Creme DeLa Creme

Creme 7

Creme 7 

CHAPTER SEVEN

The train came to a halt at Rigarsa Train Station, Kaduna. Faisal picked his and Maimuna’s boxes while Maimuna carried her hand bang and Faisal’s laptop bag.

They were in the first class train so everyone got down in style to join the crowd of all classes and tribes. It was already dark as they took the last train down from Abuja to Kaduna.

They got out smoothly and met Shahid, their cousin who had come to pick them up.

Alhaji Usman Dauda, their father was born and brought up in Kaduna and so was his father. Kaduna is their hometown. Though Maimuna being the first born was birthed in Kogi state, her mother’s origin, the rest of her siblings were born in Kaduna with the exception of Aisha who was birthed in Abuja. All the kids claim Kaduna as their state of Origin. Most of their paternal and some of their maternal families live in Kaduna. It was home.

Shahid honked at the gate of the house their father left them in Malali. The security confirmed who were in the car and with great joy he graciously opened the gate.

“Hajiya welcome. It’s been a while. I didn’t know Oga Faisal was coming with you.” The security guard came welcoming Maimuna.

“Baban Hafsat kuna lafiya? (Hope you’ve been fine) It’s been a while really. How are your kids?.”

“They are fine. Alhamdulillah. They are in the BQ.” He replied as he got their luggage from the boot.

Baban Hafsa their security man is an ex military guard who was hired by Maimuna’s father to guard the house. He was given the BQ to live in with his family for free while he guards and get paid monthly.

Their house is a simple double bungalow facing the gate. The bigger one contains four bedrooms each with a bathroom, two sitting rooms, a guest toilet and a kitchen leading to the back door. The smaller house has three bedrooms a single sitting room and dinning area, a guest toilet and a kitchen. The smaller flat belongs to Faisal. His father built it for him so he can use with his family when he gets married and needed to stay in Kaduna or just to visit for holiday. Faisal plans on renovating it when he’s getting married.

Their luggage were taken to the main house. It had been cleaned by their security guard’s wife, Maman Hafsa.

“Hajiya I’m sorry oo. I thought Oga Faisal was coming with Mama so I told them to just partially clean your room and put all their effort in his room and Mama’s room.” Baban Hafsa explained. “They will clean it better tomorrow. “

“Oh. Baban Hafsa don’t bother really. I’m staying just for the weekend and I will be using Mama’s room.” She walked him to the door. “Thank you. Good night.”

Maimuna walked into their room to get her box and push it to her mother’s room. It had been dusted and cleaned. There was an extra mattress on the bed for the third person who’s not sleeping on the bed which was sually her. She smiled at the memory.

They used to visit Kaduna atleast twice a year for holidays when their father was alive. Sometimes every holidays, midterm breaks, Eid festivals , end of the year. Every opportunity he got he always drove them down to Kaduna.

Maimuna loves Kaduna but she hated their house simply because she had to share the same room with her sisters. She throws tantrums every holiday that Faisal should move to the other flat but their father insisted Faisal wasn’t old enough to live outside the main house. Her mother wouldn't allow her to use her room even though she slept in their father’s room because she knew Maimuna would turn it to her room. Just like that their mother’s room was always empty and the three sisters were sardined in a small room.

Now that their father is no more, his room is the store for all essentials including kitchen items when they are in Abuja because sometimes things just ‘magically’ disappear whenever they’re not around. When they come to Kaduna, their mother uses their father’s room. She mostly sleeps alone and occasionally with any of the girls, mostly Aisha. Maimuna uses their mother’s room.  One change; their father left and so much adjustments have been gradually made in their lives.

“Maims. You need help?” Shahid asked as he saw her coming out of the room.

“Not really. This thing has four wheels. It’s easy to push.” She replied.

“Yeah. I will still help you. You might use it against me some day if I don’t. “ They both laughed knowing how true that was.

Shahid is age mates with Maimuna. He’s the last son to her second oldest paternal uncle, Baba Mamuda.

