Tears Of Summayah - Episode 62

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The plane landed safely at Sadiq Abubakar III International Airport. Azeezah just alighted from the plane, thanking Allah for the safe journey she had and also waiting for her luggage. Her luggage was one of the first that was out, she was so glad and she dragged it out of the arrival. She was about to get into a cab then it hit her very hard that she didn't know where she was actually going to.

Why am i so forgetful, i should have asked for vital informations. Where am i heading to like this, wallah i am dumb . Very, very infact. 

She jolted when the cab man pressed his horn. 

Cabman:Madam, you no enter again? 

Az:Ehm..

Cabman:Talk na. Abi make i dey go? 

Az:Actually, i don't have the address of the place i am going to. 

Cabman:Nawa oh, you con dey waste my time when there are other passengers wey dey look for cab. No spoil my business. 

Az:I...am... (He zoomed off while she cupped her hands to her face due to the embarassment she just faced. She was stranded due to her own stupidity of not thinking straight.She brought her phone from her handbag hoping to see him online and Alhamdulilah, he was.) Hi. 
(She was standing in the scorching sun waiting for reply, she didn't get any in ten minutes and she was equally fraustrated.)

Hello. Can you please reply me. 

Hi

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

. Sorry, i was so busy. I hope there is no problem? I remembered you told me not to disturb you again, did she agree? 

No, she didn't.

What should we do then?

There is absolutely nothing to do about it, i just want to know the address to your place. 

Why? 

(She was about to tell him about her arrival to sokoto but she quickly discarded the thought.) It should be a surprise. 

Can you tell me why you need it because i have a lot of things to attend to at the moment.

No. No. Wait. I just want to know how close your place is to where i lived before going to America. 

Hmm, that's all.?

Yes ooo. Nothing else. 

(He texted the address to her.) Is that all you need? 

Yes. Thank you. 

Bye. 

Bye.

(She quickly got another cab and told him where she was heading to. Azeezah missed sokoto, she was so overwhelmed to be back home, her state, where she grew up. She felt the cool breeze brush her face, she was so elated to be  back and see Summayah. In less than an hour, the car halted.) 

Madam, we are here already. 

Azeezah:Are you sure this is the house i am going to? 

Yes. You can see the number on the paper right there on the wall. 

Azeezah:Ohh thank you so much sir. I really appreciate. How much am i to pay you? 

Three thousand Naira. 

Azeezah:Haa, what have i done. I forgot, i don't have Nigerian currency with me sir. What should i do? Will you mind if i pay in dollars? 

That will be a lot of stress, how do i convert it into naira. 

Azeezah:I am so sorry, i forgot to tell you that i don't have our currency. Forgive me, please. I can double the money for you to cover any stress it will cause you. 

No, no. It hasn't gotten to that stage. You have been so polite, i really appreciate it. Just give me the money that can be exchanged for that amount i charge. 

Azeezah:Thank you so much sir. (She gently brought out ten dollars from her pause and gave it to the cab man.) I hope it becomes useful for you so that your efforts wouldn't be wasted. 

Amin madam. 

(She alighted from the car and made her way to the giant gate. Her heartbeat raced as knocked on the gate, she was beginning to get scared but she shoved it off. She knocked harder and she could hear some footsteps.) 

I can't go back, i have risked everything to get here. No. Turning. Back. 

Maryam:Who is there.?

Azeezah:How should i introduce myself? I am in deep wahala ooo. 

Maryam:Who is that? 

Azeezah:I...I...am...looking...for...someone...called...Uthman. He gave me his address. 

Maryam:(She opened the gate)That's my brother.Do you want to see him or he asked you to come here?

Azeezah:You wouldn't understand if i explain to you, can you call him? I need to talk to him, please? 

Maryam:You can come in. I will call him when we get inside. 

Azeezah:Thank you so much. 

(She was guided into the house, Maryam brought a glass of water for her. Maryam went into her room to get her phone, she dialled his number but he wasn't picking up. Azeezah looked at every corner of the house, hoping to see Summayah pop out of one of the rooms.) 

Maryam:I am sorry, my brother must be very busy at the hospital. Will you wait or come back because he will only be back in the night or tomorrow. 

Azeezah:I...can...wait for him. I need to confirm something from you. 

Maryam:What is that? 

Azeezah:Is...Summayah...here? 

Maryam:Sister Summayah is here with us. 

Azeezah:Can...i...see...her?

Maryam:She is sleeping. 

Azeezah:I promise not to disturb her in any way.

