C2

• • •

Rumaisa uplifted the duvet before dropping her legs to the ground. She propelled her elbows to her knees as she massaged her temples with the tip of her fingers, the rate at which her heart beats becoming faster, anxiety and nervousness encircling her.

As she felt the mattress deepening by her side, she knew Yusuf was approaching her. And she was proved when she felt his lean long fingers to her shoulder.

She shut her eyes.

"Habibati, tell me what's wrong? Why are you so queer from just reading a letter. You know the sender? It might be a mistake and the letter might not be yours. Look, talk to me Habibati." He breathed as he placed his left hand to her left shoulder. He patted both her shoulders before placing his face to the crock of her neck.

She clenched her eyes tighter.

"Wait, look at me." He sat back on the bed and turned her towards his face. Though the room was dimmed as only her bedside lamp was on, he could still make out the scowl at the edge of her eyes and that got him more puzzled. "Habibati, look at me."

She loosened her eyes as she listens to his words, yet preparing herself for the worst. Slowly, she opened her eyes and the first she saw was his dark eyes, a feature of his that always gets her gaping at him. One thing she love the most about him is the dark shade of his eyes, both his pupils and irises are dark brown and his eyeballs are purely white, which made the darkens of the inner eye more vivid.

Though her eyes too are a little bit dark, anytime she stares into his, she reprimands herself about hers being brown not 'a little bit dark' as she always addresses it. She had an adoration for dark eyes but hers were golden brown. But nevertheless she admires her own.

She looked into his eyes with her big soulful ones which made him perplexed. "What's wrong Habibati?" He questioned her again, his voice a little bit husky.

"I'm in dilemma Habibi." A little cry escaped her lips. "A conflicting dilemma." She hugged him, boring her face to the crock of his neck. He placed his hand to her braided hair as he stroke it gently, "I'm here with you." He whispered to her ears.

They sat in quietude. While Yusuf is curious about what's going on, Rumaisa is in panic of what to say. Indeed anxiety honoured the invitation of her night. She knew every word she pronounced, Yusuf will question her against it and by Allah, she knew at the end she'll be guilty of all which had happened and is still happening. It's only tonight that she began to see the profound effects of what she did four years back and even more. If only she didn't disguised behind a façade of lie. If only!

Though he was curious, he didn't budged her. He let her stayed there; beneath his face. He knew that was her place of comfort anytime she's worried and now he's willing to provide her with one albeit his mind keep pushing him to urge her to say what's hidden, he reprimanded his conscience and stayed mute.

She, on the other hand, wasn't willing to face Yusuf. She wished a miracle will occur that'll leave her dwell under his face till eternity, without actually facing him or answering his questions which she knew are inevitable.

'And also, your father will be there.'

Not only to Yusuf, but even her that sentence brought the daylight out of her. Like, what? Who's actually her father? Is this a set up or a prank? She had no father all through her life and now just like from the blues he's appearing? Is this letter even real.

"Habibi, is this a dream?" She asked him from beneath his face.

He chuckled, "No, it's reality. See, I'm sitting and you're leaning against me, wetting my pyjamas with your little tears. Oh, C'mon now, get up. Don't make your cries wake up little Nabila."

Slowly, yet gradually she sat back erect on the bed, facing Yusuf. There was still a glittering moisture at the edge of her eyes that was threatening to fall. Yusuf wiped it off, smiling at her.

"When your eyes are soulful you look scary." He laughed and she scratched her neck, giving a humourless laugh.

"This is no fun, you know?" She hit his forearm playfully and he laughed harder. After he composed himself, he maintained back his normal face and that got her intestines knotting.

Not now please.

"You've any idea about this?" He questioned as he motioned his head towards the paper still under her grasp. She looked down at the paper, hundreds of questions dangling in her head. She didn't want to lie to him now and yet she know sooner or later, everything has to be out.

She nodded, "Yes." Came her curt reply.

He nodded, holding her gaze. "You know the sender...uhm, Inna Kaltume right?"

