Nine

"Assalamualaikum"

Sadiq raised his head and was met with his drained friend. He unplugged the iron he was using " waalaikumusalam. Finally you're here." he said to jafar .

Jafar walks straight to the bed, he kept his bag one side and lat flat on the the bed.

" I'm so so tired and hungry wallahi"

Sadiq hang the shirt he ironed and went to drag a stool to sit on " see this boy fa, wasn't there a cafeteria at your work place? "

Jafar sighed " of course there is, I didn't go there coz their price is too high. I haven't even earned my first salary self so why waste so much money" he pout with  sagged shoulder .

Sadiq look at him funnily " you better not kill yourself with this your economising. With time everything will get better. "

" hmm I heard you "

Sadiq only shake his head " I'm telling you the truth fa. I was surprised when I saw your call and the most surprising thing is the fact that you just want to ask if I have already prepare dinner" he chuckled

When jafar was on his way home after the long work at the office,  he made sure to call sadiq in other to ask if dinner was ready.Already, sadiq had finished making dinner as today was his turn.

Jafar got up from bed and marched to their drawer " what do you want me to say now? I already told you that I have heard "

" anyway, how did your day go?"  jafar change the topic and  pull off his shirt.

Sadiq sat upright " well, it went OK? " he wasn't even sure if that was the right way to put it

Today was totally bad for Sadiq. He woke up early this morning with his major illness which was asthma. He has been diagnosed with the aliment at the age of 18 and he makes sure to always properly take good care of himself.  But today's own wasn't easy, it really drained him.

Jafar scoff and gave him a quizzical look    " why did you say it like you aren't even sure how your day went"he came back to sit on the bed

" well,you should already know what I meant " said sadiq.

Jafar sat, trying to process what he meant. He join two and two together " don't tell me that your asthma is back again? "

Sadiq nodded

" you really need to go to the hospital, you know how it always wears you down. Let not forget that yours is very chronic "

" of course I have taught about going to the hospital tomorrow " he stretched and stood up " anyways let me serve the food"

" I almost forgot, there is something you need to know about your brother " said jafar, remembering what sakeena had told him.

" what is it about him" sadiq asked confusingly

" something so shocking, I tell you. But let me have my meal first before I tell you, that is if you don't want me to die of hunger" he smirk

An already eager sadiq glares at him. He was all ears to what his friend wanted to say but the idiot isn't going to say anything till he have food in his stomach.

" food monger kawai " sadiq muttered and went to fetch the food

" I heard that " jafar shouted

" of course you were meant to hear"

" whatever"

***

" little one, I think you should leave the remaining work till tomorrow. You've been working since you came to the office and its 6:00pm now. " Rahama's dad scolded .  He sat opposite her with crossed leg.

" I'm rounding up already, you need not to worry dad" she closed the file and smile at him.

One admirable fact about Rahama is that,she gives so much attention to her job. She is a workaholic when it comes to that and that is one of the thing some of her employees admire in her. She might not have a good character but she knows how to do her job firmly.

" so dear, I have been meaning to ask you " her dad became serious

She sat upright " what is it dad? "

" well, how is your relationship with Mansir going. Is he a gentleman as he seems to be? " he wiggled his brow.

She immediately cover her face shyly" dad" she drawled " why is it that you find joy in teasing me. I thought most father are always strict when it comes to their daughters relationship but yours is different dad" she  pout.

He laughed loudly" my dear, I'm not most father. I'm Alhaji Dabo ,do you now see the difference"

" you've started again " she folded her arms with a pout

He raised his hand in surrender

" OK, do you want me to be strict with you? If that is what you want then tell me"

She sighed " well, I didn't mean it that way. I love you just the way you are dad. And for your question, he called yesterday and request to take me out tomorrow "

" so what was your reply ?"

" I said yes to him"

" That's good dear. Whatever your decision is I will support you" he held her hand in an encouraging way

" Thanks dad. You really are one in a million and I'm never ever going to change you for anything in this world "

" Me too dear. Although you still have some clause and I pray that almighty Allah will lead you to the right part"

" Ameen , even though I know that I did nothing wrong" she roll her eyes

" hmm, you this child " he shakes his head

" Dad you don't need to disturb yourself. If it is changes you want then I will try my best"

"you better try harder "  he warned " what about the young man I told you to give a call? "

She gave him a quizzical look,trying to remember what man

" what man? "

" the young man who came for an interview last three days "

She made a 'oh' sound when she remembers "  I totally forgot dad. I was too choked up with work, I promise to give him a call today. Infant right now"

How come I forgot to give the mechanic guy a call ?

She stood up to check for his document.

" don't worry dear, you can try calling him later. I really  need to talk to him"

She was confused at why her dad is insisting on  talking to him. Before ,she taught it was because he wanted to punish sadiq for insulting her the last time ,but now she think otherwise.

" OK dad"

The chair made a screeching sound as Alhaji Dabo stood up " I'm heading home dear or do you want me to wait for you?

" no, no you don't need to. I was thinking about making a stop at a snacks shop down town " she said and repare her Vail properly.

" OK then. Make sure you don't take too long coz it already getting dark dear" he warned

" I promise , I'll be home on time "

He nodded and left.

She used her phone as mirror to clean the little smudged mascara close to her eyes. She rechecked if it was OK and decided to take a selfie. She loves selfies. She saved one of it as her wallpaper and decides to finally get up her seat.

