CHAPTER LVII

Recap

WHAT THE HELL!"

Everyone turned towards the person that shouted out the last statement

Present

" Rahama are you OK? " Jafar asked quizzically " Do you know Kamila From somewhere? " he just couldn't understand why she just shouted out the way she did...

Rahama glared at the lady standing close to him" ask her" she said pointing at Kamilah

He looked at his sister " Kamila is there something I should know? "

Kamila's fingers kept shaking in fear " i_i_i i know her " she broke down in tears

" please talk to me " Jafar pleaded calmly at the sight of her tears

" I use to go out with her ex fiance " she confessed

Jafar still does not understand " are you talking about Mansir? " Kamilah nodded " yes"

" We still don't get what is happening. Rahama can you please explain more better? " sadiq asked from where he is sat.

Rahama heaved a small sigh " Mansir was cheating on me with her. Infact they have a child together and I'm sure he is the one in her hand "

" wait! What?! " Jafar yelled. He faced his sister " please tell me this is a lie, please Kamilah " he never expected the father of the child to be Mansir. From the way tears pool down his sister's face, he has gotten his answer.

" how can you do this kamila?. Why him? " his voice cracked as he said this.

" I was stupid and in love. Wallahi, I didn't mean to hurt anyone. I was blinded with love and the worst is that he never even for once love me. I'm so sorry yaya " she broke down all over again

Jafar pushed himself out of his chair " I can't believe it has to be him. I just can't believe it " he voiced out of anger. Sadiq was by his side in a second

" you need to calm down Jafar. Yes, she made a mistake but thank God she realised it already"

" I know sadiq. The feeling that Mansir is the father of my sister's child just irks me alot. Yes, I have forgiven the fact that she got pregnant out of wedlock but for Mansir to be the father is just too much to take in." he told sadiq

" I understand your feeling but please try to get hold of yourself . "

" yes jafar, sadiq is right. You need to calm down. It's all in the past now " rahama said " quite alright I was angry at her but now that I've understood her, I think she needs a second chance. We're all human and we all make mistakes. This just turned out to be her own mistake "

The rest nodded agreeing with what rahama said " forgive and forget "

He sighed " You're all right " jafar said and then turn to his sister " I promise, from now henceforth, I'll always protect and guide you. You're my little sister after all and I love you alot "

Kamila hiccuped " Thank you" she pulled him for a hug " I'm terribly sorry for all the shame I'd causes.I'm a changed person yaya."

" I know " he whispered in her ears " I know you are "

A whole lots of 'aww' went round. They smile happily at the reuniting siblings.

" I think I'm gonna cry" rahama whispered to sadiq as she wiped up some fake tears

" and I'm here to console you " he whispered back. She slightly hit his arm " you're too cheesy for your own good. They ended up chuckling.

The siblings finally pulled away from the heartwarming hug.

**

FIVE DAY'S LATER

" Finally! you're now Mrs Abdulazeez. I can't believe it !" rahama squealed out. She pulled Sakeena in for a tight hug once again.

" can't breathe " sakeena wheezed out. Rahama pulled away immediately " sorry. I think I'm just so happy for you " sakeena chuckles " I know, right "

" Girls, look at the picture Sagir just sent to me " Badiyya showed them the picture. It was a picture of the guys coming out of the mosques. They all look dashing in their white kaftan ,the groom was in a blue kaftan.

" He said they are on their way home to change for the Walimah " she screamed out happily " The newest Amarya in town "

Sakeena covered her face shyly " you guys should please stop the teasing "

" No ,can do "

" please help me out here kamila. This two Won't Leave me alone " she pouted at the said lady who sat quietly at a corner watching them with a smile. She is still trying to get use to all of them. Jafar would say, baby step.

" ehnn, so just because your sister in-law is here you think she can stop us? Infact she will join hands with us so we can tease you even more better, right kamila ?" badiyya said as she turns around to Kamila for answer.

" uhm, i

" Hey,you two should leave Kamila out of this. Don't make her choose? " rahama rescued Kamila. The said lady smiled in appreciation at rahama" you're welcome " rahama whispered.

" Fine! " badiyya said in distaste

" you still haven't told us which state or country you're going for your honeymoon " Rahama said to Sakeena.

" He hasn't told me his plans. I'm also curious" she said with a shrug.

Rahama and badiyya looked at each other " if sakeena doesn't know..." they turn to look at Kamila " you have to know "

" wh_at?! Me?!. Why me? I rea_lly don't know" " Kamila stuttered

" you can't just tell us you don't know. Jafar is your brother and I'm very sure he must have hinted you!" badiyya said with her hands on her waist

" I re-ally don't know "

" yes you know "

" I don't! "

" you kn.....

