"Be a good person but don't waste time to prove it".
Anonymous.
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After their mini drama, Mr Kasim arranged for Nawal to sleep.
'She needed the rest'....he thought as he watch her peacefully slept under the duvet.
Her breathing was uneven as she slept.
'So she has been crying all this while?'... he felt bad for her.
He always had . Since when she started working for him.
Nawal was 8 years old when she was brought into the world of prostitution. Her mother was such a sweetheart but she married a mad man who maltreated her.
She wanted to get a divorce but then she realized that she was pregnant.
To her surprise, her child came out looking like her. She had her eyes , the nose and even the body structure but she had her father's smile.
Maria... A British woman who converted to Islam because of her husband.
She was also Nawal's mother.
The day Nawal was brought out in the labor room, Maria instantly fell in love with the child and named her Nawal meaning Gift.
Maria's husband never loved Maria or Nawal and so he drove them out of his house.
Things started becaming hard for Maria and she met Mr Kasim along the way.
She pleaded with him to allow her work for him and he reluctantly agreed.
Maria was then hired as a maid.
Maria was very easy to get along with and she made sure to do her work to the best she could, she even started training Nawal to do some things and together they made a great team.
Mr Kasim started picking interest in them and got to know about them.
He enrolled Nawal in school and provided them with everything they needed. Food, clothes and shelter but they still worked for him.
After a year, Mr Kasim became sick and was looking for someone had his blood type and was willing to donate .
Maria had his blood type and she did not hesitate to help him after all the good he had done for them.
After his recovery , Maria and him got close. She explained to him that she had an arrangement marriage and was maltreatment and then got Nawal.
She even went as far as showing Mr Kasim Nawal father's picture and told him to keep it in case he ever comes in contact with him.
As time went by, the duo got a lot more closer and love kicked in.
Unfortunately, Maria passed away and left Nawal to face this cruel world all alone.
Mr Kasim was devastated and heartbroken when Maria died and seeing Nawal's face reminded him of Maria.
He had developed a soft spot for Maria.
Nawal was only 8 when she lost her mother. Mr Kasim did not hesitate send Nawal away to become a prostitute.
He could not keep on seeing her, she will only remind him of Maria and he didn't want that.
Although he sent her away, he didn't stop her from going to school. He made sure she was taken to school every Monday to Friday .
Mr Kasim even kept her father's picture as Maria told him to. Just for the sake of Nawal.
He would tell her every some day.
Mr Kasim watched Nawal grow up to be just like Maria. She always tried to stay positive even when things were going down the drain. She was very strong for her age.
People will often mock her or taunt her because she was the youngest prostitute in the company but Nawal couldn't care less.
'Better days will come. This will soon be over'... she would often say to herself and then pray and hope for the best.
Now here she was , lying down with swollen eyes and a thin body. She was more than twice the age when she lost her mother but she looked better when she was with her mother.
"Promise me you will take care of my daughter in case anything ever happens to me"... Maria's voice echoed in his mind as stared at her carbon copy.
"I am sorry Maria. I shouldn't have sent Nawal to become a prostitute"... Mr Kasim caressed Nawal's fragile cheek.
"You have been so strong my child. It's time for you to rest and be happy"... He said to her in her sleep.
He watch a loan tear escape from Nawal's eye and wiped it away with his thumb.
She sucked in a sharp breath in her sleep and Mr Kasim could only watch her with pity.
When Nawal woke up the following morning, the aroma of sweet pancakes caught her nostrils.
She rubbed her eyes to drive away the sleep and gently opened them.
She was surprised to see a tray filled with delicates besides her.
Pancakes with a slice of butter shaped in a cube was placed on top of it and honey drizzled over it, whipped cream, berries and strawberries were placed on the side of the plate.
In another plate was fries with chopped onions and a full roasted chicken that has a lovely shade of brown color, indicating it was well roasted.
There were many more plates with food and snacks on it and there were a lot of drinks too.
Her mouth salivated and she found herself licking her lips. Her stomach grumbled in response to the aroma of the food but she did or said nothing in response .
All she could do was stare.
'I can't eat what's not mine'... she told herself.
"Go ahead and eat. It was made for you. I didn't know what you would like so I asked the maid to prepare all these"... Mr Kasim made his presence clear.
She was shocked to find him resting on the chair with his reading glasses on and a pair of newspaper in his hands. She didn't notice him till now.
She stared at the food with hesitance but hungry as well.
"Don't worry , it's not poisoned"... he assured her.
'Where are my manners'... she mentally hit her head with her hand.
"Good morning sir"... she greeted as she was about to rise to her feet but he stopped her.
"It's okay you don't have to stand , sit and enjoy your breakfast. I will excuse myself"... he said sensing she might not be comfortable being watched as she eats.
Once he closed the door behind, Nawal heaved a sigh of relief then dived into her food.
She started with the chicken that she had been eying with those crispy fries.
She tore out the roasted chicken lap and began to munch on it along with the fries.
