Mercy got on her feet, took some steps then turned at her.
“There is a problem.” She said.
Jamil had barely come out the car when the front door of Justin’s mansion opened and Mercy came out. As she stepped out, the sun reflected on her and he saw her complexion clearly. He did not know the exact word to use in describing it but it reminded him of his usual formula for making tea: two full spoons of powdered milk and one spoon of Nescafe: That light brown colour.
Her long gown gave her that majestic royal touch, with calculated even steps, the legs in a definite pattern, each leading the other and he felt like melting before evaporating to solidify right beside her.
As she tried to use her slim beautiful palm to block the sun rays that directly hit her alluring aesthetically pleasing eyes, she caught the picture of a princess searching for one of her subjects and Jamil wanted to be that subject, to have the chance of serving a royalty. Her slim, curvy shape tried to hide but the wind gave it away, blowing and making her veil mold her body. Jamil was surer now that he wanted this girl for himself. It was a feeling that he had never felt. He just hoped she would not tell him that there was someone.
“Assalamu alaikum.” She greeted.
“Ameen wa alaikum salam warahmatullah wabarakatuhu.”
She smiled at his full response. That smile that made his intestines dance shoki.
“I hope you did not find it hard to locate the house?”
“No. I did not use the address you gave me.” He said.
“What did you use then?”
“My heart detect signals from your heart.” He said. “ I used my heart to locate your heart. They have a connection.”
She blushed, still feeling something holding her back. It was just there, telling her it was not going to work.
“And your heart never fails me.” He said looking directly into her eyes, “the network never fails, never out of service, and so accurate. I am stuck to this network, no turning off but flowing on a direct line…..a life line. You are a paragon of unadulterated beauty, damn inequities cause impeccability is divine and your imperfection is negligible. I am sinking, drowning, and I see just one life line, Mercy.
I extend my hand, save a life and drag me out with your love, smile, cause I trust you with my soul.“
Mercy was lost for a few seconds, confused and not knowing how to react. This guy was punishing her, oppressing her resistance power, telling her that he was powerful. His eyes did some of that, the buccaneering radiation, the swaggering beards and low moustache, his brio, his personality. But where was this leading to?
Mercy, do not let yourself get hurt again. He might not mean to hurt you, but the hurt might be there, lurking, waiting and hitting where it hurt. Mercy, not again. Save the broken parts of what is left as a heart.
“Come inside,” was all she could say.
She led him into the palatial living room. Justin was there to welcome him. Jamil extended his hand but Justin declined. There was a second of panic and embarrassment. What was that? Justin frowned.
“Youngman” Justin said, “I am of the older generation and it is unethical for you to come and seek for the hands of my daughter in marriage and offer a handshake first. I did not do that to her father, look at her mother here.” He pointed at Petra.
“Then there was no Izala so I knelt down, ko Mamman Mercy?”
They all laughed and the tension was eased. Justin shook the hand.
“Ya Justin, who said he came to seek for my hands in marriage?” Mercy said.
“I am a guy joh.” He said. “which contract have you guys been signing all these while? You will say there are errors to be corrected, I will say okay. He will say there was a place with no capital letter. Na English class?”
They laughed again but Jamil was feeling slightly shy.
“This is the guy who saved me from the accident scene.”
“You guys are blessed with tangible, substantial excuses. From proposal to hospital. I met the gentleman. That was the day I blessed the union. I left Wasiya (a will) that even if I am no more, the wedding should go on.”
“Ya Justin? Which wedding? Ha’an! “
“I think I have a great father-in-law .” Jamil said. “And a great mother-in-law too.”
Petra posed.
“Thank you my son.” She said.
“Tab! Petra harda ke( including you)?” Mercy said with a pout jokingly. “You know me ai.”
Justin created the air of jokes, fun and freedom. But Jamil was shocked when Mercy said, “Jamil, this is our chairman.”
“You mean Mr Jubril?” He said, guessing he may be two years older than Justin. No. He was six years older but he did not know that. “It is a privilege sir.”
“If you call me sir again, I will return your dowry.”
“I am sorry sir”
“He said it again.”
“I was confused my guy.”
“Better.”
“Which dowry?” Mercy asked.
“Wait, which money did you think we have been using to eat chicken pepper soup and ice-cream these days?” Justin said and they laughed.
Petra liked Jamil and saw that Justin liked him too. They saw that chemistry between them, and somehow, they matched as a couple. They had a lunch, prepared by Mercy and Petra. While they ate, Jamil fell in love with them. He hoped he could get married to Mercy and be with them.
After the meal, they shared some jokes before Justin went upstairs. Petra excused herself and followed. Mercy knew it was a set-up. They were giving them space. Jamil and Mercy were now left alone in the living room, except the house help who was going in and out of the kitchen. She wanted to know if Aunty Mercy was going for a second marriage. She would go in, peek, pick a cup, come out, peek, drop the cup, go back; open the tap…..the life of a gossip was hectic.
“I love this couple and the guy impressed me.” He said. “The chairman?”
“Yes. He also own Naanan.”
“Damn! Masha Allah. He is humble. The love between you and Petra is marvelous.”
