Down Hearted

One

A beautiful young lady was sleeping peacefully on her medium sized bed, looking so radiant and peaceful, with a fleeting smile plastered on her luscious lips.

"Ummi, you should wake up by now. Do you want to be late?" Mama asked, yelling from the kitchen.

She squinted her eyes as melodious sound of her mother's voice reached her, it was something she was never going to get tired of hearing.

Groaning softly, Ummi slowly opened her eyes waking up to the reality of something she wanted to be a dream. The reality of her going back to school that same day! Just the thought of leaving her home and her family which she adores so much was enough to put her down. It wasn't going to be easy, that's how it always has been anyways.

"Mama! I just woke up. Have to make my bed and tidy up the room, will be there in a jiffy," she responded. Saying her waking up supplication she groggily pulled herself off from the bed.

She swiftly made her bed, swept the room and made her way to the toilet. She took a long, embeding soothing shower before exiting the toilet, she was definitely going to miss that for the few weeks she was going to be away. She wore a loose ankara gown and tied her messy hair with the headtie, before advancing towards the kitchen; a beautiful smile plastered on her lips.

"Good morning, My Mama," she greeted, hugging her from behind.

Mama turned to her with a loving smile and pecked her forehead "Morning, Ummina. How was your night? Hope you slept well?" Mama inquired lovingly, flashing Ummi a million dollar smile.

Before Ummi could answer, Baba's voice chirped in "I guess she had a loving and unforgettable night, since it would be her last day at home. Henceforth, someone will be sleeping on bunk," he teased, walking inside the kitchen .

Ummi pouted her lips, how could she live without these amazing parents of hers? How would her life be? This wasn't the first time, but she just couldn't get used to the boarding house although she had no choice than to endure.

"Baba," she whined. "Wouldn't you miss me? I thought you'll be the first person that'll miss me in this house. Unfortunately, it seems like I was mistaken. My Mama and Sulele will miss me more, right Mama?" she feigned hurt, hugging Mama tight, as crocodile tears started clouding her view.

"Who'll miss you? Not me really. I even have the time to enjoy my life with my forever beautiful wife and loving son;Sulaiman. All of my Ajepako children have gone to school, so it'll be my free time. Before you all come back. And boom! I'll be ensnared," Baba spoke with full enthusiasm and love, he loves his children. Baba was a jovial man amalgamated with a serious, adamant and a no nonsense man.

"It's okay, Baba. I feel loved," Ummi spoke with full sarcasm. Clearing her sentimental tears with her thumb.

Mama chuckled inwardly, she knew Baba was joking, but Ummi being the forever drama queen won't hesitate bursting out.

"Ummi my dear, leave him. I'll miss you till you come back. And he'll be the first person to ask when's the visiting time," Mama mocked, giving Baba the 'Don't mess up again' look.

Baba and Mama hardly shangai her before she ate her breakfast. They nattered away for hours, before it was Zuhr time. Baba got up from the chair he was sitting on, gave Ummi that fatherly look filled with love and spoke "Ummi, you should go and get ready so you won't be late. Ummaru driver will drop you off," he ordered, gave her a small smile and then turned to leave for the masjid.

Ummi and Mama went to her room to complete the packing, as she was a completely lazy person, Mama literally did her packing for her all the time. They ate their lunch with Baba and then boom! It was time to leave.

"Mama I'll miss you so much. Tell Sulele I'm so sorry, I couldn't wait for him," she bawled, hugging Mama.

"It's okay nah. Don't cry please. I'll tell him," Mama cajoled, patting her back softly.

She went and hugged Baba, "I won't miss you though," she whimpered, as she broke into soft tears.

Before Baba could utter a word, she broke the hug and hopped into the car; as Ummaru driver had been waiting for her. She didn't want to make her parents sentimental.

"Bye Mama, tell Ya Husna she should visit me when she's back. Baba you too should tell Ya Yusuf the same," she waved at her parents, clearing her face.

Mama nodded her head. "How I wish I could see any of your juniors, they need to know their senior isn't as sturdy as they think, she's a cry-cry baby. What a pity," Baba snickered, waving back.

"Baba!" She whined. As Malam Ummaru drove out of their house and they zoomed off to NTIC Kaduna (Nigerian Turkish International College).

***

It was after Isha prayer. Amina (Meeno), Ummi's first and forever bestfriend, her confidante, her ride or die, her sister from another mother! You just name it. They shared everything together, they really were the best of friend's.

Meeno was sitting on her bed in their room, looking glum and ruminative, Ummi sat down beside her and nudged her shoulder "Meeno, what's wrong? We were having fun in Khadija Nura's room, so I came to call you, you wouldn't want to miss out on this, trust me!" Ummi raved, her voice laced with happiness.

"Aysha, Sadam broke my heart," Meeno whimpered, as lone tears rolled down her cheeks. She had been waiting for the tears but they couldn't come. Ummi has one kind of a unique nerve of placating any feeling she's in, she's her therapist.

"Innalillah! What has that i***t done? I knew it, Meeno. That boy you called your boyfriend was just beguilling you," Ummi exclained, fuming with rage. She hated seeing her bestfriend like this. Meeno was a sturdy lady, silly things couldn't make her cry.

"When we were on holiday, I called him but he pretended he didn't recognize me. So I had to send him my picture, but could you Imagine? He said he couldn't remember knowing this face, he even sent me a picture of him and his girlfriend. I'm ditched, Aysha," Meeno faltered, slumping her shoulders in defeat.

"Why would you let this worry you, Meeno? They're all beguillers! You'll find a guy that will love and cherish you and wouldn't hesitate to treat you like the Queen you are. You shouldn't worry please, don't add more salt to my healing wounds," Ummi spoke lugubriously, taking Meeno's hands in hers.

"It's okay, Amigo. You shouldn't be sad please, I shouldn't have talked about this, it might have jolted out your enshrouded pains," Meeno confided, side hugging Ummi. They were both in pain.

"It's really okay to me. I was just sad because you felt how it feels to be heartbroken, I didn't want someone crucial to me to feel that pain, but that jerk just had to...!" she spoke through gritted teeth.

"That's why I won't love again. I can only befriend a guy; nothing more, nothing less," she hushed sombrely.

"Hmm…we shall see," Meeno reiterated.

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