Tears Of Summayah - Episode 25

 

It was a few hours to Jamiu's birthday and Sumayyah thought of surprising him by going to Abuja. She knew he would be very happy to see her. The incident with Jennifer that happened the day before flashed before her eyes and she immediately asked Allah's forgiveness for her sins, even if it was against her will. She tried calling Azeezah, but her line was still switched off . “I will go to her house immediately I return from Abuja.”

At precisely, 11:59 PM, Sumayyah dialled Jamiu’s number and he picked on the fifth ring.

“Hello,” Jamiu said in a sleepy voice.

“I am so sorry for disturbing you. I just wanted to be the first to wish you a happy birthday. Happy birthday my beloved Jamiu. I hope you are going to fast today, you know it is the Sunnah of our prophet. May you live a very long life in good health and wealth, Allah will continue to shower you with his blessings and knowledge, In sha Allah.

“Amin. Subhnallah, no one has ever reminded me of this. Thank you so much, Allah will also reward you for reminding me. I know you haven't slept just because of me, so get some sleep.”

“Tomorrow is Saturday, I can sleep to my heart’s content.”

“I hope you don't feel very lonely.”

“Not at all. Just tell your Uni to be fast so that you can come back home”

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/tears-of-summayah

.  She joked.

“Haha, I will deliver your messages to them”.

“Allah Hafiz, sleep tight.”

“Allah Hafiz, recite some dua before sleeping”.

“I am going to surprise you today In shaa Allah” she giggled before closing her eyes.

*****
The next day Sumayyah put the house in order and prepared for her trip to Abuja. After she had everything in order, she took a taxi to the garage, so she could board a bus to Abuja. Unfortunately, the bus she boarded developed a lot of faults throughout the journey, so much so that the trip took longer than expected. Finally, when they were almost at Abuja, the bus rumbled to a final stop. The driver informed all the passengers that they had to alight because the bus could go no further.

“What is the problem now? Please take us to our destination since that was what we paid for.” An irate passenger complained.

“Abuja is about 20mins drive from here, you can easily get a bus here or just trek.” The driver said.

Sumayyah looked on in panic. It was almost dark and the road was deserted. “I don't know anywhere.” She searched her bag for her phone and that was when she realised she left it at home. “Oh no, how do I call Jamiu now?”.

The passengers had no other option but to alight, with some of them shouting at the driver. After a while, a bus happened to pass by and the passengers filed in, with the exception of an old woman who couldn't get a space because it was filled up. Sumayyah decided to give up her seat. The old woman declined.

“My daughter, you can go. You know it is dangerous for a girl like you to be alone in this dark place.”

Sumayyah smiled and replied: “Grandma my house isn't far from here and moreover I am used to walking home very late at night. You see, I can easily get another bus, but you are too old to stand, and I am sure your feet will be hurting you. The driver can help me get another bus. Don't worry you can board the bus.”

“Thank you, my daughter.” The old woman prayed for Sumayyah and boarded the bus.

“I am sure I will get another bus here, but I don’t know how I will get the address to his house when I can't even call him. I will ask someone to lend me his/her phone for some minutes as soon as I get to Abuja.” She began to flag down cars, all the while praying to God to send her a good Samaritan.

********
Aiaha, a lady in her early 20s was driving along the highway when she noticed a young girl flagging cars down by the wayside. She decided to stop the car and listen to what the young girl had to say.

“Where are you going so late at night?”Aisha asked Sumayyah.

Sumayyah went on to explain what had occurred with the bus she had boarded and how she ended up being stranded. Aisha decided to help her out.

Sumayyah immediately hopped into the passenger side of the car. “I am really grateful for your help.”

“It's nothing girl. Where are you coming from, by the way?”

“Sokoto, I have never been to Abuja before. I just came here to surprise someone.”

“Hmm, I can tell that ‘that someone’ is very special to you.”

Sumayyah looked at the floor. “Yes, he is. Today is his birthday and I wanted to surprise him. I didn't know my journey would take so long.” She sighed. “I am sure he must be upset with me because I have not called him all day”

“Don’t you think your parents will be angry with you for coming here all alone without their permission or are they aware that you are here?”

“Actually, he is my husband. I don't need permission from my parents to see him,” Sumayyah replied smiling.

Aisha was surprised. “Ohh, you got married at a very young age. I guess your husband is young too.”

“Yes, but he understands me a lot. He respects me too.”

“Awwn, what a cute couple. I also want to get married but not now.”

“It's okay.”

“So, what is the address, so I can take you there.” Aisha inquired

Sumayyah sighed again. “I don't have his address, I thought I would call him when I arrive in Abuja, but I left my phone at home. Could you lend me your phone so that I can call him?”.

“No problem dear” Aisha handed her phone over to Sumayyah.

“Thank you so much.” Sumayyah dialled both of Jamiu’s phone numbers but did not get through. “Oh no, what will I do now.?” She exclaimed

“What happened.?”

“My husband’s numbers are not going through. I should not have come here without informing him.” Sumayyah concluded dejectedly

“Don’t worry, you can sleep at my apartment till tomorrow. Then you can try to call him tomorrow, okay?”.

