Subtle Souls

ABUJA, NIGERIA. JUNE, 2018. The enticing trees in the parking space have their first autumnal blush and though the tarmac path was wet from the night's rain, the sky above promises no more. In an hour or so, the path will dry up and the trees will spring up, their water weight gone. Breathing in the fresh air and feeling it on his face is tonic for Muhsin after the oppressive summer heat. He stepped into his car and drove away as he was done for the day. His stomach growled and he squirmed in his seat to try to silence the rumbling. He glanced at the clock in the car.

He hissed softly knowing he had no food waiting for him at home and he hated eating at the restaurant. He always wondered if that was how marriage life works or he was just unlucky. If that was how wives treat their husbands, he wouldn't have attempted marrying her or even any other woman. He honked at the white ironed gate and waited till the gate man opened the gate for him before he drove in. He stepped out of the car and walked towards the entrance while he gazed at her car. He looked away and headed into the house. By one glance of the living room, you'd think they have five children already or a mad person was living there. He heaved a sigh and sauntered to the dinning area, there was no sign of any food, heck the only thing there was the mug he used to take coffee in the morning staring back at him. He entered the kitchen too, there was no sign of his dinner. He hissed softly and walked out of the kitchen. He uprise to the stairs and entered his room as he scanned the untidy room. He rubbed his temple when he felt a headache settling in. He hissed again and stormed out of the room to her room. He looked at her while she put on her makeup, as usual. "You're back early today," she spoke not glancing his way. Anger boiled deep in his system, to welcome him was a huge deal to Amira. He folded his arms on his chest and exhaled. "Amira is this how you're supposed to welcome your husband? I don't even care if you don't greet me. Have you looked around the house please? It's so dirty and you don't even bother to think of cooking dinner for me when you know I will come back home hungry. Why do I always have to repeat myself everyday?" The anger churned within, hungry for destruction, and he knew it was too much for him to handle. She dropped her brush, mouth open as she turned to look at him in disbelief. "Cook for you? Clean the house? In my father's house I don't remember doing all that you mentioned and I don't see any reason why you are going to force me to do any because I am not your slave, and haven't I asked you multiple times to hire a maid for me? You have the money to hire hundred maids but you chose to be ignorant about it so you don't have the right to come into my room and start talking bullshit, I won't tolerate any of your..." "Amira thats enough," he yelled, his voice rumbling around the room. She looked away and hissed. "You can't tell me what to do in my own house! You are the one that's meant to do all the house chores since you refused to continue with your degree and get a job so you have to stay in here and take care of the house like the house wife you are..." She let out a dry laugh and shook her head even though what he said really pained her. "I don't blame you for saying any of this. I really don't. My mother warned me not to marry you because you were obviously not the one in love with me but I refused to listen and I kept pestering you till I made you mine.... But it's okay, one day you will regret uttering those words to me." He glared at her and hissed before storming out of the room. That was a daily routine for them now; to exchange words. They have been married for seven months now but things were not getting any better. He went back to his room and took his car keys before he left to a nearby restaurant to eat. He was tired of going to his parents house to eat because his mother wouldn't stop complaining about Amira. His mother was right since day one when she warned him about her. Amira's mother was her close friend as Amira's father was his father's closest friend which made them like a family. He settled down in the restaurant and ordered his dinner. He checked the time on his phone. It was passed 9pm. He rubbed his eyes and sighed. He was distressed. He felt dead inside. Everything felt dry and empty. His throat felt as if someone thrust a handful of itching powder inside. His eyes were scruffy. The waiter finally brought his dinner and arranged it on the table. He looked down at the food plate, leaning back. He suddenly lost the appetite to eat. He ate few spoons, paid for his bill and left the building. He went back home and even though he was exhausted, he fixed his room and had his bath before moving to his desk to complete some office work. ** The next morning, he woke up for subh and took his bath. He performed ablution before dressing up and heading out to the mosque. He came back home a bit later to get ready for work. He stopped by her room and peeped through the door to check if she has woken up to pray but she was still underneath the comfort of her mattress. He heaved a sigh as he