“What is not good enough… looking for some alternative?” Shade asked looking at him and he swallowed hard.
“Yes, I am not comfortable with that.” He said to her and she looked at him with surprise… wondering why he was not comfortable with it.
“How about you just be patient … let us keep looking for some other work, I am back now… I will help in whatever way I can ins Sha Allah… “ He promised and she sighed.
“We can’t put all responsibility on you Ismail, that is unfair … Ashabi and I had been taking care of ourselves since the death of our parents , you don’t have to take any responsibility … I can do anything as long as it is legit.” She said to him and he swallowed hard.
“Normally, you don’t have to do all these… “ He said to her half to himself and she sighed.
“So, who is suppose to do this? Did we tell you that we never have brothers , we were three girls and one died with Dad and Mum.” She said
“May Allah forgive them and grant them Jannah.” He prayed and sighed with Amin.
“You have done enough already and I appreciate , and to say I misjudged you then… I am glad we know you.” She said to him and he smiled.
“But still, I don’t want you to work for other neighbours , it is degrading and I don’t like it.” He said to her and the thought of her working for others irritate him.
“You seem more concern than me…” Shade looking at him as he frowned.
“I will look for some other source of income ins Sha Allah, as soon as I got back from Camp… I will take care of your responsibility ins sha Allah.” He promised and there was silence between them.
“Promise me you would not beg anyone here for work.” He said to her.
“We will get all food items tomorrow ins Sha Allah.” He promised.
“Like I said, you don’t have to do it all... It is not your responsibility to carry.” She said and stood up from the bench she sat not far from him.
“What if we get married ....?” He said to her and that shock him as that was the least she expected and without warning, she return back to her seat looking at him.
“I want to marry you Yusrah.” He said to her and she swallowed hard.
“You are joking right?” She asked him to be sure she heard right and she watched him look away.
“Of course, you are...” She said.
“Do I look like a joker?” He asked her.
“I want to marry you... So I can have the permission to shoulder all your responsibility.” He said to her and she stared hard at him..
“You want to sleep with me?” She asked him and he shook his head.
“Audhubillahi minas shaytani rajim... Why will I want to do that? Zina? Never..” He said to her
“You are just like the others... When I thought you are different.” She said and went in while he just sat there deep into thought.
He didn’t even know what to think about ... Perhaps he should just wait ...he thought. He left for the camp the following week.




She closed up the store and started her journey home slowly , as soon as she got to the junction, she saw his car parked beside her and she was startled and then she saw him got horned at her, she didn’t believe it was her until she glanced back and the driver horned again, she bent to see who the driver was and saw him.
“Yasmina...”
“Uncle... As salamualykum ...” She greeted, she wonder how many cars he has she still had not forgotten how rude he was the last time they met when she wanted to ask him for a favour but still she greeted him warmly.
“Come in, let me take you home...” Adnan offered and she shook her head.
“Don’t worry sir, I am almost home.” She said to him.
“I know you are mad at me ... “ He said to her.
“No ooo, it is in the past... my house is not far from here.” She said to him and pointed towards the direction of her house.
“Okay, come in still.” He said to her and she hesitated.
“Come on, ...it is late... “ He said and watched her walk to the passenger side, he unlocked the car and let her got in.
“Aren’t you going to the house?” She asked him and he shook his head, he had gotten to the junction of the house only to be called by his friend that he had to go out to the town as a result of urgency.
“So, which way is to your house?” He asked her as he start his car and listen to her description.
“I am sorry for the way I reacted the last time and believe, I said I was going to come see you but I forgot and I remember immediately I saw you now.” He said to her and she nodded.
“So, what did you want to say to me that day?” He asked her and she sighed, this would be her first time of having a real conversation with him and she didn’t even know how to start.
“I am listening.” He said as he parked in front of her apartment and she sighed again.
“I need a job... Please...” She said as fast as she could and he sighed.
“You want to leave where you are presently?” He asked her and she shook her head.
“It is for my sis... I don’t know anyone to ask... I asked madam but she said there is no vacancy that she know of.” She said..
“Your sister?” He asked to be sure.
“Yes, my elder sis, she lost her job recently and she had been depressed.” She explained to him and he sighed.
“She is very hard-working...I can stand for her as a referee.” She said to her and he smiled.
“Do you know anything about referee?” He asked her
“Madam asked for my referee and my sis came with me.” She explained to him and he nodded.
“But I don’t even know you , how can you be a referee?” He asked half teasing.
“Ha ha, you said you remember me from the village.. you even know my name... My name is Yasmina... Ashabi Ayodele... Is there anything you want to know again?” She asked her.
“Your age?” He asked her.
“I am nineteen.” She replied..
“I am an Adult ...” She said and he nodded.
“I know ... What type of Job is your sister looking for?” He asked her and she replied that her sister would not mind any job.
“What is her qualification?” He asked her.
“Secondary school.” She replied.
“You mean SSCE?” He asked her and she nodded.
“But what job can SSCE do?” He asked her and then sighed.
“But... Why are you girls not in school? Don’t you have uncles or someone to take care of you in your family? You girls should not be here fending for yourself “ He lamented bitterly.
“How do you know ?” She asked
“know what?” He asked
“That we are orphans?” She asked him
“I know ... I am also a member of that family you work for you know...” He said to her and she sighed deeply.
“We have no one but we are not complaining , I want my sis to get a job too. Please help.” She said and he sighed.
“And is your sister home right now?” He asked...
“Yes ...
“How old is she?”
“She will be twenty two soon.” She said to him.
“Alright ... Let us go see your sister...” He said to her and watched her gave him a beautiful innocent smile and his heart melted.
“Will you find her a job?” She asked him.
“Let me see her first...” He said to her and she nodded.
“Let me go call her.” She said and be watched her got down from the car with excitement and ran into the building, she came out two minutes later with a young lady, a little older than she was and watched the two girls walked slowly to his car whispering. He got out of his car and stood resting his back by the car as the girls walked closer.
He exchanged teslim with the elder sister who was seem so quiet compare to her younger sister.
“This is my sister ...Folashade ...”
“Your Arabic name?” He asked looking at Yusrah.
“Yusrah...” She said to him and he nodded
“Ma sha Allah... Your sister told me you need a job .. hmmm, actually, I have a small company, I don’t take school cert holder but hmmm, Yasmina is a very good friend of mine right from the village... So I will give you that exception... Come see me at the company tomorrow, let us see where we can fix you...” He said to her and watched Shade covered her mouth with surprise as tears stood in her eyes.
“Yes sir... I will not disappoint you sir.” She is to him.
“Here is my business card, once you showed the security men at the gate this, you will let him...the address is there.” He said to her and she nodded with tears in her eyes. And she looked through the card she was given.
“My name is Adnan...” He said and brought out some few naira notes and gave them to Shade.
“For your transport fare.” He said to her and without warning, Shade broke into tears and he watched Ashabi consoled her sister and he looked on embarrassed.