My Priceless Jewel

Four

"You mean a mechanic slapped you just like that and went scot free? Like seriously? And you just let the matter slide? Are you kidding me Juwairiyyah?". Sophie said through the phone. "Is this really you?".

"Easy girl, you know I won't let that pass just like that. I've already put my plan into action, just wait and see". Juwairiyyah smirked.

"Tell me about the plan Juwairiyyah, maybe I can help".

"No, thanks. I can handle it myself".

"Okay, fine". Sophie muttered through the phone. And just as Juwairiyyah was about replying her, a loud bang from Juwairiyyah's door interrupted.

"Juwairiyyah come out here and make some beans cake for me!".

Sophie heard everything clearly, and that made her to smirk. "You better go and make beans cake for your grandma o!". She teased.

"Fool, I don't have your time!" Juwairiyyah said to her before ending the call. She wearily withdrew from her bed and walked to the door grumbling.

Immediately she opened the door, her grandmother glared at her. "And who did you called a fool?". The old woman asked angrily.

"Well, I wasn't talking to you grandma. I was on a phone call with Sophie. How may I help you?".

"You heard what I said you naughty girl, make some beans cake for me. That's what I want for breakfast. Please make it snappy, okay?".

Oh God, what the heck is wrong with this old woman? Well, she sure is going to eat the beans cake of her life! Juwairiyyah thought. "Okay, fine! I will make it for you". She left for the kitchen with a lazy and wicked smile on her face.

Finding the already grinned beans, Juwairiyyah mixed all the necessary ingredients... exceeding the limits of all of them before frying. Halfway through the frying, she switched off the gas and fetched the beans cake to a plate before walking out to the living room where her grandmother was. "Here grandma. Your beans cake is ready."  

The old woman smiled warmly at her granddaughter before taking a bite from one of the beans cake. "Uhh!" She quickly spurted it out. Holding her neck so tight, she coughed like she was going to throw up the pap she took hours ago.

Juwairiyyah's mother was by her side, she handed her a glass of chilled water. "Sorry Mama".

Juwairiyyah bursted into a scornful laughter, clutching her stomach so tight. "Wow! Seems like grandma enjoyed my beans cake. Continue eating please old woman".

"Juwairiyyah, what did you just gave me to eat?".

"Kosai (Akara: Beans cake)" Juwairiyyah answered absentmindedly.

"Haka aka koya miki kosai? (Is that how they taught you to make Beans cake?) What type of lady are you, common beans cake you can't even make!".

"Ke this old woman, I'm beginning to lose my patience o, haba! Why didn't you ask Uwani in the first place to make it? Please spare me nikam!" She huffed, banging her feet before leaving for her room.

The old woman couldn't utter a word, she was speechless. At this rate, a day will come when Juwairiyyah will attempt to slap her!

"Mama, kiyi haquri (Sorry), this is all our fault, most especially you and Alhaji. Even though I contributed in the destruction of her moral upbringing. We just have to pray for her".

"Abun na Juwairiyyah is getting out of hand, just look at how she treated me. We've made a mistake Raliya, a very big mistake!". Said the old woman.

"Hajiya, kiyi haquri, lets keep praying for her. I'm very sure..." Juwairiyyah's mother was saying when the sudden appearance of her daughter paused her. The rude girl came out fully dressed. "Where do you think you're going to? I thought you said you're not having lectures today?".

"I'm paying dad a visit, I've called him already. Bye!" She answered, making her way to the door.

"Juwairiyyah!". Her mother yelled her name. "Tell me the exact place you're going to, dressing like that!".

"Oh come on mom, give me some space please. I'm a grown up now, I know what is good for me".

"Juwairriyah da ni? I gave birth to you remember?".

"Well, that doesn't give you the right to question my every move. Just because you gave birth to me doesn't mean you can stop me from doing what I want, it's my life. And I'll rock it the way I want without you interfering! Good bye and have a nice day". And with that, she left.

*****

"Dad, how about the guy we talked about? Is he here today?" Juwairiyyah asked, sitting in one of the visitor's swivel chairs.

"Arfaat you mean? Yes princess, he arrived before me. I guess he's very happy with his new job."

That cheap soul, why wouldn't he be happy? Juwairiyyah thought. "Can I go to the engineering section and see how things are going?".

