All the good ones are taken

chapter : 6

Ruma had been a vibrant and spirited child during her nursery and lower primary school years. She possessed a natural beauty and was adored by everyone around her. If you had witnessed her growth, it would be astonishing to see her transform into a solitary adult.

There is a common belief that a child from a broken home tends to become wild, but in reality, the appropriate term is broken because that is precisely how Ruma feels. Not that Ruma's parents are separated, as they are indeed still a couple. At times, she finds herself wishing they were apart, hoping that this would finally make them realize the extent of the damage they have caused to her.She couldn't recall a time when she felt truly free. Slowly but surely, she had become withdrawn, seeking solace within the pages of books where fictional characters conquered their own struggles. In these moments, she yearned to be one of them. Yet, nobody seemed to notice her predicament, neither her family nor her best friend. Everyone simply accused her of being reserved and antisocial, never taking the time to ask why she's bitter or withdrawn. She felt exhausted, hurt, and profoundly misunderstood.

From a young age, Ruma had grown accustomed to the long hours her father dedicated to various businesses. He was consumed by his job, leaving little time for his family, which couse her mother to think he's being unfaithful to her.

Whenever her parents found themselves in the same space, it's inevitable that their interactions would devolve into heated arguments. The recurring theme centered around her mother's persistent accusations of infidelity, triggered by her father's refusal to answer a call or the slightest suspicion of him communicating with another woman.

This toxic dynamic had become distressingly normal for Ruma. Her parents no longer bothered to conceal their conflicts, unaware of the profound impact it had on their young daughter. Hurtful words and accusations filled the air, poisoning the sanctity of their home and further isolating Ruma in her own silence.

But today, she had reached her breaking point. The weight of her turbulent family life threatened to consume her entirely, leaving her yearning for a simple escape. She wished desperately that the day could be erased, like an unbearable dream, or that she had mustered the courage to confront her mother or had gone with Salame instead. In her mind, the unknown seemed preferable to the painful reality she found herself in.

As the tumultuous events of the day replayed in her mind, she struggled not to pass judgment. Yet, it became increasingly difficult to deny the discord within her family. The things she had seen and heard today could not be easily dismissed or forgotten. She couldn't help but long for the solace of siblings, someone to share the heavy burden she carried and offer support in the face of such turmoil.

Summoning her strength, Ruma fought past the heaviness that threatened to crush her. It was nothing short of a miracle that she managed to make it from the car to her room, her spirit battered but unbroken. With a lingering sadness, she sent Salame a message, expressing her deepest apologies for not making it and had sent her credit as a small gesture of remorse.

Now, in the solitude of her room, Ruma's longing for connection intensified. She found herself yearning for Salame to call , hoping against hope that her dear friend would reach out and inquire about her sudden absence. She wished someone would ask if she was alright, if she needed a comforting voice to alleviate the pain that simmered within her.

Yet, as the minutes ticked by, the silence remained unbroken. No caring call or concerned message interrupted Ruma's solitude. It seemed that nobody ever cared enough to extend such acts of kindness towards her. It was in moments like these that even diving into the pages of her favorite book felt futile.

Feeling the weight of her anguish, Ruma sought solace in the one place she knew could truly understand the depths of her pain and offer healing for her wounded heart: Allah. With tear-filled eyes, she turned to Him, knowing that only He could comprehend the turmoil she carried within her.

In the quiet of her room, Ruma whispered prayers for respite, for guidance, and for the strength to endure the trials that plagued her family. She poured out her heart, seeking comfort and reassurance in her faith. It was in this intimate connection with Allah that she found a glimmer of hope, a source of solace amidst the chaos.

Through her tears, Ruma entrusted her pain to Allah, knowing that, in His infinite wisdom and mercy, He would provide the healing she so desperately needed. She held onto the belief that, one day, her bleeding heart would find tranquility and her family would embrace reconciliation.

~*~

???

The lingering question kept me up 2 AM, who do you love? I wonder 'til I'm wide awake And now I'm pacing back and forth Wishing you were at my door I'd open up and you would say, "Hey"

It was enchanting to meet you All I know is, I was enchanted to meet you

This night is sparkling, don't you let it go I'm wonderstruck, blushing all the way home I'll spend forever wondering if you knew That this night is flawless, don't you let it go I'm wonderstruck, dancing around all alone I'll spend forever wondering if you knew I was enchanted to meet you

Please don't be in love with someone else Please don't have somebody waiting on you Please don't be in love with someone else Please don't have somebody waiting on you

Enchanted by Taylor swift

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Salame awoke from a restful slumber, feeling a surge of determination. She performed her Subhi prayers, without her mother's reminder.she decided to stay up and prepare breakfast. She was in a good mood today , if someone would call her salame a thousand times she won't mind.

Humming a tune, Salame skillfully prepared a warm pot of kunu, a traditional Nigerian beverage made from millet and spices. The aroma filled the air, bringing a sense of comfort and familiarity to her heart. Alongside the kunu, she skillfully fried sweet potatoes to perfection, their crispy exterior enticing her appetite.

As she cooked, Salame reflected on her previous day's conversation with Nabeel, she couldn't help but feel her cheeks flush. The memories flooded her mind, replaying each detail of the day with remarkable clarity. She vividly recalled every word that had been exchanged, painting a picture of the shared moments in her thoughts.

Amidst the fond recollections, there were moments that made her roll her eyes at herself. She couldn't help but cringe at some of the things she had said during the conversation. Perhaps it was an offhand comment or a clumsy attempt at humor that now appeared less amusing in hindsight. It was as if she had momentarily lost control of her filter if she had any at all.

She was still entranced by his infectious smile. "Seriously, you look terrible when you smile. Just go back to being grumpy," her younger brother bello, who had been observing her smiling and whispering to herself for some time now,playfully taunted, startling her.

"That remark just earned you an extra amount of spit on your breakfast!" she retaliated Playfully.

"Who told you zanci k'wab'enki?" He jokingly asked, placing his hands on his chest and widening his eyes in fake surprise. "Tab cholera outbreak kenan!" he added, earning himself a playful hit on the head.

"Seriously, no breakfast for you," she pouted, focusing on her work.

"So, who is this unlucky guy?" Bello whispered, continuing to tease her.

"Huh?" She replied, raising her eyebrow "Am not sure what you're talking about. I'm not smiling and talking to myself"she defended

"Come on, spill the beans. Who is he?"

"Bello," she called out, frustrated

"Na'am"

"Please, just go."She gestured towards the door.

Ignoring her command, he shrugged picking at the fried potatoes. " hmm, idan tayi tsami maji"he mumbled under his breath.She knew he was just fishing for a reaction.so she decided to ignore

"Only in this house people drink kunu with sweet potatoes," he commented, trying to provoke her.

Growing more annoyed, she retorted, "Nobody is forcing you to eat "

" Ko iya suyyan ma bakiyi ba"He teased further, scrunching his face.

Fed up, she shouted, "Okay, that's it! Get out!" In her frustration, she swung the spatula in her hand, hitting him as he ran out laughing.

She finished preparing the breakfast, setting everything on the table just as they usually did. With a determined mindset, she headed back into her room to take a quick shower. She knew she had to get to the store early to show Mr. Kunle that she was serious about wanting her work back.