CHAPTER EIGHT

Third person POV

He woke up to the annoying sound of his phone alarm.

"Oh...you're so annoying" He murmured to his phone switching off the alarm, he lazily dragged his body to the bathroom and took a long relaxing shower which relieves him from whole lot of laziness he was feeling before.

He dressed in a casual wear, an ash kaftan with short sleeves , He took out his wrist watch from the chest drawer and placed it firmly on his wrist, grabbed his phone and keys before strolling downstairs for breakfast.

"Assalamu alaikum" he said to both his parent whom were sitting at the dinning table.

"Wa'alaikumus salaam" they answered in unison

"Ina kwanan ku" He greeted them together whilst drawing a chair next to His Father and placed his keys on the table.

"Lafiya lau" Ummi his mother answered while his father Abba answer with just "lafiya"

He took a plate and served himself with potato omelette and a cup of mint tea

"Omar Farouk" Ummi called

"Yes" He answered

"what time will you close from school today? "

" My last lecture of the day will be 2 to 4 pm inshaAllah "

" Okay then I want you to go to Hajiya Sa'adah's house and pick up a girl for me"

"Ummi who is Hajiya Sa'ada" he asked confused

"The Woman you took me to her house at Kawo last week" she explained, He kept quiet for a moment trying to remember the woman.

"Oh Okay I recalled her"

"Fine then" Ummi said

"But Ummi who is the girl am picking up?"

"I will tell you later, now eat before you're late"

"Alright" They ate in silence. Abba Was the first to get up and shortly after Omar farouq followed packing both his plate and Abba's and took them to the kitchen.

"Ummi I will be on my way now" He said grabbing his bunch of keys from the table.

"OK bye, don't forget what I told you, Allah Ya bada sa'a "

"Amin" He said stepping out of the leaving room".

************

At the evening after he's done with his classes, Omar farouq prayed Asr before cruising down to Kawo to carry out his Ummi's errand. At first he almost lost his way but after much thought He was able to locate the house . He knocked on the green colored gate twice before He heard footsteps coming toward the gate.

"Yes" A woman which he assumed is the hajiya answered pulling the gate's door open.

"Assalamu Alaikum" He said

"Wa'alaikumus salam" she answered

"Are you the one that Hajiya Hafsah sends?" she added

"Yes I am, Good afternoon" He greeted

"Afternoon, come in please" Hajiya sa'adah uttered moving away from the way. He stepped into the house and she led the way to the sitting room.

"Sit here I will be bring the girl immediately" she added

Hajiya Sa'adah stepped into her daughter's room with a salaam which was answered by khairee who was sitting alone in the room. Yesmeen went to islamiyya.

They are here to pick you up, are you ready?" Mama (Hajiya Sa'adah) asked

"Y..yes" khairee answered with a shaky voice. Mama opened a box and brought out two set of clothes and a milk hijab, she placed the clothes in a black leather bag and passed the hijab to khairee.

"Wear this" She said gesturing at the hijab and headed outside.

Omar farouq was sitting quietly in the living room when Mama came in holding a black leather bag and Khairee trailing behind her, she was staring down at her fingers while she squeeze them nervously.

Khairee could not raise her head to greet him so she just greeted him head down

"ina wuni" she said in a low tone

"Lafiya" he answered.

There was a moment of silence, Everyone was just sitting there no sound except for the noises of the vehicles that were passing by the house . Khairee wondered why the rate in which her heart beats increases, there is a feeling down there that she cannot decipher, a feeling of Uneasiness and nervousness.

But why am i feeling this way she thought.

May its because am leaving Mama and yesmeen, but this was not the type of feeling I had when i was leaving home, it was a different feeling, a very different one. She thought again

Omar farouq on the other hand was curious to see her face, he tried as much as possible to have a glance at the milk hijab bearer without drawing Mama's attention but failed.

What's so special about her that is making me curious ' he thought.

Hey keep calm the girl is coming with you, you will have the chance to see her all you want a naughty voice in his head reminds him.

"Is she the girl ?" He asked gesturing at Khairee

"Yes she is" Maama answered.

" Alright then, we will be on our way" He announced with a calming voice.

"OK greet your mother please" Mama said with a smile plastered on her face

"InshaAllah, bye" Omar farouq said standing up from where he was sitting and headed towards the door.

"Ummulkhairee take this" Mama offered her a black nylon bag which she hesitated before collecting it. He stepped outside giving them some privacy.

"Ummulkhairee is her name" He murmured under his breath

Ummulkhairee!

Khairee hesitated before collecting the bag that Maama offered her.

"You can use this clothes since you lost yours" Mama said

"Thank you Mama....for everything you've done to me so far, I'm really grateful" she said honestly grateful for every single thing they've done to her, she can't thank them enough and right that moment she wish Yesmeen was there too, so she can thank her and bid her farewell.

I will really miss you yesmeen she thought.

"Don't keep him waiting, Go and don't forget to be a good girl, always respect your elders and I will keep in touch with Hajiya to know how you are doing". Mama said getting up and heading towards the door while she followed her. When they reached the gate maama halted

" Alright take care" she said again

"Bye mama" Khairee uttered stepping out of the gate with a very heavy heart. She looked around the house but didnt see him.

