Aliyah

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 21

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ANNIE’S POV

It’s been two days now. Aliyah’s shadow wasn’t seen anywhere. Mr. Ridoh had reported to the nearest police station. The police assured them she would be fine.

I only see things like this in movies. Now, it’s happening around me. If I was asked to write a short story about this, I would still be short of words.

Mrs. Ridoh was still in the hospital. She wouldn’t eat anything. We already stopped going to the hospital and resume to school as Mr. Ridoh had instructed us to.

All my thoughts were about Aliyah. I couldn’t concentrate on anything anymore. I tried but I couldn’t.

The very same day Aliyah got abducted or let’s say she got lost. Sean came home. When we saw him, we were shocked. Sean looked so haggard. He had become lean and his skin color had fade. His eyes were also red.

He first of all had a good rest before he explained what happened to him. We were all shocked. I was dumbfounded. I couldn’t say anything.

He’d receive a call that evening that his mother was Ill that he should come home immediately. On getting home, he met his mother lifeless.

Dave asked why he couldn’t inform any of us. That was the same question I wanted to ask. He stared at us and asked if Aliyah didn’t tell us.

“Aliyah?” We chorused.

“Swears, didn’t she tell you? Where is she?” He stood up to go to her apartment.

“Aliyah is… Lost” Chioma broke out.

He stared at us one after the other. “What’s happening? I noticed something wasn’t okay since I came. Are..”

Chioma cuts in and narrated all that happened till present. Sean slumped on the chair. He wouldn’t have believed us until he entered her room and we took him to the hospital the next day.

This is the second day now. I still could not concentrate. I’d stare at anyone who wears long hijab hoping it was Aliyah.

Together, at noon. We all rode silently in Dave’s car to the hospital. I had prepared lunch for Mrs. Aliyah with the hope that she might eat it.

We got there and met Tife and Aliyah. Tife was always making matter worse with her tears. This was how we left her yesterday night and today, there she is in the same mood.

“I really appreciate you guys. We’ll be leaving here tomorrow, insha Allah.” Mr. Ridoh said.

ALIYAH’S POV

I woke up feeling good. I looked around unconscious of my environment. Yesterday’s event summerized in my head. I smiled.

I looked beside my table and saw a small cup with cover neatly placed on a ceramic plate. I opened it. The aroma rushed into my nostrils. I breathe in savoring the aroma.

“Coffee” My subconscious said. I sipped it and covered it back.

I opened the door and went downstairs. There was no one in the sitting room. I slowly walked down the room feeding my eyes as I walked.

“Ma’am” I heard someone called. Jane. I guessed. I turned and my guess was right.

“Morning” I greeted, smiling at her.

“Morning ma’am..”

That word ‘Ma’am’ sounds awkward. Looking at her, she’s far way older than me. If not two Years or more. Ion even know my age.

“Jane, stop. Can you please not call me ma’am” I pleaded folding my arms.

She smiled. “No. I can’t. Sir is…”

“I know. My dad right? I’ll talk to him. It sounds so awkward calling a baby like me ma’am” I said. “And wait, is that how you’ve been calling addressing me?”

She stared at me.

“I mean before I lost my…”

“Oh! Yes, yes. You.. You used to complain about it but I just can’t stop. I’m used to it. The same way we address big mummy’s daughter whenever they’re home”

“Big mummy? My mom?” I asked.

“No, not your mom. Your stepmother.” She answered not after looking around suspiciously.

“Hmm… I don’t remember a thing about her. Can you tell me more about her?” I asked, pouting my lips in a childish way. I wonder why I did that.

“As in, I just want to remember a thing about her so I wouldn’t feel like a stranger asking all about the things I was used to.” I added when I noticed she wouldn’t say anything.

“Okay. Let’s go upstairs to your room” She said. I smiled.

Jane really helped. She told me everything I needed to know or should i say, the things I lost account of. Of all the things she told me about my dad, guards, maids, stepmother and her kids. I was only interested about my step mom and anxious to meet her.

