CAUGHT IN THE ACT

*ZAYD ARMAAN*

*CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED:100*

*CAUGHT IN THE ACT*

*JIDDAAH BARKUM*

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A hankali, Raihana ta fara motsawa. Yunkurin da ta yi na son janye jikinta ne ya sa ta farga da inda take. Maimakon ta kasance a kan shoulder ɗin shi da ya ɗauko ta daga compound, sai ta ganta a wani waje daban. Fuskarta na manne ne da wani faffaɗan ƙirji mai ɗauke da ƙamshin turaren da ko ba ta tambaya ba ta san na waye. Hannayensa sun zagaye ta tsam, ta manne a jikinsa.

Ta buɗe idanunta sosai, tana kifta su saboda hasken ɗakin. Tunowa da abin da ya faru a ɗazu, macijin da ta gani a toilet, ya sa jikinta ya sake ɗaukar rawa nan take. Ta maƙale sosai a jikin Zayd, ta rufe idanunta gam, yayin da hawaye suka sake zuba daga idanunta.

“Wayyo… maciji…” ta faɗa da kuka, muryarta na fita a dakushe saboda tsananin tsoro da azabar firgicin da ta shiga.

Zayd, wanda tun ɗazu yake durƙushe rungume da ita yana jiran ta dawo hayyacinta, ya ji yadda jikinta ke karkarwa a hannunsa. Duk wani wasa ko tsokana da yake yi a kan yadda ta dinga tsiya da gudu a waje ya narke a take, ya maye gurbinsa da wani irin zafi da damuwa a zuciyarsa. He couldn’t bear to see her this frightened.

A hankali ya ɗora ɗayan hannunsa a kan kanta, yana shafa gashinta a hankali, ta yadda bai taɓa yin irin hakan ba tun aurensu.

“Shhhhhh… It’s okay. Yanzu ya tafi, babu komai,” ya raɗa mata a kunne, muryarsa ta natsu sosai, tana fitowa da wani irin taushi wanda ba kasafai take jin shi daga gare shi ba. “Karki tsorata, kin ji? Ina tare da ke.”

Raihana ta juyo da kanta kaɗan, ta buɗe idanunta tana kallonta daga sama. Yadda yake kallonta da idanunsa masu cike da kulawa da tsantsar damuwa ya sa ta kasa cewa komai. A wannan karon, ta manta cewa shi ne mutumin da yake nuna mata wannan uban ikon; a gare ta a yanzu, shi ne mafakar da take buƙata a daidai wannan lokacin na tsoro.

Ta sa hannunta ɗaya ta damƙe gefen rigarsa gam, tana jin yadda bugun zuciyarta ke fara daidaita a hankali a ƙarƙashin kariya da kulawar da yake ba ta.

“Wallahi… na gan shi da idanuna…” ta ƙara faɗa, muryarta cike da shagwaɓa, tana tura kanta sosai a kirjinsa kamar yarinya ƙarama da take cikin tsananin tsoro.

Zayd ya saki wani ajiyar zuciya, sannan ya ƙara manna ta a jikinsa sosai. Ya ɗan sunkuyar da kansa yana kallonta, hannunsa har yanzu yana shafa gashinta a hankali.

“Na sani… na sani. Daga yanzu babu abin da zai tsoratar da ke a gidan nan. Calm down.” Ya faɗa cikin nutsuwa, duk da cewa a zuciyarsa har yanzu akwai ragowar firgicin da ya ji lokacin da ta suma a hannunsa. He had never been this scared of seeing someone get hurt before, and that realization unsettled him more than he cared to admit.

A hankali, ta ƙara damƙe gefen rigarsa da ƙarfi, tana jin yadda ƙirjinsa ke bugawa shi ma da sauri-sauri. A wannan lokacin, duk wani tsoro da azabar firgicin da ke cikin zuciyarta ya ɗan fara raguwa, ba saboda ta daina tsoron macijin ba, a’a, saboda yadda ta tsinci kanta a wani yanayi na tsantsar natsuwa.

Ta rufe idanunta gam, tana jin yadda bugun zuciyarta ke yin daidai da na sa. A karon farko tun ranar da ta shigo gidan nan, ta ji kamar ta fice daga duniyar damuwa da takura, ta shiga wani comfort zone wanda shi kaɗai ne yake da ikon samar mata da shi.

Zayd ya lura da yadda ta saki jikinta gaba ɗaya a jikinsa, babu wannan tsiwar, babu kuma wani ƙoƙari na tureshi ko neman ƙwacewa. Hannunsa na dama ya sauka daga kanta, ya ci gaba da shafa bayanta a hankali. For a moment, Zayd remained quiet, his gaze resting on her face. Ya kasa fahimtar yadda yarinyar da take ta faman ƙin kusantarsa a baya, yanzu take manne da shi kamar shi kaɗai ne mafakarta.

