Trapped In a Jungle - Episode 23

 

HUSNAH

My eyes grew wide open. What could sadeeq be doing here? My head felt like its going to split into two. Its throbbing so hard that i felt myself spinning.

"And who the hell do you think you are? You think you have a say in this? She's my wife man! Get the hell out of here before i loose my patience". Nabeel said angrily.

I don't know what made sadeeq chuckled, but he did before clearing his throat and gave nabeel a answer that shock both i and nabeel.

"Easy mister . Maybe you've forgotten that's she's no more your wife. Or have you forgotten that part?" He asked slowly.

"That's none of your goddamn business!" Nabeel snapped, his hand into a fist.

"Well I'm making it my business now cause she's going to be my wife real soon. Gorrit?".

Okay, i need to step into this right now. I can't just sit and watch them try to split my head. I have too much to handle than waste my time with this guys.

"Enough of this nabeel. You want your daughter right? Then come get her tomorrow. That's if you're able to explain who you are to her. Goodbye. Let's go sadeeq". I said picking up my bag and walking through the door

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/trapped-in-a-jungle

. I wanted to snap at sadeeq for sticking his nose into my problems. I hate kinibibi! (I really don't know the exact English word to use here. Who can help?).

As soon as i reached the parking lot, i turned, anger spread across my face and looked at sadeeq.

"I really don't like people sticking their nose in my affairs. I can handle my problems, that's why they are called MINE".

Sadeeq smiled. What's wrong with this guy? I thought he'll be angry, but no. He smiled and kept looking at me, his lips tucking up in an attempt to smile again. His eyes where also smiling. 

"Umm Amirah" he called slowly. By Allah, my heart made double flips. No one, no one has ever tried calling me that name. I never knew that's how its felt to be addressed like that. And then, that deep and husky voice helping in making me feel butterflies at the pit of my stomach.

"I'm not sticking my nose aii. I'm making your problems my problems also. Am i welcomed?" He asked, burning me up with his gaze.

"Look mister. I don't know you and i really don't give a damn whoever the hell you are! Just don't try to stick your nose in my problems. Have a nice day". and with that, i drove off leaving him there.

*

FLASHBACK (WHEN BOTH SADEEQ AND HUSNAH WERE KIDS)

"Ouch! It hurts a lot" i whined holding onto my knee so tight.

"Its okay. Am right here hussy. Keep quite please".  Hamma Abubakar said.

"But zafi yakemun ai (But it hurts alot)". I whined again, i just love it when he's with me, I'm the crying type and he's the only one who can tolerate it. Hamma khaleel, Hamma jabir, and Hamma naseer don't bother to waste their time pampering me when am in that mood.

"Okay. What do you want me to do right now?" He asked looking worried.

"I want a back ride" i said pouting.

"But you're too heavy hussy!" Abubakar said.

I broke into tears again, this time around i was screaming at the pitch of my voice, rolling on the floor.

"Fine am sorry" Hamma abubakar said bending down "where do you want me to take you?" He asked as soon as i climbed on his back.

"Up. To my room" i replied hugging him by his torso.

We were playing outside our back yard when i fell down. I had only a scratch on my knee which i was making fuss about just because it was Hamma Abubakar who was pampering me.

"Okay lie down and sleep hussy. I'll sing you a lullaby".

"You singing my favorite?" I asked suddenly feeling sleepy at the mention of singing me a lullaby.

"Yeah. Am singing it. Now take a nap while i sing for you kid sis".

P.S THE NAME ABUBAKAR AND SADEEQ ARE THESAME. HE WAS ADDRESSED AS ABUBAKAR WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG. I hope you all get it, just trying to link up every thing together. Sadeeq was a family friend.

END OF FLASHBACK
*

"Okay...okay. Lemme get this straight hamma. You're trying to tell me that your friend loves me and wants to marry me?" I asked through the phone sounding very angry.

"Yes. He asked for my permission to court you and i already gave him my consent". Hamma khaleel said sounding very serious.

"But i don't want to!" I snapped at him almost forgetting he's my elder brother "why can't you all just let me be! I said I'm not ready to get into any relationship talkless to getting married anytime soon!" I shouted.

"Will you shut up miss"! Hamma khaleed screamed through the phone "you're 27years old now. You think we'll just sit around and watch you without marrying you off? Like it or not...I've already told Abbah about it and he already gave his consent. I know he'll talk to you about it, i was only trying to give you a head up. So suit yourself yanxu. Have a nice day!". And that's it. He ended the call.

