Asma'u Sada's Sweet and Sorrow: A captivating and intriguing story. A must read!!!

CHAPTER 1
  The alarm clock rang and Nadia woke up from her sleep. She opened her eyes and looked at the clock.
  "Oh!my God. It's 7:00 and it's Saturday!"she said as she sat up, stretched and yawned. And recited some prayers in her mind. She stood up and headed to the bathroom. After some minutes, she came out and dressed in an English wear; white t-shirt and long black skirt. She covered her hair with a medium sized veil. Her phone rang as she drew the curtains of her room and steered at the large transparent glass window, looking at the beautiful weather. Some blue beautiful birds were flying in the sky, the sky looked bright and beautiful.
   "Hello! " she said as she put the phone close to her left ear.
  "I hope you didn't forget about the appointment? The woman just call to remind me. They really need your help." The person from the other side said. He is masculine.
  "No, I didn't forget. I'm about going there now Mr T- Man."
  " Alright then. I trust you. You know that. Pls a clean job."He reminded her.
  " Don't worry, I will take care of everything." Nadia said as she hang up.
   She went down stairs to the dinning room and met her maid setting the table.
   " Good morning Hajia" the maid said respectfully. She is a lady, dark in complexion, average height and twenty two years of age. She's wearing a native wear; blouse and wrapper. She is  hard working, neat and wise. That's why Nadia has been keeping her for a long time.
  " Morning, Atika."
  Nadia pull out one of the chairs and sat down. She ate savoury crepes and cappuccino hurriedly and rushed to the garage. She entered her matrix car and drove off to Riimi Avenue. The weather was cool and serene. She saw only few cars on the road. She was listening to the morning news on the radio. At 7:40am, she was at the gate of a mansion. One of the security guards came out in dark blue uniform and they greeted. He asked her who she was looking for. Nadia showed him her ID Card. He collected checked and gave her back.
  "You are welcome. Madam is waiting for you. " The security guard said and stepped back.
  "Open the gate!"The security guard shouted to the other security guards. And the door was opened. Nadia thanked him and drove inside the house. She parked in the parking space. Locked the car and headed to the main entrance. The house was very beautiful with lots of flowers, fruit trees and lush green grasses. She sighted a beautiful garden with flowers, plants and swings. She pressed the door bell. A woman in her middle 30's, wearing an apron came and opened the door.
  "Yes, may I help you? " she asked looking at Nadia.
 "I am Nadia... " she began
 "Oh!  You are welcome. Madam is expecting you. Pls come in. "she said as she opened the door widely and paved the way for Nadia.
 " Thank you,"she said as she entered the large sitting room with lots of furniture and beautiful decorations. From the transparent large glass she can sighted the beautiful garden. She saw different birds of different colours eating grains from big plastic trays.
  "Please take a seat.," the maid said. Pointing to one of the large couch.
 "Alright," Nadia answered and sat down gently. Then dropped her hand bag on the glass table that is close to her. Few minutes, a middle aged woman came down stairs, wearing a lafaya attire. She is fair in complexion and of average height. She smiled as she saw Nadia.
 Nadia stood up as she came close to her. They shook hands.
  "Please sit down," she said.
 "Thank you."Nadia responded and sat down.
  The maid with apron entered the sitting room and kept a large tray that consisted of Fruit drinks, Tea, fruits and assorted biscuits. Then she left.
 "I have a risky contract for you" the woman said with a serious face staring at Nadia.
(c) Asmie's Diary
 Copyright protected. No part of this story should be copied or transformed in any form or by any means without the consent of the copyright owner/ author. (c)Asma'u Sada
   To be continued.....
     ***        ***
Who are these two women? And what are they up to?
    Find out in the next chapter of Sweet & Sorrow.
 ***Questions to guide you in understanding the story:
1- Can you guess who Nadia is?
2- What do you think is the risky contact the woman is about to give her?
       ***           ***
Kindly answer
 the questions*** Your response matters to us.