"Ofcourse princess, take David with you. And get me Arfaat while coming back. There are things we need to clear" Replied her father.

Juwairiyyah was so happy, she's going to meet the stupid man that laid his dirty hands on her, and he's going to pay for it. She thought. Thus, she left for the section with David trailing behind her. She stopped as they approached the place. Turning to David, she spoke up. "Do you know where the new mechanic is? Something Arfaat or what? Can't really remember".

"I do Ma'am. This way please."

Juwairiyyah saw Arfaat busy working from afar as they approached. She smiled at herself, remembering her evil plan for the third time that day. "Hey Arfaat, the boss lady is here to see you". She blurted out.

Arfaat turned to her quickly. "Good morning miss" He greeted not knowing who it was, that happened as a result of Juwairiyyah covering her face with her palms.

"Good morning Yaa Arfaat, I want to have a word with you". Said Juwairiyyah, uncovering her face for him to see her.

Arfaat was speechless, how could this be? Isn't she the girl he slapped? Could Alhaji Abbas be her father? Wait, did she just called him Yaa... (Big bro)? He wallowed in thoughts.

Juwairiyyah could see the changes in Arfaat's face, the fool ought to be surprised! He will definitely be more surprised when she puts her plan through.

"Yaa Arfaat, please..."

"Su... sure, lets go" He stuttered.

They walked slowly until they arrived at the parking lot where Juwairiyyah's car was parked.

"I want to apologise for what I did the other day, I was out of my senses and that was why I acted rudely. Hope you will forgive me Yaa Arfaat" She said sweetly, batting her eyelashes.

Arfaat couldn't believe what he just heard, Juwairiyyah had rendered him speechless. This wasn't the same girl he slapped three days back, it can't be! And wait, is she trying to play games with him? Well, if that's the case then he'll surely enjoy it! He thought.

"Forgive me Beauty, I also acted rudely. Let's forget everything okay?".

"Sure Yaa Arfaat. And ehm..."

"Say what you have in mind Beauty".

"I want you to be my big bro". Juwairiyyah said looking at him steady. "Can you?".

Arfaat was beginning to doubt if she had something else in mind or so. "You want to be my little sister?" Arfaat asked amazed.

"Yes, please". Juwairiyyah replied, smiling.

Arfaat smiled too, and that smiled killed Juwairiyyah ten times over. He looked super amazing by just smiling that way.

"I have three sisters then, but you are the best" Arfaat said. 

"Lets meet tomorrow at Kings coffee shop, bill's on me". She said, and quickly added without allowing him to interrupt her. "Dad wants to see you right now, bye!".

"Take care Lilynah (my little sister)" Arfaat said smiling.

Lilynah! Juwairiyyah loved the name. She couldn't even tell how happy she was that moment. She only smiled and got into her car.

"Wait please, can I have the pleasure of having your number?" Arfaat asked, bringing out his small Nokia phone.

Juwairiyyah couldn't help but to laugh. An outdated Nokia phone? She asked herself bewildered.

"What's funny Lily?".

"Nah, nothing bro. Here lemme have the phone". Said Juwairiyyah stretching her hand to his reach.

He gave her and she dialed her number... Hence, she returned back the phone to him.

"Bye, regards to my other sisters" she said igniting the engine into action.

*****

"Ke, baki ganni bane? (Hey, didn't you see me?)". Juwairiyyah's grandmother bellowed.

"Oh Granny, how could I see you when you're already fading? How are you doing?" She spoke up not minding to look at the old woman.

"Waton ke kin raina ni koh? (You don't have respect for me right?). Let your father come back, either you bring someone out for marriage or I do that for you. Foolish girl!".

"Hold it there granny, please don't even bring that issue. Me, marry? Hajiya are you in your right senses kuwa? I'm too small for stuffs like that please. Spare me".

"La illaha illallahu! Juwairiyyah am I the one you're talking to that way?".

"Why then will you keep disturbing my life? Stop meddling in my affairs please. I hate it when people stick their nose in my life please".

"I can see you've really grown up Juwairiyyah, I won't stick my nose again like you said. I'm sorry, okay?" The old woman spoke in tears.

"That would have been better". Said Juwairiyyah, leaving the sitting room while singing a song to herself.