THE SPARKS WITHIN: CHAPTER 10

Zulais POV:

The soft warmth of sunlight on my skin woke me up, it was a beautiful morning. I shot up from my bed, dazed. Blinking several times, I looked around and swallowed the panic climbing up my throat as I remembered the unfamiliar nightmare I had last night. It was about me and Alhaji Tanko. I’m glad it was all a dream, a very bad one. What bothered me was that it involved Alhaji Tanko, it’s so strange. I pushed away all my negative thoughts and joined the family for breakfast after washing my face and brushing my teeth.

Afterwards I retired to my room to get some rest and more sleep. I tried so hard to go back to sleep but I couldn’t. My mind was not functioning well, all I could think of was the wonderful time I had with Tanimu yesterday. He is a unique guy, a little bit notorious for his lethal charisma and expensive habits. He cheered me up, he made me forget I was sad. We talked about many things, i realized that we have a lot in common. I enjoyed his company so much that I lost track of time. We were lost in each others eyes. I got so carried away. He is a good listener just as I am, and one thing he sure is good at is making me feel comfortable and at home around him. He understood me and all the things I had said even when it didn’t make any sense. He understood all the things that I tried to say even though it didn’t all come out right. He understood me even when I myself didn’t understand myself. I guess he is a man of many talents, his gift is rare. He saw right through me. 

 I gave up trying and I decided to go get some fresh air. As I stepped out of the house, My jaw dropped when I saw Labaran. I have known Labaran ever since I was a little girl, i have sat on his laps before, I have eaten from the same bowl with him and he has played with me with my toys. Labaran is like an elder brother to me even though we were not related. Labaran is here to make peace with my family after cutting all ties with us and keeping malice for a while. He is willing to let go of the grudge he had against us. There was a time when he usually comes around whenever he’s in town and spends the whole evening at our house. But it has been ages since the last time he came, he has severed all ties with us. 

It all started when Labaran developed feelings for me along the line and that’s when everything changed. He asked for my hand in marriage, I gave it a thought and I considered saying yes to his proposal but Dahiru came along. Dahiru is Labarans younger brother whom he sends with sweets and love notes to me. Dahiru was suppose to be the one clearing the way for his brother Labaran, but then his heart betrayed him, he fell for his brothers girlfriend. He fell in love with me, Instead of clearing the way for his brother he cleared it for himself. I rejected Labaran, besides I only took his proposal into consideration out of respect in the first place. I realized that I only saw labaran as a brother and that’s the kind of relationship I want to maintain. call me selfish for all I know is that with labaran, my heart was not at home. I started dating Dahiru and we got along so well, I have to confess that I find Dahiru more interesting but something was still missing, I couldn’t figure out what but deep down I know that Dahiru was not the one for me. Labaran found out about his brothers betrayal and it resulted into a family feud, the two brothers were at war. After a while I realized that neither wanted Dahiru nor Labaran , my heart was not at peace. I also wanted to put an end to the family feud and restore peace among them. So I broke up with Dahiru and we both moved on. Labaran blamed my whole family for what happened.

Hearts have been broken, relationships have been lost, trusts have been ruined but life never cease to exist.

Tanimus POV:

I am becoming more and more miserable each and every passing day. My mother is always talking about my marriage with Raliyat, which I despise. I have thought about running away, but then again it wouldn't solve any of my problems. I know I cannot run away forever, I would just end up creating even more problems. A bright idea just popped into my mind, it wouldn't solve my problem but at least I would do something useful with my life. I'd become more useful to myself and my family in the near future. it would also give me enough time to think and ponder, it's all gain. I will travel to the neighboring town, to one of my late fathers friend whom I know is a business tycoon so that I could learn how to start and run a business. I have always wanted to start up a business of my own. I talked about it with my mother, though I didn't tell her my real intentions. All i said was I wanted to learn business so that i could start my own so as to be able to take care of my future wife(which she assumed is Raliyat, her husbands cousin) and children. So she willingly agreed. That excuse of a man opened his stupid mouth to say something, but before he did, I made that annoying sound that he hates the most and left the arrogant sack of rice barking like a dog. It felt so good.

I packed all my stuff the next Morning, I plan to leave in the evening. I am so happy I'm going to leave this town which has brought nothing but misery to my life. The only thing I look forward to is bumping into Zulai, I cherish every bit of it. I have only known her for a short period of time but it seemed like I have known her forever. We had a great time yesterday after the disappointment she had, I never understood why she still hangs out with the girl that almost hit her. I don’t blame her, she has a pure heart with the purest of intentions. As soon as I spotted Zulai with the girl from a distance, I knew that it wouldn’t end well. So I followed them, I was so surprised when I saw the house they entered. The Mafia retualist's house. I ran as fast as I could so that I could reach them before it was too late. Luckily, it wasn’t. 

Seeing zulai triggered something hungry, wild and powerful within me. I love everything about her, the way she smiles, her facial expressions, the way she walks and talks, the way she laughs, even without words zulai is havenly. The way she looks at me melts my heart. When She looked into my eyes, I felt butterflies in my stomach playing havoc with my emotions Making my heart lurch upside down. When I think of her, I always have this strong feeling, something deep and sincere. I am not sure what it is, but I am sure that it is capable of consuming me. What I feel for zulai is unusual, a feeling I have never known before. I wanted to see her one last time before I left.

I was so happy and yet sad. Deep inside, I didn't want to leave, it felt like I would be leaving a part of me behind, the most valuable and important part of me which I don't think I could live without. My heart was holding on to something which I myself is not aware of, something deep and irreplaceable. 

I finally said my goodbyes and dragged myself out, I branched through Zulais favorite spot on my way to the bus station but she wasn’t there so I headed straight to the station. I boarded a bus and I was finally on my way. I arrived my destination around 8pm. As i walked, my eyes scanned across the sea of  unfamiliar faces and vaguely recognizable features, that was when I realized I am going to miss home so much.