   CHAPTER 2
"Alright Madam," Nadia said with keen interest.
   The woman looked at Nadia and said, " before I give you the contract, I will tell you who am I and the reason why I want to give you the contract." She adjusted her lafaya and looked at Nadia seriously and began: "My name is Fatima Ahman. I was born and brought up in Gasan. My husband's name is Al-Ameen. We met in the state university and later on got married. We were married for twenty years. We have 4 children : Tahira, Hanan and the twins Hassan and Hussein. My husband was a successful business man. He always travel abroad for his business. He has a tight friend Alhaji  Tanko. They have been friends since when they were in secondary school. Alhaji Tanko is also a business man. Sometimes they do business together. When ever my husband is around, they are always together. We have been living peacefully. When suddenly, my husband was found dead in a hotel when they went for a gathering. It was reported that it was heart attack. His body was found in the bathroom. And that was how the case died. We were in dilemma. He was a good husband and a very caring father. He was the back bone of the family. He was loved by many people because of his kindness. He owns Golden Company. All of a sudden, two days ago, my daughter Tahira called me in the afternoon, I realised she was in danger. She was panting and stammering in shock when she called me on the phone. I can still remember what she said to me. " Mum! you.... you...  can't believe what I just discovered..... " I heard the sound of a car crash and I heard Tahira screamed. That was all.... "Fatima started sobbing and tears were running down her cheeks like a cascading waterfall. She didn't bother to wipe her tears.
    Nadia looked at her pathetically. She closed her eyes and opened them. Then looked at Fatima who was shading tears profusely. She patted her on the shoulder and tried to calm her down. "It's alright Hajiya. I'm sorry to hear that. "
   After ten minutes of silence, Hajiya wiped her tears with a handkerchief and looked at Nadia who was staring at her sympathetically. Fatima sighed and looked at Nadia, her eyes has turned into red and she looked worried. "I am sorry I cried in your presence," she said to Nadia.
   " No, it's alright Hajiya. Don't worry. I'm used to that. It's part of my job to be patient and considerate." Nadia said with an amiable smile.
   "Thank you, " said Fatima. Trying to be strong.
  Then she continued, " I was agitated and confused. I tried calling Tahira but the phone was off. I didn't know where she is, talkless of finding her. But I know she told me she will be in school till evening they have test and presentation. So I rushed to the school in my car and looked for her everywhere but she was no where to be found. I called her close friend and she told me they had closed from school one hour ago and she don't know where she is. I was dialling the police phone number, when a call came in. I quickly answered it and to my greatest fear, I was told that Tahira had a car accident along the main road. I screamed and rushed to the place. But she was already taken to the city hospital. The road was scattered with metals and broken glasses and when I looked clearly, I saw blood on the tarred road. I became more confused, as if I will go crazy. I held my head with both my hands.  I was dizzy and the sky was rotating in high speed. I fell down and fainted. When I woke up I found myself in the hospital. I saw a dim shadow of a man.....
   Who is that man and what will happen in the hospital?
 * Is Tahira dead?
   Find out in the next Chapter of Sweet and sorrow by Asma'u Sada. Coming your way Tomorrow God's willing.
(c) Asmie's Diary
***
Copyright protected. No part of this recipe should be copied in any form or by any means without the consent of the copyright owner. (c) Asma'u Sada
 
   CHAPTER 3
 I immediately recognised him. It is my husband's best friend Alhaji Tanko. He was standing beside the bed looking worried.
  "How are you feeling now? I was informed about this dilemma an hour ago." He said sympathetically.
  I looked round the room to confirm if I am dreaming or not. And I discovered that I wasn't dreaming. It's real. I looked at the drip in my right hand. My body ached. Everything came back to my brain fresh. became restless and worried.  Instead of answering him.  I asked him, "Where is my daughter?  Have you heard anything about her?  Is she dead? I was struggling to seat up, but the dream in my hand, stopped me and I laid down again staring at him eager to hear his response.
  "Calm down Hajia, Tahira is alive but she is unconscious. Don't worry she will soon recover. I told the doctors to do whatever they have to do to make sure she regain her conscious. And they are trying their best. "Alhaji Tanko said  trying to encourage mr
  I felt a bit relieved but I was still worried and wanted to see my daughter and also find out what really happened.
  "I want to see her now, " I said in a shaky and weak voice.
 " Calm down Hajia, you can't see her now. You need some rest. Your BP is high. Take it easy."He said encouragingly.
  "You don't understand Alhaji Tanko, I am in  dilemma. I want to know what happened to Tahira? How was she involved in the car accident? My husband died a month ago and now my daughter? I don't want her to die too...." I busted out crying.
 "I am so sorry about what happened Hajia. I very worried too. She is also a daughter. I care about all of you and I promised to take of you all. Just try to calm down. Tahira was crossing the main road when a rough driver ran over her. It's like so many car accidents. And thank God she is alive but she is in the emergency room and she will soon be alright. You can see her later. Just relax and pray for her. Let me allow you to rest, I will be at the reception, if you need anything just call me. Less I forget, your bag is beside you on the chair, he said reassuringly. Then turned and left the room.
   I sighed and some hot tears rolled down my cheeks. I asked myself, "why am I going through this?"
   Few hours later, I went to see Tahira. I was in great shock in the condition I met her. She has lost her memory. She couldn't recognise me and her younger ones. And she was badly injured. There were bandages in her forehead, legs and hand. I didn't know when I screamed and collapsed.
  To be continued.....
(c) Asmie's Diary
 ***
(c) Copyright protected. No part of this story should be copied in any form or by any means without the consent of the copyright owner.(c) Asma'u Sada
     What will happen next? Find out in the next Chapter of Sweet and Sorrow  by Asma'u Sada.
 
