Woman Of Color ( on hold)

27: Unfoldment.

Most of the members of Alhaji Usman family were present in his house waiting for him patiently to return from work.
"Nnaoni sir" Alhaji said to them as he walked in, in surprise to see all of them.

What do i owe this August visit? He asked them.
"Its not a crime if we have decided to visit our brother, Alfa Ali his brother replied in response.

The Matriach of the family clan; Alhaja Giwa spoke out silently "We have come to discuss a very sensitive matter with you my son.

"Is it that crucial"?, Alhaji asked. "Yes it is."
"First lets all say a prayer", she said.

They all lifted up their hands into the air and started to recite an 'Adhan' prayer. They all wipe their hands to their face three times repeatedly as they ended the prayer.

"Straight to the point, Mama Giwa said as she adjusted her head gear hijab to proper placings,
"We see that you are advancing towards old age, and anything could happen since this are vulnerable moments, we came to discuss about you to make sure you properly place your will, we wont tolerate you not leaving anything for the family, she said with all seriousness on her face.

Alhaji Usman on the other hand chuckled for quite a time before he was able to give a reply.

"Well i understand the point you are all driving at, But let me ask a question to you ma", he said as he bowed his head in respect.

"Mama, Do you expect me to die before you?
He asked and they all kept silent.

Mama Giwa summoned courage to talk,
"Its not like that my son", inheritance can also go to my grand kids, at least family members should get something. She said to him politely.

"I don't think that will be possible", he said to them and that immediately drew an hullabaloo from everyone in the room. For quite some minutes they were talking, some fuelling the dispute more and others trying to resolve the whole matter.
In the midst of the pandemonium Alfa Ali as an elder brother took Alhaji Usman to a private corner. He then counseled him.

"Be wise, you should know just play along with everything, the family just want to ensure that we are not neglected, after everything we had done to raise you".

"Alhaji Usman stared at his brother in a disdain look, "Remember i trained myself through school, when i was there hustling none of you came to my rescue".

"All those moments i requested for money you all turned a deaf ears, so my property is going to none of the family, and thats final".

"If we don't forget the past we won't have anyone to play with.

"Don't tell me such! Alhaji yelled at him.
"Remember that night you threw me put of your house, claiming i stole your money.

Alhaji was not always wealthy, it was something he had to build, a lot of sacrifices, hardship, just to be where he is.
Sometimes he will walk all the from kuje to area 1 in search for patronisers of his merchandise.
 
As a jewellery merchant, it took him a lot of stress, effort to be where he is, and when he seek help from his family, they all turned their backs.
   
Unable to find employment, a victim og social malaise, nepotism.

His own brother, had even sent him out of his house one night.... All this contributed to Alhaji Usman personality, Which along the line he picked up some unhealthy attitude.
He was a perfect example of the trials an average black man face.

Alhaji picked up his car keys, "By the time i return  all of you should disappear, he said as he walked out of their midst. They all began to leave one by one.

Tana village.

Yerima was in the jail weeping profusely, she looked beyond the bamboo reefs, and saw Khadija approaching her.
   She was heavily guarded by the guards side by side.
 
"Mama, Khadija called out to her mother but Yerima replied by crying out loud giving her an  hateful look.

    "Na yi nadama kai ne ɗana, ya kamata in dakatar da kai daga mahaifar" Yerima said to Khadija.
  Khadija cried out more as she held the hands of her mother through the bamboo reefs.
For her mother to have said she wished she had terminate her from the womb shows the levity of how she had hurt her.

"Mama i am sorry he promised to shower us gifts, he even said nothing will happen to father.

"And o am sure he is the one who hat got you pregnant, Yerima said as she smirked.

Khadija stared at her mother in surprise, how did you find out mama?

"Since last two weeks when you lost your period.

"What does he say about it"? Yerima asked.

"He said if its a male child, he will marry me, but if its a female, it's a bastard and i will be banished both me and you.

"Yerima nod her head severally as more and more tears drooled from her eyes.

"So our fate decides on the babe gender.

"Yes Mama Khadija replied".

"Speak to him to show mercy on your father.

"I will try mama. She said.

One of the guards immediately notify Khadija

"Your time is up"
Khadija gently removed her hand from that of her mother with tears and cattarrh drooling from her eyes and nose.
It was the most painful feeling to be seperated apart from a loved one, but what could she do, her greed caused it all and there is no going back.

Suleja

Inside Alhaji Jamil Peugeot 306 parked in front of the house, both Alhaji and Simone were seated in driver and passenger seats respectively conversing.

"We are going to keep the babe, since things have come this way.

Simone stiffle for a while,
"Alhaji this cant be how will i explain to aunt Zainab.

"You need no explanation dear, i can marry as many as i want Alhaji jamil replied.

Simone was perplexed, she didn't even know what to go with, but in fear she really wanted to abort the child, but at the same time she was scare, what of if she doesn't make it, so many things crossed her mind.
 
"Only if i knew that fate would bring i and him together, i would have not run away when he came to ask my hand in marriage".
She thought to herself.

"Is there anything wrong? Alhaji asked her.

" Its fine she politely replied.

"Then kiss me"' Alhaji Jamil said to her.

"No i can't do that, anyone could see us", she said.

Alhaji forcefully kiss her, in the process Zainab knocks on the windscreen......