“Tell me Shahid. Am I in trouble?” She asked him when he dropped her suitcase on the well laid bed.

Shahid scratched his neck nervously and shot her a comforting smile. “Honestly Maims I really don’t know. But these old men have been acting weird recently. Just be calm and bow your head when talking to them. You know how they can go all ‘she’s a big business woman now she thinks she can talk to us any how.’ Right?”

Maimuna nodded in understanding as something that felt like hurt pierced through her.

“Yeah right. ‘We are your fathers not business partners.’ That kind of thing you know pisses me off bah? But I will try. I mean what’s the worse that could happen. I know I didn’t do anything. Right? I’m not in trouble bah?” She asked her cousin feeling unsure about herself.

Lord help her she wasn’t as strong as she used to be. She feared she would fumble and something might go wrong and eventually she’ll get in actual trouble.

“I doubt you are. Honestly what’s the worse they could say? ‘Come let’s marry you off to one of our old friends?’ “ He imitated his father’s voice making it a lot funnier. Maimuna couldn’t help but laugh and he joined her too. “Chill. They can’t force you into marriage. Maybe they want to dash you money.” He wiggled his eyebrow at her in an effort to ease her tension.

“Yeah right. “ she rolled her eyes.

“You never know.”

“Just go home.” She sent him away laughing.

“Good night.”

Shahid bid goodnight to Faisal then drove out. Their house was just two blocks away. Funny thing about this family is that all the men live on the same street.

Malam Kamal Dauda is the oldest son of Alhaji Dauda, took different jobs since the tender age of 10, he juggled between school which he hated and labour which earned him the money he loved. In his early 30s during the 1980s Malam Kamal landed a job as a custom officer. Bribery and corruption was the theme for a lot of them and Malam Kamal was one of them. He didn’t see it as a crime though, to him it was a means of survival. He would let people smuggle illegal stuffs into Nigeria in exchange for a percentage of it. He got very rich that way.

His close friends advised him against his actions but he justified himself every time until 15 years later into the core of the job things started going haywire for him at work because of some really tasty blood sucking money devils who tried every witchcraft on him just to make him fall. He gave up and resigned with his remaining dignity.

At the time, he owned massive wealth one of which was a very huge plot of land in the outskirts of their home town. He divided the plot of land equally amongst his five brothers(Mamuda, Usman, Haruna, Abubakar and Muhammad) and took the largest piece because he had the largest family.

They later built it to their tastes. The street is now called Dauda Muhammad street. Though Malam Kamal’s wealth is now below average compared to his extended family members, thanks to the house he built he still lives a comfortable live with the help of his brothers and children.

~

Ibrahim walked out of the hotels’ conference hall with a throbbing head. He’d just sat through three hours of meeting with elder statesmen and retirees. His mother could’ve elaborated more on how boring the meeting was going to be, but Alhamdulillah he came out unscathed. He pulled his sunglasses out from the breast pocket of his blue kaftan and put them on. He looked down at his Cartier wristwatch. He was supposed to be in Kaduna an hour ago, but the meeting had run a little longer than scheduled and he thought it would be rude to leave before it came to an end so he just sat there and listened to all what everyone had to say. His phone had been vibrating in his pocket and he knew it was none other than his Manager from the King motors Kaduna .There had been an issue of some stolen vehicles and some missing cash here and there. So many suspects. The police are trying to narrow it down and investigate properly

Another call came in from Yusuf just as he made his way towards his parked Audi R8.

“Yes" he said as he answered the call at the same time easing himself into the driver’s seat of the car.

“Yallabai sorry to bother you. But the Police are still waiting for you to arrive. Should I tell them to come back another time or...”

“No I’m on my way insha Allah. Something came up and I think now I’ve missed the 2 o’clock train to Kaduna"

Yusuf was trembling on the other side. “Will you be able to make it today?”

Ibrahim smiled as he revved the engine of his car. “Expect me in an hour" and with that he hung up. He quickly dialled his P.A s number.

