A Beguiling Ruse

chapter 9

"what?!!!" Ammiey yelled standing up. The thing came to her as a shock.
That's it, am doomed. I shut my eyes not wanting to see her facial expressions, Seeing that will only double my fear. Silently Chanting du'a like a mantra, I opened my mouth to defend myself but my mouth kept opening and closing
"Am..miey" I tried saying but she cut me off
"Ya ilahi!! Ibtisaam, you freaking hide such thing from me!! I'm I not enough to look into the matter,huh tell me!" Ammiey bellowed.

I so badly wanted to explain myself, but I found me, sitting silently looking like a deer caught in action, and mouth closed like cat got my tongue. My eyes are so glossy, making it hard for me to see, tears at verge of falling. I hate it when Ammiey shouts at me, she's the father figure and mother, all in her. Making her angry means beginning of my misery,

I cleaned the tears that found it ways on my cheeks to apologize; to mend things.
She sighed loudly then sat at the edge of the bed, hands on her cheeks, nose flaring furiously. I claimed down the bed and moved closer to her, putting my knees on the cold tiled floor, I took her hands in mine and look up at her
"Ammiey." I called out her name but she turned her head sideways demanding for explaination

"Ammiey. Ana ãasif, àradt' an aqul laki uqasim lika,wa lakin ra'aytuk Fi rihla,qarart 'an ùhkbirik baed eawdatik lakina Al amr ghaba en dhihni tamaman.....Samahniy ya ummiey..... samahniy(I am sorry,I wanted telling you I swear, but saw you were on a trip. I decided to tell you after u return but it totally skipped off my mind.... forgive me mom... forgive me)" I sobbed, placing my head on her laps. I cried for the fear that engulfed me, I cried for having insecurities, I cried for the cruelty of world. My mouth flung open in surprise when I felt Ammiey's hand, making soothing circles on my back. Like a reflex, I jumped on her, hugging the life out of her. My sob intensified as I felt the warmth of her embrace. Few minutes later, my sob subsided to sniffles. Ammiey handed me a cup of water and I drank it in a go, she held me by my shoulder and made me sat beside her.
"Why didn't you inform me?" She asked after some minutes of silence.
"It totally skipped off my mind" i muttered inaudible only to her hear shot
"You're incredious ibnaty" she chuckled dubiously
"How can you forget such thing? Ibtisaam. Now tell me everything without omitting a single word" she demanded. I told her everything, starting from where we went to the restaurant to where Amaan rescued me, putting a stop at when I made a phone call with him. She listened attentively through out with keen interest. She sat there in her thoughts, trying to access the newly found information.
"Amaan." She repeatedly said which made me close my face with my palms
"U said something about him handling everything..." She doubtfully said and I nodded to confirm to her
"Okay.....ask him to meet me at company when he's less busy" she said putting on a poker face. My brows cringed in clear confusion, 'what would she like to discuss with him' and the nervousness that encircled me suddenly had me shudder
"O..okay" I shrugged to hide my stutter and act nonchalant
"But..." Ammiey started. Oh no! Let it not be what am thinking
"But what Ammiey?" I suddenly became petrified, scared of her answer
"But u have to serve some punishment for hiding it from me, I mean I wouldn't let u go scout free. or otherwise....u know the rest" she squeezed my ears not letting me run.i knew by now, my ears had turned crimson red
" It's not like I hid it deliberately, I forgot it. And stop making me seem like the defaulter here" she gasped holding her bosom
"Oh mama! My child is giving me a comeback" It was too late to escape as she had already entangled me on the floor beside her legs. I tried to turn the atmosphere to a lively one but it turned out to be a situation of 'say your last prayer'!. African mom's are the best ahh! Ammiey is strict for sure, but this one that went well without her making fuss, I doubt it, like did she starts controlling it?; the one that had ANGER ISSUES boldly written lol. A system stopping pinch had me apologize instantly
"Ammiey take my deepest apology, I won't try doing that again" I apologize rubbing the attacked area.
" Sit well and hear me, I need your full attention now, childishness aside" she ordered keeping a straight face. I went all serious and turned to face her fully
"We both know u are in danger, outside is no longer safe for you. You need to be conscious of ur environment and always hold onto your du'a."
"In Sha Allah Ammiey I will" I said nodding my head.
"And Abt ur safety, u don't need to worry. I will die to make sure u're safe" she assured, I let out a dimple dipping smile, happy to know I have my mom in my life, I embrace her feeling all sort of emotions flooding in me. I lost my papaa thinking I lost my happiness and yet, Allah has gave my mom long life and to be the light of  life.
"Uhibbiki ya ummiey" I said emotionally
"Wa iina, now allow this old woman to rest her sore body"she said yawning
"U will forever be that young strong woman in my eyes. I need to finish this school asap to assist you at work, you stressing out alot" I complained. I can't afford seeing her worn out. She smiled at me then lay on the bed
"Ur holiday is almost over, u will be at 400Level. One year to go girl, one year!" She said yawning