Maryam:Promise? Mother told us not to disturb her at all, she is sick since yesterday. 

Azeezah:I promise. 

Maryam:I forgot to ask who you are.

Azeezah:I am Summayah's best friend. I came back from the states some hours ago. 

Maryam:Masha Allah. I am so sorry, you should have told me since, i would have taken you to her almost immediately. 

(Azeezah smiled, while they walked towards her room. Azeezah thought her heart was about to rip off her chest, she had sweaty hands, when the door was opened, Azeezah saw Summayah lying on the bed and all the tears she was trying to control poured out like a tap that had no control. She couldn't believe that the girl sleeping on the bed was her beloved friend.She moved closer, placed her shaking hands on Summayah's. Maryam pulled her away to the sitting room when she couldn't control her tears anymore.) 

Azeezah:Please, just tell me that i am mistaken. My...friend...is...not...the lady lying on the bed, i guess i came to the wrong house. I...I...am...really sorry for disturbing you but this is the not the house i am going to. (She dragged her luggage with shaky hands, Maryam stopped her immediately) Let...me...leave, i will check the address once again. 

Maryam:Get a grip on yourself. She is your best friend! Your Summayah! Your childhood friend. 

(She slumped on the floor, she wept bitterly on how much she had to take in all at once.)

Azeezah:I failed as a friend, how did i even forget her. How could i neglect her due to my own anger, i thought she didn't want to see me off or say her goodbye just  because we had a little fight. I was so immature and childish. 

Maryam:We make mistakes in life, correcting it is the best thing you have done. You came all the way to see her, that proves she still hold a special place in your heart. Live for the present and future, make the best memories of your friendship--you can make it work. Only you can. 

Azeezah:(She wiped her face, the lady pacifying her is saying nothing but the truth.) Thank you so much, you are right. I came all the way to see her happy and not add to her sorrows, i have to help her and revive our friendship. 

Maryam:That's the goal. (She smiled and picked her up from the floor to the couch) I will prepare lunch for you. I can take you to my room to get some rest while i cook. 

Azeezah:You don't need to stress yourself, i am just fine. 

Maryam:You are just like your bestie. You have to eat because you are our guest and guest are to be treated well. Remember what our prophet taught us about honouring our guest:

Abu Shuraih Khuwailid bin Amr Al-Khuza'i RA reported: I heard Messenger of Allah (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) saying, “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day, should accommodate his guest according to his right.” 
He was asked: “What is his right, O Messenger of Allah?” He (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam) replied: “It is (to accommodate him) for a day and a night, and hospitality extends for three days, and what is beyond that is charity.”

(Bukhari and Muslim)

Azeezah:You are right. Thank you so much for your hospitality.

Maryam:It is nothing, mother will be here very soon. 

Azeezah:I would love to...(At the mention of "mother", she remembered her mother. Her mother must be in distress, she had totally forgotten everything.)I need to call my mum, please. 

Maryam:No problem dear. 

Azeezah:(She brought out her phone from her handbag and dialed her number through wattsap and she picked it almost immediately.She was so scared to talk, she heard her mother's voice, she knew she has been crying all day.) Mo...ther. 

Zarah:Why did you leave, i told you not to but you still failed to listen. How could you? I am your mother, you should have just respected my decision. You broke my trust today, i was so worried something bad might happen to you when you don't know anywhere. 

Azeezah:Just listen to me mum, i have always adhered to everything you tell me to do. I couldn't agree to this because i yearn to see my friend again, i will never be happy if something happens to her. You should have stood by me, trust your daughter. But no, you didnt even listen to your daughter. I did it because Summayah would do more than this if i was in her shoes, she would never abandon me. She protected me the other time which ruined her whole life, how do you expect me to sit down and do nothing. 
Mum, if there is any other risk to take for my friend, i will do it all over and over again. 

Zarah:I am so sorry, i made a mistake for not listening to you. I was only protecting you, i can't bear to lose or see you in pain. 

Azeezah:That is why you are my mother. I am also sorry for leaving without telling you but trust me mum, i am treated like a princess here. I have not met all the family members but a sister has been trying her best to make me comfortable.

Zarah:Alhamdulilah. You have to take care of yourself and make sure to extend my greetings to Summayah. 

Azeezah:She is sleeping right now. Mum, she needs your support by praying for her. That is all she needs, my friend is in a bad shape, with love and prayers--she will be strong once again. 

Zarah:I promise to pray for her. 

Azeezah:Thank you mum, i have to rest for sometime.

Zarah:Alright dear. 