Ya sauke ajiyar zuciya a hankali, yana ƙoƙarin kwantar da hankalinsa shi ma. Bai taɓa tunanin cewa zai taɓa kasancewa a irin wannan yanayin da Raihana ba, not like this, not with her holding on to him as though letting go would bring all her fears rushing back.

A hankali ya ɗan sunkuyar da kansa, ya ce cikin murya mai laushi, “Kin ji sauƙi yanzu?” Raihana ba ta ɗaga kanta ba. Sai dai ta ɗan jinjina masa kai, hannunta har yanzu a manne da rigarsa.

Zayd ya kalli hannunta da ta damƙe rigarsa, sannan ya mayar da kallonsa kan fuskarta. Wani irin feeling ya ratsa zuciyarsa, amma ya kasa tantance shi. For once, he didn’t feel like teasing her. Abin da kawai yake so shi ne ta samu nutsuwa, ta daina rawar da jikinta ke yi, sai ya ɗan sunkuyar da kansa, yana kallonta a hankali. Sai ya yi magana cikin wata murya mai taushi wadda tunda Raihana ta san shi bata taba jin Yayi magana da irin ta ba.

“Okay, let’s go and pray. It’s time for Isha. Kin yi Maghrib ma kuwa?” Raihana ta ɗan ɗaga kanta daga kirjinsa, ta kalle shi na ɗan lokaci, sannan ta girgiza kai a hankali. Zayd ya sauke ajiyar zuciya, ya yi ƙoƙarin janye jikinsa daga nata domin ya tashi. Amma kafin ya yi nasarar yin hakan, sai ta sake damƙe rigarsa gam.

“Ni… kar ka tafi,” ta faɗa a hankali, tana ƙara manne masa. “I’m scared.” Sai ta fara wani ƙaramin kuka na tsantsar shagwaɓa, amma wannan karon babu hawaye. Sai dai yadda ta turo baki, ta tattare fuskarta, tana kallonsa kamar ƙaramin yaro da aka ce za a bar shi shi kaɗai a cikin duhu. Zayd ya tsaya cak. Ya zuba mata ido, kamar yana ƙoƙarin tabbatar da cewa ita ce Raihana ɗin nan da take ta faman yi masa tsiwa tun ganinsa na farko da ita.

Ya so ya mata tsiya, amma da ya ga yadda ta ƙara damƙe rigarsa, sai ya haɗiye maganar. Instead, ya sake sauke muryarsa a hankali. “But we haven’t prayed yet, kin ce kuma ko Maghrib ba ki yi ba. Ya za mu yi yanzu?” Raihana ta yi shiru na ɗan lokaci, tana kallonsa da waɗannan idanun na ta da har yanzu tsoro bai gama fita daga cikinsu ba. “To… za mu yi yanzu,” ta amsa a hankali. Zayd ya ɗan ɗaga gira. “Good. Sai ki sake ni mu tashi.”

Amma maimakon ta sake shi, sai ta ƙara matse hannunta a kan rigarsa. “Amma ba za ka tafi ba?” Zayd ya lumshe idanunsa na ɗan lokaci. Ya Allah, what exactly am I supposed to do with this woman? Da ya sake buɗe idanunsa, sai ya same ta tana kallonsa, har yanzu a manne da shi. Ya girgiza kansa a hankali, sannan ya ce cikin wannan muryar tasa mai taushi: “Ba zan tafi ba. I’m right here. Ki kwantar da hankalinki, okay?” Raihana ta ɗan yi shiru, kamar tana nazarin ko za ta yarda da maganar tasa. Daga ƙarshe sai ta jinjina kai a hankali. Sai dai hannunta bai saki rigarsa ba. Zayd ya kalli hannun, sannan ya ɗaga idanunsa zuwa fuskarta.

“A Haka zamuyi sallar?” Raihana ta zaro idanunta kaɗan, sannan ta yi saurin sauke kanta, tana jin kunya saboda yadda ta manne masa ba tare da ta ankara ba. “Ni… ai saboda tsoro ne.” Ta fada cikin dan shagwaba Tana turo baki. Zayd ya ɗan karkatar da kansa, wani ɗan murmushi ya bayyana a gefen bakinsa. “I know.” Sai ya ɗan dakata, yana kallonta. “Yanzu ki bari mu tashi. We need to pray.”

A hankali Raihana ta sassauta hannunta, amma kafin ta gama sake shi, sai ta sake kallonsa. “Za ka jira ni?” Zayd ya tsaya yana kallonta na ɗan lokaci. “Yes, Zan jira ki.” Sai kawai ta saki rigarsa gaba ɗaya, ta gyara zamanta a hankali, yayin da Zayd ya miƙe tsaye yana kallonta da wani irin yanayi a fuskarsa. Honestly, bai san lokacin da ya zama mai kwantar mata da hankali haka ba. Amma abu ɗaya ya sani. He wasn’t going to leave her alone while she was still this frightened.

