De - Bright Academy

The Tale of an Orphan

Chapter Two

Fatima picked up her phone. The moment she saw the caller’s name, something stirred inside her. Without hesitation, she answered.

“Hello…”

But the moment she heard the voice on the other end… Everything broke. She burst into tears. Not quiet tears. Not controlled tears. But deep, painful sobs that had been building inside her.

“Fatima?” Baliki’s voice came, sharp with concern. “What happened? Why are you crying?”

Fatima couldn’t speak. Her breath came in heavy, uneven gasps.

“Talk to me,” Baliki urged. “Who hurt you? What is going on?”

Fatima tried to speak but the words refused to come. Only tears. Only pain fill her heart

“Fatima!” Baliki’s voice softened. “How will I help you if you don’t tell me?”

Fatima swallowed hard. She forced herself to breathe. Once. Twice. Then finally… she spoke. “My father…” her voice cracked. “My father wants to force me into marriage.”

“What?!” Baliki’s voice rose in shock.

“He’s an old man,” Fatima continued weakly. “As old as my father…” Her voice trembled. “He slapped me… in front of everyone… just because I was sick and vomited…”

Baliki inhaled sharply. “ Who slapped you?”

“The man they wanted me to marry,” Fatimah replied and continued. “He’s been giving my father money, paying for my school… bringing food every month…” Her voice dropped. “I never knew.” Tears rolled down again. “They said I’ve been sleeping around… that I’ve done abortions…” Her body shook. “Things I have never even thought of doing…”

Baliki went quiet. Listening carefully.

“And now…” Fatima whispered, almost broken, “they want me to marry him.” Her voice collapsed completely. “On Saturday…” then she paused. “Today is already Wednesday, what can I do? I can’t go out,” she added quickly. “They stopped me from leaving the house. I can’t even go to work.” Her breathing became uneven again. “My life will end… They will ruin me…I don’t know what to do…”She cried again. Sounding helpless and trapped.

For a moment Balikis said nothing. Just silence, then finally… “There is something you can do.”

Fatima froze. Her crying slowed. “I’ll do anything,” she said quickly, almost desperately. “Anything, as long as I don’t marry that man.” Her voice steadied with urgency. “I just want to be free. I want to leave this place. I want to escape.”

Silence again but this time it felt different.

Baliki took a slow breath. “Then listen to me carefully,” she said. Her tone had changed. No longer just concerned but firm and decisive. “Because what I’m about to tell you…” She paused. “…you must be ready for it.”

“I don’t know what you’re about to say, Auntie Baliki…” Fatima said, her voice trembling but firm. “But I’m ready.” She wiped her tears with the back of her hand. “As long as it will save me from this… from this hell… I will do it.” Her voice softened. “I know you won’t lead me to the wrong path… You won’t make my life worse.” She paused, then added, almost pleading… “Just… please consider my brother too.” Her breath hitched. “I can’t leave without him… I can’t go anywhere without Farouk.”

There was a deep sigh from the other end. Then Balikis spoke. “What I’m about to tell you is simple… and at the same time it is difficult, very difficult.”

Fatima held her breath and for some reason her heart started beating very fast

“You need to leave that house, and you need to avoid that marriage. A man who could hit you right in front of your family isn't worth getting married to. He would do worse after the marriage, ” Baliki continued. “And for that, you need someone to help you, someone stronger than your father and that obnoxious man.” she pause and continued. “Someone with power… money… and a name.”

Fatima’s fingers tightened around her phone. Where would she get that kind of person

“There is only one person who can do that for you.”

“Who?” Fatima whispered.

“Farzan.”

Everything inside Fatimah stilled. The tears stopped. The pain paused. Even her breathing changed. “ Yaya Farzan…?” she repeated in disbelief.

Of all people… He was the last person she expected.

“Auntie Balki… do you really think he will help me?” she asked, her voice uncertain. “He doesn’t like me… I know it. He also see me as someone my parents thought I was”

Baliki’s tone became firmer. “This is not about liking you or not. This is about survival.” She didn’t wait for Fatima to interrupt. “Tell me, which do you prefer?” she continued. “Calling Farzan… or staying there to be forced into marriage with a man who already beats you?”

