Aliyah

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 11

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Aliyah woke up the next day startled. The day wasn’t even clear yet. The bang on the door that woke her up sounded again.

“Who’s that na” Aliyah shouted, angry.

“Didn’t you hear me knocking since? Before the count of 3, if you don’t open this door, I’ll crush you”

That was Big Mummy’s voice. Aliyah got down slowly. “Wetin i collect from this woman wey I no return na” She thought as she opened the door.

“So, you don’t know it’s 5am and you’re supposed to perform ablution in order to pray, ehn” Big mummy asked.

Aliyah shook her head negatively.

Big mummy stared at her from head to toe. “I blame your mom and dad for taking it too easy with you guys. Omo musulumi ti ko kin kirun (A Muslim child that doesn’t pray)” She said.

Aliyah said nothing. She just stared at the floor. She wished Big mummy could just disappear.

“Now, go and change that night gown and meet us downstairs” She added and went off.

Aliyah grunted. She twisted her face as she entered her room. She hissed and lay on her bed.

“Aliyah! ! !” Just like thunder, her name sounded from the sitting room. Her heart almost jumped out. “Ah! Wahala ti wo shoe (Ah! Trouble don wear shoe)” Aliyah lamented as she quickly changed and ran out to meet them.

The atmosphere could be said to be tensed. Everyone in the room sat still. Mrs. Ridoh had gone to work, Hameed was yet to be back from school. Aishat didn’t follow her mom. Haq and Aliyah sat beside each other staring at the Tv while Aishat sat beside Big mummy.

Truth be told, Aliyah wasn’t interested in the Tv show. NTA for that matter. It was so boring. She prayed inwardly for Big mummy to stand up so she could change it to her favorite tv show. She took a glimpse at big mummy. She diverted her look to Haq. He seemed so serious watching. She stealthily pinched Haq on his laps.

“Yeee!” Haq screamed jumping up. Aishat and big mummy were startled. They looked at Haq who glared angrily at Aliyah while Aliyah was making funny gestures with her eyes, closing and opening it like there was something in it.

“What!?” Aishat and big mummy chorused.

“Nothing” Haq said.

Big mummy was surprised. “Nothing? And you screamed like that?”

“It’s nothing. I thought.. I thought something… I felt something on my neck…. I thought I felt something on my neck” He lied.

Big mummy stared at him. She knew that wasn’t the reason but she said no more words and focused on her tv program.

Aishat knew it was a lie. She stared at both of them acting funny. Haq sat down, glared at Aliyah who brought her palms together. She read her lips. She was saying “Thank you…bla bla bla..” She didn’t get the other words. She smiled and continued what she was doing.

“I lo you brother… You’re the best” Aliyah whispered. She was happy her brother had save her by lying. If he had told big mummy, she knew it would be hot soup for her.

“I’m not accepting that… ” Haq whispered back.

“What? What do you want?”

Haq smiled. “Switch on your hotspot and lemme connect”

“Huh… Buh”

“What’s that sound” Big mummy asked, staring at them. “Where’s that sound coming from?” She asked again. No answer. They both stared at her. “Aliyah, be careful” She warned.

“This woman no like me” Aliyah continued, whispering.

Haq chuckled. “Hotspot”

“Hotspot KO Warm pot ni” Aliyah rolled her eyes away.

Haq stood up raising his hand but Aliyah quickly pulled him down knowing what he wants to do.

“Ahn ahn… Shey someone cannot play with you” She said as she brought out her phone from her hijab pocket.

Haq smiled. He activated his WiFi. “Password?” He asked.

“Bring it” Aliyah said, wanting to collect his phone.

“No, tell me”

“You can’t know it”

“I’ll tell big mummy o”

“You can’t know it na”

“Okay” Haq said and pretended to stand up knowing Aliyah would pull him back buh was surprised she didn’t. He raised up his hand waiting for her to pull him back buh she didn’t. Instead, she put her phone back into her pocket and looked away.

“Ha! Werey lomo yi o (This girl is mad o)” He thought.

“Yes? What?” Big mummy asked.

“ERM… I want to go and urinate” Haq said, scratching his head.

Aliyah chuckled.

Big mummy hissed. “I wonder where they got you guys from. You want to urinate? I should open my mouth abi? Mufu”

Aliyah laughed uncontrollably. Even Aishat that was holding her laughter burst it out.

“Mu… Mufu” Aliyah said, pointing at Haq amidst laughter. Aishat laughed harder. Big mummy totally ignored them. Haq fumed in anger and went up to his room.

“Mu… Mu…”

“If you complete that word, I’ll skin you alive” Big mummy snapped at Aliyah.

The laughter died down immediately. “Fuvk shit!” Aliyah muttered.

“You say?”

“God no go shame us” Aliyah lied, sitting up right.

Aishat couldn’t control herself anymore. She quickly stood up away from big mummy’s presence and went up the stairs laughing hard as she supported herself with the stair handle so she won’t fall.