“Ki shiga ki yi alwala,” ya faɗa a hankali, yana kallonta. Raihana ta tsaya cak tana kallonsa kawai. Zayd ya ɗan buɗe idanunsa, staring at her, yana jiran ta motsa. “Go,” ya ƙara faɗa a taƙaice. Sai Raihana ta miƙe a hankali, ta ɗan juya, kamar tana neman ko za ta ga hular da take kanta tun ɗazu. Amma ina! Babu hular, sai wata free-size gown da ke jikinta kawai, yayin da kitsonta ya zubo har bayanta. Ta ɗan shafa kanta a hankali Tana Jin kunyar kasancewa Haka a gabanshi, sannan ta dawo da kallonta kan Zayd. “Ni wallahi… tsoron shiga toilet ɗin nake,” ta faɗa cikin sanyin murya.

Zayd ya ci gaba da kallonta, bai ce komai ba na ƴan seconds. Ya ɗan karkatar da kansa, as if he was trying to understand what exactly she expected him to do. “Toh, me kike so yanzu?” ya tambaya a hankali. Raihana ta yi shiru. Ta rasa abin da za ta ce masa. Gashi fitsarin da ta je yi tun farko har har ta hadu da snake din yanzu yana mararta, tunanin macijin da ta gani a toilet ɗin kuma yana ƙara dawo mata a rai. She was genuinely uncomfortable, but the thought of stepping into that bathroom again was even worse. Ta haɗiye yawu a hankali, sannan ta sake ɗago kai ta kalle shi. Shima ita yake kallo. Idanunsu suka haɗu, sai Raihana ta ɗan turo baki, tana sauke nata idanun a hankali. “Toh… ka rakani,” ta faɗa cikin wata murya mai laushi. Zayd ya ɗan ɗaga gira. “Inaaaa?” Raihana ta sake turo baki, tana ɗan juya masa baya, kamar ba ta son ta maimaita maganar. Sai dai bayan ƴan seconds, ta tattare ƙarfin halinta ta sake magana, wannan karon muryarta ta fito ƙasa-ƙasa sosai. “Toilet ɗin mana…” Zayd ya tsaya yana kallonta. For a moment, he said nothing. Sai kuma ya ɗan karkatar da kansa, yana ƙoƙarin danne murmushin da yake son bayyana a fuskarsa. Okay, mu je,” Zayd ya faɗa, yana dan matsawa dan ya bata hanya.