Where could he be

May be he's tired of waiting and left, oh! I will have been the happiest. She thought.

"Hey where are you lost" She heard a familiar calming voice from behind her, it was him, She turned around to have a glimpse of him. He was wearing a kaftan, the colour of the kaftan complement his skin, his complexion was not so dark and not fair as well, and the kaftan was.......what is the name of this colour again...yes ash.

Ash... it was

Khairee looked up to his face only to be rooted to the spot she was standing, she blinked

once

Twice

Thrice

Ya Allah! he was beaut.....oh no beautiful is for females...but to say he was handsome was an understatement, the word 'handsome' alone cannot be used to describe him, he was beautifully handsome. He had full sleek black brows, and his eyes..ya rabbi they were whiter than white the orbs were deep brown, a high cheek bone, a thin straight nose and a reddish pink sizeable lips. There is a black dot right at the centre of his left cheek. Down to his chin he has a shining black beard an a thin mustache.

Wow I thought the only handsome men were fair men. Khairee thought

"Are you........checking me out?" he asked with a mischievous smile

"Me...No.. am not" she answered avoiding his gaze

"You're sure?"

"Yes of course" she confirmed looking down at his well pedicured feet, right that moment, she remember back home when she was going to islamiyya and Garbati approached her, his legs looks like he fought with the biggest creature in the forest; disgustingly dirty with dust all over.

"Fine, Can we go now?" he asked bringing her back to reality.

"Sure"

"Alright then lets go" he said as he started walking and she followed him. They halted in front of a black car

Oh its a car ya Allah

Apart from the bus she took from kano to kaduna, Khairee have never entered a car in her life, and this car is one of the must beautiful cars she've ever seen.

"Get in" he said looking at her but she didnt bulge, how will she get in when she don't even know how to open the door.

"hey why are you just standing, get in the car"

"I...I...don't.....know.....how...to" She confessed looking everywhere but him, he stared at her for some seconds before he turn to the other side of the car and open the door. She marched there and sat down in the front seat of the car while he closed the door and returned to the other side, hopped into the car and drove away.

***************

Half way into their drive Omar Farouq decided to speak

"What's your name" He asked not taking his eyes off the road. She glance at him for a second before she spoke

"Ummulkhairee, but you can call me Khairee to make it short" she said, he look at her for the first time after they took off, there's was a content smile on her face.

"Khair?" He asked looking back at the road.

"Khairee" she corrected

"But khair is more shorter and sweet" He said smirking and she just looked at him and kept quiet.

Khair, i like it she thought.

He halted the car immediately they went through the gate, there was a car parked at his usual parking space.

"Only one person does this to me...she knows how much i hate parking my car somewhere else...Muhibba". He muttered under his breath.

"Huh...Did you say something" Khairee asked.

"No" he parked his car near ummi's car and hopped out. He started walking towards the house before remembering about khairee. He turned to see her sitting in the car with no intention of coming out, he gestured for her to come out with his hands but she just looked at the door and then back at me. It suddenly occurred to him that she cannot Open the door.

"Oh ya Rabbi I wondered which village she's from" He mumbled before opening the door for her.

They stepped into the living room downstairs, no one was there so he asked her to sit on one of the couch while he headed upstairs. He met Ummi and Muhibba(his sister) watching an indian television series.

"Assalamu Alaikum" Omar farouq said while entering the parlour.

"Wa'alaikummusalaam" They both answered with a smile. Omar Farouq walked to where Muhibba was and took the little infant she was holding.

"Good afternoon Ummi" he said scooping the baby up.

"Afternoon how was school"

"Alhamdulillah Ummi" he said sitting down on the couch, he started playing with the baby making some funny faces which made the baby smiled briefly.

"Wow Ummi look baby Rafeeq just smiled at me wallahi, I thought babies doesn't like me, you see when Jannah was a baby she never smiled at me, no matter what i did to her. And when she started growing she don't even want me to look at her ". He said sadly.

"Kai Omar baka mantuwa ne, that was a long time, nine years ago, beside you're not the only one, even Abba complains alot too, she just dont like men as of that time. Look now she adores you more than anyone in this house." Muhibba consoled him

"Yeah you're right, where are they by the way?" he asked

"They went to islamiyya, Hope you didnt forget about my errand?" Ummi said.

"Laaa Ummi i almost forget, the girl is waiting downstairs"

"Haba Omar farouq how can you forget, Kai Allah ya shirya" Ummi said heading toward the door. He placed baby Rafeeq on his shoulder before he turned to Muhibba and spoke.

"So do you have any Idea who the girl is" he asked gently patting the babies back.

"Yeah, actually she's going to be Rafeeq's nanny"

"Nanny, Which kind of nanny? she's just a kid and i thought Old ladies are the Ones who are taken as a nanny, the girl is just a little bit above khalil's age".

