Tears of Zubaida.

•••••TEARS OF ZUBAIDA••••• •••Chapter Twenty-one•••

SABARU, Bichi.
Kano state.

A heavy dust aroused in the air as he screeched on the red sand that covered the ground surface, he drives so roughly that he almost hit a little boy who was standing amidst the sandy road, he was exasperated at how things weren't going the way he had planned them.

Just why? Why isn't she succumbing!

He sharply took a corner where he started honking even before he reached the large iron gate of his father's house. The people that were in their shops or by their trading table all wondered who could the person be.

Of course they all know Adam, but never has he ever appeared to them driving in a rough and hostile manner, at times he even stops by and purchase one or two things from them or even buy and give it out as charity, most of the things he buys are fruits or biscuits and sweets and give to little children.

Today, it was a different case, he was angry and tired.
Angry that she isn't willing to agree and be his wife like they were before; although he still hasn't divorce her, but he needs her.
Tired over the pressure his mother is putting on him to bring back his wife, although he got married without their knowledge and consent, yet they are willing to welcome his wife with an open arms seeing that she has even born them a grandchild— an adorable little Ameera.

Adam horned impatiently waiting for the gate to be opened, few children had gathered around some rubbing the black paint of the car whilst some scribble on the dusty parts hitherto to his earlier screech.

The gate was opened and he quickly drove in almost hitting a wall. The house is a very big one with different apartments, his father Abubakar Auwalu Sabaru was once a chairman of Bichi local government, he is a nice and generous person, treating everyone equally.

Adam hopped out of the car and went to the children's apartment where he quickly entered his room and locked it.
The room was perfectly neat, and everything kept in its appropriate place. A saucer which has some ashes and little sticks of cigars was on his mini fridge. He dipped his hand inside his pocket and brought out a new pack which has the warning boldly written— smokers under the age of eighteen are liable to die young.

He poured everything on the saucer and brought out his lighter. He picked a corona amongst the sticks and lit on the blunt end, inhaling and puffing out the nicotine.

His phone began to ring, making him quickly cough out the smoke, and picked it up.

"Mamana... I'm tired, I will come in later... no, bye."  He cut the call.

Kaduna state.

Ruqayyah rolled over and over again, she feels like a part of her is missing, her heart beats erratically like it's about to force itself out of her. Fear and sorrow were just what she feels. Something is happening somewhere, it has to do with her, her daughter, her sister, or her parents. She just doesn't feel alright. You know that kind of feeling when something bad is about to happen? That's what she feels.

She closed her eyes in order to get some sleep, but all she sees are some unclear images of someone— someone she knows somewhere but can't say where exactly.
She flickered her eyes open, the urge to cry just took over her and she did; she let the tears flow freely. Just like that, she wiped it away and took a hijab from her wardrobe and left the house.

She walked to the eatery where Zaliha— her new friend works.

"Nayi fushi, you promised to pay back my visit to your house but never did." Zaliha eyed Ruqayyah.

"It's not what it looks like, I promise." Ruqayyah said raising her right palm.

They all laughed and Zaliha offered Ruqayyah a drink.

"I will pay today, to compensate for not fulfilling my promise." Ruqayyah said checking through her purse.

"No, I shall pay. No worries." Zaliha offered.

"I insist." Ruqayyah placed two hundred naira note on Zaliha's palm.

Zaliha eyed her. "I said leave it."

"I heard you, but I still insist."

Zaliha sighed and kept the money before she came back to Ruqayyah.

"Where is that waitress from the other day?"

"You mean Stephanie?"

"Yeah, she."

"What about her?" Zaliha asked.

"I want to ask her something."

Zaliha watched how uneasy and desperate Ruqayyah is.

"Alright, we will have to visit her then. Because she has been ill for about a week now so she took a leave."

"Alright then, let's go."

"Stephanie, please." Ruqayyah pleaded. "For God's sake." She added.

"Fine. But why do you need his number?" Stephanie queried.

"Like I said, it's a family issue."

"So you're related to him?" She asked.

"Stephanieeee." Zaliha interrupted, "please give her the number and end the queries. We are getting late."

She eyed Zaliha and tore a paper, and wrote the number.

"Thank you." Ruqayyah said and they left.

SABARU, Bichi.
Kano state.

Everything happened so fast, one minute, he was in his room sleeping, the next he's driving so fast to reach Kano, as fast as possible.

And now, he's seated together with some of his family members by the hallway of the Emergency Unit of Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. If anyone had told him that a tipper will step on his daughter, he will never believed, he can even sue that person for allegedly saying so.

He was sleeping when his mother's call came in and his brother's on his other phone. They all were panicking and shocked as they told him of the unannounced incident.

"She's my only hope." He cried hitting his head on the wall. "She's the only reason why Ruqayyah will agree to come back."

"Just pray, and stop this cry." His brother patted his back soothingly.

Just on cue, the red light of the emergency unit went off, indicating that the doctors and nurses will be out soon.

One of the doctors came out removing his mask and disposed it in the waste bin by the door. Auwal, Adam's brother walked to the doctor and asked.  " how is she?"

"She's fine." The doctor smiled; a bitter smile.

"I'm sorry..."

Adam's phone rang, but he didn't bothered to pick up, rather he gestured the doctor to continue.

"She lost a lot of blood as a result of the deep cut on her leg and arm."

His phone rang again. And he slide the answer button.

"We lost her." The doctor said apologetically.

"Adam, it's Ruqayyah. How is my daughter? Is she alright? Give her the phone let me talk to her."

"Ruqayyah, Ruq... is that you?" He quivered as he was trying not to break down.

"Tell me, how's my daughter?!" She yelled over the phone.

"We..." he didn't finish making the sentence, he just collapsed, gradually giving in to the darkness, loosing Aameerah is loosing his life— and his life is Ruqayyah. He knows she too will be broken, once she hears this. He can't tell her. No he can't. He just gave in completely.

Glossary.

Nayi fushi ... I'm angry.

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Thank you.🙏