47

This was the second stroll she was having around the compound, and she strolled around the school when there was still sunlight so she could relish on the warmth of the sun burning her skin, a punishment for not following Daddy and Ilham to Makkah. She had never felt this lonely all her life, it all seemed boring and frightening how she missed even their maids. She just wanted to see her at home, that was all she needed. She knew of the man that was following her the moment she stepped her legs out of the house, and even though Humaira seemed to be frightened, she held a stoic expression on her face as she kept moving.

She was already walking inside the school, watching how the students were walking carelessly around the school was evident that university life was indeed full of freedom. But it had never for once appealed to Humaira, she felt that one had to study to gain a job so that he could earn a lot of money. But as it is now, she had her monthly salary from Daddy and not to even talk about the allowances she collected from him. She knew she can never be the good girl Daddy wanted her to be the moment she started studying in a university, that’s why she would rather stay as she was.

A call came through her phone, and Humaira looked at the name before she picked the call and made sure her earpiece was still intact in her ears. “Hello, who’s on the line please?” she asked as she turned and walked through a narrow corridor. There were a few students, and she didn’t mind the looks they were flashing her.

“Humaira, it’s Yusrah, Rafiq’s sister.” The girl uttered from the other end and Humaira’s face broke into a grin.

“Yusrah, oh my god, I thought you were never going to call. How are you and your mother?” Aisha asked as she found a place in one of the huts and sat down, playing with the embroideries on her gown. She looked peaceful and the warmth of the sun was truly soothing her.

“Humaira, we’re all fine. I called to ask you if you can have a way out of this. I’m bothered, Humaira, and I have no one to talk to.” Her voice broke as she spoke, and Humaira felt pain washing through her soul. She could remember Rafiq’s voice as he told her how much he loved Yusrah. She was his only confidante as he was hers. And Humaira could imagine how painful it must have felt, having no one to talk to.

She took in a breath and smiled weakly as if Yusrah could see her. “What is it, Yusrah? Be free with me please, I’ll always be here when you need me.”

Yusrah sighed and Aisha was sure she was trying so hard to hold back her tears. “Mother is getting married, I can’t wrap my head around it. The wedding will be in two days now, we’ve been fighting ever since she told me, Humaira. I felt like she betrayed our father, it felt not right. Why didn’t she get married when Rafiq was alive? Because she knew he would never agree to it? Why would she fo this to me, Humaira?” She couldn’t hold the tears anymore and Humaira listened silently as she cried to her satisfaction.

It was only when she heard her tears lessening, Humaira cleared her throat and smiled at herself. She knew this feeling, it wasn’t right and it stung right at heart. When Daddy said he was getting married to Ilham, she was so heartbroken that she didn’t talk to him until after two whole months. She felt as though he was betraying her dead mother, and it pained even more than if her mother was alive.

“I want you to set your mind right, Yusrah, see this in her own perceptive, can you live in a house alone with a teenage daughter? I know she had in your mind when she made the decision, she didn’t get married when Rafiq was alive because she felt that you had the fatherly figure you needed. But now that he’s no more, she didn’t want you to miss on that. She’s providing you security, fatherly love and protection. Your father died when you’re young, you owe her this.”

“You just don’t get this, Humaira. He comes to our house every day and they converse freely as if they were teenagers in love. It all felt as if she was waiting for Rafiq to die so she can reveal her beloved.” Even though she was crying, she scoffed, and that made Humaira chuckled.

“Look, Yusrah, I know that feeling, believe me. It’s the most painful feeling in the world, that’s if it’s the only problem you have. But if it comes and passes, you’ll realize that your mother did just that for you.”

“I think I can’t understand this now. I called you because I knew even if Rafiq was alive, he wouldn’t have a problem with Mother getting married again. I thought you were different from him, not knowing you’re going to be just like him.” She groaned, and now Humaira threw her head back and laugh. Talking with Yusrah felt as if she was conversing with a friend she never had. She knew Yusrah was surely around her age or less with a year.

“Now, what’s going on with your apart from your false accusation on your mother? Anything I might help with?” Humaira asked as she took in her surroundings, students were still walking around. A throng of them was trooping out of a hall, and it was evident that they got out of a lecture.

“I applied for admission into Taraba State University for the third time and it’s still the same story. I didn’t get the admission, I think I’ll have to resort to any of the polytechnics or colleges of education, mostly to give Mother space with her beloved.”

This time, Humaira laughed so hard, “Oh, Yusrah! I thought Rafiq was only exaggerating about your behaviours, it turns out he was even underestimating you. But wait, I don’t know if it will work out, but I’m presently in Bauchi, living in the VC’s residence, my Dad and his wife travelled to Makkah. I’ll ask Daddy to talk to him and see if things can work out. I’ll text you my email so you send me your credentials. But I’m not sure if your mother will allow you to study in Bauchi,” she was reluctant at last because she was sure the distance might frighten their Mother, judging by the way Yusrah was her only child now. And she was sure even if Rafiq was alive, he wouldn’t allow Yusrah to study in Bauchi.

“I’m sure she will, as I told you; she’ll have her semi honeymoon with the love of her life. I’ll send you Insha Allah. You’re a sweetheart, Humaira.”

“You can’t speak like that towards your Mother, Yusrah. Wait until you fall in love and see how you’re going to act.” And that’s how their conversation took a different lane, with Humaira telling her about her ex-boyfriends and how she loved Rafiq the most among them. She briefed her on their love life with Rafiq, they cried and laughed. By the time she ended the call with Yusrah, she knew it deep within her that she found a friend. A soul that shared a deep connection with her Rafiq.

❃

Baba looked at Abba and grimaced his face, “I’m taking you to the VC’s house now, Abba if you dare reveal that you no longer have sense. Let’s just go and come back first.” Abba took a last glance at an uncomfortable seated Aisha and followed Baba out of the house.

