15th October, 2018
11:00am - Kaduna State
Shazia was so lost in thoughts she wasn't concentrating on where she was going. Different thoughts ran through her mind as she remembered what her parents discussed with her earlier on. She looked through the rear-view mirror and saw two 2019 Toyota LandCruiser Prados maintaining a safe distance from her - the cars were not trailing her, and even if they were, they knew how to play their game. She let out a sigh, the cars were the least of her problems. She was brought back to reality by the loud sound of her car bumping into another car.
'SubhanAllah (All praise be to God)' she mumbled as she stepped out of her car in her simple grey Abaya. Two men in their early 30s stepped out of the other car assessing the damage she caused.
'I am sorry, it wasn't on purpose. Please forgive… '. Shazia tried to explain but was shut up by the sound of a slap on her right cheek. It was the man that came out of the driver's seat, obviously the owner of the car. She placed her right hand on the cheek while raising her left hand to indicate 'stop'.
A look of disgust came over his face as he said to himself 'Such guts!! She bumped into my car and still has the nerves to raise her hand at me?'.
'I'll get it repaired, I promise'. She whispered, but loud enough for him to hear.
'Repair?' He scoffed. He glanced at the car she was driving and felt she was definitely out of her senses. 'Pathetic!' He turned and slowly walked towards the door of his car.
'Naeem!! Naeem!!' The other man who stood dumbfounded called, but 'Naeem' simply stepped into their car. 'I am really sorry, I don't know what got into him'. He apologised to Shazia on his friend's behalf.
'It's okay'. She said, managing to smile with eyes brimming with tears. He bid her farewell and joined his friend in the car. Naeem who was impatiently waiting for his friend to step into the car immediately revved up the engine and drove off leaving a sad Shazia standing on the busy road of Isa Kaita.
Shazia stood still for about a minute or two ignoring the small crowd that had gathered just some paces away from her who were murmuring stuff amongst themselves.
'You should have slapped that idiot back'. A lady from the crowd screamed.
'Is that not Alhaji El-Muneer's daughter?' a guy asked.
'How can it be? She looks really different. And in that car?! Where are her escorts? She's definitely not the one'. Another mumbled.
'Even if it isn't her, the poor girl didn't deserve that slap, she obviously didn't hit his car on purpose'. Someone added.
The small crowd had turned to a larger one as more passers-by wanted to know what was happening. People kept passing their comments not noticing two black Toyota LandCruiser Prados parking close to her car. Four men in black - two from each - stepped out and walked up to Shazia.
'Are you okay Miss?'. One of the men asked.
'It was nothing'. She replied calmly.
'Why did you stop us? I wanted to step out and teach that guy a lesson he'll remember for the rest of his life but you just had to raise your hand'. Another man, Faruk, who was really angry complained.
'Let's go home. Ibrahim, please drive my car'. Was all she said, giving her car key to the first man that spoke.
'Yes miss'. The men chorused, clearing the way for her as they made their way through the crowd. The three cars sped off in a convoy as soon as they got into them and that was when the people saw the plate numbers of the two Prados. The cars had 'E-M S1' and 'E-M S2' boldly written on them and those that were aware gasped.
'I said it, it was Shazia El-Muneer. E-M S: El-Muneer Shazia 1 and 2, her escorts'. The first guy shouted, trying to prove a point.
'Shazia El-Muneer? The Shazia El-Muneer? I've always heard she's down to earth but never thought she was this down to earth'. Another man added, admiring her calmness.
'As if what she's going through already isn't enough. He just had to add to the poor girl's problem.' Another lady affirmed, shaking her head. People discussed in groups as they dispersed.
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It was a quiet ride back home for Naeem and his friend Aadeel. Different thoughts ran through their minds but the silence was suffocating Aadeel. He knew they needed to talk about what happened some minutes back but it just wasn't the right time.
Immediately they approached Ali Akilu road, he knew it was safe to talk. He couldn't confront Naaem earlier because well! He knows him too well, after all, they've been best friends for as long as he can remember. He knew if he pissed him off more than he already was, Naaem would eject him out of that car. That wouldn't be the first time, right? But this time, Aadeel wasn't in that mood. Naeem is not one to argue and he detests arguments so whenever he's caught up in it, he either leaves the place or makes the other person leave and if it happens to be in a car and he's driving, he'll park and ask the person to alight 'nicely', if he isn't, he alights.
'What was that about, man?' He confronted.
