ƁATACCEN YANAYI
CHAPTER 4
anyi stating age din Laylah as 24, that has been changed to 26and a wannan chapter din
tunda suna Australia ne ya kamata ace foreign currency zanyi using amma sai naga ga
kowa ya san exchange rate ba so I’lljust use the Nigerian naira and kobo. Thanks.
Auctioning ceremony din na fara wa Abdulmalik yayi waje, ba shi sama bare qasa amma da
yike shi ba wani important personnel bane a gun ba wanda ya damu. Shikuma yanafita
museum din inda suka yi parking cars dinsu ya wuce bodyguard ya buda mai mota ya shiga
ya zauna yayi connecting wireless earpiece to kunnensa kuma laptop inda ke gabansa
wanda a ciki yana ganin duk abunda ke faruwa a ciki domin communicating da Nawfal.
Ana ta auctioning kaya amma ba wanda yayi striking Abdulmalik kamar wani comb made
of gold. A can cikin auditorium din, host din na bada brief history din comb din.
“The comb belonged to a queen, the wife of the Rajah of a Mughal empire during the 19th
century. It’s the only one in the whole world, none like it. Hand carved with 24 carat pure
gold..It was found in a tomb in India” daga karshe ya fadi starting bet “And the starting
bet for this comb is 2 million”. Tunda ya fara maganan comb din kawai Abdulmalik yaji iya
so ya siyawa begum. Dama birthday dinta is round the corner.
Nan da nan wani hamshakin me kudi daga India ya kara million daya aka kudin da aka fadi.
Saura kiris a siyar mai sai ga muryar Laylah Jaan.
“4 million
“Nawfal add to her price, now! Kar ka mun gardama”. Yina gama magana Nawfal ya kara
million daya akan kudin. Maganar sa ke da wuya wani bature ya kara million 2. Yana karawa
yace wa Nawfal ya kara million daya a sama, kudin ya tashi a 8 million kenan. Nawfal na sa
kudi Laylah ita ma ta qara million daya.
Is she this wealthy’ ya fadi a zuciya amma a fili yace “Let’s see how far this goes”
“Nawfal you must get that comb!”. Ya fadi “ka qara 3 million” Yana qarawa ba wanda ya
kuma sa kudi. A haka ya siya comb din a naira million goma sha uku.
Wani murmushin satisfaction ya saki daga nan kuma bai kuma siyan wani antique piece ba
har auctioning event din yazo karshe. A lokacin ne ya koma ciki. Basu wani dade ba suka
wuce ba tare da ya kuma ganin Laylah ba.
Tun ranar, Abdulmalik be hadu da Laylah ba sai after 2 days ya ce wa Tariq ya shirya zasu Jk
guesthouse. Suna zuwa suka shiga har gidan da mota. Masu aiki suka masu masauki aka
kawo musu refreshments kan aka je kiran Laylah.
“Ma’am, someone from khalif group of companies here to see you”. Laylah na jin haka ta
dako tsalle daga kan gado, har da back flips dinta.
“‘ll be out in a jiffy”. Har da dan rawar murnan ta ta shirya tsaf kan ta fito. Tana ganin
Abdulmalik ne da wani wanda bata san sa ba ta dan saki ýar murmushi.
Hey. Ta fadi tana karasawa inda suke. sai da suka gama gaisawa Tariq ya kawo excuse in
zai fita ansa waya daga nan be kuma shigowa ba. Dama yayi haka ne dan kada ya ji zancen
da uban gidan nasa zai yi da ita.
“This is for you, from boss”. Ya fadi kan ya miqa mata bottle din wani hadadden wine.
“For me? Avintage wine for me?”. Ta fadi cikin mamaki. Godia tayi ta ansa kan ta aika one
of masu aikin gidan a kawo mata wine glasses biyu. Ana kawowa tayi popping cork din ta
zuba wine in both glasses ta tura mai daya ta dau daya. “Sooo, since we’re now friends can
we get to learn more about each other?”. Ta tambaya cikin muryar ta me sanyi shikam
dama Abdulmalik ba san tafia da wuri yike ba sai kuma gashi tayi making things easier for
him da ta ja sa da hira. Jefi Jefi suna dan satan kallon juna.
“Sure why not. Amma ke zaki fara”.
“Ni? Why me? Aah nikam, ni kai zaka fara”
“Toh shikenan” ya fadi kan ya saki dan murmushi ya gyara murya.
“T’m kha…
Har ya kusa tona wa kansa asiri sai yayi saurin wayincewa da tari ya kuma
gyaran murya.
“T’m Abdulmalik Aliyu. From jigawa state, actually iyaye na migrants ne from Yemen,
Babana gaba da baya iyayen sa ýan can ne a can aka haife sa amma suna yara suka yi
migrating to Nigeria, ita kuma mahaifiyata Babanta ne kawai dan Yemen, mahaifiyar ta ýar
jigawa ce”.
“No wonder kake da kyau”. Ta fadi cike da fara’a. “Ina jin ka”
“Ummm i’m the only son kuma nima ina da yaro..” Tsayawa yayi ganin yadda face dinta ya
sanja zuwa fuskar mamaki.
