Kano State,
Nigeria.
9th February, 2017.
"I'm tired Allah!" Ameerah exclaimed, plopping onto her bunk bed which she shares with her friend. Someone she met in her 100 level. She didn't make friends right away in the university. She took her time in getting to know the people first before she chose her friends. And till date, they are still good friends.
It's her final year in the university as a medical student and to say she was exhausted would be an understatement. She didn't know how she managed the past six years but those were the hardest years of her life. However, as long as she passes her exams this year, all will be worth it.
In simple words, this year means a lot to her. She couldn't afford to mess up in anyway.
Her friend chuckled, "We just started and you're complaining. See this girl fa" She said, plopping next to her. She turned to Ameerah who has her face buried between her pillow out of exhaustion, "Hey! It's our final year you know that right?"
"Of course I know that" Ameerah's muffled voice came, "The suffering won't ever let me forget"
This made her friend chuckle, "Exactly" She pulled Ameerah's shoulder back, making her turn, "We have to pass this year. No distractions, nothing nothing" She reminded her of a mantra she came up with to help them pass the year successfully.
"Yeah..." Ameerah mumbled, wanting her friend to leave her alone so she can sleep the exhaustion away. The lectures she had to attend and the assignments she had to turn in that day drained her upânot to mention the lab reports.
"And that means no laziness" Her friend added. This had Ameerah opening her eyes and offering the girl a sheepish smile.
"Come on, there's room for a little bit of laziness yeah?" She asked.
Her friend gave her a deadpanned look.
"A tiny bit then?" She held her thumb and index finger leaving a small gap between them. She sighed and rolled her eyes seeing as her friend wasn't willing to budge, "Alright I get it. No room for laziness. Fine. Can you get off my bed now, I need rest else I can't function properly"
Her friend stared at her for a while, wondering if she should trust her and let her rest or she should drag her out along with her to the library where they'll study together. She shook her head and got off the bed, "I'll come back and get you in three hours, we have to study"
"Alright alright" Ameerah waved her off, "I'll see you later" She yawned, pulling her pillow closer to her head. She heard the sound of the door closing a couple of seconds later, and that was when she was finally able to sleep.
But she knew her friend was right. This year, there's no room for any form of distraction.
They can't afford it. Their education and life is on the line.
No distractions. She mumbled just as the darkness engulfed her being.
~*~
The door slammed open just as Ameerah was picking up her textbooks which she planned to read at the library along with her friend. Her head swiveled up just in time her friend stormed in, heading towards the drawer she shares with Ameerah to pull out a hijab.
"Juwy?" Ameerah called out seeing as her friend, Juwairiyya didn't pay any heed to her, "Lafiya kuwa?" She asked just as Juwy pulled on a hijab that she took from her pile of clothing.
Juwy shook her head, picking up her phone that she threw away when she stormed into the room, "Mama ce...she's sick"
Ameerah's brow furrowed, "Subhan Allah" She muttered, "Is she in the hospital?"
"Yes. I'm going there now"
Ameerah kept her books back on the bunk, "Let's go then. I'll escort you"
Juwy looked up to decline the offer, but deep down she knew she need it. Plus, judging by the look on Ameerah's face, she knew that too. So, she nodded, "Okay" She exhaled noisily as she slipped into her shoes, and headed out the door with Ameerah following after her closely behind.
The two hailed a tricycle and Juwy told him the hospital he is to take them. Throughout the drive, the girl couldn't stop tapping her leg on the floor nervously. Ameerah noticed that, and so placed her hand on the girl's shoulder, "She'll be alright in shaa Allah, don't worry"
Juwy nodded, not trusting Ameerah's words but she had to, for her sake at least. She needed to be calm when she gets to her mother because her worrying will only make the sick woman worry too, which is not good for her health in any way.
It took about thirty minutes for them to reach their destination due to the never-ending traffic in Kano state. The minute they arrived, Ameerah paid the man his money because Juwy was too worried to pay any heed to him. Ameerah followed her into the hospital where they were directed to the room her mother is.
The minute they were in the confines of the room, Juwy rushed to her mother who lay on the bed unconscious. Sitting on the chair situated by the bed, she held her mother's hands in hers, wiping the tears that streamed down her face with her other hand.
Ameerah stood by the door, giving the two some privacy. It took a couple of minutes for Juwy to calm down, and when she did, she gestured for Ameerah to come closer, which she did. She stood by Juwy's mother and extended her hand out, pressing the back of her hand on the woman's forehead, then her eyes flickered to the heart monitor beside Juwy, "She doesn't have a fever and the heartbeat is normal. She's in a good condition" She said to her friend who was too worried about her mother to even check that.
"Indeed"
Ameerah and Juwy swept their heads in the direction of the door where the voice came from. A doctor walked in, taking his hands out of the coat he has on. His gaze moved from Ameerah to the woman that's on the bed, "Your friend is right. She'll be discharged before you know it" He offered Juwy a reassuring smile that had her sighing in relief.