"Hey listen, This days young mothers don't take Old ladies as nannies, we take little girls so that they will grow together with the type of moral you've given them both". Muhibba defended

"But this is not right, they also have a life of their own, a dream, a wish or an ambition for the future. She's suppose to be at school not a Nanny for Allah's sake."

"Enough with your Ramblings please, this girl is not forced into this, beside most of them are brought from the village, they don't go to school, they only want the money, and when they gathered enough they go back and get married, that's all"

Omar farouq was not convinced and he doesn't want to keep dragging the topic he just stood up and passed baby Rafeeq to his mother and walked out.

This is definitely not right he thought

*************

Khairee held her leather bag tightly to her chest as she sat on the floor wondering how beautiful the living is. She never thought even in the city there was a house as beautiful as this. The parlour was painted in light blue and white, there was a beautiful chandelier hang at the ceiling with sparkling bulbs. The cushions were the turkish style which was in blue and white as well, there was a big television set which was facing the entry door. Everything except the television in the palour was either blue or white including both the carpet that was spread at the center of the room and the carpet that was spread on the stair.

Everything is just breathtakingly beautiful.

It was city-like.

She saw Ummi coming down from the stairs, she was wearing a navy blue lace sewn into an A-shaped gown. She was tall, fair and a little bit Chubby.

She looks exactly like the guy who brought me here except for the skin colour Khairee thought.

Everything about her screams elegance.

Ummi walked down the stair slowly and majestically, she looked up to see a young girl sitting on the floor at the left side of the living room. She said the salaam and went ahead to sit down on one of the couches.

"Stand up and sit on one of the cushion, the tiles is alittle bit cold you might catch a cold" Ummi said with much concern. Khairee did as she was asked, she greeted her and Ummi answered curtly.

"We've already talked with Hajiya Sa'adah, She told me everything, I want you to do your best in taking care of the baby, and you will be paid every month. Do you Understand?"

"Yes I Understand, InshaAllah I will do my best"

"Good then, Follow me" Ummi said heading upstairs while khairee followed her. They past through a corridor and entered another living room, it was different from the one downstairs, the cushions were ash colored and the chandelier was smaller, the rug was also ash and white.

They met Muhibba rocking crying Rafeeq back and forth. She was alot different from Omar farouq, she was fair, and not too tall.

"Muhibba ga yarinyan nan, explain everything to her, and start preparing to go home its getting late already" Ummi said heading out.

"Haba Ummi, its just 5:30pm at least let me pray Maghrib first before i leave" On hearing that Ummi stopped

"Oh No you are not doing that, you are leaving now and when i said now, I mean now understood?"

"Yes"

"Good" Ummi muttered living the room to a stunned Khairee and a dissappointed Muhibba.

"What is your name" she heard Muhibba asked

"UmmulKhairee" she answered

"UmmulKhairee" she paused"quite long, i will just call you Khairee..are you Okay with it?" Muhibba asked

"Yeah am okay with it" Khairee anwsered

Impressive! I don't have to explain it to her like I did to the guy. Khairee thought.

"OK, So this is my boy Rafeeq, I want you to give him the best care you can, have you ever took care of a baby before?" Muhibba asked

"No i havent"

"Alright, for the meantime you will have to watch me and see how i do things, and when you're good enough you will take over". She said smiling and Khairee nodded glancing at the now sleeping Rafeeq.

"Oya lets go before Ummi start Complaining again" she stood up and lifted baby Rafeeq "where are your clothes?" she asked

"Here" Khairee showed her the lather bag she was holding.

"Is that all" she asked unbelievable, khairee just nodded staring at the floor.

"For how long are you staying"

"I don't know for know, i haven't thought of it"

"So how do you plan on living with just...let me see the bag" she stretched her hand to Khairee and collected the leather bag

"Two set of clothes...how?" Muhibba asked staring at her

" I ermmm I....lost.."

"Muhibba what are you still waiting for" Ummi cut her, entering into the room

"Ummi i was just leaving , I kind of explain somethings to her and i noticed she doesn't even have clothes"

"Oh yeah meet me in my room, I have some things to tell you" Ummi left while Muhibba followed her

"The girl lost her belongings in a car accident, and she's an Orphan. Do as much as you can to treat her well, buy some clothes for her and provide for the neccessary things she will need" Ummi said as they settle her room

"Muhibba I know you and your temper... Control it please, when she made a mistake which I know she definitely will, correct her. Muhibba I don't want you to be among those whose maltreated house helps just because they're serving them... Okay?"

"OK inshaAllah Ummi I will heed to your words, you won't find me guilty of any of those" Muhibba said holding both her mother's hands. Ummi regarded her for some time before nodding

"Alright then you should get going My dear".

"Okay".

Omar farouq watched from his window as they walked to Muhibba's car, Khairee was the one carrying baby Rafeeq while Muhibba was holding both her bag and Khairee's bag(leather). He kept staring at Khairee wondering how a little girl like this could be a nanny when in some places she isn't old enough to be taken care of by a nanny too.

This is not right.

I have to do something about it

But........... What?

What am I suppose to do

What.......? Omar farouq thought