Chapter 42
Finally they were able to complete their documentation and can now rest a little before they will be summon upon.
She sat on her bunk so exhausted from the long journey of traveling all the way from kano to Abia state through public car. It was indeed a tiring journey with much experience of traveling alone with strangers and knowing the name of some places.
"Babe get up let arrange our stuff before resting completely " Said Kate who was also tired.
They both got acquainted from the park, due to how Kate was jovial, they flow along not knowing they were heading to the same purpose until they stop a taxis and gave the same direction. Both of them were surprise after knowing they were going to the same campus. They did their documentation together and everything and luckily they became room mate.
"Can we do that later? My body is arching me all over from all this stress." Deejah complain.
"C'mon get up, let be quick and get it done, I'm even hungry." Kate beseech.
"Me too."
* * *
Picture-perfect, you don't need no filter Gorgeous, make 'em drop dead, you a killer Shower you with all my attention Yeah, these are my only intentions Stay in the kitchen, cooking up, cut your own bread Heart full of equity, you're an asset Make sure that you don't need no mentions Yeah, these are my only intentions__ his phone kept ringing.
He check the caller ID and realized his sister was the one calling. He pick the call immediately.
"Hey sis, already missing me?" He joke.
"Whatever! Since you never care to check on me, how was your flight" she asked.
"I'm sorry dear, I was actually busy, this documentation and everything is just stressful. Have not even had enough time for myself since I arrive wallahi. My flight arrive safely. How is aunty mii" he asked.
"She's fine, sleeping right now. Will call when she wake up.
"Okay my regard to everyone. Enjoy yourself and take care please.
"Yes bro. I hope you already call Abba and everyone in kano?" She asked concern.
"Yes I did immediately I arrive.
"Okay bye, I have to go somewhere with Noor." She said and ended the call.
"Baba you be Justin bieber fan too." Ayo one of Yushraf room mate asked.
"Yeah I'm one of his big fan." Yushraf said proudly.
"Omo guy, na even him latest song wey hit ground you don they use for your ringing tune self." Ayo said in his pidgin tongue.
"That show how addicted am to all his music, I just like his personality." Yushraf reveal.
"Ahh that guy don spoiled. I no like all this oyibo song oh, see davido, wizkid and korede omo that guy too fine abeg but sha you fine pass am again.
"You're always funny Ayo, I don't like Nigeria music because most of their lyrics is just full of insult and some meaningless word. Unlike foreign once." Yushraf try to explained his point.
"My guy forget that jare, the thing be say e they make sense aswear as in Ehn the dancing style.
"While let not keep arguing about what we will not gain from" Yushraf conclude.
"Guy why you dy always speak fluently as if you still dy secondary school?
He smile. "That what I can speak, I don't know how to speak this type of English." He said.
"No worry, I go teach you. Na all this sabi sabi student dy over speak English.
And they both laugh.
"Guy abeg let stroll out I dy hungry" Salisu said immediately he came out of the bathroom.
"Now now wey you shit you wan chop another food for your belle?" Ayo asked teasingly.
"Abeg na" Salisu beseech. And Ayo stood up and wore his shirt while Yushraf told them to go ahead his feeling sleeping.
Few minute later after their absent from the room he still couldn't sleep so he pick his phone and was going through it when he suddenly came across deejah number which he save as DeeDee. He contemplated at first whether to dial it or not.
After some few thought he dial the number and immediately it started ringing he was having some doubt whether she will pick or not.
"Hello" deejah said from the other end.
"Em er hi!" He stutter and brush his head.
"Yushraf are you uncomfortable speaking to me?" Deejah asked.
"No no, not at all and why should I be uncomfortable huh" he asked, trying to be bold.
"Okay. How was your flight" she asked.
"Babe is not easy, I even lost my wallet on my way to the camp I was just lucky Reedah package all my ID and ATM inside my side box." He said.
"Oh I'm glad, I hope you didn't have anything inside the wallet?
"Of course I have money inside. I withdraw some cash before entering inside the camp in case of any emergency but unfortunately I lost it.
"Oh so sorry, May Allah bless you with another one.
"Amin thank you. So what about you, how was your flight to Abia state?
"My journey was so tiring, after riding in a car for the whole day.
"Car? Why didn't you take flight? When you know it was far.
"Yeah I took a public transport. You think I will not have choose that if really I has the means? She asked sadly.
"I'm sorry, I never mean to asked that." He said. What could have really made the famous heiress take a transport car? He question himself.
"So how is the camp life in Enugu state treating you?
