“Perfect!”
They laughed as they talked about other things. They ate the delicious spaghetti
together and prepared to sleep. Ibrahim left Halima to sleep on the bamboo bed
in the room while he slept on the raffia mat in the living room.
The
next day, they performed their usual task and cooking was already a hobby for
them. The third day, the place felt like their home that they were used to
living that way. It was simple, loving and calm.
“Do
you think they wouldn’t disown us when we get there?” Ibrahim’s father asked as
they drove to the village. They were about to set their children free from the
hostage.
“No,
I think they will use abusive words on us.”
“I
don’t think so. They could have learnt their lesson. I have a reason for
creating this plan.” Halima’s mother insisted.
“What
if they’ve injured themselves after a big fight? Audhubillah.” Ibrahim’s mother
exclaimed.
They
didn’t say another word till they got to the gate of the building. Everywhere
seemed quiet and they saw a big pot on fire, in the compound. Halima and
Ibrahim were laughing at a joke when they heard sounds outside.
“What
could that be?” Halima asked.
“I
can’t say. There’s no arm in this house for protection,” he said as they were
walking out of the house.
They
were both shocked to see their parents standing in the compound, a stone-throw
from the door step.
“Oh!
Mother, father…” they both hugged their parents as their parents looked at them
in fascination and surprise.
“You
two came out together?”
“Yes,
Halima is a really nice person.” Ibrahim smiled.
“And
he’s also nice and jovial,” she replied.
“Allah
Sarki! Are you two cooking?” Halima’s mother exclaimed.
“Yes,
tuwo shinkafa. It’s almost ready. Why don’t we go inside so that we would have
lunch together.” Their parents entered the living room and they were served the
food. It was indeed very delicious. They couldn’t believe their children could
cook such a food. They had completely changed.
They
left the house an hour later and they both knew they would miss there. They
promised themselves to visit again during the holiday as it was a wonderful
place to stay.
Halima
and Ibrahim glanced at themselves before turning to view the green grasses on
the bush path. They both took photographs and had funny thoughts in their mind.
***
“Halima,
I can’t believe you’re the one cooking. You never spend time in the kitchen,”
her mother said.
“And
I can’t believe you had this all planned. You can be amazing mom. Well, it
worked anyway. Thank you, ma.” She hugged her tightly with soapy hands.
“It’s
okay…my love. You’re welcome…so, how is Ibrahim?”
“How
is Ibrahim? I do not understand.” Halima grimaced.
“You’re
not in love with him?”
“That,
I don’t think so. He’s a very lovely person, but I don’t think I love him. I’m
not even sure that he loves me.” she rinsed her hands and faced her mother.
“What
if he does?”
“Then
he should confess his feelings for me.”
“Why
can’t you do so?”
“I’ll
look cheap mom. I think he’s taking his time and he thinks I am too. If we are
destined to be together, we will.”
“He’s
leaving tomorrow. Aren’t you going to miss him?”
“Of
course. I will miss him…” she said as Ibrahim entered the kitchen.
“I’m
sorry to disrupt your conversation, but I came to assist the mother and
daughter.” He laughed.
“Really?”
Halima chuckled, “Don’t you know that you’re a man? You’re not meant to be in
the kitchen.”
“Why
not? Please ma, go and rest while I assist Halima with the cooking.”
“Okay,
my children. You just want mama to rest her lazy bones,” she chuckled as she
left the kitchen.
“You
were saying something about missing me.” Ibrahim said, stirring the hot soup on
fire.
“Yes…I
will miss you. A friend will always a miss a friend, right?”
“Yeah,
I’ll miss you too. I want to tell you something,” he said.
“What?”
“I
got the job in Germany. I’ll be leaving next week. I’ll gain experience there
before taking over my father’s company in Nigeria.”
“Of…
course…that’s your decision.”
“Thank
you, he smiled weakly. They both knew that they would miss each other so much.
Ibrahim
and his parents left the next morning, and the house felt empty without them.
She missed everything about Ibrahim and it became worse when he travelled to Germany.
He
called her everyday and they chatted on WhatsApp and Facebook. Halima decided
to occupy her thoughts with other things. She enrolled for a fashion designing
course and visited the spa on weekends. Ibrahim was happy when he heard of the
new development. Halima also convinced her parents to take her daughter out of
the orphanage home and to take good care of her as a good mother would…
A/N: One episode to go...yay!
Hmm!
ReplyDeleteThis is going deeo oo...
They better open up ooo
Yes oo!!!
Delete