“Good afternoon, Mummy Caleb,” Meena greeted, smiling widely at a petite lady with a light skinned six-month-old baby boy strapped to her back. She was standing by a table filled with plates of fresh tomatoes, bell peppers, and tatashe.

“Ah, Aunty Meena,” She smiled, showing her thirty-two. “How today na?’ 

“Fine fine o, how your side?”
She shrugged, “Fine o, we dey manage.” She bent forward over a rubber bowl of water with tomatoes and pepper floating inside.

Meena smiled at her back, eyes trained at the head warmer covering Caleb’s black curls. It reminded her of Nur’s.  “Caleb no well?” She asked. 

The woman stood straight, “No, wetin you see?”

  “I see say you cover him head.” She pointed.

The woman hissed slightly, “I no want make him head black ni, for this kind heat.”

Meena chuckled and glanced at the sun overhead, beaming down at her in full force. “Na true sha, but him go sweat o.”

“Eh, I go soon remove am.”

Meena nodded. “Okay o, greet am for me when him wake up.”

She let out a loud laughter that shook her shoulders. “Okay o.”

Meena smiled and continued her walk back to her shop, wondering if her baby would be as light skinned as Nur, or as dark as her, for even Caleb had taken after his Urhobo father’s light complexion, not after his Tiv mother’s caramel one. 

Three weeks and five days, but she was still counting, still hoping. She had vowed never to call him, for this was his call to make, and if he cared as much as he claimed, he’d call. No matter what, he’d call.

When she got to the shop, she met the two bags of clothes that she had taken home for the weekend still lying outside. She shut her eyes in frustration and shook her head. From inside, she could hear the slow sweeping motion of soft broom across the cement floor. She shook her head again and pulled the door open, sending a stream of sunlight into the shop, making Bushra yelp in surprise, a hand over her eyes.

Meena rested against the door and folded her arms, “Weldon ma.” She bowed her head in mock salute.

Bushra pouted and pushed the protruding broom sticks back into their position, “Welcome Aunty.” She continued sweeping.

“It’s like there’s no work today o.”

Bushra stood straight, frowning.
“Why, we just got here na.”

“Really,” Meena widened her eyes in surprise. “just got here?” She took out her phone from the pocket of her abaya. “We left home since around 7, to avoid hold-up. Now what’s the time?”

Bushra bit her red lower lip and glanced the wall clock on the opposite wall, “To nine.”
“Ehe, and see mama Caleb whose shop was closed, now she’s there, arranging her market. See us here, even to arrange the shop…” She made a sound at the back of her throat and plopped on her seat, leaning back on the wall while Bushra tugged at her headscarf. “I don’t even want to know what you were doing since I left. Just pack up.” She motioned at the dirt of sand, paper, nylons and fabric pieces, yet to be gathered.

As Bushra resumed her work, Meena took out her phone from her pocket and glanced at the time, then the call logs. Still, no calls. No texts. Releasing a sigh, she rested her head on the wall, eyes settling on the empty seat across her that used to belong to Kauthar. 

She wondered how her bestie was faring. When she first heard about the incident, it sounded like a joke to her. So in a modern and highly secured place like Navy Barracks, people could still get kidnapped? But when she went to Kauthar’s house that Friday, and saw the crowd. She believed. She could not imagine how Kauthar was feeling, even though Kauthar kept assuring her that she was okay. Meena still refused to leave her side, afraid that Kauthar would end up doing something drastic, without telling anyone. Like last time. Meena shook her head. She shouldn’t think like that about her friend. 

Meena dialed Kauthar’s number. Bushra came in, tucked the broom and packer at the back of the door and turned on the fan. Meena’s eyes followed her as she took the bags to her sewing spot and placed it on her sewing machine. 

The phone rang three times before she ended the call. Where could she be? Today was Sunday so there was no school. Unless she had gone out. But to where? 

The moan of the ceiling fan interrupted her thoughts, she tilted her head, “madam, have you cleaned the fan?”

Bushra turned to her, then to he fan, “Was I supposed to?” 

She wasn’t, but Meena wanted to punish her for wasting their time.

“Ehen na.” She folded her arms.

Bushra scrunched her face and hissed slightly. “Can’t I do it after?”

“After when? After that you’ll disappear abi? No ma.”

Bushra slapped her hands against her thighs and moved to Kauthar’s spot where the sewing machine had been replaced with an old kitchen cupboard.  Meena watched her with a smile on her face. Good for her. 