“Ke.Ken…kenan kana da aure?” Ta tambaya cikin inina.
Sai da yayi dariya me qara kan ya ansa ta “Aah, i’m a single d… Be gama magana ba
ringing din wayar sa ta katse su. Dama akwai ýar madaidaiciyar phone da yike using when
he’s undercover. “Excuse me please” ya fadi cikin wani low voice. Miqewa yayi ya fara ansa
call din, Al-Mubaraq ne ya kira cewa ana neman sa urgently to sign on some documents.
Yana gama wayar ya juya ya Kalle ta.
“T’m so sorry buddy, wallahi boss na nema na but I promise to make it up to you'”: Ya fadi ya
mata murmushi. Sai da ta raka shi bakin mota sannan ya buda pigeon hole din motar ya
fito da wasu envelopes biyu, daya brown dayan kuma irin dan medium sized invite
envelope. “From boss” kawai yace mata ya shiga mota suka wuce.
Tana shiga ciki ta buda envelopes din kawai sai ihun murna aka ji ta saki tana tsalle kan
gadon ta. Envelope din farko wanna gold comb din ne a ciki da short note a jiki “Khalifa Al-
Haydar shikenan abunda aka rubuta baa ce komi ba. Na Biyu kuma invite ne zuwa dinner
inda aka hada wa Khalifa Al-Haydar wanda ke gabatowa. Sai da ta gama rawar murnan ta
kan ta dau waya ta shiga Skype. Yasmeenah ta fara nema. Yasmeenah na dagawa koh
gaisawa basu yi ba ta fara mata zuba.
“T’m going to khalifa Al-Haydar’s party”. Ta fadi
“Ke haba, zuba mun labari na sha'”.
“I think i finally has his attention”.
“Yau nike jin gist ma he’ll soon be in Nigeria for his mom’s birthday bash”
“His mom’s birthday?”. Laylah ta tambaya “kutumar uba! Toh wallahi no doubt Nawfal is
khalifa Al-Haydar”
“Meyasa kika ce haka?” Yasmeenah ta tambaya nan Laylah ta fara bata labari daga mail
inda ta tura mata wanda aka ce ana tunanin Nawfal ne khalifa zuwa zuwanta gida Mr Yates
inda matar shi ke fadi mata Nawfal kamar shine khalifa Al-Haydar ga kuma lokacin da ta ga
Abdulmalika shopping mall yace mata da boss dinsa yazo wato Nawfal, zai siyawa
mamansa birthday present.
“Shegiya Jaan! Dadina dake brains, ga kyau da kwakwalwa me ja. Amma wannan ya ma
raina wa mutane hankali”. Dariya Laylah tayi kan ta nuna mata gold comb inda ya aiko tare
da invite zuwa dinner.
“Qure wanka zakiyi, ki saci hankalinsa, ki tafi da imaninsa”. Har ta buda baki zata fadi wa
Yasmeenah abu amma kawai sai ta mata sallama.
Kwanciya tayi shuru a zuciyar ta tana ta fadi ma kanta this will be her last assignment.
Khalifa Al-Haydar will be her last bait. She has achieved almost all her goals. It’s high time
she bade prostitution goodbye.
Hawaye ne suka kufce mata data dago ta kalli kanta a mirror. Ta qura wa mirror dun ido,
koh kiftawa bata yi, ga hawaye masu sanyi na ta zuba daga idanun ta.
Special make up artist inda tayi hiring ce ta dago ta Kalle ta “What’s wrong? You don’t like
the make up?”. Ta tambaya baki a tabe.
“Are you kidding me?”. Laylah ta fadi tana dan goge hawaye a hankula da wani dan hankie
“I love it. I look.. exceptional. I feel great, I just remembered something and it made me
teary eyed
“Oh come on, this isn’t the time to cry, sit let me add a few touch ups”. Ta zauna shuru
make up artist din ta dan gyara mata make up din kadan. Ba wani abu bane ya sa ta kuka
illa red lipstick inda ke bakin ta, da kuma Idanunta da suka sha kohl. Tuna can rayuwar ta a
baya tayi, tuno mutum na farko da ya fara siya mata kayan kwalliya tayi, Mahmoud dinta..
Har ta shiga tunani taji an tabo ta an ce ta wuce ta shirya ta sa riga ta dawo ayi hairdo dinta.
Miqewa tayi ta dau rigar ta wuce. Bayan kamar 10 minutes ta dawo tayi twirling tana
tambayan make up artist din da hairstylist how she looks.
“Girl you look exceptional! Masha Allah”. Make up artist din wanda balarabiya ce tayi
commenting. Zama tayi aka yi styling mata kan ta into a nice loose bun, aka dan ban few
strands din gashi ta gaba. Bayan an gama komi da komi ta miqe ta Qure ma kanta kallo a
floor length mirror inda ke passageway na stairs din. Ta yi kyau ta hadu cikin wani
burgundy coloured satin dress wanda ke da Cape a baya. Dress dinta was looking hot and
at the sake time fairly modest. (Duk me son yaga dress in Laylah should slid into my dnm na
nuna masa. 2k ne kacal ba tsada) Tun asali Laylah ta kasance ba me cika son sa kaya da
ke exposing jiki sosai ba. Takalmin qafar ta kuma wani black stiletto heel ne me kyau
designer, sai wani dan diamond stud earring da ta sa a kunne wanda ke da zoben sa. Ta
daga wata ýar baqar clutch wanda yayi matching da hair colour dinta da kuma colour din
takalminta. Wani black fur jacket ta daura a saman dress din kan ta sauko.
