Episode One

Dr. Oyebanji had spoken consistently for two hours and it had gotten to the stage that I could only see the movement of his lips and his brownish teeth showing from within. I studied the way he talked with so much enthusiasm; pacing back and forth and pausing to clean the beads of sweat that formed around his forehead. I stared at his gray-coloured-faded trousers and the blue shirt that he wore thrice every week. Was he really happy with his job? Had he ever imagined being in a place where he didn’t have to yell at the seas of people clearly uninterested in what he was saying?



“Now who can define arteriospasm?” he asked, darting his eyes to the thousands of eyes that peered at him.



Immediately, I lowered my head and avoided his gaze. Who would want to be disgraced in the midst of hundreds of people? It was then I realised that my black-thick veil was making me sweaty.



“No one? Let’s end the class here. I’ll ask you for the meaning in the next class,” Dr. Oyebanji said, sighing heavily as he held his pile of books.



My course mates squealed in delight as they watched him leave the hall. They had immediately started to walk out in groups, chatting and laughing excitedly.



I turned to Raqibah, who was revising yesterdays’ notes. I used to think that I was the most serious student in my department till I met Raqibah, a studious and bookish fellow who could do nothing but reading. She had joined us at our 300 level and at a first glance, I stared at her unusually. She was pudgy and her big size couldn’t be hidden under the big clothing. Her legs were as big as fat tubers of yam and her body flapped when she walked. Raqibah was as fair in complexion as the inside of a mango fruit and dark spots and pimples filled her face.



‘I do not have the time for beauty treatments. My focus now is to make good grades and become the best graduating student in Medicine,’ she would say, pouting her lips in a way that made her feel proud.



Raqibah was my only friend, and that was because she was also a bookworm. While some of our course mates went on dinner dates and watched movies, we spent our free time in the library; reading till our eyes hurt.

Continue reading https://www.maryamnittywall.com/2018/09/the-precious-figure-episode-one.html

Episode Two

He gaped in shock and surprise. “Whoa! That’s a mighty course, Fareedah.”

I smiled shyly as blood gushed to my cheeks. ‘Yep, Medicine is truly a mighty course. I’d become a doctor…I mean, a cute doctor dressed in white.’ I thought, picturing myself flashing a smile and meeting Najib with a tight embrace as he comes to pick me from work.

“You there?” he waved his hand at me.

“Oh…yeah. What were you saying?” I tried to gain composure again.

Why was I always deep in thought, when with him?
“You must be very brainy and smart to study Medicine. How easy is it to even study Medicine in Nigeria? You’re a rare gem, Fareedah,” he flashed his teeth, giving me a thumbs-up.

I could see Raqibah eyeing me through my side view. I knew she’d have a lot to say…but gosh, I felt really special to be admired by a handsome man. No man that handsome had ever dared to speak with me. Moreover, Raqibah had had her doses of relationships but here I am, having no experience with what relationship is all about.

“Do you mind if I play music? I know you guys are very religious but Bruno Mars songs keeps me going.” He said, raking his hair.


“Oh…yes, of course. It’s your car, isn’t it? You have the right to listen to what you want.” My cheeks hurt deeply from over-smiling but I couldn’t help it. I had to please this overly-cute man!

“Ah well, it’s not just about the fact that it is my car. I need to make sure you guys are okay with it.” He remarked.

“Thank you, Najib. We’re okay,” I said, turning to Raqibah for a look of approval. What I got in return was a dark stare.

It was then I noticed that she was reading Professor Audu’s note. Oh well, I’ll read that when I get home.

“I’ll drop before the next street, sir,” Raqibah said in a brusque way. She packed her books into her bag and wore her shoes.

Continue reading https://www.maryamnittywall.com/2018/09/the-precious-figure-episode-two.html

Episode Three

I laughed unusually but what came out were breaths of air. “Oh…that. Someone dropped Raqibah and me off from school.” I replied silently, noting the expression on mom’s face.

She scrunched up her face in skepticism. “The red car that was parked outside a few minutes ago?”

