Vengeance-(Episode 8)

The vibration of my phone woke me up, it was 4:00am in the morning Asad was still sleeping, he looked so innocent and I thought if I stabbed him now, it would be an easy escape for him and I would end up in jail for murder, but it has to be precise, he has to feel every pain I felt both physical and emotional. I checked my phone and saw 18 missed calls, 12 from Sara and 6 from Mama. I quickly called Sara back.

‘Is Najma with you?’ She asked immediately I picked.

‘Yes.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Let me check her room?’ I cut the call and dashed to guestroom where she was sleeping and she was gone.

My phone was ringing again.

‘Sara she’s not here.’

‘My God.’

‘What happened?’

‘She ran away.’

I ran to my room and shook Asad, he looked at me with sleepy eyes.

‘What is the time?’ He asked.

‘Najma has run away.’ I yelled.

‘What!!.’ He said and sat up, sleep leaving him.

‘I have to go home right now, Mama called me.’ I said frantically.

‘Calm down its too early, I’ll take you in the morning Brunkus can take the kids to school.’

We watched as Baba paced up and down and rained abuses on Mama, who in turn was mute like he was a mad man raving all by himself.

‘I give you everything, yet you can’t take of my children, just tell your daughter that she is dead to me.’ He said finally and stormed out.

Sara told us all that led Najma to take that drastic step.

Najma had just graduated and wanted to pursue her career by working but Baba would not hear of it, instead he planned her marriage to man a called Sultan.

‘Sultan is old.’ Noora had shrieked when she heard.’

‘Its the first son from his youngest wife Bibi, Sara said.

Najma would not hear of it, and she packed as much cash and jewelry as she could and left the country, Baba had received a call from someone that one of his daughters boarded a plane to Dubai, he contacted his contacts in Dubai and he was later told that she left for Abu Dhabi immediately, from there her trail was lost. Najma had disobeyed and embarrassed Baba and defamed our family and I wondered why she refused to marry Sultan who was a very handsome, intelligent young man from a wealthy home.

I was sad, so were my sisters and brothers, Abhas came and consoled Nafisa and surprisingly Asad came to me too, those moments marked the begining of our bonding moments. He almost became the Asad I had once fallen in love with.

though I acted as a changed person and Asad was slowly changing I still nurtured my schemes of vengeance and Lami was still on my mind for what she did. I was planning a surprise for Asad on our anniversary, but he beat me to it by gifting me my dream car, a red Ferrari F12 berlinetta the latest in the Ferrari series 2013 model, with engine of 740 hp, 6.3 ltr, v-12. I was wild with happiness and almost forgot about my hidden hatred towards him, we relived our first Ferrari drive 10 years ago, with me telling him all about the car, it seemed as if the old Asad was back.

I decorated our living room to a romantic setting and had Mr Kweke assist me in making dinner. A table for two, continental dishes, expensive champagne, candle lights. Everything was set with a sexy wife dressed in a red Armani tube dress, my hair flying and Cartier shimmering on my neck, ears and wrist.This is the very first time I have tried to please and seduce Asad throughout our marriage.

‘Surprise.’ I said basking in the glory of my red dress and diamonds as Asad entered our living room, the expression on his face told me he was pleasantly surprised.

‘This is the best anniversary ever.’ He said as he drew me into his arms, I could see love and desire in his eyes as we danced to Lionel Richie and Diana Ross’s endless love classic, The things I felt as we were together made me wish we had no differences between us and at that slight moment I wanted to forget my plight the beatings and abuses I’ve received and endured.

‘Did you ever love anybody before me?’ Asad asked me, his breadth was hot on my face

‘No.’ I whispered to his ears even though there was no space between us and he could have heard.

‘What of you, do you love another apart from me?’ I dared to ask.

He was silent for a while, then he said.

‘I love you so much, as no man has ever loved any woman on earth.’ His reply was heart wrenching, though he did not agree he loved only me he made feel special, that night I put all my plans on hold.

I was actually considering becoming a good person but I was still going to seek revenge on Lami for humiliating me and I was going to let her do it herself I would just create the circumstances. I took out my diamond Ruby encrusted bangle, to gain I had to loose and I headed to visit Tanveer.

I was sure to check everything I was wearing from my designer head scarf, to my channel clutch and Prada stilettos before going, Tanveer welcomed me and we sat at her grand pavilion, she critically examined everything I wore at glance.

‘Tanveer this place is amazing, its so beautiful.’ I said as we relaxed in her beautiful pavilion.

‘My architecture from Korea erected it for me.’ She said proudly.

‘I rained more praises on the pavilion and asked if I could use it to throw Sara a surprise birthday party, and she agreed.

As she saw me off to my car, Asad’s “Bentley muslanne”I told her that she would be the host and invite people so Sara doesn’t get a whiff of the surprise and she agreed.

I also persuaded her to accept the bangle as a token of our friendship and to promise to wear it for the party.

I mailed her the guest list and Lami was on it, she would be my last conquest, I had decided to forget about Asad and his mistress whose identity I still didn’t know despite my thorough investigation.

Episode 9 drops tomorrow

Vengeance-(Episode 7)

I woke early the following day, Asad was already up praying, he’d stop waking me a long time due to my unyielding habit, I made my way to the toilet, I knew he would be thinking whatever this girl is up to, but my love you must fall this time, so I can crush you I thought. I prayed and went to check on the kids, Asad jnr was already on the dinning table having breakfast, he was surprised to see me.

‘Ammi are you alright.’ He said with a bewildered expression.

‘Yes of course, I just want to see you.’ I said.

Just then, shazia and Nazia came in, they looked so much like me.

‘Ammi.’ They said and stopped on their tracks, Sakki came along too holding Amir, I scooped him up and kissed him, he too was shocked but then he held my neck with his tiny hands. We had a good time, they told me that daddy will be coming for their PTA meeting today, honestly I forgot about all those things when I left school. Amir said he got a new friend in school and Shazia said she was the prettiest girl in school. Sakki was the lady that looked after my kids from childhood, just as Bakshi had raised us all, Baba’s PA attended all our school functions, so I thought that Asad’s PA would be attending all my kid’s functions too, He too came in and asked if they were ready.

‘Won’t you have breakfast?’ I asked, He gave me strange look.