A hankula ta taka har qasa inda Mr Yates ke jiran ta, shima ya sha kyau cikin wani black
tuxedo masu kyau da tsada wanda ta siya mai. Tunda bata san kowa baa garin shi ta ma
tayin ya rakata dinner din as her date.
“You look stunning ma’am”. Ya fadi bayan sun shiga mota.
“Laylah.. ust Laylah. And by the way Simon, you’re not looking bad either” Ta fadi cike
da murmushi.
Suna isa gun aka buda mata mota ta fito sannan ta sa face mask dinta kan Simon ya riqo
hannunta. Dama theme din paty din kenan, kowa sai ya sa mask. Suna isowa kan a bari su
shiga ciki sai da aka tambaya sunanta sannan ta nuna invite dinta kan aka basu table
number aka kuma ansa jacket dinta suka wuce ciki. Qaton hall cike da jama’a from
different walks of life, turawa ne, larabawa, Indians, Africans jama’a duk dai gasu iri iri
kowa da date dinsa. Mazan duk sunyi kyau sun sha tuxedos su kuma mata kowa ta Qure
ado cikin dinner gowns masu kyau da tsadan gaske ga kuma face masks iri iri kowa na
sanye da, mostly duk face masks din idanun mutane suke rufewa, wasu kuma har zuwa
hanci. Tunda Laylah ta shiga ake ta kallon ta, ana wondering wacece ita, diyar wani qusan
ne koh kuma matar wani qusa ne. karya ne namiji ya Kalle ta so daga ya wuce, sai ya juya
ya kuma mata kallo, rigar da ta sa ta matukar mata kyau gashi ya fito da figure dinta sosai.
Waiter na zuwa giftawa ta gun su Laylah ta tsayar da shi ta dauki cocktail drink tunda ita
bata shan alcohol, shi kuma Mr Yates ya dau glass din brandy. Suna zaune suna dan hira jefi
jefi suna dariya abunsu, suka juya suna kallon masu rawa. Dan kwanakin da Laylah tayi a
Australia ta shaqu matuka da Simon dan hira suke sosai kamar sun dade sosai da sanin
juna, kuma sakin jiki take yi in dai tana tare dashi. Sosai yike tuna mata da Abban ta in yana
magana da kuma yanayin barkwancin sa. Gashi da kirki kamar me.
Wakar da ke playing aka tsayar kowa ya dawo gun zaman sa kan aka yi welcoming din host
din party din, wanda ake dinner din in his honour; khalifa Al-Haydar. Ji tayi cikin ta har
wani kulle wa yayi dun ta qosa ta ga wannan Khalifa Al-Haydar din. Maza uku taga sun
shigo sanye da suits na alfarma, da ka gan su kaga kudi. Na farkon ta gane sa dun shakka
babu Nawfal ne, yana dariya ta ganesa, na biyun kuma bata tunanin ta taba ganin sa, yana
da dan jiki kuma be yi tsawo can can ba kuma ga bisa dukkan alamu dattijo ne shi ba yaro
ba. Sai kuma na ukun wanda sanye yike da face mask wanda ta rufe kusan duka face dinsa,
ta kasa gane koh waye shi, sai dai yadda yike tafiya da yana yin build din jikinsa ya mata
kama da na wani wanda ta sani. Na farkon ji tayi anyi introducing dinsa as Nawfal
Muhammad Fadoul sai kuma na biyun, wato dan dattijon aka yi introducing dinsa as Al-
Mubaraq Bala, general overseer din khalif airlines and group of companies. Sai last but not
least khalifa AlLHaydar, giant of khalif airlines and group of companies.
Kan ta a wannan lokacin ya matukar daure, wondering take ta yi koh da gaske Nawfal and
khalifa are 2 different people koh kuma kawai Nawfal ya samo wani ne ya yi acting as
khalifa.
“Wai wannan wani irin game khalifa Al-Haydar yike da mutane ne”. Ta fadi cikin wata
sassanyar murya. Sai a lokacin suna na biyu da aka kira ya fara ringing on her head. Al-
Mubaraq Bala, the name sounded very familiar. Tana cikin duniyar nazarinta ta ji an miqo
mata hannu.
“A dance with the pretty lady, may 1?”. Dago kan da zata yi taga wannan mutumin ne fa da
aka yi introducing as khalifa Al-Haydar. Ji tayi kamar a mafarki, mutumin da ta dade tana
farautar sa shine ya kawo kansa gare ta.
“With utmost pleasure”. Ta fadi gami da sa hannunta cikin nasa wanda ya miqo. A haka ya
riqo ta har dance floor din inda “perfect din “Ed Sheeran” ke ta tashi.
