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Amirah landed in Kano hours prior and was now in a taxi heading off to her family house. It's been hours since the call from Zarah and since then she hadn't been able to reach anyone else.Zarah wasn't picking up, Khadijah's number wasn't going through, Hajiya's was switched off and she had chosen to steer clear of ya Lawal.Since her two older siblings had dumped the family problems on her, she'd had to step up, after all she was used to it.
The house was eerily quiet she noted as soon as she stepped into the sitting room.
"Zarah!" She called out but was answered by silence, Amirah shook her head before going upstairs to her old bedroom, it was still as she'd left it: clean.
She was on her way back downstairs when a door opened and Na'eemah poked out her head.
"Ya
•••• •••• •••• ••••Muhammad could barely focus at work, he kept getting distracted by the thoughts of Amirah, what was she doing? How were things at home? How was she coping? He knew Hajiya could be something else, the woman intimidated him and his parents didn't even like her much, intensifying the time she'd gone ballistic when he'd announced his promotion and transfer.He didn't know what happened between her and her co-wive but he didn't think it reached the extent of arresting her.He got into his office and disposed of his bloodied scrubs, he just got out of surgery. He immediately picked up his phone and called Amirah."Assalamu alaykum." She greeted in a tired voice."Wa'alaykumsalam. Sorry I didn't call earlier, I had a surgery, how was your journey?""Fine."
•••• •••• •••• ••••They finally got Hajiya to release Aunty amarya and Samir. Amirah was currently in her mother's bedroom."...and that was how Zarah brought Shittu, her supposed boyfriend to come and beat up Khadijah...""Which Shittu?" Her mother's expression changed to that of anger."Shittu that we all know." Amirah replied."Zarah has killed me!" Hajiya exclaimed before rushing out of the room and soon she heard shouting coming from Zarah's room. Amirah fell ontop the bed, she was sure she'd been drained of all her energy today.Amirah couldn't help the anger she felt towards Hamidah, although she could never openly express it for her elder sister was feared and highly respected. Hamidah hadn't even called to ask if they've resolved the issues in the house.
•••• •••• •••• ••••Amirah couldn't decide whether the blue gown or the black, she dropped both on her bed with a sigh. She usually wasn't good at decision-making and that was where she needed Khadijah the most but now there was still a strain in their relationship. Five days had passed and she'd barely seen her, she was feeling embarrassed to go to Aunty amarya's place, all because of Hajiya's remorseless act.Among the rest of her siblings, Amirah was the closest to their mother, sometimes herself she wondered if it was because they were similar in character but she was always quick to contradict her thought, she was better than Hajiya, at least she felt remorse if she found out she'd done wrong.Growing up, Amirah had despised her mother, the mere presence of the woman used to disgust her, she had no ide
•••• •••• •••• ••••Amirah hated the tears, once they started, they seemed to refuse to stop. Crying was for the weak, Hajiya had once said, crying doesn't solve anything but gives you more reason to indulge in self pity.She'd lived with that thought, she'd masked her emotions and sometimes she really didn't know what she was feeling or what she wanted to feel.When the tears stopped pouring out, she scoffed at how pathetic she must look, sitting on the floor, crying. Why? Why was she crying? Over something silly as no-one ever sitting her down to ask about how she felt, she almost slapped herself. That was the thing about the tears, once they began to pour out, they don't stop and when they finally do, you're left feeling silly and pathetic about letting the first
•••• •••• •••• ••••Her eyes were focused outside the window as she leaned back on her seat. The view wasn't anything special as they were yet to take-off, just people boarding.It was few seconds before they took-off when she heard a deep voice say irritatedly, "you're in my seat."She was aware of that fact but she didn't care, he should take the other seat."No I'm not." She replied monotonous."This is why I hate flying commercial." She heard him mutter under his breath and she snapped her head towards him, her breath hitched in her throat... The man was breathtaking.The sharp reply she had for him turned to a slight stutter, "ee...excuse me?"He ignored her and settled down on the seat that was supposed to be hers. From her side eye she studied him, his somewhat bushy eyeb
•••• •••• •••• ••••Dinner was awkward. As soon as they'd gotten home, Muhammad carried her luggage from the trunk into the house, he turned on the light and her eyes widened slightly.On the floor, rose petals were well arranged leading to the dinning where a candle-lit dinner awaited her.Muhammad carelessly walked to her bedroom making sure to scatter the petals with his feet as he moved, Amirah stood gazing at the sumptuous dinner arrangement. Muhammad came into the dining room and blew out the candles, packed them all and disposed of them in the bin."What are you doing?" She'd asked in a low voice, he ignored her.After he was done disposing of the candle and the huge bouquet of flowers which had been on the table, he sat down and began to eat. She quietly sat down too and dished food for herself, he'd prepared jollof
•••• •••• •••• ••••The week was the longest for Amirah, it dragged on slowly and the only thing she had to look forward to was the memorial/celebration party coming up during the weekend. Maybe she'll make new friends and she'll even talk to one or two people about getting a job with her certificate.Muhammad was out of the question now because after their talk orhis talkrather because she'd only nodded her heard wordlessly and then escaped into the safety of her room when he was done, she hadn't seen much of him.He was always gone before she woke up and he came back late, long after she'd retired in her room but she could hear him as he tried to noiselessly go about his business.In as much as she hated it all, she was glad, at least he'd given her a breathing space. She wasn't sure she
•••• •••• •••• ••••Muhammad was livid but he was still trying his best to look calm, the party was going on in full swing unaware of the turmoil going on in his head."Please stay away from my wife." He said glaring at Ummul Khair, she gave him a confused look in reply."I'm escaping from this." Muhammad turned his glare to Abubakar who had already walked away from them. The idiot had been hovering over him and,Amirah all night but when he was actually needed, he just escaped."I didn't say anything to her, you were the one who'd started acting weird and said the party was large." She bursted into laughter and Muhammad mentally groaned. He felt foolish right after his large comment which had been accompanied by nerve-wrecking unnecessarily stuttering.He had no idea why she'd affected