I felt a shudder of nervousness. “Yes,…he’s a really nice man.”

Mom raked her roughly-packed hair and clacked the spoon in the mug. “I never knew you were in the car.”

“I was…and he’s a nice person,” I sang sweetly, swinging my arms and reaching for her hair. “Let me pack this neatly. Have you taken your bath? You’ve taken your medication?”

Mom’s eyes gleamed in happiness. She loved it when I take care of her like a child. “I haven’t taken my bath…I’m too tired. I’ll take my drugs after eating lunch,” she smiled slightly and I was glad that the topic of discussion had been changed.

Continue reading https://www.maryamnittywall.com/2018/09/the-precious-figure-episode-three.html

Episode Four

My hands froze. I stared blankly at the phone and read the text over and over again. Was I dreaming? Chocolate?

My sweaty hands trembled as I punched on the keyboard.

Chocolate?

I could see the ‘typing’ symbol and my eyes widened in anticipation. Minutes later, a message popped up.

Yes, chocolate.

Continue reading https://www.maryamnittywall.com/2018/10/the-precious-figure-episode-four.html

My lips twitched in a smile as I was typing,

Why chocolate?

You’re sweet, lovely and addicting just like chocolate. The colour of your skin also makes the name perfect for you.

I could feel the rush of blood to my veins. I flopped on my bed and rested on my fluffy pillow.

Hmm…

I typed and stared at the screen, awaiting a response from Najib. I didn’t see the ‘typing…’ symbol and I hesitantly waited for a response.

Continue reading https://www.maryamnittywall.com/2018/10/the-precious-figure-episode-five.html

Episode Five

“What are you putting on” Mom glared at me with scrutinizing eyes.

It was then I remembered that my dressing was different…totally different from what I would wear on a normal day. The day Alia, my distant cousin, presented the gown to me as a gift, I had forced a smile and lied that I really love the dress…that I’d put it on every week because of how beautiful it is. When she left, I had complained to my mother that it is too tight and attractive.

“I’ll just leave it in the wardrobe. I can’t wear this out.” I had muttered to my mother immediately Alia stepped out of the house.

The bosom-length hijab I was putting on was one I used to wear while still in the secondary. The brown lipstick that shone on my lips was also shocking; the last time I used make-up was in 100level.

“Err…I just want to look different.” I tossed my phone nervously in my right hand.

Continue reading https://www.maryamnittywall.com/2018/10/the-precious-figure-episode-five.html

Episode Six


Raqibah’s eyes twinkled in amusement. I stared at her fat cheeks; big lumps of pimples surrounding them. Raqibah is a really pretty woman…if only she can take good care of her skin…and dress nicely.

“Why not? You haven’t read? You’ve been thinking about Najib?” she looked at me with arched eyebrows.

“Ah…well…” I stuttered.

“I’m right! Give me the full gist jare. Has he asked you out?” Raqibah placed her hands under her chin and stared at me.

Continue reading https://www.maryamnittywall.com/2018/10/the-precious-figure-episode-six.html

The Precious Figure (Episode Seven)

While walking to Tantalizers, I brushed my clothes and fantasized seeing Najib again. I had seen him just once but imagining his lovely pair of eyes and a sparkling set of teeth made me shudder.

‘Fareedah, how do you eat when you’re on a date?’ I muttered, unlocking my phone and trying to reach out to Google.

The flash of light on the phone from the sun rays almost blinded my vision. No one advised me to put my phone away that I returned it to my bag. I took a mint from my purse and started to chew, to keep my breath fresh.

Continue reading https://www.maryamnittywall.com/…/the-precious-figure-episo…

“I....” I tried to speak, floundering my words but what came out were breaths of air. I felt an agog exhilaration seeping away.

‘What is wrong with me? Why can’t I talk? Is this really true?’ I thought, imagining that it was night and my eyes had widened from my dreamy sleep, only to realize that it was all a dream.

Episode Eight

“Fareedah, I know this is all too fast and...” Najib prattled but I could hardly comprehend what he was saying.

