Chapter 34
Haidar Jega
4 years and my foot just stepped into Nigeria. I didn't feel happy returning to this country. But I knew I couldn't run away all my life. Salim
And I had to put on a face mask and a hood. Somehow, someone found out that I had returned and news reporters flooded the airport like ants. It was so annoying. Salim and I had to sneak through another door in the airport.
"Man, this is crazy, is this how famous you are over here?" Salim said while the driver stuffed our bags into the booth of the car.
"Trust me, I never knew I was famous," I said and he chuckled.
"Jabar, take my stuff to the palace. And make sure you take my bags to my room, did you inform the maids to clean it?" I asked Jabar.
"Yes your highness, I did inform them." He said. "And it's nice seeing you again, welcome" He added. I simply just smiled with a calm nod.
"Where are you going to Akhi?" Salim asked.
"I have to see someone," I said.
"Oh, Okay." He simply said.
"I'll be right back, Jabar did you bring the other car?" I asked Jabar.
"Yeah, that's it over there." He said, pointing his index finger at a red Mercedes Benz.
"The keys please," I said and he handed them to me. "Salim, I'll come to meet you at your house, my regards to mum and Nailah," I said.
"Alright Akhi, don't stay out late please." He said.
"I won't" I smiled at him lovingly. If there is one thing I've gowned to do, it is to love this boy. He reminded me of Lailah a lot. The way he spoke, the way he frowned on his face, and everything. He was a male version of Lailah and he made me happy all the time.
I took calm strides to the car and sat in it. I warmed it up and watched Salim wave at me as they drove off. I did wave him back gently before igniting the car and driving off. I played surat ul Rahman as I drove calmly to my destination. I couldn't wait to get there, at least I'd be at peace after today.
It was a one-hour drive and I finally got to the cemetery, yes I came to the cemetery to come and pay a visit to Lailah. I have missed her so much and I had do a lot to tell her. I parked somewhere under a mango tree before alighting down from the car with flowers. I had asked Jabar to buy them and keep them in the car for me. I didn't know which flower to get her so I got every type. I took calm strides to her grave. I saw Lailah Dawud Khalid beautifully written in Arabic. I smiled as I sat before her grave.
"Asalamualaikum Lailah. Happy to hear my voice again?" I said. "I know it's been very long since I came to see you, what am I saying? It's been 4 good years." I sniffed.
"I'm sorry, I just couldn't cope with the fact that you are dead. This whole country reminded me of you. I didn't want to breathe this air, it was suffocating. I needed peace..." I felt my eyes burn from tears but I didn't let them drop. "I just arrived in Nigeria and guess what, I came here first. I just couldn't wait to be with you." I know I was acting a bit crazy but well. What could I do? This was my only way to maintain my sanity.
"I miss you Lailah, I love you and I can't wait to die and be with you. I wish every day will be my last so that I can meet you in Al Barzakah (The world of the dead). In sha Allah I will never marry, I promise you this. You know why because I pray and fast every day for you to be my wife in Jannah and I feel like Allah is responding to my prayers. Because I saw you in my dream once but you weren't speaking though, you just stared at me and smiled."
I chuckled at the image of Lailah I saw in my dream 3 years ago. She was dressed in all white which made it funny, Lailah dreaded colors. She only loves black, like some cultists.
I sat in front of her grave, the weather began getting dark and cold. I sighed, taking in one last breath before saying my goodbyes. "I have to leave now Lailah, but I promise I'll come to see you again. Tomorrow is your prayer, in sha Allah I'll make sure it gets to you. You'll receive the blessings of this prayer. I love you Lailah, I love you so much." I placed the flowers that had been resting on my lap on her grave and then got up. I looked at the grave one last time before scurrying away before the call of Adhan for magreeb. I sat in my car and drove off at full speed. I did that whenever I was feeling suffocated. It made me feel better. I took the street that led to Lailah's mother's mansion. It was close to my palace. When I got there, the automatic gate immediately opened. I drove in and parked in the parking lot. I sighed, it all brought back memories of Lailah. It all made me feel emotional but I swallowed the lump in my throat instead as I got out of the car.
I took calm strides over to the front door and knocked gently on it. It was opened at once by Nailah and she immediately engulfed me in a bone-crushing hug. "Haidar, Omg. I didn't believe it when Salim told me you came along with him"
She broke the hug. I adjusted my already ruffled thobe.
"I wanted to surprise you," I said while entering the house. My gaze fell on the portrait of Lailah and Nailah. Nailah had it drawn because she and Lailah never got to take a picture together before Lailah passed away. Nailah loved her sister so much, it was as though when Lailah died she installed all her traits in her twin. Except being talkative of course, Lailah was a woman of few words. Just action.
The other person my eyes fell on was her mother. The mother had aged due to the death of Lailah, there was no doubt that she was touched. Her eyes always had dark circles. I know this because we always FaceTimed each other while I was away.
"Mum, Asalamualaikum. Good evening, how are you?" I walked over to her and squatted before her. She smiled at me, a smile that reminded me of Lailah's.
"I'm fine Haidar, my son. How are you?. Is it me or do you look even more handsome than the last time I saw you in person?" She teased.
"Mum he looks more handsome. Haidar you never told me beards looked good on you?" Nailah teased. I chuckled.
"Akhi you are here, I was worried sick about you. You too so long to come back" Salim walked into the living room with a sky blue thobe. Thobes did look good on him.
"I got caught up in my conversation"
I said.
"Oh, why do you look dirty? Did you sit on dust?" He asked.
"No, I don't know how I got dusty," I said.
"Okay, you should probably go change. You can wear one of my clothes, let's go upstairs" Salim said and I nodded. I got up. "Mum, I'll see you in some minutes, let me go pray and change first," I said. Lailah's mother nodded. I and Salim ambulated upstairs but I paused in my pace when Nailah spoke.
"Haidar, I made your favorite. Come soon and have it please before it gets cold" Nailah said lovingly. I nodded with a smile before walking back upstairs. I felt happy being around them, they all made me feel Lailah's presence and that was all I craved for.