‘No.’ He said coldly, but I was not going to give up after one try. When he left Sakki told me he doesn’t take breakfast.

So Asad takes them to school, I didn’t know about that. They left and I watched them from the veranda as they got into Asad’s jeep and zoomed off, Ladi was cleaning the parlor, I saw maids sweeping and packing leaves downstairs, I visited the kitchen, they were so busy they didn’t notice my presence, my cook was flirting with one of the maids, so much happens before I wake up I thought. I needed to take a break from diamond necklaces world and check the real world.

I googled how to cook and recipes in my ipad, finally I settled for rice and stew it seemed the easiest, the problem was that I have never cooked before.

I went to kitchen gripping my ipad as if the video would suddenly disappear from You Tube. Mr kweke the head cook saw me and hurried towards me, his fat body moving like Barney’s.

‘Hajiya.’ He said breathlessly, he had just moved a short distance.

‘Mr kweke I will be cooking today, so you may all vacate the kitchen for the time being.’ His small eyes widened, I had the urge to say something nasty to him but Nafisa’s advice was fresh on my mind.

‘It’s alright, Mr kweke, I just feel like cooking today, you may bring the utensils out for me.’ I read the ingredients from the ipad, he complied and arranged everything for me.

Now with no one but me in the kitchen the size intimidated me. I played the video and tried following the steps but many things went wrong. For one I couldn’t pour oil from its container and ended up with most of it on the floor and lots on the burner, the stew tasted bitter so I added sugar, I burnt my hand while taking the lid off the pot, I forgot to use a rag, the stew burnt and I was thrown into a coughing spree. When I looked up smoke filled everywhere the burner was on fire, the flames glaring at me looked like an inferno and the last thing I remembered was falling into Asad’s arms.

When I woke up, Asad’s eyes were looking directly into mine, I coughed and he handed me a glass of water. I hurriedly gulped it down and gave him the glass back.

‘What is going on in your head?’ He asked. I didn’t answer.

‘Are you okay, or are you going mad?’ He asked again, I still didn’t answer.

‘Tell me so that I’ll know whether or not to send you a mental asylum?’ Asad must be sick I thought.

‘No am not mad.’ I replied.

‘Then what is this?’ He said showing me his clothes which were completely ruined by my attempt to wash them with the washing machine earlier.

‘I was trying to wash your clothes’ I said.

‘Why? and why were you trying to burn down the house?’ He asked suppressing his anger.

‘Am very sorry I ruined your clothes and almost burnt down the house.’ I said.

Asad’s pupil dilated, I have never used the word sorry before.

‘What the hell is wrong with you, did you hit your head?’

‘No.’

‘Then why have you been acting strange lately, Look what ever you’re up to you better stop before you either burn the house or kill yourself.’ He said and left. I smiled, no slap, no beating that means am getting somewhere.

I have been seeing our kids everyday now, and taking cooking lessons from Mr kweke, also I try by all means to keep our room tidy, and I now use the words “thank you, please and sorry” now even to the servants, I had check the dictionary for the meaning of empathy, sympathy and compassion before I could fully comprehend it.

Asad has been noticing the changes, but he’s been ignoring it,sooner or later he will bend. My next move must surely bring results. I was sure as I drove into Nia.I felt strange and when someone looked at me I’d think that they were thinking that this is the lady that is always brought here unconscious with blood stains from battering. I cautiously walked to the reception and fixed an appointment with Dr Sanam Raza Muktar, Asad’s sister.

Sanam’s gaze was deadly as she sat across me clad in her doctor’s white, I could trace out bits of Asad from her, had Asad been a woman he would have surpassed me in beauty, all Sanam had was bits of him. she was indeed a beautiful woman who chose to use her brain except in certain cases, she was one who didn’t learn her lesson on time, she had tried to get into my favor my taking over my case once when I was in Nia, but I reacted badly. I had woken up filled with bitterness and Sanam the culprit’s sister was treating me and I was like what the hell. ‘ ‘where is Dr zaks.’ I had screamed, soon Dr Zaks appeared and told me Sanam was handling my case.

‘Why?’

‘Dr Raza is very competent in her field.’ He said reassuringly.

‘I don’t care and I don’t want any mediocre doctor treating me.’ I said with other doctors and nurses present, Sanam walked out and since then kept her distance from me which was what I wanted.

Now her gaze was like a volcano waiting to erupt, ‘How may I help you?’ She asked her tone very professional. I greeted her but she did not answer, instead she took her intercom and queried if Dr Zaks was on leave as one of his patients was with her.

‘Sanam it’s you I came to see.’ I said, her silence was irritating, so I continued. ‘Please am sorry for what happened years ago.’ There was a shock expression on her face but she said nothing. ‘I know I was very wrong and I want to apologize and I hope you forgive me.’ I didn’t know if Sanam would forgive me or not and I cared less but she was sure to call Asad and that was my mission.

********

I was welcomed home by the sound of Najma’s startling laughter, she was playing with the twins, I paused and stared for a while, Najma did not inherit Mama’s beauty but if anybody asked me to describe Najma I would just sing Bruno Mars’s just the way you are.

Her eyes makes the stars look like they’re not shinning.

Her hair falls perfectly without her trying.

She’s so beautiful and I tell her everyday.

When I complement her she wont believe me.

It’s so sad to see that she don’t see what I see,

But every time she ask me do I look okay?

I say, When I see your face, there is not a thing that I will change,

Cus you are amazing just the way you are and when you smile the whole world stops and stares for a while.

She saw me and we greeted, I noticed a luggage by the side of the seat.

‘I take it you’re spending the night.’ I said. She nodded a yes all the while clutching to a bag tightly, I called Ladi to take her things to the guest room, when Ladi made for the bag she declined.

I was waiting patiently for Asad to return, Najma retired Early.

Soon I heard the sound of his Porsche Cayenne, I made sure the room was in perfect shape and entered the toilet. I came out after I heard the door opening and closing and Asad was gazing at himself in the mirror.

‘Welcome, how was your day?’ I asked.

‘Fine.’ He answered flatly, slowly he was pulling his clothes off and arranging them on a hanger, ” dirty clothes oh.”

‘Najma is sleeping here.’ I said trying to initiate a conversation. Remembering Nafisa’s talk to him advice.