“Hello Walid. Get the chopper ready. I’ll be at the hanger in 30 minutes max. Just need to pray and pack an overnight bag"

“Okay sir" Walid said from the other side and hung up.

Ibrahim stopped at a nearby Masjid and offered his Dhuhr Salah before he quickly rushed home and packed a few things he’ll be needing for his Kaduna trip. He left some tasks for Moses and drove straight to the hangar.

Captain Joseph received him just as he alighted from his car while Walid collected the keys.

“Where are we headed to in such a rush Oga?” The pilot said as they shook hands.

“Something came up in Kaduna. I need to be there ASAP"

Joseph nodded as they made their way towards the Eurocopter (AS350 Ecureuil) also known as the AStar. It was one of Ibrahim’s most prized possessions and he loved it to bits because of the Turbemeca Ariel 1D1 engine which could get him from point A to B in minimal time with maximum comfort.

After buckling in his seatbelts and putting on his headset which was equipped with a microphone, he sent a quick message to Ruqayya just to let her know he’d be landing at the helipad in her backyard. He didn’t want to surprise her like that.

After Waheeda, Ruqayya is Ibrahim’s second supplier of mouth watering Awara and his bestfriends' widow. And his ‘something complicated’ too. But he didn’t want to think of her in that time frame. He envisioned her as the strongest woman he’s ever come across and the best Tofu maker in the whole of Kaduna state.

A smile tugged at his lips as he read her reply just as the helicopter began to ascend. Apparently it was going to be a great day.

When Captain Joseph set him down some thirty minutes later in the middle of Ruqayya's Malali upstate house, he couldn’t wait for the propellers to come to a halt before he jumped and ducked his way down to the back entrance of the house. Two steps inside and a tiny creature was hugging him by the knees.

“Uncle Daddy!!!" the little girl shrieked in excitement as he bent down and picked her up in his arms. She squealed in joy as he planted a sloppy kiss on her chubby cheeks.

“Hello Qawalli. How are you?” he asked as he strapped her to his waist and made his way into the living room.

“When are you going to fly me in your aeroplane?” she ignored his question as she stared in wonder at the shiny white bird that was now in their backyard.

“Very soon my dear. But when your Amma says its okay"

As if on cue, Ruqayya emerged from the kitchen with a tray laden with goodies and she smiled fondly at the two of them.

“Hanifa, Uncle Daddy just arrived, let him rest a bit before you start bombarding him with questions”

The little girl made a puppy face and buried her face in Ibrahim’s neck. His heart swelled with love for her.

“Sannu da zuwa” Ruqayya said warmly as she dropped the tray on the coffee table which was in the middle of her exquisite living room. Every time he came here, there was always something different in the house. It was like she was redecorating every second of the day. And her OCD contributed immensely. All the time.

“Sannu Amma.” He answered her greeting as he gently dropped Hanifa on the sofa. “I’m sorry I can’t stay to eat but I’ll be back before Maghreb insha Allah. So many things going on at the dealership at the moment.”

She nodded in understanding without saying a word. He paused for a while before continuing.

“Can I borrow your car?”

“Sure" she said and headed back to her room. Few moments later she came back and handed him the key fob of her Volkswagen Arteon.

“Thanks" he said and quickly dashed out before Hanifa will throw a tantrum and attempt to follow him.

€€

Maimuna started her day as early as possible. Not sure when exactly to meet her uncles, she decided to go to their families and greet them together with Faisal.

She didn’t plan on coming to Kaduna any time soon despite Faisal’s nagging for her to come and see how their joint project was going, but on Thursday evening when Baba Mamuda called her and requested her to come over to Kaduna as soon as possible for a sit down meeting with her other paternal uncles, she had no choice but to rush down there as soon as she could.

They started with Uncle Doctor’s house, Haruna Dauda, he’s the youngest of the six brothers and a doctor. He has a wife and five young sons. His house is the newest and most modern looking because he built it last.

They walked past the fifth brother’s house, Uncle Abubakar. He and his family live in Sokoto and only visit Kaduna during holidays.