"Yes."

"You better stop giving me curt replies." He chuckled and she smiled bitterly. "She's a relation to Baffa, Baba mai tuwo or Innar Abdul?"

"Neither."

He sighed, "You see, giving me curt replies won't solve anything here. Tell me what you think I need to know and if there's nothing then, I think I should sleep."

The scowl at the edge of her face deepened as she fathom how his mood was trying to change. Clearly he was getting annoyed and not opening up to him will only trigger the situation.

She inhaled deeply, embracing herself for the worst, before she opened her mouth. "I've lived in Maiduguri for twelve years. I've lived there under the care of Inna Kaltume." She breathe deeply as if a weight had been lifted off her.

With a gasp of pure surprise, Yusuf looked deeply into her doe like eyes as if searching for something. "Which twelve years of your life?" His brows knitted with confusion.

"My first twelve summers. I was born and bred in Maiduguri, before I moved to Kano at the age of twelve. That's when I moved into the family of Baffah."

"Which kind of fairytale is this Hayaati?" He laughed and she grimaced, she isn't ready to break his heart with what she has to tell him, she isn't ready to take away that laughter from his face, his happiness too!

When her expression remain neutral, he composed a bit and look at her, yet seeming confused. "What is it?"

"It's not a matter to joke with Habibi, I'm serious,"

He narrowed his eyes at her, his expression changing. "You lived in Maiduguri for twelve summers?" Amusement was dripping from each word he pronounced. "Look, I'm serious Hayaati. Tell me, is this true or not."

"By Allah, I've lived my first twelve summers in Maiduguri under the care of Inna Kaltume." She confessed.

Yusuf massaged his temples with the tip of his fingers in frustration before sighing. "And I'm only knowing this now? Great Rumaisa, just... just great!" He huffed.

She held her head low in embarrassment. She needed not to be informed that he's annoyed because he never calls her name randomly, except when he's too serious about something or when she messes up. Even if he's to call her name, he calls her Ruma and not Rumaisa. There was a time she asked him why he never calls her by her real name, he smiled and sat up from where he'd lain.

"The name is too heavy for my tongue to pronounce it."

She laughed, "If the one who fathers my children doesn't say it, then who will? I think every name is meant to be said."

"It differs Habibati. Not all is the same, yours is an exception."

She laughed at his ridiculousness and throughout that day she kept calling him by 'Yusufa' and even worse 'Isuhu.' And she'll say after all his name is meant for her to say it the way she likes and later on she'll even say that she's proud her husband has the name of the most handsome of Prophets.

"Why am I knowing this now? You never told me you had a life apart from your life with Baffah. You never mentioned Inna Kaltume or Maiduguri to me, why Ruma? We've lived for four years yet there's something you hid from me all this while, I'm your husband Ruma for God sake. I... I have trusted... you know what? Goodnight."

He went back to his side of bed before he slide under the duvet and turn to the other side of the bed.

In a moment she felt a hot tear escaping her eye and rolling down her cheekbone. She clenched her eyes shut trying to calm down her hysteria but she couldn't as the intensity at which the tears roll increased.

She felt a sharp pain shooting through her head, she hold unto the sheets tightly as she tried composing her mind which was bringing no yields. In a moment she stood to her legs and walked to the restroom. Right inside, she poured a handful of water to her face to ease her mind. But it made no difference to what she was feeling. She washed her face again before she scurried out of the toilet, her heartbeat seeming to increase with each passing second.

When she passed by Nabila's cradle she looked down at her with her blurry eyes, a small smile was kissing the toddlers lips. She smiled down bitterly at her before she walked to the bed. Yusuf's back was to her. Albeit she knew he wasn't yet asleep, he didn't made any move to prove her correct. She huffed and wiped her tears with the back of her hand before she covered her body with the duvet. She turned off her lamp before resting her head to the pillow with a sniffle.