'What was what about?' Naeem replied with a question, feigning ignorance.
'The accident'.
'You call that an accident Aadeel?' Naeem couldn't believe what he was hearing.
'What was it then? It was obviously an accident, even a blind man could see that'.
'Oh please Aadeel! That girl is definitely one of those attention seekers, she bumped into us on purpose, couldn't you see?'.
'Are you listening to yourself Naeem? Attention seeker? She bumped into us from the rear, surely oblivious of who we are. Will she damage her car to get attention from someone? Why will you even think that way? What are you, 18??' Aadeel was trying so hard to keep his cool. He isn't one to get angry over anything but what Naeem did that morning was the limit! How could he raise his hand on a lady?
'And the car?'
'The car has tint, how would she have seen us? How was she to know if it's a lady or a guy?'
'Our cars are well known in Kaduna, every girl knows this particular car belongs to Naeem Zayyan'.
'You need to chill man! Firstly, we are not as popular as we think we are. Secondly, because a few girls chase us here and there doesn't mean all girls will. Thirdly, not all girls like attention. Some shy away from it'. Aadeel tried to reason with Naeem but Naeem wasn't having any of that.
'Whatever!! We are done discussing this!'. Was all he said as he parked the car in the parking lot of their house. Aadeel was talking too much!!
Naeem stepped out of the car, throwing the car key at a totally flabbergasted Aadeel. 'Lock it when you are out'. He added, walking towards his apartment.
Aadeel sometimes wonders how he became best friends with a nitwit like Naeem but then in life, no one is perfect and everyone certainly deserves a chance. 'I hope he changes some day soon'. He silently prayed, as he has always done for him for years.
He locked Naeem's car as he headed for his. They had had enough for a day and all he needed was the comfort of his own home so he didn't find it in him to inform Naeem he was leaving, as he always does. He gave one of the security guards Naeem's key as he drove out in his 2018 Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
Naeem sighed when he heard Aadeel's car leaving their compound, he was glad Aadeel left without attempting to drag the issue farther than he already had.
××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××××
Shazia didn't utter a word on the way back home. She isn't one to start a conversation anyways, she never was. She wasn't sure what she was thinking at that particular moment, the slap was the least of her problems. Or so she thought!
'We are here Miss'. Ahmad informed her, holding the door open for her. She nodded as she stepped out.
'You are back early'. Alhaji El-Muneer commented as she stepped into the family living room.
The El-Muneer family living room is very large with white marble tiles, white walls and white drapes. It has a set of white royal sofas with many throw pillows, elegant wall decors, a glass royal coffee table set, a 100 inch TV on a sophisticated and well beautified media center, a soft big rug and flower vases at specific places.
'Hello Abby (my father)'. She greeted, giving him a hug. 'I didn't go there'. She added, faking a smile. He nodded in understanding.
'Are you okay?'. Her mother threw the question at her, trying to figure out what was different about her. She's a mother after all, her instincts were definitely not wrong, something was bothering Shazia. Well, besides the usual!!
'Yes Ummy (my mother), thanks for asking'. She responded, giving her a reassuring smile. 'I'll just go to my room and rest, please call me if you need any help'.
'Okay'.
Shazia pecked her mother on the cheek and left for her room.
'Alhaji, there's something else wrong with her'. Hajiya Naima complained.
'I know, I noticed. Besides, you know she'll never change her mind about going to Rimi Drive except if it is something really serious'. Hajiya Naima nodded in agreement.
Just then, the escorts came into the living room and greeted them.
'Proceed'. Alhaji El-Muneer ordered, knowing something happened.
The men mumbled for the right words to use. 'A man slapped her and we couldn't do anything about it because she ordered us not to, Sir'. Faruk said in a low tone.
'Why? What happened?' Alhaji El-Muneer asked calmly.
'She bumped into his car'.
'Was it damaged beyond repair?' he enquired.
'No Sir'. Ibrahim responded.
'It's a good thing she stopped you from retaliating. Violence is never the answer'. He paused. 'Do you think there's a need for us to replace his car?'
'No Sir, the slap has covered it'. Faruk was still very much angry.
'I see'. He dismissed them and they left. 'There you have your answer'. He said, turning to face Hajiya Naima.
'What are you doing about that?' She asked.
'Nothing, I don't feel there's any need for us to interfere. But I'll ask her about the issue'. Hajiya Naima nodded in agreement.
This is the end of Chapter 1.
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