Chapter 8 Hamid

Because of Amani's school, my sister and I nearly broke ties. What happened was that, she was curious about everything in my house. I couldn't take it anymore so I told her to stay away from my family matters.

As for Amani, I did what I could to her. I got her admission into An-Noor College of Health Technology, which was a national-diploma issuing school owned by some private individuals.

I heard a lot about the school from my friend, Abba who worked as an assistant lecturer there. And through him, Amani was enrolled to study Pharmacy.

Not her dream course though but who cared? It was one of the departments with cheap tuition in the school, which means I wouldn't be spending much on her unlike in the university.

Plus the duration of the course was just 2 years, with an option for another 2 years for those willing to obtain HND certificate in the same field.

Not bad though, the fees of the two programs combined were still cheap compared to studying medicine in the university.

As for her transport, Yazid would take care of it. He was the driver I hired recently for her, he would be in charge of taking her to school or anywhere, and bringing her back home.

At least I tried right? I just didn't want to sound evil in anyway, I believed we were both caught up in the same mess. None of us was interested in marrying one another, we were forced to.

And if there was anybody I should blame, it had to be Rahmat Ali because she was the one that caused everything. She ruined everything and made my parents to replace her with Amani.

But despite everything she did, I just didn't know why I couldn't hate her. Of course I wasn't happy with her but that didn't change the fact that I still loved and cared about her. I hoped I could still fix things with her, I really hoped so!

...

While enjoying a movie in the sitting room, Amani came with a list to me. It was the list of the things that needed to be shopped, mostly foodstuffs.

I usually go to shopping on Saturdays but yesterday was kind of hectic to me so I wasn't able to go, and today being Sunday I just felt like I needed to rest.

"Go and give it to Yazid," I said and continued. "He should help us with the shopping, although I don't have much cash in hand so there is a need for him to go with my ATM card"

"Are you sure, Ya Hamid?" She asked with her brows wrinkled. "I don't trust that guy with your ATM card gaskiya" She added.

"Okay, so what are you suggesting? Are you following him or what?" I queried.

"Yes, I will follow him" She huffed. "It's better that way than him going alone"

"Fine then," I gulped and told her to go to my room and get the ATM card. "It's in the drawer"

"Okay" She said and went upstairs.

As soon as she's back, I told her the pin and thence she left. She was really funny, you know, when she said she didn't trust Yazid – Her own driver!

Okay, what if he was really a criminal? Would following him to the market stop him from running away with my ATM card? He would just snatch it away from her and vanish.

Anyways, Yazid wasn't that kind of a person. He was a very good boy and his father owned a driving school along Limawa. In fact, his father was the one that taught me how to drive back then.

...

Minutes later, my phone began ringing. And when I checked the caller I.D I found out it was Amani. I sluggishly picked the call and asked her what the matter was.

"Sorry Ya Hamid, I just called to ask about your pin. Na manta (I forgot) wallahi" She said making me to sigh. Why wouldn't she forget? She's a child.

"The pin is 7382" I muttered and then ended the call without waiting for her to say another word.

I would make sure I change the pin as soon as she returned back because I wouldn't risk not doing that, I had a lot in the account that I wouldn't wish to lose.

Not that I didn't trust her, of course I trusted her but some teenagers can act weirdly at times, you know, especially when they are upset.

You wouldn't know when they would do something childish that would make you wonder if they have sense or not. Are my money safe with her? Hey, what am I even saying?

I huffed and concentrated my attention on the TV until they eventually came back. Yazid helped her with the groceries to the kitchen before heading out to his lodge.

"Bring the card" I said to her the moment she was about heading upstairs, perhaps to return the card to my room.

"Okay" She said as she walked over to me. Thus, she handed the card to me and then headed back to the kitchen.

...

After lunch, she came to me and told me she wanted to talk to me about something. Hence I permitted her to sit which she did after pulling one of the chairs in the dining table.

"So?" I wrinkled a brow at her.

"Yes, actually," She cleared her throat and continued. "It's about my school, I am starting tomorrow and I thought I should talk to you about my closing times"

"Okay?" I muttered.

"I would be closing by 4pm every Monday to Thursday, then 2pm every Fridays and Saturdays" She said rubbing the back of her neck gently.

"Okay, so, what exactly are you insinuating Amani?" I asked with a gulp.

"I need a house help, or at least someone from our family house" She said and continued. "Karima is free, Safiya and Zainab too. I can also count on..."

"Nobody is coming here, Amani!" I cut in folding my arms across my chest. "If it's about food, I can get it anywhere but I won't allow any useless girl to come and live here in the name of helping you with cooking"

"Not just cooking, Ya Hamid!" She chirped making me to puzzle. "I need someone to help me with other chores too, someone to dust the sofas, mop the rooms, clean the kitchen and so on, while I concentrate on my studies"

"Oh yeah? Another liability to me right? Do I need to remind you that I don't have a job anymore and the little money in my bank accounts is for managing, not lavishing!" I thundered her.

"You don't need to spend a dime on anybody I brought please Ya Hamid, it's my responsibility and In Shaa Allah I will make sure the person does all the chores as perfect as it should be done" She said making me to glare at her.

"Fine then, you are on your own!" I muttered as I stood and left the dining island for her.