Chapter 4
"Ohh girl how I missed you" Intisaar said the minute her face came into view and I rolled my eyes
"Inti you saw me yesterday. We met in school to read for the upcoming test"
'I know. I'm just mimicking a character I watched recently. Her catch phrase is 'Ohh girl, how I missed you!" She said
'That's the worst catch phrase I've ever heard"
She waved me off and said 'That reminds me, Maimai did remember the girl you once helped?
I furrowed my brows ignoring the name she just called me with.
"No I don't. I didn't exactly help one girl my whole life"
"Ohh shut up. Remember Amina, the girl with lupus whom you helped get free medication from Nisa hospital" Intisaar said and I 'Ohh-ed"
There was a girl I came across who had lupus. I found time to meet her even though she lives in Kano, we talked and she shared all her experiences with me. After our meeting, I wrote an article on that. The article went viral considering the illness was quite rare and after a few months, NISA hospital saw the article and messaged me.
They were able to meet and talk with her and they promised to be giving her free medication for a whole year and so she moved into her aunt's here in Abuja and has been going to receive treatment ever since.
Her health has been improving ever since and we have all being happy about that.
"What happened to her? I asked and Intisaar smiled before sitting up
"She's getting married" She shouted bouncing up and down while I looked at her wryly
'Really? I asked in a shocked voice 'But she hasn't told me"
At this point, I was really upset.
Inti looked at me then said "Well about that, she told me she sent you a message and even left you a comment on your site. She even called.
I looked at my laptop that sits beside then looked back at Intisaar 'When?
Intisar shrugged 'Not sure but I think earlier today"
Realisation dawned on me and I smiled sheepishly 'Well both my laptop and phone had been switched off actually. I just turned my phone on now. I have been half reading and half daydreaming"
Inti gave me an annoyed look and heavily sighed
"So where is she? I asked grabbing my laptop and turning it on
"She is in Abuja obviously. Her medication stops next month"
'Isn't she going back to Kano? I asked with furrowed brows
'She is but she's having a little get together for her people here"
"I see. So when is it ? I asked leaning in
"Later in the day around 4:00pm"
"Are the girls going?
"No. Yusrah is reading for a test and juju is going for a check up"
I shook my head 'Of course they will bail out on a wedding event"
'You will swear there is a shark that appears at events waiting for them. Anyways the theme is blue and black, don't be late"
' Yes yes I won't. And blue and black? Why not something else"
Intisar glared 'It is a good combination plus if you had picked her call, you would have suggested another theme"
I raised a brow 'She called today Inti, the theme is already decided"
'Yeah whatever"
'Anyways I will try to reach her and congratulate her. Will you branch and pick me…. Please?
Intisaar narrowed her eyes "You always make me branch and pick you up. You big headed human"
"Well what can you do, I'm the one on the way"
'You need to start driving yourself" she replied
'I am a born passenger darling"
Intisar shook her head then waved 'Goodbye, I love you"
'I love you. See you later"
I went down and met Zainab on the couch watching The Thundermans and eating popcorn
"Where is Mami? I asked and she pointed to the kitchen her attention fully on the television. I quickly took the remote and turned it off before running to the kitchen.
I heard her whines and accusing tones then smiled walking into the kitchen.
"Mami naaa" I sang when I saw her stirring the pot while the maid grated the okro
"I was just about to send Zainab to call you. You know is lunchtime and yet didn't come down to help" She said turning to look at me
"And you didn't even take your bath? What were you doing? She added eyeing me up and down
"I was talking with Intisaar" I replied moving towards the meat being fried
"Did you remind her to tell her mom I am thankful for the spices?
'Well ahm…yeah I did " I smiled and she shook her head
"I know you didn't"
"I promise i will tell her later" I said turning off the gas cooker
Mami kept quiet and motioned for the other house help to bring the warmers.
"Mami" I called out nervously sieving the meat from the oil.
It is only in this house that I, an eighteen year old will feel nervous on going out. It feels like I am committing a crime every time.
"Uhmm" She hummed cleaning the warmers
"I was invited to a friend's wedding later in the day"
"Who's the friend?
"The girl I helped get free medication of lupus. Amina from kano remember"
"Ohh Masha Allah she's getting married? She asked turning to face me
'Yes. The wedding is next week"
Mami turned her head "So what's today's program?
"A get together. They will be leaving to Kano on Monday so she wanted to do something for the people she knows and met here"
'That's great news, I am so happy for her. Why haven't you told me earlier? She asked as we took the warmers to the dining table
"Well I just found out hours back also. Apparently she wanted to tell me but couldn't get through
"Well then remind me when you are leaving so you could stop by NEXT or something and get her a gift"
"Okay then" I smiled as we finally finish set the dining table and I walked upstairs to get ready.
"Are you here? I asked Intisaar over the phone pinning my hijab
"Yes I'm outside" She replied and I muttered an okay before ending the call. I grabbed my bag, throw in some mint chewing gums which I always keep in my drawer, put on my flat shoes and quickly left the room.
"Where are you going Adderh? Zainab asked at the entrance of the living room
"Where are you coming from? I asked back and she pointed to the door.
'Outside. Got guavas" She motioned to the guavas in her hand and I nodded
"I'm leaving to a friend's wedding" I said and she started batting her eyelash, giving me a cheeky grin. An indication she wants to tag along.
"Don't you even start that your face.... It's creepy" I said opening the water bottle and gulping it down.
"Where is Mami? She isn't in her room" I asked as I placed the bottle top back on.
"She's in the garden. I came in to wash these guavas"
Zainab waltzed into the house and I walked out to meet Mami who was sitting on the gazebo
"Mami I'm leaving"
She moved her eyes from where she's staring and met my gaze
"Have you taken the money? She asked
'Yes, I saw it on your vanity table"
Mami nodded 'Be safe and do your Azhkar. Come back before maghrib and send my regards"
'Yes Ma" I saluted playfully replying to her commands and she shook her head taking the guavas from Zainab.
I waved at them and turned, walking to the gate.
"Goodbye Mallam Ilya" I said to the elderly gateman and he smiled
"Goodbye Humaira"