“Kpam kpam,” Someone knocked on the door. Meena turned with a smile reserved for her customers. But her smile froze. “Kauthar?” She rose from her seat and watched her friend slowly walk in to the shop, grabbed an empty stool and sat beside her. Then she rested her head on Meena’s shoulder. 

“Good morning ma.” Bushra greeted, towel in hand.

“Morning Bushra.” Kauthar mumbled.
Meena flicked a hand to dismiss Bushra. Hiding a victorious smile, Bushra quickly returned the towel and ran to the seat, taking off the skirt and blouse hanging on the wall behind her.

Meena turned to Kauthar and raised her shoulder. “Hey,”

Kauthar replied, “Hey,” she raised her head. “What’s up?” 

“It’s you that know what’s up na.” She glanced at Bushra, then leaned closer, “Any news?”

Kauthar shook her head, “they called.”

“Eh, when?” 
“Since Friday,”

Meena wrung her hands, glanced at Bushra, then tapped Kauthar and pointed towards the door. As
Kauthar headed outside, Meena grabbed both their seats. “Better be done before 12 o.”

“Yes Aunty.” 

Once outside, Meena whispered, “why didn’t tell me na?” 

“There were people there and I was too unstable to inform anyone.”

Meena sighed and took her hands. “It’s going to be okay. We just have to keep praying. How much are they demanding?

Kauthar laughed and shook her head, eyes shiny with tears. “They don’t want money, they want revenge.”

“Ya Allah!” Meena placed her hands on her chest. “Revenge ke, for what?”
Kauthar rose her shoulders. “That’s what we have to figure out before they can tell us anything else.”

“Heii.” Meena exclaimed, “Have you told the police?”

Kauthar eyed her, “Which police, what will they do?” Meena shot her an incredulous look, “They will trace them now.” She shot her hand out for emphasis.

Kauthar shook her head, “This is our fight. We’ll find a way. Besides, tracing them is waste of time, cos we tried it and we found out that the number doesn’t exist.” Meena stayed silent, not knowing what to say again. 

“I just hope she’s not in pain or-” Kauthar sniffed. “I just hope she’s okay.”

“Ameen. We just have to keep praying.” Kauthar nodded. 

“Yeah. So, how will we do now. Do you suspect anyone?”

“I cant think of anyone. Even if I can, the ones I could’ve suspected were with me before the incident.”

“Who, that manga lady?”

“No, Hidaya.”

Meena's eyes widened, “why would you suspect her? have you guys not settled yet?”

“Yes but-”

“Ah Kauthar, this kind of thing is not good. This lady was with you, she mourned Salsabil with you, she loves Barakah like her own. Beside, it’s not good to suspect someone in Islam, and you know that.” Meena shook her head in disappointment.

Kauthar glared at her, ‘Toh, is it not you that asked me who I was suspecting?”

“Does that mean you must answer?” She eyed her playfully.

Kauthar released a smile, “You’re not serious.”

They stayed quiet for a bit, breathing in the hot air. Since it was Sunday, most shops weren’t open, hence the quiet ambience.

“So what’s up with you na?” Kauthar asked.

“Hmm, my sister,” She placed one hand into another, “I’m still waiting o.”

“You didn’t call?”

She shook her head and turned away to watch two women with trays of children’s clothes and accessories stop to greet each other.

“Amina.” Kauthar poked her. Meena turned to her. “You could  have called na, what if something bad had happened?”

Meena hissed, “Wo, the worst that can happen is his mother not agreeing with our union.”

“Ah, is that what you’re praying for?” Kauthar gaped at her.

“No na, but-” Bushra appeared with her phone. It was vibrating. Meena collected it and sighed, but refused to turn it on.

“What are you dong?” Kauthar hissed

. “Answer na.”

“It’s not a call. It’s a text.” She sighed. Probably MTN or her bank.

Kauthar yanked the phone from her. Meena let her. She faced the market again, staring at the rusted roof of Mama Caro’s shop. 

“Oh my God!”

She turned to Kauthar, who was still staring at the phone. 

“What is it?” 

Kauthar looked up and raised the phone. Meena leaned forward. It was a long text, and above it,
Nur’s contact. Meena sat back, weak. All this time, all he could send was a text. “What does it say?” She asked quietly.

“Won’t you read it?” Kauthar asked, sadness laced in her tone.

Meena shook her head. She knew that she had been expecting the worse, but that didn’t mean that she wanted it to happen. “Read it to me.”

Kauthar looked at the phone, then at her, “Are you sure?” 

