Tears Of Summayah - Episode 27

 

Sumayyah was so weak that she couldn't stand up on her feet. Her angry mother-in-law refused to let her out of the storeroom, despite her pleas. The next day, Mrs. Aminat opened the storeroom and slid a plate of food to her like she was a criminal in prison.

“Hey stupid girl, I would have left you here to die but I am not as wicked as you. You will remain locked up for a week or more; that way you will learn your lesson”

Sumayyah lifted her head when she heard her in-law’s voice . “Salaam Alaikum mother. I am so sorry. Let me out please, I need to take my medications.”

“I should let you out?” Mrs. Aminat asked incredulously.

“Yes, ma. I am very weak.”

“I will only pity you by fetching your drugs. Anything besides that is impossible.”

“Mother, it is dark in here. Let me out, please.”

“I am going to deal with you if you beg me again.” Mrs. Aminat turned to leave.

“Mother, I have to see my friend for the last time. She is travelling out of the country tonight. I can’t let her go without saying goodbye.”

Mrs. Aminat looked back at Sumayyah and shook her head

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

. “You want to go and see your friend, so that you can conspire to kill me, right?” That friend of yours that has been a bad influence on you or is the reverse the case?”

“Trust me mother, I am not trying to kill you.”

“You are not going anywhere, okay?” Mrs. Aminat shouted and left the store, slamming the door behind her.

Sumayyah continued to beg but her pleas fell on deaf ears. She knew she may never see her best friend again and she prayed for Az to forgive her and remain happy.


******

Azeezah was very worried about Sumayyah, as she had not heard from her since the day of their argument. “I should have paid her a visit when I had the chance.” She thought to herself. At least, they would have ironed out the misunderstanding if they had met face to face. But she had been unable to do so, what with preparing for her trip and all. Her fears were amplified when she didn’t hear anything from Sumayyah for days because the Sumayyah she knew would have reached out to her if there was nothing wrong “I will visit her house before my trip tonight.” With that thought in mind, Azeezah approached her mum to seek permission to go out.

“Mum, I would like to visit Sumayyah.”

“You know you still have a lot of packing to do. Besides, is she not supposed to come here? What kind of friend is she?  Doesn’t she know you are travelling today?” Zarah asked her daughter.

“Mom, I don't know why she isn’t here. It could be that she is ill. Please let me go and check on her.”

Zarah sighed. “No problem, you may go. But please return soon.”

“Ok, I will be back very soon.”  

*****

Sumayyah continued to beg Mrs. Aminat all to no avail. Sumayyah’s pleas grated on her mother-in-law’s nerves so much so that she fetched a belt and sellotape and rushed to the store, intent on teaching Sumayyah a lesson.

“Sumayyah! Please shut up or I will beat you up again.”

“Mother, please let me out of here. I want to see Az, she is my best friend. What would she think of me, if I refuse to show up at her place to bid her farewell?”

“I can see you are deaf. You are not going anywhere today.” Mrs. Aminat used the sellotape to cover Sumayyah’s mouth so that she wouldn't disturb her peace again.

……..

Meanwhile, Azeezah’s cab stopped right in front of Sumayyah’s house and she alighted and paid the cabman. She walked through the unlocked front gate and walked briskly to the front door, which she tapped urgently. When she didn’t get a reply, she knocked again.

“I think someone is at the door.” Mrs. Aminat rushed to the store to issue a warning to Sumayyah. “Do not try to make a sound or else I will beat you blue and black.” With that said she left the room and rushed to the front door to open it, surprised when she saw Azeezah.

“As-Salam Alaikum ma”

“Walaykum salam, dear. Come in.” Mrs. Aminat opened the door wide for her to enter.

“Thank you ma, but I am in a hurry. I am here to see Sumayyah.”

“Sumayyah isn't around, she went to Abuja to visit Jamiu and won’t be back until next week”

“I see. But she should have informed me, Although I tried calling her to no avail.”

“I think Sumayyah is upset with you, you should try to talk with her later.”

“Thank you ma.” Azeezah left the house with a broken heart. She tried calling Sumayyah one last time but got no response, and at this point, Azeezah cried her heart out. “Sumayyah, why are you not picking my calls? I guess you are still upset with me. Is this how our friendship will just fade away? I guess people change and she is just asking for her space.”
Azeezah’s thoughts raced through her mind as she waited at the bus stop to pick a cab home.

*****
“Salam Alaikum, mum. I am back.” Azeezah greeted her mum when she arrived back home

“Walaykum salam. What took you so long?”

“I am sorry mum.”

“So did you get to see her?”

“No mum, she travelled to Abuja”.

“I told you before going there, But you did not listen”

“Mum, she is my best friend.”

“Is this how a best friend should behave?” Zarah hissed. “Listen, I have already packed everything. Let’s go, we are already getting late, I don’t want us to miss our flight.”

Azeezah and her mum packed their luggage into the car. Azeezah glanced at their house for the last time, memories of Sumayyah flashing through her mind and a lone tear trailed down her cheeks. She wiped her tears before her mum could see it and hopped into the car.

*****
Mrs. Aminat closed the door, happy that the two girls have parted ways. She went back to Sumayyah to check on her

“Are you going to shout again?” Sumayyah shook her head. “Good. I will remove the sellotape and if you dare shout, you will be in trouble”

“Thank you ma.”

Mrs. Aminat looked around the room and noticed the plate of food lying in a corner, untouched. “Why haven't you eaten? You want to waste the food I prepared ehnn, and for people to label me as a bad mother-in-law right? You had better start eating you this foolish girl!”

“No ma, I don’t have much of an appetite”

Mrs. Aminat closed her eyes and shouted: “Start now before I open my eyes.!

Sumayyah ate the meal amidst tears while Mrs. Aminat locked her up again. Her heart bled, and she missed her friend, parents, brothers and most of all Jamiu.