   CHAPTER 4
 I opened my eyes and saw a doctor, some nurses and Alhaji Tanko beside me. They all looked worried. I held my forehead with my right hand. It was aching. I tried to sit up on the bed. One of the nurse quickly laid me back and said,"Hajiya you have to rest, your BP is very high."
  "Hajiya take it easy, calm down." said the doctor looking concern.
  "Hajiya take it easy. Don't hurt me yourself. Everything will be alright."said Alhaji Tanko looking pensive.
  I steered at them. Everything came back to me fresh. Hot tears rolled down my cheeks. I didn't bother to wipe it. I closed my eyes in pain and said nothing.
  "Take care of her "the doctor said to the two nurses and left the room. Alhaji Tanko followed him.
   I spent two days in the hospital and I fully recovered. I persuade the doctor to take me to see Tahira. There was no improvement. She was the same like always. I became more and more worried. I pray for her every day. Her younger ones also visited her every day and left shading tears of sadness. Alhaji Tanko was always in the hospital with his family praying for Tahira and encouraging me. The doctor assured us that she will be alright but it will take some time. We should be patient. Up-to now she hasn't recovered as am talking to you right now. I call you here to seek for your assistance. I believe something is fishy. Because Tahira was about to tell me something when a car ran over her. She must have something important to tell me. I believe someone is after her and wanted to kill her. But I don't know why. Please I want you to investigate and find out why and who that person is. I will pay you any amount. Money is not the problem. And I trust T-Man that's why I talked to him to get a good detective for me and he brought you. I expect a good job from you. He told me everything about you. And I appreciate your work," said Fatima wiping the tears from her cheeks.
  "Trust me Hajiya. You will appreciate my work when I'm done. I will do everything I can to find out who is after your daughter and why. I will start immediately." reassured Nadia with a an encouraging smile.
  "Thank you so much Detective. I'm glad."
   Nadia asked her if Tahira has ever been in trouble and if she is mingling with troublesome friends and also asked her about Tahira's behaviour.
   Fatima told her that Tahira is a quite and good girl. She have only few friends: Jameela, Fadeela and Naja'at. They are from a respectable family. Tahira doesn't like going out most of the time. She always stay at home and read her notes, do her assignments and read novels. Sometimes she goes out with her friends.
   "Hmm... that's interesting. I need her friends home address," requested Nadia.
   Fatima got a jotter and jot down their addresses and gave it to Nadia. Nadia asked her everything she wanted to know and Fatima told her everything.
   They discussed about Nadia's money for the job and they agreed on the amount. She was given half for a start. That's Nadia's suggestion. When she is done with the job she will collect the rest of the money.
  Fatima escorted her to the door and thanked Nadia. She entered her car and headed to......
   Find out where the Detective will go for her first investigation.
(c) Asmie's Diary
***Copyright protected. No part of this story should be copied in any form or by any means without the consent of the copyright owner. (c) Asma'u Sada
 
