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Episodes Twenty-Two, Twenty-Three, and Twenty-Four

Over two hours had passed, and I had stopped crying. I was devouring a bowl of boiled rice and turkey stew while listening to Mom talk about how Saturday’s wedding would be lit.



I was sticking to Dad’s advice- ‘to flow along and pretend that everything is fine…even though it isn’t.’



“So, you haven’t told me who dropped you off,” Mom said with a smirk as she stared at me with curious eyes.



I chuckled. “That was a new friend. A female friend,” I swallowed the food in my mouth and smiled at her. “But if you’re talking about the black Toyota Corolla…”



“Yes, the tall man who drops you off every evening,” Mom stated.



“His name is Farouk.”



“Are you in a relationship?”



I laughed shyly. “Very soon.”



Mom grinned in excitement. “AlhamduliLlaah! You’ve finally found someone. This means that I have another wedding to plan. After Rasheedah’s wedding is held on Saturday, I’ll start working towards making yours even more glamorous,” she looked down at the bowl of rice and whipped her head up. “Please, eat very well. You need to add weight for your forthcoming wedding…ah, I need to prepare the budget for drinks,” Mom stated as she swiftly stood up and started walking towards her room.



I was trying to drift my thoughts to something else when my phone chimed on the table. Just at the right time!



I picked it up and was unfazed to see Farouk’s name on the Caller ID. “Asalamu ‘alaykum,

Farouk,” I said, matter-of-factly, as I clicked on the answer button at the first ring.



“Wa’alaykumu salam. I was starting to think that you’ve been kidnapped. I’m glad to hear from you,” he laughed.



My forehead creased with a frown. “Farouk, what if we’re just being paranoid? I spent just a few hours with Mutmainah today, and I can confidently say that she is innocent. What will she stand to gain? This lady is suffering from a mental health disorder. I’m sitting right here, wondering what she stands to gain by kidnapping my sister!”



Farouk remained silent for over five seconds before clearing his throat. “No one is calling her the culprit. She’s only a suspect, just like everyone on our list…”





I cut in. “We can’t suspect everyone. It is not right. I cannot believe you planted such doubt in me that I started to think that Mutmainah might have a hand in my sister’s disappearance. Khalid was right. Something is definitely wrong with me.”



Farouk gave a heavy sigh. “One thing I’m hundred per cent certain about is the fact that we’re perfectly okay. We are not crazy. I did not frame a story. I have nothing to gain. I’m trying to play a role in making sure that Rasheedah returns home,” Farouk explained.



“You should probably reduce the number of John Grisham’s books you read. I’m eating, Farouk. I’ll talk to you later.”



“Bye, Rafiah,” Farouk said coldly and hung up the call.



I threw the phone on the table and stared at the ground with tears burning my eyes.

***

Asmau, Munir, and I were seated, at our usual corner, in the cramped restaurant, eating from our plates of jollof rice. Today was different because Bushrah, Munir’s love, was also seated.



Bushrah was a petite and pretty lady with wide eyes and fair skin. She was dressed in a blue-and-white striped blouse and a pair of jean trousers. Her ears were adorned with silver rings and her bracelet- with her name imprinted- dangled whenever she gesticulates.

Continue reading https://www.maryamnittywall.com/2021/12/life-and-everything-in-between-episodes.html

Well done OP

Well done. This is a lovely story can't wait to have the rest

Ann2012:
Well done OP

Thanks for reading!

edwinmiles:
Well done. This is a lovely story can't wait to have the rest

Thank you!

Life and Everything in Between (Episode Twenty Five)
Over two months had passed since Rasheedah returned home and our lives swiftly returned to normal. Rasheedah had called off her engagement with Khalid and returned to school to prepare for her final exams. I had resigned from Fulaan and started working as a freelance writer.

Munir was also vigorously planning his wedding ceremony, and Asmau was heavily pregnant. I still hadn’t heard from Farouk. I’d flinch in fear and anticipation whenever my phone beeped with a notification, but sigh in disappointment when I realised that it was from someone else.

Asmau gobbled down the bowl of curry rice and steamed goat meat as she talked about how she had been spending her days at home. According to her, her daily routine was a mix of praying, eating, and sleeping. And her husband made the matter worse by fulfilling all of her cravings.

“Rafiah, can you believe that Hanif prepared this food as early as 06:00 am? He acts like he is on a mission to make me the happiest and fattest pregnant woman,” Asmau said as she gulped down her cup of orange juice.

I chuckled as I stared at her in amazement. “Isn’t that what you want? Gosh, Asmau! You’re three times your normal size.”

Asmau was dressed in an oversized black gown and her hair was braided into cornrows. I gazed at her rotund figure and remembered how she had looked about seven months ago.

“Oh, whatever. Wait till I give birth. I’ll hit the gym and shed all of it!” Asmau remarked as she rolled her eyes.