"Babe is not easy at all honestly, I never thought is this stressful. Have been doing up and down hardly get to even pray and Muslims are so hard to get here. The place is just full of Igbo's and Yoruba's I don't think I will even meet anyone that speak my tribe here.
"Someone can easily get carried away here. If you ain't religious wallahi you can easily skip prayer without feeling remorseful.
"Exactly same with Abia state here. All my room mate are Christian but their nice especially with the one I got acquainted with since from the park. Her name is Kate Ejeh, she's an Igbo girl from cross river.
"I see just be prayerful okay, no matter the fun you're having, whenever is time for prayer always do it on time, before you get carried away." He advice.
"I will insha Allah. But wait ain't you Hausa by tribe" She asked.
"No. I'm Nupe from Niger state under Bida local government. why did you asked?.
"Kawai, I thought you're Hausa by tribe" She said." My mum is also from Niger state, though she's from lapai local government I guess.
"You guess? So you don't even know your mum town? That too bad.
"Hey don't blame me, most of her relative stay in Egypt including grandma. Just few are left here and their not even close." She defended her self.
"That understandable."
"Yeah, I know right. I have to go we want to do competition of our tribe food with my room mate will gist you about it when we are done."
"Oh wait can you even cook?" Yushraf asked.
"Of course I learn how to cook few month ago."
"Oh so you couldn't before?"He asked again.
"Yushraf bye take care I'm hungry." With that she ended the call.
"That was a nice conversation he has ever had with anyone apart from Reedah. He felt comfortable and at ease speaking to her, he never knew he will ever get close to her that much, heck even speak to her again in his life time
* * *
It was a weekend everyone was at home except for Reedah who travel out of the country and Yushraf who has been in camp for the past two weeks.
"Fatima, Abba is calling you" her mum inform her.
"Okay mum," she quickly stood up and excuse herself from the mixed of her sisters and walk toward her fathers parlour. What could Abba be up to and why calling her? she kept asking herself until she reach. She said her salam and enter inside.
"Abba you asked for me" She said and sat on the floor.
"Yes Fatima, How are you?"
"I'm fine Abba. I hope everything is fine" she asked worriedly.
"Yes Fatima, everything is fine."
"Someone came with a proposer last week seeking for your hand in marriage. I did some investigation about him and masha Allah I'm happy to announced that his a righteous person. Very religious and gentle. But before I go further I want to know your intention be sincere with me, did you have anybody in mind?" He asked.
She was shocked, that even an understatement. "What should i say? Was the first thing that pop into her mind. Should she just move on with her life by accepting the proposer and erase what she feel for Yushraf rather than being in a one sided love and feelings which were all from her? Or rather be selfish and have him by herself even after knowing the feelings didn't reciprocate?
"Fatima did you have someone in mind?" Abba asked again.
"No Abba, I didn't have anyone." She choose the latter of her mind. "To her, it's better to marry the person that love her, rather than to marry the person she love " and she wipe away her tears__ she just have to let go and learn to be love back by someone that will cherish her.__forever!
"Masha Allah I'm glad. And will you accept the proposer? Though I'm not going to force you into it Fatima. Your happiness matters a lot" He said concern.
"Insha Allah Abba, if you're okay with the proposer and you think his fit for me then I don't have a problem, I will gladly accept it.
"Alhamdullilah may Allah bless you Fatima, I'm happy with your responds. You can go.
"Aamin , thank you Abba." And she left his parlour to her room.
"Ya Fatima what's up? Abba called for you" hauwa asked.
"Nothing" Fatima shrugged.
"Ya Fatima just tell us please" halima beseech.
"I got a marriage proposer" she said.
"What? From who?" They Both asked.
"I don't know him" She said nonchalantly and lay on her bed ready to close her eyes.
"Ya Fatima you're joking right? I hope you didn't accept him? What about ya Yushraf you're crushing on" they asked.
"I'm not joking and yes have already accept the proposer. And for Yushraf he don't seem to love me like I do and am afraid he will only marry me one day out of pity which I will never like so I choose someone willing to love me back." She said. Please nobody should asked me any question again" She said and cover herself with blanket and turn to the other side and let the tear cascaded down her cheek freely unknown to anyone.
* * *
They will seriously missed life at camp. At first it was a stressful experience with sleepless nights but as the weeks passes by it became lively and fun. The camp fire night, social night and all other social activities were so fun. Deejah was not left out on any, as they rock it together with her friend Kate.
"I'm going to miss you so much" Kate said and hug deejah from behind.
"I will miss you too" She reply and hold Kate hand tightly.
"I wish our place of primary assignment will be the same again just like here." Kaye said.
