His mother was like mine; always talking.
His mother bombarded me with unlimited questions which I was zoning in and out of her questions, unable to answer all.
Her name was Hawau but she was called Hajia. I thought I and her would become BFF like my mom. Partners in crimes.
She told me that she was Alhaji - Zain's father's second wife but she was the one who took care of Zain and his siblings. His mother died when he was young.
And I also talked with the other girls; Sumayya, Fatimah, Maryam, Balkiss... I'd forgotten most of their names.
"Riyah, the food is ready," one of the girls said, I wasn't able to differentiate them because they all look alike.
There were various types of food - pounded yam and egusi, Tuwon Alqama and so on in the tray. I was already salivating, the food was served in a large tray, I was wondering whether I would be the only one to finish it.
I gawked at the food while my tummy used the opportunity to roar aloud.
Foolish tummy, I mentally sent an image of me glaring at my tummy while my tummy flipped it imaginary hair in return.
''Oh Riyah is hungry'' hajia chirped, grinning cheekily at me while I bowed my head a little in shyness.
"Here, we do eat together all of us'' Zain said close to my ear while his breath tickled the hair on my ear. I shivered in delight while Hajia cooed looking at both of us dreamily. I moved away from him and mustered my best scowling face and scowled at him while he grinned sheepishly.
I sat beside Hajia while she sat beside her husband. Their family were so welcoming; the Hausa people were one of the best welcomers in Africa.
They were so kind and nice.
I felt at home but the remaining one person I'd not met was his brother.
Hajia told me that both of them always competed and lunged at each other, they were like fire and water. They were close when they were young but only God knew what caused them to drift apart because now, they couldn't stand each other without picking up a fight.
I thought it was Fatimah that was saying he was a bad omen, I shouldn't cross path him, I shouldn't look at him because he was dangerous.
A bad boy
And I, like a good nerdy girl I was, I would never dream of going near him. I was already afraid of meeting him. I hoped to have slept before he arrived from school and I heard we were going to the same school; the school I was starting next week. He was doing his master's degree in engineering.
"This Tuwo Shinkafa...." Hajia continues to name all the food on the tray but I was too hungry to mind.
I quickly said a little prayer and dug in.
I was a foodie
I ate as I'd never before, tasted all the food available. I hummed in approval and satisfaction.
When I was done, I felt everything was silent. I slowly raised my head, looking like a kid caught in a bad act. I smiled sheepishly; the girls looked at me like I possessed many heads, Zain looked at me shocked while Hajia looked at me dreamily.
"You must really be hungry" Alhaji's voice broke from their entrance while I smiled nervously because none of them had touched the food.
"Yeah" I replied meekly.
"I could blame the fast food, it ain't food," I said jokingly while they laughed but the laughter was short by the clapping of hands.
"Wow, I've never seen a girl eating and moaning like that while eating" A dark dangerous voice resonated while walking towards us. I shivered in fear, I got goosebumps not in a good way but this kind of one was a warning, 'don't go near or you get burned'. The man in front of us emitted a dark and dangerous aura. Villain.
All the girls ran inside leaving I, Zain, Hajia and Alhaji and him in the sitting room.
"Me kake so?" I heard Zain's deep voice but his voice has changed not like his soothing normal voice that I was accustomed to. I wished to hear his normal voice because it could lure a baby to sleep. There was a glint of possessiveness in his voice. (what do you want).
Zain came to me and stood in my front blocking me from the man's view. This man had no bit of shame because he was eyes raping me while wetting his lips.
I shivered in disgust, felt like puking.
"Nazo in gaishar da kani na ne" He replied back in the same voice. (that I come to say hi to my little brother). I cowardly moved closer to Zain while Hajia looked pale behind her husband.
"Kanin da ka girma da wata hud'u" Zain replied sarcastically. ( a brother you are four months older than).
"And I see you brought a little thing," he said looking at me with lust while my stomach churned in disgust.
"Dai na kallon ta, ba taka bace" Zain yelled shaking in anger. I didn't know what they were saying but I knew they were talking about me. ( don't look at her like that she is not yours).
"Ba naka bace,kuma binciken da nayi ya nuna mun kana da aure; da Aisha," he said calmly while walking towards me. (she's not yours, the last time I checked you were married; to Aisha).
"Hello beautiful," he said while I blushed but I didn't think I could because I was a black girl. I smiled slightly at him.
"I'm Mubarak while this dumbstruck there is my bro" he winked at me while I smiled softly.
He's nice, I thought.
"Look at your rosy cheeks little one, it makes you different and beautiful" he softly said while I giggled. Alhaji and Hajia looked shocked like they couldn't believe their eyes.
"What's your name, love," he asked, as I wanted to reply, my hand that was held by him, was yanked away from him by Zain.
"Shin, bajl Ku kuakure kiran ta cewa, Ita ce tawa" he shouted. (Don't you dare call her that, she's mine).
"Beautiful, are you in any form of relationship?" he asked with a mocking smile dancing around his lips while I shook my head.
" Duba, ba a karɓa ba" he smirked. ( see, she's not taken).
Zain gripped my hand and marched away not before I told his brother my name.
He took me to the garden, the garden was beautiful. He sat me down on the nearest bench while he continuously punched the innocent tree muttering some words.
I walked to him and touched his back," what happened zanny" I asked, he breathed in and out trying to calm himself.
"Stay away from him, for it is better for you because he will destroy you," he warned in a grave voice and walked away. Leaving me to my thoughts.