The VC was a long friend of Baba and they were going to his after they had their dinner. Mama was so supportive of having Abba returned home so he could finally get back to his senses if he spend a very long time with Aisha, he might let go of the Humaira he was so persistent about. Aisha heaved a sigh as soon as she saw them walked out of the living room. Having to always seat down on the same table with him and eat her three square meals was torture to Aisha. Her only relief was when Nasir was able to make it back home if not, she was always afraid.

Baba parked in front of the house and turned to look at Abba that had his eyes fixed intently on his entwined hands. He felt sympathetic towards Abba, but there was nothing he could do to save him. It seemed like the trauma of what he did to Aisha did all that to him and he couldn’t get over the fact that Aisha would never be his wife again. Because Baba was certain that even if Aisha was to get married again and be divorced, she would never get married to Abba for the second time. And unfortunately, Abba was already hell-bent in love with her now. Too late, Baba thought.

“Abba,” he said and tapped his shoulder. Abba jerked up and looked at him. “Abba, for just the minutes we’re going to spend in this house, I beg you in the name of Allah don’t mention the names Aisha and Humaira until we’re out and you can continue with your madness.”

Abba vehemently nodded his head at him and they got out of the car and he trailed behind Baba in steady steps. They were ushered into the guest’s living room and the moment they sat down; the VC Alhaji Wada walked in. Baba stood up and they exchanged pleasantries with laughter and smiles. Abba ducked his head down and greeted him. They were conversing with Baba when he looked at him and asked, “Would you like some tea, Alhaji Muhammad?”

Baba nodded his head but Abba shook his head. All the maids had left and Alhaji Wada had no choice but to ask his wife to give Humaira the tea to bring to them. The moment Abba heard him called Humaira, he fixed his eyes on the door and after some minutes she walked in holding a tray. Baba and Alhaji Wada were engrossed in their conversation and Baba didn’t notice the girl that brought the tea for them, but Abba did and he knew she was his Humaira. Or Aisha. Or whoever it is among the duo.

Recalling Baba’s warning, excused himself to answer a call outside and immediately followed after Humaira. Before she disappeared from his sight, Abba held her wrist and walked them to one of the corridors in the house. He let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding the moment he set his eyes on Humaira. “Aisha or Humaira?” he asked, as tears rolled down his cheeks.

She looked startled at first, but the moment she saw it was Psycho, she was confused but relieved at the same time. “Humaira,” she answered and smiled.

Abba brought her to his chest and he hugged her tightly as he cried. She made his brain went in shambles, and now that he saw her; even though she looked like Aisha, she was Humaira. He didn’t care whether it was Aisha playing with him this time too, but whatever it is that was shrouded between these two names, he would have it enshrouded tomorrow because he was going to bring Aisha and see if Humaira existed.

She pulled out of his hug and stared at his crying face, “Hey, Psycho, why are you crying? Don’t tell me you missed me that much.” Her heart squeezed when she felt him merged with her body and she felt his tears dripping on her back. It stirred an unfathomable feeling in her heart. Something she had long buried the day she stomped out of his house.

“Yes, I missed you, Humaira. Please stay as your Humaira. It hurts having you change like a chameleon.” She smacked his head so hard that he had to yelp.

“Hey, Psycho, I’m not that Aisha, please. This is Humaira, I’ll have you behind the bars if care is not taken.” She glared at him, and Abba laughed while his hand massage the place she smacked. She didn’t know how seeing him happy despite having tears in his eyes made her happy, but it did. She smiled widely that she felt really happy within.

The next morning, as Humaira jogged in the less crowded path she found through her unending strolls, she was halted midway by the guy she had an encounter with on her first day of strolling. She stood straight and put her hands at akimbo, “What do you want now?” She cleared at him and flexed her knuckles, getting her combat mode ready in case the need arose.

He lifted his hands in surrender, “Aisha, I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness just like I didn’t forgive you when you needed me to do that. I deserve every kind of punishment, but please I want you to listen to me.”

Humaira flexed the muscles of her neck and squarely. “For the last time, my name is Humaira, not Aisha. Unless you want your face smeared with your blood. What is it that you have to say? I don’t know anything you’re talking about.” She tried walking past him but Jaafar was so persistent that he blocked her way again.

Humaira let out an exasperated sigh and looked at him. “What do you want from me? Please, don’t annoy me this peaceful morning.”

She watched as his knees went south and he knelt before her as he brought his hands in a pleading manner. “Aisha oh, sorry, Humaira. I beg you in the name of Allah, please forgive me, please not for my sake but the sake of Allah.”

She threw her head back and laughed, it was evident that Bauchi was full of fools as their men. how can a guy you’ve never met but only once knelt before asking for your forgiveness? And the way he was apologizing seemed like he had done a grievous mistake to whoever this Aisha was. He looked remorse and so she smiled humbly at him, “Please stop wasting your words and sincere apology on me, I’m not the one you’re mistaking me for. Find your Aisha and let me live in peace.”

She turned to leave when he called again with a desperate tone that Humaira had to turn, “Please, can we start over?” He asked with eyes swelling up with hope. It loomed to him that if he kept saying his mistakes out loud, Aisha would keep playing ignorant. Maybe a start over can give him some hope for what had been eating him up.

Humaira laughed and turned around, pointing at the shrubs and plants that were on both sides of the pathway. “You can start over with these, not me, Mister. I don’t know you to drop past and start over a future with. Please don’t let your face appear to me again, unless you want to unleash the antagonist in me.” She flashed his a hard glare and Jaafar was unnerved by the look in her eyes and watched as she jogged away. How was he going to apologize to Aisha and have her by his side for the rest of his life?