Finding Mufeeda

I've got a story....

Chapter Nine

"Shopping in Abuja can be quite expensive," Mufeeda complained to Zainab as they walked out of a mall.
"You are used to Lagos prices," Zainab replied helping Mufeeda with her paper bags.
"The pack of paintbrushes I bought just now is twice the price I usually get it in Lagos."
"Must you always paint....? You are always buying art supplies with money that can buy you veils and shoes."
Mufeeda was about to say something when she heard someone scream her name from behind her. "Aisha Mufeeda!" The voice was familiar so she turned around quickly. The lady waving at her about 20 feet away was short and plumpy. Mufeeda recognised her at once.

"YasSalaam! Saudat, what are you doing in Abuja......?!" Mufeeda cried out excitedly. She opened her arms wide to hug her friend.

"Abuja is for everybody nau, "Saudat answered rolling her eyes.

Zainab watched on in amusement as the two girls hugged and teased one another.
They found a nearby Pizza joint to sit and talk.

"Look at you...!....you've forgotten all about us." Saudat accused her pouting, making her chubby cheeks look chubbier.

"Easy my dear friend.....let me first introduce you to Zainab. She's my Abuja sister....."

Zainab smiled, she was pleased to hear Mufeeda introduce her as her sister.

" .....Zainab, Saudat was my roommate and coursemate."

"Kai! You are always so formal....anyway....what happened to your line?"

"I stopped using that number. My Aunt advised me not to use it for social media since that Abu's case."

"Oh, you mean the man that kept stalking you?"

"Yes....the police were able to get his identity and we got a court order to refrain him from approaching me through any means or media. It was quite frightening."

"You had someone stalking you!" Zainab asked alarmed.

" She's never told you about it...?....Mufeeda, your own level of keeping everything to yourself is not from this world."

"I'm just not a chatterbox," she said to her friend with a mischievous wink.

"In uni, she was always so quiet, keeping everything to herself," Saudat spoke to Zainab pretending to whisper.

"I think she's still like that but with a difference....." Zainab answered. She liked the cute and chubby Saudat already.

"What's changed, oya o, tell me," Saudat said urging Zainab to speak.

"Someone is in love....."

"Zainab!" Mufeeda almost screamed. "The two of you are talking like I'm not here."
"Wait a minute," Saudat blurted almost choking on her drink. "You're kidding me, do you really mean our Miss Frozen fell in love?"
Zainab nodded giggling at Saudat's exaggerated look of shock.

Mufeeda covered her face with her hijab, groaning as if in pain.

"No wonder she forgot about her Lagos people."

"How could I ever forget you my little 'Chummy Chumpkin?" Mufeeda replied saying the pet name she'd given Saudat when they shared the same room.

"Tell me all about him, the entire love story, I have the whole day."

"Aah we don't have the whole day, Mama will be waiting for us."

"You must gist me sha!....give me your new number. I'll call you later."

They walked towards the bus stop together, chatting and laughing on the way.

.
Akay reported to the Agency's Abuja office that morning. He had been warmly received and he was already excited about the things they could achieve and it pleased him to have an opportunity to serve the country.
He looked on as his wife and sons went through a list of schools they could enrol in. The boys were used to being homeschooled by their mum. They had decided that they would attend school here in Nigeria for socio-cultural reasons.
His iPad beeped. He had several unread messages. Some from his friends and colleagues in Netherlands, a message from Akin-Roberts and the last from an unknown email address.
He opened Akin-Robert's mail excitedly.