Their third stop was Baba Muhammadu’s house, Alhaji Usman’s immediate brother. Baba Muhammadu passed away after their father, two years ago but his family consisting of two wives and eight children still lived there. One of Maimuna’s favorite and closest female cousin is his daughter. Right from childhood Maimuna Usman Dauda and Samira Muhammadu Dauda were called One and Two because of their closeness and resemblance. Samira got married early and now lives in Malaysia with her husband and children.

As they entered Baba Mamuda’s house, Mahmoud his grandson ran to hug them. He didn’t necessarily recognize them, he was just a little bundle who loved to hug. They greeted Shahid’s mother then Shahid escorted them to greet his father who was having breakfast.

Baba Mamuda dismissed them after telling Maimuna that they will call her when they are ready.

They spent the longest time in the 2nd oldest uncle’s house before going to Baba Kamal’s house because they had more of their play-mates in the house. They met Baba Kamal sitting on a carpet in his compound. Maimuna, Faisal, Shahid and his brother Kamal jnr aka Amir squatted in respect to greet their oldest Uncle.

He smiled and even made a joke.He had a weird sense of humor Though he is the oldest, Baba Mamuda was more strict and easily flared with anger.

They had breakfast at the last house they visited and Maimuna anxiously waited to be summoned. Luckily Madam Vicky and Rashna kept her busy on the phone with some work. They rescheduled some important appointments she cancelled due to her trip.

Her uncles summoned her around two o’clock noon. She wore her abaya and met them in Baba Kamal’s sitting room. Baba Kamal and Baba Mamuda were sitting on the sofas while Uncle Doctor, Faisal and Sadiq, Baba Kamal’s eldest son were seated on the carpet.

Maimuna meekly sat next to her brother facing the two elders.

They first started with small chit chat, asking about her work and her mother. However Baba Mamuda didn’t waste time as he quickly brought in the topic at hand.

“Maimuna. You know why we called you here right? We want to know what you and Muhammad are up to.” Baba Mamuda began. “It’s been over a year since he came for the introduction. When do you plan on setting a date?”

Maimuna came prepared to dodge every stone or flower thrown her way. She was ready or so she thought. When she canceled her weekend date with Presido to come to Kaduna she asked him what his plan for the year was. He told her a list of things and she wasn’t in his future for the at least ten more months of the year. The year is still fresh and new and in his plans for it there was nothing about him wishing to marry her. It was work, travel, achievements, his children and everything that could increase his wealth and political fame. She wasn’t in his future.

Now that her father’s brothers have put her in the spot she couldn’t move her lips. Is this going to be another failed relationship? How many more does she have to go through to succeed?

Maimuna has always believed in love. She told herself she would keep trying till she finds her match. To her every failed relationship was a new lesson learned. She grew with it. She had dated over and over and over again just to find her Mr Right. A lot of them were Mr Right but just not her Right rather another girl’s.

She’s had secret relationships, she’s had ones that only her immediate family knew of, she’s had been engaged twice, she was almost married once. She had fallen in and out of love for about thirteen years now, she never hesitated to try a new relationship but now she’s officially tired. She didn’t realize that till she sat in front of the elders.

“Baba.” She began. “I’m not going to marry him.” She was looking hard at the carpet. Making sure not to look at them and be intimidated.

“Wha… what?” Baba Mamuda bellowed. “Yaya (elder brother) what’s this girl saying? Did I hear her right?”

“Wait Mamuda let’s listen to her.” Baba Kamal stopped him as he raised his hand.

“Baba....” she raised her head and looked at Baba Kamal for a second then quickly looked down. “Baba I can’t marry him.”

“Why. Why Maimuna. Why?” Baba Mamuda trembled. He was sure his blood pressure was almost shooting the roof. His immediate brother’s daughter might just be the death of him.

“Maimuna. Did something happen?” Uncle Doctor asked.

She shook her head in negative. She was trying hard not to cry.

“Did he say he won’t marry you?” Baba Mamuda tried his utmost best to say it softly but it came out like a threat.

