Two shades of affection

They say that time changes everyone and so does experience. Life teaches you a lot in a short time that you won't learn in several years. Five years was all it took to further ruin my life. Sometimes I wonder if it was my fate to go through all that happened, my fault or my family's fault. Time heals all wounds, right? But even after a year of turning a new leaf, my past still hunts me and I don't know how and when I will heal. My past and the rollercoaster of events is a story for another day. Let me introduce myself properly. My name is Mustapha Aliyu Gulani. I am from Yone State and am 24 years old this year. My father was a senator in Yobe State before but now we are living in Bauchi State. I am a young man with two college experience. Now that is common but mine was spent in Nigeria and the other abroad. How it happens will be another story. It's been a week since I came back home to find my family residing in Azare. Today Abba, the head of the house was craving dan waake but there weren't cucumbers in the house and my brother was still at school. Being the only boy available, Umma used that opportunity to make me leave the house which I hadn't done for the past week. So here I was, sitting in Abba's Mercedes. I stopped on a road beside the local shops' Umma directed to me. I gazed through the front mirror at my reflection. I had dark skin which I inherited from my late mother who is a babur. Soft black beards covered my chiseled jaws but were more prominent on my chin. My eyes were round, with a slightly long nose and dark pink lips. Everyone said I took over my beautiful mother and I was glad that I was reliving her memories. As per Umma's advice, I was wearing an ash-colored kaftan and a well-designed ash and black native cap which brought out my handsomeness. Again, Umma's words. Back to business. I turned to check the vegetable store and smiled when I saw it. Different fresh vegetables ranging from tomatoes, peppers, cabbages, cucumbers, and others were arranged there but something caught my attention or rather someone. It was a lady of medium height in a purple hijab and niqab. She was holding a young girl of about five years old and their fair hands were interested. The girl was wearing a small hijab over her gown and from the side view, I could see her fair beautiful face. Their complexion reminded me of those fair shuwa arabs from Maiduguri. Coincidentally, they were standing where I was going. The lady was pointing at the vegetables while the shop owner brought them out for her. He arranged everything in a bag and handed it to her and she paid him in the new naira notes. Something that amazed me amongst all that happened in Nigeria when I was gone. The lady gently tugged her sister and I got a full view of the girl. She was beautiful. I wonder if the elder sister was like that. Oh s**t. I forgot that I had to buy cucumber in the same shop and if I hadn't sat here scrutinizing the lady dumbly, I would have gotten the chance to meet her. Which reminds me to seek Allah's protection from Allah against Shaytan. I shouldn't be gazing at a woman that much. I should lower my gaze as that was best for me and a respect to the woman. I quickly alighted from the car and rushed to the shop. The lady and her sister were leaving already, so I quickly gave the man my order. "Speak in the language I can understand dan saurayi( young man)," I heard him say in Hausa. I quickly apologized and changed my language. I was in a haste that I forgot where I was and used English. The man gave me the cucumbers and started tracing the lady's steps. They were now standing by the road waiting for a ride which gave me an opportunity. Who knew Umma's words would come true today? After setting my life on track, what I wished for was to have a woman that I could accompany in this world and the hereafter and a companion that could help strengthen my deen. Alhamdulillah, today seems like my lucky day. I was getting close when a man walked up to her. He was burly in a red and black lined shirt and dirty jeans that was below his a*s. From the way he was staggering, I frowned because he looked drunk. So people had no shame in the north to move around while being drunk. Arewa was becoming more different. I didn't know what that i***t was telling my hijab angel, I'm calling her that now, but the way she was pulling her sister closer and ignoring him showed that it was disrespectful. I quicken my pace feeling blood rush to my head. It was hard for me to get angry but when I do, even I don't like it. My gaze hardened when he suddenly reached for her niqab and pulled it off. She gasped in fright and covered her face. What came next if not my fist welcoming the brute's face? I grabbed his collar and glared daggers at him. "How dare