DEENA (Complete)

SEVENTEEN: Time II

I made it a duty to go see Salim after every three days, till it was time to resume school. By that time, he'd improved quite well, he could walk around and talk and laugh.

Whenever I went there, Mr. Arrogant would excuse us and I wouldn't set my eyes on him again except accidentally. We never talked to each other after the awkward hi and hello, it hurt but I pretended to be okay. And strong.

When I resumed school, I became more studious, just so I could forget everything and move on but it was seemingly impossible. I just could not help but think that only if I could wipe Salim out of existence, but that thought alone was a sin.

I knew that I liked Mr. Arrogant and whatever I did to deny that seemed futile.

After about a month of my resumption, my persistent headache reminded me that I needed to see an optician and when I did, it was recommended that I got glasses.

Some tests were ran on me and after about an hour of frustration, a suitable pair of lenses were decided and I was given a chance to choose a glass frame I liked. Well you guessed right, I went for the stylish round one which nevertheless made me look nerdy.

Fast forward

It had been two years of no specialty, only fake affection to Salim, fantasies over Mr. Arrogant, a few nightmares, mixed emotions, some fun, adventures, school, school and school.

I was a normal Fulani girl in her semi final year and on vacation. There were issues I wished never existed.

Ya Miimi had not conceived and it made her worry. Everyone was obviously disturbed, especially Maami. Aunty gave her supplications and told her not to worry, it was all about God's time while Ya Ali assured her that he didn't mind and she shouldn't too but it was impossible to not worry. So many times, they'd seen different gynaecologists and so many times it had been confirmed that none of them had any issues.

I was really concerned for her, I knew what it felt like to not reach expectations, especially in the North. So, I went to keep her company whenever Ya Ali was away, whenever he went for his daily work from 8am to 6pm, though he would begin to work from home in a month's time.

But then, a bigger issue was revealed

"Maami is planning to remarry and the man who has agreed to marry her is willing to accept just her and two of us. So Maami has decided that it will be me and Baby Nana." Hanif told me one of the weekends that Maami was out, Little Firdaus was asleep and I wasn't away to Ya Miimi's because it was a weekend and of course, Ya Ali would be at home.

That was one thing with Hanif, he said anything anytime, regardless of how heavy it was. Like he just broke the news casually, as if it was some child's play.

"What did you just say, Hanif..are.."

"I'm serious. Just go and look for husband. After all Ya Miimi was about a year younger than you are now when she got hooked." He said and I eyed him

"Just shut up. This is no joke Hanif. But wait, where did you hear this from?" I wished that he'd burst into laughter and tell me it was a joke, because why'd I even think of marriage now