“No. But he didn’t say he would.” She replied.

“I don’t understand.” Uncle Doctor adjusted his sitting position.

Faisal that was sitting beside her put a hand on her leg to pacify her without the elders noticing. However, his eldest cousin did.

“Uncle I don’t think h

Baba Kamal releases a deep sigh. He was wondering if truly she was getting out of their control like his second wife suggested.

“Maimuna, you are not getting any younger. Your younger sister is married. Your younger cousins are getting married soon. Your mates have kids. I get it, you have your business. You’re rich and you can take care of yourself. But imagine having kids to share that money with. If you don’t settle down now, when will you? I know you’re old enough to know right from wrong. We can’t force you into marriage. But we also can’t sit down and just watch you do as you please.”

Maimuna looked at Baba Kamal right into his eyes. Her orbits filled with tears trying hard not to let them fall. She swallowed a huge lump. She had so much to say. So much to express. She wanted to say a lot of things that culture, tradition, religion and home training won’t let her say.

Oh damn being a well behaved respectful young lady.

Her mind was exploding with words she can never attack her uncles with. Cause they have no idea how she feels inside, they will never understand the pain in wanting something so bad but not being able to have it cause it’s beyond you. She decided not to say a single word any more. She knows they mean well but they were also hurting her.

No matter how much Baba Mamuda taunted her with his words, Maimuna just didn’t look up. Faisal nudged her to reply them but she didn’t.

“Maimuna just reply them then you can leave. We’ll cover for you.” Ya Sadiq whispered to her.

Not wanting to be too stubborn, she replied them. “I’m sorry Baba. I didn’t mean for this to happen. Being with him for about two years I’ve also thought we should be married by now. But seems like he’s not ready for that. And I can’t keep being with the person who doesn’t have me in his plans. I’m sorry I failed again.” She intended the last part to be sarcastic but it came out like a cry for help.

“What do you plan to do with your life Maimuna?” Baba Kamal asked leaning forward on his seat.

‘I plan to continue to be awesome. I plan to keep making money and keep being happy. I plan to wait till a man worthy of me comes along and becomes a bonus in my life. Marriage is a blessing, I know. I want to be married. I crave to be married and be with the love of my life but that isn’t happening right now so I will just continue to move forward and be unstoppable.’

But she didn’t say that and she didn’t have a better answer.

“Yaya be patient with her. She must be devastated too. Let her go for now. I will talk to her later.” Uncle Doctor came to her rescue.

The elders reluctantly gave in.

Maimuna quickly left the room, she didn’t stop anywhere till she reached her mother’s room. She dialed her maternal cousin’s number and told her to come over and pick her as soon as possible. She prayed her evening salat while she waiting for her.

If you’re looking for someone who knows Maimuna in and out knows all her said secrets and fears apart from her mother and siblings, it’s cousin Amirah. Amirah moved to Kaduna from Kogi state when she married one of Maimuna’s distant paternal relative five years ago.

Amirah did not waste a minute when Maimuna called her sounding devastated. She arrived in less than fifteen minutes and picked her cousin up.

Maimuna ranted from her house to the park where Amirah found a place and parked her car. She listened attentively to Maimuna and agreed with her on everything. She agreed with her even if she was wrong cause she knew her cousin. When she’s hurt she just needs someone to agree with her but she’s never irrational. The moment she feels better she will confirm where she was wrong and fix it. But for the next plenty minutes everyone is her enemy.

“Amirah I want to get married too, have kids, live a good life. I want to fall irrevocably in love and have no regrets. I love my business I love my money but I honestly want a family of my own too if not who will I spend all my fortune on? They said I’m getting old, do they think I don’t know that? I mean seriously. I’m the one in the most pain here. It’s my heart that keeps breaking its my feelings that keep getting hurt. I’m the one suffering from loneliness. Do they think I don’t feel all that. Just because I run a successful company doesn’t mean I don’t want a man. I need a man.” She sniffed. It’s been an entire hour since Amirah picked her and she was about to finally give in to the water works.