" Stop it badiyya. She said she doesn't know so please let's not force her " rahama said pleadingly. Badiyya heaved a sighed " OK then"

" I don't even know why you're dying to know. I'm the married one here not you " Sakeena pointed out.

" hey, don't make fun of me " she pout

Sakeena giggles " I'm not, I'm only stating the obvious. If you're eager to get married, my dear you better tell my brother to make it faster " she wiggled her brow

" we're not making anything faster. I'm not ready for any marriage right now " badiyya defended herself

" hmmmm, are you sure about that? Or have you forgotten how you kept gushing in the morning that you wished you were the one getting married? " rahama said challenging.

Badiyya furrowed her brows " that was because I was in love with sakeena's make up. The make up artist really did a perfect job"

" I knew you'll find one reason or another. You just don't want to admit the truth "

" you girls should please let me be. Why are you all at my case today? Haba. " an annoyed badiyya said " infact I'm leaving the room for you guys self. Their are better people to talk to downstairs " she left the room after saying that

The two ladies broke into a fit of laughter "Badiyya is still in denial" Sakeena said after she sobered up

" wallahi fa. It's not hard to say " rahama giggles softly

Kamila who still remains in her position wasn't agreeing with them " I think you girls misunderstood her "

Rahama and Sakeena glanced her way " what do you mean by that ?"

" I think you two need to talk to badiyya. She seems kind of disturbed. From all I noticed, she was only acting to be hyper earlier just to cover up her problems. There is something wrong with her " Kamila told them

What kamila said confuses the two ladies even more " How do you know? "

" I'm a psychology Student sorry for not mentioning that when we met. If you observe, you'll see that she is kind of rude, sarcastic and sassy since yesterday and this are just triggered by some problems which might be disturbing her. I know I have only met her for just five days now and I noticed that her behavior is different from this one which she is trying to portray now. "

Sakeena and badiyya had noticed that too but they didn't see it as anything " I think we need to talk to her "

" Yes you need to"

A knock on the door was heard " who is there? "

" it's me jamila." Sakeena's house help said

" Come in "

"Umma said I should inform you that the groom is almost here . She said aunty Sakeena should start dressing "

" What?!. Is it four already?"

" yes aunty rahama "

" OK. Tell her we'll be ready soon "Jamila nodded and left

" I can't believe that we lost track of time!. Sakeena you better put on your clothes. Let me go downstair to bring in the makeup artist " rahama said " Kamila please help her out before I come back "

" OK, you've got nothing to worry. After all she's my sister in-law " she smiled

" Okay " with that being said, rahama left.

***

Finally, it was time for the Walimah. The groom was already on his seat looking dashing in his white kaftan. Which now remains the bride who is still taking time to come out .

" Seems Sakeena is still caking her face up with make up" sagir groan out " I'm tired of sitting already "

Sadiq snorts " and you call yourself her brother? "

" aren't you tired of sitting? "

" But I'm not complaining " sadiq said " even Jafar isn't complaining "

" I don't need to ask jafar. I'm already aware of the fact that he is smitten and whipped " sagir snickered

" guys, stop making fun of me. Have you forgotten that your own wedding is also by the corner? Don't blame me if I tease the hell out of you on that day " Jafar whispered " you should know how far I can go"

Sagir scoffed " I hope my sister isn't married to a serial killer? "

" if I was one, then you should have been dead by now" jafar shot back

" Guys, enough with the small talks. We're here to celebrate not to talk about some serial killing or whatever you call it " sadiq told them sternly

" fine "

" and please the scowling should stop. Put on a smile on your faces. Don't make all these old women think that they are giving their daughter out to a psychopath who doesn't smile "

" OK fine. I'm already smiling. Can't you see how they're blushing already? They can't resist my handsome smile" give it to Jafar, he never miss an opportunity to make jokes around.

What kind of friend do I have?, sadiq couldn't help but ask himself.

***

" finally, I found you! " rahama said as she saw badiyya sitting at the back of the house. She walked closer to join her on the bench.

" what are you doing here? " Badiyya asked coldly

" I thought you said you were going downstairs to talk to important people? So where are they? " rahama joked looking around the place

" just leave me alone, rahama!"

