Bello Kabir.

Since Abu's friend, Sen. Ibrahim Tahir, and his family came and left, Ummu has been snapping at everyone and everything. Because of that, I've had to cut down on my visit to the house. I would usually visit everyday, sometimes even stay for dinner. But today is the third day since the last time I went over.

Today marks one week since Ruqayya collected my number. I honestly don't know what I feel about her or if I feel anything about her. But Abu said he wants to have an alliance with Sen. Tahir. And he wants to achieve that by having if not the two of us, then at least one of us married to one of his daughters.

Well, his daughter and his wife's niece actually. But that's not the point here.

And for the first time in my entire thirty years of life, Abu is asking me for a favor. He normally just asks us to do something, and if we have a reason to not do it, we let him know and he gives us an ultimatum. He's never one to force us to do anything —that's Ummu's role.

He knows both Yaya and I can easily say no to this whole thing. And even though he can force us to go through with it, he won't. He can force us to do anything, but not get married. He knows more than anyone how both Yaya and I pray for nothing short of a happy marriage. And I'm sure he would never take that dream away from us.

So a day before yesterday, when I was at work, Abu had called me. Abu never calls me while I'm at work, so imagine my shock to that. He had told me to go over to the house early that day, that he wants to talk to Yaya and I before he left. He had a flight to Jigawa and their airport didn't have a private jet hanger. Or he had just said it because he didn't want to take the PJ.

Either ways, I had told him I'd let Yaya know and we'd be there but he said he had already told Yaya. And that was how I knew it was urgent.

When I went to the house, Yaya was already waiting for me. Abu didn't waste time in telling us why he called us.

"You remember my friend, Senator Ibrahim Tahir? The one that came with two girls and his wife?" Yaya and I had exchanged looks before we replied in the affirmative. We both knew about the senator because after Ummu threw a tantrum about us not understanding what was going on between her and the woman she called juya —who we later realized was Sen. Ibrahim's wife—,we left her and headed to Abu's wing to wish him a good night.

That was when we got introduced to the senator and he insisted we stayed back for a while before he left. We did just that and we three all left at the same time.

"Did you see the girls he came with? Ruqayya and Fa'iza is it?" Yaya and I already knew where it was headed, but it was Ummu's role. She was the one always playing matchmaker.

"Yes, Abu." Abu nodded.

"Okay, I want to ask you both for a favor. I don't want to force you, and I don't want you to pressure yourselves. This is a thing of choice. I have known senator Ibrahim even before he became influential in the political system. We go way back. And now, muna so mu gyara zumunci. I suggested that we get our kids married to each other, and he welcomed the idea. Yesterday, we were on the phone and he told me he had talked to his girls." Abu had turned to me with a small smile.

"I got to know that Bello has been talking to one of the daughters. And that she might have feelings for him, or not. So I guess that's a good start. So Abdallah, at least try and talk to the other girl, Fa'iza. She's his wife's niece. See what comes out of it. Okay?" Yaya had replied with an okay and Abu's face had broken into a wide smile.

"I suggested that you both go to see them in Abuja In Shaa Allah, maybe Thursday since Bello can't miss work on Wednesdays. Abdallah won't have a problem, I'm sure. You can take the PJ." Abu had dismissed us and Yaya had teased me all the way to the car, even though I had told him that she had approached me and asked for my number. And although she had not told me she liked me, her texts, chats and calls said a lot.

And now, here we are, taxing through the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. Abu said they will send a car to come pick us at the airport, and he gave Yaya the senator's number. He called him when the captain announced our arrival and asked us to prepare for landing. And the senator said a driver is already waiting for us.

"...Have a nice stay." The captain concludes and we step out, our luggage already waiting for us. We head to the parking lot and Yaya calls the driver whose number he was sent. He's the one that is meant to take us to the senator's house.

For some reason, I want to turn back and not go to the house. Knowing Ruqayya is there, waiting for me, I don't know how to act. I have intentionally missed two of her calls and I haven't replied her texts or chats.

She said she wouldn't be around though, she has her first defense today, turns out she's soon to be a graduate while her cousin is a graduate.

The drive to the senator's house is a long one. But when we arrive, I'm blown away by the architecture of the house. It is a curved two story building with a lot by the left and a bukka by the right where I can see Fa'iza sitting, a highlighter pen in between her lips. She has headphones on so I don't think she heard our arrival.

The house looks to be a three winged building. The driver parks by the entrance to the house and Yaya gestures for me to step out. We go out, take our luggage from the trunk of the car and head into the house. The interior of the house is giving mystery vibes, puts me in a good mood to continue reading the thriller novel I've been reading all the way here on my kindle.

We salaam loudly as we make our way in. Since they are expecting us, we were hoping someone that would lead us to wherever we're supposed to be is close. Otherwise, we know better than to salaam loudly in a huge house as such. A salaam is never wasted but no one answers because no one can hear you.

