"The most delightful surprise in this life is to suddenly recognize your own worth"
~Maxwell Maltz
It was Friday morning. Fau sat by the window in Umar's room while she waited for him to get dressed in his school uniform. She watched the sun rise slowly, taking its time. Random thoughts went through her mind as she admired the sky.
"Addaaa! Mi taskidi (I'm ready)" Umar says pulling the sleeve of her drss. She turned her attention to him then ruffled his curly hair as always. She loved the feel of it on her hands. Fau strapped his school bag on his back then put on his sandals for him. They head out after saying their salam to Amma and Ilham.
Fau ordered a bolt to drive them to school since her uncle, Bappa Sadu gave her a few naira notes today.
Once she made sure Umar was safely in his class she trekked to Sarah's house.
Using her key that Lady S gave her, she unlocked the door, put down her backpack on the one sitter coach then got to work. It was just a few minutes past 8 so she was sure that Sarah was still asleep.
She finished the dishes in twenty minutes time; prepared breakfast; set the table then served herself on a ceramic plate.
She sat down on the carpet and enjoyed her breakfast.
Seeing that she was done for the day, Fau brought out her laptop from her bag and set to work.
Sarah woke up two hours later and joined her on the carpet.
"This is too hard. Come help me Fau" Sarah complained taking a bite of her french toast.
"Your assignments are getting too hard these days girl. Lemme take a look tho" Fau replied keeping her laptop by her side.
She inspects it for a while, browsed through the internet again and again before her brain grabbed how it was done. They finished the assignment in an hour and Sarah couldn't be more happier. Her ass was saved from the wicked lecturer.
" I'll take my bath then leave to submit this assignment. I'll have to print it out so mi yottai Zuhr mi wartai (I might not be back till after Zuhr time) " Sarah explained as she shut down her laptop.
" Okay toh no problem" Fau replied nodding her head.
" Don't go home fa. I'll bring home chicken so you can make that sweet chicken wings for us" She added before stalking to her room.
She had no problem with staying till night time since Ilham is the one to pick up Umar today.
While Fau was engrossed in her work, the doorbell rang multiple times before she realized someone was at the door. She adjusted her veil to cover her hair and chest before unlatching the door.
"Assalamualaikum" The young man leaning on the wall raised his eyes and greeted her when their orbs clashed.
"Waalaykumus salam " she answers in a small voice taking her eyes away from his.
"Uhm...Is Sarah around?" he clears his throat before asking.
"No. She went out to submit her assignment." she closes her mouth after realizing she just let out an important information to a stranger.
"Ohh okay. I'll wait for her to return."
" Toh come inside. I hope you can be trusted." she opens the door wide for him to enter. He chuckles lightly before walking in.
"Do I look suspicious?" He asks settling on the couch where she was seated earlier.
"No. That's why I let you in."
After locking the door, she turned around just to find him sitting on her space. She let out a soft gasp before stomping her foot.
She gave him a small glare before picking up her laptop then sat on the couch far away from his.
He watched her do all that, amusement marring his face. He laughed lightly then hummed still watching her.
"Did I do something wrong?" He asked when she raised her eyes to look at him.
"Yes. I was sitting there." She pouts then returned her attention back to her laptop.
"Oops my bad. I'm sorry kinji?"
"it's okay. But you look Fulani to me" Fau mentally smacked her own mouth. She was babbling again, to a stranger.
" Yes, mi pullo (I'm Fulani)" he assured.
Fau just hummed in response. After a few minutes of sitting idly, Haseeb decided to inspect Sarah's house.
Fau watched him do that with mouth agape. Who was this man?
She followed his steps not giving him any space to breathe. The guy might be planning to steal.
"Can you stop following me around?" He huffs turning to face her.
" Nope. I don't know what you're planning"She says inspecting him from head to toe.
"I hope what I'm thinking is not what you're suspecting me of." he narrowed his eyes at her, his mood a little bit affected.
"What? Of course not. How can you think so lowly of me?" she gasps putting her hand on her chest.
"By the way, kaayi sallan jumma'ah kuwa?" she asks bringing out a bottle of coke before handing it to him. She just remembered she didn't serve the guest anything.
"Yeah. Tun karfe daya mukayi sallah. Wait why am I telling you that? Did you bewitch me" it was his turn to rest his hand on his chest.
He uncapped the bottle of coke then took a sip. She didn't reply him but he was bent on keeping the conversation going.
"Ke kinyi sallah nei?"
"Bana sallah" she shrugged leaning on the deep freezer.
"Kaii! Ke kafira ce?" he whispered taking a step back. Fau let out an ugly laugh then replied.
" You're so naive"
"That was a joke durhh. I know what you mean"
"Why are you doing this? This isn't your house" Fau decided to ask since they were out of topics.
"Sarah is actually my wife."
"She is your what?" Fau screamed almost losing balance.
So many thoughts invaded her mind. Sarah was married and didn't care to tell her? But she actually got herself a handsome one ba karya.
"What are you thinking about?" he asks with a little smile dancing on his lips. More like a smirk..
"Ways to roast her for not telling me this." she replied fuming. It was clearly visible that she was surely offended.
~â¢â¢â¢~
This one's pretty long, you're welcome ð