‘Ok, how is she.’ He answered still looking at himself in the mirror.

‘Let me hang it .’ I said trying to take the hanger from him.

‘Let it be.’ He said and hung it himself.

‘Shahnaz’ he called, now that was trouble, whenever he called me Shahnaz I knew I was in trouble and I was wishing I let everything be.

‘What are you up to?’ Why did you go to Sanam.’

‘To apologize.’ Relieved that my plan has worked finally.

‘Look here you can do your silly little things at home but don’t try to hurt Sanam.’ His eyes were glaring hot fire.

‘I wasn’t trying to hurt her, I was only trying to rectify my mistake’. Asad backed me against the wall before the sentence ended.

‘Who put you up to this?’

‘No one.’ I muffled out, he had pinned my hands and tightened it as he asked further.

‘Who put you up to this?’

‘Nafisa.’ I shrieked and he released me immediately.

‘What?’ He asked disbelievingly.

‘I asked her to tell me the secret of a happy marriage, because am tired of fighting all the time.’ I said.

‘What did she tell you?’

‘To love you so much, so much you have no choice but to love me back,but I don’t think I can ever win your love I said and burst into tears, Asad was silent for a while then he got up and left then he returned with tissue, he helped me up.

episode 8 drops tomorro
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Vengeance-(Episode 6)

Its been 3 weeks since I was discharged from the hospital and everything is very much the same, Asad going about his business like I didn’t exist.

Later that day Ladi was oiling my hair, when we heard a ruckus being created downstairs, I asked Ladi to check, I waited when she didn’t return I went to see for my self.

There were two men in white robes and and red ribbons around their waist, with white flabby caps they were running around sprinkling water and ringing bells in my compound. They had 2 policemen with them, the gate men and the workers were trying to stop them but they were intimidated by the men in police uniforms.

‘What is going on?’ I asked the policemen.

‘We were called.’

‘By whom?’

‘Ma’am we understand you are a victim of domestic abuse.’ They said without bothering to answer my question.

‘What, who authorized you to come and say this rubbish here?’ if you dont leave my premises I’ll make sure you don’t wear that uniform again.’ I said.

‘Ma’am we understand you’re afraid.’

I was puzzled, what the hell was going on, who gave these filthy men the gods to come to my house.

Just then the men wringing the hand bells and running in circles came and circled me, they chanted, while moving round, and sprayed water on me

‘You shall be delivered in God’s name, the devil shall fail.’ They said.

I felt I was being assaulted, I covered my ears with hand shut my eyes, stop I screamed.

The police men watched amused, I saw when I opened my eyes, they were enjoying the show.

Just then Lami walked in, Lami happened to be my “frenemy”, we’ve had tiffs but I couldn’t remember the last time I saw her.

‘Ladidi, I asked them to come pray for you.’ She said an evil smile playing on her lips.

‘Why?’

‘Because you need prayers.’

‘Ask them to stop.’I screamed.

‘Ok,’ she said cooly, she lifted her hand gave a wave and they were gone.

‘Why did you do that?’ I questioned panting my hands on my chest.

‘To help you.’ She was glowing from the pleasure she derived from my humiliation.

‘What for?’

‘We all know why you visit Nia once in a while.’

‘Lami.’

‘Remember what happened at the Safina’s launching, consider this a payback.’ I couldn’t remember what happened.

She smiled and walked out, I had the urge to tell her to watch her back, as I was going to deal with her but I refrained. Something will surely hit Lami, but it will be what and when she least expected.

I laughed, as I mentally checked the list of people on my strike back list. Hmmm lami became no 3 cos 1&2 is still Asad and his mistress whose identity is still unknown.

I went back, ignoring the stares of my servants, they had just witnessed my humiliation, well they just have to witness lami’s own too. I had an an appointment by noon. I was going to see Nafisa. She happens to be a crucial part of my vengeance plan.

I set out, appreciating glances of admiration from onlookers as I cruised in Asad’s Bentley muslanne.

I wandered why Abhas and Nafisa chosen to stay in Gwarinpa when they could afford a house any where, my major problem with the area is keke napep, they crowded the road and you get the feeling of driving through a rural area.

I saw Nafisa outside watering her beautiful garden. She dropped the hose or whatever she was holding, removed her gloves and wiped her hands on her apron.

‘Ladidi.’ She exclaimed like she hadn’t seen me for years.

I answered back in sarcasm and called her name in high pitch too.

‘Nafisa,’she rushed over to hug me, she stopped abruptly, like she saw something scary.

We went inside, she served me drinks, and sat opposite me like she didn’t want her body to have any contact whatsoever with me.

‘How is Asad and the kids?’

‘They are fine I suppose.’

‘You suppose.’

‘Yes, I haven’t seen them today.’

‘Ok.’

I asked after my brother and the kids. She told me they were in school. Her Tv set was tunned to Zee tv. We talked about the serials we watched.

I noticed the family pictures, they were all smiling unlike us who had serious expression, ‘how come Abhas is different from us?’ I asked.

‘I don’t know.’ She answered.

‘Maybe because he met you.’ I said and Nafisa blushed, seriously she was blushing because I mentioned Abhas.

After beating around the bush I came to the point.

‘Nafisa,’ I began not sure if I should continue and just pretend I actually came to see her.

‘Hmmm.’ She prompted.

‘You see, I want Asad to love me the way Abhas loves you, so if you can tell me the secret.’

‘Ladidi why did you think there’s a secret?’

‘What else could it be?’, I asked.

‘Can’t he just love me?’

I gave her strange look, ‘Nafisa with that protruding teeth and large feet that seem to be bigger than Adnan’s.’ Adnan has the biggest feet ever.

She shifted uncomfortably and looked away, maybe I saw a glint of tears in her eyes and somehow I felt bad, though am not used to apologizing I wanted to badly.

She smiled, I felt relieved I didn’t know what I would do if she started crying though it was unlikely that Nafisa would cry.

‘So you’re asking for my help Ladidi.’ She put so much emphasis on the “DI”.

‘Yes.’ I said shifting uncomfortably.

Just then her kids burst into the house like detonated bomb, they gave me a chorused greeting.

They jumped on Nafisa, she hugged and she pecked them on the cheeks, they bombarded her with tales,

‘Shamsiya where is your socks?’ Nafisa asked scrutinising the girl with her eyes.

