C5 Manal

Ever since I got discharged from the hospital, I had been hoping to see the mysterious man that had been around me when I was in the hospital. Sadly, I only knew his name and his occupation but didn't know more about him. I could ask about him from Ya Salim but what if he... – I couldn't finalize my thought when Hajiya Siyyamah called me.

"Take this key please" She gave me her car key as soon as I walked into her room. "Go to the market and buy this foodstuffs for me" She said handing me a list. "Also, drive carefully please!" She cautioned.

"Alright, Hajiya" I beamed at her and headed back to my room.

After putting on one of my hijabs, I walked out to the compound, stormed into her car and drove to the market. The place was full the fact that today was Saturday. I carefully drove into the parking area and parked the car in a small corner. Thank God the car was a small body Honda, there was no space for big cars.

It took me almost an hour to get all the things I was sent to purchase, thus I returned back to the car and gently drove away. Ask me how I learnt how to drive and I would tell you my junior brother, Farouq taught me. We were just three years apart but he knew things I didn't. He was very good at learning new things, just tell him to do something new and he would miraculously do it for you. He was a prodigy.

...

While on my way home, my phone began ringing. It was Hilwah, my course mate from school. I gently reduced the speed of the car and quickly picked up the call.

"Hello" I said waiting for her response.

"Hi, Manal" She said in a low tone.

"Is everything okay?" I asked.

"Not really" She cleared her throat. "Just coming back from the clinic, Yusuf nearly killed me today"

"Again?" I puzzled wondering the kind of husband he was, he had been so cold and aloof towards her.

"Yes, Manal" She sniffed and continued. "I am leaving his house before he kill me one day"

"No, please don't do that!" I snapped at her.

"Why?" She asked.

"Because your marriage is just 8 months" I replied.

"It's a bit early, right?" She sniffed.

"Yes, you should think about something else... not ending your marriage with him" I suggested.

"Okay, what should I do?" She said.

She was the same age as me and had gotten married few months before we completed our Youth Service. She was presently living in Wudil together with her husband, Sergeant Yusuf, an Army Officer.The day she first told me about their relationship I almost told her not to marry him. Firstly, he was a soldier in our NYSC camp and wasn't that friendly. Secondly, he was Nupe stroke Igala, a somewhat rare tribal combination. And thirdly, he loved being respected like a General during our training. Well, I graced their wedding but ever since they got married she had been complaining to me about his malevolence towards her. He was always throbbing the heck out of her.

"I am in Kano, I think you need to spend some time here with me" I suggested. "Or what do you think?" I continued. "I am in my Aunt's house"

"Oh, so you are in our state but refused to apprise me right? Why?" She queried.

"Sorry, I wanted telling you but I've been through a lot. Please call me when you are coming over" I said.

"I will come over tomorrow!" She said.

"Okay, I will be anticipating" I said.

"Alright then" She said.

"Yeah, take care" I huffed.

"You too" She said.