It has been four days since we came to Gombe. The Sallah vibes have died down. It was time to go back to our various lives not to forget the upcoming wedding that had been driving everyone nuts.
I didn't want to leave my grandmother but she would come to Abuja shortly after we had left. But most of all I am going to miss the way she spoils me rotten not forgetting all the beautiful sites,he herds, the smell of the red soil when ever it rained.
I smiled at the thoughts of all I was going to miss, except for the early morning activities. I giggled softly as I was lost in my thoughts I hadn't even noticed Nasreen coming.
"What's the goofy smile all about?" She asked as she folded her arms into an akimbo.
I turned to look at her with my charming chuckle which made me look like a ten year old on a sugar rush.
"Breakfast is ready psycho." turning to leave the room. "Ermm Ammi asked for your luggage. It should be in the trunk before breakfast is over." I slumped back on the bed thinking of how to carry my luggage out as I was too lazy to do it myself.
I sat up immediately as if someone had poked me from behind. I picked up my phone to call Na'eem. He agreed to help me right away which was unusual, but then probably he had matured a bit. The normal Na'eem would ask for something in return.
The door opened and I sighed at the look of his face. How much I knew the little devil. His face was drooling with mischief "What's the catch?" I pouted waiting for an answer.
"Free WiFi for two days." He said without an ounce of shame.
"What? Just for you to carry my luggage to the trunk?"My eyes widened as I shout.
He scratched his head a bit "Fine one day." He groaned
"Fine." I gave up feeling defeated as he picked the luggage and headed out raising his eyebrows as I followed behind him to join my family for breakfast.
They were all seated on the carpet when I came in. The parlor echoed with laughter. The sound of my ringtone turned all eyes towards me. I pulled it out of the pocket of my green and orange ankara dress. It was Nazeer. My face turned red as I decided between picking the call in front of their hungry looking eyes or walking out of the parlor. I turned my back on them hiding in the corridor to answer my call.
"Hello babes." I spoke in a hushed tone as I played with my fingers.
"Hey babes." He said sluggishly waiting for my wrath but I decided to give him the opportunity to explain why he didn't respond to any of my text messages, not a single message or call from him since I came to Gombe. The thought of that made my blood boil.
"Are you there?" Nazeer broke the silence. I clutched my jaw at the sound of his voice. Letting go of the deep breath I was holding.
"Yeaah." It was almost as if I was speaking to myself but he caught the sound of it. I rolled my eyes at how he continued to blab about how his phone had gone missing.
It was almost unbelievable. I had grown to live without him and it was as if I was giving up on everything. I couldn't help it as it was like I was the only one in the relationship but I had only realized it now. Tears filled my eyes as he said my name.
"Minal..."
One more word and I swear I was going to cry. So I ended the call and set my phone on airplane mode.
I used my fingers to wipe the tears forming in my eyes gently so I wouldn't smug my kohl.
I took a deep breath and went into the parlor. They all had a teasing smile on their faces except for Ammi who was going through her phone.
"Come sit next to me. "Umma extended her arm towards me with a goofy smile.
She served me potato porridge and some sausages then turned her attention fully on me.
"Tell me all about your suitor." She said giving me a pat on the back. The statement made me choke on my potatoes as everyone began to giggle.
"We are running late." Ammi said. It was an escape from the situation Umma was about to plunge me in.
"It's alright dear, we can talk all about him when I come to Abuja." Umma spoke as I was trying to eat the hot porridge in a hurry.
"Take the plate with you my dear. "Umma spoke softly helping me with the plate as we stood up.
"Not in my car." Mahmud chipped in. I had totally forgotten about him as it was almost the first time he spoke to me since we got here. He hasn't spoken much really not unless it was necessary.
"You are sitting at the passengers sit. "Umma said opening the door as she eyed Mahmud. I really wasn't comfortable getting in the middle of all this. I could ride along with Mamie and Ammi in the other car. I honestly did not mind but Umma wanted to prove a point. She dragged me to the passenger's seat turning back to Mahmud.