She wish the moment she closes her eyes sleep will overcome her but she knew her mind was kilometers away from rest. That'll even be the last thing she'll think of in this night. True to Yusuf's word, she wouldn't get a seven hour rest for the night.

• • •

Rumaisa scooped a spoonful of cereal as she feed it to a delighted Nabila. The following morning the girl woke up delighted and enthusiastic as she kept rambling on different things which were quite vague to Rumaisa as she couldn't understand what the girl was saying. While Mahmoud woke up a little grumpy as he didn't want to go to school. Basically that's how he is everyday so it wasn't much surprising to Rumaisa.

"Mama where's Baba?" He asked her as he finishes the last bit of his sandwich.

"He's out for jogging. He'll be back any moment and he'll get ready and you two will get going. Today's Friday and your Baba said we're visiting Maman Kaduna today. Are you happy?"

"We're going to Kaduna after school?" He frantically jumped which made Rumaisa smile. The bond between the grandmother and the grandchild was increasing with each passing minute.

"In Shaa Allah. Now finish your tea and go get your uniform before Baba comes back. Meanwhile I'll prepare your launch box right my baby?"

"I'm growing Mama, can't you see? It's Nabila that's a baby not me." He grumbled beneath his breathe as he walked away and Rumaisa held back a smile. The boy can be unpredictable at times. Anytime he wants something from Rumaisa, he addresses himself as her 'baby' but the moment he gots it, he'll change to 'Baba's boy'. He was smart.

Rumaisa piggybacked Nabila as she stood to prepare Mahmoud's noodles when she heard the front door cracked. Her heart frantically skipped a beat, not because she isn't aware of the person that entered but because of what's between them. Since last night none of them spoke to each other again. As it was their tradition, Rumaisa always wake them up for Subh but surprisingly today she woke up and found Yusuf already in the restroom performing his wudu'. And the moment he was done he headed to the mosque and from there she knew he'll go for his jogging as it was his everyday routine.

But what terrified her was how would she face him? Will he listen to her or will he just stare at her blankly as if not grabbing what she's saying or, the worst, will he just ignore her? That thoughts got her into dilemma. Will he even let her explain herself?

"Ruma, follow me."

Her ears caught his words and she had to repeat the words in her head before she understood what he was saying. She turned back towards the entrance into the kitchen but he was nowhere to be found. She sighed as she strode towards their bedroom whilst different scenarios where playing in her head.

Discarding them, she pushed open the door to their room with a Salam. She faintly heard his reply and when she entered the room she saw him packing some of his clothes. Ugh! She was aware they were traveling in the afternoon but she'd totally forgotten that she'll have to pack few of their belongings. She sighed again.

"Pack yours, Nabila and Mahmoud's clothes. We're leaving in few hours."

Her brows rose in confusion. "I thought we're going after you're back from work and Mahmoud is back from school."

"We have a long journey ahead of us."

"A long journey? Kaduna is barely three hours." The signature of confusion was still dripping from her voice.

"Kaduna?" He turned to look at her and their gaze met for the first time in that peaceful morning. "We're not leaving for Kaduna." He huffed and turned to his closet.

"Now I'm getting confused. Where are we going if not Kaduna? We talked about that yesterday."

"You forgot?" He turned again but this time when their eyes locked, there was something she couldn't fathom from those ebony eyes. There was a strange emotion in it which got her knee so darn loose that she immediately tore the gaze, she looked ahead into his closet. "You forgot about your letter? We're leaving to Maiduguri."

She gasped, her hand flying to her mouth while the other supported Nabila who was still on her back. "We're leaving to Maiduguri?" She emphasized her first word.

"Uhm." He answered her curtly as he close the door of the closet. "Wait, why are you emphasising the 'we're'? You think you're going there alone? That's ridiculous." He gave a humorless laugh as he proceeded to the restroom.

Rumaisa slumped into the one single sofa in the room, her mind in a chaos. 'Is this real?' She asked herself. How can they all head to Maiduguri? This will surely get her to hell. Why would Yusuf make this decision without asking for her opinion? His presence there will only worsen the situation and her life at large. She huffed out some air.