“And in your eyes you’re holding mine
Baby, I’m dancing in the dark with you between my arms
Barefoot on the gras, listening to our favorite song
When you said you looked a mess, I whispered underneath my breath
But you heard it, darling. you look perfect tonight”
A hankula suke ta swaying to rythm din waqar sai ji tayi ya matso dai dai kunnenta “you
look perfect tonight”. Ji tayi jikinta ya wani irin mutu, kamar a movie wai gata tana rawa da
Khalifa Al-Haydar, har yace mata tayi kyau. Amma kuma voice dinsa kamar ta sansa a wani
gu, harta Kanshin cologne dinsa was scenting very familiar. Tabbas! Ta taba jin voice dinsa
a wani gu amma ta rasa a ina. Kawai sai tayi tunanin toh deja vu ne, maybe bata ji ba
kwakwalwarta kawai ke fadi mata karya. Sai da waqar ya qare tukun ta lura su kadai ke
dance floor din kuma idanun kowa a kansu yike. Murmushi kawai ta saki da taga sai hoto
ake ta musu, ta san ta samu shiga, gaskia dole gobe ta kalli CNN, dan ta tabbata sai ta fito a
news din gobe. Nima ai dole na kalli CNN koh dan naga khalifan nan
Rakata yayi seat dinta yayi placing gentle kiss a hannunta wanda ke cikin nasa kan ya juya
ya wuce. Zaman ta ke da wuya Nawfal Muhammad Fadoul shima ya qaraso inda take ya
rada mata abu a kunne.
“Kin tafi da imanin dan uwana”. That was the only thing da ya fadi mata ya wuce. Rest of
the party went well, mutane kowa sai son yike yayi hoto da Laylah, koh ayi magana da ita,
koh rawa saboda yanayin shigar ta, ta hadu gashi kuma ana ganin ta ansan babbar yarinya
e.
Can wuraren 11 din dare ana ta party ana jira 12 yayi ayi fireworks sai kowa ya fara neman
hanyar gida. Dama cross over night ne shiyasa ake ta jira 12 yayi, that’ll mark the beginning
of a new year. Laylah na tsaye da wasu couples, Mr and Mrs shetty, Indians ne. Suna ta dan
taba hira sai ga wannan dan dattijon ya gabato inda suke. Tunda ya buda baki yayi magana
Laylah taji voice dinsa ya mata very familiar.
“Nidai yau I find everyone’s voice familiar, sai kace wata wadda ta zautu’ ta fadi a zuciyar ta.
Miqo mata hannu yayi amma haka nan kawai taji bata son ta miqa mai nata hannun dun
haka kawai sai ta basar da shi kamar bata ga hannun da yike miqo mata ba.
“I am Al-Mubaraq”. Ya fadi gami da daga mask inda ke face dinsa. Zufa ne ya fara keto wa
Laylah ganin fuskar sa, cike take da mamaki, kan kace me jikinta ya fara rawa, koha
mafarki ta ga wannan face din zata gane, no wonder sunansa yayi sounding extremely
familiar. Amma shi ga dukkan alamu be gane koh ita wacece ba. Juya tayi cikin sauri ta fara
tafia zuwa inda Simon yike tsaye da wasu mutane suna magana, tana isa tace yazo su
wuce. Koh sallaman kirki bata bari yayi da abokan hiran sa ba ta jawo hannunsa suka
wuce. Jacket dinta ta ansa suka fita cikin sauri. Koh jira ya buda mata mota bata yi ba ta
shiga ta rufe da kanta.
Simon be ce mata komi ba ya shiga ya fara tuqa su. Can kuma ya fara jin shasshekar kukan
a.
“Are you alright?”. Ya tambaya amma yaji shuru. Da ya yi tambaya a karo na biyu yaji shuru
sai ya rabu da ita. Har suka isa gida kuka take bata san sun isa ba sai da Simon ya dan tabo
ta. Har zata fita taji ya kuma tambayar ta if she’s okay.
“T’m okay Simon, just a blast from the past”. Ta fadi sannan ta mai sai da safe ta fito daga
motar ta wuce ciki.
Tana shiga dakin ta ta nufa ta rufo qofa. Ta dade tana kallon kanta a madubi ba abunda
take yi in ba kuka ba. Can kuma ta wuce bathroom ta cire shoe dinta ta shiga jacuzzi ta
kunna shower ba tare da ta cire kayan jikinta ba ta zauna. Ruwan nata zuba jikinta tana
kuka irin me taba zuciyar mutum, kamar wadda aka wa mutuwa.
Abdulmalik na juya wa ya duba amma be ga Laylah ba. Dama all through the party his eyes
were on her, dan fita da yayi ya ansa call din Begum shine ya dawo be ganta ba. Duk sai yaji
ba dadi, ya qosa a gama party din ya wuce ya huta.
Suna zaune da Nawfal a bayan mota driver na jan su, zasu koma gida kawai Nawfal ya fara
tambayar sa.
“Khalifa you love the girl, don’t you?”.
“What girl?
“Laylah”
“Nawfal so nawa zan fadi maka I don’t love her, ni kawail don’t know why I feel ina da
connection da ita. Ni ba kowace mace a zuciya ta in ba zahra ba”
“Hmmm khalifa kenan'”. Nawfal ya fadi kan ya dan yi shuru “T’m not tallking about Laylah
yanzu, i’m talking generally. Haka zaka mutu ba aure? Ya kamata ka gane fa zahra ta mutu,
ta zama tarihi, ba zata dawo ba, it’s not the end of the world. Fadeel Kuma fa? Baka tunanin
yana buqatar so da kulawa na uwa”
“Duk yana samu a gun Haijo”.
