Must Read: Behind The Veil

Episode 7 years ago

Must Read: Behind The Veil

She grabbed her phone again, thinking of the playful insults she would use to scold Sadiq for
not being reachable since yesterday. She would tell him that she knew he wasn’t busy even
though that’s the excuse he will try to give her.

“The number you have called is not reachable… please try again later.”
“I am so going to deal with him for pretending to be busy. Silly boy!” she cursed and threw the phone on her bed.

“Mummy what’s wrong with brother Sadiq? Did he fall from a horse again?” Asmau asked her
mother whose eyes were soiled since she heard the news from Anty.

“Mummy I am sure he will be fine. Stop crying.” Asmau used her tiny palms to wipe the tears off
her mother’s face. “When he comes back we will scold him together and he will never ever ride any horse again”
Mrs. Animashaun sobbing increased. She pulled Asmau closer, wrapping her arms around her.

“He is in a better place now.” Mrs. Animashaun muttered the words.
“Where mum? Hospital?” Asmau asked.

Just then Mr. Animashaun exited from his room.

His wife stood up and the three of them climbed downstairs to the garage.
“Don’t tell her anything.” Mr. Animashaun whispered to his wife and she nodded. He was
travelling to Kano to claim Sadiq’s body and they had decided not to tell Asmau anything, at least not now. They know how devastated she would be..they knew she won’t be herself again once they tell her.

The car engine roared and passed through the open gate. Just as the gate man was closing the
gate, Vanessa who was passing by dropped in.

Unsuspected, she walked behind them and
grabbed Asmau up, startling her and Mrs. Animashaun.

“Scared you!” she laughed at Asmau and greeted Mrs. Animashaun. Vanessa noticed the signs of tears in her eyes. “Are you all right ma?” she asked concerned.
She hoped she was not having issues with her husband. She had noticed the way Mr. Animashaun held his face firmly and didn’t smile when she greeted him with a smile.
“You didn’t hear?” Mrs. Animashaun asked her surprised.

“No ma. I don’t think I know what you are talking about.” replied Vanessa.
Mrs. Animashaun didn’t respond. The three of them were in the living room now.
“Asmau go and tidy your room.” Mrs. Animashaun said to her, looking for privacy with
Vanessa.
She knew her room was not in order so she didn’t protest.
Immediately she was gone, Mrs. Animashaun burst into tears. Vanessa was confused. As
confused as she was something terrifying occurred to her. Sadiq’s line has not been reachable since yeaterday, she hadn’t thought if something happened to him.
“What’s wrong ma?” she asked terrified to hear her reply.

Mrs. Animashaun sobbing intensified. She didn’t have the courage to say the words, to tell her
that her son, her only biological child was dead!
“He is….. in a bet……ter place now!” she forced the words as she knew she would have to get
used to the reality of it.

Vanessa didn’t need her to say it before she understood….she knew….she knew the moment
Mrs. Animashaun sobbing intensified; she knew those were the tears of a mother that had lost
her child! She only waited for her to reply, to reply and tell her something different. To tell her that she was crying because Sadiq fell from a horse, to tell her something which wasn’t as dreadful as death….but that was not to be.