***
In Abuja
At the doctor's house...
After watching a Nollywood movie, I felt a lump in my throat as I was thirsty. I decided to check in kitchen, I think hajia Amina was busy with something in her room. Just then, my eyes caught the dirty plates lying in the sink. I decided do the dishes when Hajia Amina walked in.
"Our wife... What are you doing?"
My whole body shivered as she said our wife. It's clear that she surely wants me for her son. Uhhh?...
"I'm washing the plate-"
"No no no oo... Stop... s...top stoop! Ahhh!! How can you wash plates? Don't you know you're in the late stage of pregnancy. How many times did I tell you
***A while later, She left us both and asked Abdul to take me home. I felt goosebumps crawling on my skin as my heart started beating harder, but I tried as much as possible to control my breath."And please, be romantic, okay?" She added as he took me to his car.I waved her goodbye and we left their compound.We listened to Al-qunut till we entered Zainab's extra-large compound."Ummm... Aren't you leaving?""Can't I sleep over?""No you can't." I burst out laughing."We are going to live together when we get m
***In a while, Dr. Abdullah and. Mallam dogo, hajia Amina's personal driver entered. They rushed to me first, I and zainab of were lying powerless on the floor, unable to move. I was still breathing, Zainab wasn't."Help...zainab first." I mumbled.He held my arms and helped me up."I promised to take away your sorrows remember?"He took me into his car while his driver carried zainab. In no time, we reached the hospital and were both attended to right away. We were taken to different wards.I was given an injection to reduce the pain and help me relax.About
Dr. Abdullah in his mind, let out a whole series of sighs that sounded like complaints unspoken. He was worried and wondered why they came to his house early that morning. Was it because of what happened last night? Maybe or maybe not. All their faces were looking serious and unfriendly."Assalam 'Alaikum..." He greeted."Wa'alaikum Sallam." They answered as they all walked in."How can I help you officers, hope no problem?" His eyes searching their strong faces."We're looking for one Miss Aisha Akorede." One thick-voiced man answered.I walked into the living room as I heard my name."I'm Aisha Akorede, sir."
When the inspectors got to Zainab's house, they took pictures of the food and the broken glass cup of hollandia yogurt, still lying on the floor. They checked all the rooms for any other evidence and found the letter on the table in her room and also, took a picture of it.***Hours LaterIn the police station..."We carried out our investigation and discovered that you killed Zainab Akorede... Is that right?""What?! Who is Zainab Akorede?" He denied.The policeman laughed at him for a while and suddenly stared at his face like an angry lion. It looked as if Sahil had just stepped on his tail, with the look on his face.
***The Following Day9:45 a.m.Abdullah went to the hospital while his mum went to visit an old-friend. I was already prepared to go and pick Zainab from the hospital so, I walked outside. I decided to peep and take a view of outside when I saw two strange looking at my direction and walking towards the gate.One was holding a gun and the other, was with a sharp knife. I quickly rushed inside the house and locked the door. Later, there was a knock on the gate. Mallam dogo went to answer, looking at their suspicious faces."Where your madam?" One of them with a huge scar across his face asked"My madam don commot, She no dey."
***Minutes Later....The gynecologist came to meet Abdullah."Congratulation sir, your wife have given birth to a set of twins.""Thank you, doctor." He happily hugged the doctor with tears in his eyes. The blood stains in his hand, stamping his fingerprints on the doctor's white, lab-coat. "Are they all hale and healthy?! Can I see them now?!" He asked with tears in his eyes."Yes, sure... follow me." The doctor ordered. The babies were put in different cot beside me."She's sleeping, make sure she's not stressed or tensed. Okay?" He advised and left from the doorstep.
***"It's almost 3 months now. The Akerele's came here looking for you. Hajia Mariam is pregnant.""Really dad! Masha Allah!! I'm happy for them..." I muttered happily. It was so unbelievable... Strings of tears immediately formed at the edge of my eyes."So, why didn't they call me or find me at least?" I asked dad."I guess, maybe they weren't opportuned to. They actually came to ask for your forgiveness and to thank you as well.""Subhanallah! That family served as my benefactor to me. I would never ever be angry at them for anything, dad I love than you would ever imagine""Really? "
**"Aisha, are you alright?""Www...what exactly is wrong with my mum? Is ss...she well?""You saw her just now, didn't you?""Nnn..no doctor, that is not my mother. I couldn't believe she didn't even recognise me. I mean, I didn't recognise her either. I need to pray for her. Take his bottle." I handed her a 5-litre(s) bottle."Let her bath with part of it and also give her to drink from it. I'm sure everything would be fine." I muttered to Dr. Lulu, still in tears.The bottle contained direct raindrops filled with various prayers and suplications I made for my babies' bath but I gave it to her.&
***"Okay. So, when I got there, she said she was tired of staying indoor all day. You know, deens has no one here and she's always busy on her phone so I suggested we take a stroll outside the hotel. That was when she started.""She started what?""She psyche up when I told her I can't hold hands with her in public. She thought I had someone else and got pissed up for no reason.""That your girl sef! Her own too much.""Yeah. So, I bought a rose with a ring in it. I wasn't sure if it would work but I tried and… Madinah rejected it.""Why?""She said that I was dating the shopkeeper and ran back to her room, breaking everything her hand could touch.""Uh! I wonder what is going on with that Madinah sef. I thought she said she was getting better…""Nothing is wrong with Madinah,
***They jerked to its vibration. Zayd's heart felt as if it suddenly dropped as he picked his phone. It was Zaytoon."Excuse me please," He told Madinah and picked the call, taking