Assalamu alaikum, new year, new update.

Enjoy!

***

Meena Lawal

I knock on aunty Iftar’s door. She doesn’t reply, so I knock again.

“Hanne?” She calls out.

“It’s Meena, ma.”

I hear a sigh, then a shuffle before she mumbles, “Come in.”

I enter the white walled room with shiny brown furniture matching the closed curtains. Aunty Iftar is huddled on the couch beside the water dispenser, head on her lap.

I stand before her, not sure of what to say. But I have to try, this mood isn’t like her at all. “Aunty Iftar?”

She sniffs, “Are you here to mock me?”

“No ma, I’m just worried.”

She looks up, and my eyes widen. Her face veil is up on her head so I get to see her for the first time. She shares the same round face and pushed out lips as Ummu Badr. Then I notice something else: a curved scar that runs from her eyebrow to her lip. It’s not deep though, and it does nothing to diminish her already obvious beauty.

“Do you plan to stand all day?”

I quickly sit beside her. She leans back against the seat. “We weren’t always like this.” I nod. She sighs. “We used to be closer, happier, until…” She sighs and sits up, facing me, “we weren’t.”

I nod in understanding. “My Ummi was like that with her sister. Although she barely talks about her, I know she misses her.”

“Nothing more painful than missing someone who’s still alive.”

“But I can’t imagine that kind of enmity.” I shake my head. “I have two younger sisters and I never wish for anything to separate just like that.”

“Nobody does. I never wanted this either.” She says. “But…”

“I’m sure there’s a way out.” I say. Sisters can’t be enemies forever.

Aunty Iftar smiles, “It may be too late for us.”

“How?”  I frown.

She opens her mouth, then shakes her head and taps my hand. “Let’s get back to work.” With that, she stands and put back down her niqab.

I watch her go into the bathroom. I sigh, feeling more confused than ever. But there has to be a way. There always is. I just have to find it.

Work goes steadily for the rest of the week, especially as Aunty Iftar and her partners, Barrister Fajr and Doctor Najma spent their days at a village close to Abuja to supervise a school project, leaving sister Mardiyya in charge. For a troublemaker, she wasn’t a bad leader, except when she was in a bad mood.

Ummu Badr left two days after her arrival, only speaking to me, barely speaking to her son. But somehow, she allowed him take her to the motor park. Immediately he got home, he went back to the clown that he used to be, which is strange but also a relief.

On Saturday, I wake up with Uyoon on my mind. I can’t wait to hang out with her.

***

“So you have forgotten about me, abi?” Ummi says into the phone after picking my call.

I laugh, grabbing a mop from a corner of the bathroom. “Haba, no na, shebi we chatted yesterday?”

“Which chat? When Bushra was typing on my behalf. Besides, that doesn’t count as communication. It’s just a lot of strange words and those yellow heads.”

I laugh again, filling a bucket with water at the shower tap before rinsing the mop head. Then I remember that I’m in the bathroom, so I quickly leave. Badr is out on a seminar with his colleagues from work. It’s funny how dedicated he is despite the fact that he doesn’t like the job. If it were me, I won’t have lasted for too long. Thank God working with aunty Iftar has showed me that I can have a bigger purpose, and even though it’s an infant organization, there have been a lot of projects and collaborations put in place. I feel I arrived at the right time.

Later, I’m dressed and ready to leave the house. Standing by the road reminds me of the day I went job searching. It feels just like yesterday. I shake my head, smiling. I never thought my life would be like this. I expected a simple and normal life, but with what has been happening between Badr and his mom, and Nur’s presence too, even though I haven’t thought of him for a while, I realize I will need to brace myself for what’s to come, whatever my role in it will be.

I stroll down the road until I reach the road linking to the House of Adorn shop. As I wait for a keke, I dial Uyoon’s number, already smiling before she picks up.

“Salam!” Her cheery voice greets.

I laugh, “Wa alaykum salam, how are you today?”

“Great, how about you?”

“I’m good. I’m just about to leave for the restaurant.”

She’s quiet for a while. “Which restaurant?”

I frown. Is this a joke? “Umm, the one we talked about on Tuesday?” Has she forgotten already?

