If The World Was Different

  “It is a big deal to me and everyone in this house. This is not America; you cannot go and come as you please.” Suleiman insisted, in a softer tone.

  Mariam sighed “dad, please tell that woman to stop weeping, it’s not as if I died or something, I went out and I’m back.” Mariam said, as he pointed at her mother was weeping on the sofa.

  “Don’t talk to our mother like that!” Zainab snapped, she had been watching the drama in silence, but it was getting out of hand.

  “I don’t know what is wrong with all of you in this house; I’m going to my room.” Mariam walked out on everyone in the sitting room.

  “Woman, stop crying like a child, it is irritating!” Suleiman yelled at his wife, before he stormed out of the sitting room and went into his study.

  Zainab sighed; everyone knew that their mother was not weeping because Mariam had disappeared for a week. But, because of whom Mariam had become. Everything was fine until Mariam went to study in America, something had happened to her there. At first, their aunt whom Mariam had been living with tried to hide it, thinking Mariam would get over what was wrong with her. But it got worse, Mariam killed a person, her excuse was that the man had insulted Islam. Aunt Nafisat had to send her back Nigeria before the police found her.

  When Mariam got back to Nigeria, she didn’t even deny what she had done, she insisted she had done the right thing and would do it again if she had the chance. Mariam stayed indoors all day, had her meals in her room, because she considered her family members sinners and didn’t want to mix with them. And then one day, she disappeared suddenly, putting the family in a state of panic. They couldn’t even tell the police, because they feared she would be caught in a criminal act. She returned a week later, and acted like nothing had happened.

  Zainab shook her head, sighed again and then went to her room. She didn’t even try to console her mother because she didn’t know what to tell her to make her calm down. She said her afternoon prayers and was about to take a nap, when her door opened and her younger sister walked in.

  “Don’t you know how to knock?” Zainab said in annoyance. But, Latifah ignored her and sat on her sister’s bed.

  “Don’t sit on my bed with your sweaty body, at least remove your uniform and take shower before…”

  “Take a chill pill Zee, what is wrong with everyone today? You are so edgy and mum was weeping downstairs, she didn’t even notice me. What’s going on? The black sheep of the family has finally left, we should all be happy.”

  “First, don’t call May the black sheep of the family. Secondly, she’s back.” Zainab said.

  Latifah rolled her eyes and sighed. “So that’s why everyone is so upset. I hope dad didn’t let her in though.”

  “Well, dad let her in. She’s our sister we can’t just abandon her, she needs us now more than ever.”

  “You all are still in denial; the May we knew is gone. That girl leaving with us is someone else; an extremist, that’s what she is.”

  “What is with you and harsh words, Latifah? Mariam needs us now more than ever.” Zainab said. She didn’t understand why her Latifah didn’t care. Latifah used to be the sweet one, the one everyone wanted to be around. But, ever since Mariam returned she’d changed. She was no longer sweet and charming instead, she was bitter and suspicious.

  “I just don’t know why everybody’s lives have to change because of one person. Anyways I’ve got good news.” Latifah said, changing the subject.

  “What is it?”

  “Well, Hakeem finally asked me to be his girlfriend. I mean after all these years, he finally noticed me.” Latifah answered, grinning from ear to ear.

  Zainab smiled and lay on the bed. “Shouldn’t you be more concerned about your final exams? WAEC will start soon.”

  Latifah rolled her eyes, “you are so boring Zee. I’m going to shower and do my assignment.” She said as she got off the bed and bounced out of the room.

  “Don’t forget to say your prayers.” Zee yelled after her.

  ********

  Yusuf woke up panting and sweating profusely, it was the same nightmare; the one he’d had since he was ten, since the day his parents were murdered. He thought it would stop after he avenged their deaths, but it didn’t. Instead, it became worse. It would only end the day he joined his parents. But, the Master controlled his life and death, and would not let him go.