“She is more than just a friend.” She said. “More than a sister. No words.”
“I understand. Mercy….”
“Na’am.”
“I think it is high time I told you this…….”
Her phone rang and he was interrupted. She did not recognize the number.
“Hello.” She said.
“Mercy…..I was told you were here. I am outside.”
She heard Sule’s voice for the first time since they divorced.
Outside where?” Mercy asked.
“Jubril's house. I went to your house and was told you were here.” He sounded so cool and apologetic.
Mercy looked at Jamil.
“Excuse me please. I think there is someone here to see me. I will be back soon insha Allah.”
Jamil nodded, wondering who the spoiler was. He was almost there.
“Okay, ma'am.”
“I told you to stop calling me that.”
“I am sorry.” He apologized.
“Better.”
She got on her feet, he gawked at her as she walked out. Oh no! He wanted her. He was going to fight to have her.
*******************************
Sule was dressed in a brown brocade with a very expensive design. He had just seen the barber, and he knew he was looking his best. He sat in his Lexus SUV, listening to John Legend when he saw her come out through the gate.
Kut! Was this the girl he let out of his life? The sweet Mercy, a wife who knew how best to treat him. She never slept from dusk to dawn, or have a cough and swallow a whole bottle of Tutolin with codeine.
This was Mercy, a friend and listener, one who was there to talk to and not one who all matters ended in bed. All those tasty miyan kubewa and tuwo she made, fried rice and porridge, she even dabbled into Igbo soup with leaves, stock fish, crayfish, those pastries at weekends; homemade ice-cream, meat-pie, burgers and sausages. Mercy, never waiting until 8:30 am before she woke up to pray. His sweet Mercy.
She saw him and he studied her face. She looked calm. She came out and walked towards him. He opened the passenger's side door in anticipation but she came to his side instead.
“Assalamu alaikum.” She said and her voice hit him with the strength of a tsunami. He was swept off his feet, as if the force raised him and his car into the air. Okay, he had to confess she looked more beautiful than ever.
“Ameen wa alikum salam.” He replied in a cool voice. “how are you Mercy?”
“Alhamdulillah.” She replied.
He could see that the love was still there. She was not wearing a stern face.
“Please come inside the car.” He said. “It is sunny.”
“Thank you but I am good.” She replied. “How are you?”
“Well, we thank God.”
“How is your wife?” she asked.
He almost said she was sleeping then refrained.
“Alhamdulillah.” He said. He did not want her to talk about that part.
There was a brief silence. ........
— Un nouveau chapitre arrive bientôt — Écrire un avis
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Chapitre 134: Speechless
Mercy found herself getting speechless. She just met him and she was already feeling at ease with him. No, Mercy! A voice said inside her. They are always good from the start. Sule was good too. Do not fall into the hands of a man again. You are just been appreciative and liking his personality.
“Have a nice day.” She said. He smiled, nodded, gave her a look that pierced into her heart before he left. He closed the door gently behind him. She had been eager to leave before he came. Now, she felt too weak.
She did not know why she began to cry.
***************************
Sule sat in his office quietly. He was confused. He was not sure of what he was feeling. He had to admit that he was missing some aspects of Mercy. The other day he had gone home and met Sa'ima sleeping. He left her sleeping, came back to meet her sleeping. From morning till evening. She said she was weak. He got her a job; she said she just got married and may soon get pregnant. So she suggested to be given a monthly allowance instead. She said she wanted to have time to take care of him.
“Are you getting me a job so we can share responsibilities? Like I earn, you earn, we take care of the home together?” She had said.
“No. I just want you to have something doing. You went to school for a reason. You should build yourself.”
“Who said I am not built?” The matter ended on bed.
The other day, he had been telling her about his plights in the office. She did not seem interested. If it was Mercy, she would have listened and showed concern and advised him. He and Mercy used to share, plan and talk about the future. Sa'ima only pulled him to her body after he finished talking and the matter ended in bed.
Another day, he got angry with her. She slept too much. He had no problem with her sleeping but for seven hours, doing nothing? And she would sleep at night, pray only when the sun was out.
“I know you are a ahli sunnah”she told him, “and cooking, and house chores is not our responsibility. You ought to give me cooked food. They said feed her not buy and she cooks. I want us to follow strict Islamic rules. I won’t be cooking for you. But I will give you food…” The matter ended on bed.
He decided to take a decisive action. He returned home with a stern face. He was going to deal with her. He refused to eat what the house help cooked. He did not talk to her.
“I have had enough. If you don’t want to change, then I am going to report you to Mama…..”
She began to tickle him.
“Haba sweety.”
“Do you think I am a fool? Stop it”
Her hands went on his chest and the fingers went on him.
“I said…said…stop it.”
“Honeyyyyy, You know how much I love you. Please smile. If you don’t smile, the world would crash on me.”
“I won’t……..ke…ke…..”
Her hands was going below
“Honey……”
“I said- said-said said….you ,you….”His lips widened and from a big smile he began laughing. The matter ended in bed. Now as he sat in his office, he realized that he was missing Mercy. What got into him? Mercy was still in iddah. All he needed was to take her back. He was going to do that then get Amina another house. Oh Mercy. I love you.
