[C]
As she expected, before it was closing time, it had already begun drizzling and she prayed she would have an Uber closely, which reminded her that she needed a driver, she would have to call Mama today, there were a lot of things she wanted in Abuja. Mrs Rosey’s call came through just when it was closing time, and Jalilah got ready to receive an earful.
“Hi, Mrs Rosey,” she waved at her with a beautiful smile and Mrs Rosey pulled her blonde hair to the back of her ears. “Why the face? Did you receive my email?” Jalilah asked, trying so hard to suppress the laughter wanting to erupt from her lips. Mrs Rosey was one of the most dramatic people she had ever known.
“I feel like I should believe you, but a part of me doesn’t want to, Jealilah.” She groaned and rolled her eyes at her, which was a gateway for Jalilah’s laughter.
“Come on, Mrs Rosey, I was truly hit by a car. Though it isn't that serious, I sprained my ankle and you know how I won’t be able to practice ballet with a sprained ankle unless I want to wound myself forever.”
“You have this kind of smile that makes it so hard to believe. Stand up, I have to make sure you aren’t lying.” Jalilah did as she ordered before she looked at her, “Where is the hospital report?”
“There’s none because it’s a pharmacy I was taken too, not a hospital.”
Mrs Rosey mused to herself, “And what of pills or ointment? Anything to show that they want you to heal.” Oops, that was bad.
“They are with my boss. You know how I hate medicine right? He wants me to be taking them on time that’s why he kept them with him.” Did that sound okay?
Mrs Rosey shook her head, “Are you sure you aren’t lying, Jealilah? That was what you did last time you wanted to attend your cousin’s wedding.”Did she ever mention that she liked Mrs Rosey? She wanted to take these words back. This woman can never forget!
“I’m serious this time, should I show you?” Jalilah whined and stood up, to her dismay, Mrs Rosey nodded her head.
“Yes, show it to me. Dance a little, but don’t hurt yourself in the process.” Did she hear herself? Don’t hurt yourself! That meant she believed she had a sprained ankle, Mrs Rosey will always be Mrs Rosey.
Jalilah moved far away from the screen, not minding the kind of clothes she had and she began moving softly, it got to the point that she nearly fell and she quickly slumped on the sofa, “Ouch! That hurts so bad, Mrs Rosey!” She whined and carefully lifted her ankle and examined it.
She didn’t know so much time had passed while she spoke with Mrs Rosey until she heard the buzzing sounds of car engines as they drove out of the building. She quickly ended their conversation with Mrs Rosey and packed her bag, it was beginning to rain heavily, she began searching for a nearby Uber even before she walked out of her office.
She realized that even if she walked out now, she had to wait outside while the rain poured down on her before the Uber arrived, that’s if she got one. And she sat down patiently waiting in her office while the whole company became evacuated, which she was sure would be less embarrassing if she got drenched by rain because no one was watching.
Not until she was sure there was no one in the building did she stood up and walked out of her office, almost bumping on him on her way. She quickly backed away and ducked her head down, “I’m sorry.”
But he walked away without saying it was okay or anything of some sort. She glared at his retreating back and limped behind him because she knew there was no one left in the building for her to take the elevator with. As she predicted, they were the only ones left and she stood away from him while he busied himself on his phone.
When they got down, Jalilah noticed that the rain was getting heavier with each passing minute, and when she took a peek at her phone, the cars available were far away from the company, what would she do now? She cringed to her skin and got ready for a cold because there was no way she was staying in this building alone with just a few security officers here and there. She clutched onto her bag and walked into the rain. She scolded herself for not thinking of getting herself an umbrella, she would have used it for her sanity today.
She began walking with her eyes getting clouded by the rain while she shivered lightly. When she saw a car moving toward her, she was sure it was him, because she had seen him pulled over in that car yesterday and today as well. At first, he slowed down to the point that she thought he was going to ask her to come in but he drove up in such a speed that frightened her. She stared at the car until he drove out of her sight and hissed softly. She had never seen a moody man like him, and he was heartless too. Knowing quite alright she was sick and he was even the cause, and he had the guts to leave her like this? Wow, just wow.
Out of nowhere, she heard a car honk beside her, it was too heavy that she wasn’t even seeing properly, she turned and cleared the water away from her face, and to her dismay, he wasn’t the one. She moved to the car and the driver winded the glass down, “Oh, Wafiyya!” Her teeth clattered as she spoke, and instead of Wafiyya to answer her, she motion for her to quickly get in the car, which she did.
“Oh my god! I'm so cold, ya Rabb!” She spoke through clattering teeth and undid her hijab. “My hair is so wet too, what should I do now?”
Wafiyya laughed at how flustered she looked and handed her a box of tissue, “Use it if you can, even though it’s clear that you only need a hot bath and a coffee. Why will you walk in the rain alone?”
Jalilah thankfully collected the tissue and began clearing her face, one thing she hated in her life was to have her hair wet, because she knew it meant a lot of work. “I couldn't get an Uber, Wafiyya, and I'm so afraid to stay in the company along with those security officers.”
“You should have called me, I was just coming back because I forgot my laptop in there and I have a lot of work to do, I'm glad I was able to help.”
“You did, even though I'm sure I'd wake up with a cold tomorrow. Am I going to get your car?” She asked, staring at her drenched self.
“No, don’t worry. They are leather seats, I'll just have someone to clean them off. Which area do you live?”
“Wuse zone II...” And she directed her to her house while they listed on their way there.
❤︎
She sneezed and moved her cup away from her mouth until she was done and carefully placed her phone back to her left ear, “Don’t you think buying a new car is too extravagant, Mama?” She asked because she didn't feel the need to do that.
“If you don’t want to buy it then I can send the driver to bring yours over there. Didn't I ask you to let the driver take you there so you can have your car with you? But no, you were so lazy to endure a simple trip from Adamawa to Abuja by road, now see what it caused on you.”
“Mama, how can you call a 13hrs or even 14hrs trip a simple trip? I can die before we reach Abuja. I'll appreciate it if he can bring it to me.” She sneezed again and moved her head very close to the room heater so it will dry, even though she knew that wouldn't be enough for her head, she had to do that before she could let go of her laziness and do the right thing.
“I'll arrange for it, during the weekend, Insha Allah. You’ll start using your car by next week. Just manage and know how to do with your life before then, okay?”
“Mama!” Jalilah whined, “I’m not complaining that it will reach the weekend, but you aren’t even showing any sympathy. You don’t even ask how I'm doing, I'm sure you heard me sneezed.”
“Ahh, what is sympathy again? Jalilah you caused this upon yourself, what do you want me to do now? Cocoon you in my arms until you fall asleep or what? And yes, I hope you dried your hair if not you’ll fall sick tomorrow.”
“I haven’t done that yet, but I’ll do that before I go to bed, Insha Allah. How’s Fareed and Fareeda?”
“They’re all fine, Fareed has gone to watch a football match with his friends, and Fareeda is here.”
Before Jalilah spoke, she heard the resonating voice of Fareeda, “I missed you so much, Addah.”