few steps away from her."It's almost dark, aren't you coming home?!" I started."I'll be on my way dummy! Hajia, You can't even salama!" He replied and hissed at the same time I did. "Don't bother making dinner for me, okay?""Whatever Mr. Lover-boy! As if I care!" I finally cut the call.After the call, an awkward silence remained between them. Zayd remembered what he was doing before the call.'How stupid could I be!' He smirked, nibbling his lower lip, anxiously."So you're no longer angry at me, are you?"Zayd broke the face-stuffing silence that was killing them both."Not at all..." A s
It was a cool afternoon. One of those days that early afternoons would grow enough to look like late evenings -The time when one could mistake Thursday to be a Saturday...Madinah and Zayd decided to go for a simple stroll outside the hotel, under the warm sun, side by side, the way lovers usually do. The yellow sun hide under the thick clouds as if it was shy about their little romance. Of course, there's nothing as beautiful as roaming the streets of Lagos with someone you truly love so much... You'll end up rather impressed than disappointed.Madinah wore a tight black leggings and a long, purple, indian-gown with a black pashmina that fits her well. She hanged her long-armed, purple purse and wore a shiny, black sneakers to match the outfit. Zayd on his own was wearing a casual, white polo shirt and a black jean. This outing was what Madinah needs at least, to Zayd. He stared at her from time to time, admiring how gorgeous she looked even withou
"How is he doctor?!" Madinah rushed to the doctor in charge of Zayd."Calm down young lady, he's alright now. Thank God the wound wasn't beyond his tissues and didn't lot slot of blood. Well, You can now see him.""Thank you doctor. I'm so grateful Zayd is alive!" She smiled."Thank God. We'll be discharging him later in the evening because he needs a lot of rest." He said and left for his office while Madinah went to Zayd's word.Zayd was sleeping when she entered and bandaged at the side of his back. A short nurse that was giving him a drip signalled her to sit and quietly left.Madinah sat on a red plastic chair facing where Zayd was lying. She stared at his weak face and held his hands tenderly.Tears gathered her eyes at she watched him breath slowly. It's all my fault. It's my fault you have you go through these. She weep silently.***
A Month later...I was watching an interview of the president Muhammadu Buhari on National Television Authority (NTA). It was an interesting Saturday program that I really loved. Grandmother was in her room having her usual afternoon nap when Zayd ran out of his room. I came rushing out after him with great enthusiasm."Zayd! What happened?! Any problem?!""No o, not at all." He said sweating pefusely.Tears gathered in his eyes and he was rubbing his head confusedly. It's so strange of him, I couldn't figure it out."But why are you acting this way?""I had a nightmare! I'm scared, Zay! Dynah was going to die. I felt her breath slowly leaving her body, it was so real...""Calm down Zayd. Why are you acting like a baby. It's just a dream, nothing more, please come inside." I pleaded."No... I can't. How would I
"Excuse me, please." She smiled at his face and answered the call."Assalam Alaikum, Jazid!""Yes, I got here minutes ago... It's just so hot here like hell.I miss you too. Don't worry... I'll be back in three months time. I just had to visit Nigeria, At least once before I die.I'm with one of my friend... Just family friends you know?"Okay bye, I'll chat with you later."She smiled and tapped the end call space on her phone.***Zayd's P. O. VWait... Who was that? Jazid. Was he her boyfriend? Why would she refer me as just one of her family friends? How long have she known him? How close are they?"Zayd!" Madinah called."Zayd! Zayd!!" She gently tapped his hand. He went silent as if he was off minded. She must have noticed since his bright smile
3 Days Later..."So you're going to meet Madinah today?""Yes..." His eyes immediately turns to me, looking kind of teary. "I can't help but to feel nervous.""Huh-huh... My twin brother is in love." I joked.He replied with a silly look."So, have you called her yet?""No, just email.""So how would you two meet? I mean how would you understand each other?...""Don't worry, Zay. I'll call her when she gets here."I couldn't help but to smile... Since our parents passed away, it's been so difficult to see so much joy and happiness in Zayd's smile. He looks so cute with it. I stared at him lovingly. He seemed so happy."You seem so happy, bro?""Yes, of course... I'm so happy, I'll finally meet the love of my life today. It also seems she has friends in Nigeria."
3 Days Later..."So you're going to meet Madinah today?""Yes..." His eyes immediately turns to me, looking kind of teary. "I can't help but to feel nervous.""Huh-huh... My twin brother is in love." I joked.He replied with a silly look."So, have you called her yet?""No, just email.""So how would you two meet? I mean how would you understand each other?...""Don't worry, Zay. I'll call her when she gets here."I couldn't help but to smile... Since our parents passed away, it's been so difficult to see so much joy and happiness in Zayd's smile. He looks so cute with it. I stared at him lovingly. He seemed so happy."You seem so happy, bro?""Yes, of course... I'm so happy, I'll finally meet the love of my life today. It also seems she has friends in Nigeria."
"May I have your order, please?" The waiter ordered."Shall we order?" Zayd asked her staring at her beautiful pearl-like face and doe-like eyes. It was as if he was having dinner with the moon."Yes, sure." She let out a soft smile, exposing her cute dimpled cheek.She collected the food menu from the waiter and ordered what she would like.Zayd couldn't help but to keep staring at her mesmerising beauty."What should I ask you first?" He smirked, still staring into her eyes. There is so much I'm curious about."Me too... It's nice seeing you, I was only 5 then... about 15 years now, right?""Yes... It is. What about studies? What did you study?"Studies is fine... I'm through with my degree. I studied business administration and I'll be taking over dad's company after him. What about you?"