This is really going to be one heck of a mess!

When she, too, is dreading to be there, why would Yusuf now choose to follow her? He'll just ignite more fuel to the already burning fire. She know Yusuf in and out, at times he can mask his emotions and act all carefree but seriously this time around she doubt if he'll be able to control his emotions. She has many events to unfold; agonizing, struck stunned, bewildered and just a little drop of ecstasy sprinkled with fear.

And then again, 'And also, your father will be there', Inna Kaltume's words rang in her ears. She had to shut her eyes briefly to compose herself. Is this really a prank or what? She huffed and rose to her feet. She placed Nabila peacefully in her cradle as she was already in a deep slumber before she exited the room. It seems like the more she stays in the room, the more confused she'll be.

"Mama my belt." Mahmoud approached her with a belt in his hand, clearly requesting her to fix it for him.

"I don't think you'll attend school today Mahmoud." She stooped to his height, "Baba said we're traveling."

"We're going to Maman Kaduna's house right? But we always go when I'm back from school."

"Yup, that's what I told you earlier. But Baba has changed his mind, we're leaving to Maiduguri in some hours."

"Maiduguri...Maiduguri...Maiduguri..." He mumbled as if remembering something and on instance his face lit up with enthusiasm, "Borno Maiduguri!" He exclaimed in his state and capital singsong voice.

Rumaisa smiled, "Borno Maiduguri. That's where we're going today, In Shaa Allah."

"I've never been there. But who will we see in Maiduguri."

The smile on her face faded and was soon replaced with a scowl. "Don't ask too many questions Mahmoud, let's go and remove that uniform and get you another clothes."

"Today's Friday, I'll wear my brown Kaftan. No, I want the blue one, right Mama?" That's how they exited with Mahmoud rambling on the outfit he'll choose for the day.

• • •

"I've taken an excuse from work and I've also called Mahmoud's school. Now, can we get going?" Yusuf resisted the urge to yell.

"Mama enter. I want to go to Maiduguri." Mahmoud chirruped from the backseat. Rumaisa huffed and her shoulders slumped in defeat. She'd given him all the reasons she think are worth making him change his mind but Yusuf was keen on his decision. She even made it clear how Mahmoud will miss two days of school since he told her they'll be back by Monday but still he resisted. That was the last reason and hope she had because she knew how he's serious with Mahmoud's education but every reason she brought up, he had a firm one to shoo it away.

Defeatedly, she entered the passenger's seat with Nabila in her arms. Yusuf reversed the car out from the parking lot and embraced the chaotic atmosphere into the street. As it was just eight in the morning, many drivers, parents and siblings were rushing to drop off the students to school while those trekking were also in alert of time. And many more were in conscious of time so as to reach workplace in the speculated hour.

Ruma sighed, had it been this was a normal day, by this time Yusuf will be on his way to drop Mahmoud in school before he heads to his workplace while she'll be at home, executing the normal morning chores before she too heads to her shop, as Fridays and Mondays are her only working days.

They passed by the stalk of a woman, in her mid forties, as she was frying Akra. The aroma was ravishing but right now Ruma had no appetite. She remembered, during her teenage, how she never miss the everyday morning Akra of Innar Abdul and her palp. Wait, Innar Abdul...Baba Mai tuwo...

Her head jolted towards Yusuf. "Uhm...I...I need to see Baba Mai tuwo first, please."

"Baba Mai tuwo?" He asked, his gaze fixed on the road. He slowed down his speed as he take a turn, leaving the street of Janbulo into the main road leading to Kabuga. "It's too early to visit them."

"It's already eight in the morning. You know there's never a morning hour in Baffah's house."

He didn't reply her rather he continued driving but she knew he'll comply. She wished he'll comply to her earlier protest but then who was she kidding, when Yusuf is determined to a thing nothing gets him off it. That's one of his characters that admires her, determination. But now it was affecting her.

