Layla was seated on a mat in the house compound cutting spinach for dinner when Dije entered the house. Innah's radio was playing from her room.
" lale marhabun who am I seeing like Dije?" Layla squinted her eyes smiling at her childhood friend.
Dije is basically her sister from across the street. They grew up together and did almost everything as duo. Despite Dije being elder among the two, she was Layla's bossy sister. She was there for her when Larai their classmate was bullying Layla. She was also the one that gave Isyaku stern warning to stop stalking Layla.
"I've heard all series of stories on how friends drift apart but I've never thought going to the city would be ours." Dije ranted while she held the drape of her hijab sending daggers to Layla.
She noticed how her skin was glowing beautifully. She was the fairer one but damn, city is a skin care of it's own.
Layla flashed her teeth at Dije who was still angry at her but yet stealing glances at her.
"My one and only Dije. The only one that has my heart. I was just about to get ready and come to greet Iya and you. You're are just ahead of me that's why. I was planning to get all the juicy gists from you." Layla stood up to her and was laughing.
" oh Layla look how you changed. You're even taller than me now." Dije replied as she finally decided to sit on the mat.
They both joined hand to sort the spinach as Innah left to a naming ceremony in the neighborhood.
Dije was still in awe of Layla that she couldn't help staring at her. She wanted her to tell her about Abuja. The mansions, cars, and handsome guys.
"Tell me about Abuja Layla. I know you're enjoying see how much you've changed."
Layla wasn't interested about talking so she asked her to divert the topic "tell me everything I've missed qawata. How's your studies?Where's Sahabi your heart throb?"
"School is fine we've just finished exams. Soon we'll be in ss3 and we'll write our SSCE. Sahabi has promised to allow me to further my studies. I want to be a nurse in shaa Allah. That has always been our dream."
Dije concluded dreamily Layla couldn't help but feel sad. That was equally her dream too. They had wanted almost the same thing. They even planned on marrying same guy someday But Dije doesn't look like someone that would let anyone eye Sahabi talk more of share.
"Mashaa Allah, how about the wedding?" She probed.
" immediately after my final year exams but he had paid brideprice already." She was blushing.
" iyye Sahabi's wife on the move. The one and only Dijen Sahabi." Layla teased more.
"Layla, you didn't ask about malam or have you dumped him for dan birni ?"
Layla couldn't help but laugh at the statement. "Who's dan birni?"
" I heard you were brought in a big car so is the guy that brought you the new uncle we got?"
"Dije, you talk too much. Let me tell you he's just the driver. I'll like to go to school before I leave."
"Uhmmm just say you want to see malam. It won't hurt you." Dije laughed again.
Layla felt nauseous and ran to the far end of the compound to vomit. It happened so quick Dije couldn't say a word but stare. She rinsed her mouth and came back panting. When she had sat and was fanning herself, Dije asked If she was sick.
"I don't know what's wrong with me recently I always vomit and I feel weak. I was even in the hospital last week."
"That's sad to hear. I hope you get better soon. Since you've finished the stew you should rest. Tomorrow if I come, we'll go and see some of our school friends."
Layla lazily answered because she was feeling sleepy. Dije took her leave and Layla went inside and laid down.
*****
KANO
Peace of mind was becoming more elusive to Zayyad. It was as though something was haunting him which he couldn't possibly know. He merely goes out to see even his friends.
Abba had talked to him about starting a family and had even proposed his friend's daughter, Alhaji Bashir Mani. It surprised his parents that he gave in so easily. Something was wrong with him and even Maama could sense it.
By this time, it was his conscience judging him. He has done someone wrong and there's no changing to that. He brought out his top and jeans from his wardrobe. He wore them and took his face cap, clapped his watch, and sprayed his favorite Oudh. Today was to be their first meeting with his supposed fiancée.
He didn't need directions to the house at least he knew the house, her parents, even If he doesn't know her. He parked in and walked to the living room. This was him doing things the right way.
Hajiya Zuwaira was already seated when he entered so he greeted her and she was welcoming and nice. She took an excuse and left. While he waited for the fiancée which name he doesn't know, a maid came to serve him drink and for a frightening second he thought he saw her. He was rigid for a moment. Something about the maid was reminding him of another maid somewhere which he knew he had done wrong to.
A dark skinned girl came out in a maroon jilbab. She had a cheeky face with eyes that were rather too brownish and small cute mouth which curved into a shy smile when they met. Her spectacles gave her a cute nerdy look.
