Aliyah

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 22

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ALIYAH’S POV

I checked through my wardrobe. I’m still confused. I don’t know which cloth to choose. Dad had filled my wardrobe and furnished my room to my taste.

I took my phone and dialed Jane’s number. I asked her to meet me in my room. Few seconds later, she entered, revealing her white set of teeth. She’s always smiling.

“Why are you still putting on this kitchen stuff?” I asked. I had expected her to change cause I already told her we’ll be going out together.

“Are you serious about this? Your dad will….”

“Jane!” I barked. “Stop saying my dad will do this or that. You guys are house helps, not slave as that woman do call you.” I said referring to my step mom as woman.

I really hate her. She treats them like slaves, calling them filthy names. Hitting them at the slightest mistake. Her actions really angered me so much but I couldn’t do anything. All I could do was go behind her to meet any househelp she hurts and apologize, console them and give them some change from the cash my dad gives me daily thus making them smile.

“Hmm…Lemme go home and bath then…”

“Home? C’mon girl, strip off your clothes and get into my bathroom” I said and continued struggling with my set of clothes.

Few hours later, we were done. I was putting on a short gown which showed my curves. I don’t know why I was surprised when I stared at the mirror after checking out myself. I turned around and sat down. Jane was busy applying makeup. I just sat and stared at her smiling. She choosed a crop top with leggings.

“Is it your outing or mine?” I asked as she applied the makeup for hours. “You’re pretty already. You don’t need that” I added. She just turned at me and winked. I giggled.

“Let’s go, ma’am” She said after some minutes.

I smiled and led the way out.

“Ma’am, you forgot you phone” Jane said, handing over my phone to me. Dad had gotten it for me yesterday when he came back from work.

“Jane… Stop that ma’am” I whined.

“I’m sorry, Bella” She apologized.

I smiled and wink at her.

The guards and househelps who were around stared at us as we passed by. I knew it wasn’t me they were staring out but Jane. They were surprised.

I went over to the ride my dad said it’s mine, G-wagon AMG 2025 model. I brought out the keys in my small purse which contained nothing but my ATM card which my dad had gotten for me yesterday and some cash.

“Are we taking this car out?” Jane asked.

“Yes. Dad says it’s mine”

Jane squealed and jumped up. I stared at her, wondering why she is so happy about it.

“Girl, calm down. What?”

“Bella, this is my first time I’ll ride in an expensive car and the car is a new one. Your dad got it last week.” She said and before I could think twice, she’d hug me so tight that I felt my bones almost crushing.

“You’re so strong. My bones almost break” I said after she released me.

“I’m sorry. Just too happy” She said, giggling.

“Erm, I’m confused. Can I drive?” I asked her. That was what I’ve been thinking.

She raised her eyebrows and rolled her eyes up. “Mmm.. No, you can’t”

“So, who used to drive me?”

“Erm…. Anybody you choose in the compound”

“Anybody…anybody…anybody.. Okay, yeah. Do you know the name of the guy that drove me from the hospital”

“Who?”

“He’s dark. Not too… David!” I exclaimed as I remembered his name.

“Okay. Let me go and get him. He’ll be In the boys quarter” Jane said and rushed away.

I took out my phone and took some shot. I saved it all and kept it back. I checked Facebook and realized I haven’t opened an account. I would have opened an account yesterday but the doctor had got me in bed and didn’t allow me do anything stressful. I exit the app. I checked WhatsApp and it was the same. I sighed and closed it as I saw Jane and David approaching.

“Ma’am, are you human?” David asked as we got inside the car.

“Pardon?”

“I can argue with God that you’re an Angel. Why did you come to earth to torment us with your beauty.” He said.

That really got me. I blushed and told him to bring the engine to life and let’s go. David is really a funny creature.

“Mmm… You want to be flirting with madam abi? Let oga come” Jane said.

“Jane, why you wicked like this. No be play I dey play”

“Oya, keep shut and continue driving.” Jane said. I laughed.

I noticed a black car followed behind as we drove out of the compound. It was following us.

“David, is that car behind following us?” I asked.

“Yes ma’am.”

“Why?”

“Why? Ma’am, you’re the daughter of Chief Joel. One of the wealthiest business man in Lagos state. People would have eyes on you. The ‘would’ there is an understatement, they have eyes on you already cause the accident you had that day was intentional.” David explained.

My dad didn’t tell me this. Maybe he wasn’t aware or he didn’t want me to get scared.

“… Moreover, you’re riding A G-wagon AMG 2025 model. You’re not safe without the guards.” He said, stressing the 2025 model.

I sighed. Why would anyone want to hurt me? I could have died in that accident.

“Ma’am, so where are going?” David asked.

I wasn’t even sure of where I was going. I didn’t plan on going out this afternoon. Just felt like moving around the city.

“Mmm… Jane, where are we going?” I asked.

Jane gave me a “Are you serious?” Look. I hit her playfully.

“Have you ever taken my dad’s wife out?” I asked David.

“Yes”

“Okay. Take us to one of the places she do go.”