He turned to Ameerah, "You a doctor?"
She shook her head, a small smile on her lips, "No. A medical student"
He nodded, "So soon to be doctor" He said, and this time, it was her turn to nod. "Well, by the looks of it you'll make a good doctor..." He trailed off, not knowing her name.
Juwy swiveled her head up, her eyes falling on her friend, then moving to the doctor. She tried to gain Ameerah's attention but she wasn't getting any from the girl.
"Ameerah"
"Doctor Ameerah" This made both of them smile, except Juwy who watched the doctor warily. For some reason, she didn't like something about him. It just wasn't sitting right with her. The only problem is that she couldn't pin point what the problem is. Maybe it's the fact that she held the 'no distraction' mantra to heart, hoping that her friend will do the same.
It doesn't seem so by the looks of it.
She quietly watched the exchange between them. Eyes slightly narrowed when he introduced himself.
"I'm Noah"
~*~
Noah walked into Porto golf hotel heading to the usual table where he and his friends sit. He spotted one of his friends, Mubarak, sitting there with his eyes fixated on his phone that's in his hand. His other hand held a tumbler that's without a doubt filled with either Fanta or Mirindaâthe usual.
He smiled, shaking his head as he pulled the seat opposite Mubarak, pulling his shirt up slightly to sit down properly. Slowly, he's getting a hang of this northern dressing, "Salaam man!"
Mubarak looked up, smiling back when he realized who joined him. He stretched his hand out for a handshake, "Wa alaikumussalam" He glanced at Noah's dressing, then laughed slightly, "Kaftans look good on you"
Noah shook his head, raising his hand to call out a waiter that he spotted a couple of table away from them, "I'm getting a hang of it"
"When did you return?"
"Last week" Noah said, telling the waiter who approached him what we want before turning back to his friend after the waiter left, "I can't wait to finish this so I can go back to Abuja" He fixed the cap that's perched on his head, leaning back on his chair.
"When are you going back?" Mubarak asked, keeping his phone aside.
"Next week"
Mubarak nodded, keeping the tumbler in his hand on the table. He picked up the can of Fanta and poured it into the tumbler, filling it up before placing it back in its earlier position. Brining the tumbler to his lips, he took a sip of it, "I'm going back on Monday"
Noah counted the days left seeing as it's Thursday so that means Mubarak leaves in four days. "I'll be back by Friday in shaa Allah. What about him?" He asked, talking of their other friend, the third of the group.
Mubarak shrugged, "I don't know. You know him, he might go back tomorrow maybe. He can't stay in one place for long" He said leaning back in his chair, keeping the tumbler on the table. He kept his gaze on Noah, noting the small smile on the guy's face. This made him shake his head as he huffed slightly, "Who's the girl?"
Noah looked up, eyes slightly widened as he blinked, "Which girl?"
"Now I'm definitely interested in knowing who this girl is" A voice said as someone approached them. Neither of the two looked up to see who the person is, recognizing his voice already. He sat on the chair beside Mubarak, who placed his hand on the chair arm.
Noah scoffed, "Why is everyone making a big deal out of this?"
"Who else is making a deal out of whatever this is?" The other friend, who just arrived asked, crossing his legs.
Noah only smirked, reminiscing what happened earlier.
"Noah!" A voice called out from behind him just as he came out of another patient's ward. He has so many patients to check since the other doctor is absent, something about her being on maternity leave. And that leaves him alone, since he's the only other neurosurgeon available at the moment. The work is too tedious for him which is why he couldn't wait to leave.
He stopped in his tracks, turning around to see who called him. One of his brows rose up as he smiled.
Juwy replied the smile with a glare. She stopped in front of him, lips set into a light line, "Stay away from her, Noah"
"Stay away from who?"
"My friend, Ameerah" She said, even though she's sure he knew who she's talking about.
Noah chuckled, shrugging slightly, "What did I do now? I only asked for her name and then introduced myself"
"Come on" Juwy rolled her eyes. Earlier she couldn't pinpoint what exactly she hated about him. However, now being in his presence, she realized she hated everything about him. She had hated it from the very moment she met him. "I know you Noah. So, stay away from her"
"It hurts that my own sister is talking about me as if I'm a bad person"
"I'm not your sister" She said through gritted teeth, "You and I are not related in any way, Noah. Never say such again" They both knew she had always hated him, right from the moment they first met. So, she didn't get why he kept spewing stuff about them being siblings when he knew she hated it. Maybe that's why he does it, to irk her. She shook her head, not wanting to spend another minute in his presence, "Just stay away from her"
Noah only smiled, one that reached his eyes but there was a mischievous spark in it that made her hold her breath, "You should tell her that dear sister, and not me"
"I will"
"Great" He grinned. He turned to walk away but stopped after a few steps, he turned, "You should come home sometime, I'm sure Baba will love it" He waved at her before he walked away, leaving her there fuming.