But since she know she can't stop him, the last resort she has is to take him to Baba Mai tuwo. She know he can't say No to Baba Mai tuwo. But all she prays for is for Baba Mai tuwo to also take her side if not then she's condemned.

Her anxiety isn't with Yusuf going to Maiduguri but with Yusuf and Inna Kaltume meeting and also her 'father', if truly he's there. She know there're many things that need to unfold so as to pave a path outta getting Yusuf confused but what she dreads are the events that needs to be related.

On their way to Baffah's house Rumaisa couldn't get her mind off all the thoughts that came crushing down her disturbed mind. She reasoned with each of it and mostly ended up discarding them as they were quite peculiar to her.

As soon as Yusuf parked his car in front of Baffah's gate in Ayagi, Rumaisa alighted with Nabila to her chest, while Mahmoud hurried to catch pace with his mother but ended up sighing in defeat as she's already exited his view through the entrance door.

"A'an, who am I seeing like Ruma? In this early morning? Maraba." Innar Abdul cooed as she saw Rumaisa. She was in the kitchen making her morning Palp.

"Innar Abdul Ina kwana. Indeed it's me in this early morning. I'm in a dip. Where's Baffah and Baba Mai tuwo?" She said all in one breath.

"Baffah is out but Baba Mai tuwo is...oh, here she comes."

"Aunty Ruma good morning, are you here to drop Nabila off?" Surayya, Innar Abdul's last born asked as she took Nabila from Rumaisa's grasp.

"How are you Surayya? Unfortunately I'm not here to drop her off. Wait, aren't you supposed to be in school?"

"No, we're on our mid semester break and it's already Friday, we'll be back on Monday."

"Oh, Allah ya ba da sa'a Surayya."

Baba Mai tuwo came out of her room with a broad smile kissing the edges of her lips. "Rumaisa, is it your voice I'm hearing?" The old woman in her late fifties said as she exited her room. She wore a T-shirt and her wrapper wrapped just above her bossom and her head-tie draping to her shoulders, which clearly shows she is still in her night wears. "Surayya, don't blab her with your words, let her come inside."

"Ina kwana Baba." She greeted as she approached her room. Then, Mahmoud entered the little compound and he went straight to Innar Abdul as they always tease each other, she calling herself his wife and he calling himself a groom to a European.

"Come inside Rumaisa, lafiya kalau. Ya maigidan naki?"

"He's fine Baba, he's outside." Her voice was lined with panic and anxiety and that didn't go unnoticed to Baba Mai tuwo. They both sat on the carpeted floor of her room.

"Tell me what's wrong, you sound anxious."

"I received a letter Baba, yesterday, from Maiduguri. From Inna Kaltume precisely. She said she wanted to see me and that my 'father' too will be there." She was still yet to believe the fact that her father might be there waiting for her that's why if she's referring to him, she usually quote Inna Kaltume's words.

"When Yusuf learned about the letter he became curious and was asking me too many questions. To cut it short, I told him I lived my first twelve summers in Maiduguri before I came to Kano. And since from then Baba he kept ignoring me till this morning. And now he's keen on us going to Maiduguri all together. Baba, Yusuf shouldn't be there please." Her words ended up with a sob. She was trying her best not to freak out but she couldn't control it. She never thought things were going to unfold this way.

"Ya Allah!" Baba Mai tuwo massaged her temples with the tip of her fingers in confusion. "This is something else Rumaisa." She huffed.

"What am I supposed to do Baba? And Baffah is out right?"

She nodded her head, "He's out Ruma. They were called urgently this morning to the palace and I doubt if he's coming back anytime soon. Let your husband come in, we'll resolve everything In Shaa Allah."

She looked deeply into Baba's eyes, she didn't see what she was longing for, she couldn't detect determination and confidence in those eyes, all she saw was resentment, defeat and panic. Was Baba Mai tuwo too panicking? Ya Allah! This isn't supposed to be. When she was her last hope of getting Yusuf to back off from his mission then how could she as well look defeated? Has she already given up?