Fatima’s silence answered for her. “I will call him…” she said slowly. What mattered now is her survival not her feeling or his feeling. Then reality struck. “But… I don’t have his number.”

“Don’t worry,” Balikis replied immediately. “I’ll send it to you now. I’ll also send airtime. You must call him immediately.” Her voice dropped slightly. “And don’t be afraid… Farzan may look fierce but in reality is a young man with a good heart.”

Fatima swallowed hard. “What if he refuses…?” she asked quietly.

Balikis hesitated for a second… then said the truth plainly. “He might not refuse but the only way he can truly help you… is through marriage.”

Fatima’s eyes widened. “Marriage…?”

“Yes,” Baliki said. “Think about it. If he takes you away without marriage, your family will make it a bigger issue.” Her tone turned practical, almost strategic. “They will accuse him. They may even involve the law. Your father still has authority over you… you know” She paused. “But if you are married to him… no one can touch you not even your father.”

Fatima felt her heart race again. “But… he has someone,” she whispered. “Aisha… And I know he loves her.”

Baliki’s response was immediate. “That is not your concern.”

Fatima went quiet.

“Listen to me carefully,” Balikis continued. “Do you love him?”

Fatima shook her head instinctively, even though she was on the phone. “No.”

“Good,” Balikis said. “Then you have no emotional attachment.” Her voice softened slightly. “This is not about love, Fatima, this is about saving your life.” She added firmly: “Once you are safe, you can both decide what to do next but right now… you don’t have the luxury of choosing comfort. You must choose survival… and whoever he loves, whoever he wanted to marry shouldn't be your problem”

Fatima closed her eyes. Her heart was heavy but for the first time there was really a path. A dangerous one… but still a path.

“ I will send the number now,” Baliki said. “Call him immediately.” she said and the call ended.

Fatima stared at her phone and in less than a minute a message came in. It was a number.

Her fingers trembled as she looked at it.” Yaya Farzan.” She mumbled

The same man she thought disliked her…

The same man who seemed to have several opinions about her…

The same man who had helped her not once but twice…

The same man who she had ignored because she was scared of him… his obnoxious personality,

And now… she needs to seek his help because he is the only man who could save her.

She inhaled deeply. Then whispered to herself.. “This is my only chance…”

Without a second thought, Fatima pressed the call button. As the phone began to ring, her heart followed the same rhythm… fast, loud, and uncontrollable.

Her palms grew sweaty. She quickly switched the phone from her left hand to her right and her breathing became uneven.

What would she even say?

How would she present it?

Would he help her?

Would he reject her?

“Hello?” The deep, familiar voice cut through her thoughts.

Fatima froze. Her lips parted, but no words came out.

“Hello? Who is this?” the voice came again, colder this time.

“I… it’s me…” she stammered.

“You who?” The tone turned distant, uninterested.

“It’s me… Fatima,” she said quickly. “Fatima… the maid that works in your house.”

Silence. Heavy. Uncomfortable.

Then finally. “Why are you calling me?” he asked flatly.

Fatima didn’t hesitate this time. “I need your help.” Her voice trembled. “Please… I need your help.”

“For what?”

She swallowed hard then said it. Clear and straightforward. “I want you to come and marry me.”

Silence. Dead silence.

When he finally spoke, his voice was sharp. “You want me to do what?”

Fatima’s heart dropped.

“Are you out of your mind?” he continued. “Who do you think you are?” His tone turned harsh, almost offended. “You just called me out of nowhere to say I should marry you? Don't you have any shame?”

Click. The call ended.

Fatima’s body went cold. Her hands trembled. That was her last hope… he was her last hope and it was gone.

She didn’t stop. She couldn’t. With shaking fingers, she began typing. Everything. Her pain.
Her situation. Her fear. Her desperation… she typed everything down

“I am not asking you to marry me for love. I just want you to help me out of this situation. You can set your own conditions and I will gladly follow it. I don't want anything from you. I just want to survibe. After everything, you can divorce me and let me go.” She sent the message.

Seconds felt like hours. Then… Her phone rang. She picked it up immediately.

“What will be my reward?” his voice came, calm this time… but calculating.