"She is sitting right here. In this car."
He glared at me and then back to Umma with a pout.
"But Umma, she is going to mess up my car." He spoke sounding really upset.
"No buts. She is sitting here." Umma was very stubborn and she wasn't going to give up any time soon. It was final.
He got in the car where Na'eem, Nasreen and Amani where already seated.
He hissed just as we were about to leave the house waving our goodbyes. I looked back at the food. I had lost my appetite. But I held the plate as stable as I could so I wouldn't ruin his precious car. I turned to the window as the country song played on the radio while I was drawn in thoughts.
We arrived at Kaduna very late in the evening. It was hectic even though I slept through half of the journey.
I didn't bother to unpack. I was going back to Abuja the next day. After Isha I began to pack the rest of my stuff when I noticed the light from my phone. I moved closer bending towards it and I noticed it was a missed call. Just as I picked the phone it rang again. I swiped to answer.
"Hello." I said pausing for a brief moment.
"Hey babes. I really need to see you,in fact I am outside." He continued.
I had spent over a month in Kaduna and Nazeer has not asked to see me not once. Why now? I asked myself slumping on the bed almost forgetting I was still on the phone.
"Minal are you there?"He broke the silence and continued without waiting for an answer."It won't take long I promise." He added as if he somehow read my mind.
"I will be out in 5mins." I said hanging the phone.
I went through the clothes I haven't packed yet. A navy blue dupioni dress was the closest I could find. I felt classy when ever I wore that dress matching it with a silver scarf. I had no make up on but I felt amazing. I rushed out making sure I didn't run into anyone on the way out.
I met him outside in the shed near the garden where the lights illuminated the stone path to where he was seated.
I pulled a chair next to his. It was quiet for a moment as I could hear the sound of the cold breeze brushing through.
"Hey." He murmured as he stood up from where he was seated. He stood right before me but I still wouldn't look up.
"Minal." He continued as he knelt down before me. I felt a flicker the moment our eyes met. It felt like the first time although there was something more this time. I saw sadness in his lonely eyes and it frightened me. I felt helpless.
"Are you okay?" I managed to say as he reached for my hands. I didn't always like it but this time I was helpless.
"I'm sorry I messed up." he said. As he stared into my eyes searching through my soul. "I know I haven't been there. I have failed you Minal. I know I have." He held my hands even tighter this time. "I always manage to mess things up. Right now you are the only good thing in my life and I would draw my last breath before I let you go."
A stream of tears came running down my cheeks but I was still out of words even though I felt wronged.
"I didn't meant to make you cry." He spoke softly.
"I can't help it." I murmured.
"I don't deserve your tears, they are way too precious. In fact I know I don't deserve you but I would spend my remaining days making up for it. I want to be a better man for you. I want to be your man Minal."
I felt all the anger melting away. I didn't want to lose him either.
He paused for a bit reaching for the bouquet of pink tulips on the table. They were my favourite.
"Minal Abubakar, Marry me and you would have a tulip on your bed side every morning."
My lips curved into a smile, "Are you crazy?" I tried to roll my eyes.
"I have never been more serious about anything in my life."
My lips fell apart. I was caught off guard "Well" he said impatiently.
"A tulip every morning huh." I teased. "Hmm I would love that more than anything but don't make promises you can't keep."
"Fine, would you marry the plain Nazeer with only his heart to offer,hoping it would be enough to make you happy?"
"What has gotten into you?"
"What do you say?" he asked ignoring my last question.
"Yes or yes? "
"Yes." I giggled but I wasn't thinking straight. That's for sure.
"Finally." Nazeer shouted raising to his feet. "My legs were starting to hurt." He spoke teasingly.
"Did I tell you how beautiful you look?" He smiled as he sat back in his chair.
We talked for a long time not realising how much time had gone. It was ten minutes to eleven. Ya salam! I turned back to him.
"I need to go. It's getting late." I stood up to leave.
"Minal" he stopped me. "I can't wait to call you my wife."
I left without saying a word but I felt happiness my heart almost couldn't contain.