Life of Salma Muhammad — Season Two

Page One: So Auntie Is Gone Dear Diary, Today was the first day of the three-day prayer for my aunt. Mum and I went together in the morning, and after the prayer we all went back to her house. There were already people there and more people kept coming to greet her husband and the children. Snacks were being shared, people were sitting around talking, and my mum had already gone into the kitchen before I even had time to sit down properly. I helped her with the food and water. I also greeted a ridiculous number of people. I don't know how many times I said salam today. I would finish greeting one person and another person would come in, then Mum would tell me to greet them too. My legs were already hurting before we even started serving food.My aunt was my father's first cousin. I don't know the exact family mathematics that makes her my aunt, but she was my aunt to me and she was very dear to me. She had gone to Kano to get her goods and was coming back when she had an accident.The last time I saw her was at the wedding last year. She was there, moving around like everybody else, and I had no idea that would be one of the last times I would see her. I still remember that wedding too well, unfortunately. The dress, the belly shaper, Mum sending me to serve small chops and, of course, the boy I threw up in front of( my crush). And his twin.After the prayer days were over, we went back to normal life. Or at least everybody tried to.Then school started again.I don't know what happens to me on the first day of school, but I always feel strangely cool. Maybe it's because everybody is coming back after being away for weeks and suddenly you're seeing familiar faces again. I dressed up, carried my bag and walked into school feeling like I had my life together.I didn't, obviously.Jennifer was one of the first people I saw. She came over and we started talking almost immediately, and before long Max joined us too. It felt nice seeing both of them again. Max looked the same as always, and Jennifer had plenty of things to tell me before I had even finished telling them what happened during my break.For the first few days, I was just happy to be back with them. We were talking between classes, complaining about teachers and trying to figure out what work we had already missed even though school had barely started.Then I started noticing him again.The boy.My crush. 😝🥲I had seen him before the break, obviously, but seeing him again after weeks made me feel that stupid little excitement I was trying very hard not to show. And the worst part was that I thought he was noticing me too.There were times I caught him looking at me and I would immediately start wondering if he liked me.I even started wearing shiny lipstick when I knew I was going to see him. I don't know what I thought the lipstick was going to achieve, but I was feeling myself, so leave me alone.Then I found out he had a girlfriend.<img alt="" src="/media/inline_insight_image/IMG_7605.jpeg"/> Everywhere pinkkkk A girlfriend. 😭😭Ahhhhh. Someone please play traitor by Olivia Rodrigo😭😭So all those times I thought he was looking at me… this boy was probably just looking around. And I was there putting meaning into everything like a fool.I even wore shiny lipstick.SHINY LIPSTICK. 😭Now I’m actually wondering if I should just go for his twin.Because honestly, what do I have to lose? 😭🙂🙂

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