The Imperfect Whispers

CHAPTER 2: DESTINATION KANO

Two days ago had been the most anxious and dreadful moments of her life. The day she would say goodbye to her family was here. Her mom, her elder sister Ruqayya, her best friend Taqeeyah, their house, the energy it carried and everything.

She was surely going to miss everyone, every nook and cranny of their house. She heaved a sigh and hid a frame and a notepad under her clothes and then zipped her trolley.

Ya Aban and the rest were waiting for her outside. She was happy but at the same time sad because mama said no one would be accompanying her to Kano because she knew what would happen. Her Arfah was a cry baby. So it would be only she, Ya Aban and Bappah Uthman.

Their houseboy, mallam Datti brought out her remaining luggage and put them inside their car. "Oh boy! Girl I can't believe you're leaving us. This tiny troublesome girl is leaving us behind but I won't miss you oo" Adda Ruqayya whispered to her ear as she hugged her so tight. Ugh how she hated hugs.

"Adda useni he'i yam hug dum please the hug is enough" Arfah spoke as she broke from the suffocating hug. Ya Jafar, her cousin brother also bade her a goodbye, same as Taqeeyah who just busted into fits of tears and then, it was Hajiya Aisha's turn.

Arfah looked at her mom's eyes in search of something. Just something. She could remember their long conversation last night and the way it ended in an emotional wreck. She wanted to see just that sign that her mom would miss her and she'd be okay. Her mother was definitely a strong woman and she needed her daughter to be so. She approached her mother and looked deep into her eyes for a moment. And she hugged her because in those eyes of her mother, she found assurance. She smiled. Next was Taqeeyah.

"Allah hoinu lawol safe journey" Taqeeyah whispered in her ear as she hugged her amidst tears. Arfah just gasped "Taq I'm happy you're improving your vocabulary in fulfulde. Masha Allah I'm proud of you"

Taq rolled her eyes and said in a sarcastic voice "Ehn you answered the prayer ai".

"Okay sorry ameen ameen mi yetti"

Ya Aban went inside the car already and Bappah Uthman summoned her to get inside too for they were getting late. The car engine was ignited as she slowly saw everyone disappear with their hands midair waiving at her.

Their journey was a silent one. With everyone minding his business. Arfah didn't even spare Ya Aban a glance. She hated his attitude yet she was having a crush on him. She maintained decorum and was silent and only spoke when Bappah Uthman made enquiries about her school or when he asks her whether she wanted something. She only replied with umm, uhm, yes or no. Ya Aban was totally silent and never poked his nose into the conversation.

A month ago after hearing the news of her admission, she had totally changed in a negative way. There was a day when she thought she was going to die because of how she felt her heart pounding like it was going to tear her chest open and just find a way to cool down because of fear and anger.

She was happy that she got the admission and happy that she would be studying her favourite course, human psychology which was her father's dream but he never told her, until one day she opened up and said to him "Baba mi yidu mi warta ba an to mi mauni I want to become like you when I'm older"

He was baffled. His daughter was really going to continue his legacy. And he couldn't help but praise and bless her for she really made his day. Her father, late Dr. Adab Muhammad Bajore, was one of the best renowed and certified human psychologist in the whole of Nigeria, or some would call him a man of principles and philosophic thoughts.

But she was also angry and scared because she would be staying in the house she never in her life wanted to ever visit, the house that only brought bitter memories, the main source of her fear, the house with black clouds which rained destruction, the family that hates her family but never showed it to anyone but her! The only family she wished never existed, the Bawa family.