*** CHAPTER 5
Nadia drove straight to the main road and parked her car by the road side. She walked few steps and saw the broken car glasses littered on and beside the tarred road. She gently bent down and pick up a piece of glass and observed it. Then she brought out a nylon from her bag and put it inside. She was looking at the place imagining how the accident happened. She imagined Tahira running to the main road in agitation calling her mother on the phone trying to tell her what she just discovered. People were busy going up and down, some on cars while some by foot. Some were attending to their customers in the shops close by. Suddenly, a car came from no where and ran over Tahira as she was about crossing the road to enter her car. Tahira screamed and collapsed on the road. Blood gushing out of her egg and body. Peoples attention was drawn to the scene and they rushed to help her in shock. While the owner of the car that ran over her fled without stopping to see what he did. Some were shouting and insulting him at the same time. Tahira was rushed to the hospital immediately.
   Nadia sighed at her imagination. The accident is horrible and not just ordinary auto accident. Something is fishy. Someone is after Tahira's life. Who is this person and why? And what has she discovered that she wanted to discuss with her mom.
 She looked down again. And unexpectedly sighted a golden metal glistening on the ground. She quickly picked it and observed it. It's a gold bracelet. But it's broken. This must be Tahira's bracelet. She muttered in her mind. Then she put it inside her nylon. And looked round the place again if she will find anything again. But there was nothing left. So she stood up and looked beside her. She saw some men staring suspiciously at her. They were three men in their middle age and sitting outside a shop on the bench.
  Nadia approached them. She greeted them respectfully and introduced herself to them.
 " I am Nadia Majid. I'm a detective from the Police Headquarters," as she showed them Her ID card.
   The suspicious look change to respect. They welcomed her. She asked them about the accident. Two of the men that were there when the accident happened narrated what they saw. One of them said he was the owner of the supermarket they were sitting close to.
 He told her that they were sitting outside the shop chatting when they saw a car driving in a very high speed and then suddenly ran over a lady that looked as if she was in a hurry and confusion, making call at the same time trying to cross the road. Then they all ran to rescue the lady that was covered in blood on the tarred road. The man that ran over her escaped.
  Nadia jotted down what the man said. She put asked him more questions. Then put back her jotter in her bag and thanked the men. She headed to her car, entered and zoomed off.
(c) Asmie's Diary
  Where is she going to next?  Find out in Sweet and Sorrow Chapter 6.
***Copyright protected. No part of this story  should be copied in any form or by any means without the consent of the copyright owner. (c) Asmie's Sada
    CHAPTER 6
 She leaned on her car waiting for the students to come out from the lectures. She wore a suit with a small veil round her head, her blue bag clung on her right shoulder. It matched with the colour of her suit. She wore blue lofers same colour with the veil. She folded her arms and stared at the lecture room. Some students were reading under a big tree while others were chatting and laughing. She checked her wrist watch. The time was 10:00am. She looked at the lecture hall again, the lecture was still going on. She can see the lecturer from where she was standing. He is tall, dark wearing an English wear.
   Fifteen minutes later, the lecture was over. She saw the lecturer leaving the class and some students were following him. He was holding a big handout, text book and a pack of board marker. She stared at the door as some ladies were coming out of the class approaching where she was. They are two in number. All of them wore native wears with small veils. They were all holding a fashion bags and working gently, chatting. As they were passing through were she was standing, she quickly stopped in their presence and  said "Hello!"
   They looked at her and then looked at each other. They have no idea who she is but she looked cute and friendly.
  " My name is Detective Nadia Major. I'm hired by Hajia Fatima Ahman to investigate Tahira's accident. If you wouldn't mind I will like to ask you few questions." Nadia said with an amiable smile, looking at them. She showed them her ID Card.
  They sighed and looked at each other. At first they were contemplating on what to do. Then the fair lady said,"Alright. What do you want to know?"
   Nadia turned around and sighted two empty benches under a mango tree. Then she asked them if they agree to go there and sit down and discuss about the issue. They agreed and went there to sit. Two of the ladies sat on one bench and Nadia sat on the other facing them. Nadia's small tape recorder was on her lap but was covered with her jotter. She switched it on immediately when she started asking them questions without the ladies knowing she was with it.
  " I will like to know your names ladies?" she asked looking at them.
 "My name is Laila,"said the fair one.
 "And my name is Fariha," the dark lady said.
   " I promise I won't take too much of your time. I learnt that you are Tahira's friend, when last did you see her?" Nadia threw the question at them.
  " We saw her last week thursday in school. We were together, we had the last lecture of the day at lecture room one. After the lectures, we went to the parking lot, she entered her car and left. That's the last time we saw her."answered Fariha.
  " That's by what time?" asked Nadia looking at them to catch every nuance of their expressions.
 " Around 2:00pm," replied Laila looking worried.
  "Did you observed whether she was in worrisome mood?"
 " No. She was in a good mood since when she came to school that day. She showed us her new matrix car that her mother bought for her," responded Laila gloomily.
  "So,  has she ever told you she has problem with anyone? May be she has once got herself in trouble or something? "
  This time around, the ladies looked at each other amazed and responded together,"No".
  "You sure? " the Detective asked.
  "Yes," they replied in unison.
   " Tahira is a lively and cheerful person. She is very friendly and helpful. Always want to live peacefully with everyone. As far as we know her, she always avoid getting into trouble," expatriated Laila as tears began to fill her eyes. She quickly removed her handkerchief from her bag and dabbed her eyes.
  " Are you aware of the situation your friend Tahira is?" asked Nadia.
  "Yes, and we visit her almost every day. Even though, she doesn't recognise us. We care about her and we are so worried. We really miss her,"sobbed Fariha as tears started falling down her cheeks.
  Nadia helped her with a tissue paper. She collected it and thanked her. Then she wiped the tears and sobbed for almost five minutes. Laila was shading tears too. Nadia tried to calm them. She watched them silently, trying to compose themselves.
  I think that is all for now," then she removed her complimentary c and gave it to them in case if they remember or see anything that will help in investigating the culprit behind Tahira's accident. She thanked them and left.
(c) Asmie's Diary
   What next? Find out in the next chapter of Sweet and sorrow by the author Asma'u Sada.
***Copyright protected. No part of this story should be copied in any form or by any means without the consent of the copyright owner(c) Asma'u Sada
 