"Yea ma'am. Take ur rest, I will be at my room" I said standing up, I moved forward to place the duvet over her.
"Wake me up when it's time for asr prayer"
" Okay, sleep tight" and with that I went out.
A whoosh of air came out unexpectedly from my mouth, I didn't expect her to react so calmly to this, yea I mean she did a outburst at first but later handled it so calmly. Anyways I need not to worry since it went well and I'm assured twice from different people Abt my safety. What i have to do was du'a and be aware of my surroundings. I walked to my bed and took my phone. Settling down on the ottoman, I decided to call ya jiddarh, it's been long since I last heard from her. she picked on the second ring, why won't she, I mean she's always with her phone doing one thing or the other with it.
"Wassup little sis" she hyped
"Ya jiddarh I'm here stuck in my room going to bed and waking up missing you, I missed you" I go with the sweet talk
"Thank God to know u still didn't forget the way to our house" she rolled her eyes saying this, I know her so well to do that
"Actually I planned to come to your
Place tomorrow, but before that, assent my warmly regards to my mama before I come to see her tomorrow" I decided to remind her of the incident in person not on phone,
"I will in Sha Allah, baby sis, I have got some good news with me that I can't wait till tomorrow" she said excitedly
"Yay!! Just tell me already" I said squirming in my seat curiously
" U get some wedding to plan" she said
"Woah!!" I screamed, the thing I'm anticipating has finally come to real, my big sis is getting hitch. I can't help but be emotional
" Ya jiddarh are you for real?"I asked to confirm
" Yes baby gal, ur brother in law decided to make it official" I can't help but scream in sheer excitement, Ululating In glee
" I will be the first person you will see when you wake up in the morning" I said grinning
"Waiting to see ya!"
" Wait wait wait....did Ammiey know Abt it ?" I asked
"Yea, maama has told her already"WTH. before I could react, she quickly added
"Don't say a word, I asked them not to tell you. I wanted to tell you myself" she said, that's better if not, I would have a outburst episode of hiding it from me
"Can't wait to discuss things with you tomorrow" I impatiently said. We talked for some minutes before ending the call. I glanced at the wall clock of my room and saw its pass three, few minutes to Asr prayer. To whil away time, I lounged on WhatsApp and chatted with the girls for a while. Like a flash, i heard the azaan to Asr prayer, I kept the phone on the bedside drawer and went to wake Ammiey up. Turning the door knob, I went to her and gently tap her on the back
"Ammiey it's asr time, wake up" I said close to her ears
"Okay am up" she groggily said, her voice sour from sleeping. Knowing she's a light sleeper, I left her to go pray in my room. After I abluted in the bathroom, I sprayed the darduma and wore my jilbab, after I prayed and chanted supplications for some minutes, I prayed for my safety and Ammiey's, and all Muslim ummah. I folded the darduma and kept it at it's place, I decided to help the maids at kitchen. I walked down the stairs taking a slow steps down. I went to kitchen and met our cook chopping veggies, I salamed and she turned to me smiling
"Wa alaikis Salam ibti, how may I help you?" she asked
"Nothing, just came to help with cooking" I said as I made my way to the counter where she was chopping
"U don't have to, just go back to ur room and rest, it's my job to do so" she said not so convinced
" I insist" I persuade
"Won't that be a problem?" She asked slightly mumified
"It won't, not like neither Ammiey nor I would care, beside kitchen is a girls place" I said laughing. I made a move to collect the carrot she was chopping to assist her but she shook her head saying
"I would do that, I wouldn't want you to hurt yourself" the cook said. I don't like it when they treat me as some fragile egg that breaks when it falls, isn't like I can't do anything by myself. Having maids to do things for you doesn't mean u are spoilt brat who can't be without maid's help. I told her I'm capable of doing and it isn't like I don't cook before, I do. I actually love anything that has to do with Baking and cooking. After a section of peeling, chopping, frying and cooking, we made chicken lasagna and vegetables chip sauce. The maid in charge of kitchen came and assist me in making the table. Setting up the dining table, Ammiey ascend the stairs dramatically inhaling the aroma which made us laughed. She reach our place and stand by the cupboard
"What's for dinner?" She asked still with the smile lingering on her face. I reach the food warmers and opened to her
"Chicken lasagna and vegetables chip sauce ma'am" I said feeling giddy.
" Can't wait to taste it, the aroma is inviting..." She inhale the aroma again
"I have to take my bath now. Ammiey let's go for after-dinner night stroll after Maghreb" I whined, my lips slightly in a pout.
"Can't say no to my baby, I have to exercise my feets too" she stretched. We both went to our respective rooms where I, slipped out of my clothes and took a relaxing bath. I wore a comfy gown and by the time I got ready, it was Maghreb time. I prayed my solat in the most peaceful and beautiful way, pronouncing each harfh correctly and giving them it's right. I recite my masaa azkhar and sauntered down the stairs to have dinner. Not a minute after, Ammiey was also down. We settled in our seat and started dinner in a bliss.