  He turned on his phone; it was two o'clock in the morning. The ceiling fan did nothing to help his sweating, so he got up and headed to bathroom to shower, he wouldn’t be able to sleep anymore. It was his nightly routine; he would have the nightmare, wake up at two a.m. and stay awake for the rest of the day. His phone rang as he got out of the bathroom. There was only one person who could call him at this hour; the only person who knew his number. And it only meant one thing, his next mission was ready.

  The next morning, Yusuf strode into the camp. The location of the camp made it impossible for cars to reach there. So, Yusuf had parked his car far away from the camp and walked the rest of the journey. He was sweating profusely by the time he reached the camp gate, the sun made sure of that. The camp was more of a guerrilla zone; the soldier at the gate saluted him as he entered. Normally, he was supposed to go through a security protocol before he was allowed in. But, no one dared to stop The Master’s favourite. He’d been away from the camp for six months; he was taking a break after his last mission.

  He’d been a beggar on the streets when the master found him two years after the death of his parents. The Master said something about his eyes that he didn’t understand, in fact; he didn’t understand a lot of the things The Master said to him then. He didn’t trust The Master; he didn’t trust anyone all he wanted was some food to eat, a place to sleep and to find his parent’s killer. One day, The Master was passing by as usual and they all ran to him for some change, The Master had pulled him aside and asked why he always looked so angry.

  “It’s because I’m hungry” he answered. The Master shook his head and smiled, it wasn’t a heart-warming smile; it was cold and knowing. It was as if The Master knew what was in his heart.

  “I’m hungry and cold; I need warm food and place over my head.” Yusuf said.

  “What about your parents, where are they?” The master asked. At the mention of his parents, Yusuf froze; it took a while for him to recover.

  “They are dead.” He managed to say. The Master smiled, “So, that’s the problem. How did they die?”

  “I don’t want to talk about it. Are you going to give me money or not?” Yusuf asked, as he turned to look at the other boys, who had moved on to other people.

  The Master smiled again, “Come with me, and I will give you anything you want.”

  “Anything?” Yusuf asked, giving the master a sceptical look.

  “Yes anything. Good food, shelter, and even a chance to avenge your parents.” Yusuf was shocked; he never said anything about avenging his parents. How did the man know?

  “Don’t be surprised, a man my age knows everything about a person, just by looking into their eyes. So, do you want to come with me and live a better life or do you want to rot here with these boys?” The Master asked, as he stretched forth his hand. Yusuf took another look at the boys as they ran after someone to beg for money. He didn’t like the life he had, he looked back at the Master and without another thought he took the Master’s hand.

 

 

  CHAPTER SIX

  Twenty-four hours later, Yusuf found himself on the way to Lagos. He didn’t like the mission, it wasn’t his style and it wasn’t The Master’s style either. But, it seemed like the master had a personal interest in it. The Master was someone who never showed his feelings or emotions. As far Yusuf was concerned, the Master was a cold-hearted bastard; he was a man who had his own daughter kille
d for fornication.

  “Allah has another mission for you.” The Master had said. Yusuf almost laughed when the Master said that. There was no God anywhere; he’d lost his faith the day he lost his parents. Whatever he did, he did for The Master, The Master was his god, his saviour, and he owed his entire existence to The Master. Even though he wanted to end his life and be with his parents, where he would be at peace. He couldn’t because The Master would not have it. As he sat in the bus on his way to Lagos, he prayed that this mission would end his life.

 

  ********

  “What is wrong with these people, what’s their point?” Latifah asked, as she scrolled through her phone.

  “What is it this time?” Zainab asked without looking up from her laptop.

  “Just saw this on Linda Ikeji’s blog, look at it, over two hundred girls have been kidnapped from their school.” Latifah answered as she handed her phone to her sister.

  “My God, I can’t believe this. This thing is getting serious o! And no one is doing anything about it.” Zainab said as she scrolled his sister’s phone to read the story.