 

Disappearance: An intriguing story

  DISAPPEARANCE

    A STORY BY ASMA'U SADA
*                     *                     *
"Umma!  Umma!!  I screamed as I ran towards my neighbour's hut.
 " What is the matter?"Umma asked struggling to hold her wrapper around the waist. "Mariya pull yourself together and and tell me what is happening." she concluded.
 "I...I can't find my... husband! I stammered.
 " What!" Umma shouted. I can't believe it. When... Where... How..?"
 I wanted to scream  but my voice had gone missing. I tried again but  instead of my voice, it was my eyes that let out a stream of tears which flowed uncontrollably down my cheeks.
  Umma brought out a wooden stool and tried to get me to sit down, but I was not in the mood. I wanted to find my husband. I couldn't speak. Each time I want to scream, more tears ran down my cheeks like cascading waterfalls.
 "Calm down and give me the details of.... Umma began.
 " I...woke up this morning to find out that he was not in bed. It was still dawn so I thought that it was too early for him to leave the house. But...  But I have looked for him everywhere. Around the house; on the farm; at his friends' houses. He was not in any of those places."
  "How about... Umma began.
  " We slept together last night and this morning he is... Oh!  My God!  Umma... Umma... " I cried.
 "Don't worry."Umma said. She patted her gently on the shoulder and walked into her hut. "Let's go" she said as she emerged from the room adjusting the blouse which she has hastily worn. I will help you look for him. "
  We searched for him at his friends' house, we even went to those who are mere acquaintance and those who thought of as his enemies. We looked everywhere-even Okoro the chemist's shop. We walked halfway through the village and the unevitability of exhaustion crept up on them. It was evening before we went home.
  "What is this that I heard? "My mother In-law's voice roared before she got to the door.
(c) Asmie's Diary
  To be continued.......
Copyright protected. No part of this story should be copied or transmitted in any form or by any means without the consent of the copyright owner/author.(c) Asma'u Sada
   

Lonely Child : A touching Story

   Hajiya Mariya swiftly came downstairs dressed in a native wear. Her bag was clung on her shoulder, and was holding a mug in her right hand, sipping. Her seven year old daughter was following her dressed in school uniform; blue and white. Her school bag was clung on her back.
They entered the kitchen together. Hajiya Mariya dropped the mug on the kitchen table.
  '' Pick your lunch box, hurry up we are almost late'' said Hajiya Mariya as she turned to leave the kitchen.
  "Ok Mum," Hanan headed to the dinning table to pick her lunch box.
    Hajiya Mariya was already sitting in the car waiting for her daughter. Hanan entered and she drove off. She parked the car at Hanan's school and gave her some money to spend. Then she drove off to work.
   When she reached the office, she parked the car in the parking lot. And entered inside the office.
  "Good morning everyone," she said smiling.
"Morning Hajiya Mariya,"her colleagues greeted her back with smiling faces.
   "How is Hanan?" her friend asked.
  " She is fine. I just dropped her in school."
    Hajiya Mariya entered her office and began to work.
*                         *                       *
 One O'clock in the afternoon, Hajiya Mariya's neighbour came to pick her daughter from school and as usual, she picked her daughter Zahra and Hanan to her house. Hanan used to stay in Hajiya Jamila's house, till her mother closed from work. She always close late in the evening. And will come back exhausted and with lots of work to do and hardly have time for her daughter. Hanan is always lonely at home, she have no friends to play with but have lots of games. She used to seat in her room with her teddy bear and stared at the sky through the glass door or go to the garden and seat on the swing or play video games or read her story books.
       *                    *                    *
One Saturday morning, Hanan woke up with a terrible fever. She was running a high temperature and shivered in her quilt. She felt like throwing up and quickly ran to the bathroom. She threw up profusely that she became weak. Hanan tried calling her mother but she was too weak. She was dizzy and couldn't move her feet, suddenly fell down on the bathroom floor and fainted.
  Where is her mother?
    Her mother forgot some files in the office and went to pick them. She was so carried away that she didn't think of checking her daughter but believed she was still sleeping so she thought she can rush to the office and get the files before Hanan wake up.
  On her way back home, she was stocked in the traffic for almost an hour. She reached home past nine and went upstairs to her daughter's room to check her. She checked the room but no one was there, then she checked the bathroom. And to her greatest surprise, she saw her daughter lying unconsciously on the floor.
 She screamed "HANAN"!
    *                *               *