you?!' came my hoarse angry voice. The man smirked which just increased my anger. "Who are you to interfere? Don't protect women like her, hiding behind the veil when they are just loose women," Okay that's it. I added another punch to his nose and would have continued if not for the angelic voice that came from behind me. "Let him go," she said and I felt my anger wash over. I pushed the brute back and he scrambled away. Turning around nervously, I saw that she had tied the niqab again and her sister was hugging her legs staring at me with curious eyes. "Thank you," the lady said and I dumbly nodded. She didn't wait anymore and pulled her sister with her. Idiot go after her! My rational mind shouted. "Miss wait!" I called out and took hurried steps to her, making sure to keep a distance. "What do you want from Yayata?" it was the little girl who asked me with a twisted cute face. This made me feel awkward. What do I want? "Uhmm…I am Mustafa. What's your name? Can I get your number?" I blurted out and wanted nothing more than to slap myself hard. Stupid. The irritated look she gave me made me regret this mistake. "I am sorry sir but the fact that you helped me doesn't mean that I know you. Don't just stop a woman on the road. It's not appropriate, " she said and I stood there dumbly until she stopped a rickshaw and entered with her sister. Shit. I covered my face and bit my lower lips. There goes your chance Mustapha. Stupidity made you lose an angel. I sighed and walked back to my car before driving home. The gate was opened by Baba Bayero and I drove in and parked the car under the shade. The house was a flat with three sections; one which was Abba's, the center for Umma and the kids and the boy squatters where I was staying now. I headed for the kitchen and bumped into Umma. "I thought you wouldn't return," she scolded holding her waste. Umma is almost 40 but still looks young and beautiful with her chocolate brown skin and black hair that lay on her neck. She was wearing a lemon green buba and a head tie in kallabi style. I grinned and raised the cucumbers in my hand. "Your sweet cucumbers are here. Now can we eat our dan wake in peace?" I inquired and she hummed taking it from me. "Why did you take so long?" she asked walking back into the big kitchen. I went after her and watched as she started cutting the cucumbers after washing them. "Mustapha?" she glanced at me when I didn't give her an answer. Now someone will say she was treating me like a child but knowing Umma, she must have sensed my foul mood. I held one of the counters and exhaled. "I saw a woman today in the market but then I did something stupid and I am sure that I left a bad impression," "You did what?" she gasped turning to me again. "It was a mistake," I quickly raised my hands in surrender. "I know I know," she rolled her eyes and kept working. "But come on Mustapha. I was hoping for good news today and you did what again? Elaborate more." I cleared my throat and told her what happened. Umma started laughing making my face heat up. "Don't worry too much ibn Ali. I am sure she is grateful for your help and you were surprised to act calmly. Guys usually act that way when they meet a soul mate," "A soul mate? Really Umma?" I asked unbelievably. I just told her about a woman and she had labeled her my soul mate. Umma shrugged and said, "You never know. Just pray to Allah and he will make everything easy and I will pray for you too. This is the first time that you are telling me about a girl and I am happy. Also, if you were destined to meet again, you will surely do," "Thanks, Umma," I smiled at her and she smiled back. "I will go and check on Ummiterh," I said and rushed out. "No one wants to help me!" Umma shouted behind me and she chuckled. I arrived at the master sitting room where my little sister Ummiterh was sitting on the couch watching cartoons. Come to think of it, that lady's sister was the same age as mine. Hehe, something in common. I softly went begin her and raised her two plaited pigtails. "Hey auta," "Leave my hair, Yaya Mustafa. Jealous man" She slapped my hands and turned to glare at me with a pout. I laughed and circled the sofa to sit beside her. "My only sister is always feisty huh?" I smirked at her. She squinted her eyes and teased back. "Keep this up Yaya and I will tell Umma not to give you shade of the danwake." "And why would she listen to you?" I scoffed and she held her hips. "Because I am her auta and she loves me the most," "That's where you are wrong dear auta. Umma loves me more," I said confidently. "No you are wrong," she pouted and whined, "Umma!!!" I laughed and left my sister alone as the memory of the lady's face resurfaced in my mind. It was for a brief moment but I lost my calm. She was…beautiful. My hijab angel.