Amina
“Wait”
Alhaji Abdallah voice revamped to my ear. My legs immediately came to halt. But does he wants again. He was quite the whole time my conversation was going on. “Stay right where you are” he commanded. I wanted to lift up my legs and descend up so that I can pack my clothe and get the hell out of the house. Yet, I found myself staying in that spot.
I slowly turned around coming contact with them staring at me. I already know what Hajiya and Ahmad expression are. There is no doubt Ahmad inherit his personality from his mother. Alhaji's face was held calmly. Upon all the words I threw at them, the man was still calm. Great!
“Come” he ordered again. And yet my foot walked up to them giving enough space between me and them.
“Your uncle is a good friend of mine. When he came to me with the proposal of hiring you, I didn’t ask anything because I know he’s a good man and I believed you will also be good. But today, you made me regret agreeing to hire you. I should have not in the first place. You even have the audacity to look at my wife in the face and utter out rubbish”
Getting angry will not do me any good but I would like you to know something. I don't know what the truth. I don't know if Nonso is saying the truth or you. That is why I've made a decision to investigate on issue more because it's not something that we'll let go. It has to do with our company so we have to tackle the problem as soon as possible”
I was eager for him to get to the point. Staying in the house is suffocating to me. “So..” his statement snapped me out of my thought.
“You’ll stay here till we find out the truth and-”
“Alhaji”
“Father” both mother and son called.
“I don't want any argument. This Is for our benefits. Our company safety. We can't just let her go without knowing the real truth ” I knew it. All his calmness are for show. So he's keeping me to find out the truth. If I'm guilty or not. Yet, I know I'm innocent. I hope they'll get it done as soon as possible.
“If keeping me is what will make you understand that I'm innocent, then so be it. We'll know about it all after the investigation” I said the last word on purpose. Alhaji didn't say anything more. He turned around and left.
From the corner of my eyes, I catch a glimpse of Nonso fidgeting with his finger. Something is suspicious about him.
“Alright then. But know one thing. Your stay in this house won't be the same as before. I would like you to know that, I will show you who is the elder in this house” with that she walked past me and disappear to the other living room following behind Alhaji. Now it was left only Me, Nonso, Ahmad and Imran who didn't utter a word ever since but I could see the anger in his eyes.
He only threw me one look before turning around towards the entrance door, Nonso tailing behind him. Imran only shakes his head before descending up. I was left legs rooted to the floor. I stood there eyes red. I tried to control myself from shedding tears. However, when I remember what had occurred from the beginning of the day up to the moment I was standing there. Ahmad's words were still imprinted in my head. He pity my mama.
And I lost it. I crouched down on the floor and let the tears escaped me. I needed them to reduce my arching heart. I know my life in the city would not be easy but I didn't expect it to be complicated like this. Why does it have to be me? Who have I offended? I don't know for how long I sat there with many thought running through my mind. I felt alone. I felt like I have no one. Nobody to tell me it's going to be okay. And the person I thought will support me, isn't by my side. I'm all alone. All on my own.
**
Night came and I was wide awake. I cried to the extent that I couldn't feel any more emotions. Only numbness. My head was rested between my legs. I haven't felt suffocating and insecure in my life like I was feeling at that night. Everything felt like a dream. The door to my room made a creak sound. And my eyes snapped to it. I know I locked the door.
“Who is there?” My voice was already weak that I can barely hear it myself. There was no answer from the door. I held on to my pillow. “Who is there? I repeated. I searched for any item but the bed side lamp was the only thing close to me. The door kept opening and I steadied the lamp ready to save myself.
The first thing that was visible was the legs, followed by the body then the face. “What are you doing in my room? How did you unlock the door?” I ushered boring my weak eyes into his.
He walked in closing the door behind him. A smile curving up at the corner of his lips. I immediately rose up from the bed. My body was weak but I managed to stood on my foot. “Have you forgotten this Is my house. I have the kegs to every room” he whispered as if scared someone might hear him.
“What do you want from me now? If you think you can blackmail me like you did with nonso then forget it” I bravely let out. Though deep down, my heart was pounding in my chest. He started making his way towards me while I leaped back holding the lamp tightly.
“What I want from you?” A light chuckle made it way out of his mouth as he kept walking up while I continue moving back. The moment I round the other of the bed, I turned to leave yet, he was quick in blocking my way. Grabbing my arms, he collide me with the wall. “Haven’t I told you that you'll pay for slapping me” My eyes widened. Not surprised at his words, nonetheless what he was clasping in his hands.
End of book one. Wondering why I ended it here? Well I lost the continuation I type. It was so heartbreaking for me as it wasn’t easy writing it. So it will take me some time to rewrite again. I hope you’ll understand. Thank you
We’ll meet at Book two where we’ll get to see what happens next and how Amina will clear her name from the accusation.