“Haba khalifa, ai duk kulawan da Fadeel zai samu in ba love and care of a family wallahi it’s
nothing, he needs a family, he needs a mother, he needs you. Ya kamata ka sama wa yaron
nan uwa, koh ita marugayiya zata so haka”. Ya fadi kan yayi shuru.
Shi dai Abdulmalik bai kuma cewa komi ba, rufe idanunsa kawai yayi ya jingina kansa da
headrest din kujeran motar yana ta nazari akan maganar. Imagining rayuwa yike da wata
mace wadda ba zahra ba, ta ya ma zai fara. Har suka isa gida tunani yike tayi. Yana shiga
gida ya wuce dakinsa straight, ya tube ya shiga wanka, a gun wankan ma tunani yayi ta yi. A
karshe ya fito ya shirya cikin kayan barci ya dauko wayar sa kamar yadda ya saba. Samun
kansa yayi da strolling down to sunan Laylah “Buddy” kamar yadda yayi saving number din
amma to his disappointment she was offline. Ranar dai kasa barci yayi, yana ta tunani, duk
abunda ya faru a gun party din ya dinga replaying a mind dinsa har zuwa maganar da suka
yi da Nawfal.
Ita kam Laylah ta dadea zaune a bathroom din kan ta tashi ta cire kayan Jikin ta ta sanya
rigar sanyi saboda wani irin wawan sanyi da taji na damunta. Combing hair dinta tayi kan
tayi drying dinsa. Tana cikin combing hair din ne ta tuno da comb inda khalifa Al-Haydarya
bata. Migewa tayi ta dauko ta fara taje kan dashi kawai sai ta saki wata ýar murmushi. Tuno
childhood days dinta take sanda take cewa abokan wasan ta in ta girma zata yi kudi ta bar
garin, dan sarki zata aura koh kuma me kudi sosai. Da ta fadi haka sai suta mata dariya ana
tsokanar ta. Haka lokacin da ta fara dating Mahmoud wanda Babansa malamin boko ne,
shine headmaster din primary school din garinsu, aka ta mata dariya ana tsokanarta amma
ita a lokacin koh a jikinta saboda so ya riga ya gama rufe mata idanu. Dariya kawai tayi da
ta tuno da abubuwan nan, gashi har yau bata yi auran ba amma kuma ga kudi masu tarin
yawa ta samu. Toh me ma amfanin kudin bayan ta hanyar banza ta same su? A question
she asks herself everyday.
“Khalifa Al-Haydar is my last mission”. Ta qara tuna wa kanta.
Tsayawa tayi tana qarewa comb din kallo me kyau kawai sai ta fara tuno da da incidence
inda suka auku a party din. Toh ta ya khalifa Al-Haydar yayi noticing dinta? Ita har ajin ta da
kyaun ta ya kai ya jawo hankalinsa? Tayi ta nazari, Hakika ya saukaka mata aikin ta. Can
kuma sabon abokin ta tuna, da sauri ta miqe ta dau wayarta ta fara scrolling through
contacts dinta to his number. Dubawa tayi amma taga he’s offline dun haka kawai ta ije
wayar ta kwanta amma duk ta kasa barci. Tunanin khalifa Al-Haydar kawai take ta yi, ita dai
Tabbas she has a feeling ta sansa a wani gu, Anmma a ina? Kuma meyasa take jin wani abu a
zuciyarta, da tana tare dashi wani dadi ta dinga ji, kamar kar su rabu.
“What’s happening to me?’ Ta fadi a ran ta ‘first it was Abdulmalik and now khalifa A
Haydar
Washe gari bata tashi da wuri ba sai can wuraren 11 ta tashi, tana tashi breakfast ta fara kan
tayi wanka. itowan ta wanka ke da wuya sai ga daya daga cikin masu aikin gidan tazo
mata da bouquet din flowers da dan note a jiki. lje flowers din tayi bayan ta gama sunsuna
su ta kuma yaba da kyaun su.
Rise and shine, it’s a new day. Don’t let the sorrows of yesterday ruin the beauty of today,
morning sunshine. Khalifa Al-Haydar #Xx*
Tana murmushi ta gama karanta note din, cike da mamaki. Shikenan daga ganin sarkin
fawa sai miya ta yi zaqi, Lallaima khalifa Al-Haydar. Mamaki sosai ta dinga. Tana cikin shiri
taji text ya shiga wayarta, tana dubawa taga daga Abdulmalik ne.
Lunch at 2, don’t say no please
Murmushin ta ya qara fadada da ta gama karanta text din. Ta rasa meyasa Abdulmalik ke
da irin wannan effect din on her. Kwanan nan bata da aiki wanda ya wuce na tunanin sa,
yanzu kuma ga khalifa. Ita duk ta ma rasa wani irin wasa da hankali zuciyarta ke mata ba.
