ENSHROUDED

Chapter Nine

She laid her head on her pillow and a smile creeped its way to her cheeks. Today had been the most amazing and happiest day she had, ever since the day she got her life destroyed. She had laughed like she hadn't in a very long time. Initially, she had only Mommy to make her laugh, that's when she came back some minutes to midnight. But today, her laughter came along with a fresh new set of waves that set her stomach in fire. It was real, free, and full of happiness.

If she can voice it out, Nasir had been the best thing that had ever happened to her in her life. He was an angel sent to her from heaven. He had filled all the void spaces in her heart she thought would stay empty forever and those she didn't know she had. He brought to her an immeasurable happiness she thought she can never have.

The dam he took her was nothing compared to a beach. It didn't have a beautiful shore nor did it came with a souvenir of pebbles and amazing stones. It was a plain dam that had children walking over and grownups too. Nothing to fantasize about, but it still put a chord to her heart.

A chuckle escaped her lips as she reminisced the conversation they had with Nasir. At the bank of the dam, with their legs dipped into the water. There was no place for them to sit, but Aisha had appreciated the conversation, with them standing on their feet, the wind blowing off her veil from her head and some parts of her hair revealing. And how the sun shone on her skin, it radiated deeply into her soul and ignited a beautiful feeling within her.

She could clearly remember the look in his eyes when he looked at her, “Aisha, You really look beautiful as the wind blows off your veil and the sun shines brightly on you. And I so much love the smile on your lips, may it stay there forever,” He said. And Aisha could swear that time she felt as the butterflies in her stomach flipped their wings and she was afraid wether he saw the crimson red of her blush.

“All thanks to you, Doctor. I couldn't remember the last time I felt this truly happy wallahi. You really have been a blessing to me.” She said with utmost sincerity, that Billion Dollar smile slowly gracing her lips.

“Ouch! The billion dollar smile, Man!” He said with a voice that spoke his enthusiasm and how infectious the smile was to his heart.

This time, Aisha laughed. The kind of laughter that rose from the pit of her heart, up to the crisscross of her ribs and to her chest and then to her lips. “This Billion Dollar smile, I'll have you buy it someday. But then, I want to know you today. Not the Doctor that walks around a hospital with thousands of emotions buckled up into his chest while trying to heal your patients. I want to know you, under the skin of your lab coat and that Dr. Before your name.”

He smiled and admiringly looked at her that she had to take off her eyes from him. “But I brought you here so you can take it off your chest. All that has been eating you up, I mean.” Those were the words that came out of his mouth, and Aisha took her time before she replied him.

“No, I want us to talk about you today. The real and raw you, not a facade.” She turned and they were now facing each other as the waves of the dam swoosh over their feet, she felt as the coldness of the water magically walked its way to her heart. Aisha had never felt this wobbly all her life. It was a new feeling, surely, and she had already fell in love with it.

He sighed and played with the water with his legs, “I have nothing mysterious hiding until the letters of my name. They're just as real as my name is, Nasir Muhammad Tijjani. I'm a plain and simple guy.”

She took her eyes from him and took in the feeling of her surroundings, today had been beautiful. A very beautiful evening to end a stressful day with. “Everyone has something to say about his name, but I won't probe for an answer. I want it to come up naturally to you just like this water sways and dances on our feet. So, Dr, no more you today.”

He laughed and fondled his stomach, “Aisha, I'm famished and craving for all the sweet small chops these girls are selling. What do you want to eat?”

Aisha turned and laughed, “But Dr, we had our lunch only an hour ago. Okay, let's say two hours ago.” She corrected herself, after the long hard look he sent her way. 

“You had me screaming at you when you almost get yourself drowned into this dam, all in the name of rejoicing. The fear that feeling ignited in me burnt away the food I ate. So, let's buy something.” And she laughed so hard.

After he finished taking pictures of her, she started walking deep into the dam that Nasir thought before he spoke her out of it, he could only stare as the colour of her clothes float on the surface of the dam. And it was as scary as hell. He couldn't imagine losing Aisha now. Not ever.

They put their shoes back on and walked to where small girls were selling small chops. Raising from different varieties of foods. They bought what those in the north refer to as 'Awara' a cake like meal made from soya beans and also 'Wainar fulawa' a fried flour with palm oil that looked exactly like a fried egg. 

They walked back to the car, each one of them having something in his hands. They sat down in the car and Aisha placed the nylon between them. “First of all, this thing is way too much for the two of us. Second, we don't have a plate, or spoon with us. How are we going to eat?”

He took a bottle of water from the back of the car and washed his hands before he handed her the bottle as she did the same. “Eating these kind of foods on a plate with a spoon is like eating away its sweetness. We eat it like it and relish all its sweetness, young lady.”