“Shopping mall, restaurant, salon, amusement park… ?

“Take us to a lounge”

“Okay”

“Shopping mall would be our last destination” I said and winked at Jane.

MRS RIDOH’S POV SAME DAY]

We arrived safely at home. I couldn’t just help .myself. It was as if my life has been taken from me. Aishat held on to me tight. We got down from the car. My husband was making a call, so only Aishat and I went in.

Tears rushed down my eyes immediately I saw Haq and Hameed. I imagined how helpless they were when we were not at home. They didn’t know we’ve arrived. I slumped onto the sofa lifeless.

Aishat woke them up. I stared at the ceiling lost in thought. It’s better for ones child to be dead than get lost. I don’t even know if she’s dead or alive.

“My God My God” I mumbled as tears dropped freely.

“Mom, stop crying. She’ll come. We’ll see her” Haq said.

I stared at him and shook my head. He was fumbling with the tears in his house.

“Haq, you don’t understand… Haq you don’t. What will I do. Where is she. Aliyah’s whereabouts is unknown. I don’t know if my daughter is dead or unknown. I don’t, Haq” I cried out in anguish.

ALIYAH’S POV SAME DAY]

“Whaooooooooooo” Jane and I screamed as the horse was galloping.

We took several shots. We were at the beach now after going to the lounge. David and the guards stucked like hair to us. I noticed David and jane were kinda too close. Maybe, they were lovers.

“It’s getting late!” David shouted in order for us to hear as the wind wailed.

“We’re coming!” Jane replied.

I smiled. I stared at her as she opened her arms wide and ran around. I’ve never seen her this happy.

“Hey! Let’s go” I called.

The guards help in packing our stuff and arranged it in their car. David ignite the car and drove.

“Where to, ma’am?” He asked.

“I’ll punch you if you call me ma’am again.” I said and hit him playfully. They laughed.

“Oya, let’s go to the shopping mall” I said as I stared at Jane who was busy with my phone checking the pictures we took.

I was feeling happy but my happiness wasn’t complete. I feel there’s something missing. I don’t know but I feel I’m not complete.

We arrived at the mall. The guards opened the door before I could even pull the handle. I was hating this but I don’t have a choice.

“Check this.. This… Here… See” Jane said as she picked one thing or the other.

“Just get yourself enough clothes and things you’ll need.” I said and walked around picking my choice.

I paid for everything and the security helped to get it into the car. Jane was full of smiles throughout.

“Here” I said and handed over a small box to her.

“Ahhhhhhhh” She screamed happily and hugged me tight as she opened the box.

“Bella….IPhone 11pro” She whined.

“Wow! That’s cool.” David said.

“Bella, thank you so much” She appreciated.

“It’s okay. You need it.”

“You should have told me. I don’t have a sim card”

“Oh! Okay. Uncle David, stop wherever you see anywhere we can buy sim card.”

“Okay, aunty Bella” He replied playfully.

My phone rang. It was my dad calling. I answered his call.

“What did he say?” Jane asked, looking at me.

“He’s concerned, I think. Asked where we are since”

“Okay.”

We got to a small stall where they sell phone accessories and bought a sim for Jane and also registered it. We got home few minutes later.

“Oh my beacon of light! See how dazzling you look” My dad said as we entered. His wife was seated beside him.

“Awwww… Dad, I’m blushing” I hugged him and he kissed my cheek.

“Hahahaha. You’re blushing. Don’t you know you shine even at night. Your beauty can’t be compared, dear”

“Dad… Are you..?” I said and raised my eyebrows.

“Hahahaha Naughty girl. What if I am?” He laughed again.

“Your wife will burn with jealousy” I said trying to get her attention as she concentrated on her phone. Yeah, I got her. She glanced at me but didn’t say anything.

“She’s my wife. You’re my daughter” My dad laughed again.

“Who owns that thing with you?” I heard my dad’s wife said. She was talking to Jane. Jane quickly hid her phone and shook her head.

“Are you…”

“Excuse me ma, it belongs to her. Any problem?” I cut in as she made to bark at her but in a falling tune.

“Who got it for her? Why would a slave be using iPhone 11pro? What’s…”

“Pardon, no ones a slave. She’s not a slave. They’re not slaves. They’re helping us cause they have to, it’s not their choice. We have what they want, they need money. Since we can’t give it to them for free, they’re working for it and that doesn’t make them a slave” I said trying not to raise my voice cause i was really angry at her for calling Jane, a slave.

“Wow! Brilliant words dear. I also worked for money when i was still a kid” My dad said. “And no one called me a slave. I….” His phone rang, interrupting and he got up and went out to receive it.

“At least, the iPhone I bought for her gives her joy and is really important than the fortune you spend on painting that face of yours just to please my dad and you stil look ugly” I spat angrily and dragged Jane with me up to the stairs.

“And mind you, no condition is permanent. Within the blink of an eye, you can be a slave” I added and walked away. Her mouth was agape. She wasn’t expecting that and I swear, I wasn’t expecting this from me.

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