We say another salaam and when no reply comes, we halt there. The place is an open foyer holding a three seater and a small Sony television. Yaya gestures to me and we take a seat on the couch. We do just that and I continue to check the place out.

The temperature here is a bit under room temperature. Not chilly but actually cool. I don't see an air-conditioning system anywhere so I guess it is the one from the next room that's seeping in here. The place is dark too, with only one colored bulb hanging from above us, bathing the room in its blue lights. I want to assume that they turn the light up in the night.

From where I'm seated, I can see two steps that lead down and into another room. I can't see from here what is in the room, save for a royal couch.

A voice comes and Yaya and I exchange a look. We watch as who looks to be a maid because of her dressing comes, head lowered. She raises her eyes for a fraction of second and lowers it back again.

"Good afternoon. Hajiya said you should follow me while I lead you to your rooms." Yaya and I exchange a look again before we stand up, dragging our suitcases behind us. Of course, she takes the suitcases from us, even though Yaya insists we can drag them ourselves. The suitcases aren't even heavy to begin with. And they are small, mine holds just three sets of clothes and two pairs of shoes, then a pair of cufflinks and a wristwatch. Oh, and a cap.

The bag I have on my back holds my MacBook, kindle and one of manuscripts I plan on editing during my stay here.

We pass through a living room with royal couches, a plasma television and a center table. Then a conjoined dining area too with a small table that won't hold more than seven people. In between the dining room and the living room is a flight of stairs I believe should lead to their rooms.

We are then led out of the wing and into a smaller one that looks to have not been used for a while. The maid flicks the light switch, bathing what looks like a living room in the white light.

"This is where you'll be staying. There are three rooms, Hajiya said you should pick one each and stay. Lunch is ready so when you come out, take the route we took and go to the dining room. I'll serve your food." The maid leaves the suitcases there and turns to leave.

Yaya chases behind her with a loud thank you which she doesn't reply to.

We quickly get our suitcases inside the room and I freshen up. By the time I come out, Yaya is also dressed in the same manner as I am; a pair of jeans and a t-shirt. But while I paired mine with simple around-the-house slippers, Yaya is wearing palms and a face cap.

We take the same route again, each one of us in their thoughts. We arrive at the moderate dining room and take a seat. As though the maid was called for, she arrives and serves us rice, some peppered chicken parts and a tumbler filled with juice each.

"Should you need more, everything is right here on the table." She leaves again, ignoring Yaya's thank you. I don't think she's used to being thanked.

We start eating, and for a while, it is quiet until two different footsteps from different directions come. While one goes clank clank, like MD's heels although this is uneven, the other is like a pat pat sound, like the sound of slippers slapping tiles. And one seems to be coming from the entrance while the other from somewhere above, I think someone is coming down the stairs.

Ruqayya appears from the foyer and sits in the living room. From where I am sitting, I can see how tired she looks. Her eyes are bloodshot and her nose scrunches up every now and then.

"Mary! Call me Fa'iza or Umma please." Ruqayya says in a wobbly voice after dropping her shoes.

"Gani nan ma. What happened?" Ruqayya's mother, what's her name? Hajiya Salma, says. She sends us a small smile and steals a glance at Ruqayya before her smile falls and she rushes over to her.

"Ya dai?" Hajiya Salma says helping Ruqayya take off her cap and remove her jacket. I avert my gaze, focusing intently on my food. Yaya doesn't even seem fazed.

"Tun ina defense dina," Ruqayya seems to be struggling to breath and I can't help but steal a glance at her, her eyes are getting redder by the minute and she keeps scrunching her nose, like she's inhaling air she doesn't like.

"Mary! Mary!!" The maid that served us arrives looking confused, eyes wide.

"Call me Fa'iza in the bukka outside. Fast dan Allah." Said Mary rushes out and returns minutes later with Fa'iza. All the while, Hajiya Salma is trying to get Ruqayya to breath and I can't help but wonder, what is wrong with her?

"Fa'iza, I think she's having an attack." Attack? Is she asthmatic?

Fa'iza rushes over, throwing the book on the couch and crouching in front of Ruqayya.

"Okay, Ruqayya kalle ni nan. Look into my eyes." Yaya finally graces them with a look before he looks at me. Since they came in, he has been eating quietly, I swear this man has a doctorate degree in minding his business.

"Mu duba su koh?" Yaya says and stands up. I follow behind him and we enter the sitting room. He goes forward and asks what's wrong with Ruqayya.

"She's pneumonic, and she has asthma. So every time she gets tired, her breathing becomes slow and ragged and then she starts to black out." I glance at Ruqayya and notice that her lips are starting to turn a bluish gray color. Subhanallah. Only she and Allah know what she's going through.

"Ruqayya don't you dare close your eyes. Ki kalle ni nan. Follow my fingers, one two, in, one two, out." I glance at Ruqayya again, she's struggling to follow Fa'iza's fingers. Unable to stop myself, I speak.

"But, Hajiya..." She cuts me off.

"Ummi please, or maman Ruqayya." She gives me a strained smile which I return, mine free.