"Mhhmmmm"... she moaned due to the sweetness of the food. The fries were crispy like she anticipated it to be.
She ate the chicken half way and finished the fries then went for a cup of hot cocoa with whipped cream and marshmallows on top.
'This is heaven'... she thought as she sipped her hot cocoa.
She had never tasted anything as sweet yet creamy as this.
She emptied the cup and even licked it then pouted when she realized it had finish.
But she was still happy knowing she had more delicates that awaited her.
She went for many more delicacies and ate till her stomach was so full to the extent that it pained her.
She rested for a while as she patted her tummy that was now out. She had never been more contented.
Shortly afterwards, a knock was heard on her door.
"Ma'am your bath is ready"... A young lady clad in a pair of maid uniform said.
"Bath?".... Nawal became confused.
"Mr Kasim instructed us to prepare a bath for you my lady"... the young maid said, still avoiding her gaze.
'A bath?..... Interesting'... she thought as she stared at the maid.
"Where is this bath you speak of".... Nawal was curious to know.
"The next room"... the maid shortly replied.
Nawal rose to her feet and let the maid lead the way. She led her to a room that was larger then the one she stayed in.
The furniture had a coffee brown color and the wall was painted in a shade golden.
She stared down at the floor and looked at how beautiful the tiles were. They had a beautiful golden color that glittered and were decorated in a pattern that made the look like diamonds.
The curtains had a royal look as they were opened to let some air into the room.
The whole room was beautiful.
The maid watched her but said nothing. She waited for her to finish acting like a village person who has never seen a mansion before.
Nawal stared at the maid and gave her a nod to take her to the bathroom.
Nawal mouth widen when she stepped at the entrance of the bathroom. It was bigger than her whole apartment put together.
Her eyes had a hard time believing that this was a bathroom.
It was so big and so beautiful.
Her eyes immediately landed on the bubble bath that was prepared for her.
"Thank you"... Nawal said and expected the maid to leave but the maid patiently held a towel in her hand, as if she was going to give her a bath.
Nawal waited for awhile before she spoke. "Aren't you going to leave?".
'Mr Kasim has brought a villager to live with us'... the maid said inwardly as she shook her head.
"I am supposed to bath you my lady"... the maid stated.
Nawal eyes widened as she stared at the maid.
"Bath me?"... it sounded weird to Nawal.
"Am I not to old for that?"... Nawal was shocked.
"No my lady"... the maid reply was short as she waited for Nawal to get in.
"Your bath will get cold"... she reminded Nawal.
"Oh yeah"... she trailed off , she quickly carried the towel from the maid and carefully removed her clothes , like she had never been seen naked before.
'Guys have done even worst with you so a little maid giving you a bath won't hurt'.... A little voice in her head said to her while she tried to calm herself down .
She quickly got in and gave her the towel to hand.
A sigh escaped from Nawal's lips as the warm water welcome her in.
The maid started by washing Nawal's hair thoroughly.
She then carried a sponge and liquid soap and began to scrub it on Nawal's body. She started with her left arm then went to the right. She then instructed Nawal to lean forward so that she could scrub her back well.
All this while , Nawal was enjoying the bath. It was she was like in a pool with fishes bathing her.
The maid didn't bath her through out, she let Nawal soak and wash herself in some certain areas before rinsing her and bringing her out.
Nawal rapped a towel around herself and walked into the room.
Another lady dressed in uniform was seated with dresses in her hands.
"Good morning my lady"... the lady who seemed to be a dresser said while the one who bathed her left.
"Good morning"... Nawal gave her a faint smile.
"I will proceed when you are ready"... The dresser stated .
Nawal gave her the 'Go ahead' to start , not knowing what the dresser was talking about.
The dresser then held Nawal's hand and gently took her to the dressing mirror
She made Nawal sit and started doing her hair.
"Your hair is Golden"... the dresser pointed out.
"I don't know whether to take that as a compliment or an insult".... Nawal joked.
"It's very lovely my lady"... the dresser admired the hair as she blow dried it and styled it lovely.
She then massaged Nawal's body, rubbed cream on her body and finally applied scented oils on her body.
When she was done , she brought a pair of clothes for Nawal to pick from but Nawal wasn't the best at choices.
"I... I don't know what to pick"... Nawal confessed to the dressers. She had never seen such beautiful dresses before or have never had her hair done like this.
She has never let anyone give her a bath either. All this was new to her.... So foreign.
"Can you get me something less..." Nawal thought of how to put it. "I don't know, something less fancy. I would prefer something simple"... Nawal explains.
The dresser simply nods and brings out the one that looked as simple as possible.
It was a cream dress that had a lovely pattern of pearls towards the end of the dress. The hands of the dress had a flay like look, they were wide and lovely with it's turtle neck design. It came along with a scarf.
"What do you think about this dress my lady"... she asked as she raised it up.
"It's lovely"... Nawal admired the dress.