That day he went home to meet her sleeping. Then he saw a bottle of Codeine close to her. What? When she woke up, he confronted her. She said she had a cough. The matter ended in bed.
***********************
Jamil came out of his mini gym, rushed into the bathroom and had a hot shower. He came out, dried his body, used body jelly, hair cream, deodorant and put on blue-white shirt over white slim slacks, put on stockings and wore white sneakers. Picked up his sunshades, wore his wristwatch, spray perfume, put some cash in his pocket, carried his car keys and went out. He locked the door to his room, walked hurriedly past the main building in front of the boys quarters he occupied when he met his mother just by the side door.
“What a world !” His mother exclaimed, looking at his trousers. She was standing with Nafeesa, his younger sister who was married. “Jamilu, how on Earth do you pull off this trouser?”
“Mama, they use nylon.” Nafeesa said at once.
“Nafeesah shut up. We are not age mates.”
“You are not but remember that she is a married woman.” Said his mother.
“Mama, you have started again. I will vex and marry two at once.”
“I dare you.” She said. “The trousers boys were these days! When Fulanis used to wear this, you used to laugh at them.”
“That was before Lil Wayne ‘Wizzified’ it and blessed it for the niggis.” Nafeesa said.
Jamil playfully chased her and she ran behind their mother.
“I saw one boy,” Mama started, “ He wore plenty hair, and his head was big, then wore a very thick jacket, with a big earpiece on the ears, big eye glasses, then trousers was so slim, then wore big boots…kaman cartoon (like cartoon). He was walking like this…”and she began to demonstrate.
Her children began to laugh.
“That is what is trending.” Nafeesa said.
“Toh, my boy is thirty and says he still has time.”
“Mama, I still have two months before I am thirty and guess what?”
“What?”
“I found her.”
“Who got lost?”
“She did not get lost. I just found her. The lady I don’t want to deny you of having as a daughter cum daughter-in-law, and give this lousy sister of mine a sweet sister-in-law.”
“Are you serious?”
“Wallahi.”
Nafeesa was all ears.
“I met her some months back, and we lost contact then fate brought us together.”
“So you have proposed?” Mama asked.
“No. I have not even made my intentions known to her. She only sees me as an acquaintance.”
Mama hissed.
“Sakare ( idiot). You have not made your intentions known and you are telling me that you found her. Do you know if she is betrothed already, or is not interested in you, or do not like your trousers?”
“Tab! She is a babe, and knows what is in vogue.” He said. “I am going out. I believe she was made for me and has been waiting for me all her life.”
“Good luck, Yaya. Tell her you have a sweet sister in case she refuses, she might accept for my sake.” Nafeesa said.
“One of these days, I will come and flog you and your husband in your house.”
“Haba Big Bro. You and I …..”
“And don’t even think I am buying the i-phone I promised you again.” He said as he walked away.
“I am sorry, let me come and help you clean your car.”
He laughed.
He went into his car, and drove out. What his mother said downed on him. He noticed that Mercy had a protean character. One minute, she was happy, another minute friendly and another she was taciturn. He felt there was something that was holding her back. He did a quick flashback of their relationship. After she discovered he was the man who saved her, she became nicer to him and he felt it was just gratitude. But he found himself falling in love with her. They exchanged numbers, and would chat sometimes, though the chats were just normal talks and platonic.
But he loved been with her, talking to her, seeing her. Sometimes, she would not pick his calls or reply to his messages. He had never heard her speak about a boyfriend or receive a call from one. She had given him some subliminal messages of being just friends and he should expect nothing more but he refused to go. He got to the street, checking the house numbers before he found it. He brought the car to a halt, alighted and dialed a number.
“Hello…..I am outside” He said.
“Okay.” Mercy said. “Just drive in. The gate keeper has been told about you.” She said and ended the call.
Petra looked at her.
“Mercy, think over it. This guy is in love with you.”
Mercy heaved a sigh.
“He has not mentioned it and I pretend I don’t see the signs. Petra, it is too early to think of another man. Men are scary. He is nice, or acts nice. Sule was nice too but what happened later?”
“Let me tell you this, Sule was not pretending from the start. He meant it but he was so weak he allowed her come and wreck him. Besides, you can’t use Sule as a standard of judging all men. We are women. There is a word called menopause. You are too young to take a decision of staying away from all men. You have to live on, move on, and I feel this guy is good. Look at the circumstances that led to your meeting. You hit his car, he took you to hospital, left his car there, paid for your treatment, went and picked his car and slept over and left without leaving a contact. That is a rare virtue and you told me he makes you feel great. I think getting married on time again will heal you quicker and forget the past.” Petra said.
“Ya Allah, I never wanted to marry more than one man.” Mercy responded.
“That is your wish. Are wishes horses? What happens to qadr (destiny)? What if a husband dies, or becomes stupid like Sule? When things like this happen, we turn to Allah for guidance. All I am saying is give him a chance. Go and bring him in. He just drove in.”