"Me too. But any way let talk about some stuff before we depart tomorrow " that was how they started asking each other random question.
"So have you ever visit kano before? Deejah asked.
"Not really but with you now I hope to visit there one day."
"Perhaps if am getting married right?
"Oh yeah, you got it. I always admire northern side wedding especially kano own, it always grand. " she said.
Her phone started ringing and she excuse herself to pick it up.
"Her bobo is already calling her, send my regard oh" Kate tease.
Deejah became red and quickly ended the call and slap Kate at the back lightly.
"huch that hurt babe."
"Why did you have to say that loud he might have heard you, and moreover is not my guy as you assume" She explain.
"Said who always blush anytime he call. You better accept that guy proposer before it slip.
"As if I told you he propose right? While his already taken." She said sadly.
"You're joking right?" She asked and deejah phone interrupted once again.
"Why did you ended the call?" Yushraf asked
"I ..I was busy doing something when you call."
"Busy because they said your bobo is calling right?" He asked sarcastically.
"Whatever. So why did you call?
"Oh someone is trying to divert the topic and even tell me whatever huh? Okay no problem. So how is preparation? Have you gone to you PPA?
"No till tomorrow immediately I left camp. What about you? Any plan?"
"Yeah I will do the same tomorrow insha Allah and book a flight to Canada next tomorrow."
"Canada? To do what?"
"Yeah my aunty stay there with her family so I promise to visit immediately I'm done with camp. Reedah is also there since three weeks ago."
"Oh that good, my regard to everyone, wish you safe flight."
"Insha Allah,thank you. So when are you going back to kano? He asked."
"I might be going back tomorrow too."
"Okay can you send me your account number please "He asked.
"Why?
"Nothing really, just want to send you some money you should use and book a flight.
"Thank you, but I can travel by myself" She said stubbornly.
"I know but the journey is very far please just accept it as a gift from me and nothing more okay! Please don't say no I beg you."
"After few minute deejah sighed defeated "You win, I shall win next term
"Yeah I know, now hurry up" he said and ended the call.
Few minute later he send her 250k from the money Abba send for him to use to book a flight for Canada.
* * *
"Aunty mii" Reedah whine like a baby and hugged her from behind.
"Yes dear, you're back already?" Aunty salamatu asked.
"Yes aunty" the tour was fun and amazing but my leg is arching me.
"Oh sorry let me stretch it for you" she said and massage the leg for her.
"Reedah see how you're behaving like a baby" Afzal the last born tease
"What your business? Cmon leave me and my mum alone." She joke.
"Of course eat her all you want. I'm off to play football. Bye" he peck his mum and Reedah.
"Yeah hit your leg before coming in okay!" She shouted.
"Now I know I have a wicked sister waiting for my leg to be broken" he feigned hurt.
"Yeah go" she said and push him out before locking the door. With a grin on her face.
"Yushraf is calling" Noor announced.
"please pick it up fast has he land safely? Hafiz is already on his way.
"Hello Yushraf have you land safely?" Noor asked.
"Yeah please someone should come and pick me up fast I'm getting cold."
"Typical Nigerian boy, Hafiz is on his way" Noor teased.
"While miss typical Canada girl, so all ain't happy to see me right? That why you all didn't care to come and pick me huh?" He asked. Trying to pull there leg.
"Now tell aunty mii, I'm going back. I'm hurt" he said and wanted to end the call when he heard his aunty voice boom
"Yushraf y..you you can't just go back, I will come and pick you myself now hold on please" She said picking one of the car key on the center table.
"Sure aunty mii, I will wait for you." He said and ended the call. Tears of joy threatened to fall out of his eyes. He will finally see his aunt again after 4 years, years of yearning and craving to have someone to called their in his life.
Few minute later Hafiz came, and yushraf was not so hard to find. He walk toward him and they did their brotherly hug and exchanged some pleasantries. " let start getting home everyone is waiting for you" Hafiz said.
"Yeah aunty mii is on her way to pick me up herself " Yushraf grin happily
"Oh so you prefer your aunt to come and pick you herself right?" He asked smiling.
"Yeah that what I wish for" he said.
"Hafiz wanted to say something when he saw his mum coming toward them in haste."
Yushraf ran toward her and hug her so tightly forgetting all the old memories. Tears gush down his aunt face, she could not control them.
"Finally the amana given to her is safe with her again. Allah is the most wonderful of all.
"Yushraf I miss you so much, come let get going. You must be tired from the long journey. Everyone is waiting for you at home" She said happily.
"Yes aunty mii."
