FEW MONTHS LATER
Fatimah and Blessing had become really close. They hung out together, played together, gisted, and shared secrets. The only thing they didn’t do together was house chores—Grace never allowed Fatimah’s “freedom of movement” easily.
Ever since that day in the kitchen, Abdulrahman had started seeing Fatimah differently. He no longer bullied her. Instead, each time he set his eyes on her, he got lost in thought. But his strange silence and constant stares made Fatimah even more uncomfortable.
---
In the kitchen
Blessing: (embraces Fatimah from behind suddenly) Hey, sis!
Fatimah: (startled, almost dropping the broom) You scared me! I thought it was someone else.
Blessing: (grinning) Like who? You know nobody in this house treats you nicely except me.
Fatimah: (smiling) Thank you, my good Samaritan. (They both chuckle.) So, what’s your plan for today?
Blessing: Hmm… actually, I want to go to the market. I need to get some personal stuff. Oh! Let me help you with that sweeping. (She tries to collect the broom from Fatimah, but Fatimah holds it tight.)
Fatimah: (shaking her head) Don’t worry, my beautiful helper. You don’t have to.
Blessing: Come on! Besides, Mum isn’t around. She went to the shop.
Fatimah: (quickly changing the subject) So… what kind of personal stuff are you getting?
Blessing: (counts on her fingers) Pads, cream, undies, makeup… and maybe some other things I can’t remember for now.
Fatimah: Wow! Rich girl. Where did you get that money from?
Blessing: (looks left and right, then whispers close to Fatimah’s ear) My boyfriend gave me.
Fatimah: (shocked, gasps) What! Your boyf—
Blessing: (quickly covers her mouth) Shhh! Do you want the whole street to hear?
Fatimah: (muffled voice) Sorry.
Blessing: (removes her hand, smiling) Anyway… will you accompany me?
Fatimah: At your service, Your Highness. (They both laugh.) Just give me a few minutes to finish mopping.
Blessing: And I told you to let me help, but you refused.
Fatimah: Don’t worry, I’ll be done in no time.
Blessing: Okay then. Let me find something to wear.
Fatimah: Is there even a need? You already look great.
Blessing: (dramatically) No o! I look horrible. What if we meet a handsome guy on the way? Besides, you must also change into something better.
Fatimah: As for me, I’m fine with this gown.
Blessing: Yeah, that expired gown.
Fatimah: (laughs) Come on, I’m the one wearing it, not you, madam.
Blessing: (smirks) Anyway, hurry up. I’ll be right back. Charming dress, here I come! (She dashes off to her room.)
Fatimah: (shaking her head, smiling) Funny girl.
---
20 minutes later
Fatimah: (knocks on Blessing’s door) Madam! Are you not done?
Blessing: Almost. Come in.
Fatimah: (enters and freezes, her mouth wide open)
Blessing: (checking the mirror, concerned) What happened? Is there something on my face?
Fatimah: (in awe) You… look… so… beautiful in that makeup.
Blessing: (blushing) Awwn, darling, thank you.
Fatimah: But… are you sure you’re only going to the market?
(They both laugh as Blessing twirls in front of the mirror, while Fatimah watches with admiration and a little worry in her eyes.)
Blessing: No.
Fatimah: No? And you dress up like you are going to a party?
Blessing: Look honey, you are old school. Anyway, come.
Fatimah: To where?
Blessing: Don’t you want some makeover?
Fatimah: No! I’m good. Besides, I have never done makeup before and I don’t know how I’m gonna look in it.
Blessing: That’s the best part, baby girl. Now come here.
Fatimah: No, I’m ok like this. Let’s hurry, I have to prepare dinner.
Blessing: Right! Make way for the princess.
Fatimah: Make way for your majesty. (They burst into laughter) Let’s go jor.
---
(On their way to the market)
Blessing: Wait!!
Fatimah: What?
Blessing: This is a fine spot for me to take some pictures.
Fatimah: (touching her chest) You scared the life out of me! I thought you saw Mum.
Blessing: No now. And even if I see Mum, why will I be scared? You better work on yourself and learn to fight for your right. Maybe that’s why Mum and Abdulrahman always treat you harshly.
Fatimah: (she pauses) You are right!
Blessing: About what? See, take my pics and take a good picture of me.
Fatimah: Oh, ok. (She takes the phone)
---
(5 minutes later)
Fatimah: (looking tired) I think we’ve taken lots of pictures already.
Blessing: No! I need to take like 50. Snap me as I’m standing like this.
Fatimah: What!? You have got to be kidding me.
---
(As they were busy taking pictures, Jamiu is driving along the street. He sees Fatimah, quickly gets out of his car, adjusts his shirt, and walks towards her direction.)
Jamiu: Hello beautiful.
Blessing: (Fatimah didn’t turn because she is carried away with Blessing’s pose) Hi. (She responded)
Jamiu: How are you doing? Uhmm… I’m Jamiu Balogun by name. And you?