"Why not take her to a hospital?"

"Mary, bring me a cup of warm water." Fa'iza shouts then turns to Ummi.

"Ummi, help me move her to the three seater." She and Ummi move her to the longest couch and Fa'iza sits, adjusting Ruqayya's almost limp body on her laps.

"Where is your inhaler?" Ruqayya points to her bag and Ummi immediately starts checking it until she pulls out an inhaler and a handkerchief.

The poor girl coughs, phlegm with some traces of blood follow the cough and I can see Ummi's eyes widen.

"Fa'iza koh dai zamu kaita asibiti ne?" Fa'iza ignores Ummi and collects the handkerchief. She wipes Ruqayya's mouth and collects the inhaler.

"Ruqayya try and sit down for me please. Just lean your back on the chair." With Fa'iza's support, Ruqayya sits. Her palms are starting to turn a bluish gray too, just like her lips.

"Mary!" The maid comes in frantically with a glass of water and Fa'iza feeds Ruqayya the water, little by little. When she feeds her a small bit, she encourages her to swallow first, then she urges her to breath. Eventually, she finishes the whole glass, and it's safe to say, Ruqayya looks a tad bit better.

"Take this." Fa'iza hands Ruqayya's inhaler back to her and directs it towards her mouth. Ruqayya takes deep breaths with the help of the inhaler before she drops it and starts coughing.

Fa'iza takes the handkerchief and helps collect the phlegm and blood until Ruqayya is coughing no more. Ruqayya's lips and palms have returned to their normal color and she is no more struggling to breath.

Fa'iza stands up and takes the handkerchief with her, together with the glass cup.

"Ummi, you remember what the doctor told us, right?" Ummi sighs and nods before Fa'iza walks towards the kitchen.

I can hear her shouting at someone in the kitchen.

"What if she had died? A ce wa mutum ya kawo ruwa kamar wanda nace ta dauko gabadaya sink din? Must you always be slow? Let Abba come back, he will deal with you." My eyes widen at that. I never pegged Fa'iza as someone who would be... Bratty or whatever I should call her attitude.

"She's just threatening her, she won't tell him. She loves Ruqayya more than life itself. She might've looked strong as she handled the situation but she's dead scared. Anytime Ruqayya has an attack, Fa'iza locks herself up in her room for the rest of the day, only coming out after every hour to make sure Ruqayya is fine. She's scared that one day, Ruqayya will have an attack and she won't be able to do anything to save her." Ummi shakes her head with a teary smile and sits beside Ruqayya.

"How do you feel?" Ruqayya nods, holding her neck.

"I just need water." Her voice is barely coming out but because of the quietness of the room, save for the air conditioning system, I can hear her.

Fa'iza comes in with two bottles of water and a glass of what looks like juice together with a bowl in her hand.

"You're lucky I made soup this morning." Fa'iza says and sits on the other side of Ruqayya who in turn smiles.

"Don't even start. I warned you against taking ice cream after a cold bath this morning. You told me you're fine. And then you went to school and probably ran around the whole school compound, what would you expect to happen? Bakya jin magana." Fa'iza is avoiding Ruqayya's gaze as she feeds her the hot soup.

"Fa'iza..." Fa'iza cuts her off.

"I don't want to hear it, idan kika mutu ma nikam na huta ai. I'll have Ummi and Abba all to myself." I don't know if I imagine it, but Fa'iza wipes a tear when she stretches to pick the cup holding what looks like juice.

"I'm sorry." Fa'iza simply ignores her and gives her the glass cup before she stands up and take her book and phone. She looks around before she sights something and then she picks it—her headphones—then she leaves.

I can't seem to find it in me to sleep, and Yaya is in the next room, snoring like that is what he was sent to the world to do. I want to finish editing this manuscript before sleep finds me, but I can't find it in me to do that with a second hand generator in the next room.

I decide to step out to the place I saw just behind the bathroom window. I try two routes before I find the place. I sit on a plastic chair I see there and begin to edit the manuscript when I hear sobbing and sniffing. It seems to be coming from farther away from me.

I want to check it out but I don't want to. It's past midnight and I don't want to deceive myself into thinking there are probably no jinns around me. But when I hear a somewhat familiar voice, I decide to check it out, a prayer playing on my lips just incase.

I follow the voice until I find Fa'iza, she's sitting on what looks to be a mat on the floor, her hand cups her forehead as she scribbles down on what I suppose is a journal.

"Fa'iza?" She looks up at me before she quickly wipes her face and dabs at it with her hijab. She quickly gathers her things and leaves, almost pushing past me.

03-05-2023
Edited

I was supposed to do this question and answer thing day before yesterday. And I fell sick but I'm good now, Alhamdulillah. So, I will hold it today, In Shaa Allah.

How is the book so far?

Looks like Y'all aren't sharing, ahbi I should stop?

Anyways, the plan is to take this book to Okadabooks twenty four hours after it is completed. So if you want to read it, read it now.

Okay, bye!