She gasps. “Oh my God, that’s true. Shit, I knew I was forgetting something today. I’m so sorry.” There’s a shuffle, then her footsteps, then a door closes. “So the thing is, my kayan lefe is set to arrive today. So our house is packed, and I’m currently at my aunt’s house.”

Wow.

“Umm, okay. That’s okay.”

“Oh no, it’s not. I know it’s not and I’m so sorry. You can still come over and hang out. It’s just me and cousin Sa’eeda. The house is literally empty.”

I can’t help but remember what sister Mardiyya said about her. But I’m sure this is just an honest mistake. “It’s fine. I don’t want to intrude.”

“Oh no, you won’t. I promise. I’ll even cook for you.”

“Cook for who?” A deep voice asked beside Uyoon. It sounds male. Nur?

“Oh, Zakiyya miya.” She says excitedly.

Oh, it’s female. I roll my eyes. I thought she said the house is empty. This girl is not serious sha. “It’s fine. I’ll just…” What will I do? Badr asked me to escort him to the seminar but I refused. Na me do myself.

“Mee mee, are you there?”

I shake my head. “Yes, like I said, don’t worry yourself.”

“Oh no, please.” Uyoon says like a child. “Zakiyya miya, please help me beg her.”

Wow. She’s much more immature than I thought.

“Let me guess, you forgot you had plans with her, ba?” The deep voice lady asks.

“Yes, but it’s not a problem.” I quickly say.

“It will be if you don’t agree to her new offer. She’s going to be whining all day. So please put us out of our misery and join us. I won’t guarantee that you’ll enjoy yourself thou-“

“Hey!” Uyoon interrupts. “You’re supposed to be coaxing her, not discouraging her.”

“She’s a terrible cook.” Zakiyya shouts.

I laugh. “Ignore the last thing she said. Yes, I’m not a good cook, but Sa’eeda is, and she has prepared a lot. We’re also going to be doing our henna, making our hair, pedic-“

“That’s if she doesn’t get a call and abandon us here.” Zakiyya pipes in. I like her.

“Uggh, yaya Sa’eeda, come and take your friend away from here.” To me, she says, “I wasn’t the one who invited her, I swear.” She takes a deep breath. “Please say you’ll come. I promise I won’t abandon you.”

I shake my head. I don’t want to agree, but then I don’t have anything else I want to do. I’ll just be bored alone at home. “Okay. Give me the address.”

“Yay! Thank you! I’ll text it right now!”

After the call ends, the text comes in. I realize that I’ve never been to Garki area before. I’ll just call Badr and ask.

Twenty minutes later, I arrive at the house. I’m not surprised that it’s a mansion. I knock on the gate but no one answers. Then I notice a small white bell looking thing beside the gate. So, I press it, and soon, the gate opens. A man in a blue uniform greets me. I tell him who I want to see and he tells me to wait.

I fold my arms and sigh. If I knew that the sun will be hot, I wouldn’t have worn a thick gown. Only my veil is light enough to take in breeze.

The gate opens again and Uyoon appears, smiling widely. “Welcome!” She opens her arms.

I smile and follow her inside. She grabs my arm. Now I notice that she’s shorter than I thought, her head in line with my shoulder. She’s barefoot and smelling like vanilla. I like it. We walk past a small fountain in the middle of the compound. There’re five cars at the corner and a small garden at the other side.

“Oh, this sun is brutal.” She says. I look down at her dress. She’s still in her night gown. “Yeah, I know. But I was talking about you.” She pinches my arm.

I smile, “yeah, I’m also regretting why I wore this.”

“You can change if you want.” She says, skipping to the front door to open it. We enter a wide room that had nothing in it except a large chandelier in the middle of the ceiling. I follow her up the stairs. We enter a living room with red furniture and a red center rug. It also smells nice.

“Just sit and make yourself comfortable. I’ll be right back.” She says, placing a remote in my hand. She goes to turn on the socket on the wall across from me where a large flat screen TV is staring at me. As it turns on, she smiles at me, “I’ll be right back.”

I watch her disappear down the stairs. Sighing, I lean into the softness of the sofa. My eyes close immediately.

Minutes later, I hear a sound. I open my eyes and see Uyoon talking in Hausa with a lady behind her. I say lady because of how she looks and walks: dressed in a shirt and black jeans with an open robe flowing behind her. She’s darker than Uyoon but taller and curvier.