" I can't. What are you doing here when everyone is out there enjoying themselves? "

" I don't want to. I prefer it here"

Rahama never expect talking to badiyya to be this hard " please tell me what is happening? We are worried for you. "

" Nothing is wrong with me. Just leave me alone, please" badiyya shot back

" I have known you for like four years now and I know it when you're lying. Exactly what you're doing now! Please tell me what the problem is? "

Badiyya sagged her shoulders. She was tired of hiding it " Mom has cancer"

" Subhanalla!. When? How? "

" Dad told me about it day before yesterday. I know I was never in good terms with her, I know she isn't the best mother but she is still my mother. I can't wish her death " she broke down in tears " she is now in her last stage and the doctor said she only has 10% percent chance of surviving it . I don't know what to do"

" oh dear!. " rahama was speechless, she could only offer her a shoulder to cry on .

" anytime I remember this, it makes me turn sarcastic and rude to people. I don't know if me feeling bad for her makes me a bad person"

" of course not. You're not a bad person, You've got feelings . No matter what atrocities she must have committed, she is still your mother and no one will blame you for feeling sorry for her "

" Thank you so much for listening to me and I'm so sorry for walking out on you girls like that " she wiped up her tears

" We understand. Now can you atleast put on a smile ? We've got dozens of guests to welcome and sakeena is also worried for you " rahama told her

Badiyya took a deep and calming breath " it's best we join them before she kills herself in more worries " she giggles softly

" yeah you're right "

" so let's get going " Badiyya was already at the front . That was when rahama noticed the red stain on Badiyya's gown

" Wait badiyya! "

" yes ?" she turns around " what happened? "

" you've got a red stain on your dress. I think it's your period "

Badiyya's eyes was wide opened " oh my God!. I've totally forgotten that it's coming today . What will I do now?!And there are many people in the house?! The worst is that I don't have any extra pad!"

" Calm down! Let me think! " rahama whispered yelled

" OK fine "

" Take my veil, cover yourself with it first" she hand over the veil to her " I have a little change with me, let me go down the street to get the pad from Hamisu's shop"

" you're a life saver rahama. I really don't know what to do without you"

" No time for small talks. Go upstairs and wait for me till I get back "

" Okay. Thanks " badiyya said with a smile

Rahama made her way towards the back gate. She met some old women who asked her where she was heading to,the only reply she gave them was she wants to get something from Hamisu's shop which was the truth.

**

You know that feeling when you want to buy a pad and you can't just say it out because of this particular set of guys that always stand beside a shop?. That was the feeling rahama was having. This is why she loves going to a supermarket not a road side shop.

" Hajiya mai zaki siya ne?( what do you want to buy? )" one of the guys asked

" kugama da naku tukunna ( finish with yours first) " she said instead with a shake of head

They insisted but luckily a particular voice stopped them.

" wai bazaku barta Ba? ( won't you leave her alone " the voice said again from behind.

That voice sounds very familiar to her. It's a voice she last heard for about 10 years now. She stood still in fear. It's sameer's

" Buy what you want to buy and leave the place for her " he shouted at the set of guys. The guys did as they were told. They knew they can't stand a chance with Sameer. They left immediately. Rahama who is still in shock hasn't step a foot forward and that didn't go unnoticed by sameer. He was confused thinking she was still frightened by those set of guys

" Ma'am, are you OK? " he asked from behind. She still didn't respond to him. He walks around and stand in her front.

" Ma'am are you....... Rahama?! "

He is here! He is here!, she kept muttering to herself. Sameer is here.

Sameer noticed that she was muttering out something but he couldn't pinpoint what she was saying. It was as if she was talking to her self in whispers " Rahama! " he called out her name again.

She mustered the courage to face him " You! " she look at him in distaste " what are you doing here? Are you following me? I'm sure you're here to harm me again! " she verge out of anger

" No,I didn't know you were the one standing. I don't mean any harm " he tried saying

She glared at him " says the person who is a murderer! "

" please rahama, don't do this here. Wallahi I'm a changed person. I've repented from all wayward acts, believe me "

"Don't come any closer " her words came out hard than she expected " if you try doing anything silly,i promise to call the police . I assure you, you'll go back to where you belong . Which is prison !".

" OK fine. I understand that it's hard to forgive me but please give me a chance to explain myself " he pleaded

" You've lost all those right long time ago. Just leave me the hell alone " she yelled.

She quickly gave Hamisu a 1000 naira note . She told him what she wants to buy. After he gave it to her, she left the change for him.

" please rahama " Sameer pleaded as she was about to leave Hamisu shop.

She turned deaf ears as she hurriedly made her way to Sakeena's house. The next thing they heard was the screeching sound of tyres and rahama's body went flying like a bird till it finally landed hard on a rock far away from Hamisu's shop.

The last thing rahama heard was Sameer shouting her name and everything turned black.

**

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