  “I pity those girls. Thank God we don’t live in the north, despite our parents being northerners.” Latifah said.

  “I can’t even imagine the state their parents would be in. I hope they find them soon…” Zainab was interrupted by a knock on her door. “Come in.”

  “Aunty, mummy say make u come down, food don ready.” The maid announced as she entered Zainab’s room.

  “Oh Okay, we’ll be downstairs shortly. Make sure you call Mariam too.” Zainab replied.

  “Ah aunty, I no go fit call am o” the maid answered, avoiding Zainab’s eyes.

  “Why can’t you call her?” Latifah asked, with obvious irritation.

  “The last time I go…”

  “Never mind, I don’t want to know the reason anymore.” Latifah interrupted the maid.

  “I understand why she doesn’t want to go and inform her that dinner is ready, Mariam can be very difficult.” Zainab said as soon as the maid left.

  “Oh you mean she can be a real bitch.” Latifah said.

  Zainab gave her sister a soft slap on the shoulder. “Don’t call her that, she is still your elder sister.”

  “Whatever.” Latifah rolled her eyes. “I’m going downstairs to eat; you can stay here and continue to defend your “elder sister” Latifah said, making the quotation sign with her fingers.

  Dinner was a silent affair, as usual, Mariam did not join them. They had just finished eating and the maid was clearing the table when Adamu, their father’s driver came in.

  “Sir, I came to tell you that I’m about to leave.” Adamu said.

  “Okay, let me know what the situation is when you get home.” Suleiman answered.

  “Thank you sir, I’ll call you as soon as I get home.” Adamu prostrated and left.

  “What happened?” Aisha asked, as soon as Adamu left.

  “He got an emergency call, from his wife this evening on our way back home.” Suleiman answered.

  “I hope all is well.” Aisha said, as shook her head.

  “Every family has their own problems.” Suleiman said, as stood up from the table.

  Every family had its own problems, and theirs was Mariam. No matter how much everyone tried to pretend and move on with their lives, Mariam was still a pain in their hearts.

  ********

  “Do you remember daddy’s driver that came to tell daddy that he was going home because of an emergency?” Latifah asked, as she entered Zainab’s room, without knocking again.

  “Is it that you don’t know what knocking means or what? What if I was naked?” Zee had a towel wrapped around her chest because she just came out of the bathroom.

  “Really, what if you were naked?” Latifah rolled her eyes, as she sat on her sister’s bed.

  “What happened to Adamu? You were saying something about him.” Zee asked.

  “He’s dead.”

  “What? How can he be dead, we just saw him last night!” Zee said in shock.

  “Someone called daddy early this morning, they said he was shot dead right in front of his house.” Latifah filled Zee in on the information she had gotten from their mother earlier that day.

  “But, who would want Adamu dead, he was like the most peaceful man I’ve ever known. Are you sure of what you are saying?”

  “Do I look like Mariam, who could joke with death?” Latifah asked, looking a bit offended.

  “I didn’t mean it like that, and don’t say such things about your sister.”

  “Whatever! Dad has gone to Adamu’s house. I can’t remember ever getting angry at Adamu, so I don’t know why someone would even think of killing him.” Latifah said.

  “May God help us. From Allah we have come, and to him we shall return.” Zee said. “Do you know If Mariam has come out of her room today?” Zee asked.

  “Yea, she came into the kitchen to make her breakfast, when I was talking to mum.” Latifah answered. “Speaking of breakfast, your food would have been as cold as a dog’s nose by now.” She added.

  “I’ll come downstairs as soon as I get dressed.” Zee answered.

 

 

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Yusuf did not think it would be easy to enter Suleiman’s family, but apparently his contact had it all planed out. All he had to do, was pull the trigger.

  He remembered how difficult it had been the first time he killed someone. Abdul-Aziz had been the only person he had come close to being friends with, and he had also been the one to pull the trigger on him.