My thoughts were clogged with his words, “Will you make me the happiest man?”

Yes! I’ll make you happier than the happiest man...but, isn’t this too fast?

...What more do you want, Fareedah? Isn’t this what you want? To be with Najib? To be the air that he breaths and the reason for the smile that lingers on his lips? What more do you want?

Najib stood up and placed his hands over his face. He was evidently shivering. “I’m sorry Fareedah. I shouldn’t have said this. I know you need time...” he was saying beseechingly.

Continue reading https://www.maryamnittywall.com/2018/10/the-precious-figure-episode-eight.html

Chapter Nine

Every morning, I wake up with a deep smile on my face. I smiled, knowing that I was in love with Najib as much as he was with me. I smiled, knowing that I’d have received a message from him, confessing how incomplete his life is without me and how I am the air that he breathes. I smiled knowing that every single morning I wake up is a day gone by, reducing the days left for Najib to return.


https://www.maryamnittywall.com/2018/11/the-precious-figure-episode-nine.html

Interesting

Episode Ten

I twirled in front of the standing mirror as I scrutinized the lovely gown that Raqibah had insisted I wear to the outing with Najib. It was a red and black gown with lace at the hem and beads forming the love shape. I likened myself to the models that walk stylishly on the walk-way.

For once in my life, I wished that Raqibah would appear in my room that instant, so that I’d embrace her tightly. The gown was the loveliest I’d ever worn in my life.

Continue reading https://www.maryamnittywall.com/2018/11/the-precious-figure-episode-ten.html

Guess Najib was trying to showoff to his ex

Thanks for the update

Thanks for reading.

Interesting, keep it coming Op

More ink to ur pen

Thank you.

The Precious Figure (Episode Eleven)

Moyo looked up distractedly and a shocked expression engulfed her face. She stared at Najib and then goggled resentfully at me with utter disbelief. She leered at me in a repugnant way from head to toe.

My mortified face was sweat-filled and I could feel the dripping of sweat...

Continue reading https://www.maryamnittywall.com/…/the-precious-figure-episo…

Najib shouldn't have done that in order to spite his ex

Thanks for the update OP

Thanks for reading!!!

Sometimes we want to be like others, we know Allah knows the best but we are "it doesn't hurt if I change a little right?" Nice story Mariam, Jazakumuliah Khairan.

Waiyyakum. Thanks for reading

Update pls

The Precious Figure (Episode Twelve)

Najib was standing by the doorway with a bouquet of flowers, looking fixedly on my face. Most of my course mates had riveted stares on him.

Continue reading https://www.maryamnittywall.com/…/the-precious-figure-episo…

Episode Thirteen

It was three months into our relationship and Najib would be meeting my mother for the first time. Shouldn’t I be elated?

Continue reading https://www.maryamnittywall.com/2018/11/the-precious-figure-episode-thirteen.html

Episode Fourteen

The examination period was filled with incessant and frantic activities. I had spent the last two weeks, reading effortlessly and writing my exams with the determination to get the best grades.

Okay. Confession time: I couldn’t do without listening to Najib’s voice.

Continue reading https://www.maryamnittywall.com/2018/12/the-precious-figure-chapter-fourteen.html

Episode Fifteen
Worry! I felt that way since I walked out of Technair building. I’ve been on tenterhooks, wondering what would be the fate of our relationship.

I spent my days staring at my phone with niggling gropes...

Continue reading https://www.maryamnittywall.com/2018/12/the-precious-figure-episode-fifteen.html

Well done OP

Thank you.

Why is Najib behaving like this?
Let's keep watching
Thanks for the update

You're welcome. Thanks for reading!

The Precious Figure (Episode Sixteen)

The weather was frigid and misty. I could feel the effect of the weather ...

Continue reading https://www.maryamnittywall.com/…/the-precious-figure-episo…

Najib is something else, he'll definitely suffer for making Fareedah go through heart break.

Thanks for the update

Thanks for reading!!!