"Baba, please, you're my last hope. Please don't look defeated, I need you by my side throughout this journey. You're my main source of inspiration, when you're panicking about this then what am I supposed to do Baba? Please you need to help me out."

She sighed and rubbed her temples with the tip of her fingers, "Ruma, let me just say, whatever is destined to happen must occur whether by chance or nature. We can't hide everything about you from your husband. Definitely they'll come a time when everything must be revealed just like what Baffah suspected and I think this is the time. It's better we get over all the bads and start a new beginning."

Rumaisa went over to Baba and placed her hands above hers. "Baba, Wallahi had it been I know something about my parents or relations I'd have never hid it from Yusuf. I was raised with no information about them and then just yesterday I received Inna's letter beckoning me to come to my father. I'm afraid to go and see what will break my family in Maiduguri and now Yusuf is on the hem of everything. Once he's there I'm sure I'll end up on the dullest end of the spectrum."

"Have patience Ruma. Allah will never burden a servant with what he can't bear. Sometimes blessings come in manifolds and sometimes in bits. Take this as one of the paths of blessings from your Rabb. You're going to unite with your father, you don't know what your Lord has preserved for you yet, go and find out Ruma. Don't shun this chance away. I pray Allah bless you."

Ruma huffed and walked outside the room. Even with Baba's words, she was still doubting Yusuf's willy-nilly decision. She was in a conflicting dilemma, of course she wanted to see whether Inna Kaltume was true to her words about her father's presence, she wanted to see what he's like, the reason he had for being absent in her life and his reason for appearing just from the blue. But on the other side of the page, she didn't want to be there when her father will unite with her husband. She know, definitely things will rather unravel tougher than she ever thought.

When she reached Yusuf's car, he was having a phone call so she waited for him to finish.

"It's Ahmad, he's directing the road for me. Which town is it?"

Her lips stretched taut. Why is it that even after accepting defeat she's still stunned to every step Yusuf takes? When will the surprises end?

"Ruma?" He called again. He was still on call indicating he was waiting for her reply before Ahmad directs the way for him.

"Uhm... Biu." She muttered.

She could hear Ahmad's faint voice from the other side of the line as he directs Yusuf. It'll be a lie if she'll say she don't know the way back to Biu. She's passed through that road on several occasions with Inna Kaltume. She's been to Katsina, Taraba, even Anambra when Inna Kaltume was trying to seduce her into hard labour, claiming that she won't be able to fend for her as soon as she reaches the age of maturity. That's when she escaped to Kano. There's no way she'll forget her way back to Maiduguri.

When Yusuf ended his call, he followed her into the house.

"Ina kwana Baba, Innar Abdul barka da asuba." He greeted both of them with his eyes downcast and his zanna bukar perched beside him. It was a sign of respect that Yusuf has always portrayed to his in laws since the time he was looking for Ruma's hand in marriage.

"Lafiya kalau. Ya kwanan yara?"

"Alhamdulillah, we're all fine Masha Allah."

Ruma joined them on the mat. She sat on the opposite end of where Yusuf sat; close to Baba and Innar Abdul. She couldn't say why but it seems like she's getting a bit afraid of Yusuf. Afraid? No, it was shame. She's ashamed of herself that she couldn't even look him in the eyes. Subhanallah!

"Ruma told me you're travelling, is it so?" It was Baba Mai tuwo that spoke up first, as the eldest, it was expected of her.

Yusuf nodded his head and added, "She received a request yesterday from Maiduguri beckoning her to be there and she explained to me that the addressee was her godmother, that's why I deem it fit we go all together."

"Malam Yusufa kenan, I wish you a safe journey, Allah ya kai ku lafiya."

"Ameen ya Allah. Take care of them please." Innar Abdul added and Yusuf rose to depart. After he exited the living room, Rumaisa turned to both Innar Abdul and Baba Mai tuwo with horrified eyes.