Sounds fun”. Tayi typing me reply.
perfecto! I’l pick you up. Xx*. Ya kuma turo da wani text din.
Nan da nan Laylah ta rasa zama, tunanin kayan da zata sa ta fara. A haka ta cinye time
dinta tunanin what to wear har sai around 1:30pm tukun tayi making up mind dinta ta sa
wani gown din atamfa me kyau sosai, ta dora wani dan blazer a sama, kan ta kuma ta rufe
da dan sheilah. Tsaf ta gama shirin ta tayi kyau, bata dade da kammala shiri ba aka shigo
dan fadi mata baqon ta ya iso.
Tana saukowa ta gansa yayi kyau cikin wani sweatpant da ya sa da navy blue v-neck shirt.
Sajen sa ya sha gyara, koh kama baya yi da driver.
“Wannan da me kudi ne da an ga namiji me kyau’. Ta fadi a zuciyar ta. Ita ta gama yarda
Abdulmalik ba wani me kudi bane saboda impression inda ya bata kenan and yanayin
kayan da yike sa wa da wayar da yike riqe wa and wasu ýan abubuwa da tayi noticing ya sa
ta yarda sosai da sosai shi talaka ne. Gaisawa suka yi kan suka nufi hanyar waje.
“Nidai talaka ne, bani da mota”. Ya fadi yana dan sosa kansa “hope you don’t mind taking a
bus”. Ya tambaye ta.
“It’s been a while since I did that, it sounds fun” Ta fadi fuskar ta a sake. A hankula suka
taka har zuwa bus station suna ta taba hira. Suna shiga bus kuwa suka sama seat daya ne
kawai vacant sai yace mata ta zauna shi kuma ya kama railing din sama ya tsaya. Ita ma
miqewa tayi ta tsaya dashi. Kallon ta yayi yayi mata murmushi. Fashewa da dariya sukayi
sanda bus din ya dan fada porthole suka ci karo.
“kutt! Wai ke kanki sai kace kwakwa. Na Biyu kenan muke cin karo”. Ya fadi suka fashe da
dariya. Fito da sleek iPhone 7 dinta tayi ta fara daukan su hoto. Suna ta making funny faces
suna dariya abunsu. A haka har suka isa park inda suka fara haduwa bayan isowarsu
Australia. Eatery din cikin park din suka shiga suka zauna aka kawo masu menu suka yi
placing order. Cin abincin suke suna dan taba hira.
Laylah ta sha mamaki yadda taga yana cin abinci cikin nutsuwa, with poise and class.A
gaskia da ace bata san sa ba da bazata taba yarda shi ba mai kudi bane, he’s too good to be
a driver.
“So, naga you look educated amma kuma kake aikin driving”
Sai da ya kurbi ruwa kan ya bata ansa “I have a degree in Software engineering”. Ya fadi ba
tare da fadi mata har masters garesa da PhD.
“Forreal! Shine kake aikin driving'”.
“Toh ya muka iya, rashin aikin yi a qasar mu”. Ya fadi mata “ke fah? You look rich, or should
I say you’re wealthy, da an ganki an ga ýar gidan naira”
Dariya tayi kan ta basa ansa “Ni ba ýar kowa bace. I paved way for myself. I have a degree in
business administration, last 2 years kuma nayi wani special course in events planning and
management. I’m an events planner”
“Ohhh you told me, Amma what business proposal do you have for Mr AlL-Haydar if I may
ask”. Ya tambaya. Rasa abun cewa tayi kawai dai ta kirkiro tarin karya kamar ta kware. Sai
da ta gama tarin ta basa ansa. Lokacin ta samo karyar da zata mai.
“He’s a business man, so na ke yayi signing agency dina, mu dinga mai planning events a
duk lokacin da yike da sha’ani koh wani abu”. Kai ya gyada mata alamun ya gane suka
cigaba da cin abinci.
“Ya ban ganka ba a dinner din jiya?”
“Ni a wa? ina ni ina zuwa taron manyan mutane”. Ya fadi cikin dariya. Daga nan shuru suka
yi suka cigaba da cin abincin su.
“Yawwa! Please waye Al-Mubaraq Bala a gun khalifa Al-Haydar, what’s the relationship
between them”. Ta tambaya.
Abdulmalik kan sa ya daure a kan meyasa take son sanin relationship inda ke tsakaninsa
da Al-Mubaraq amma be bari ta gane ba. Gyaran murya yayi kan ya bata ansa.
“Al-Mubaraq kawu ne a gun khalifa. Not like they’re related by blood amma tun khalifa na
yaro karami Al-Mubaraq ke aiki da su. Mohammed Mumtaz Al-Haydar was his godfather”
“Ohhhhhh I see”. Ta gyada kai kamar tana nazari.
“Is there something between you both? As in Al-Mubaraq da ke”.
“Aah! Not at all” ta ansa cikin sauri “He’s just a blast from the past. Nothing out of the
ordinary” Tayi dan murmushi.
Suna gama cin abinci suka fita zuwa cikin park din. Samun wuri suka yi suka zauna suna ta
hirar rayuwa and all. Abdulmalik ya miqe ya je ya siyo mata ice-cream shikuma ya siyawa
kansa popsicle dun ice-cream be cika damun sa ba. Suna zaune suna ta kallon wasu yara
suna ta wasa, Abdulmalik ya ciro camera dinsa ya fara daukan hoto.
