge at. All I and Ya Sa'eed do is steer Halli's attention away from everything by taking her round Gombe. We go to GSU (Gombe State University), kofar Sarki, Gidan sarki, dadin kowa dam and many other places.

Once it's 10am the next day, we set out to Bauchi.

"You know tomorrow is the last day I've given you, right?" They both know that's not a question. It's a reminder that holds so much threat it can take the whole pacific ocean.

"Yes I do and I'll tell her. But how can I break such news to her on her birthday? Haba."

"Well, that's your own cup of tea. I don't care. I've given you three years and I'm not giving you any more time. Keep your flimsy excuses to yourself. If tomorrow by 2pm you've not told her I'll make my appearance."

"I'd like to see you try and make this appearance you talk of. You know I have every right over you right?" Audu smirka even though deep down, he's scared of what tomorrow holds for his family, his secret wouldn't be a secret any more.

The young man let out a hearty sarcastic laugh.

"Okay... Daddy."

Halima's POV

It's my birthday and no one even remembered. The least they can do is wish me a happy birthday, but instead they are busy getting ready to go back to Abuja. Even Teemah of people.

The optimistic part of me is thinking that maybe there's a surprise waiting for me in Abuja. With that thought, I hop into the car and drift into a peaceful slumber.

I open my eyes to see us driving into some sort of jungle. I look at mummy and she's sleeping. Daddy is still awake. We stop somewhere and park. I see Ammi's car also park behind us.

Then suddenly I feel someone blindfold me. I try moving but someone is holding my hand. I try to scream but a hand is over my mouth. I can feel myself being pushed further into the forest.

I start saying all the Du'as I know silently. I am already crying. This is the end. Shikenan Halima Audu Kalshingi this is how you'll die. This is your end. You didn't even get to rectify your many mistakes. You didn't get to tell Ya Sa'eed that you love him.

I start hearing water. Maybe I'll survive like Mehek, tunda it's inside water. But how deep is the water? Oh Ya Allah ya malikul-mulk please give me the chance to rectify my mistakes.

My chain of thoughts are broken when I am freed of the blindfold. I open my eyes carefully and Ya Allah the sight in front of me is breathtaking.

I turn to see that it was Ya Sa'eed who blindfolded me. Teemah, Ammi, Abba, Mummy, Daddy, Afnan and Amal aee all standing. We're in what seems like a resort.

I look around and see a big sign that says Yankari Game Reserve, Bauchi. They all shout surprise.

Teemah comes and engulfs me in a hug then whispera happy birthday bestie. And then Amal and Afnan come with a large chocolate cake in their hands before shouting Happy birthday Adda Halli.

I hug them making sure not to throw the cake away. I go further into the resort and see a table with chocolate cupcakes, drinks, chocolate bars, chocolate chips, basically everything there is chocolate based.

I look at Ammi and she signals for me to come for a hug, I do so and she wishes me a happy birthday. Same with Abba, Mummy and Daddy. Ya Sa'eed on the other hand just wishes me a happy birthday.

I start to cut the cake when we all hear an all too familiar voice from behind me.

"Sorry to crash this party. Hey dad." I turn to see him standing in all his glory.

And then he says, "feliz natalicio mi hermana".

I gasp, hermana?