   Hajiya Mariya in confusion bent down and shook Hanan, shouting out her name. But Hanan was already unconscious. She carried Hanan and ran down stairs with her, shading tears. She picked her car keys on the table and swiftly went outside and laid Hanan on the back seat. Then quickly entered the car and drove off to a nearby hospital.
     On reaching the hospital, some nurses on duty, quickly assisted her and took Hanan to the emergency ward. Hajiya Mariya wanted to enter but they stopped her and told her to wait outside. One of the nurses has already went to call the doctor and in a jiffy, the doctor arrived and entered the emergency ward quickly wearing his white coat and stethoscope.
    Hajiya Mariya was going up and down in dilemma and confusion. She didn't care about the tears that was rolling down her cheeks like a cascading waterfall. She was blaming herself for what happened to her one and only daughter. How could she be so careless? Why didn't she checked her daughter early morning before doing any other thing. If anything happened to her daughter, she will never forgive herself. Had it been Hanan's father is alive, she could have been in big trouble, he will seriously deal with her. He loved Hanan so much and had always took care of her more than the mother. He would stay at home and take care of Hanan. Took her to so many interesting places like the park, garden, ice cream shop, etc. Sometimes, he take a break from work just to stay at home and take care of his daughter, Hanan. Because the mother is always busy with work and doesn't have time to take care of their daughter. Hanan's father used to scold her and call her workaholic. She always want to become famous and rich. Sometimes, she will travel abroad for work and leave her husband with Hanan. And as usual, he will be the one to take care of her. He was fed up with wife's attitude and most times they had serious quarels. Sometimes as if the marriage will crash. But Alhaji Salim was always the patient one. And that was how he had been coping with his wife till the day he died in a ghastly motor accident. His death really shocked Hanan and Hajiya Mariya. And it was a great loss to so many people. He was a kind, patient and hard working man that so many people liked him. He died when Hanan was only five years old. She really missed her father and cried anytime she remembered him. They had been so close and had been taking care of her and always listened to her and helped her in terms of her troubles with her friends in school and so on. Now that he was no more, she couldn't cope with her mother and her attitudes. Sometimes, her mother will scold her or pull her ears when she misbehaved or did something wrong. And Hanan will cry all day and her mother will not care rather she will concentrate on her office work. Most times, when she is at home, she will spend most times on her laptop surfing, designing and programming. She hardly raise her head to see what her daughter is doing.

   The door opened and the doctor came out of the ward. Immediately, Hajiya Mariya rushed to him agitated.
   "How is she doctor? " she asked with trembling voice.

