Adrenalin by Solar cuz...well, the chapter's vibes fits itð
Enjoyâ¤ï¸
Rahma smiled, subconsciously tightening her hold around her bag's handle. "You wanted to talk?"
He nodded, glancing at a spot behind her, "Let's walk. We'll talk on the way. Walking always helps me clear my mind"
With lips set into a tight line, Rahma subtly nodded and swiveled around. The two walked at first in silence. Rahma had so many question to ask and so does Noah. However, the fact Noah isn't aware that he knows about her real identity stopped her. And on Noah's side, he wanted her to have things her way. To see how far she can go with the act.
A few seconds of silence turned into minutes and still no words came from either of them.
Rahma's eyes wandered off to the kids playing in the park. Kids she saw her young self in. She couldn't help but yearn to have had that kind of childhood.
Those kids looked like they have no problems in the world. She couldn't count the problems she had when she was their age. One after another, they kept coming on. Even as she's an adult at the moment, the problems never gave her a minute off.
It's those times that she always remembers that Allah does not burden a soul with more than it could bear. As long as she had Allah, she didn't lose hope of seeing the end of her problems all one day.
That was one of the few good things she got out of living in prison. The white woman that gave her food on her first day there was right, not all of them were bad. And though Rahma maintained her distance from all of them, she didn't do that when it came to learning. A few of the inmates were nice enough to teach her what they know about Islam, some went to the extent of teaching her how to read a couple of books they had in there with them.
Though she wanted nothing to do with prison again for she considered the place hell, there was no denying that some good came out of it.
"Ice cream?" Noah's voice snapped her out of her trance.
She looked away from the kids, resting her gaze on him. "Huh?"
He pointed to an ice cream truck by the corner, "You want to get some ice cream?" He repeated his earlier question, a brow raised.
She glanced at the ice cream truck, then at him, "Ice cream?" She chuckled. "You really want ice cream right now?"
He chuckled too, "Yes. Come on, it's nice. I promise" He didn't wait for her reply as he walked away, leaving her to follow close behind.
Rahma stayed behind as he ordered the ice cream. When he asked which flavor she wanted, she allowed him to pick. Honestly, she couldn't care less about the flavor. She knew that without a doubt, she liked the chocolate one she tried with him when they were kids. Yet again, she liked the vanilla one Zarah stocked her fridge up with.
She couldn't decide. She would go for any.
Once he got their cones, he handed her one and held one. The two headed to an empty table and sat there, each taking in their delight. Rahma noticed that he got chocolate flavor for them both, and it warmed her heart to know that he still remembered and cared enough to get that.
"I've always wanted to do this" Noah said, breaking the silence.
"Have ice cream in a park?" She laughed lightly, eyes moving around slowly to take in the beauty of nature.
He paused a for a while before he nodded, chuckling in the process. "Yes, I wanted to do it back then when I was young, with a sibling"
She hummed, "You have a sibling?" She glanced at him, "I didn't know that"
"I had one" He didn't say anything further, and neither did she ask. "You're probably wondering why I asked you out right?" he finally turned to look at her, all trace of lark gone from his expression.
She nodded.
"You remind me so much of her" He watched her blink, fingers lightly running across her finger, "My younger sister loved chocolate ice cream. She was shy, but she talks a lot when you get to know her" He laughed lightly when he said this, while she smiled. "And though we weren't together for long, and even though she's adopted, I will forever consider her my sibling. Come what may"
Rahma looked away. She didn't want to break down at the moment. For the entire decade she worried about how much he must hate her but it turns out to be the opposite.
"Do you have a sibling?"
She blinked furiously, before she gulped. When she turned to look at him again, her face was stoic, "No" Her voice came out steadier than she expected. "I never had a sibling. Or parents"
He didn't react to her answer, he simply noddedâa small smile on his face. "I don't have parents either. Both are dead"
She wanted to ask about Maria though she knew the truth. But Rahma Turaki would've asked right? Though they both know she's not her. Yet, something in her told her to keep quiet and not say a word. It would be better.
"I guess, that's something we have in common" He continued.
"Why are you telling me this?"
"Like I said, you remind me of my sister. I see her in you. So, if you need anything at all, remember, I'm here" At the moment, it didn't feel like Noah talking to Rahma. No, it felt like Noah talking to his sister, Rabia, and they both knew it.
She gulped, exhaling noiselessly. "You want me to consider you a brother?"
"I'm already your brother" He didn't bother to hide that, "Since I bought you my sister's favorite ice cream" He added, making them both laugh. "That automatically makes me your elder brother so yes, consider me a brother who will always have your back. No matter what"
~*~
"You know...you should stop everything you're doing now Maria. You're only pushing Noah away from you"
Maria looked away, and tightening around the handle of the mug she had been sipping coffee from. She clenched her teeth. "I know that" She said lowly, hoping the woman would see the anger in her tone.
