“Take care of yourself,” Fatima replied.
“I will.” He said. He leaned forward and placed a light kiss on her forehead. “ You should take care of yourself too,”
Fatima froze. She couldn’t say a word. She simply stood there, watching as he walked away from the door. Her eyes followed him until he stood right beside Habeeb
“Ahh, Amarya,” Habeeb teased lightly. “How will you cope? Your husband is travelling and he won’t be coming back any time soon. How about you pack your clothes and follow him?”
Fatima didn’t respond. She only raised her eyes to look at him
“Stop teasing her, Habeeb,” Farzan said softly. “ Go inside,”
Fatimah did not move, she stood there following them with her eyes. She remained there a moment longer before finally turning back inside.
Once she entered the apartment, she let out a long breath. Then suddenly, she smiled.
For the first time in her life, she realized she was completely alone in the large apartment. No one would be watching her. No one would be controlling her. No one would be giving her orders… she will be all by herself
A strange excitement bubbled up inside her. She moved around the room freely, stretching, spinning lightly, almost dancing in a way she had never allowed herself before. It felt… liberating.
She laughed softly to herself, enjoying the quiet. After a while of messing around, she went to the kitchen and made a simple breakfast. She ate peacefully, then got ready for school.
Soon after, she dressed up neatly, prepared her books, and stepped out of the house… ready to face school, and whatever the day would bring.
_
_
Clad in her school uniform, Fatima made her way to the main house to greet her in-laws before leaving. She knew she couldn’t step out without informing them… it was only right.
Step by step, she entered quietly.
One of the maids glanced at her… the same one who used to look down at her but Fatima didn’t return the look. She wondered what their relationship would be like, now that she is now a member of the family.
Whatever their relationship would be like, she did not care. She simply walked past and headed straight to Hajia Zainab’s room. “As-salamu alaykum, Hajiya,” she greeted.
“Wa alaykumu as-salam, Fatima,” Hajia Zainab replied warmly. “How are you this morning? I hope you’re not missing your husband too much.”
Fatima smiled shyly but said nothing. She felt bad before he left but the moment he left that was all… she was the happiest at the moment
“Oh, you’re already in your school uniform? I thought you wouldn’t be going today.”
“I have to go,” Fatima said. “Our exams are close, and I don’t want to miss anything.”
“Good,” Hajia Zainab nodded. “Go safely and return safely. May Allah protect you.”
“Ameen,” Fatima replied. “ Thank you ma,”
“Why are you thanking me?” Hajiya Zainab asked, smiling. “ As your mother, it is my responsibility to bless you and wish you well,”
Fatimah smiled bashfully. “ How about Abba?” She asked
“He is in his study attending to some issues,” Hajiya Zainab replied. “ You can go there to see him… you don’t have to wait for him here,”
“Okay ma,” Fatimah said and from there, she went to Alhaji Muhammad’s study room. He also welcomed her kindly, prayed for her, and wished her success in her studies.
With that, Fatima stepped out of the house. Outside, Farouk was already waiting, dressed in his school uniform. A driver stood beside one of the cars.
They both greeted the driver and got in, and soon the car drove off toward school.
After they got down at the school gate, Fatima turned to Farouk. “Don’t tell anyone about where we live now,” she said seriously. “You don’t need to tell the whole world. Just focus on your studies and become better than you were before.”
Farouk nodded. “I understand, Adda. I won’t tell anyone. It will remain our secret.”
Fatima gave a small approving nod. “That’s good. The fewer people know, the better for us… we may end up not spending a year with the family”
Farouk only nodded. He had nothing to say to that
Together, they walked into the school compound and after walking a few steps they went their separate ways
Fatima was just about to enter her class when their form master, Mr. Abubakar, called out to her. “Fatima, come here.”
Fatimah stopped and turned to face her teacher. “ Good morning, sir,”
ale of an Orphan Chapter Twelve Silence followed. Deep and heavy silence. Neither of them spoke for a while, as if both were trying to understand everything that she had just said.