What the heck is this one wearing? Is this some funeral?
Zayyad was riled up already. He for a second wanted to stand up and leave the damn house. Who brought this idea?
When she finally reached the chairs, she made a salam and stood waiting for his reply. He did reply her as she sat on the chair across him.
They were both silent because Zayyad was looking for an excuse to leave. It was one thing for him to agree and it was another for him to stay here. He felt like he was suffocating. But why do girls cover up like this seriously? This is extremism!!! What would the guys see and appreciate? He imagined the whole world all covering up like that and he knew that would have been the end of him.
The silence between them stretched because he was literally rooted.
"Zayyad, how are you?"
He was surprised when she mentioned his name given that he doesn't know hers.
"I'm good. It's funny I don't even know your name yet you know mine."
She smiled and she was like a flower standing beautiful and different in a garden. She looked ahead at a chandelier and asked "what's that?"
He didn't see the relevance of the question yet he answered not sure "chandeliers?"
Now she laughed nonchalantly at his answer before she said " think harder"
"Light?"
She beamed at him "that is it!!!"
Zayyad was confused "wait you mean your name is light? How could that be possible?"
She watched his confusion and she was delighted that he couldn't get the trick. She hoped he wasn't this dull.
"My name is light which in Arabic is called Noor. Common who would name his child light? My father named me noor because he believed I am the light that shine his heart. You didn't see this living room brightens when I entered?" She chuckled.
He almost said with this your maroon yard? But somehow his mouth was pursed and he was glad.
"So, my Dad call me Noori which mean my light. I'm my father's light. What's the meaning of your name?"
He was really amused. From the explanation she did one could tell she was brilliant.
"I honestly don't know the meaning."
"I'll check that up for you then." She offered.
He couldn't hold his curiosity "I don't mean to be too curious but what's this thing you're wearing?"
She looked at her jilbab and looked back at him "This is a jilbab. It's sewn like a gown and it's perfect for covering."
You already look like a ghost kudos to the jilbab.
"I'll take my leave now Noor. Thank you for your time." He rose to leave. He could swear he has started seeing everything maroon so he better leave. She doesn't sound so boring.
She rose too. Let me see you out then.
**********
ZARIA
Layla got worsened before the day break. She had vomited almost four times and was having fever. Innah heard her movement when she was throwing up for the third time.
"What's wrong with you Layla?" Innah was helping her with water to rinse her mouth.
"Innah I don't know. I've been vomiting since. Sometimes it stop and it comes back again."
She helped her back to the room where she laid before she was awakened again.
In the morning, Baba came in to see how she was faring. She was looking pale already. She managed to take some beans cake as breakfast before she fell asleep.
In the evening she was escorted to a small chemist across the street. She had been lazying in bed throughout the day. Dije didn't come and she was glad.
The nurse took her temperature and asked out of the sky "when last have you seen your Period?"
She looked at him surprised " why are you asking me that?"
The nurse was tensed and answered " just basic question."
" I can't remember." She replied curtly. How dare he asked her period. Don't he has shame? What do that got to do with her typhoid?
The nurse brought out a plastic container and handed it to Innah. " I'll need her urine sample in this container."
They collected and when they were about leaving she said "you didn't give me any medicine"
"Let's get the test done by Isha prayer then I'll give you the medicine."
She nodded and thank him and they left.
When they reached home she peed in the container and they gave Mamman to take it to the nurse.
After Isha Layla came back alone because Innah was praying when she was about leaving.
She found him attending a small boy who was also having fever. When the boy and his father left, she moved closer. He recognized her and started looking for her form.
" your results is out in fact I've been waiting for you since to give you this good news?" His face was beaming.
she looked at him puzzled "good news?"
"Yes good news because you'll soon be a mother."
She was so confused and pissed that she asked "what's a mother?"
The nurse sensed she was getting flared by anger. Maybe she doesn't want her emotions to be played with so he stated his results a matter of factly removing the congratulatory part since she mean business. " your results says you're Preganant."
*********
Heyyyy
I know y'all are mad at me 🥺🥺
I promised a week then I ghosted and here we are
Dang!!!!! This is actually happening OMG I'm crying 😢 she's actually pregnant???!!!! I hate you Zayyad fr
Drop your comments and votes
Update coming probably 1st January you know some New Year celebrations 🎉
The last update in 2019 🥰🥰