The girl opened her mouth and covered it her hand. ‘I removed it after sport and forgot it on the sport field.’ Nafisa scolded her and told her to return it tomorrow.

And I was thinking, it must be designer socks.

The noise was starting to irritate me so I bid adieu to Nafisa, she promised to come the following day.

As promised Nafisa came clad in cheap outfit, the smell of cheap perfume followed her. But I was overwhelmed by her coming I didn’t comment.

After exchanging pleasantries I looked at her, Nafisa seemed to be carried away as she looked at any and everything that her eyes saw in my living room.

‘Nafisa.’ I called her attention, She looked at me, ‘I got carried away, every time I come here its seems like I have’nt been here before, its so beautiful.’ She said.

I smiled, ‘I do get a lot.’ I said.

‘Our discussion,’ I began, to tell me the secret.

She smiled, shifted and relaxed like she’d won an argument.

‘Like I said before no secret,’she paused, her expression turned very serious she opened her mouth to talk then stopped again, my patience was running out like air from a punctured balloon.

‘Nafisa talk if you’re actually going to say something.’ I said with my voice laced with small anger.

‘Hmmmmm’, she began, I love your brother and he loves me. But love alone can’t sustain a marriage.’

‘Ok.’

‘All you have to do is love him so much, so much he has no choice but to love you back.’

‘Not just me anybody would love Asad if they haven’t got close enough to know the stuff he’s made of.’

‘And you Ladidi, what stuff are you made of.’

It was my turn to shift uncomfortably, I was silent, after a while I told her I didn’t know.

‘That’s it, people are molded according to the circumstances they find themselves.’ Nafisa said.

‘So you’re saying Asad is justified for all he’s done.’ I asked.

‘Not at all, in fact he’s very wrong, but desperate times calls for desperate measures.’

‘So how do I love Asad.’

‘By cooking for him, washing his clothes, talking to him, listening to him, taking care of his kids. Appreciating him, Knowing his likes and dislikes and……’

‘Wait a minute, cooking, washing are you kidding me.’ I asked.

‘No.’ She answered.

‘Then.’ I probed.

‘Ladidi, you need empathy and sympathy plus compassion to drive your marriage through these hard times, you think my marriage is perfect, but its not, I work continuously to keep it going because I love my husband.’

‘So where do I start from.’

‘When last did you get him a gift?’

‘I never buy him anything, that’s his part to play.’ I answered.

‘When last did he get you something.’

‘Yesterday a Nina ricci perfume, I don’t like the smell urrgh.’ I said squeezing my face.

‘Did you thank him, do you ever say thank you?’

‘No.’ I answered tentatively.

‘Why?’ OK say start now.’

‘But why should……’

‘No ladidi, she cut me off, try the things you never did.’ Always see your kids before they go to school, and treat everybody with kindness.

After the long lecture, Nafisa left to go and cook, and I was left pondering if I could do it, if I didn’t then I’d be Asad’s scapegoat for the rest of my life, if I have to get even then he has to become a henpecked husband like Abhas, then I took out my phone and sent a thank you text to Asad, saying that I loved the smell.

Vengeance-(Episode 5)

When I got home, I did’nt see Mama, Najma or Baba, so I headed straight to my room, it was very much the same as I had left it, only that the furnitures were covered with clothes, Ladi got to cleaning right away, that’s the thing about Ladi she always knows what to do, and she never asked questions nor made any suggestions, she would just do what she was expected to do. At times I find her boring but most times she’s more than useful.

I woke up to the smell of Gharoud, Baba’s signature perfume it was mixed with Mama’s AL Farakhti oud, I was wandering where I was then I remembered going home. The smell mixed together was not pleasant and I ran to the toilet and started puking. When I came out of the toilet, I met Baba’s stern face and Mama’s cultured expression.

‘You left your husband’s house without his permission.’ Baba bellowed.

‘Baa ba.’ I stuttered, I was surprise to see him, when I didn’t see him the night before I anticipated he was at Nana’s place since he alternated days, Mama usually got more days. Baba was angry, I needed to do something fast, Gharoud smell hit again and I ran to the toilet, this time I retched loudly so they would hear, I opened the tap as I examined my face in the mirror, the black eye Asad gave me was fading, but it’ll still do.

I went out and deliberately fell on the floor and shut my eyes. Baba ran to my side and tried lifting me up but he couldn’t. ‘Help me,’ he screamed at Mama. Together they struggled to put me on the bed, Baba dialed the doctor’s number and he came in no time. All the while I kept my eyes shut and my body limp.

He examined me,I still kept up the pretense.

‘I’ll have to inject her with…..,,’ I couldn’t catch what he said next.

What was I hearing, I hated injections, oh my, I needed to stop pretending immediately. So I coughed and opened my eyes gradually.

‘She has come back.’Baba said relieved. I saw him looking at my black eye crucially.

‘The first trimester is very critical, so try to avoid accidents.’ Dr Abu said, as he picked up his stuff to leave.

Baba went to see Dr Abu off, obviously to ask the meaning of first trimester, I could see his blank expression when Dr Abu said that. Soon he was back.

‘How are you feeling?’

‘Better Baba.’ I said faintly.

‘Why did you leave, without permission?’ It was just his version of saying why did you run away, he had said that to Halima and Noora before.

I burst into tears, ‘Asad was beating me, I was afraid he’d kill me, I did not want to loose my baby.’ I sobbed. When I didn’t even know I was pregnant until Dr Abu told me. My father got up and left, Mama left too. I was alone till Ladi came with breakfast.

I was looking outside the window when I saw Asad’s silver Cadillac making its way into our estate compound, it was followed by a Lincoln navigator jeep, and I knew Asad had come with his father to resolve the issue, something they’d rather not do because of the negative publicity and above all it’ll crash Asad’s ego, that he couldn’t rein in his wife. Baba too would be hurt that he didn’t train his daughter well else come what may, she would stay at her husband’s house.

I peeped into the key hole and watched the drama, Asad’s Father was inaudible but I heard Baba and Asad clearly, he was really bashed for beating up his pregnant wife though he tried to defend himself, his head hung low. Even his father was against him, it was just farce, for I could remember the countless times Baba beat mama mercilessly most times she would end up in the hospital. Asad’s father was not innocent either, his youngest wife had a scar on her forehead which is rumoured to have been given by him, how could they now reprimand another person for doing same thing. Immediately after they Left Baba called me and mama to the study.