 The doctor removed his eye glasses and looked at her in disappointment.
" I want to see you in my office now," he said and walked away.
  Hajiya Mariya was totally confused and she stood still as if blood has stopped flowing in her body. She asked herself this question "is she dead?"
   Hajiya Mariya sluggishly followed the doctor to his office. He ordered her to sit on one of the chairs in his office. He sat on the chair that was facing her and kept his stethoscope and glasses on the table.
  " I am highly disappointed with you, Hajiya Mariya. How could you leave your daughter with malaria for a long time before bringing her to the hospital unconsciously?" asked the doctor seriously, staring at her.
   Hajiya Mariya opened her mouth agape. "It has been in her for long?  I wasn't aware. I just saw her unconsciously in the bathroom this morning," she uttered astonishingly.
  The doctor nodded his head in disappointment and looked at her. "How could you say that?  That means you are not an observant mother. You have not been observing your daughter. This means you have not been taking care of her. He sighed and said, your daughter have plasmodium coach and this vivax malaria can lead to severe disease and death due to splenomegaly that is a pathological enlarge spleen. We have to admit her in the hospital for two weeks till she fully recovered. "
  " Oh! my God. I'm in trouble, what will I do now?  Is she going to survive it?  Please tell me doctor," Hajiya Mariya sobbed.
  " Calm down Hajiya Mariya, this is not time for crying. Pray for your daughter and she needs you now more than ever. You have to sacrifice so many things to take care of your daughter especially your job. I will advise you to be very observant on your daughter that is when you will know what is wrong with her and always spare your time and be with her.
And don't worry, I have been your family doctor for years, I will try my best to treat your daughter very well," explained the doctor.
   Hajiya Mariya wiped her tears with her handkerchief and said, "Thank you doctor, I always appreciate your effort."
  *                   *                  *
Since from that day, Hajiya Mariya stayed in the hospital to take care of her daughter and she took excuse from the office. Hanan was very happy to see her mother by her side. I hope she will continue like this. Hanan said in her mind.
    Two weeks later, Hanan recovered fully and she was discharged. She resumed to school and concentrated on her studies. Her friends and teachers were happy to see her and she was welcomed her wholeheartedly. Hanan was encouraged and promised herself to work harder in her studies.
  On the other hand, her mother resumed back to the office and as usual, come back from work late evening and hardly have time for her daughter. And these days, she always have visitors at home almost all the time including weekends. Where they sat and discussed about work and how to make it one of the best company in the country. Hanan was not happy, she will peep through the stairs and watched them. But she tried to make herself busy, playing with her toys, reading story books or watching cartoons to while away her time. Her mother will not allow her to go to their neighbours house and play with them, she said they are ill mannered. She don't want her daughter to mingle with them. And it's a GRA, everyone is minding his business.
  One Saturday morning around 10:00am, Hanan was in the kitchen trying to make tea for herself, she climbed a stool to take a mug,  her height didn't reach the cupboard and suddenly, all the mugs fell down on the tiles and broke. The sound distracted Hajiya Mariya and her colleagues, she rushed to the kitchen to see what happened and she saw the broken mugs on the ground.
 "What is wrong with you Hanan?  What are you looking for there? " See the damaged you have done.  And she pulled her from the chair and beat her and dragged her to her room upstairs and locked her. "Stay there till you learn your lesson," said Hajiya Mariya angrily and went downstairs to clean the kitchen.
   Hanan was beating the door with her hands, calling the mother and apologizing and begging her to open the door for her. But the mother turned deaf ears and walked away.
   Hanan continued cry and beating the door till she got tired and sat on the ground. And she was very hungry, she didn't eat breakfast which her mother did not prepare for her.
   Hmm!  What kind of mother is this?

LAST PART OF THE LONELY CHILD BY ASMA'U SADA

  Hanan didn't know when she fell asleep on the ground. Her mother did not remember her till she all her visitors had gone. She went to the kitchen and made tea and toasted bread for Hanan. Then she went upstairs to her room. She opened the door and saw Hanan lying on the ground sleeping. She felt guilty and sorry for her. Hajiya Mariya quickly woke Hanan which was fast asleep. She woke up and saw her mother beside her with a tray consisting of tea and toasted bread. She cleaned her eyes with her hand to enable her see clearly. She looked tired, sick and sleepy.
" I'm so sorry dear for what happened. I was frustrated with office work that was why. Get up, let me help you wash your face in the bathroom," said Hajiya Mariya sympathetically as she helped her daughter to get up and escorted her to the bathroom. She helped Hanan to wash her face and came back to the room. She handed over the tray to Hanan, which she collected and started eating hurriedly and hungrily. Her mother sat beside her and watched her pathetically, she felt like crying for her daughter. She knew she had maltreated her daughter sometimes and she don't feel happy about it. But she is too carried away with her job that she can't help it. She is a workaholic and want to get rich and fame, that's why she sacrificed so many things because of her job even her daughter. Imagine! Hmm!
     That's how Hanan's life continued with busy mum that doesn't have enough time to take care of her. She became worried, unhappy and unlively that her teacher noticed. She stopped following her friends and always seat a lone at the back of their class, thinking deeply about her life. The teacher called her one day and asked her what was wrong with her and she said nothing. The teacher kept asking her every day and she kept saying the same thing. So, the teacher was worried and called her mother and they discussed. Hajiya Mariya said she think she is not too well that's why. But she will handle the issue. That's how the discussion ended that Hanan was sick.
   Hajiya Mariya didn't care much to ask, but Hanan told her she is always sad that her mother don't have time to take care of her. And the mother replied that it is because of her job, one day she will have enough time to stay with her and take good care of her and that everything she is doing is because of her. So that she have enough money to take care of her.
   That day, Hanan wept bitterly. She became more lonelier, worried and sad. It reached the extent that she don't concentrate on her studies and don't eat well at home and at school.
  *                *                  *
One Monday morning, Hanan collapsed in the class and was rushed to the hospital. The doctors examined her and discovered that it was beyond their power, so they quickly transferred Hanan to Psychiatric Hospital. Hajiya Mariya was called and she rushed to the hospital agitated and confused. After 2 hours of examining Hanan, the doctor discovered that Hanan is seriously affected psychologically  and may not recover fully. That day, Hajiya Mariya collapsed and fainted several times that she had to be admitted for two days before she recovered. She blamed herself for everything and regretted. She prayed for her daughter and asked for God's forgiveness. She wept all day and anytime she came to see her daughter. Her life became miserable and sad. She was sacked at her place of work because she was no longer concentrating on her job. She became jobless. She begged her daughter to forgive her but Hanan was not in her normal condition. She wept and wept all day. And always said aloud, "how I wish I had taken care of my daughter, this wouldn't have happened. "
    (C)Asmie's Diary

   THE END!!!!

