"Today ought to be the happiest day of my life", Raliat said to her sister with a sad smile.
Safiya, her cousin sister looked up at her sharply. "Happiest you say? Haven't you been happy?"
"Sis, can I ask you a question, for God's sake?"
"Go ahead", Safiya answered, looking at Raliat strangely.
"Do you believe in love?", she questioned innocently.
Safiya was baffled. "Of course I do."
"Have you ever been in love?" Raliat asked again.
"Yes. Why all these questions?"
"I love someone", Raliat blurted out.
"Really? Who is the person?" Safiya demanded out of curiosity.
"But I don't know if he loves me in return. He has never given me his attention, not until today."
"Oh My God! My little sis is in love. Tell me who he is, dan bahaushe ne (Is he a Hausa guy)?" Safiya requested.
Raliat looked at her sister and shook her head sadly. "He is not hausa."
"What tribe is he then?"
"He is a Yoruba", she responded.
"What? Kina de hankali kuwa? Ko baki san baba baze yadda bane? (Do you have any senses at all? Or you don't know father will never support an inter-tribal relationship?)
"But big mummy is a Yoruba woman. I see no reason why daddy shouldn't support me" Raliat frowned.
"Who told you mama is a Yoruba woman?" Safiya asked, raising her voice. "You don't even seem to know the origin of your parents. Mama is a Fulani woman from Illorin.
"And how many people will believe you if you say she is from Illorin but a Fulani?"
Safiya hissed and eyed her. "Baki de hankali walahi (To be honest, you are not sensible). She stood up and went out of the apartment, slamming the door shut.
Raliat was left with her thoughts.
Just when her prayers were about to be answered, ugly obstacles were beginning to show their faces. First, it was the fact that her beloved was sleeping with his sister. He was not only engaging in fornication, he was also engaging in incest. A taboo that cut across the culture of all the African nations.
This was a fact she still couldn't believe was true. If someone had told her, she would have called that person a hypocrite and liar. Ayoade was looking too innocent to indulge in such act.
The fact made her sleepless the night before. She was tossing and turning in bed till she gave up trying to sleep. She stood up and prayed the night prayer, crying and supplication simultaneously and fervently to God to grant her heart desires and give her the best. She even observed the istikhara (guidance) prayer repeatedly over the night. Now that he was giving her attention, she was confused on what to do.
"Does it mean he is truly the one for me since I already observed the guidance prayer?" She asked within her. "Does it mean I have to overlook the abominable act between him and his sister?"
That aside, her family was another barrier. They were unpredictable species and can do and undo, most especially her father. She was the apple of his eyes but in sensitive situations like this, she couldn't guess what his reaction would be. And that was her greatest fear.
If her people were against it, being with Ayoade would be by sheer luck. But the question she kept asking no one, in particular, was if she would be willing to let go of the fact that he sleeps with his sister. And what assured her that he was willing to stop the abominable act.
Her fears were numerous.
********
Ayoade fumed all the way home. He was mad at Bimpe. He felt she was lying about her withdrawal but couldn't figure out the essence of lying to her long-time friend, Salamat. He found it hard to believe Salamat.
If she was withdrawn, he was going to skin her alive before their father does. Their father was a no-nonsense man and Ayoade was sure he would disown her if it was true.
But then, the guilt of the damage he had done in her life washed through him and he felt cold all of a sudden.
Bimpe was a very intelligent and smart girl and the possibility of her withdrawal from the department was very slim. Medicine had always been her dream and he knew how determined his sister could be when it came to academics.
If it was true, then it means he was responsible. He realized his sins were as big as a mountain and he sighed. Just this morning, he felt at peace but now, the conscience wouldn't let him be. He was ready to do all it takes to stop sinning and become steadfast.
But he couldn't help but feel angry at her. He believed she had a part to play in the whole thing. But he played the greatest role. He was blinded all along by the pleasure he was deriving. Now the blindfold was off and he felt like committing suicide.