Amirah just couldn’t understand why she was holding it back. Finally a tear escaped, then another one. Amirah hugged her and tapped her back in comfort but Maimuna was determined to stay strong despite the fact that her tears were not obeying her anymore.

“It’s okay”. She said softly as she ran soothing hands on her back.

Maimuna’s phone vibrated continuously in her bag. They detached from the hug and she opened the back zip of her bag to check her phone.

Dragging it out, she saw it was Presido that was calling.

“You should pick that.” Amirah encouraged her then helped her press the answer button.

Maimuna put the phone to her ear. “Hello”

Before they were over with their greetings Amirah stepped out of the car, excusing them.

“Maimuna how are you?” Presido asked sounding depressed.

“Good. Alhamdulillah. I arrived safely by the way thanks for calling.” She didn’t know why she had to be sarcastic and sound annoyed.

Presido wasn’t in the mood for that so he ignored her comment.

“Baba Mamuda called me...” He began and she felt her heart fall to her stomach. That man has done the worse. What was his problem? It hadn’t been three hours since they had the talk and he was already calling him? “He said you said you wouldn’t marry me, that I don’t want to marry you.”

Would her Uncle ever let her take care of her problems herself?. If it was ever going to work with Presido then he just ruined that.

“Do you?” She asked.

“What?”

She moved the phone to her other ear and sat upright.

“Do you want to marry me?”

“What do you take me for Maimuna? Do you think I’m here to play?” He felt insulted.

“Okay. When do you plan on marrying me?”

“We have to plan things like that. When the time is right.”

“When is the time ever right Presido?. When? I don’t think you’re ready. There was a time we were so in love and you know that that has changed. We aren’t like that anymore. We don’t even check up on each other often anymore. That thing we had is fading or has faded.”

“You never expressed that to me. But you went ahead to tell your family I’m irresponsible and incapable of taking care of you. I’m just a player not ready to marry you. Why on earth would you do that. I’ve never been so humiliated my whole life. That wasn’t fair. How do you think I felt when Baba Mamuda just called me to tell me that you told them you wouldn’t marry me. I’m the one who’s been wasting my time. I feel betrayed.”

Maimuna was deeply hurt by his words. He translated Baba Mamuda’s words in the worse way ever. He called her unfaithful and a betrayer. Could the day get any worse?. This is the man she has loved for almost two years. She felt suffocated. Maimuna abruptly opened the door and stepped out of the car.

“You know what? Good. This is for the better. I guess this is how it ends. No point being with someone you don’t trust. Bye. Have a nice life.” She cut the call, grunted and angrily threw her phone on the ground. It made a loud sound she was sure it’s been destroyed.

She felt like screaming angrily so she did just for her to look behind her and see her cousin standing near the booth with a tall man clad in black shirt and black jeans. Black sunglasses framed his masculine face and for a fleeting moment he looked familiar. It was two seconds later that she realised it was none other than Ibrahim Adam.

You’ve got to be kidding.

Why on earth is he here in Kaduna? How? He did not just see her frustrated reaction. Or did he? She groaned and sat back in the car.

And how does Amirah know him?

She was frustrated and embarrassed. She didn’t know what to do. Maybe after a while he will leave, she thought. But when she came out after thirty minutes he was still standing there but this time around alone.

“What are you doing here?” She asked him.

“Waiting for someone to be stable and better.” He replied with a smile.

“Where’s Amirah?”

“She has an emergency. Something about her kid.” He informed her. She nodded. So that means she has to drive herself home. How did she go when her car is here? She wondered.

“Oh and she borrowed my car” Ibrahim explained as he worked towards her. “She asked me to drop you off then return her car and pick mine.”

Maimuna rolled her eyes. Amirah had to make her go through that. She wished it would be a silent ride and Ibrahim mentally prepped himself not to ask her any questions about earlier on. She was looking like a ticking time-bomb waiting to explode. Fiery and beautiful. But he will keep his distance.