Today's World - Episode 8

 

ADAMAWA, NIGERIA.

''Pay before service Malam'' Hafsah grumbled, pulling the bedsheets beside her up around her body. She turned her face away from the pained look on her husband's face and drew in a shaky breath. Is she really doing the right thing? She thought as her eyes wandered around the well furnished room.

''Do you always have to do this every single time? Can't there be an exception sometimes?'' She could swear his voice is strangled and his breathing came out in laboured breaths.

''We've been going through this over and over again,'' Hafsah said heatedly as she stood up, wrapping the bedsheets tightly around her ''you know what to do if you want me, why do you always make things hard every single time.''

'I'll pay the money tomorrow'' Isma'il pleaded, clutching his stomach so tight ''You know I'll pay you, I'll double the price and give you 100k, please...don't just do this to me.''

'If you can't pay before service, then forget about the servicing'' looking over him one last time, Hafsah hissed and left the room, banging at the door loudly.

Isma'il closed his eyes and kept chanting every single prayer that comes to his mind. What has he ever done to deserve a wife as heartless as his? Why had she suddenly changed when she wasn't this way in  the first place? What had he been doing wrong?

Ever since she started this new behavior of hers, Isma'il had always thought the fault lies within him

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/today-s-world

. Maybe he was doing something wrong, maybe the monthly allowance he gives her isn't enough to suffice her needs, so he doubled it...but things still didn't work out. Why? He couldn't find where the fault lies.

But had she always been this heartless? How was she able to leave him in the situation he is as of then? Just because he couldn't pay at the moment she wanted? Why in the world did she seduce him in the first place?! He thought angrily.

Closing his eyes, he kept praying and at the same time finding a solution for his situation. Maybe he should just marry another wife.

*

Hafsah leaned her head against the door to her bedroom, her heart beating so fast that she thought it will burst out any moment from then. She should've taken some pity on him today, but she need the money she asked for. Hajiya Larai, one of her new wealthy friends is throwing a birthday for her third child in two days. Just yesterday, Hafsah sent her 200k as a gift for the celebrant, and just few hours ago, Hajiya Larai called to tell her that the lace they will be using as dress code for the birthday cost 50k, problem is she has no money left, and she wouldn't afford to miss the event nor appear poor.

'You should've hust asked him for the money, you know he'll give you'

Duh! She thought, why didn't she accept the offer when he said he'll pay her double of the price she asked tomorrow? But, what is he was lying? She was glad she hasn't fallen to his lies.

She knew she had changed, but she loves the idea of being surrounded by rich people as friends. The rich outings, the trips, the weddings, the parties and birthdays here and there are all amazing to her.

What would she have done without Halimah? Halimah made her feel important, introduced her to rich people and made it possible for her to mingle with them. Would she have been in the same level with them if she hadn't listened to Halimah? Never.

Smiling at the thought of the birthday ahead of her, Hafsah went to bed happily, knowing that one way or the other, Isma'il will give in to her demands, and by then; she's going to demand more than what she had demanded today as a form of punishment.

*

IBADAN, NIGERIA.

Hasamahu (Asma'u) kept looking at the man as he drove away. Why in the world will someone this attractive be with her? If only he'll ask her to marry him, then nothing, absolutely nothing will stop her from dumping the so called business and marrying him, even if it means eloping with him.

''Like what you see?'' She heard him ask.

''I...I..uhh..''

''Calm down beautiful, you're stuttering.''

Beautiful! He had just called her 'beautiful'. Was she really beautiful? Or was he just teasing her?

''You think I'm beautiful?'' She heard herself ask.

''Of course!'' The Alaji replied ''why would I have picked you if I thought you weren't beautiful? How much do you charge per night?''

''Seven thousand naira.''

''Isn't that too small for a beautiful lady like you?'' He teased. She's the perfect candidate for tonights job, naive and careless!

''Ohh please! Stop embarrassing me.'' She whispered, closing her face with her palms.

''You look tired, lie back and rest and I'll wake you up when we arrive, my guest house is a little bit far. Here, drink this to calm your nerves'' he passed her a can of coca-cola, which is opened already.

Read " Embedded Roses " by the same author ( Murjanatu Alkali )

. ''I took only a sip from it, hope you wouldn't mind?'' He added, flashing her his signature smile.

''No, not at all'' Hasamahu replied, collecting the can cola with shaky hands. The idea of having this man fall in love with her fill her with so much thrill!

Sipping the drink slowly, Hasamahu continued to admire the man and silently pray that he falls in love with her, and maybe...just maybe, marry her. With so much thoughts filled in her mind, Hasamahu slowly drifted into a deep slumber.

The young Alaji increased the driving speed, looking at his wristwatch, he noticed that he had only thirty minutes left to deliver the goods, or else...he'll face the worst consequences ever. Drifting his gaze off the road to look at Hasamahu, he smiled and was glad he had found the exact type of good he was asked to find. But first, it might be a good idea to have a quickie with her before delivering her.

He was so engrossed in his thoughts and admiring the lady beside him, that he didn't noticed the approaching fast trailer until it was too late!

*

ABUJA, NIGERIA.

Hajiya Nana looked at her husband and daughter and felt hot tears at the brim of her eyes. Fatimah was sprawled on the couch beside her mom, with five male friends all in the living room claiming to have come just to visit her.

She was dressed in a pink bump short and a white sleeveless vest. She didn't bother about how scantly dressed she was, nor the impact of how she dressed, neither did she bother acknowledging the presence of her mum.

''Pass me the bottle niggur'' Fatimah slurred in a drunken voice, I need to get drunk to even consider banging Tosin. The nerve of that guy to even ask me out!''

''You can't deny the fact that he is cute,'' Remi, one of the guys in the living room replied ''How I wish he's Bi, nothing would've stop me from having him.''

Hajiya Nana's heart jerked loudly against her ribcage. What the hell are they talking about? She wondered.

''It's good having gay friends around y'know, won't get worried that y'all will fall for me.'' Fatimah spoke slowly.

''We have a party in an hour, when are we leaving?''

''She won't be going anywhere!'' Hajiya Nana shouted as she stood up, ''now, you all should leave my house before I call the police!''

''Calm down woman, what has this got to do with you? They are my friends, and I'm twenty two years old, which means I can decide for myself what I want to do with my life! Stop trying to control me Mom!''

''Fatimah, are you okay? I gave birth to you. And I won't seat back and watch you destroy your life.''

''How is this destroying my life'' Fatimah shouted as she stood up, Remi had to grab hold of her by her shoulders and steady her ''I'll do whatever the hell I want and you stay out of my freaking business!'' She snapped, looking at her friends who are all standing, Fatimah gestured towards the door and said ''let's get out of here niggurs. That party shouldn't start without us.''

She turned and walked away, without as much as sparing a second gaze to her mom, who had crunched down on the floor, holding onto her chest as tears rolled down her cheeks.
 

An epilogue will land soon In shaa Allah, depending on my level of motivation and inspiration.

Thank you.

With love,
Mjay