I slipped down to the floor crying. Why is this happening to me? Why me? Why can't they force hamma naseer into marriage. Am i the only divorcee in the whole of Nigeria? Uugghhh! I won't sit back and watch them ruin my life for the second time.

I'm not going into an arrange marriage again. I'll get married when i want to and when i feel i love that person. I'm not making the same mistake twice!. And that's it!.

LATER IN THE NIGHT

"Asmaa'u" Abbah called slowly. 

I was sitting beside him on the floor, while Abbah was sitting a couch, mom sitting beside him.

"Are you interested in someone?" He asked slowly.

I wanted to use body language but i know that will sound disrespectful so i answered "No".

"Okay. Sadeeq asked if he can court you. I told him to wait so i can have your opinion first before i give my consent. What do you say?". He asked

I was silent for a while. I can't look at Abbah and say no directly to him. I also won't say yes to something I'm not ready to do.

"I need time to think Abbah. I don't know what to say right now".

"You need time?" Mom asked sounding irritated.

I felt cold all over. Why is mom acting this way? She ought to back me up not do that. She's a lady like me, she has to know my pain.

"Yes" i answered my voice shaking.

"Fine" she said standing up "suit yourself Asmaa'u. I won't bother myslef on you getting married again". She said angrily before leaving the sitting room.

My eyes grew watery and i know i could cry any moment from now. But i won't cry a gaban Abbah. He has a lot on his plate and he's not getting any younger.

"Get going Asmaa'u. Pray real hard, may Allah see you through".

"Amiin Abbah" i said standing up and going straight into my room. Amrah was the only person who clicked into my mind. The only friend i still have till now. She didn't judge me when nabeel accused me of cheating on him, in fact she stood up for me and threatened to even take the case to court. Oh lord! Amrah is the bestest friend I've ever had.

"Sweetheart" she chirped in as soon as she picked up the call "how you doing? How's my baby Amirah doing?" She asked.

"Fine" i answered as i slipped on a couch beside my bed "she's fast asleep already tun dazu".

"Hey! Are you okay?" Amrah asked concerned.

I heaved a sigh before I robbed my temple.. Lord! Am going through a lot this days, i can't even seem to handle it all alone.

"Someone came to ask for permission to court me. He's hamma khaleel's friend. I don't even know where those two meet. And they're all trying to give him a chance to date me. I don't know ko sun gaji dani that much" 

"Whaat!?" Amrah asked surprised "who's he?" She asked further.

"Something sadeeq" i replied absent mindly.

"Don't give him a chance if you don't like him" Amrah said as if warning me.

"I won't repeat that mistake again babe. Don't worry". I replied.

"Kinsan me? (Know what?) Tell him to come over and I'll come and see him then we'll discuss about it inya tafi (After he's gone)".

"But i don't have his number aii"

"We'll figure it out".

"I'll try and see" i replied.

"Goodnight"

"Goodnight bae".

*

I dressed quickly as it is that Sadeeq is already outside waiting for me. I've been waiting for Amrah for the past two hours but she still isn't here. Sadeeq has been waiting for me for almost thirty minutes.

I strolled outside to meet him by the parking lot.

Read " Embedded Roses " by the same author ( Murjanatu Alkali )

. I caught a glimpse of Amirah sitting beside him talking non stop. I wonder where she got that talkative side of hers, cuz i definitely am not a talkative.

"Umm Amirah" his deep voice called out as soon as i reached them. "Ma shaa Allah. You look so wow!" He said looking at me from head to toe.

"Mummy chinyi chau (you look beautiful)" amirah said happily clapping her hands.

"Good afternoon" i greeted him avoiding his gaze.

"As salaamu alaikoom Umm Amirah" he said smiling. I suddenly feel shy. I should have said that in the first place.

"Wa alaikumus salaam" 

"How are you?" He asked.

"I've been trying to be good ever since you invaded my life. Can't you just let me be please?".

He smiled. That smile that send butterflies under the pit of my stomach.

"How can a soul live away from its body?" He asked chuckling.

"What?" I asked a little bit taken back.

"You heard me right Umm Amirah. You're my soul. There's no way i can live without you. Ana uhibbuki Umm Amirah! (I Love you)".

I hope the episode is not confusing!.

With love
Mjay.