C4 Idris

"Goddammit!" I muttered a curse under my breath immediately I learnt that Manal was discharged since morning without my prior knowledge. I had, as usual, bought some fruits for her while on my way coming to work only to be baffled by the sudden news, and why didn't Salim contact me about it? I wondered.

Throughout last week, I was there for them. I was the one providing drips and other medical supplies for them. I thought I was already family but now they proved me wrong. I shouldn't have wasted my time and resources on them, I remorsed.

It was time for my shift so I quickly went to the pharmacy and signed in. Aisha was still around, she was always the last person to sign out among the afternoon workers. "Hey, you look disturbed" she said walking over to me.

She was the caring type you know, and she disliked seeing me sad or in a bad mood. Why didn't I notice she liked me even though she always deny it? Or was she just pretending? Well, whatever the case may be all I wanted was the appropriate mother for my poor little child, not just any woman.

"Is everything okay?" She worriedly uttered.

"I am fine, just take this nylon with you when you are going" I said handing her the fruits I bought for Manal.

"Huh?" Was all she could say, it seemed she was so surprised. She ought to be surprised.

After signing out, she bade me goodnight and left with happiness written allover her face. She was Yoruba from Kwara State but was born and raised in Kano State. Her hausa was fluent and so was her English. She could also speak Nupe but not that fluent. She was lucky to have good ears!

...

In the morning, after my shift ended I observed my Fajr (morning) prayer, signed out and drove back home. Normally I would return back and meet my breakfast waiting for me in the dining table but since my sister wasn't back from our family house yet, I had to prepare my breakfast by myself even though I wasn't good at it.

I changed into another outfit and just as I was about walking out of the room to the kitchen, my phone began ringing. It was Aisha, her name appeared boldly in the screen just the way I saved it as. "Good Morning, Idris" She said immediately I picked the call.

"Morning!" I said wondering why she called.

"Sorry to disturb you, I... I just want to check on you, I'm already by the gate" She stuttered.

"What?" I blurted out. Did she just said she was by my gate already? Why did she even had to come? Just because I gave her some fruits yesterday?

"Yes, I am by your gate and I brought your breakfast along with me" She said rendering me speechless. "It's rice cake (masa/waina)" She continued. "I once heard you saying it is one of your favourites"

"Oh, yeah" I huffed not knowing what else to say. "Just give me a second"

"Alright" She said and ended the call.

Thus, I walked out to the gate and opened it for her. She was so happy to see me, her broad smile said it all. We went inside and ate the rice cake she brought together, it was so delicious and I really loved the soup.

After the breakfast, she helped me with all the house chores. You know Yoruba people loved neat environment, they don't like dirt at all hence she made sure everything was in order and the house was sparkling clean before she finally left. Was she trying to prove her love for me or what? I wondered.