“What?” Fatimah asked because she did not understand what she meant

“What do I gain from marrying you?” He said

Fatima didn’t hesitate. “I don't have anything but I promise to be loyal to you,” she said quickly. “I will take care of you. I will cook, clean… I will do everything a wife should do.”

“You know I have someone, right?” he asked.

Fatima closed her eyes briefly. “Yes… I know.”

“And?”

“Your relationship with her won't be my business,” she replied softly. “You can continue with her and do whatever you want… I won’t interfere… After all she is your true love”

There was a faint chuckle from his end. “You think you can do that?” he asked.

“I will,” she said firmly. “This is not a love marriage. You are only helping me. I promise not to be a nuisance” Her voice became steadier. “You live your life… I live mine. I will respect you. I will be a proper wife to you but I won’t stand in your way.”

Silence again but this time he was listening.

Fatima’s voice broke slightly. “I just need help… If you don’t help me now… they will marry me off to a man as old as my father.” Her breath trembled. “A man who already beat me… in front of my family.” Her voice cracked.
“Please…Yaya Farzan help me and I promise to always listen to you…You have helped me before…You can help me again…” And then she broke. Her tears flowed freely. Her voice shattered. She cried.

She did not hold back. She did not pretend and she did not hide.

On the other end there was no immediate response. Only silence but the silence was different. It wasn’t rejection. It wasn’t anger. It was… Thought.

Farzan said nothing and the silence stretched long, heavy, and uncomfortable.

Fatima’s heart began to race again. Each second felt like a countdown to rejection.

Then finally he opened his mouth. “When is the wedding?” he asked.

Fatima’s lips trembled. “S-Saturday…” she replied.

“This Saturday or next week?” he asked calmly.

“This coming Saturday.”

“Okay.” He said and the call ended.

Fatima stared at her phone. Confusion flooded her mind. That was all? No answer? No decision? No reassurance?

“Is he going to help… or not?” she whispered to herself. Her chest tightened again. The little hope she had just gained began to shake.

Then she remembered Balikis.

Without wasting time, she dialed her number. The phone rang twice before it was answered.
“Fatima? How is it?” Balikis asked immediately.

Fatima exhaled deeply. “At first… he was angry,” she said. “He insulted me… then ended the call.”

Balikis went silent, listening.

“But I didn’t stop,” Fatima continued. “I sent him a message… I explained everything.” Her voice steadied slightly. “Then he called me back.”

“And?” Baliki asked.

“He asked me what he would gain from marrying me,” Fatima said. “So… I told him I would be loyal. I would take care of him… do everything a wife should do.” She hesitated. “I also told him… I won’t interfere in his personal life.”

Balikis inhaled softly. “Hmm…”

Fatima continued, “Then he asked when the wedding would be.” she paused. “And after I told him… he just said ‘okay’… and ended the call.” She breathed in heavily, trying to control her tears. “So I don’t understand,” Fatima added, her voice filled with uncertainty. “Is he going to help me… or not?”

Balikis let out a slow breath. “He didn’t reject you,” she said thoughtfully. “ And I am not sure if he accepted either,”

Fatima held onto that sentence.

“That kind of man,” Baliki continued, “He doesn't talk too much when he’s thinking.” Her tone became more assured. “If he asked about the date… then he is considering it seriously.”

Fatima’s heart lifted just a little.

“But we can’t sit and wait,” Balikis added quickly. “Time is not on your side and what if we thought he would do something and ended up doing nothing.”

“What should I do?” Fatima asked.

“I will talk to him,” Balikis said firmly.

Fatima’s eyes widened slightly. “You will?” she asked.

“Yes,” Baliki replied. “ Giving you his number is as good as getting myself involved. Leave that part to me.”

Relief washed over Fatima like a wave. “Thank you… thank you so much,” she said, her voice filled with gratitude. “I don’t even know how to repay you…”

“You don’t have to,” Balikis interrupted gently.

Fatima shook her head, even though she wasn’t seen. “I will pray for you… always,” she said sincerely. “I will never forget this kimdness.”

Balikis softened. “Just stay strong,” she said.
“And be ready.”

“Ready…?” Fatima repeated.