  Abdul-Aziz was the only one who spoke to him at the camp, when he'd first arrived. They didn't really have much to say to each other, so they mostly ate and prayed together. Not that Yusuf believed his prayers were being answered by the imaginary superior being, he only prayed because if he didn't he would be punished. In a place full of mean boys, Yusuf was glad that he had a companion.

  One day, two years after Yusuf joined the camp. Abdul-Aziz told him about his plan to run away and asked if Yusuf would come with him. Although, Yusuf was yet to understand what the camp was all about, he couldn't run away, not when he was yet to avenge his parents death. Yusuf had tried to convince him otherwise, he'd tried to explain how running away would betray The Master's trust in him. But, Abdul-Aziz stubbornly refused to listen and called Yusuf "Master's puppet". That was the last time Abdul-Aziz spoke to Yusuf.

  Abdul-Aziz avoided Yusuf like a plague for a whole week. It hurt Yusuf that his only companion had abandoned him, but he was glad that he had abandoned the thought of running away. No matter how Yusuf thought about it, running away could bring no good. Little did Yusuf know that his relief was a farce.

  And so it happened that Abdul-Aziz actually tried to escape, but unfortunately for him, he was caught. The Master had him tied to a pole at and whipped by The Master's personal guards.

  The Master raised his right hand to signal the end of the punishment. He limped towards the boy, he was about to pronounce judgment on him.

  "I picked you up from the streets and gave you a life, a purpose, a just cause; to serve Allah. But, what did you do? You turned it down and made a fool of me." The Master's voice was very low, but because the whole camp was silent, everyone could hear him loud and clear.

  "What do you have to say for yourself?" He asked Abdul-Aziz who was barely fourteen years old. The Master put his middle finger under his bloodied chin and pushed his head up. But, Abdul-Aziz remained silent, and glared at The Master.

  The Master smiled and stepped back, he was about to pronounce judgement on the poor boy.

  "We all know what the punishment of betrayal is, Abdul-Aziz has rejected
the religion of Allah and you all know what the punishment for that is." The Master's voice was now very loud and deep.

  "Yusuf!" The Master called, startling Yusuf. "Come out here!" He ordered.

  Yusuf gingerly walked out from the crowd to center where The Master stood.

  "I understand that you are both friends, which means he must have told you of his plan. But you neglected your duty to Allah to protect his religion. Therefore, it falls on you to make this right and walahi Allah will forgive you." The Master said.

  Yusuf stood there staring at the dusty ground, he had no idea what The Master meant, but he knew it was not something good.

  "Give him the Gun!" He heard The Master say and he looked up.

  "You either do it, or you take his place." The Master said.

  Yusuf stood shaking, with the gun in his hand. If he didn't kill Abdul-Aziz, he would take his place. But he couldn't die yet, he still had to avenge his parents.

  "Do it and forget about it. After all this is the life you have chosen." He heard someone say. That someone was his friend; the one tied to a pole. He was right, that was the life he had chosen. Without any further thought, he lifted, closed his eyes, and burst his friend's head open.

  That was the first time he killed someone, but it was definitely not the last.

  He'd killed Adamu the driver, it was nothing personal but, he had to enter the house. After all the shenanigans that usually surround the death of a person, it was time for Chief Suleiman to hire a new family driver. And he was just the perfect man for the job. He'd won the heart of the middle-aged secretary, who had interviewed him, she was sympathetic to his plight; he was a young man who had lost his family and business to the recent terrorist attacks in the north, now he was seeking a new life in Lagos. He had his driver's license, his driving skills had been tested, he'd met his new boss, Chief Suleiman; the man whose life he was about to ruin. Now, it was time to meet the family.

  ********

  "Why did dad ask us to wait for him here?" Mariam asked, with disgust. She was angry that their mom had called all of them to living room, to wait for their father.

  "You lock yourself up all day; doesn't it feel good to sit with your family for once?" Aisha asked.

  "I am not allowed to sit with a group of infidels." Mariam answered.