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Getting my veil rolled into a perfect hijab, I put on my flat shoes and went to tell my mom so we can get going. She was out with her hijab and we scurried outside, the driver rush to us and asked Ammiey
"Hajiya in dauko motan ne(should I take the car)?"
"No, za mu Dan Yi tafiyan kafa ne(we're going for a stroll)" Ammiey answered with her not so good hausa accent making her way towards the gate.
"A dawo lpy(safe return)" with that, he turned back and went to the bench he sat earlier on. Stepping out with du'a, I walked out with Allah's name lingering on my mouth. The chilly breeze blew on my face. The area was eerily quite, only the sound of the chirping bird was heard, and car horns that was blaring from the busy night road of Abuja. Silently walking, my mind flooding in a stream of random things, and enjoying each step I took with the nature in view. We walked down the street chatting blithely and reminiscing my childhood, it was very funny recalling that. What I did in my childhood is a story for another day which will be filled with a mirthful laughter. We turned back to return seeing it was almost 8 pm. we don't usually used to stay long when we out for stroll, outside will be as silent as a graveyard. On our way back, I asked Ammiey for a permission to visit her sister and she said
"Yea, it's been long since u went there. You can go." She permitted me so easily that I nearly scream this night. But she suddenly said something that cut short my happiness
"You have to visit your uncles too, it will not be fair for you to just snub them as if they don't exist" I know whom she's referring to. The thing is, I just can't bring myself to visit my father's sibling, I can't endure the heartache they inflicted on me. The attitude, the looks, the hurtful words all, the list goes on. it was very hard for me to give answer,so I kept mum. We continued to moved in an utter silence, until we reached for the gate. I noticed some bulky men with a robust physique in uniform moving around the house, confused, I decided to ask Ammiey
"Who were those bulky men?" I asked, my brows knitting in oblivious.
"Security men" she curtly answered.
"Yes!?.....but for what purpose, I mean, we have enough securities"I reasoned.
Who would they protect?
'me!' subconscious mind sarcastically added.
"For being on the safe side"
"But when did they came?" I inquired again, she sighed as we made our way to the living room, a maid brought a chilled water as she saw us coming in. We both thanked her and settled on the cushion. Gulping down the water, she removed her hijab and turned to me
"I called the security service to send their men, earlier on when u left me in the room. Urs and my safety is the priority now" she said
"You will be watched by their men whenever you're outside, I told you this for you to differentiate something creepy or having feeling of being watched." She explained further
"But reminder, having securities watching you doesn't mean you should ignore ur gut instinct saying ur safe and they were securities, no. Beware of your surroundings" she warned. Is this some kind of game?, Why can't I grab the actual thing she's hiding in those sentence.
"And about visiting ur uncles, I still stood by my words. You will go there after you finish whatever you doing at jiddarh's." She said standing up
"Good night, I will go to bed now, think about what I said, it's a beginning for a BEGUILING RUSE" with that she hugged me goodnight and ascend the stairs to her room. Sitting with a pool of thoughts streaming on my mind, I exhaustedly sighed and grab my things to go to bed too. I changed into a barbie shorts and shirt pj, i put on a long jilbab to observe my isha prayer, I faced the kiblah and observed the four faril raka'at's adding the shaf'i and witr. I prolonged my last sujood to ask Allah for guidance and safety from the harshness of the world. Whatever the beguiling ruse of a thingy Ammiey was talking about turns out to be Khair. I prayed for the deceased and for we to finish with kalimatus shahada when our time comes. I rounded up and removed the jilbab to keep it in it's place. I climed the bed and increase the AC to 16° before drawing the duvet over my body, getting ready to recite the sleeping du'a, I heard a beef sound notifying me of message being received. I check the screen of the phone and saw It was Amaan who delivered the message. I opened the password and went directly to my SMS, opening the message, It reads:

Allah's guide and protection here
and Hereafter dear❤️
Tusbih ala khayr angel.

He prayed. I replied back with Ameen, making du'a for him also. I kept the phone with a smile plastered on my face. I have people to face tomorrow, so I will have to muster enough courage. I decided not to think much about Ammiey's statement, with time everything shall be out to see. Blowing the sleeping azkhar on my body, i drew the duvet discarding all thought. The good thing awaiting me tomorrow is that, am seeing my big sis.

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Hey!
I promised to update soon which I am not able to fulfill it. Take my deepest apology.
The thing is, school has me locked. which means having limited time but I managed to write a chapter that exceed 3000+ words. The longest I have written so far.

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And stay safe😌