“Yes,” Baliki replied. Her voice turned serious again. “Because if Farzan agrees…” She paused. “Everything will happen very fast.” She said. “ I will talk to you again.” She said and ended the call

Fatima slowly lowered her phone. Her heart was still beating fast but this time…Not just from fear. From anticipation… anticipation of what the future hold for her

Saturday was close. Too close. And her entire life was about to change.

She did not know If she will end up with Alhaji Bashir or Farzan… whoever she ended with wasn't her choice but one is still better than the other

Inwardly… she prayed Farzan would come and marry her. Even though he is also obnoxious, she preferred him a million times to Alhaji Bashir

Ya Allah… ease my affairs

*****

The ebook is available

DM via 👉WhatsApp. https://wa.me/2348035810443

Aisha Bola Badmus

🩵🩵🩵

SECOND HAND LOVE

CHAPTER ELEVEN



She felt his hands on her palms and her heart missed a beat, just an hour ago, their Nikkah had been concluded and they were about to leave the village back to Lagos. Despite the fact that the ceremony was a very brief one , it was better conducted compared to her first Nikkah, two weeks before her Nikkah, Ahmad and his family had showed up and even when her Uncle suggested a Nikkah, they insisted on coming back again.

If only she had her parents alive …

Her Uncle cut off communication with her when he called her twice to see for financial assistance as her husband ( Mukhtar) works in Lagos, and would have so much money.

“I don’t have any money Sir,” She had told him

“Then take it from your husband…” He suggested and that moment, she wish she could tell him what she was going through… but what he said further made her keep quiet.

“I know you are selfish… you will keep rejecting us we your family and allow us to suffer,” He said and he had hang up, he didn’t call her until a year after to ask for money again , she had told him no again, and he swore never to call her again.

He never did Until she called him and pay him a

visit in the village.

He was surprised to see her … Her new car attracted her to him.

“Oh, you must have become a rich woman in Lagos… I know your husband is spending so much money on you …” He said to her and she sighed.

“We got divorced Uncle,” She said to him.

“You left him? Why? And he didn’t collect his car? What did you do?”

“I got this car myself,” She said to him and he was shocked.

“Mukhtar is a violent man …” She said and told him what she went through…

“Haa… you should have endure…” He said.

“His parents were the one who told me to leave …” She said and told her Uncle further about what she experienced.

“So, this car is yours?”

“Yes… I have a fashion house in Lagos …”

“Your tailor work?”

“Yes…”

“You got that car outside from sewing for people?” He asked her to be sure and she nodded.

“Toor…”

“I want to get married again,” She said to him and told him all about Ahmad.

Ahmad visited with his family the week after with gifts and he wanted them to have a Nikkah dome immediately.

It was embarrassing having to see her Uncle exploit Ahmad all in the name of preparing for the Nikkah but he did them whole heartedly… and even promised to get two of his sons jobs. She sighed as the car started.

Even though, she was not sure, If what she had done was the right thing, but she hope it will be … Perhaps, this time she might be lucky.

The got back to Lagos very late that night, her Son was with his Paternal grandparents who promised to attend the Walimah which would be held in Lagos the day after the Nikkah.

Ruqayyah was in school and she wondered how it would be when they meet, she heard about stories of step daughters who would not like their step mothers … but she hope and pray that they would become good friends.

It was her first time in his house and just like Firdaus Fabulous mansion, his was no different, she could not believe that she would also live in such apartment… but with the way her business has been going, perhaps she might own such house in some years.

“Would you like to shower?” His voice woke her up from her thought.

“Yes…”

“Let me show you room,” He said and led her to his bedroom.

“Do you live here alone?” She asked him.

“Yes…”

“This must have been so lonely and bored for you…” She said as she sat down on the bed removing her jewelries.

“You can say that again, it got better when

Ruqayyah come home for holiday…”

“Hmm…”

“But I hope the house will be alive now with you and Aminullah in it,” He said to her.

“Why didn’t she attend the Nikkah?” She asked him and that question was unexpected.

“She is in school,”

“I know … I understand the school would not want her to miss her father’s wedding,” She said looking at him.

“She will be fine …” He said trying to avoid further questions.

