22/08/2025
Beneath the Cloud.
By Mariam Fheyisara Misbaudeen.
Episode Eleven.
Ike was in the room gisting with Rosemary. She was meant to be reading, but to ease her tension, she chose to take her mind off the exam by chatting away. They were both laughing hard when Fatimah barged into the room, startling them.
“Why did you barge in like that?” Rosemary asked after catching her breath.
“I’m sorry,” Fatimah said quickly. “Ike, you need to pack the things you’ll need for tomorrow’s exam probably just a change of pant. You don’t want to carry too much and raise suspicion.”
“What are you talking about?” Ike asked, confused.
“Look, I don’t have time to explain now. Just put on the clothes you plan to wear to the exam tomorrow, pick a pant to change into, take your exam printout whatever you need and let’s go.”
Rosemary and Ike exchanged glances, then continued their gist as if nothing happened.
Fatimah frowned. “Are you nuts? I’m telling you something important and you’re ignoring me. Do you want to lose this opportunity? If you miss tomorrow’s exam, you’ll lose your chance to further your education, trust me.”
“Why would I miss the exam?” Ike asked. “Didn’t Alhaji already instruct Mr. Ishola to take me to the venue tomorrow? So what’s there to worry about?”
“Oh, Miss Confidence,” Fatimah hissed. “Once I walk out of this room, trust me the exam is gone. This is your last chance.”
Rosemary leaned closer to Ike. “Look, I’ll advise you to do as she says. Don’t question her. There’s fire on the mountain I can smell it from her behavior. Please, go and take your bath and change.”
Without further argument, Ike went into the bathroom, had a quick shower, and changed into fresh clothes. She picked what she needed.
“Now, go to the kitchen,” Fatimah instructed. “Use the kitchen door, pass the left side not the right and wait for me at the gate. Don’t say a word.”
As Ike made to leave, Fatimah stopped her. “Wait. Give me that bag. I’ll throw it out the window. You’ll pick it once you’re outside. Greet Mum on your way, make sure she looks at you, catch her attention, then head straight to the kitchen.”
Ike obeyed.
In the sitting room, Mummy was scrolling on her phone.
“Well done, ma,” Ike greeted.
“Where are you going?” Mummy asked suspiciously.
“I want to wash the plates in the kitchen, ma.”
“How many times have I told you to wash them immediately after eating?” Mummy snapped.
“I’m sorry, ma. I went to the toilet after lunch that’s why I delayed.”
“Get out of here, you fool.”
“I’m sorry, ma,” Ike pleaded.
“Sorry for yourself,” Mummy muttered, dismissing her.
Ike hurried into the kitchen, slipped out the back door, picked her bag, and went straight to the gate. Her heart raced Mummy never used to care about her movements. Why the sudden interest? Something smelled foul.
Meanwhile, Fatimah walked into the sitting room.
“Mum, I want to get suya from the Mallam at the estate entrance.”
“Buy some for me too,” Mummy said, handing her ₦3,000. “You know I don’t like swallow at night. Since your father isn’t around, let me use the chance to eat what I want.”
“Mum, what about me? Are you only paying for yourself? Aba, give me money for mine too.”
“Don’t you have money of your own before? Don’t stress me, abeg.”
“But if it’s Bryan, you’ll give her money without question.”
“Bryan doesn’t have anyone else. If I don’t give her, who will? I must treat her like my own daughter.”
“Like your own daughter or even more than your own daughter?” Fatimah muttered. “She’s enjoying her aunt more than the aunt’s real children.”
“I’m only doing what your father won’t do for her,” Mummy replied.
“She disrespects Dad. I don’t expect him to give her anything anyway.”
“Don’t say that. Bryan was raised by a violent father who abused her and her mother. That’s why she hates men. She doesn’t know any better.”
“She’s older than me. I expect her to know better. Forget her parents’ marriage she was poorly raised. She disrespects people, she hates men, but she still has a boyfriend. I just hope she gets it right before it’s too late.”
“Enough!” Mummy cut her off sharply. “Stop badmouthing my niece. I don’t have money for you. Go and buy me the suya.”
“Okay, ma’am. I’m coming,” Fatimah said playfully, joking to avoid raising suspicion.
Minutes later, she and Ike walked out of the compound together. At the estate gate, a waiting Uber driver pulled up. Fatimah opened the door for Ike.
“This ma will take you to a safe place where you’ll stay till tomorrow. After your exam, he’ll bring you back. Don’t wander just wait at the venue until he finds you. You know how to get back home from the gate tomorrow, right?”
“Yes, I do,” Ike nodded.
“Good. I’ll explain everything tomorrow. Best of luck.” Fatimah pressed ₦2,000 into her hand. “Buy whatever you want.”
The driver started the car. The ride was silent. Ike stared out, catching glimpses of Lagos at night. The city lights fascinated her, but deep inside, fear gnawed at her. Where was the driver taking her?
After forty minutes, the car stopped in front of a house. The driver got out, opened her door, and knocked on the gate.
A woman in a jilbab answered with a warm smile.
“As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh, Abu Ayub.”
“Wa alaykumu salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh, ma,” the driver replied respectfully. “How was your day?”
“Alhamdulillah, I’m fine. I hope you’re not upset that I called you for emergency work. Please, forgive me." The lady said.