“Meyasa kake yawo da camera?”.
“My boy loves adventures, so duk sanda nayi tafia ina yawo da camera to capture all I can
for him”
“Awwwwnnnn. That reminds me, you were telling me about him the other..” Bata kai da
gama tambayar sa ba wayarta ta hau ringing. Sanda kuma ta gama answer call din ta
mance so haka aka bar zancen. Zaune suke shuru ba me cewa kowa komi kawai
Abdulmalik yaji saukar abu me sanyi a hancin sa. Juyawar da zai yi yayi facing dinta kuma
yaga camera yayi flashing.
“Crap! Allah sai na rama”. Ice-cream ne tayi scooping ta zuba mai kan hanci.
“Ba sai ka rama mu gani ba”. Ta fadi tana mai gwalo. Cigaba da daukan sa hoto tayi
shikuma ya biye mata. Can bata zata ba zata kai cone din ice-cream dinta baki kawai
Abdulmalik ya dungure mata hannu ice-cream duk ya bata mata hanci da face.
“Who’s looking like a clown now huhh”:. Ya fadi yana mata dariya. “Click” taji qarar camera
dinsa ya mata hoto. Ita ma ciro wayarta tayi ta matso kusa dashi suka ta hoto. Sai da suka
gaji suka daina. Nan kuma ta hade rai wai ya bata mata face yanzu ina zata sama ruwan
wanke wa. Be ce mata komi ba ya ciro dan hankie from his breast pocket ya fara share mata
face. Ita kuma shuru kawai tayi tana kallonsa. Wani irin bugu kawai zuciyarta ke mata. Koh
shakka babu wannan Abdulmalik din ya fara samun gun zama a zuciyarta kuma haka be
kamata ba. Tana gudun wannan sabuwar lamarin da zuciyar ta ta bullo mata dashi. A tsarin
ta babu soyayya dun a ganin ta ba namiji da zai taba accepting dinta after seeing her true
colours.
“Earth to Laylah. Tunanin me kike yi haka”. Ya tambaya.
“Nothing, let’s go to the fish pond”. Ta jawo mai hannu har zuwa fish pond din inda suka
jima suna kallon fishes as they swam round the pond. Sai yamma sosai suka kama hanya.
Bus station suka koma wannan karan suka yi saa akwai enough space, zama suka yi suna ta
hirar su wata ýar tsohuwa kuma da ke zaune adjacent to them tayi ta kallonsu tana
murmushi.
Suna sauka a bus stop din kusa da Jk guesthouse suka cigaba da takowa a hankula. Jefi
Jefi suna dan taba hira. Suna isa wani florist shop yace su tsaya. Single rose flower ya siya
ya bata sannan suka wuce. Har zasu tafi yaga wani bunch din lavender ya cira guda daya
yasa mata a gefen gashi.
“Newly wed?” Yar dattijuwan matar da ke da shagon ta tambaya. Dariya suka yi suka kalli
juna sannan suka ce mata aah.
“I wish tho”. Laylah ta fadi a hankula amma sai da ya ji ta.
“We can make it a reality you know” Juyowa tayi ta Kalle sa tana dariya kan ta basa ansa.
“Daga wasa”.
“You look cute”. Ya fadi, his voice sending chills to her spine.
“And you’re so sweet”. Basu yi nisa da shop din ba aka fara yayyafin ruwa kan kace me
ruwan yayi karfi. Jawo ta yike ta yi su fake a patio din wani gida amma ta qi.
“Come on! Let’s have a little fun in the rain”. Cigaba da tafia suka yi cikin ruwan can kuma
ta fara gudu shikuma yana biye da ita.
Koh da yike yaro Abdulmalik be taba wasa cikin ruwa ba, kuma da girman sa be taba ko da
tunanin yi ba amma sai gashi yau mace ta sa shi yi. Tsakiyar titi suna ta gudu suna wasa
kamar yara. Ya dade be ji annashuwa irin na yau ba. Duk wani damuwa nasa ya mance
dashi. Ya rasa abun da yike ji a zuciyar sa, abunda yike feeling for Laylah be tunanin koh ita
Fatima da yike ikirarin yana so ta taba sa shi jin haka. Amma kuma ya kasa ganewa, could it
be love? Or just a mere infatuation. Shi a tsarinsa tunda ya rasa Fatima ba wani aure, ba
kuma lokacin soyayya dun yana tsoron kada ya sake aure a wulakanta me dan sa, yana
tsoron having to divide the attention he’ll give to his son with someone else.
“What is happening to me.
Just follow your heart. Wani voice a kan sa ya fadi mai and in that instant yayi making up
mind in sa a kan abun da yike so. Giving love a shot isn’t gonna hurt afterall, or will it?
Tunani yayi ta yi har suka isa jk guesthouse. Laylah ta ce alambaran sai dai ya shiga ciki ya
tsane, bazata bari ya tafi gida a haka ba. Ba gardama ya shiga ta nuna mai daki ta kuma
aika mai da fresh clothes. Kan yayi changing ya fito har ta hada mai coffee tayi setting
fireplace to keep them warm. Ansan mug din coffee din yayi ya mata godia.