Raihana ta fara takawa kamar wadda aka aika wani wuri da ba ta son zuwa. Da ta kusa isa toilet ɗin, sai ta lura ba ta jin motsin takunsa a bayanta. Ta tsaya. Sai ta juya a hankali, sai ta gan shi a tsaye, ta fara kallonsa da manyan idanunta. Shi ma ya zuba mata ido, yana jiran jin abin da take so. Raihana ta ɗan haɗiye yawu, sannan ta yi magana cikin sanyin murya. “Toh… ka taho mana.” Zayd ya ɗan ɗaga gira. A hankali ya ɗaga hannayensa biyu zuwa fuskarsa, ya shafa ta, yana ƙoƙarin danne dariyar da take son kufce masa. Ya Allah! Is this girl serious? Ya sauke hannayensa, sannan ya fara takowa zuwa gare ta. Da Raihana ta ga ya taho, sai ta juya da sauri ta ci gaba da tafiya, kamar ba ita ce ta tsaya tana jiransa ba. Zayd ya girgiza kansa a hankali, yana bin ta a baya. Amma da suka zo dai-dai ƙofar toilet ɗin, sai Raihana ta tsaya cak! Kafafunta su ka ƙi motsawa. Zayd ya ƙaraso kusa da ita, ya miƙa hannu ya buɗe ƙofar toilet ɗin, sannan ya juya ya kalleta. “Shiga.” Raihana ta yi shiru. Ba ta motsa ba. Ba ta ɗago kai ta kalle shi ba. Kawai ta tsaya ne tana kallon ƙasa, hannayenta a haɗe a gabanta, kamar wata ɗaliba da aka kira gaban malamai. Zayd ya ɗan lumshe idanunsa, sannan ya sake buɗe su. Still, Raihana tana nan a inda take. Ya kalleta na ƴan seconds, yana ƙoƙarin fahimtar ko da gaske tana jiran ya ja ta da kansa ne, ko kuwa akwai wani abu daban da yake so ta faɗa. “Are you planning to stand there all night?” Ta girgiza kai a hankali, amma har yanzu ƙafafunta ba su motsa ba. Zayd ya ja dogon numfashi, sannan ya rufe idanunsa na ɗan lokaci. When he opened them, har yanzu tana nan. Ya girgiza kansa, ya juya kamar zai tafi. Nan take Raihana ta ɗago kai. “Ina za ka je kuma?!” Zayd ya tsaya, sannan ya juyo a hankali ya kalleta. “Toh, you refused to go inside. Kuma lokaci na tafiya? Zan je wani ɗakin ne in yi alwala kafin nan, ke kuma kin fito.” Ya faɗa cikin nutsuwa, kamar mutumin da ya gaji da wannan wasan amma har yanzu yake ƙoƙarin haƙuri da ita. Raihana ta zaro ido. “Wai nufinka zaka tafi ka barni ne?” Zayd ya ɗan karkatar da kansa. “I opened the door for you. Na taho na raka ki har nan. Now, what else do you want me to do?” Ta yi shiru na ɗan lokaci. Sai ta sake kallon ƙofar toilet ɗin, ta koma kallon Zayd, sannan ta sake kallon ƙofar. A ƙarshe ta ɗan turo baki. “Ni dai… ba zan iya shiga ni kaɗai ba.” Zayd ya tsaya yana kallonta. A hankali ya ɗaga kansa zuwa sama, kamar yana roƙon Allah Ya ba shi haƙuri. Sai ya dawo da kallonsa kanta. “Macijin fa ba ya nan yanzu. Kuma idan kina son yin alwala, sai kin shiga toilet ɗin. I can’t perform wudu on your behalf.” Raihana ta ɗan harare shi. “Ni ban ce ka yi min alwala ba fa!” Zayd ya ɗan ɗaga gira. Toh, ki shiga ki yi. Zan jiraki a nan,” Zayd ya faɗa cikin nutsuwa, yana tsaye a gefen ƙofar. Raihana ta ɗago ta kalle shi. “Amma kar ka rufe ƙofar, don Allah.” Zayd ya jinjina kai kawai, ba tare da ya ce komai ba. Raihana ta ja dogon numfashi, ta haɗe tafukanta hannayenta da juna, sannan ta runtse idanunta. Ta fara karanta addu’o’i a hankali, tana maimaita wasu sau da dama. Har addu’o’in da ba su da wata alaƙa da halin da take ciki sai ta saka su, duk don kawai ta samu ƙarfin halin shiga toilet ɗin. Ta buɗe ido ɗaya a hankali, ta kalli cikin toilet ɗin. Babu komai. Ta sake buɗe ɗayan idon. Still, babu komai. A hankali ta saka ƙafarta ɗaya cikin toilet ɗin, amma kafin ta kai ta ɗayan, sai ta sake ja da baya, ta wangale ƙofar sosai, sannan ta waigo ta kalli Zayd. “Ka dawo daga nan.” Zayd ya ɗan ɗaga gira, amma bai yi musu ba. Ya bar inda yake, ya zo ya tsaya dai-dai ƙofar bandakin, yana kallon cikinsa. Raihana ta ɗan numfasa. Sai kuma ta turo baki. “Ni fa ba haka na ce ka tsaya kana kallona ba.” Zayd ya kalleta. “Toh?” “Ka juya bayanka mana!” Ya ɗan lumshe idanunsa na ƴan seconds, yana ƙoƙarin danne dariyar da take son kufce masa. Ba tare da ya yi musu ba, ya juya kawai, ya ba ta baya. Raihana ta sake kallonsa a hankali, tana tabbatar da cewa ya daina kallonta. Sai ta ɗan matsa gaba. Amma bayan ƴan seconds, ta sake waigowa. Ganin yadda yake tsaye Yayi backing dinta, ba tare da ya juyo ba, ya sa ta ɗan samu nutsuwa. A hankali ta koma cikin bandakin. Sai ta tsaya tana kallon toilet ɗin. Gaskiya, a wannan lokacin, ko da za a kashe ta, ba ta iya yin fitsari a kan toilet ɗin ba. Tunanin macijin da ta gani ne kawai yake yawo a kanta. Wallahi ba zan sake zama a kan wannan abin ba. Ko me zai faru, ba zan zauna ba! Ta ɗan leƙa cikin toilet ɗin, ta tabbatar babu maciji, sannan ta lallaba ta sunkuya a hankali a dai-dai rariyar toilet ɗin, ta fara fitsari. A wannan lokacin ne ta ɗan samu nutsuwa. Bayan ta gama, ta miƙa hannunta a hankali, za ta janyo handheld bidet spray, wato bututun ruwa na tsarki da ke kusa da toilet ɗin. Amma da ta ɗago kai, sai ta haɗa ido da Zayd. Yana kallonta! Da waɗancan lumshashun idanun nasa, cikin wani irin kallo da ya sa ta tsaya cak, hannunta har yanzu a miƙe tana son janyo bututun ruwan.