Chapter Twelve

1

It didn't take long for Suleiman to warm up to the family. He partook in almost every activity, from sweeping to washing the car. There were times he'd help me do the dishes, those times were rare though, because mummy and Lawal wouldn't allow it.

"She has to do these things herself, how else is she going to cope on her own? Abi do you plan on following her to her husband's house when the time arrives?" was always Lawal's argument.

I would then tell him that I had no plan on serving any man under the guise of being married to him.

"These are life skills after all. Everybody should be able to do them" Suleiman added once, and if I didn't like him already, that statement would have done it.

Being around him was easy. There was no fear of being judged for my speech and he took most of my jokes graciously. Even though he got on well with everyone, I liked to think I was his favourite. There was no doubt that he had become mine. I told him virtually all the happenings around me,both in school and at home. I complained about Samantha's emotional bullying and told him about sweet, innocent Fred. Also about Lawal's pretentious girlfriend.

" I hope she doesn't become part of our family", I whispered once to him. If he'd thought me cruel,he certainly hid it well. The most he said on sugar girl was that I should try keeping an open mind about her.

Every single thing from the mundane to the slightly interesting. And when he wasn't listening to my endless stream of pointless chatter,he was regaling me with tales upon tales about life in a boarding school. From his description,vivid but exaggerated nonetheless, it was as good as living in an occupied country during war. Really, there was no boring moment with him and unlike my siblings,he did not consider me to be a pest.

Which was why, among a bunch of other reasons,even before Hamza left, I was unconsciously besotted with my cousin from Abuja.

Iman however, thought very differently about him.

2

That particular Wednesday started out like all the days before it, cool and breezy with a sky dotted with clouds pregnant with rain.

After a number of unsuccessful trials of trying to stay back, we left for school. The term was slowly but surely coming to an end. Already we had written a couple of continuous assessment tests and if the rumours were true,we would be starting exam very soon.

The day unfurled lazily,a cat waking after a nap and before long, I was feeling miserable with boredom. Then it was time for recess and as I accompanied Fred to the canteen to get a snack, I saw Ruth of all evil with Iman and I got an idea.

As soon as it was time for our library period, I dragged my friend up in barely contained excitement. Time to sleuth.

Fred mumbled something incomprehensible under her breath but I ignored it. Now was not the time to pick a fight, I reasoned, especially since I needed her as support for what I was about to do.

"Layla! The library is not this way!"

I gave her a mysterious smile but said nothing. It wasn't until we were at the entrance to the computer Lab that I spoke.

"I have a little research to carry out. And listen, the Lab is empty. Come on, let's go".

She stared at me hard, as though there was a memory she was trying to conjure. Not giving her time for that, I pushed her through the doorway and followed behind.

The inside of the lab was dark with muted sunlight struggling to get in from behind the curtained windows. Hums and occasional beeps filled the room and coupled with the dark, created a soothing atmosphere.

But the sight before me banished the thought of sleep from my mind. At a table almost in the middle of the lab stood Iman. She was bent before a laptop,bathed in the glowing blue light from its screen. A connected projector sat by the laptop which casted flickering images unto the blank wall behind her. Ruth and her friends were seated opposite the setup, talking quietly.

Fred saw them and halted.

"Let's go back," she said imploringly, trying to use her eyes to convey the fear she was feeling. I ignored it. And took a step forward.

Iman looked up first. As she did so, the others followed her eyes and turned to look at us.

Ruth pursed her lips," It's you again".

"Layla" said Iman in a warning tone. She was trying to pass across a message; get out, no doubt but I had no intention of doing so.

"You know her?" Big nose from the other day asked, cocking her terribly done brows. She looked like a character out of a horrific comedy;big glistening nose, tiny eyes squinted in curiosity and those horrible brows.

"Yes" Iman sounded apologetic," she's my sister".

"Tell her to leave here...hold on, aren't you supposed to be at the library?" asked the head girl. Fred nodded eagerly.

"Yes but there's this research that we need to do ASAP and-"

"GET. OUT" commanded Ruth looking like she was struggling with her temper. Iman subtly nodded towards the door. Still feeling annoyed about her tone earlier, I rolled my eyes at her and set my jaw stubbornly.

But Ruth who was standing in front of her, thought the eye roll was meant for her. It spurred her into action.

Before I could collect my thoughts, she had grabbed me by the arm and was dragging me towards the door, digging wickedly sharp fingers into my skin.

Heart racing, I dug in my heels and looked around for the Lab technician but his seat was empty.

" Let me go!!" Still she dragged, putting me in agony with her fingers. On a reflex, I lashed out and scratched her face.

Emitting a hiss of pain, she struck me across the face and I stumbled away, clutching my bloodied lips. The jewelry around her finger had split it.

Ruth kicked me aside and stormed out. Everyone else stood in stupefied silence.

I looked at Iman expecting to see her enraged at Ruth or at least sorry for me. What I saw gave me pause. She looked enraged alright, but it was directed at me. An expression that said she'd like to throttle me sat on her face and after shaking her head in contempt, looked away from me. Her action hurt worse than the slap I'd received.

"Let's go Layla" said Fred quietly. She helped me to my feet and with a sinking feeling weighing down my chest, I followed her out.