Both Mubarak and the other guy laughed. For some reason they always found Noah and his sister's encounter amusing. The two never spend a minute without fighting no matter whose presence they are in.
"Man your step sister is a handful" Mubarak said, just as the waiter arrived with the food they ordered while Noah was telling them of his encounter with his sister and her friend.
"And I thought my step sisters are annoying" The other friend shook his head.
"Tahir kenan" Noah muttered, shaking his head, "Juwairiyya pass your imagination. That girl can give you more than headache" He hissed lightly. He might not show it in front of her but she does annoy him to no end. He just finds a way to hide it in front of her so she won't know.
Mubarak and Tahir shared a look before they both shrugged. Mubarak sighed, "So about the girl..."
"Ameerah?" Noah asked, taking a sip from the cocktail he had ordered. "What about her?"
"Do you really like her?"
Noah scoffed, "Oh please..."
"Love her then?"
"God forbid" He muttered. How on earth would he ever like one of Juwairiyya's friends? Especially one she's that protective over. "Juwy cares about that girl like mad"
"Which is exactly why you should not stay away from her" Tahir proposed, making both his friend to look at him.
Mubarak shook his head, "Stop it Tahir, let's not go down that lane" He warned. He knew his friends, if he didn't stop them now, who knows what they'll do.
"Calm down Mubarak!" Tahir said, wanting to stop Mubarak before he starts preaching reasons why they shouldn't do this, "It's a harmless game"
"I don't like this" Mubarak muttered.
"Me neither" Noah said, leaning back into his seat.
Mubarak's phone rang at the moment. He checked the caller, standing up when he did that, "Excuse me" He said, walking away from them to answer the call.
Tahir turned to Noah once Mubarak was out of earshot, "So you in or what?"
"Of course I'm in" Noah chuckled as the two did a handshake. "Kasan Mubarak. Yanxu zai fara mana wa'azi that's why I said I wasn't interested" He said glancing at the direction of Mubarak who has his back facing them. This made Tahir chuckle in understanding. "So what now?"
"Now..." Tahir smirked, "We start the game of lies"
~*~
"Ameerah" Juwy called out as the two walked back to their hostel. Her mother will be discharged the next day so she promised to back there to help her.
Ameerah hummed in reply, letting her friend know that she's listening to her.
"Stay away from Noah"
Ameerah turned her head to the side to glance at her friend, "Dr. Noah?"
Juwy nodded.
Ameerah shrugged, "Alright. There's nothing for you to worry about" She said as she continued walking. They were near the hostel then, and frankly speaking she couldn't wait to go back to their dorms so she could rest. She barely had any sleep that day aside from the quick nap she got earlier.
Juwy stopped in her tracks, taking a hold of Ameerah's arm and tugging her back, "You don't get it Ameerah" She said, her voice stern as her eyes lost every bit of lark she had in it earlier, "He and his friends are bad people. I want you to stay away from them under any circumstance"
"How do you know that?" Ameerah doesn't know why, but something about Juwy's character at the moment is unsettling. The girl had never been this serious and she had known her for about six years now.
"It doesn't matter. What matters is that you'll stay away from them. Promise me you will"
Ameerah looked at her friend up close, looking for any trace of lark that will indicate she's just messing around but there wasn't any. All she saw were seriousness and nothing more. "Alright. I promise"
That seemed to calm Juwy. But she knew it would take more than a mere promise to protect Ameerah against Noah and his friends. He and Tahir in particular.
~*~
NNAMDE AZIKWE AIRPORT,
ABUJA, NIGERIA.
23RD FEBRUARY, 2017.
"Are you excited?"
Ameerah turned to look at her sister who accompanied her to the airport to pick up their mothers, Lami and the first wife who are about to land. The two have been away for Umrah for about three weeks now and they are finally returning. Ameerah had to skip school for a couple of days just to accompany her sister.
She nodded, a grin taking over her features. "Of course I am"
Her sister chuckled, glancing at the wrist watch strapped to her wrist, "They should land any minute now. Let's wait for a couple of minutes more"
Ameerah nodded in understanding. The two started talking about basically everything and nothing. Ameerah wanted to talk to her about Noah and what Juwy told her but she felt like it was not that big of a deal since she hadn't stumbled across him since that day. It probably meant nothing. So, she decided against informing her sister.
A couple of feet away from them, a commotion started as the wife of one of the former Ministers arrived back in the country from her trip to God knows where. Her guards were making sure people part way for her to pass. This made Ameerah shake her head and look back in the direction where the commuters are walking out.
And that was when her breath hitched. It was then that she saw...her.
~*~
So, we've finay met Mubarak and Tahir. Plus, Noah is back!!!!! ððMy favorite characters have graced us with thier presence. Lol.
So, I know I've said this before but we're about to start the main part and the drama partðbasically my fave!!
Share. Comment. Vote please.
And that's pretty much it.
Love, Jannah.