The dresser walked towards Nawal and instructed her on how to stand as they dressed her up.
Nawal simply obeyed.
When she was done Nawal thanked her.
"Oh no there is not need for that my lady, servants are not suppose to be thank here"... the dresser told her.
"Why not?"... Nawal was surprised.
"We are not up to your standard so we can not receive the same treatment as you . As such being polite to us against Mr Kasim's orders"... The maid said and quickly dismissed herself.
'How weird'... Nawal thought as she walked towards the window and stared at the garden outside.
'It looked so beautiful'... she thought as she stared at Nature's beauty.
"You look enchanting, so beautiful like the sky yet so innocent like an angel"... Asad's voice rings in her head and that's when reality hits her.
'Oh Asad..' She suddenly felt a pang in her chest as she thought of him.
'I pray he will be alright'... she prayed silently as she thought of him.
'He can be very reckless and do anything to himself' .... She remembered when she saved him when he tried drowning himself.
She began to worry and her heart raced at the thought of seeing him.
'Will he be happy to see me. Any way that's not important now, I have to go see him and sort things out with him. I need to. I can't let Asad go into another series of pain all because of lies'... her eyes become glossy.
A knock came in , interrupting her thoughts.
Nawal quickly cleared her throat and compose herself before answering the knock. "Come in".
A maid came in and curtsied "Good afternoon my lady. Mr Kasim has requested to see you"... she stated and that's when realization struck Nawal.
'Was I being prepared and bathed to become Mr Kasim's mistress?' .... She then became worried.
'Look on the bright side , you get to live here and enjoy all his wealth'... a voice in her head said to her but that didn't make things seem or sound better.
The thought was unsettling in her head. Mr Kasim was 3 times her age.
"My lady..." the maid called out to gain her attention.
Nawal gazed at her ... terrified.
"Mr Kasim is waiting"... She reminded Nawal.
"Okay... let's go". Nawal felt a lump in her throat as she spoke.
The maid led the way to where Mr Kasim was. He was seated in a small garden that was decorated with well trimmed flowers.
He was dabbed in a pair of lime colored clothes that brought out his dark complexion.
"Alhaji"... she curtsied .
Mr Kasim dismissed the maid then walked up to Nawal.
His eyes trailed around her body, it lingered around some certain places before he met her eyes.
He then smiled. "What a true beauty"... he commented.
"Thank you sir"... she said as she avoided his gaze.
"Come let's sit"... he stated and led the way.
She simply obeyed.
She took a seat opposite him.
A maid walked in with a tray of tea set and hot water.
When the maid left, Mr Kasim spoke.
"Join me for tea".... He smiled as he poured hot water in a cup for himself.
Nawal's heart hammered inside her chest as she nodded.
She poured herself some tea and raised it up to her lips then took a sip but immediately spat it out.
It was hot. It was so hot that it burnt her tongue.
"Are you alright".... Concern laced in his voice.
"Yes sir"... she said but her body said otherwise . She just wants to keep a safe distance away from him.
She slowly kept her cup on the mini table that was in between them.
'Maybe I should just come clean'.... She thought.
She stared at him and felt a lump in her throat.
"Mr Kasim, I don't mean to offend you but I do not want to be your mistress".... Nawal said in a rush and released a sigh after her statement.
Mr Kasim stared at her , an amused smile curved up his lips.
"You are speaking nonsense Nawal. How can I take you in as my mistress..."...he stated .
Nawal felt a sense of relief wash over her.
"You are better than that and you deserve better my child. Forget being a mistress, I won't let you go back to being a prostitute"... he said making Nawal stare at him with wide eyes.
"Re...really".... Her eyes become glossy again.
'Is the torture finally coming to an end?'.
"Yes Nawal, I will send you to kaduna to go and work as a maid instead. It's better than being a prostitute right?"... he asked for her opinion.
"Yes sir. It is . It is a million times better"... the tears began to fall from her eyes. Her nightmare of being a prostitute has finally come to an end.
'It's all over...' she cried out. Not tears of sorrow but tears of joy.
"You will get ready and be taken tomorrow afternoon"... he said to her and she happily nodded.
"This is the best you have ever done for me sir. Thank you so much"... she went to her knees.
He stood up and helped her stand up. "Don't go on your knees for me my child"... he calmly stated.
He felt a bang in his chest ... 'She feels this is the best I can do. If only she knew, if she stayed her , she will only remind me of her lovely mother. She already looked like her carbon copy and acted like her.'
"Thank you"... she was very grateful with his offer.
'I wish I could let you stay my dear Nawal but I am afraid to fall again, your mother's death has already left me hurt and I don't want to let history repeat itself'... Mr Kasim gave her a sad smile.
He put his hand in his pocket and picked out a picture then gave it to Nawal then returned to his seat.
Nawal also sat down and stared at the picture.
"Nawal this is your father".... Mr Kasim stated.
Nawal eyes widened as she started at the man.
'My father?'.