Rahama stretched and pack all her things inside her bag. She look for Sadiq's number in his documents since she has a copy. She saved the number as ' low life'

The name fits him, she thought and smiled wickedly. She straightened her fitted gown and finally called it a day.

***

" WHAT?!"

He shouted in disbelief

" don't be surprise" said jafar

After he finished the plate of rice sadiq served him , he told sadiq all that sakeena had told him about mansir getting married. Sadiq just couldn't believe that his own brother is set to get married.

Don't get him wrong, he isn't against his brother getting married. He was just surprised that  his brother who is a womanizer is ready to get married.

He knew their is more to all these, it is either the lady came from a rich family or she is pregnant with mansir's child, sadiq thought

" how did you know about it?" he asked jafar

" well, sakeena told me"

Sadiq was still in disbelief " but did she tell you who the bride is going to be ? "

" yes but I don't think it's someone we know. " jafar answered

" I really pity the lady coz I know my brother will never stop his womanizing act "he shake is head in wonderment

" it non of our business whosoever he wants to marry .Let's mind our business " warned jafar

" you're right though" sadiq went to keep his dirty plate in the kitchen .He came back to join his friend in their room

He sat comfortably on the bed and a thought cross his mind " so I've been wondering "

" wondering what? " asked jafar who was lying flat on a mat.

" is there anything between your boss and you coz I don't understand how you two have time to discuss such personal matters when you are supposed to be doing your job " he smirk

Jafar immediately sat up at this" of course not  , there is nothing between us. Why does it even bothers you, all I know is  that, there is nothing  wrong  getting comfortable with one's boss. " he defensively let out

Sadiq raised his brows at him " of course there is something wrong when that boss is a lady"

" think whatever you want, I don't care "

" keep deceiving yourself " teased sadiq

"shut up"

Sadiq wore his canvas and stood up " are you up for today's jogging? " He always go for a jog at night. To him it makes him feel refreshing

" nope , I'm not"  jafar answered and hugged the pillow tightly

" lazy ass" Sadiq teased

" since you aren't a lazy ass please go and let me rest" he hummed softly in the pillow

Sadiq made sure to hit jafar on the head before making his way out " see you later"

He heard jafar yelling  " don't even come back"

He plugged in a earphone to his phone before connecting it to his ear and then play a song by kiss Daniel  titled 'poko'.  His jugging began.

***

She parked at the eatery and made her way to the entrance. Rahama bought several snacks and ice cream. She had decided to surprise her little siblings with the ice-cream since she promised to buy it for them.

After She was finally done buying things  she got into  her car and finally made her way home. Already the time had clock 7:00pm and she knew that her dad will be so worried. She increase the speed of her car since the  road was quiet no one was out and there were only few cars on the road.

Like magic, the car suddenly stopped in the middle of the road. She started it up again and it refuses to start. At this point she became scared not only that she was on the middle of the road but also that the area was quiet and dark. The only cars she she saw passing had already passed by long ago.

An idea came to her. She tried calling home but she was met with the shock of her life ' her damn battery was down' it has never happened before . It like a deja vu .

She has never encountered such thing in all her years of living. It was as if someone was out for her today. She began to get shitless scared .

What am I going to do? 'she kept muttering trying to think of an  idea.

This is all the mechanic's fault. If he had done his work correctly this wouldn't have happened. That stupid low life man with his  stupid attitude .

She thought of walking but decided against it coz it was as if the more she walks the more the place is becoming dark and scary. She decided to just wait maybe a car might pass . Rahama stand close to her car shivering because of the chilled whether.

She caught  sight of two figures coming, her spirit was lifted. She felt happy that finally God has sent some people to her. She was waving her hand at them like a mad woman.

" please I need help" she shouted out so that they can hear since they were still far from her.

The two men walk faster to her with a sinister smile on their faces. One of them lick his lips disgustingly.

" hello beautiful lady" the other man with a cigarette in his hand said. That was when Rahama knew that she was totally doom.

She turn to the other side to escape them but one of them held her hand quickly.

" Take your disgusting hand away from me" she screamed

" you are a feisty one,i see" the man holding her said

She decided to talk nicely maybe they might let her go" please let me go, please I beg you. I'll give you whatever you want, I have lots of money in my car, please" she desperately pleaded

" of course you will give us what ever we want " she shuddered at the bad odour that came out of the man's mouth. He held her closely.

" do you know what that is? " she shake her head in fear, already getting hint of what he meant.

" we want to have a good time with you"

She raged and struggle to  free herself from his clutch

" you disgusting pig, how dear you say that to me" she fight with all her might.

The man noticed that she won't relent easily , he told the other man to help him hold her down so he can have his way with her first . Rahama noticed. She screamed very loud for help, she felt helpless. She struggled and struggled hard when they were about to pull her clothes. They succeeded with the Vail. Her scream never seize to stop. The men were also surprised at the amount of power she has. She just wasn't giving up. They were trying their best to have their way and she was trying her best to protect her dignity.

One of them brought out a knife from his pocket to threaten her with it.

" if you don't stay put, I will stick this knife inside your belly " he threatened

She spit at him " I will be so glad if you kill me than let you two have your ways "

He gave her a hot slap and began to tear her clothes with the knife. She was totally helpless and drained. She fight and fight and fight. The more she fight it the more drain she becomes . She gave up . It came to a point that her tears were tired of flowing, her heart hurt so much that she wish an helper would appare suddenly.  She began to see dots and she happily welcomed it with open arms .

" WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE"

That was the last thing she heard before darkness finally took over her