Chapter 7 (part two)

Her hands trembled and her eyes water as she tried to speak. “We have to get going now, binta. See you some other time.” Amrah handed the baby to her before they calmly left the house felling sorry for their friend.

They walked back home in silence, both engrossed in their own thoughts. “You see one of the reasons why I am afraid to get married; marrying the wrong man,” dalia started. She exhaled as her heart skipped a bit whenever she thought about binta. “Yes, but binta’s case is different. She was forced to marry him,” Amrah reasoned with her and she nodded in agreement. “But still, she doesn't deserve to live that way. He's a complete monster, a bastard,” she riposted through gritting teeth. “Easy there, Dalia. He's someone’s father and husband, you shouldn't be cursing him that way please,” she reminded.

Dalia hissed softly and quickened her pace. It was passed asr already and she knew muhsin would come pick her up soon. After they’ve reached home, she prayed asr and chatted with her mother about what happened till a boy informed them that someone was looking for dalia.

“Don’t keep him waiting dalia, go get your bag and go. May Allah bless you.” Her mother urged her to get ready. She hesitated before sluggishly getting on her feet and entered her room. She wondered why he didn’t atleast come in and greet her mother. She came out with her bag and slipped into her hijab. She bade her mother goodbye before walking away together with Amrah accompanying her out. “When are you going to visit us again?” Amrah asked as they reached out of the house.

“I don't know exactly, till daddy gives me permission to. Maybe before I start my registration which is in two months.”

He quickly walked over to her to claim her bag as he greeted them. She looked at him in awe before she replaced it with a smile and answered his greetings. “I thought that handsome man was coming back to pick you. What a waste of time,” Amrah lamented. Dalia gazed at her in disbelief, “so you accompanied me out just to see him? He is married don't forget, nidai babu ruwana.” She opened the front door and entered. “My regards to his so called wife, tell her her co wife sends her greetings from Kuje,” Amrah spoke jokingly before closing the door for dalia.

Dalia laughed heartily and shook her head. The driver asked if they could leave and she responded. They drove pass binta’s house; her sadness came rushing back all at once.

She exhaled and closed her eyes. If only she had a way to help the poor girl, she would, without hesitation. Binta was a nice girl, and she deserves every happiness life could offer. But, dalia was in no position to question Allah’s doing for he is the best planner and she believed everything was just a matter of time.

**

“Alhaji, why do you always ask muhsin to do things that concerns that girl? I mean why him? Don't you even think he might sometimes be busy with work or something?” Amira’s mother was fed up about the matter. She dared to ask her husband why he does that all the time.

Daddy kept his spoon on the plate before he took a sip of his water. “What do you mean, hajiya? What’s wrong with what I do?” He inquired as he focused on her unpleased expression. “When she's going to their village he is the one to drives her and go pick her up, now about her admission, you gave him full responsibility of everything concerning her school. This is highly inappropriate!” She spoke brusquely.

Daddy chuckled softly and shook his head. He raised his head and glanced at her. “You clearly know if I had a son, he would be the one to do all of the things for me. And muhsin’s father and I are like brothers, therefore, I take muhsin as my own son and he takes me as his father. For once, this boy has never showed any signs that he’s tired and you should be grateful because he's married to your entitled daughter.” He finished speaking and gently pushed the chair before rising on his feet and walked away.

She looked at his retreating back, aghast. No one sees what she’s afraid for in the future. With her daughter being careless and entitled, anything could happened. She hissed and also stood up from the chair and left the dinning room.

She walked into the living room same time Dalia was coming in. She smiled when she saw mommy. “Mommy, I am back. Good evening. I hope I met you in good health,” she spoke excitedly. “Welcome back. We’re fine here. Hope your mother is doing okay,” she retorted nonchalantly as she crossed her hands behind her back and gazed at dalia from head to toe.

Her smile disappeared while she swallowed hard. She nodded slowly, “ye-yes she's doing great.” She massaged her arm nervously, head ducked. “Very well then. You should head in and rest before it’s time for dinner,” she stated before walking away. Dalia watched her retreating back and sighed. She shrugged off her thoughts and headed to her room.