‘Raliyah didn’t you teach her the norms?’ He barked. Mama was silent, her face betraying no emotion.

‘Dont ever run away from your husband’s house again, and if you decide to , don’t you dare step foot in my house, unless with your husband. If you do so you and your mother will leave this house forever.’ He said furiously.

I was shell shocked, where is the love, or is it that his reputation was much more important, Mama was silent as usual, no words, no emotions to hint what she could be feeling inside. That evening Asad came to get me, we drove home in silence each buried in our own thoughts. But he changed drastically after that incident, he grew ruthless.

Time passed, I had my baby, a son whom Asad named after himself as Asad junior, we were happy, then some years on I had a set of twins two lovely girls, Shazia and Nazia then another son, Amir.

Asad’s perfect image was tainted by his temper which rose up fiercely like the ocean in storm, its waves hitting the rocks mercilessly and sometimes he’d cool down and be so calm like clear skies, and the love in his eyes for me diminished gradually like an ember loosing its life and gradually turning to ash.

Our lives became what you would call “complicated”, many a times we’d be happy especially if I was expecting a baby, but more times I had to see Asad’s dark side for menial issues, like leaving the room in mess, or messing with Asad’s things. He could fire a worker because of dust, he was overly obsessed about cleanliness.

He grew very authoritative, his demands was that I obeyed him always, at first I refused to be subdued, but as time passed and Asad battery was becoming too much and I had nowhere to turn to I had no option but to bend to his will.

My only source of solace came from foreign trips, shopping and cruising in expensive cars, even at that there are times I’d feel something was missing, something I couldn’t place my hand on.

My friend Tanveer was throwing herself a birthday bash. Tanveer is one person you cant make a mistake around, she’d broadcast you, even CNN is not as fast as she was, whenever she was not there people referred to her as AL Jazeera. Also do not offend Tanveer else you would have to pay in ten folds what you did, no one escalates a matter in the way Tanveer does, and don’t ever dress lightly to a party organized by Tanveer, you just have to look your best. She is Al Jazeera after all.

Well I was dressing for Tanveer’s party, I wore a rose colored dress with a crazy slit, we’d dress any how to our parties, it was usually just us ladies. After dressing I realized my ruby ear ring was missing, I had no other option but that one, besides my ruby never goes missing it’s in the wardrobe, so I surfed through my things, I got careless and I must have strewn my clothes around the room. In my haste to make a grand entrance at Tanveer’s party with ears and necks shimmering with Ruby I forgot to tell Ladi to clean up the mess I did.

I came back home at around 12:30 am in the morning, I met Asad in our living room with a stern face, And I just knew something must go wrong tonight, timidly I walked inside, I had grown to fear Asad.

‘Stop there, what time is it.’ He asked cooly.

’12:30 am.’ I said glancing at my Chris aire watch.

‘Is it the time for a married woman to come back home, Is that what you were thought by your parents.’

‘Asad please you don’t have to bring my parents into this.’

‘Really, why shouldn’t I, tell me.’ He said getting up and advancing towards me, I moved back but soon I was backed up against the wall. He dragged me by my hand to the room, lo and behold my mess.

‘You know I cant tolerate such things, yet you still do it, is it to torture me he snarled.’ By then I was shaking with fear.

With force he hurled me down and I fell in the pile of my own clothes, I cursed him, he bent over and gave me a dirty slap, the force of the slap rammed my body against a stool or something, when I recovered from the shock, I got up and slapped him back, well that did it for I woke up in Nia the following day with Ladi by my side watching Africa magic.

I was in the OBGYN ward, I had a miscarriage. That was my first but not the last, as I have woken twice more to the same environment and the same story.

Now its time to change the script...

Vengeance-(Episode 4)

One evening, Asad and I went for dinner with his friends, I was pleased to see their startled expression when they saw me, my face had that effect on people, the men looked at me lustily and the women with great envy. I was used to it, getting all the attention. They talked on frivolous issues, whenever I felt what they were saying was out of place, I made them know perhaps not too subtlety because many hearts were broken, a girl named Sasha was all over my hair and face, I could see tension lines on Asad’s face as I tried avoiding her.

‘What’s the secret, you must tell me.’ She said over and over again.

‘There’s no secret.’ I said.

‘ there must be.’ She insisted.

‘Well its genetic.’ I said trying to put her off.

‘There must be some cream or enhancing vitamins.’ She said, waving her hands.

‘Why don’t you visit a drug store then.’ I said.

‘May be I might.’ She added dismissively, but I was not the person you dismissed, I always have the last word.

‘You know, no matter the amount of polish, a sow’s skin can never be turned to silk.’ I said with a sly smile.

‘What’s a sow?’ She asked, with a confused look.

‘A female pig.’

Her face turned to stone, I felt Asad’s grip tightened on my arm and when I looked at him his handsome face was contorted, and had about 36 shades of red. He excused us and we left.

While driving me home in his silver Cadillac, silence engulfed us, he concentrated so much on the steering wheel his knuckles were showing. When he got into the driveway, he turned off the ignition and looked at me.

‘Did you have to compare her to a pig.’ He asked.

‘Excuse me!.’I said truly surprised because I was not used to being questioned.

‘Did you have to be so rude to them.’

I was stunned beyond words that Asad was talking to me like that, I just stared.

‘Well they had it coming.’ I finally said, turning away from his piercing gaze.

‘And the lady, she asked for it and what I told her was the truth.’

Asad sighed got out of the car walked over around and opened the door for me, he accompanied me the door said good night and left like everything was alright.

Since Asad and I began dating, he’d send me a good morning text and a prayer reminder then later he’d call around 12pm when I was fully awake. But since the the day of the incident, he had neither called nor texted, and I was getting anxious, I’d gaze at my phone expectantly, but he never called.

After 2 days my phone rang, it was him but of course I didn’t pick until after a hundred missed calls, he gave up and sent a text instead, still I didn’t reply, he sent many more asking what he did. Later that night he came over, with artificial flowers and an apology note.

After some days our wedding was fixed, Mama traveled to Germany, UK and US to shop for herself for my wedding.

