Hidden Truth: she wasn't a stranger anymore

Jamal Mujahid was sexually frustrated. Rabi worked the morning shift now, making it hard for them to spend time together. Dirty talk on the phone was not the same and eventually they both had to concede defeat to her crazy schedule, his workaholic attitude and cancel their room in the Hilton. Jamal had become accustomed to their routine: last room on the 14th floor, sex, wake up to her beside him, order room service, more sex, freshen up, shower sex, kiss goodbye, groping in the car. Sex with Rabi was amazing and the most potent high he had ever experienced. Deprived of it Jamal suddenly found himself with nothing to occupy his mind but thoughts of when next he could strip her naked, touch her till she quivered, suck on her nipples. He was losing his marbles. He needed a way to blow off steam.

With nowhere to go, Jamal found himself home more often. At first it was awkward Nabila had obviously cultivated a routine that involved her being alone in the house. They stared at each other like children who needed to talk but had nothing to say. Slowly as his presence became more regular she relaxed. He had to admit that she was no longer so annoying; and had taken it down a notch. Gone were the tantrums, sulking and complaints. She smiled when he ate at the table and didn't bother him if he was in no mood to talk. She was also very concerned with his headaches

"It is not so bad now. You were right it was dehydration. Why are you smiling?"

"You just said I was right" Nabila grinned. Jamal shook head for her, and in that fraction of a moment he figured he probably didn't hate her anymore.

A hot Thursday afternoon Jamal returned from work to find Nabsy taking a nap on the couch. She slept a lot these days; or maybe he just noticed that because he was home more often. Normally, he would walk past her and up the stairs but her face looked puffed up

"Nabila me ke damun ki- what is wrong with you?"

"I have a headache" she said stirring awake

"Since when?" Jamal peered closer; she looked awful and was breathing heavily

"Tin tini fa- a long time"

"Asibiti- hospital" Jamal reached for his car keys

"Ba na so- I don't want to"

"Nabila you have been inhaling fertilisers for weeks now. It could be any one of those chemicals you use in the garden. Dan Allah mu tafi- lets go."

If Nabila wasn't so lightheaded she would have heard the shadow of concern in her husband's voice. Jamal heard it; he definitely no longer resented his wife. They lived together peacefully and she actually bid him farewell to work each morning. Nabila tried to rise up but fatigue kept her grounded. "Yanzu- now" he ordered beginning to fear the worst

Jamal drove Nabila to the hospital, having to stop along the way as motion sickness prompted nausea. He parked and held her head as she threw up on the side of the road. He handed an almajiri ₦500 to clean it up and continued on his journey as slowly as possible. He was really worried now. What does she have? Is it contagious? Patiently he sat in the waiting room outside the doctors' office; glad he knew the GP and could call ahead. Jamal thought about what his father in law, Dr. Danjuma Bello would do to him when he found out Jamal let his daughter get sick, inhale those bloody gardening fumes all day.

The man would have him assassinated; his body would be publicly burnt or drowned at the bottom of Jabi River. Jamal suddenly felt very hot and he pulled on his collar. He jumped up when the nurse informed him the doctor would see him now. Walking in he found Nabila sobbing into a handkerchief and the doctor consoling. Seeing Jamal's frightened face the doctor spoke "It is good news Jamal. Do not look so worried." Jamal glanced from his face of mild amusement to Nabila's of sadness. He did not know who to believe.

"I will leave you two to talk" with that the doctor excused them

"Are you sick?" Jamal asked quietly

"No"

"Alhamdullilahi" Jamal exhaled the breathe he didn't know he had been holding

"Then why are you crying?"

"I am perfectly fine. Nothing is wrong with me" Nabila said with heavy eyes. "Nothing" she repeated. For a second there she had thought, with the fatigue and nausea and heavy smells, she prayed that maybe, perhaps....

Jamal looked confused "Ki na kuka- you are crying" he explained hoping she would clarify that point for him.

"Can you excuse me for a while?" Nabila said politely

Jamal was worried by the formality in her tone, maybe she was in shock or something. He was just glad he avoided untimely death and would live to fight another day. He stepped out and waited for her to calm herself and get ready. As he drove home, Jamal insisted she stay away from her garden for a while and if she must return to caring for it alone, she had to wear a gas mask. Nabila did not argue.

Over the next week he watched his wife go through a variety of emotions. She was herself, then weepy, then sleepy. Jamal did not know how to deal with this complex layered Nabila so he was extra careful. He thought of what the doctor said on their way out "Take good care of her." Jamal said he would, so over breakfast as Nabila helped butter his toast she asked if he would invite his squash buddy for lunch after their game on Saturday. Squash, the sport he had taken on to combat his intense longing for Rabi. If Jamal were ever to recommend an aid to sexual desire, bouncing a hollow rubber ball repeatedly against a wall was definitely it.