Jane had told me about how she maltreats the staffs and how cruel she is. I asked if she had maltreat me before this incident but she said no that my dad always protected me from her.

“So, where is she now?” I asked her.

Jane looked surprised. She stared at me raising her eyebrows. I swear, she looks so cute with that face. I almost admitted but kept shut and waited for her reply.

“Why are you so keen to meet her. You’ve met her before and usually avoided her. Why are you so interested suddenly?”

“C’mon, won’t you tell me” I whined like a kid. She laughed and hit me playfully.

“She traveled. Probably to Dubai.”

“When will she get back?” I asked, waiting to see her reaction.

She used her teeth to fold her lower lips and closed her eyes in a seductive way. “You’re hungry. I’ll go bring breakfast” She said.

I laughed and threw my pillow at her. She ran out of the room playfully. I sighed deeply.

I got down from my bed and opened the door. I looked left and saw another stairs leading up the building. I walked towards it up the stairs. There was no building at all but another stairs. I continued walking up losing count of the stairs. I guess it was 5 or 7 stairs.

“Wow!” I exclaimed as I reached the end of the stairs. In front of me seems to be the whole city. There was nothing there but two golden chairs and a glass table placed there. I moved forward and looked around. Probably, dad is using this place for leisure, I thought. I sat on the chair and crossed my legs.

“Mmm”

I could hear distant voices below. I looked down and it was such an height up here. I smiled and turned around.

“Dad!” I called and hugged him even before he could turn to look at me.

“Oh! Oh! Oh!” He grunt, turning to look at me.

“Morning. Where have you been?” I asked, helping in wearing his jacket.

“Went to exercise. And you?”

“Me?”

“Yeah. Already checked you in, you were not there”

“Oh! Went up to the top of the building. It looks so nice”

“Oh! You’re finding your way around already, huh.”

“Finding my way around? I’m just trying to remember some things… You know…”

“No. Don’t try to remember anything. It’s gonna affect you. If you need anything, if you’re confused bout’ anything, just ask the maids and guard around. They’ll guide you.”

“Okay sir” I said in a funny way saluting.

He laughed and kissed my forehead. He stared at me for a while as if he was searching for something in my face.

“What?” I asked.

“What? Don’t I have the right to look at my daughter anymore?”

“Maybe, asking for permission would be okay”

He laughed again.

“Girl, I’ll be late for business. The doctor will be here anytime from now. Don’t go out. Let me get going.” He said and handed a bundle of cash to me.

“What for? I’m not going anywhere”

“You…”

The door opened interrupting. A woman entered, no, A lady. She looks so young, light skinned, tall and shiny. I watched her as she entered with a guard behind her. I needed no soothsayer to tell me she’s my step mom.

“Darling. I missed you” She said hugging my dad and placed a kiss on his lips.

I rolled my eyes away. I stared at the guard. He was staring at me. He bowed his head when our eyes met. I nodded.

“Dear. Meet Bella, my daughter whom i told you so much about. Bella, meet my wife, Selena.” My dad introduced.

“Oh!” She exclaimed as she stared at me. She looked at me from toe to head.

“You’re welcome dear”

I smiled at her. I noticed her make-up was kind of heavy. She must have wasted my dad’s money on that. Her eye lashes were also artificial. I bet if she isn’t artificial too.

“Dear, I don’t want to get late. We’ll discuss when I’m back” My dad said and went out.

“Do you know me?” She asked surprising me with that question. I wasn’t expecting that. Is she trying to test my memory or what?

“I mean, your dad could have tell you..”

“There’s nothing to know about you. I know you as my stepmother. Is that enough?” I cut in annoyed.

I could see shock on her face. She wasn’t expecting that. I smiled inward knowing my words had an impact on her.

“I’ll see you around” I added and left her on the spot. I bet she was staring at me as I almost missed my step as I walked up the stairs. I licked my lips and smiled.

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Bella? Bella. Oops! I bet this isn’t Aliyah? Is it? This is surely Bella. I don’t know what to say about this episode. I’m confused. Aliyah has changed, no, sorry, Bella. What do you think about this episode? Stay tuned and follow for more update.