As they started eating, Aisha looked up at him, “Wait, how do you know so much about Katsina? I mean, weren't you first here when Ya Firdausi was brought? And I imagine you could count all the times you were here, right?” Curiosity tucked at her heart, because she found whatever he said about Katsina true.

He chuckled and answered her back, “I served here in Katsina. And I stayed in Nana's house. Almost every time I'm out touring around the town. You'll be amazed at all the beautiful places I'll take you next time we come back here.”

“Oh! No wonder. That's why you seem closer to Ya Firdausi? You're like one spoilt Auta to all of them. The spoilt doctor, that's your new name.”

“Don't even think about that name, or else, my revenge won't be sweet on you Aisha.”

“Why can't I? You're always restricting me when it comes to you. I think I should resort to calling you Yaya Doctor. It sounds more respectful.”

Nasir laughed and shook his head, so practically she was brother zoning him. “If you can let me call you Baby Aisha, then it's fine. I'll go with Yaya Doctor too, as much as I dislike it.”

She grimaced her face and half pouted her filled lips. “Must everyone know I'm young? It's fine, Dr. I'll surely grow some day.”

“I actually can't wait for you to grow too.”

“Oh my god!” She clutched onto her chest with her left hand. “Are you saying I'm young? Like I'm young and I can't even understand a word you said? That even talking to me is child a***e?” Nasir didn't know when he burst out laughing until he felt the burning gaze of her eyes, he sobered up.

“That's not what I mean, Aisha. Now, let's finish eating this and drive back home. I'll have to give this out, I'm full.” He held up the nylon containing the wainar fulawa.

“Don't give it out, Mama has to taste it. And you? I'm not talking to you again.” And that was how they drove back to Katsina with Aisha still sulking just because he added a few words on top of her own. It was amusing to him.

They parted just about an hour ago, but Aisha could swear she had missed him tenfold of whatever she had ever missed in her life. And she was sure if she had a phone with her, she would've called him. Ouch! Even the feeling tugging at her heart was painful, and she didn't know what it was.

***

The next morning Firdausi walked into her room and found her reading the Quran. She was so engrossed that she didn't know someone had entered into her room. Firdausi found a space at the edge of the bed and sat down before Aisha finished off a verse and she looked up at her with a smile.

“Good Morning, Ya Firdausi.” She greeted and placed back the Quran in its original position.

Firdausi smiled at her and said, “Good morning to you too, Aisha. I hope you have a good sleep.”

Aisha recalled what she dreamt about and smiled widely, “Yes, it was a peaceful sleep.”

“Can you help me in the kitchen? It's too early for my maid to come. And Baba and Mama would be here in an hour, I want Baba to have his breakfast before he leave for the conference.” 

Aisha stood up and began folding the hijab Firdausi gave her yesterday to pray with. “Yes sure, I'd gladly help.”

And they set out to the kitchen together. And Firdausi was amazed at how Aisha took a dish of her own and began making it  expertly. They were almost done when she turned and looked at her, “Aisha, can I have a few words with you?”

“Yes sure, Ya Firdausi.” She answered briskly and walked towards the oven, pulling out her dish.

“What's your educational qualification before your parents died? I mean, I can't point a finger at your age. When you smile, you appear cute like a little baby. And when you have your face scrunched up, thinking deep, it's hard not to refer to you as a woman even.”

Aisha chuckled at that. If it was Nasir, she was sure she would have thrown a tantrum for calling her that. “I'm done with my first semester in the university before my uncles threw me out of the house. And I'm just 17, I'll be eighteen on 25th March In Sha Allah.” She heard as Mama and Firdausi spoke about her uncles again, and she had never been grateful like she had been to Mama, for hiding the huge part of what happened to her.

“Oh, I'm so sorry about that, Aisha. March is only in a few days I think. What's today's date?”

“19th February.” His voice chirped in as he walked casually into the kitchen as if he was used to it. And Aisha remembered him telling her he spent a year in Katsina and together with Nana.

“Nasir, you can never stop this habit of yours, right? What if we were having a secret chat? You eavesdropped?” Firdausi glared at him, and he chuckled.

“Aisha hides nothing from me, well, except her birthdate.” Aisha kept feeling as the pounding her chest made increased with any step he took towards her. And it was intensifying until the moment he stood right in front of her and dipped his hand into what she was done cooking.

“Having to eat Nana's food is a t*****e, Aisha. While I'm used to eating your food. Good morning, by the way.” The smack Firdausi landed on his back made him backed away immediately and he rubbed his back while Aisha laughed.