Sarah and Nadia my friend accompanied me to Dubai, UK, France and South Africa to shop.

Soon the day arrived and I had already done my body cleansing, waxing and every possible treatment, my mother invited “Dillaliya” a lady that was to teach me many ways to please a man that he would make him lose his mind. Indeed it was like a private tutoring, she said and demonstrated such obscene things I was terrified. she gave me substances and instructions on how to use them. I wondered why I had to use it, I was beautiful, educated and very sensual. My gaze alone can send any man into reverie.

After the makeover my hands and feet were decorated with henna. My things and the things I bought were moved from Baba’s 30 Bedroom, 3 storey mansion in Maitama to Asad’s 10 bedroom duplex in Jabi. Mama complained that it was too small, it was ironical as Mama herself must have lived in cramped flat before getting married to Baba.

‘Only ten rooms, where will the workers stay, we are sending her with 10 servants.’ She said to Asad when she went for inspection together with me.

‘There is a servant’s quarters downstairs.’ He answered.

What about when you have kids.’ She asked again.

‘We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.’ Asad said icily. She kept on criticizing everything from the kitchen cabinet to the Jacuzzi even the window panes.

Soon the day arrived and Asad and I got married gallantly in the city of Abuja, it was an extravagant and lavish wedding, Asad paid a dowry of 2 million cash on my head and gold and diamond worth over 5 million was also given. Baba cried when I was leaving, it was so emotional I had to cry too, I received many hugs as I entered the limousine that conveyed me, my train and lots of my Family members to Nnamdi Azikiwe airport, where a chartered plane took us to kano Asad’s hometown. There more festivities followed. We were splashed on the cover of every magazine and featured on many news and entertainment channels.

Nadia was my maid of honor, am rest assured she made a fortune as weeks later she bought a car.

After the wedding Asad and I left for our honeymoon, I took ladi with me, we visited 5 countries UK, US, India, Japan I read a book on Kyoto in Japan so I added it to our list. And finally we ended up in Dubai, Baba had booked a 2 night stay in Burj al Arab the only seven star hotel in the world on its own man made island.On this trip I fell in love with Asad all over again.

After 6 six weeks we returned back to Nigeria, Asad resumed work immediately and I was left alone in the house, the servants stayed their quarters. for the first time I noticed how big the house was in contrast to what Mama said. I walked into As ad’s walking closet, it was a marvelous sight, it was color and design sensitive, shirts with strips were on a roll different from plain ones, colors started from dull to bright, his shoes were arranged in a manner I was left guessing. I checked out his book shelf, it was marvelous, I was stunned to see it in DDS only, I have that only in libraries. later Asad added my books and a rack for my magazine collections. I roamed around the house and noticed a left wing, we hadn’t explored that area with mama. I called one of the maids I met there and she told me no ever uses there.

My life comprised of attending parties or throwing them, dressing up and following dillaliya’s advice both day and night, I avoided the substances though but her tricks worked magic even with a newbie like me.

Most times I left the room scattered and Asad would arrange it, he’d warn me severally to stop messing things up, but I took no correction, I always relied on ladi for my personal chores.

Asad was super romantic despite my shortcomings, he brought home artificial flowers, perfumes, sexy lingerie and occasionally jewelry, but it never occurred to me to give a return gift. Once Asad bought me a set of emerald jewelry. The emeralds were so small compared to the one Baba gifted me. So I said.

‘The design is beautiful.’ He smiled and came to help me fasten it on my neck.

‘But the stones are so tiny you’ve to squint your eyes to see them.’

His hands paused, then continued to fasten. He gave no compliments that day.

My love for Asad grew more every time I saw him, he was just so handsome, courteous and loving, what ever I wanted Asad gave. I never knew he had violence in him until I had a tiff with his sister.

Sanam is Asad’s step sister, but he adored her very much and the feeling was mutual. When she returned from Cepu from studying medicine as a full fledged doctor her beloved brother was the one she wanted to share her happiness with, that resulted in her coming to stay at our place, I didn’t have a problem with that, I actually felt lonely most times.

As far as Sanam stayed in her room and didn’t come to me everything will be alright, but she kept troubling me, I didn’t know how to tolerate insolence.

Sanam worked, that was a bit strange to me as no lady in my family worked, we were all educated but never worked, the men in our family worked.

I was going to attend my friend Aliyah’s welcome party, I saw Sanam taking pictures posing on my Ferrari, I could not believe what my eyes were seeing.

‘What are you doing?’ I asked furiously.

‘Taking pictures.’ She said honestly.

‘Do you want to scratch my car.’

I was crazy, ‘don’t ever do that again, is that what you were taught in your med school, to sit on Ferrari’s you don’t own and take pictures.’I hissed got into my car, and drove off.

That night Asad asked why I insulted his sister because of a car,

‘It’s not just a car, its a Ferrari.’ I said.

‘why are you so uptight, why are you so arrogant?’ He asked looking at me with disgust.

‘And why are you a freakish fag, always cleaning, are you gay?’ I said back looking back at him with contempt.

He slapped me hard, his fingers made a mark on my face, he tried leaving the room to sleep elsewhere.

But I grabbed at him and called him names for slapping me, he got angry and gave me a good bashing.

That night when he left the room, I called Ladi to pack my things and I left for my father’s house.

Episode 5 drops tomorrow

Vengeance-(Episode 2)

I looked around, I was in Nia hospital, the closest to my house also one of the best in Abuja with exclusive IVF facilities and renowned gynecologists, I have been here before, perhaps not this room but they were identical. Ladi my maid was sitting on the sofa watching the movie that was showing, I tried saying something but my voice was weak, Ladi heard me all the same, she quickly came to my side.

‘What happened?’ I asked in hausa the only language Ladi seemed to understand.

‘We’re in the hospital’. She said fiddling with her fingers, I could tell she was nervous.

‘I know where we are, I am asking why am here.’ I said.

Just then the door clicked and saved Ladi, Nafisa my sister in law came in, she was not so good looking, I often wondered how my brother fell for her, in fact I was rest assured she used love potion, I never let her forget how ugly she was or how she didn’t deserve my brother. she sat by my bedside and she smiled.

‘How are you feeling?’ She asked.

‘Horrible, what happened?’ I asked again.