He calmed down and went to the fridge to take a cold bottle of water. He gulped it down his throat which went down his Adam's apple.
Then, he remembered Raliat, his newest attraction and he smiled. He stood up and went out of the apartment, towards Raliat's.
He knocked on the door but there was no response. He knocked once again to turn back if there was still no reply. He was about to go back into his apartment when Raliat flew the door open. Her eyes were puffy like someone who had been crying all day.
"Hey", Ayoade greeted.
"Hi Ayoade", she answered, rubbing her sleepy eyes with her hand.
"How are you doing now?"
"Much better, I was sleeping."
"Oh! I'm so sorry for waking you up. I just came to check up on your health. I'll come back later then, so we can discuss."
His last statement made her curious. "Discuss?" She asked within her. "No, it's ok. I'm already awake. You can come in", she said out aloud.
Ayoade smiled and entered the apartment. It was richly furnished unlike theirs. This indicated how wealthy their parents were.
The bed was more of a master's bed and there was a plasma tv slightly above the fridge. There were two sofas, a plastic chair, and a table for reading and the paintings were all pink, including the bedspread.
Raliat locked the door and followed him behind with her heart thumping wildly. She didn't know whether it was out of fear or excitement. Ayoade turned back abruptly, to face her and she jumped up in fright.
"Sorry", he apologized. "How is your health now? If you are not getting better, I can take you to Jama'a hospital or the school sickbay so they can carry out a test...."
"No", she interrupted.
He was peering at her with concern written all over him.
"I'm much better now. It's just the headaches. I'll be fine by tomorrow."
"You sure?"
"Yes. You should sit", she directed him to the sofa beside the standing fan.
"Thank you madame" he bowed and chuckled. Raliat smiled.
"To who do I owe this visit? You've never noticed me and it is human of me to be curious to know the sudden change in attitude" Raliat uttered, sitting far away from him.
Expecting a reply, she looked up at him and saw him smiling. "Did I say something funny?"
"Yes."
"The truth is, I have always noticed you...."
Raliat's heartbeat increased and she almost jumped up for joy. That was all she needed. His love. And she was ready to fight to keep it.
She was lost in thoughts that she didn't even hear him complete his statement.
"Can I ask a question?" He jerked her out of her reverie.
"Of course", she answered with a smile.
"I saw Salamat earlier, a girl I know from Abeokuta and she is like a little sister to me. She told me that Bimpe informed her of her withdrawal from the department. I couldn't believe it but since you are Bimpe's friend and coursemate, I'm sure you know the truth."
"Oh! So, this is it?" She asked herself with a frown. "He is here for his sister after all. No problem, I know what to do."
She faked a smile. "No, that's not true. She lied to Salamat, even though she refused to divulge the reason to me."
"You know Salamat too?" He raised his brows in surprise.
"Yes. I was there when she told her but Salamat doesn't know me. Also, there is no class today. If there was a class, I would have gone not despite my health because we are at a very critical stage as medical students. I don't joke with my studies and I barely miss lectures."
"No class? Where did Bimpe go to them?" He scowled.
"She went to see Saleem" Raliat confessed.
"Saleem? Who is he?"
He's a corp member and from their frequent outing, I think they are dating."
"Bimpe is very stupid, you know?"
"Why do you say that?" Raliat inquired.
"Never mind" He waved his hand.
"I do mind" Raliat insisted, maintaining eye contact with him.
"Raliat, it's high time I got myself a girlfriend" He sighed inwardly.
"Oh really? Why?"
"Long story. I think you are a perfect match for me. You are my kind of woman. You are very calm and religious and sweet....."
"What about Bimpe?" She interrupted, glaring at him.
"What about her? She has no say in my love life" He stated but Raliat remained silent.
He continued, "I like you a lot and I can't help but think of you all the time. If I......"
"What about the fact that Bimpe is your sex partner?" She announced.
"What?" He screamed and stood up.