C7 Aliya

Just as Hajiya and I returned back home from her store, I made my way to my room and took a warm shower before changing into a Jalabiya. Thus, I performed ablution and observed my Magrib prayer. It was already time, you know, and I didn't want to miss it. After the prayer, I took off my hijab and headed downstairs. Hajiya was in the living room already, and watching Arewa 24 as always. After greeting her, she asked me to go and check if Balaraba had finished cooking dinner because she was already starving. "Hmm, okay Hajiya" I chuckled and turned heading towards the kitchen.

Did you know why I chuckled? It was because Hajiya had consumed two donuts and a coke before we left her store, hence I didn't expect her to be starving already. But you know, she was a glutton even though she was as slim as the typical Fulani woman she was.

I guess her ulcer was what made her a glutton, she had ulcer and used to treat it from time to time. I, on the other hand, didn't used to eat that much even though I was chubby.

Well I didn't have ulcer, Alhamdulillah. And I wish those with it a permanent self recovery, Ameen. And also those with terminal diseases, Ameen Ya Allah.

"AsSalama Alaykum" I said as I walked into the kitchen island.

"Wa'alaykumus Salam, Aliya" Balaraba glanced at me.

"Sannu da aiki (well-done)" I said smiling at her.

"Yawwa (Alright)" She smiled back. "Let me guess, Hajiya sent you to check if I am done right?" – Her words made me to chuckle.

"Yes, she did" I said. Actually, she also knew how gluttonous Hajiya was😂

"Hmm, I knew she would" She said and continued. "Anyways, the food is almost done. Tell her it would be done in five minutes or so"

"Alright, I will" I said about leaving when something came into my mind. "Hmm, that reminds me. Hajiya is traveling very soon fa!"

"Traveling again?" She puzzled. "To where?"

"Paris, she and Fawad's mother. Alhaji called them over, maybe he want them to see something... I don't know, and she also doesn't seem to know" I said.

"Ohh, I guess I would have to take care of you for her again then" She teased me.

"Hmm, you can't be serious. Have you forgotten I am the one taking care of myself ever since I grew up?" I reminded her.

"Yes, but I still used to take care of you one way or the other" She beamed.

"I don't think so" I protested.

"Whatever" She rolled her eyes making me to laugh at her. "Oya, go and convey my message to Hajiya. The food will be ready in five minutes"

"I won't go again!" I pouted.

"Koh? Maybe this will make you" She said as she pulled out the spoon she was cooking with and pointed it at me. "Go and tell her or else, your body will tell you"

"I still won't!" I pouted again. And just as she took two steps towards me, I puckishly ran out of the kitchen island.

That was one thing I loved about Balaraba, she loved playing with me even though she was relatively older than me. I was never told her age though but judging from my scrutiny, she could be around 35 to 40. She was dark but also beautiful. I heard she was married at 13 before her husband (who was her father's age mate) later divorced her. I wasn't told the cause of the divorce but it affected her viewpoint about marriage. Right now, marriage was the last thing in her mind even though our gateman (Danladi) had severally asked her out. He was aged though, with a wife in the village.

While walking back to the living room, I began hearing some voices. Perhaps we had visitors, but visitors at such hour? Well I guess I should wait and see for myself first – after all, seeing is believing!

*******

Immediately I was in the living room, I couldn't help but to drop down my jaw. Who was I seeing? The BLD man that called me a bitch? Wow, oh nice! And what was he doing in our house? Also, who was that woman sitting close to him in the couch? His wife? I guess so, after all I could see them holding each other's hands...

"Aliya, are you going to keep standing there or come over here and sit?" Hajiya pulled me out of my trance. "By the way, we have visitors"

"Visitors?" I uttered in what seemed like a whisper while walking towards her.

"Yes, they are connected to one of the girls we put in cell today" She said and then asked me to greet them.

"Good evening" I said sitting on the armchair that was close to hers.

"Evening!" They chorused, with the BLD man staring at me with his piercing gaze. "Aliya, right?" He said.

"How did you know her?" Hajiya puzzled.

His wife also looked surprised. "Actually," He cleared his throat and continued. "We met in BLD Construction Company yesterday"

"Wow, you work there?" Hajiya asked.

"Yes, I work there..." He said as his wife cut in.

"He's the CEO" She smiled, cherishing his hand.

CEO? I nearly screamed. But how, I mean, did she just said he's the CEO of BLD...? I wallowed with my mouth agape while staring at him.

"So, your people were the ones that humiliated my daughter yesterday during job interview?" Hajiya said and continued. "They really provoked her with their questions"

"They humiliated her?" He puzzled.

"Yes" Hajiya uttered turning to me. "Isn't it, Aliya?"

"Yes!" I said.

"I never knew" He huffed not taking his eyes off me. "But don't worry, I will deal with them"

"No need, please" Hajiya said.

"Why?" The man's wife chimed. "I mean, they ought to be punished for their misdeed"

"No, there won't be a need for that anymore" Hajiya smiled. "After all, my daughter has now decided to be helping me in my store"

"But she has been given the job she applied for in our office, ma" The man said.

"Yes, but..." Hajiya was saying when the man's wife cut in.

"I was just about asking you to do that, Bilal!" The woman said and that made me to gulp.

Did she just called him Bilal? Well, I guess that was his name. I mulled over.

"Please ma, we are sorry for what our staff did to your daughter" Said the man, or should I say Bilal. "We will make sure nothing of that nature repeat itself again" He continued. "So please, let Aliya accept the job"

"Yes, she should accept the job please!" His wife supported him.

And as speechless as Hajiya was, she turned to me about to speak when I shook my head. "No, Hajiya. I can't" I said in what seemed like a whisper.

"You have to" She replied in what seemed like a whisper as well. "It's a nice gesture, so accept it please"

"But Hajiya..." I said as she cut in.

"Aliya, please I beg you" She said with her hands pressed together and her fingers pointing upwards in a Namaste gesture.

How I wish I could tell her Bilal was just like his rude staff, and that he called me a bitch yesterday even though I was the one that bumped into him – unknowingly. How I wish she could also understand the hatred I had conceived for the so BLD Construction Company, I didn't really think I could work in that company. Why should I even work there? The place was meant for brute and rude people, and I wasn't that kind of a person! I huffed.