It was a Saturday afternoon and I had decided to spend the rest of the day with Asmau while we caught up with the latest events and talk about Munir’s forthcoming wedding ceremony.

“Why have you been staring at your phone? Still expecting a message from Farouk?” Asmau asked as she stared at me with curious eyes.

I locked my phone and threw it on the sofa. “Oh, it’s nothing. I was just monitoring the reactions on a post I updated on Instagram this morning. Imagine, Asmau, I haven’t gotten up to 15 reactions since morning,” I sighed heavily as I continued eating.

“It’s a process. No one got it all in one day. You just have to remain consistent and continue putting your works out there,” Asmau advised.

“Thank you, Asmau. That’s exactly what I’m doing. It can be hard sometimes, but I’m trying.”

“How’s writing? Are you making progress?”

“Oh, yes I am. I’ve gotten close to five writing contracts this month. And I keep sending applications for full-time positions. I was invited for an interview earlier this week. Hopefully, I’ll get the job,” I said with a smile.

“I’m so proud of you, Rafiah! And your dad?” Asmau asked.

I chuckled. “I’m twenty-eight, Asmau. He’s got no choice,” I stated as I rose from my seat. “Can I get more of this? Your husband is such a good cook!”

“Yes, there is. Go check the pot,” Asmau said I walked towards the kitchen.

When I returned with a refilled plate, I caught Asmau peering at my phone.
“Mutmainah is calling again. That lady is obsessed with you,” Asmau said with a sigh.

“I’ve told her to let me be. It’s been months now. When will she give up?” I scowled as I picked up my phone and answered the call.

“Hey, Rafiah. How have you been?”

“When will this stop, Mutmainah?” I blurted out as I sank on the couch and placed my plate of rice on the nearby stool.

“I’m really sorry for keeping your sister hostage. I didn’t know what came over me,” Mutmainah begged and it sounded like she was crying.

“You’ve apologised countless times. Are you going to keep calling me to apologise? You’re supposed to be rotting in jail, Mutmainah. But, well, the wealthy ones are above the law,” I quipped, rolling my eyes in disgust.

“I wasn’t in my right senses and regret doing that for Khalid. We’re still not going to get married. It’s obvious that he never liked me. I need you back as my friend. You’re different from others. Please, Rafiah, the short period I spent with you was different.”

“You can’t keep forcing people into your lives. That’s what you were trying to do with Khalid. You’re doing the same right now. It won’t happen, Mutmainah. I can never be your friend. I’m eating, so I can’t talk much. I wish you all the best,” I said as I ended the call and raised my head to see Asmau’s husband, Jamal, placing a tape rule over her nose. I didn’t even realise when he came into the living room to join us.

Asmau giggled and ran around the room. “Look at what my husband does all the time! He measures the size of my bulging nose to tease me. Is it my fault that my nose appears twice larger than the normal size?”

“Well, I’m here to tease you until it returns to normal. Just take a look at the nose, Rafiah. Are you not amazed?” Jamal gave a peal of throaty laughter as he stared at her face in admiration.

I picked up my bag and forced a smile. “I…think I should be leaving.”

Asmau shook her head. “Oh, no. We haven’t chosen a style for Munir’s wedding. You can’t just leave like that.”

“Well, it’s getting late. We can always discuss that via WhatsApp,” I explained. “It’s good to see you again, Jamal.”

“Thanks for visiting, Rafiah. You’re always welcome to spend time with my naughty wife,” he chuckled.

“Let me see you off,” Asmau said as she wore her khimar and tailed me to the door.

As we stepped out of the building, Asmau turned towards me. “Did you ever like Munir? I mean…wish that you guys were together?”

“Yes, when we first met. Though, it was only a simple crush. It faded after meeting Farouk. I fell head over heels with him,” I replied.

“You know, there might be a genuine…”

“There’s no genuine reason for not responding to my message for months. I know I was wrong to have lashed out at him that day. But, what do you expect of someone searching for her only sister? I’ve apologised, what else? He’s just a proud person who never forgives,” I said as I spotted an okada rider.


“Let me be on my way, Asmau. We’ll talk better tomorrow. Bye!”
***

I arrived home about thirty minutes later to the sight of Mom running towards the entrance. I tried to maneuver my way into the house, but Mom kept shoving me away with a loud laugh.

“You cannot enter, Rafiah,” Mom stated as she grinned from ear to ear.

I eyed her suspiciously. “Why? Are you hiding something from me?”

“Well…” Mom adjusted my red-coloured veil and smiled at me. “You may go now.”

I sighed heavily as I stepped into the living room, wondering what could have happened in there. Did they suddenly change the seven-year-old curtains when I was away? Or, had Rasheedah returned from school? I almost squealed in shock when I spotted Farouk sitting on the sofa beside Dad.

Continue reading https://www.maryamnittywall.com/2021/12/life-and-everything-in-between-episodes.html

Thanks for the update ma’am

Ann2012:
Thanks for the update ma’am

Thanks for reading!