“Good Morning, Dr.” Was all she could say. He didn't like how he was being all free with her while his sister was standing only a feet or two between them.

“Nana, you don't have to beat me this hard. Are you pained because I said I missed Aisha's cooking?” This time, she squeezed his ear and held it in her hands. He yelped, but she still held onto it.

“You ate my cooking for a whole year, and don't you forget how everytime you eat you have to talk about how the best my cooking was after Mama's. And I punished you because you ate what wasn't set on the table yet.” Nasir fought his ear out and walked away from Firdausi, growling.

“Aisha, let's go to a restaurant and eat. This woman is an abuser.” He whined like a little boy and Aisha couldn't help but laughed.

“Aisha is not going anywhere. And besides, I'll have to take her away from you guys, I need her by my side.” Nasir jerked at her words, but he knew how unnecessarily annoying Firdausi can be. She might've noticed what he felt for Aisha and choose to punish him that way.

They set the table and both went to take their bathe. Before Aisha was done getting ready, she heard Mama's voice in the living room and did all she had left in a matter of minutes. When she was out, she rushed to Mama and hugged her. “Good morning, Mama. I missed you.”

Mama laughed and hugged her back. “I missed you more, Aishatah. How have you been? Have they been good to you?”

Aisha looked up at Nasir and Firdausi's face before she smiled. “Ya Firdausi has been good and lovely. But Doctor didn't even talk to me.”

“Oh my Allah! Aisha?! Mama I even took her to Ajiwa dam, because I figured out she will be lonely sitting here all day.” Aisha turned and strucked her tongue at him. He shook his head and made a gesture with his hand on his throat and meant, “You're died.”

“Aisha, you haven't seen me, right?” Baba asked, and she ducked her face on Mama's body. She had totally forgotten about him, she wouldn't have said those words about Nasir. Baba had grown a liking for Aisha for all the days she spent in his house.

“I'm sorry, Baba. Good morning.” She greeted and they all sat down and began taking their breakfast. 

Before they were halfway through, Firdausi cleared her throat and their eyes turned at her. “Mama, please I have a request to make.”

“What is it, Nana?” Mama asked, looking at Baba.

“Baba I want Aisha to come back here and stay with me. She has to continue her studies as well. Al-Qalam university is always open for admission and she can have an admission when they're starting their second semester. Please?”

Nasir felt as all the pulses in his body stopped working, he had never imagined she was being serious when she said that until now. Nana! The way he was going to deal with Nana! She would surely have to beg for his forgiveness. 

“Nana, that can't happen you know? Studying over here is good and also serves as the change of environment she needs. But staying with you? She shouldn't have to stay with you, she can stay in the hostel you know?” It was Baba now, because Mama had her tongue tied. How can she be separated with Aisha now. It's a No, a very big No.

“Baba Khalid doesn't have a problem with that. We spoke about it yesterday. Please Baba.”

“Why does she have to stay here and even study here? Nana?” The hard glare Nasir sent her way made her shuddered. It's official, she had to apologise to him letter.

“I'm far away from home, Nasir. I'm not saying she should stay here forever, just for the duration of her studies. Whenever she has a holiday I'll have the driver take her home. Mama, you haven't said a word.”

Baba looked at her with all the softness of a father, “Aisha, do you want to study here or you can continue your studies in ATBU?”

The name ATBU had made her heart raced and she felt like puking the instant the name fell out of Baba's lips. She would rather give up about her stidies than go back to that school. From the day she set her feet out of that school, she had closed its chapter and would never want to read that chapter again. She looked at Mama, and the look that was on her face was uncertain to read for Aisha. Then she glanced over at Nasir, whom had his face grimaced. The look Aisha had never seen on his face. 

She was the only one that knew about what happened to her in ATBU and the kind of phase ATBU made her walked into. She'd rather, “I'll prefer to study here in Katsina, Baba.”

“Mama won't you say a word?” Firdausi asked again, and Mama cracked a small smile out of her lips.

“It's just that I don't want her to leave, I'm used to her presence in the house. But I know it's for her life, and the best thing for her Insha Allah.”

“Thank you, Mama. Baba, is it a yes then?” Firdausi was smiling widely.

He cleared his throat and gulped down the drink. He stood up and looked at them, “Maryama you should get ready, it's just a two hours conference then we head back home. Yes, Nana. Khalid should ask about the tuition fees and all, call me when everything is set.”

“Thank you, Babaa!!!” Nana squealed and followed Mama to her room.

It was left only Aisha and Nasir, she looked at her and spoke, “Doctor, I had no choice.” Instead of him to answer her, he walked out of the living room. And right there, Aisha burst into tears. The phase she promised to have closed, ran a marathon back to her life.