Must Read: Behind The Veil

Episode 7 years ago

Must Read: Behind The Veil

“Its not unusual.” He said. “Even people who arent related sometimes share a facial resemblance.”

“Yes I know.”
“How did he die..if I may ask?”
“Bomb blast. Here in kano.”
“Near a secondary school?”
“Exactly. How did you know?”
“There is this diary my mum gave to me.

I think she found it at the scene of the bomb blast when I tried to rescue my sister.”
“Can I see it?’
“I don’t have it here.” He said.

“I have a feeling it’s his.” She said and he promised to bring it the next day.

Mustafa couldn’t explain it, but somehow he felt he had known her before, from somewhere. Some images kept popping into his head, gloomy images. He couldn’t make sense of them, but he wished he did because he was having this unusual feeling that it related to his past.

Humaira was looking forward to the next day.

She had this feeling that the diary belonged to Sadiq. Although she had never opened it before, but she knew how the cover looked like and she also knew Sadiq’s handwriting so even if the cover page changed, she definitely would still recognize his writing. She didn’t divulge this to her parents, not yet. She wanted to be sure that it was really his before she break the news to them. Although the Animashaun’s had moved on, but she knew they would derive a sense of closure if they lay their hands on their son’s dairy, most especially Asmau.

There was relief on her face the next day when Mustafa brought the dairy. She didn’t even need
to open it before she knew it was Sadiq’s.

“So? Is it his?” asked Mustafa.
“Yes. Yes it is.” she replied.
“So i take it you will have to deliver it to his family.” suggested Mustafa.
“Yes. But I am not sure when because his family resides in Lagos and you know I can’t just leave
when I just resumed work today.” she said.

“It’s okay. You can take three days off.” Said Mustafa.

Her eyes lit in happiness.

“Thank you.”
As soon as Humaira broke the news to her parents, Anty called Mrs. Animashaun immediately to convey the news to her.

Humaira didn’t wait; she left for Zeenat’s house. She wanted to at least tell Zeenat about the diary, which might cheer her up a bit. Humaira didn’t know what else to do in order make Zeenat let go of the memories of Sadiq. She had tried all she could and knew but it was to no avail. She would have given up if not for Zeenat fiancée who had asked her to try to talk to Zeenat for him, to make her talk to him more.

Her fiancée had noticed Zeenat lack of enthusiasm towards their wedding. She seldom
talked to him unless he talked to her and even when she replied not many words were said. He
wanted her badly; he wanted to make her his wife so much that sometimes he didn’t care if she
didn’t communicate with him much. All he wanted was to have her as his wife and wake up every morning seeing that beautiful face lying next to him. He knew of her past. She mentioned it to him and Humaira had explained it to him in details.

“Are you sure it is his?” Zeenat to Humaira.

Zeenat palms were covered with beautifully drawn henna and her legs weren’t left out.

She was
slimmer now and her complexion as fair as ever.

She definitely looked better than ever.

“I am hundred percent sure.” replied Humaira. “I just thought I should show you.

Maybe it will
cheer you up and let you embrace the fact that he is gone and you too have to let go and move
forward. You have a man who loves you so much regardless of how you treat him.”
Humaira you of all people should know I can’t forget Sadiq. I know Abu-Bakr asked you to try to talk to me, but I have already agreed to marry him so he should quit trying to pressure me into opening up to him. I told him from the start that even if he wins my hand in marriage, he won’t be able to win my heart, but marriage is a compromise isn’t it? So I guess we have to live
that way.” said Zeenat.


“I don’t even know what to say Zeenat.” Humaira confused.

“Just stop worrying about me okay?” Zeenat.
Humaira knew exactly how Zeenat felt. She also knew Zeenat won’t be happy in her marriage
unless maybe time will heal her, but if it doesn’t then she fear that her marriage won’t be a happy one.
The following day she was preparing to travel to Lagos to deliver the diary to Sadiq’s family. She
had promised them that she would visit Lagos someday after her NYSC, so it was a way to fulfill
that promise too.

Her phone rang early that morning when she was having breakfast with her parents.

“Hello Humaira.’ Mustafa spoke.
“Good morning sir.’ she sat up, surprised that he called her. She couldn’t remember giving him her number, and then she remembered she had put her number down when she went for the
interview.

“I wanted to know when you will be travelling. If it’s okay with you for me to tag along? I would
love to see the family of the deceased.” he said.
All through the night he had been having this weird feeling. He couldn’t explain it exactly. It felt
like he needed answers but he didn’t know what answers he needed. He didn’t know why he was so drawn to that diary, why he felt he knew Humaira and her family and why their house
looks too familiar. He wanted answers but he didn’t want to ask questions.

“It’s…no problem sir.” was what she could say.
“When are you leaving?” he asked again.
“In two hours time. Exactly 11 o’clock.” She replied.
“Fine. I will come with my driver so we can get to the airport together.” said Mustafa.
“Okay sir.” She replied.

Hours later he came and they were driven to the airport.

“What’s that list with you?” Mustafa asked her noticing how she was ticking, calculating,
canceling and writing figures on the paper.

“Oh my friend; Zeenat is getting married this week and she wants me to get her some things
from Lagos.” She said.

“Okay. Hope it won’t be a lot of load?” he asked.

“No not really.”
“Okay.”
After thinking for seconds she said.
“You should come for the wedding.”
He smiled.