  This is one of the most touching story I have ever written. And I shed tears while writing it. I felt like not continuing writing the story, it really touched my heart.
  I don't have this story written in a book. As I just pasted the cover picture, the picture speak for itself. The ideas just started flowing as usual. This story made me to joined it in my collection of short stories. 
 *                *                 *
This story is a great lesson to mothers with such kind behaviour. And I hope they will realize their mistake and do the right thing because opportunity comes but once in life. This is a huge responsibility that is given to us by our Creator. And He will ask us of it one day.
   Take Note.!!!!

  Please spare a minute and comment on the story.

    Thank you. I hope you enjoyed the story.
(C)PAsmie's Diary.

All right reserved. No part of this story should be transmitted in any form or by any means. Photocopy, printing, publishing, copy and paste to social media platforms.i.e pages groups,.facebook,Whatsapp groups, etc without the permission of the copyright owner.(c)Asma'u Sada (Asmie's Diary)
 

Greatest Shock by Asma'u Sada

 

     By Asma'u Sada
            * 
     Malisa swiftly came out of her office with a hand bag clung on her right shoulder and a file on the other hand. She dropped the file on her Secretary's office." I want you to work on this file before I come back, do you get me?" she asked arrogantly to her secretary.
  " Yes, Ma," the secretary answered respectfully. She knows her boss, she is a rude, unkind, disrespectful and an arrogant woman. Everybody knows her in the organisation. Anyone that disobeyed her or did something wrong to her, she sacks him immediately without warning. Why? Because her father is the  Owner of the organisation. And she is his only child. She feels on top of the world.
   She rushed out of the secretary's office and headed to the car lot. Some staff were greeting her, but she shunned them and continued walking.
   "Hmm!" they said and added," we are used to that disgusting attitude."
  Somebody parked his car close to her, so she can't move her car out of the car lot.
  " Who is that idiot that parked his car here? "She shouted on the top of her voice.
  Immediately, one of the security guards, came running and bent with respect and said, "It's one of our staff, Mr Abu."
 "Will you go and call him to get his stinking car out of my way?" she barked.
   " Right away Ma," the elderly security guard said and he rushed to call Mr Abu.
 Malisa hissed and leaned on her car. She checked her watch and hissed again. "This useless people I don't know when they will ever change," she said aloud frowning.
  The security guard and Mr Abu came rushing.
 " I'm sorry Ma, it was not deliberate, I wanted to... "
  Malisa interupted him with a dirty slap that he staggered and nearly fell down.
  " Who the hell do you think you are to park your stinking old car close to mine? She added, will you remove it now?" she yelled angrily and opened her car to enter.
  Mr Abu was shocked and speechless. He held his chin in pain and stared at Malisa angrily.
  " She opened the door and turned round, for your information you are fired,"she said and entered the car.
   Mr Abu was so shocked, he sees it as a dream. Nobody has ever slapped him but just this small girl of 25 years. "Hmmm..." he said and entered his car. He drove away from the parking lot to allow Malisa pass.
   She drove fast and roughly out of the parking lot and headed to the gate.
   On her way to her father's office, she ran over an elderly man. She didn't stop and tried to escape. Some men that were passing by the road side ran after her and blocked the way. They opened the door and forced her to come out. Two of the men ran to get help. Then one of the men gave her  3 dirty slaps and dragged her to the man lying by the road side and said," see what you did to this old man. He is terribly wounded and about to die. What kind of heartless woman are you? That's the problem with you rich people, you are heartless,only few of you are good."
  Malisa looked down at the elderly man, she was unhappy and felt disgraced in front of the crowd that gathered the first time in her life. Everyone was insulting her and at the same time sympathising with the elderly man. Some were with him trying to help him before the car arrived.
 "Father!" Malisa screamed and her eyes popped out when she looked at the man lying on the ground in coated blood, blood was running almost everywhere in his body, he was badly wounded. And about to die.© Asmie's Diary

  No part of this story should be copied i.e copied and pasted to any group on social network, reproduced, photocopy, printed or transmitted in any form or by any means without the permission of the copyright owner ©Asma'u Sada
         *** (c) Copyright Asma'u Sada***