made his way to her bed and wake her up. "Amira, wake up, it's passed prayer time," he muttered slowly dragging the blanket away. "Muhsin don't even start with your nonsense now, it's too early." She hissed an turned her back on him. He smiled bitterly and shook his head. "You know there is no way I would come to your room filled with dirt to ask for anything. You should get up and pray then you can sleep all you want," he stated before he sashayed out of the room. She sat upright and glared at the door before she hissed loudly and got off the bed. He got dressed in his elegant suit and stepped out of the room. He made his way to the kitchen but the view discouraged him to make his coffee. He exhaled and breezed out of the house. He checked the time, it was even too early to start going to work as he was the CEO of the company. He got into his car and drove to his parents house. His mother was in the kitchen making breakfast for the house. "Aunty, Jam bandu na (good morning,)" he greeted as he gave her a side hug. She looked up at his face and smiled. "Muhsin? How are you and your wife? Ta'a viya am a wari nyamugo nyamdu on (Don't tell me you're here to take your breakfast,)" she asked in dismay. He settled down on the dinning chair which was in the kitchen before he responded. "Aunty, it's too early to start going to work now that's why I decided to branch here before going to work," he explained. "Amma mi'andi a nyamai (But I know you have not eaten.)" He smiled and scratched the back of his head. "May Allah make it easy for you," she muttered and continued cooking. His father and younger brother came in afterwards and they had breakfast together before he left for work. ** She walked into her mother's room infuriated and settled down on her couch. Her mother looked up and stared her, waiting to hear what happened this time. "Mommy I am starting to get fed up by what he's doing to me. First he called dirty, then dumb.... He just doesn't respect me at all mommy. He keeps complaining about the house being dirty and mommy, you know I can't do any of that work by myself, the house is too big for me..." She continued to complain while her mother gawked at her angrily. "How many times will I tell you not to speak to me about your marital problems? Didn't I warn you about him? You said you still wanted to marry him no matter what so why are you complaining now when it hasn't even reached to a year yet?" Amira looked away as she hissed softly. "Who am I supposed to tell my problems if not you, mommy? You're the only one I have and the only one that will solve my problems." Her mother hissed and arise from the bed. She stepped out of the room as Amira followed her also. They entered her father's living room. Amira stopped in her tracks gasped. He looked her way and shook his head. "Now Amira what are you doing here by this time? Aren't you supposed to be at home because I know your husband would be back from work soon." He scolded but she stubbornly looked away. "Daddy he knows that I'm here," she lied as she settled down on the soft carpet. He sighed and shook his head again. "Alhaji, how was the trip? Hope everything went as planned," her mother spoke to lighten up the atmosphere. He looked at her and smiled as he nodded. "Everything went well alhamdulillah. You will not believe who I met there. Do you remember my good friend, Ja'afaar Abdulrahman?" She hesitated before nodding. "I met him there. You know we lost contact years ago, I didn't know he left abuja and moved to Kuje. I was happy to see him and we even exchanged contact so in sha Allah I will look for a better job for him." "That's a good idea alhaji. He has one daughter right? What's her name again...." She tried to remember. "Dalia," he reminded her. "Oh yes Dalia. May Allah give you the ability to help them," she prayed. He smiled and nodded, "ameen ameen. Now Amira, it's getting late, you should get up and be on your way and I don't want arguments." She knew if she tried to argue, nothing would even change his mind. She arise from the carpet and bade them good night before she left. She bought pizza on her way home at her favourite pizza spot. she hissed softly at the sight of his car. He was back early today and she knew what that meant now that she's back after him and he had no idea she was going out. She stepped out of the car together with her pizza and handbag. He was in the living room clearly the couches when she entered. "Babe? What are you doing? I was planning on cleaning the house tomorrow morning. Please keep the broom, I will do it tomorrow...." He paid no attention to what she was blabbering and continued his work. "Babe... please keep the broom, I bought pizza for us..." She approached him but he stopped her. "Don't even dare come near me Amira, I am not in the mood for any of your crap this evening. It's better you silently head upstairs to your room and let me be," he spoke sternly and went back to what he was doing. She furrowed her brows and hissed. He stared at her retreating back till she disappeared. He hissed also and continued his work. If this was how marriage life is then he would rather remain single for the rest of his days.