The woman who helped Rahma in prison and met her at the event launch scoffed lightly. She knew despite how angry Maria is, she would never raise her voice at her. The two go way back.
"But I only want what's best for Noah, which is why I need to get rid of that pesky girl!"
"What are you going to do? Put her back in prison?"
"Of course"
The woman snickered, shaking her head in the process. "You're underestimating the girl Maria" She chuckled. She wasn't pitying Rahma, or Maria. But, frankly speaking, she knew with the way Maria's underestimating the girl, she stands no chance. "I watched that girl grow up in prison. I know the anger she has in her and trust me, she won't stop until she puts you behind bars"
Maria swallowed thickly, slamming her hand on the table. "Lena" She stared at the woman, a small smirk on her face, "That girl can't prove anything on me or anyone"
Lena raised a brow. "And why is that?"
"Because you are the only witness from that night. Only you know what really happened. Apart from us that is"
Lena rolled her eyes.
Maria's lips stretched into a smile knowing that she's right. "So unless she finds that out, and figured out why you were in jail" She paused, the smile turning into a smirk. "I have nothing to worry about"
"And Noah" Lena pointed out, "Didn't you think of the possibility of him testifying?" They both have changed. Years ago they wouldn't have been having conversations like this as they had so many problems to worry about yet there they were.
Circumstances do make people change.
Maria scoffed, "If Noah wanted to testify, he would've done that back then. But he didn't so I'm sure he wouldn't do that now"
Lena clenched her fist. "Make sure of that Maria" Her voice came out low. "I don't want Noah to get involved in this and I'm sure you don't too. For everyone's safety, make sure he stays out of this"
Maria wordlessly nodded, her index finger lightly tapping the handle of the mug. "Listen Lena...I'm sorry you had to rot in jail because of us. I know the decisions you made weren't easy" If there's one person that Maria would forever be grateful to, it's Lena.
Lena kept her unwavering gaze on Maria before her lips tilted into a small smile, "I did what I had to do. I had to make sure we were all safe. Even if that means making my son believe I'm dead"
Maria looked down.
"He's my son Maria," Lena's voice rose, but not in a way that signified she's angry. But rather, she was trying to make her point known to Maria. "...he will always be no matter what. You know that right?"
Maria sighed as she looked up. Then nodded. "Thank you Lena, for everything"
"It's okay" Lena exhaled lowly, "And as for you, beware of Rabia. Her anger will drag you down with her if she has to. Maria do not underestimate her. I did not help her back in jail just to help you bring her down now. I won't get involved until Noah is, so for now, figure out a way to handle her on your own" Lena knew she sounded like she was giving Maria an advice, but it was anything but.
It was a warning.
Maria didn't want to admit it, but she could tell Lena was speaking the truth.
Rahma will bring her down. And Rabia would rejoice when that happens.
~*~
"It's been a while since we got together like this" Mubarak said, breaking the silence as he glanced at Noah, then at Tahir.
The three shared a look, before each looked away. With the recent events that had been happening, things have slowly become tense with them. Each had something to worry about to the extent that their friendship was slowly falling apart.
Tahir had to deal with his case.
Noah with Rahma's identity.
And Mubarak with helping Rahma and putting Tahir in jail for his crimes.
Mubarak gave Noah a pointed look, one that without a doubt meant to make a move and continue the conversation. They both knew that Tahir was angry at them for how their last conversation ended.
Noah sighed, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. "How are you holding up? With the case and all?"
Tahir shook his head slightly. He wanted to stay angry but he couldn't. At the point, he really needed the help of his friends and that need overshadowed the anger. "There's no success considering that girl Ameerah and whoever is representing her had not present any sufficient evidence yet"
Noah nodded, brows drawing in as he was genuinely interested in the case at the moment. He wanted to help Tahir prove his innocence. "Life would've been so much better if this case ever existed, right?" He chuckled lightly, making the two others join him.
Mubarak smiled, "Yeah..."
Tahir however, shook his head. "I guess so" He paused, taking in a deep breath, "But I wouldn't change anything considering it's this case that brought us together. Remember?"
Noah nodded, a grin overtaking his features. "Still remembered the day you showed up at the hospital. It was around the time I became a doctor"
The other two laughed, remembering the time five years ago still fresh in their memories.
"And Mubarak was the police on duty" Noah pointed out.