"You just gave him the green light to go and find out about everything... everything that I ain't aware of. Why?" Her voice quivered with fear. Her body buzzed with the shock of the event and tears streamed down her plump cheeks.

Baba Mai tuwo embraced her to her chest and patted her back. "Your reputation. We're fighting for your reputation Ruma."

She staggered back from her embrace and her eyes were soulful. "You call this fighting for my reputation? You've practically dragged my reputation into the mud Baba. I've no reputation in Yusuf's eyes now."

"Keh Ruma, watch your words. This isn't how we trained you." Innar Abdul was the one who muted her.

"I'm sorry Inna but you've gotten me confused. You know what will happen when Yusuf goes to Maiduguri. I'm afraid Inna. I'm afraid this will affect my relation with Yusuf, the kids and worst of all, my marriage Inna, what will happen?"

"Ruma, I know what we've decided is very risky but hiding things again from Yusuf is more riskier. I'm only trying to protect your reputation in the eyes of Yusuf. We all know eventually one day everything will unfold but don't you think the more you're hiding it from him the worse it's getting?

"Ruma, you've already start building your family with Yusuf, you have two beautiful kids, don't you think it's high time you let him know who you really are? He deserves to know, you've been together for what... two... three? No, four years Ruma! Don't give me that sullen look please, I know you're brave. You're a strong woman, my jan gwarzo!"

Rumaisa gave her a teary smile. She remembered how that name originated.

It was five days after she started living with Baffah's family, one peaceful morning. She was curled under her thick blanket and was smiling in her sleep while whispering soft snores. All the kids; Kabir, Mubarak, Mukhtar, Muniba and Surayya were at home on holiday while Zulaiha and Abdullahi who were in the higher institution were in school. As at then Baffah was trying to get Ruma vacancy in school as only one term remains before the end of the session.

She heard faint voices and screams, she breathed heavily and turned in her slumber. When the voices got closer and she was certain she wasn't dreaming, she squinted her eyes to see what was happening.

"Surayya move aside, it's behind the curtain."

"No, Mukhtar give me that shovel. I think I can reach it from here. I'm more closer to it."

"Can't you see it's trying to escape again, move aside you two."

"Mubarak, can you get me Inna's wood?"

Rumaisa sat upright and studied them with her doe eyes. Mukhtar was at the door with a shovel in his hands, Surayya was close to the window oppisite of Mukhtar with a pipe in her grasp, Muniba was peeping from the window just above her head and Kabir and Mubarak were peeping through the door whilst giving instructions to Mukhtar and Surayya.

"Can someone tell me what's happening?" She questioned them frighteningly.

"It's behind that curtain Ruma, it's very big and wallah it has a long tail!" Muniba exclaimed from outside.

"It's a huge rat Ruma." Mukhtar panted. From all indications they've been chasing the rat and couldn't catch him.

Rumaisa smiled and dragged the blanket over her head. "You're getting back to sleep whilst there's a rat in the room?" Muniba questioned her unbelievably. "This should be the best drama of the year." She clapped her hands and busted with laughter.

"In case you missed that, I was born and bred in a remote village, we eat and play together." She breathed out slowly and dug her head inside the comforter, they've already spoiled her morning nap.

All five of them yelped in surprise and in no minute, Surayya and Mukhtar were outside the room. Were they surprised to what she said? She sat up again and this time she saw the reason they're screaming. It was the rat that chased them out while trying to find for a better place to hide. She hissed amusingly and gave up on her bed. The rat was behind their dressing mirror. She looked around and saw the pipe that was with Surayya just some seconds ago.

She picked it up and went over to her breakfast that Surayya brought in thirty minutes ago. It was palp, akra and bread. She cut out some part of the bread and went over to the dressing mirror. She threw a pinch to the rat and after a few seconds, it moved forward, smelled it and ravish it down its throat. She threw another pinch, but this time a little closer to open space. It followed it and fed on it again. She threw the third time and as she threw it, she held the pipe with both hands and waited for it to move forward. And it happened. It took the pinch of bread and before it got time to chew it down, Rumaisa hit its head with the pipe. She hit it the second time, then the third and lastly she hit it the fourth time.