" I can’t be angry, ma,” Abu Ayub replied with a gentle smile. “Besides, there’s nothing like ‘emergency’ in our work. Not everyone plans their journey ahead of time. We’re used to receiving calls from strangers, and we honor them. So why would I ignore the call of someone I know? I must answer you, ma.”
“Thank you, sir. May Almighty Allah honor you too. Shebi, you’ll calculate the money together after you drop her at home tomorrow, or should I pay separately?” the lady asked.
“No need to pay separately,” he said. “When I complete the work, you can pay all at once. I guess I’ll still be the one to pick her up and take her to the exam center, right?”
“Yes, please. Pick her up as early as 7 a.m.,” she replied.
“No problem. As-salamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh, ma.”
“Wa alaykum salam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh.”
The lady turned to Ike with a warm smile.
“Welcome, Ramat. Hope you’re fine?”
“Good evening, ma. I’m fine, ma,” Ike replied softly.
“Let’s go inside.” She led the way into the house.
“Welcome to my little mansion,” the woman said with a smile. “Have you prayed Solatul Maghrib?”
“No ma, I haven’t.”
“Then come and pray first. I’ll set dinner while you perform ablution. Use the visitors’ toilet here.” She showed Ike the place.
When Ike finished her ablution, the woman showed her the Qiblah and prayer mat. Ike performed her solat and sat quietly on the mat, lost in thought about the strange turn of events.
“If you’re through with your prayer, please come and eat,” the lady called. “The Prophet advised us to take dinner before Ishai.”
Ike stood, joined her at the table, and they ate together. The food was white rice with pepper sauce and fish.
“I usually eat earlier,” the lady said gently. “But I waited for you. I didn’t want you to feel awkward eating alone. Hope you’re enjoying the food?”
“Yes, ma. The food tastes great. Thank you, ma,” Ike replied.
“You’re welcome. If you want more, please don’t be shy.”
“I’m okay with this, ma.”
The lady smiled and continued eating. Suddenly, her phone rang. She picked it up with a cheerful tone.
“Yes, she’s here already. I called you when she arrived but you didn’t pick, so I assumed you were busy. Do you want to talk to her? … Okay. She’s fine. She’s eating. After dinner, we’ll pray and then she’ll sleep early. Alright, no problem.”
Ike was curious who the caller was, especially since the person was asking about her. But she kept quiet, not wanting to appear too forward.
She concluded that it's Fatimah, only Fatimah know about her journey there.
When they finished eating, Ike tried to help with the dishes, but the lady insisted on handling them herself. Ike felt uneasy just watching.
From the kitchen, the lady called out, “Go and perform ablution again if yours is invalidated. I’ll join you soon for the prayer.”
Ike obeyed. They prayed together afterward. It was Ike’s first time praying in congregation with another woman without an imam. She was curious, but the woman’s religious appearance made her trust it was correct.
Later, the lady showed Ike to a room and bid her good night.
By 5 a.m., she woke Ike gently. Ike took her bath, performed ablution, and dressed up neatly before coming downstairs. The lady hugged her warmly.
After Fajr prayer, the lady set the table. Ike was reluctant to eat so early, but the woman encouraged her.
“It’s good to eat before going for your exam.”
She served her toast bread and tea.
When they were done, Abu Ayub arrived.
“He’s already here,” the lady announced. Ike rushed to stand up.
“Calm down,” she said with a smile. “He’s here because of you. He can’t leave without you.”
Ike thought to herself, This lady handles everything with a smile. Life must be so easy for her.
The lady handed Ike a lunch bag. “Here. There’s yam and egg inside. Eat it after the exam. Please return the flask to Abu Ayub he’ll bring it back to me. Barakallahu feekum. May Almighty Allah make it easy for you. Best of luck.”
“Thank you so much for your hospitality, ma. May Allah reward you,” Ike said sincerely. The lady hugged her again.
She walked her to the car and greeted Abu Ayub.
“Ramat, they won’t allow you to take that bag into the exam hall. Give it to Abu Ayub before you go in, and collect it back after.”
“Okay, ma,” Ike nodded.
She turned to the driver. “Please keep her bag for her. She’ll drop the lunch bag in your car and eat after the exam. If you have another job to do while waiting, you can go, but please ensure you come back to pick her up.”
“No problem, ma. Let’s be on our way,” Abu Ayub replied.
The journey was quiet. Ike was nervous, her mind consumed with thoughts of the exam.
At the exam venue, the driver prayed for her success. She whispered “Aamin” before walking in.
Within two hours, she was done. Outside, she waited for Abu Ayub. While waiting, four or five boys approached, asking for her number. She had no phone, but one stubborn guy didn’t believe her and kept pestering. The moment she saw Abu Ayub, she quickly walked away and entered the car.
“How was your exam?” he asked.
“Fine,” Ike replied.
“May Allah grant you excellent results,” he prayed.
“Aamin,” she said softly.
On the way back, she ate the food the lady had packed, making sure she finished it before they reached the estate gate. She returned the lunch bag and collected her bag back from the driver.
She smiled gratefully. “Thank you.”
When she alighted, she walked through the estate gate. Suddenly, it struck her she didn’t even know the lady’s name. Disappointment swept over her, but she quickly reassured herself. Fatimah will surely tell me her name.
As she walked down the road, a familiar car sped past. It was Muktar’s. She recognized it immediately and knew he must have seen her too. But he didn’t stop.
Why didn’t he offer me a lift? she wondered bitterly.
To be continued…
© Pheyisoul's Pen.