Mubarak's grin remained in place. He made no move to explain to them that he had no connection to what happened that day legally. He only showed up with the police and claimed to be one of them. And even then, he had to show the police his ID and convince them to not rat him out.
"Speaking of which..." Noah moved his gaze back to, "...you brought the victim to the hospital. If you were guilty, you wouldn't have done that. Shouldn't that be enough proof to knock some sense into that Ameerah girl?"
Tahir shrugged. If that was good enough it would've worked five years ago. But, it didn't. Which was why Ameerah filed a case three years ago against him with no valid evidence.
"Mubarak, can't you do anything on this?"
"What can I do?"
"I don't know...anything to help prove Tahir's innocence"
Mubarak resisted the urge to snicker. Help prove Tahir's innocence? That would've been easy had he not been hell-bent on proving him guilty for five years. Those five years they spent together were enough for Mubarak to understand how Tahir works and his character.
And if there's one thing he's sure of, it's that Tahir is guilty of every crime he was accused of.
He shrugged, "I can't do anything unless Tahir provides it"
"Well that will be hard" Tahir sighed. He reached his hand out and picked up the tumbler he filled with chilled Fearless energy drink. "I need something to take my mind off everything that's been going on honestly"
Mubarak's lips tilted into a barely visible smile. He knew that an opportunity has just presented itself. "Why don't you ask Rahma out?" He raised a brow, "Talking to her will lift your mood right?"
Tahir's lips stretched into a small grin, "You know what? You're right. I'll hit her up right now to see if she'll agree to meet tomorrow" Tahir slipped his free hand into his pocket and pulled his phone out.
Mubarak smirked. Tahir urged Noah to use Ameerah to get back at his step sister for some stupid game. Now he would use Rahma to get back at Tahir for a valid reason.
Tahir and Noah played the game of lies.
Now it's their turn to play chess. The right way.
And unlike Noah and Tahir, he was sure that along with Ameerah and Rahma, they would succeed.
"She said she'll think about it" Tahir said, keeping his phone aside once he got the message.
Mubarak smiled. He knew the confirmation she needed before she agrees, and he was willing for it to come.
It would sure be an interesting one.
"Good" His smiled widened. "She'll say yes eventually. I'm sure of it. Trust me"
Noah glanced at Tahir, wanting to spot any sign of bad intent in his eyes but he couldn't spot any. He might've only known Tahir for five years but that was enough from him to tell what the guy was thinking.
And seeing that Tahir had no bad intentions with his sister, he didn't feel the need to step in and stop Tahir.
He trusted his friends.
If only the same trust was reciprocated amongst the three.
~*~
7th MARCH, 2017.
ABUJA, NIGERIA.
Rahma placed the last chocolate chip cookie in her mouth as he picked out a nonalcoholic grape champagne. She stopped by on her way back from meeting Noah the other day and bought it. She never had it before, but knowing that it wasn't alcoholic, she felt like it was just the right thing she needed in the morning.
She picked out a champagne flute with the other hand, wanting everything to be perfect. She made her way back to the couch with the drink and flute in hand, before she dropped it on the table in front of her. Beside it on the table lies a couple of papers from the ones she had arranged out in order of priority and importance to her.
Settling on the couch, she reached her hand out to pick up the remote, then turned the volume up. From the place she sat, she had a compete view of the TV and since she turned up the volume, it was impossible to miss anything being said.
She popped the bottle open and tilted it slightly, letting the wine slowly fill up the flute. Once it filled it halfway, she stopped and placed the bottle back on the table.
Crossing her legs, she took the flute in hand and watched the TV. She saw the news reporters stand outside a familiar building. From the spot, they took a great view of the police walking into the house and later, walking out with someone.
Rahma sipped the wine as the reporter spoke.
"...the police had just arrested a former Minister of Finance, Bala Attahir, in his residence in Abuja over embezzlement and theft from public funds of about $85 million. According to the police, the former minister would be arraigned in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory on Monday, the 13th of March"
Rahma grinned, relishing the taste of the nonalcoholic wine and the words of the reporter. She nodded, sighing in content, "This feels nice" She muttered, taking another sip as she watched the police take away Maria's husband.
She extended her free hand out and picked up her phone, dialing a familiar number. Placing the phone by her ear, she waited for him to pick up. "Tahir..." She paused, her unwavering smile still in place. "About what you said yesterday, let's meet up later when you're free"
Mubarak had done his part, now she would do hers. As agreed.
~*~
Well, things are looking up in Rahma's way for onceðð
She be feeling like one boss ladyððð
Lena is Noah's mother... Well... Okay. A few of you saw that coming.
Veiled will soon come to an end shað But before then, there's a lot coming, trust með
Anyways, good night!
Love, Jannah.