Aliyah

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 10

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After the event that took place that day, mrs. Ridoh never took Aliyah to her work place again. Rumors had even gone round the hospital. Everyone asked of her where whenever they saw her mom. Even though mrs. Ridoh was happy and so proud of her daughter, she never praised Aliyah neither did she scold her.

Aishat, the eldest daughter had also come home. Mrs. Ridoh had told her about the event. Aishat was surprised. If it was another person that told her, she wouldn’t believe. She smiled hearing that it was a successful one. She wondered what kind of gut that had to be. She can’t try such, not now.

“Nurse Ridoh!” Haq called. There was no answer. “Nurse Ridoh!” He called again.

Aliyah came down the stairs grinning. She loved the name Haq calls her buh she didn’t want to show she loved it. Ever since the incident, Haq had started calling her like that.

“You’ve taken your bath?” He asked.

Aliyah nodded. She sat on the sofa, crossing her leg.

“Did I call you here to sit? Stand up joor, we’re going out”

“Huh? We? Where?” Aliyah asked, surprised. Haq never took her out before except in the past when she was still a kid. He’d carry her everywhere he went, placing her on his shoulder.

“What? Why are you smiling?” Haq asked as he saw her smiling. He knew she was surprised.

Aliyah shook her head.

“Oya, let’s go”

“Lemme goan change”

“Change? It’s okay like this. You know you’re always gorgeous”

Aliyah smiled, covering her face with her palm.

Haq chuckled. “I wonder when you’ll stop acting childish”

They took their mother’s car and drove off. Haq told Aliyah to compose herself and not act childish there. Aliyah had asked where they were going but Haq refused to tell her. He just advised her to keep calm there and act cool.

After driving for twenty minutes. It seems they finally got to where they were going as Haq parked. Aliyah made to open the car and come down but Haq pulled her back.

He glared at her. “You too dey fly, bebeto. Chill na”

“Hmm… Okay o.” Aliyah sighed. She was feeling anxious. “Sha know that if you use me for ritual, 10 naira, you cannot see” She muttered.

“Mad girl” Haq laughed. He took out his phone and made to dial a number.

“Hmm… You want to call the herbalist abi” Aliyah joked.

“Aliyah keep shut na!”

Aliyah sighed.

“Hello Bae… Yeah… I’m right outside…. Lol… Love you” Haq said, talking to someone on the phone”

All this while, Aliyah was staring at him not until she heard the last sentence. She coughed.

“Na that cough go kill you”

They both burst out laughing.

Few minutes later, a lady opened the gate which they were at the front.

Aliyah whistled. “See white witch o” She exclaimed.

Haq couldn’t help but laugh. The lady got to the car and bent down. She was smiling buh it weared off when she saw Aliyah.

Haq rolled the glass down. He noticed the smile on her face fade away. He understood. He didn’t tell her he was bringing anyone. He quickly explained.

“Dear, meet my sister, Aliyah”

“OMG! Wow! So, this is your junior sister you’ve been talking about. She’s so gorgeous. Wow! Hi dear.” The lady greeted.

Aliyah blushed “Awwwn”. She immediately liked her.

To Haq’s surprise, Aliyah got down and went to sit at the back. To say he was surprised was an understatement, he was shocked. “Who borrow Aliyah sense?” He thought, smiling.

“Thanks so much dear.” The lady thanked and sat. She quickly hugged Haq and wanted to kiss him but Aliyah interrupted by coughing. The lady laughed.

“What’s your name?” Aliyah asked as Haq ignited the car and drove off.

“Lauretta” She answered.

Haq got them a seat and went to get what they ordered. Aliyah and Lauretta seemed like they’ve known each other for a long while. Aliyah never got tired of sharing gist with Lauretta. Lauretta was full of smiles.

Haq came with their snacks and drink. He smiled as he watch Lauretta holding her tummy as she laughed.

“You’d better stop listening to Aliyah else your ribs would crack” Haq said.

“Bae, I… I swear… I’m full already” Lauretta said amidst laughter.

Soon, the day was moving to an end. They’ve had enough fun already and Haq guessed it’s time to go drop Lauretta. He didn’t even get the attention he needed from Lauretta as she sticked to Aliyah laughing all day.

He parked the car in front of the compound. He switched off the engine and got down. Lauretta looked back at Aliyah and smiled. “We’ll see some other day. Thanks for making today memorable and fun” Lauretta thanked Aliyah. They exchange WhatsApp contact before Lauretta got out of the car.

It was up to 5 minutes and they were still discussing. Aliyah wondered what they were talking about. Are they planning to marry? She was getting bored. She looked back through the rear mirror and saw both lovers smiling.

She pout her lips and grinned. “Drive” She heard a voice in her said. She smiled mischievously.

“Hmm… Lemme learn how to drive” She muttered as she moved to seat at the drivers seat not opening the door in order for her brother not to suspect.

She sat down and smiled. She tried to remember how her mom and brother used to drive and where they start from.

“Gear” A voice said

“Mumu, ignite it” Another one said.

“You’ll first of all place your hand on the gear, change it…”

“No, ignite then step on move”

“Mumu what’s move, it’s turtle”

“Turtle KO tortoise ni”

Both voice were arguing and she listened not knowing which one to do first. She decided to ignite it first but the door opened.

Haq glared at her. “What are you trying to do?” He asked.

“Nothing o” Aliyah shook her head and moved to the next seat.

Haq stared at her suspiciously. He knew she was up to something. He sat down slowly, stared at her. Their eyes met. They burst out laughing. Haq laughed hilariously. There was nothing funny but something was funny.

“Who borrowed you sense?” He asked after the laughter died down.

Aliyah glared at him. She stuck out her tongue at him. “Na me f–k up” She said.

“Wetin you for do?” Haq asked, smiling.

“Make we come tomorrow. Ah go show you.”

Haq laughed. “You and who?”

“Mad girl” He added and increased his speed.

They got home. It was already getting dark. They were both laughing like someone who’d inhale laughing gas. They didn’t notice a new vehicle parked in the compound.

They entered and stopped abruptly. Sitting on the Sofa is someone they weren’t expecting. Mrs. Rudoh’s elder sister, ma’am Zainab. Big mummy as they were used to calling her was a plump woman with very light skin. They never liked her presence cause she was used to scolding them. They took her as being harsh. Big mummy is the opposite version of their mother.

Haq stood still staring. He slowly released his hand from Liyah’s hand. He feared Big mummy so much. It’s been years since they last saw her, 4 or 5 years.

Aliyah frowned her face. She disliked her. The woman was always shouting at her always. Though, its been a long time. She was a kid then, 12 years or more.

“So, you guys lost your voice, huh? Naira marley fans, no manner” Big mummy said.

Aliyah laughed at the last sentence while Haq bow, greeting.

“Is that not Aliyah? You’ve grown so big, is it? Boys are now chasing you. That’s why my words sound so funny to you. I’m talking, you’re laughing. What indiscipline!….” Big mummy stood up as she talked, she moved closer to them, talking as she got close.

Aliyah knew what was going to happen. She would give her beating. Aliyah moved back, she moved sideways as Big mummy walked towards her. Soon, both were moving round the sitting room. Big mummy didn’t stop talking as she made to get hold of Aliyah while Aliyah was pleading and avoiding her. She was furious and tired but she didn’t stop.

Haq on the other hand was having headache due to laughter. His ribs hurt. He tried hard not to laugh as he used one hand to cover his mouth shut while the other was on his head.

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