Blessing: I’m Blessing Sulaiman.
Jamiu: And you? (He faces Fatimah)
Fatimah: (she also faces him, shocked) Uhhmmm… Good afternoon sir. But have we met before?
Jamiu: Yes, of course. Remember when a thief snatched money from your hand? Well, it’s been three to four months now.
Fatimah: Ohh, I remember! Good afternoon, sir.
Blessing: You two know each other? Well, I’m the confused one here.
Jamiu: Uhmm… I wanted to know more about you that day, but you ran away. Fortunately, we meet again. This is my lucky day.
Fatimah: (She doesn’t say a word.)
Blessing: Uhhmm… so do you like her, or what?
Jamiu: (Smiling) Uhmm, yeah. And I’d love to get her number if she doesn’t mind.
Fatimah: (Her face changes and she walks out on them.)
Jamiu: Wait! Please wait! (He tries to follow her, but Blessing stops him.)
Blessing: Uhmm, sorry about that. She’s a shy type and also… she doesn’t have a phone. That’s why. But if you don’t mind, I can give you mine, so anytime you call, I’ll give her the phone.
Jamiu: That’s very kind of you. Uhmm… do you two live together?
Blessing: Yes, we are sisters.
Jamiu: Oh really? But you two don’t look alike at all.
Blessing: If you say so. Give me your phone so I can—
Jamiu: Oh, sorry. (He hands the phone over to her.)
Blessing: Here. Her name is Fatimah.
Jamiu: Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.
Blessing: You’re welcome. Anyway, I have to catch up with her. Bye.
Jamiu: Bye.
---
Back home.
Blessing: (Following her to the kitchen) What is wrong with you? Why have you been moody since that guy approached you? And why don’t you want to talk to me?
Fatimah: (Keeping herself busy by putting water on the fire) Nothing, Blessing.
Blessing: And you expect me to believe that? Did he say anything harsh that made you dislike him just like that?
Grace: (Appears from nowhere) Dislike who?
Fatimah: (Shocked) Nothing… M… ma.
Blessing: (Surprised) Uhmm, welcome Mama. We didn’t know you were back from the shop. So, how was the market?
Grace: Don’t change the topic. Who dislikes who?
Blessing: We were just talking about—
Grace: (Cuts in) Blessing! I wasn’t talking to you, but to Fatimah.
Fatimah: (sweating nervously, voice trembling) Uhm… it’s… it’s about… uhm… one…
Grace: (frowning, furious, arms folded) One what? Speak up!
Blessing: (cutting in boldly) It’s about one guy we met. He wanted to bully us, so we—
Grace: (snaps at her, eyes blazing) I said I wasn’t talking to you!
Blessing: (raises her voice, defiant) Well, you should be talking to both of us, not just her, Mom!
Grace: (turns sharply to Fatimah, pointing at her) I guess I’ve been giving you too much freedom in this house. From now on—
Blessing: (interrupts, standing tall, voice firm) Before you move further, Mom, she has the right to go anywhere she wants! She has the freedom of speech, movement, and expression!
Grace: (her face hardens, breathing heavily) Blessing! To your room, now!
Blessing: (glares at her mother, shaking her head) I am not going anywhere!
Grace: (yells, stamping her foot) I said to your room now!
Fatimah: (already crying, pleading voice,
hands clasped together) Blessing, please… listen to her. Just… go to your room.
Blessing: (huffs angrily, storms off and slams the door behind her).
Grace: (turns back to Fatimah, her voice cold and cutting) And as for you, madam, you are not allowed to—
Fatimah: (wipes her tears, voice sharp with anger) Yes, I got it! I’m not allowed to step out of this house again. Got it!
Grace: (taken aback, blinking in shock) Well… good. Now, get back to your cooking.
Fatimah: (mutters bitterly, without looking at her) I’m already cooking.
Grace: (face tightens, shocked at her boldness, she quickly steps away and leaves).
Fatimah: (clenches her fist, whispers under her breath with burning anger) Freedom…
---
(Five minutes later)
Abdulrahman: (walks in, cheerful, slapping Fatimah on the back lightly) Ehh, Fatimah, how far?
Fatimah: (silent, continues working, her face stiff).
Abdulrahman: (leans closer, annoyed) Eh! I’m talking to you!
Fatimah: (finally turns, her face changes, eyes cold and sharp) What is it?
Abdulrahman: (stunned by her tone, pointing at himself) Are you… are you talking to me like that?
Fatimah: (ignores him, focuses back on her work, wiping her tears with the back of her hand).
Abdulrahman: (furious, steps forward, raising his hand) Are you mad? If I slap you now—!
Fatimah: (spins around, her voice thunders, eyes burning) Don’t you dare raise your hand on me!
Abdulrahman: (freezes, shocked, his hand suspended in the air, staring at her in disbelief).
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