Azeezah:Salam Alaikum. 

Zarah:Walaykum salaam warahmotulah wabarakatuh. 

(Az hung up the phone and Maryam took her to her room to get refreshed before sleeping. Maryam quietly closed the door before going back into the kitchen.) 

*****
(Maryam prepared their lunch, Az insisted on taking her food to Summayah's room, so they could eat together if she finally wakes up. Az couldn't stop staring at her, taking in all her features all at once. It has been an hour since she entered her room, she held her hands in hers while she placed her head on the bed before dozing off. 

Summayah moved her hands while sleeping, noticed her hand was held by someone. She wondered whose hand it was, she managed to open her eyes. The sight of the figure of the person sleeping was something her brain couldn't process.)

Why is my brain playing min games with me? I am just hallucinating because of stress, i will have to sleep very well to be sane. I have been depriving myself of rest, it is taking it's toll on me right now. (She thought after closing her sleep. After trying her best to sleep again, she heard her name being called and she could never forget that voice even in her sleep. It was definitely Azeezah, it wasn't an hallucination, she was there.)

Azeezah:Summayah, open your eyes. Azeezah is back for you. 

Summayah:(Still thinking she was hallucinating) Stop lying, no one is here and not even Az. How can she be here when she is in the states, she doesn't know where i am too. Just leave me alone. 

Azeezah:(She sat down on the bed, placed her head on her thigh)Shush, calm down and open your eyes slowly.

Summayah:I don't want to open my eyes to see you disappear again. We can talk about everything in my dreams, i want to cherish this moment i felt your presence. I just want to be with you right now.

Azeezah:You should stop acting like this, abah. I told you i am right in front of you and you still doubt me. (Azeezah kissed her forehead then her nose before her cheek.) Sadeeqah, do me a favour. Open your eyes, please. 

(Summayah's heart raced as she finally opened her eyes. Azeezah was not an illusion, she was right in front of her with a big smile on her face. She was lost for words, all she could do was stare at the beautiful soul staring at her.)

Summayah:Azeezah?

Azeezah:Yes?

Summayah:How...how did you get here? Who told you about my whereabout?

Azeezah:Uthman did. He messaged me on facebook. 

Summayah:(Tears filled her eyes, not knowing how to thank Uthman for everything he had done for her.) I...just...miss...you so much that i had to tell him. Just promise me that you will never leave me alone again, i know i messed up, i really wanted to come see you off but...

Azeezah:What happened then? 

Summayah: (Remembering the torture made her choke on her words, she swallowed the lump in her throat before she continued.) I was locked up in the dark room, i explained to her but she wouldn't release me. She thought i was a bad girl when the so called allegations were pointing directly towards me, i couldn't prove myself to her that i was innocent. I...am...so...sorry, Azeezah. Find it in your heart to forgive me, i should have listened to you.

Azeezah:(Azeezah held her closer to herself like her life depended on Summayah.) You shouldn't do this please, you helped me by protecting my dignity without thinking about yourself. You risked your everything for me. I wonder how i didn't think about everything until he messaged me, i should be the one apologising not you. I promise to stay with you forever, even if we stay very far from each other, we will still be best friends.

Summayah:Thank you so much. I am so grateful.

Azeezah:We don't say thank you in friendship. Summayah, how did you get here?  Your pregnancy? Who is Uthman? Where are your parent? 

Summayah:Which one do you want me to answer first? 

Azeezah:Everything. I am confused.

Summayah:My parents are not mine, they just helped me grow up and they disowned me after knowing i was pregnant. Brother Uthman helped me when i had no one, Allah sent him to me. I was humiliated by Jamiu, his mother and Jennifer. Jennifer destroyed my marriage, she hired a nurse that injected me and it prolly affected my legs. Bro Uthman said he r*ped me..

Azeezah:What? He did what? 

Summayah:He said it but i know he is lying to me. I still don't believe whatever he told me, he only said it to help me. He is a very nice man, i pray for him everyday. 

Azeezah:Wow...So who is responsible? 

Summayah:(She wiped her tears) I...don't...know...who he is.

Azeezah:It might be Uthman, he must be saying the truth. At least, he confessed to you. 

Summayah:My instincts are always true, he is just too good to do that to me. He appointed a female doctor to me the day he rescued me. You just wouldn't understand somethings if you don't see him. 

Azeezah:I noticed he is a gentle man from the way he chatted with me. Summayah, how did you cope in the past few months? 