“Let me get your bags from the living room,” He said and left the room to go help her bring her bags that had been brought in by the driver. She still have a lot of her belongings in her apartment.

He returned to the bedroom and met her absence…

He sat down for a while before he took his towel and went to have his bath in the next room.









“I have never seen bro being this happy in years.

Thanks for coming into his life,” Firdaus said to

Aminah as Aminah was getting ready for the Walimah. It was going to be more like a get together for those who could not attend the Nikkah. Aminah could only invite her staff and her former parents in law.

“This dress look so lovely on you,” Firdaus said and Aminah broke into smiles.

“And you have a beautiful smile,” Firdaus said …

“Stop making me nervous…” Aminah said and

Firdaus laughed.

“Why are you being nervous?” Firdaus asked and gave her friend a wink, and Aminah blushed, just then there was a knock at the door, the two exchanged glances. “Who is that?” Firdaus asked “I am …” The mother said.

“Mom…come in,” Firdaus said, the door opened and Ahmad’s mother came in.

“Ma Sha Allah, I can see you are almost done,” The mother said.

“Yes mum…”

“I brought you a gift, Aminah,” She said to

Aminah and Firdaus smiled. She watched her mother moved closer to Aminah and gave her a box of jewelry.

“You are welcome to the family …” The woman said and Aminah opened the box and was shocked.

“Ma’am…” She was shocked and short of words. The box contains a complete set of jewelries and she need no one to tell her that they were expensive.

“Just accept it as a token,” The woman said.

“Thank you ma’am, these are not token …” She

said.

“I don’t want you to see me as a mom in law but as a mother …”

“Thank you ma’am,” Aminah said smiling.

“You are welcome dear…” The woman said to her cheerfully and Firdaus smiled the more.

If only she would be that lucky with her in-law…





She opened her eyes and wondered what woke her up, and then she saw him sitting beside her on the bed. It must have been his hand on her cheek that woke her up … after the Walimah the day before, they both got home so tired. They both almost missed fajr that morning …he had rushed his ghusl and rushed to the Masjid, He missed a Rakah.

He had returned from the Masjid and they have returned to bed.

“It almost noon and you haven’t had breakfast…” He said to her and she stood up in a hurry… and then she saw the tray on the stool beside the bed.

It contains a cup of tea and fried egg with bread.

She was surprised…,

“You made this?” She asked… it was the first time, someone would ever serve her that way.

“You don’t like it?” He asked looking confused…

“You don’t like the food?” He asked her and she shook her head.

“I am just …surprised,” She said to him.

“Why?” He asked looking at him, he was used to cooking for his late wife who sometimes would not even be able to leave the bed due to bad health. He did that happily.

“I have never been served like this before…” She said to him and he smiled.

“Get used to it … for a moment, I thought you don’t like tea and bread,” He said and watched her sat up, he then moved the table close to her .

“Are there people who don’t take tea and bread?” She asked him.

“Yes… I met someone like that during my school days. We call him bush boy … and then one of my cousin don’t take tea as well,” He said to her.

“I can’t call my cousin a bush boy … can I?” He asked and she laughed.

They started their food.

“I don’t know if this will do for breakfast… it is almost eleven … I don’t know what you would have loved me to cook…” He said to her.

“Can you cook?” She asked

“Yes, I can ,”

“Wow!!! And do you cook?” She asked

“Yes… I do cook “

“But Firdaus couldn’t, how come you can?” She asked

“I actually learnt how to cook some food when I started the university…I attended the federal university and stay in the hostel, Hamid taught me how to make some food …and when I got married … I had to learn how to properly … especially on days when Zulaykha couldn’t …” He said to her and she nodded, then she recall how Mukhtar would beat her mercilessly if she made a mistake with food or cook later than usual.

“Hi…” She heard his voice and realized that he was looking at her.

“You aren’t eating…are you okay?” He asked her.

“I am fine …”

“Are you sure?” He asked her and she nodded. “You know, you can tell me anything…” He said to her and she shook her head.

“Okay,” He said and they eat quietly. She made an attempt to pack the plates, but he stopped her.

“Let me …” He said to her and she sighed wondering if that will change after a few days.

©Umm Rumaysah