I sit up as they join me. “You look tired.” Uyoon says, now wearing a knee length gown and black tights underneath. Her shiny looking hair is in a ponytail hanging down her shoulder.

“But I’m okay now.” I smile.

“You should definitely charge her for this.” The lady says, folding her legs.

Uyoon turns to her, pouting. “It was a mistake.”

“Dan Allah can.” She replies, clicking her tongue. Then she smiles at me. “Anyhoo, I’m Sa’eeda. Nice to meet you.”

She’s really pretty. “Meena.” I shake her hand.

“But I call her Mee mee.” Uyoon says.

Sa’eeda’s eyes widen, “And you let her? Haba,” she pushes Uyoon’s shoulder. “Mee mee is the name of her cat that died.”

I gasp. “Are you serious?”

“No, it’s not like that.”

“Don’t mind her.” Sa’eeda says, laughing. I laugh too.

“That’s enough. I’m going to check the food.” Uyoon says, heading for the stairs.

“Don’t go and turn and mistakenly turn off the gas fa.” Sa’eeda warns, head over her shoulder.

“Haba, it was just one time.”

I laugh. I’m glad I came after all.

The rest of the day went just like how Uyoon said: food, henna, movies, and lots of gist. I learn that Sa’eeda is a thirty-two-year old interior designer who’s on a hunt for her prince charming. As for Uyoon, she’s her mother’s only daughter who’s passionate about finding her purpose. No joke, the girl is clueless on what to do with her life. Unfortunately, Zakiyya left before I arrived. She had a wedding to attend.

“More like her mom’s wedding.” Uyoon giggles.

“What do you mean by her mom’s wedding?” I ask.

“Zakiyya is like me on the marriage train. So, her mom finds out about weddings in town and makes her attend.” Sa’eeda says, leaning against the headboard.

We’re in her bedroom, waiting for our henna to dry. I’m seated cross from her while Uyoon is lying beside her, head bent and legs hanging down the floor. I’m not sure how they’re able to lie down after the feast we’ve just had. My tummy will just explode.

“Unfortunately, my girl is not interested.”

“She doesn’t want to get married?” I ask, frowning.

“Nope.” Uyoon replies. “She prefers the single, independent life.”

“But she does want kids.” Sa’eeda says, raising a finger.”

“She adores them.” Uyoon adds.

I’ve never met someone like that before. I smile. She’s more interesting than I thought.

Later, before Maghrib prayer, I’m ready to leave. Sa’eeda and Uyoon escort me to the gate. “Thanks for inviting me.” I tell Uyoon.

She tilts her head and does a peace sign, “Pleasure.” She hugs me. I smile.

Car headlights shine behind us. I close my eyes.

“Toh, su angola in the building.” I stiffen. Uyoon shrieks and pulls away from me. She runs to the car.

Sa’eeda scoffs. “She’s so hopeless.”

I smile but my heart feels heavy somehow.

The headlights go off and the driver door opens. Nur’s smiling face appears, then he sees me, and he freezes. But I smile, heart beating rapidly.

“Ina wini.” Sa’eeda greets, moving closer. Nur answers her. I look down, checking my purse for my phone. I should get going. Badr will start calling.

“Assalamu alaykum,” He greets. I take a deep breath, look up, and smile. “Wa alaykum salam.” I watch his face. Will he say he knows me?

Uyoon comes to my side, “This is Mee mee, my new friend.”

He frowns, “I’m sure that’s not her real name. But it’s nice to see you.”

He said see, not meet.

I smile, nodding. “Same here, and congratulations.”

“Thank you.” I turn to Uyoon. “I should really get going. My husband will start getting worried.” And I expected him to call but he hasn’t.

“Oh, alright then. Let’s hang out again.” As I open my mouth, she takes my hand, “I promise I won’t forget.”

I smile. “Bye Sa’eeda.” I wave at her back to me, leaning against Nur’s car. She turns and waves, phone against her ear.

“Oh, wait, Nur can drive you.” Uyoon says.

Nope. “Don’t worry about it. Good night.” Before she argues further, I cross to the other lane, walking away from them. But my heart doesn’t stop thumping. Seeing him, seeing them. He has moved on, just like me. This is good.