Summayah:(She smiled)Life isn't hard yunno, it is just the same way everyday. Getting bright, sometimes dull or rainy day. It is people that makes life simple or hard, i got hard punishments from people i least expect it from. It taught me to be strong when i was so weak, i had to run when i couldn't even feel my legs. When i couldn't go further, i had to force myself.
I was forced to see the harsh reality of hardship when i thought i had everything. I was woken up from my dreams to see what life actually meant, that day, i stopped dreaming. That day, i knew what life was all about. 
That day, everything changed. Ambition, dreams, goals, people, family. Everything changed. Then, i got to define life in a new way. It changed me totally, i now saw a new meaning to life. I am no more a fifteen years old girl but a pregnant girl who had to protect her unborn child till her last breath. That day, i knew what responsibility was and up till today, i am happy i choose this path. 

Azeezah:(She couldn't stop her tears from flowing) I am glad you choose this path, i will still support you till the end.

Summayah:You know, i had dreams. When we were in school, do you remember i told you that i will be a doctor, i will be going to the university the next year after writing Jamb.

Azeezah:Off course, we both made plans to be a great personality in the society and an inspiration to the world.

Summayah:I only planned but i think i forgot that Allah makes everything possible. I forgot He made plans for me and He is the best of all planners. I only wanted to be a doctor but it was not written for me. We all want to be this and that but we forget about Qadr, everything has been ordained. Do you know what? 

Azeezah:What?

Summayah:The day i accepted the truth, that day was the day my heart found comfort and peace. I was contented with the blessings He had bestowed on me and all i could say was Alhamdulilah. I couldn't count the blessing Allah has given me. Who am i that i wouldn't pay heed to everything. 
Even the best of the best of mankind was oppressed and he witnessed his children's death, he was tested by Allah and he stood firm in his faith. So who am i that i won't be tested with trials of this world.

Surah Al-Anfal, Verse 30:

And when those who disbelieved devised plans against you that they might confine you or slay you or drive you away; and they devised plans and Allah too had arranged a plan; and Allah is the best of planners.

Azeezah:(She was amazed by Summayah. She was still strong while struggling, she was firm. Azeezah didn't know if she could endure that torture all her life, she had to thank Allah for His grace upon her.) I...am just  lost. I didn't know you were this strong. You fought and you are still fighting, i know your heart still cries but you are stronger than anyone i have set my eyes on all my life. Indeed, Allah gave me a treasure in form of a human. In sha Allah, you will be fine. 

(Uthman and Hadizah were listening to their conversation.They said Amin to the prayer which made the two of them look at the entrance of her room. They entered and said their salaam, Azeezah looked at Summayah's face to tell her what was happening but Uthman quickly introduced himself.)

Uthman:I am Uthman and this is my mum. Maryam told me the moment i entered that you are here already. 

Azeezah:So,you are the Uthman.

Uthman:Offcourse. I am. So tell me, how did you get here? Don't tell me you did what i am thinking. 

Azeezah:Offcourse,i did it. My mum refused to listen but we reconciled anyways and I'm glad that i finally met my friend after so many months. 

Uthman:(He was a little bit relieved) Alhamdulilah, your mum is not worried anymore. I will need her number so that i can talk to her for her own peace of mind. Her daughter is in a face hands. 

Azeezah:Okay then. 

Uthman:I have to go. Summayah, i hope you are okay? 

Summayah:Yes,i am better since i had enough rest today. 

Uthman:Good,please take care of yourself and the baby. 

Summayah:Okay, Ut... (She decided to keep her mouth shut and she smiled.) Bye. 

(Hadiza sat on the bed, Azeezah greeted her. Hadiza saw the flask filled with food, she gently filled the plates with food and she fed her even when Summayah declined. Azeezah knew Summayah was really blessed at that moment, all she saw in the woman's face was love. Nothing but pure love for Summayah.) 

*******

Aisha sat in the corner of her room in Abuja, she scrolled through her wattsap messages. All the groups had at least One thousand messages and all she could do was hiss about the unnecessary talks and arguments they would be discussing. 

"All this one go just dey waste person data, like say we no get better things to do. I go just click and move to another message, make he no go disrupt important ones wey go bring cool cash for me."

(As she clicked her friend's message, a video popped up immediately, she was not the person to download videos if they aren't the latest song videos but her curiosity to know what the video entails made her press the download button. What she saw next made her heart skip a bit.)

"Who am i seeing here? This girl don suffer oo. Weytin i go do like this. I must tell wallesh ooo, that dumb girl be this nw, my eyes no fit deceive me." She proceeded to her contact immediately.