She looked around the place and it was a complete mess. Its blood was all over the place and she knew Baba wouldn't let her until she clean everything. She looked around and there's nothing she could use to carry the rat out. And then mischievously, an idea hit her. She went over to Muniba's drawer and picked out her red scarf. She once heard Muniba saying she only wears it twice a year and that was during both Eid.

She unfold it and held the rat's tail with it. She laughed and exited the room. As soon as they all saw her coming with the dead rat in her grasp, they all scattered. All the boys ran out of the house and Surayya rushed to the toilet and closed the door to Muniba's face. She headed towards Muniba mischievously.

"Baba, she's throwing it to my face. Stop her please. Keh dalla Surayya open the door. Ruma please don't, pleaaase!"

"Hey little rat, say hello to Muniba." She then wiggled it's tail and it moved back and forth between Muniba and her.

"Ruma please stop it, look at how it's dripping blood all over. I beg of you Ruma, please. I'll do your chores for today, even tomorrow, but please take it out."

She smiled devilishly and said, "Stamp that, you'll do my chores for two days consecutively. But before I take it out, say Aradu Ruma jan gwarzo ce!"

"Aradu Ruma jan gwarzo ce!" She shouted with her eyes closed. She couldn't stand the sight of a dead rat with split head dripping out blood.

"I can't hear the fulani accent in your voice. Say it again."

"Aradu Ruma jan gwarzo ce. Ruma please take it out."

Rumaisa laughed with humour before she exited the compound. Baba and Innar Abdul were watching them from the kitchen and the two couldn't contain their laughter. Muniba slumped to the ground in fury.

"Wallahi I'll deal with that girl." She wiped the beads of sweat forming at her temple and released a long held breath. Surayya opened the toilet and came out laughing hysterically. Kabir, Mubarak, Mukhtar and Rumaisa came in together. They're all laughing at her.

"Aradu Ruma jan gwarzo ce!" Kabir mimicked her and they busted in laughter again.

"You've now seen the best drama of the year Muniba." Rumaisa laughed and threw the scarf to Muniba.

"What the hell! Baba, she used my scarf to pick the dead rat. Allah all hell will break loose today. I'm not wearing this scarf again."

"Thank you Muniba, I think I'll need the scarf." Rumaisa shouted from inside their room and Surayya shouted 'I love you Ruma' the same time Muniba shouted 'I hate you Ruma.'

She closed her eyes, breathed slowly and smile. "Okay Baba."

"Now what should we call this? Ruma fighting for her family?"

She smiled and nodded her head, "Yes Baba, Ruma fighting for her family."

Innar Abdul smiled and said, "Now hurry and go, don't let your husband and son waiting for you. Go with our blessings Ruma, Allah ya miki albarka."

She smiled at both of them before she exited the room. On her way out, she met Surayya at the compound and took Nabila before they bid farewell. When she reached the car, she saw Yusuf and Mahmoud in a deep conversation. She wonders how with each passing day the bond between the father and son was increasing.

She once asked Yusuf who he loves more, her or Mahmoud? He smiled and said, 'Don't start with this again, I told you my heart is big enough to accommodate your love, Mahmoud's, Nabila's and eight more of our kids.'

'Eight my foot, stop booking my womb, you won't get that.' He'd always laugh and say, 'You're irreplaceable Ruma.'

But now, that doesn't matter, whether he loves her more or Mahmoud, she didn't care, she and Mahmoud were irreplaceable in his life for all she knows and now she's going to fight for that love to blossom.

She hoped into the car and closed the door. "Shall we?" Yusuf asked her and she nodded her head, "Let's go."

"Alright, sit down little man, we're going." Yusuf said and reversed out of the street.

Ruma smiled and hugged Nabila to her chest, she's truly fighting for her family. She closed her eyes, breathed slowly and muttered beneath her breath, 'Maiduguri, here I come.'

• • •