Meena sighed and folded her arms. God please, no.”Yes.”

Kauthar took a deep breath. Meena took hers, silently. “Dear Meenabty,”
Meena closed her eyes, that was the nickname he coined for her.

“I cannot begin to string the right words that will translate into how sorry I am for the delay. I know I had made a promise. And you know how much serious I take my promises. But in this case, I had to break it.” Kauthar glanced at her before continuing, “I needed more time. In the first week, as expected, My mother refused my requests, so much so that she refused to pick my calls and will hide away whenever I went to her house.

In the second week, I sought an audience with one of her favorite Islamic teachers. Together, we went to see her, but still, she was stubborn, even broke down in tears and went lamenting that I was willing to sacrifice her for the sake of a woman.

“I cant begin to describe how heartbreaking it was to watch her go on and on about how she had suffered in the past because of me. How much she had sacrificed, how much she would lose if I ever get married.

Helpless, I apologized to her and promised that I would never leave her. Afterwards, she told me to and go back so she can think about it. And I agreed. I spent my nights praying that she’d change her mind. At this time, the urgency to call you was so strong, but I didn’t want to trigger your fears. Besides, we had one more week left.” 

There was silence. Meena, eyes still closed, asked, “Are you done?” She heard Kauthar sigh, “Just continue na.” She pleaded.

Another sigh, “I don’t like this. I feel you should do this in private.” 

Meena shook her head, “Now is better.” So she won’t have to mourn alone.

“During the said week, I had prepared as early as 07:00 a.m. But on getting to her house, her gateman informed me that she had traveled to Zaria. When I called her, she apologized endlessly, saying that it was an emergency. I had to laugh at this. My case was also an emergency! But then, she didn’t care. So I waited, and while I waited, I prayed hard. She came back on the last night of the third week.”

Meena gasped. The night she waited for his call. So this was what he was going through? She wished she had called him then, at least they’d have consoled each other.

“When we finally sat down to talk, She didn’t say anything for fifteen minutes. I knew because I kept glancing at my watch the whole time, hoping I could give you an answer on time. When she finally opened her mouth, what she said not only shocked me, but sent me on my knees: she had type II lung cancer. That all the travels she had been doing were secret checkups. Even that day we came to Lagos, she had gone to see her doctor. What could I say to this, Meenabty? She even showed me her test forms and medical reports, aging from August last year.”

“Stop,” Meena called out and opened her eyes to let the tears fall freely. “I know what’s coming next.” She could feel Kauthar’s eyes on her. She closed her eyes again. So this was how it would end?

“Maybe you should call him, at least to console him.” Kauthar said.

Meena shook her head. “Read the end of the text.” She said.

Kauthar glanced at the phone, eyes going down, then she looked at her. “Is there any need?

“I want to hear him say goodbye.” She said, but what she really wanted was something uplifting, a reminder that he still loved her, that he always would.

“I couldn’t call you because I wasn’t sure I would say the right things to make you understand. So, I thought a text would suffice, but then, even this isn’t satisfying. My only wish is to make you my wife. And trust me, I haven’t given up yet. I don’t know how or why, but I do know this, I still love you and I still want to be with you. You may decide to get married. I won’t stop you. But then, I won't keep you waiting. Whatever choice you make, let me know. I’d understand. And I pray God grants you the best spouse that would hold your hand and guard your heart, from this world to the next. I’d be travelling to India with my mother. If you wish to reach me. You can contact Aunty Intisar. I’m sorry. Very sorry. And I hope you won’t forget me, like I won’t forget you. Ever.

Yours Regrettably, Nur ibn Zaid.”

Meena released a loud sigh and bent her head to hide her tears. Then she felt Kauthar’s arm around her. His mother had won. She had lost. Would she ever be able to move on? 

She raised her head and wiped her tears with the end of her abaya sleeve. “I’m okay.” She told Kauthar. 

“No you’re not.”

“But I will be.” She nodded, more to herself. She held Kauthar’s hand and smiled, not sure how she was able to, but she smiled anyway. “We’ll both be fine.”

Kauthar gazed her in awe. ‘I don’t know how you’re doing this.”

She didn’t know either, but this was easier. Perhaps it was because her heart was a balloon, and each disappointment had deflated it. Now, it was completely out of air. Empty. And she knew one thing: No one would ever inflate it again. 

A/N

Oh, my heart. I feel for Meena, I swear.

Do you too?

And do you think Meena's decision not to call Nur was a good one?

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