‘You fell’

I fell, when? I thought, then the events of that night came back, I was filled with rage but could express my anger, I was weak.

‘Nafisa did I?, I was afraid to finish the sentence.

‘Yes’ she said caressing my hair. ‘But dont worry doctor says you’ll be alright soon.’

Tears came to my eyes, not again I thought why!, why!, why! did this always have to happen.’ I wailed, my head was now resting on Nafisa’s lap, her wrapper was soaking my tears as they fell. The door clicked again, I heard heels click on the marble floor and I knew my family had come to offer their fake condolences.

‘Sannu Hajiya.’ Both Nafisa and Ladi said together, Nafisa was already getting up, I knew my mother was around, I could smell her signature perfume, she sat where Nafisa had sat and hugged me, I knew she felt my pain, she has gone through it before, five good times, she knows that the pain deviates from the pain of loosing to hatred towards people we had to live with, the ones who inflicted the pain on us.

‘It’s ok, don’t cry anymore, it’ll be alright.’ She said patting my back, at such times I could feel her love for me.

Sarah my eldest sister came to my side she offered her condolences, patted my thighs and went to sit, Noora My immediate elder sister was present but said nothing, Najma the youngest of all of us was also present, she sat at my feet, she said nothing but pressed my feet and gave me a warm smile. They stayed for sometime then Noora said she had to pick her son from school, it was a blatant lie, because she has never visited their school before.

They all left, even though only Noora had to pick her son from school, the clicking of their designer heels making a rhythmic sound that made me sick to the pit of my stomach.

Asad came in next, he looked dashing as ever, but I all I wanted was to shove shit on his face, he asked after my health stayed for a while, made a lame excuse and left, I was then left with Nafisa and Ladi.

I had lost yet another pregnancy, this was my third miscarriage, I didn’t want to be like Mama and Sarah who had miscarriages 5 times, it was always caused by our husbands when they got angry.

I looked at Nafisa, she was ugly also from a poor family yet her husband adored her, he has never laid a finger on her, she had the most perfect marriage, and I wondered how she did it, here I was beautiful, rich, gave birth to sons, yet my husband treated as a punching bag.

My life was a mess, I didn’t understand my family, my husband was a like stranger and we got distant from each other by day.

The cat was out of the bag, it was no longer a speculation, Asad was having an affair, I will soon be the new laughing stock. ‘Upon all her beauty, her husband is running after another girl, it serves her right.’ My enemies will say.

Asad has to pay, yes he must pay for ruining my life, polygamy was accepted in our religion but i was not ready to accept it. I thought of many ways to make Asad pay for his deeds, I was burning with the flames of vengeance, then it came to my mind just what to do to make Asad pay.

******

Dr zaks walked in casually, he happens to be the very successful owner, and CEO of Nia hospital, a Rolex was glimmering on his wrist, I could tell the shirt under his lab caot was a Pierre Cardin from the logo.

‘How are we today Hajiya Shehnaz?’ He asked.

‘Not fine, but fine enough to leave this place.’ I said jokingly, we happen to be friends, he was our family doctor.

‘Hope we haven’t offended you.’ He said flashing a smile.

‘Not at all.’

He checked on my pulse, blood pressure and other things and asked questions but I was not prepared for the last question that hit me.

‘Hajiya , how did you obtain this fall?’ He asked with concern on his face.

‘I really cant’ cant remember.’ I stammered.

‘Well you have to be careful, because you also had a rib fracture, that’s why you’ve stayed this long, I will be discharging you tomorrow.’ He said smilingly, ‘please try to stay safe.’ This time his face serious.

As he was leaving the room, my hatred for Asad was multiplying, he was responsible for this.

I closed my eyes and I went to a time, a time before I met Asad, a time when the world revolved around me and me alone.

Vengeance-(Episode 3)

September 2000
Masi came to my room holding a package.
‘Hajiya said you should wear this and come to Baba’s study.’ She said.
‘What is it?’
‘I don’t know aunty.’
‘Go.’ I said.
I opened the package, it contained a black Habaya with swarovski crystals encrusted on it, I wondered why I was being summoned, I wore it and went.
On getting there Mama was there, already dressed in a similar attire, she asked her hair stylist to arrange the veil on my head so that bangs will show.
A seasoned photographer arranged us on stools and sofas and we took pictures, I was the only one called for the shoot from all of Baba’s kids.
I later learnt we were shooting for a magazine that named Baba as the richest man in the north, me and my mother were the only ones my father chose to be featured along with him.
Abhas my brother returned from the UK almost a week later, Noora must have informed him about the selective photo shoot because he acted somehow towards me and was very affectionate towards Noora, he came back with news to get married but the news was not taken lightly, his wife was not from a rich background, that bothered Baba much because he was lover of class and beautiful things, Abhas was adamant, being a man he got his way. We all thought his wife must be beautiful, we were wrong she turned out to be ugly as well as poor, that was a blow to my father’s image.

