Chapter
Amina
"Here" she passed it to me. "My regards to your mother, tell her I will come visit her tomorrow. And by the way, I sent Aesha on an errand maybe you'll meet her on your way" she a
added catching a glimpse of my eyes darting to the entrance door.
"Okay good night Yawo" I replied back turning around and took off.
I walked quietly back home humming to one of my favorite nupe song clutching the one thousand naira note. I took a step toward the next corner, when I heard someone call my name.
"Hey you Aminatu" if they knew how I hate it when they call me Aminatu. I've told them countless time that my name is Amina not Aminatu but they still didn't listen and I know exactly who that person is.
"Amina" she called again. Turning around, my assumption were true it was indeed her. Ramatu, The drama queen of our area.
"Didn't you hear me calling you?" she started, taking rapid step toward me. This girl is playing with fire. I muttered to myself.
"Last time I checked you called Aminatu, and you know exactly that my name is Amina not Aminatu. Now get straight to the point what do you want" I have better things to do than listen to one of her gibberish.
"I want you to stay away from my boyfriend" she stated. Wait did I just hear her say boyfriend? A chuckle escape my lips as I stared at the skinny girl standing few miles away from me. I don't know why the girl hates me. It's not like my family are rich or I wear expensive clothes. I wear whatever I have and I'm grateful to Allah for providing us with food and shelter. I think she disliked me for no reason.
"Which boyfriend?" I asked sarcastically.
"You clearly know who I'm talking about so quit acting pretentious" she hiss. If there's one thing I hate is someone to hiss at me. It seems I have to put Ramatu in her place today.
"Don't tell me it's that yeye Madu you're calling your boyfriend?" Her eyes widened for a split second. Before she charges to me, I clasped her hands behind her back.
"Don't you dare. I don't have time to play around with those small boys in our area especially that Madu you called your boyfriend. You can do whatever you want to do with them but don't meddle me in your childish matters" I tightened my grip on her arms. A smile made it way to my lips, seeing the fear reaction on her face.
"Let my hand go if you don't want to regret it" she muttered which didn't go unheard by me. I tightened the hold more. Let's see what she can do.
"Ops, did I hold on too much?" Bringing my face closer to hers, I stared directly in her eyes. "Want to make me regret? By calling the thug of your boyfriend, then do it because I'm sure not scared of them. Call whoever you want to. Amina Ammar is afraid of no one. This is just the beginning"
I watched as she tried to free her arms from my hold, but with my tight grip, I know she wouldn't be able to until I decided to let go myself. "Why are you quite? Cat got your tongue?" I whispered closed to her ear and she flinch in return.
"Can you please let me go Amina" she implored, just the way I want her to. I lessened my hold a bit. "Then apologize for your actions" I ushered. Her head snapped towards me with a look of you're not serious. I nodded my head indicating her to speak up. Ramatu can be a drama queen but she's a scary cat.
"Okay I'm sorry can you let me go now" her voice came out as a command which didn't satisfy me. However, since I've given her a piece of my mind, I'll let her be. I hope she wouldn't try to repeat it again. I loosened my hold stepping back.
"I hope this will be a lesson to you that I'm not the kind of person to play with. And tell that boyfriend of yours not to shout my name on the road again." with that being said, I walk past her as she clutches her arm area.
A victory smile dabbles on my lips as I made my way back home, my flip flop making a small sound. Sometimes, I used to think maybe I'm being harsh on Ramatu because it's not the first time she tried to get in my nose. Even with how I treat her, she still comes back.
"Minono" a voice called. Stood Aesha holding a black leather bag. Everyone has a name they call me with. My mama calls me Mimi, our area people call me Aminatu which of course I hate and Aesha calls Minono. I have no idea how she got that weird name but I know it'll be a waste of time, even if I forbade her, she'll still call me Minono.