“Na mance when last na samu farin ciki irin na yau” ta fadi idanunta sun ciko da kwalla
“Thanks”. Ta fadi a hankula. Shuru kawai yayi be ce komi ba dun be ma san me zai ce da ita
ba.
“I’ll be going back to Nigeria tomorrow, my work in Australia is done”. Ta fadi mai.
“Me too, gobe zamu bar Nigeria”
“Da gaske? Duk da Khalifa Al-Haydar?”.
“Yes. Amma you seem very interested in khalifa Al-Haydar”
“Very interested. Dole ne in hadu dashi”. Ta fadi with determination in her eyes. “I have a
business waiting to be finished”.
“In na hada ki dashi kuma fa?”
“Da gaske? Duk abunda kake so, name it and it’l be yours”
“Anya kuwa?”
“Ni nace ai kayi naming”
“Koh da zuciyar ki ne?” Ya tambaye ta. Shuru Laylah tayi ta rufe idanun ta, me yike nufi
zuciyarta?.
“Kamar ya?” Ta tambaye sa.
“It’s simple, your heart in exchange for a meeting with khalifa Al-Haydar”. Ta dade tana
nazari shi kansa mamakin boldness dinsa yike.
“Abdulmalik you seem like a very nice and responsible person, ba zan so na bata maka
rayuwar ka ba with my presence in it even though I wish for our friendship to go beyond
Australia, ina so nayi keeping in touch with you even in Nigeria”. Dariya Abdulmalik yayi ya
juya abun zuwa wasa.
“Kwantar da hankalin ki nima wasa nike, ba sai kin mun kora da hali ba. In ba karambani
bama ina ni talaka ina ki”:. Ya kurbi coffee dinsa. Ta buda baki zata yi magana kenan daya
daga cikin masu aikin gidan ta katse ta
“Your clothes are dry sir”. Ta fadi tana miqo mai kayan sa. Miqewa yayi ya anshi kayan yana
mata godia. lje cup din coffee din yayi ya wuce dakin da shirya dazu ya sanja zuwa kayan sa
sannan ya fito ya wa Laylah sallama.
“See you in Nigeria or better still, till we meet again”. Ya fadi ya wuce his heart half broken.
Yana tafia yana ta nazari. Ba abunda ya bata mai rai kamar yadda Laylah tayi turning dinsa
down duk da dai he was kind of joking about it amma that wasn’t the response he
expected. Wato su mata in baka da kudi basu rasa excuse din korar ka. Ya ja dan tsaki.
It happened for the best, dama babu soyayya a tsarinka’ zuciyarsa ta basa shawara.
Yana wucewa ta miqe ta wuce dakin ta bayan ta bada orders akan kada wanda ta dameta
tana son ta huta. Hmm, what started like a wonderful day had to turn sour. Duk da
Abdulmalik ya maida abun wasa, she couldn’t help but sight the sincerity in her eyes.
Hawaye ne suka fara kwararowa daga idanunta a hankula. shakka babu she has fallen for
this guy amma kuma ta san they can never be together. Yana gane asalin sana’arta zaya
guje ta and kamar yadda turawa suka ce ‘prevention is better than cure’. Kuka take tana
tausayawa rayuwar ta. Ita shikenan sai da taga wasu na soyayya? Sai dai taga wasu na aure
suna starting families of their own? Haka zata zauna har ta mutu? Without love, without
joy, without happiness, without anyone to call her own. In haka dukiyan yike toh Hakika
gwara ta zauna cikin talauci with a family of hers, full of love and happiness da ta zauna ga
tarin dukiya amma ba farin ciki da kwanciyar hankali.
Dauko wayarta tayi tana ta kallon pictures inda suka dauka. Ashe dai abunda ke shirin
faruwa kenan da suka yi ta daukan hotuna, for memories. Yanzu Abdulmalik is nothing but
history to her. Dama ba soyayya a tsarinta. Can kuma ta ja ýar tsaki, gashi har zata koma
Nigeria ba abunda ta tsinana in ba tarin baqin ciki ba. Tunda har bata sama damar haduwa
da Khalifa ba Australia bata tunanin zata iya a Nigeria dan samun haduwa da masu kudi
kamar su khalifa abu ne me matukar wuya.
Daren ranar kasa barci tayi, da ta dan juya sai ta sama kanta da daukan wayarta dun kallon
pictures inda suka yi snapping earlier. The next day ta tashi da wani irin wawan headache
saboda rashin barci da bata samu tayi ba da kuma kukan da ya zama mata sana’a. A haka
tayi sallama dasu ma’aikatan Jk guesthouse sa kuma family din Simon. Cike da hawaye
Simon ya tuqa ta zuwa airport suka yi sallama.
“Time to go home Laylah”
Hmmmmm things just as to turn this way didn’t they. Zamu lula naija waya qosa
ya hadu da family din Laylah? Waya qosa ya san asalin labarin ta, wa ya qosa yaji haduwar
Laylah da Khalifa, da kuma connection dinta to Al-Mubaraq. Duk dai ku biyo ni ku sha
labari. The real fun is just beginning