Tears of Zubaida.

•••••TEARS OF ZUBAIDA••••• •••Chapter Seven•••

Zubaida added the condensed milk in the hot oil she was making iloka and began stirring it when her paternal cousin; Fatima came in to the kitchen.

"Fatima, when did you arrive?" Zubaida asked.

"I came a while ago, gwaggo Zainaba told me you're here. What are you making?"

"I was craving for some iloka that's why am making some." Zubaida replied. "Its a good thing you came, help me grease this flask and tray for me please." Zubaida said pointing the direction of the flask and tray. "Here's the oil." She said passing a bowl which contained some oil in it.

Fatima took the flask and tray and began greasing it. When she was done, she looked into the pot and said "isn't it done?"

"I think so, pass me the flask." Zubaida requested.

Fatima passed the flask to Zubaida and she poured the thick/solid content in the flask.
Zubaida picked two knives and rinsed them.

"Don't tell me am going to help you cut it." Fatima said.

"Isn't it obvious." Zubaida said placing a knife on Fatima's palm.

"If I get burnt its you." Fatima said as she washed her hands and rubbed some oil on her palms.

"When are you coming back to school?" Zubaida asked rolling some portion of the paste and began cutting.

Fatima sighed and said "his father hasn't still approve for me to go."

"Are you marrying the son or the father." Zubaida commented.

"Please let's leave that talk." Fatima said shoving an iloka in her mouth.

"What do you mean you are here to be an apprentice? Or you mean you want to make this place your new chamber." The carpenter asked dropping a mallet and picked up a saw and began sawing a piece of wood.

Sule didn't utter a word rather he walked away with the intention of going home. He had went to a mechanic whom apologized to him and said to him there was no vacancy, same thing with a vulcanizer and the carpenter made things worse.

He remembered the last place he hasn't went to and hoped for luck. He then walked towards the provision store and lucky for him the owner was there.

"Ina wuni." Sule greeted.

"Sule, how are you?" Alh. Lawal asked.

"Am fine. I want to ask you if you could employ me even if it is as a shopkeeper."

Alh. Lawal excused himself from the shop and motioned Sule to tag along.

"Next time, you take excuse before you begin to talk for privacy purpose. okay?" Alh. Lawal said.

Sule nodded in a positive way and said "okay."

"About the shopkeeping thing, meet me later at home and we shall see how it goes." He said.

"Thank you very much, by what time should I come?" Sule asked.

"Come around five o'clock."

Sule thanked him and waited till Alh. Lawal leaved the place before he also went home to share the news with his mother whom advised him to look for a job.

She packed her books and put them inside her bag before she zipped it up and left the class.
She smiled at how her life had changed in a short span after much difficulties she had faced.
She knew she really owes her aunt Baraka and her mother for they were there for her just when she thought her life is ending. If only she hadn't got married to that person, she would have joyfully being walking around her homeland but you plan and the almighty plans.

There is one thing she knew for sure, that he knows of their daughter's whereabouts and she must get back to him for her daughter.

A car halted and the glass was wound down.

"Hi." He said.

"Hello." She replied.

"Am sorry for what I said the other day." Mu'az said.

"Its okay, its in the past now." Ruqayyah said as she took a step forward.

"Can we talk please?" Mu'az asked hopping out of the car. "There is something I want to ask. Though it may be personal but I don't want you to see it like am intriguing."

"You've already said it may be personal, so let me be." Ruqayyah said trying to walk away but he quickly blocked her way.

"Do you know a girl named Zubaida?" Mu'az asked looking into her orbs with curiosity written all over his face.

"And how's that your business." She stated.

By then, few people had gathered to see what is transpiring between them.

"Excuse me Mister, what's going on?" He asked.

"Ruqayyah." Aleeyu stated.

"Are you a relative?" Mu'az asked.

"No, a friend." Aleeyu replied.

"A friend?" Ruqayyah asked quizzically. She hissed annoyingly and walked away leaving the duo behind with different thoughts rummaging in their minds.

Glossary.

Iloka ... A sweet made with condensed milk and oil.

Gwaggo Zainaba ... Aunt Zainaba.

Ina wuni ... Good afternoon.

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Thank you🙏.