“Yes, I would appreciate that. Thank you so much.”

“You don’t need to thank me.”

“I have to, it is said that if someone does a good deed, we should be grateful. You have done more than enough for me.”

“Seriously, it's nothing.”

“Okay, I just don't know why his numbers are not going through. This has never happened before.”

“You know how Nigeria is, the electricity is not stable and that could be one of the reasons why his numbers are unreachable.”

“That's true.”  

They rode on in silence until Aisha spoke again

“My name is Aisha. What’s yours?”

“My name is Sumayyah.”

“Masha Allah. It’s nice to meet you”

………

At Aisha’s apartment, Sumayyah quickly went about freshening up and eating the dinner that Aisha prepared for her. When she finished eating, Aisha took her to her room and handed her a nightwear for her to change into.

“I am sorry, but I don't wear such short night wears” Sumayyah politely declined

“Don't worry, it is only the two of us here. There is no male, so you can feel free.”

Sumayyah collected the nightgown and put it on. ”I am so tired, plus I feel so dizzy all of a sudden.”

“Perhaps you feel that way because of the stress you have been through today. Just rest and I am sure you will feel better in the morning. Goodnight dear.”

“Goodnight sister.”

******

Back at Sokoto, Jennifer visited Mrs. Aminat's house to show her the evidence she had collected.

“Salaam Alaikum ma, this is the evidence you asked me to bring.”

“Walaykum salaam dear, let me see”
 

Jennifer handed the tape recorder and her mobile phone to Mrs. Aminat, who in turn listened to the message on the recorder and stared in shock at the pictures on the phone.
“I don’t believe this? Sumayyah called me a witch, after all the love and care I showed her.”

“I told you she is cunning but you wouldn’t believe me,” Jennifer said a triumphant smile on her face.

“I am so sorry for not trusting you. That girl will see hell. By the way, how did you get these pictures and the recording?”

“I was fortunate to pass by when she was talking to her friend. She was with several guys as well, so I just seized the opportunity to record everything and take pictures.”

Mrs Aminat nodded. “I know how to deal with this. Just send the pictures to my phone and I will hold on to the recorder”

“No problem ma.”

Jennifer left Mrs Aminat’s house very happy and with the knowledge that Mrs Aminat now had immerse hatred for Sumayyah.

Mrs Animat on the other hand immediately paid Sumayyah a visit that night but was surprised when she found the house empty and locked. She waited for an hour before leaving the place.

“Where is this girl, so all the accusations are true?. I will return very early tomorrow to deal with her.”

She went back home after calling Sumayyah’s number several times but received no response.

*******
Sumayyah woke up the next day, feeling tired. She quickly stood up to pray fajr but noticed there was some blood stains on the bed sheet. She quickly went to the bathroom and cleaned herself up. She also washed the clothes and hung them up to dry. Aisha walked in immediately Sumayyah came out of the bathroom.

“Salam Alaikum Sumayyah, how was your night? I can see you already took your bath.”

“Yes, I have. I couldn't pray because I am off solah. I woke up to see the night wear you gave me was stained, but I washed it already, I am so sorry.”

“You should not be sorry, I understand. These things come naturally and we can’t stop them.”

“I don't know why I am having my period this month again. Is it normal?”.

Aisha smiled. “It is normal, sometimes it happens.”

“Really?”

“Yes, of course.”

“I don’t have cramps, that's just unbelievable. Every month, I always have serious cramps”

“Alhamdulillah then, I will get you some pad to use”.

“Thank you.”

Aisha went out of the room and came back with the sanitary pads, which she handed to Sumayyah.

“Take this and meet me in my room when you are done.”

“Okay, thanks”

Sumayyah went to Aisha as soon as she was done. Aisha borrowed Sumayyah her phone so she could call Jamiu's number, but it was still unreachable

Sumayyah felt very sad. “I have to go back home, there’s nothing left for me to do here”

“I am so sorry, let's go and eat breakfast before I drop you off at the park.” Aisha offered.

“Okay.”

In a few minutes, they finished their meals and headed to the garage so that she could board a bus back to Sokoto. Sumayyah decided to give Aisha the gift she had bought for Jamiu the day before.

“Aisha please I want you to take this,” Sumayyah said as she handed Aisha the wrapped parcel.

Aisha shook her head. “I can't accept this. This gift was for your husband, keep it for him.”

“I can always get another one for him. Please just accept it”

“Okay.” Aisha smiled and collected the gift. “There’s a bus and it’s almost half full. Go on and get a seat.” She led Sumayyah to the said bus. When Sumayyah was settled in, she asked Aisha for her number, so she could remain in contact with her.

“Here.” Aisha wrote her number on a sheet of paper and handed it to Sumayyah. “Call me when you get home, alright?”

“I will. As- salaam Alaikum warahmotullah wabarakatuh.” Sumayyah greeted her new friend while waving her goodbye.

“Walaykum salaam warahmotullah wabarakatuh.” Aisha waved as well, before she drove off.

Sumayyah prayed silently for Aisha, asking Allah (s.w.t) to reward her abundantly for the care she showed her.