Baba was stinkingly rich, his businesses varied from small scale to big scale, modern as well as local. He had factories, filling stations, residential estates, hotels, shops, malls as well as farms and herds of cattle which a fulani man looked after.
His father was moderately rich, after his demise his properties was distributed among his children, my father worked hard to multiply his share to build an empire.
His success made him accepted in the high class society, the Emir offered him one of his daughters to marry thus he was accepted into royalty after his marriage to Nana, she gave him 3 sons and 2 daughters.
While attending a friend’s wedding he met this ravishing beauty by the name Raliyah, though she was already betrothed to another Baba’s money helped him get her as his wife. That ravishing beauty is my mother, she conceived 13 times had 8 children and loss one.
Abhas is Mama’s firstborn child, then she miscarried twice, had Halima, Sarah another miscarriage, then came Noorah myself, Aliyu, Adnan and Nazma she had 2 more miscarriages she then decided to tie her tubes.
My siblings except for Adnan were all fair like mama, Adnan was dark as well as very handsome, of all my sisters Sarah was the most beautiful, followed by Halima then Najma Noora was the last.
Mama is shuwa, a tribe of beautiful women in northern Nigeria, she had a nose that looked like an over enthusiastic plastic surgeon worked on it, her skin was very white and flawless, her natural hair was very long, she had almond shaped eyes and naturally pouting lips which seemed to be pink in nature. In short she was very beautiful and I looked exactly like her, just that I was 17 years younger.
Our outstanding beauty made us Baba’s favorite, that was why only us were featured in the magazine article with him, he had a portrait of Mama and I in his bed chambers as well as the hall and the parlour where he received his guests. I was always the one Baba called to introduce to his guests, the one who followed him out, I was named after his mother, though he gave me a fancy name “Shehnaz” meaning a musical note, I was often called Ladidi as his mother was called.
The attention I got from Baba made my siblings jealous of me especially Noora, she never hide her disdain towards me. When Abhas wanted to marry an ugly girl by the Nafisa to taint Baba’s image only her supported him, though Sarah did too but was not as open as Noora, Najma was young else she would have supported wholeheartedly.
We didn’t know Nana’s children, we lived separately and attended different schools we only met at occasions, We had our primary education in Nigeria then secondary and tertiary either in America or Europe, as a result we all had foreign accents, Sarah, Abhas and Adnan attended schools only in the US, Noora, Najma and Aliyu attended schools only in Uk the rest of us alternated.
Marriages excluding Abhas and Nazma’s were all arranged and conducted by Baba, Halima married at age of 18 before the completion of her tertiary education to a serving senator, her marriage was not successful, her husband had two other wives, he was very violent and that resulted to many hospital visits, he was very powerful, therefore no one dared to raise a voice not even when Halima complained bitterly, she died from childbirth complications, her death was a blow, we all broke down.
Sarah was next, she married a serving minister at 20 after graduating from Stanford with a degree in economics, she was very practical and could not be easily intimidated, she met 2 other wives, who her husband sent packing at short intervals after sarah’s arrival.
Noorah married a powerful general, he had only one wife before, she and Noora never saw eye to eye, she also graduated before marriage with a degree in Home sciences from Cambridge.
I had my high school in Cambell Harris in london then university in Harvad, I graduated with first class honors in computer engineering, networking and cyber security.
Baba was proud of me, his best child was not just beautiful but intelligent as well, I topped in my class, a party was organized for my success. And Baba gifted a red ferrari 575M Maranello.
Aliyu and Adnan were both studying medicine in Uk and US respectively.
June 2003
That was when Baba chose my husband, but it was the best thing he ever did, his business partner’s ambitious son, Asad.
Almost six feet tall, fair, muscular he was every girl’s dream man, physically Asad was perfect, he had MBA from Yale he ran his father’s company which made it rival Baba’s own, but Baba was still richer. The alliance was fixed without me or Asad’s consent but since we were of the new generation Asad expressed his thought of meeting me.
Mama came to my room herself to tell me get ready the following day as Asad would be taking me out. My jaws dropped later I called sarah to tell her.
‘Mhhh we never had such treatment, any way you are Baba’s princess.’ we talked some more and I hung up. Next I called my friend Nadia she was happy for me.
The following day both Nadia and Sarah came to help me, I had over a hundred dresses I have’nt worn yet but still I didn’t know which one to wear, Mama’s make up artist came to my rescue, after what seemed like a battle I emerged in a beautiful red and black maxi gown, the red color blended into the black at the end.
With my silver head scarf and black bolero I looked very modest, yet stunningly sexy, the dress flattered my figure so much I looked like an hour glass. My reflection in the mirror pleased me so much I was rest assured this Asad am about to meet will definitely fall in love with me as soon as he set his eyes upon me.
True to my thoughts Asad lost his heart as soon as he set his eyes upon me, He was drinking from a wine glass when I entered, my powerful perfume must have drawn his attention which made him look straight at me, he gazed so hard his wine glass fell off his hand, that gave me so much pleasure. I walked up to him, but he greeted me first, I answered but did not lower my gaze as a good girl should. I called Masi to come clean up the mess, he seemed really happy about that.
After talking for a while, he took Mama’s permission to take me out, she readily agreed, for the first time one her daughters would be someone’s first wife.
Am an avid lover of cars, I was very impressed when we walked over to his silver Cadillac XLR, I looked with admiration as he opened the door for me.
‘Nice car.’ I said, I could clearly see the pride on his face, as we drove off.
‘So you like sport cars, i thought ladies only liked big cars.
‘Not all ladies.’ I replied. We talked about cars for the rest of the evening, we were both happy to have something in common. He was very romantic and attentive during our outing.
When I got home, Nadia and Sarah were ready to bombard me with questions of how it went. I didnt hold back I told them every little detail.
We went on many more dates, he didn’t have to take permission any more, one day I decided it was time to show him, what was better than his Cadillac XLR so I asked if I could drive us in my car.
Asad’s jaw dropped at the sight of my red ferrari 575M Maranello
‘This is a ferrari’ he said slowly.
‘Yep 575M Maranello’ I said proudly.
‘Didn’t know they were on the road in Nigeria.’
‘They aren’t, just this one, daddy bought and got it shipped to me as a gift for topping my class in Harvard’. I said as a matter of fact.
‘Well nice ride you’ve got here.’
I caressed the streamlining of the car as I told him about it.
‘ Its assembled in maranello, designed by Lorenzo Ramciotti, it has FR layout and a 5.7L tippo F133E V12 engine also with a 6-speed ‘F1’ electro hydraulic transmission.
When I was done I saw a shadow in his eyes, the kind that interpreted defeat, he had been over the moon for is ordinary cadillac XLR, well Cadillac XLR isn’t so ordinary, it’s an extremely expensive car, just that my ferrari 575M Maranello was much more expensive.
‘Wanna drive.’ I asked waving the key (a remote censored key) at him. Normally no man would like to miss the opportunity to drive such a car, but Asad’s pride denied him.
‘No,’ he said, ‘why don’t you do me the honors.’ He said, and off we went with me speeding beyond limit, I love driving especially sport cars.
Coming back I persuaded Asad to drive, which he did, he couldn’t stop praising the chasis of the car and I couldn’t help contributing, after all it was my car. How do you know so much about cars, never seen a northern girl crazed about sports cars, its rather jewelry or designer clothing.’ Asad had said
‘I love those too, but nothing compares to my passion for cars.’
by the end of the day, I could see the look on Asad’s face, the downward look people had after spending time with me, I always let them know who the boss was,who was in control and who would call the shots, it gave me satisfaction to thwart people that way, letting them believe they were on top and making their ego crash down like a house of cards.