Beyond the harem
Anthony Naomi@naomianthony081585
12 days ago
BEYOND
THE HAREM
📝SHE
Chapter 2, Ep 1
Aliyah struggled to shake off the feeling of guilt and fear, her heart heavy with Hajiya Fatima's warning.
Khalid's concerned gaze lingered, but Aliyah forced a smile.
"I'll be fine, Khalid. Just worried about school."
Khalid nodded sympathetically. "You'll do great, sis. Take care."
Aliyah hugged him tightly, fighting back tears.
"Thanks, Khalid. Bye."
As they parted, Ahmed appeared.
"Aliyah, take care of yourself," Ahmed said softly.
Aliyah's eyes met his, and for a moment, she forgot her troubles.
"Thanks, Ahmed," she whispered.
With a final glance, Aliyah followed Hajiya Fatima out the door.
In the car, Hajiya Fatima's cold demeanor returned.
"Remember, Aliyah, our secret stays hidden."
Aliyah nodded silently, her thoughts racing.
As they approached the park, Aliyah's anxiety grew.
What would happen if Alhaji found out?
Would Hajiya Fatima really harm her?
The questions swirled, but Aliyah knew she had to keep quiet.
Hajiya Fatima dropped Aliyah at the park, her parting words echoing.
"Don't forget, Aliyah, I'm watching you."
Aliyah watched as the car drove away, feeling trapped.
Aliyah sighed, shouldering her bag as she joined the queue for the public transport. The sun beat down relentlessly, casting a golden glow over the bustling park.
As she waited, Aliyah fidgeted with her ticket, checking the destination – Abuja, her school's location. The fare was ₦2,500, a significant chunk of the ₦20,000 Hajiya Fatima gave her.
The transport, a rickety old bus, creaked to a halt before her. Aliyah climbed aboard, squeezing past passengers to find an empty seat.
"Abuja, Abuja!" the conductor shouted, waving his hand.
Aliyah settled into her seat, wedged between a mother clutching a sleeping infant and a young man scrolling through his phone.
The bus lurched forward, jerking Aliyah into the seat. She gripped the front seat, her knuckles white.
As they navigated through the city's chaotic streets, Aliyah gazed out the window. Hawkers peddled their wares – plantains, phone chargers, and colorful fabrics.
The bus stopped frequently, picking up more passengers. Aliyah's seatmate, the young mother, struck up a conversation.
"Going to Abuja, dear?"
Aliyah nodded, smiling.
"School?"
"Yes, ma'am."
The mother smiled sympathetically. "Take care, dear. Study hard."
Aliyah thanked her, feeling a fleeting sense of comfort.
Hours passed, the landscape shifting from urban sprawl to rolling hills and lush forests. Aliyah dozed, exhausted.
The conductor's voice roused her. "Abuja! Last stop!"
Aliyah gathered her belongings, joining the throng of passengers disembarking.
She stretched, feeling stiff from the long ride. The school's familiar gates came into view.
Aliyah's heart swelled with relief. She was finally back.
As she walked toward the school, Aliyah's thoughts turned to Hajiya Fatima's secret.
What would happen if anyone discovered the truth?
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Aliyah walked through the school gates, a mix of excitement and nervousness coursing through her veins. She spotted familiar faces, friends she hadn't seen since the holidays.
"Aliyah!" her friends chorused, rushing to hug her.
Aliyah grinned, feeling a sense of belonging. "Hey, guys! Missed you all so much."
Her friends peppered her with questions: "How was your holiday?" "What did you do?" "Did you get any new clothes?"
Aliyah laughed, sharing stories of her time at home. But amidst the chatter, her mind drifted to Hajiya Fatima's secret.
She pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on reuniting with her friends.
As they walked to their dormitory, Aliyah's friend, Abigail, asked, "What's wrong, Aliyah? You seem distracted."
Aliyah hesitated, unsure how much to reveal.
"Just worried about schoolwork," she said finally.
Abigail nodded sympathetically. "We'll study together, don't worry."
Aliyah smiled, grateful for her friend's support.
As they settled into their dormitory, Aliyah's thoughts turned to her belongings. She had ₦17,500 left from the ₦20,000 Hajiya Fatima gave her.
Should she save it or use it for school expenses?
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Aliyah sought out Abigail, her closest confidante, during recess. They sat under a shaded tree, away from prying ears.
"Abigail, I need to tell you something," Aliyah said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Abigail's eyes locked onto Aliyah's. "What's wrong?"
Aliyah took a deep breath. "Hajiya Fatima did it again. She took most of the money Father gave her for me."
Abigail's expression darkened. "How much this time?"
"₦130,000. Father gave her ₦150,000 for my school expenses, but she only gave me ₦20,000."
Abigail's eyes widened. "That's outrageous! What did she say?"
Aliyah's voice trembled. "She warned me not to tell Father or I'll face consequences."
Abigail's face twisted in anger. "That woman is wicked. She's been doing this for years, hasn't she?"
Aliyah nodded, tears welling up. "Yes. But this time, it's worse. The money was for specific things we need to bring to school. If I don't have them, I'll be punished."
Abigail's grip on Aliyah's hand tightened. "We'll figure something out. Don't worry."
Aliyah felt a weight lift off her shoulders. Sharing her secret with Abigail had eased the burden.
"But what can we do?" Aliyah asked.
Abigail thought for a moment. "Let's make a list of what you need to buy. We can pool our resources or find another way."
Aliyah's eyes sparkled with gratitude. "Thanks, Abigail. You're the best."
As they hugged, Aliyah knew she wasn't alone.
To be continued......
