Chapter 19

I was finally discharged on the next day, Khalifa picked me up at the hospital and drove me down to Hajiya's residence.

"Najma got some people to pack your belongings up. Everything is already set up in the Chalet." He explained.

"Okay." I replied wanting nothing more than to get home and take a shower. We arrived and parted ways. I headed towards the chalet, everything had been set up. My clothes had been unpacked and arranged.

I took a shower, relishing the feeling of the warm water pelting my skin. I got dressed, left the chalet, about to head to the main house when I bumped into Atine.

"Hello Atine." I greeted.

"Hello Yaya Abba. It's nice to see you again. How are you feeling?" She asked smiling.

She's not mad at me anymore

"Fine Alhamdulillah." I replied smiling back at her before continuing on my way.

"They are by the garden" she called out. I smiled at her and took the shortcut to the garden.

Hajiya was seated on the cushioned rattan chair while Najma was seated on the grass with Yasmin, a book next to them.

"Good afternoon Hajiya"

"Good afternoon Abba, how are you feeling?" She asked.

"Much better Alhamdulillah." I answered taking a seat next to her.

Yasmin looked up at me, I grinned at her and she grinned back before Najma drew her attention back to the book. Khalifa came out of the house a few minutes later.

"Here you go." He said handing me my phone. The screen had been replaced.

"Thanks" I took the phone, shoving it in my pocket not bothering to switch it on. I sighed leaning further into the chair and watched Yasmin read with the aid of Najma.

**********************

After Maghrib prayers, we all sat for dinner. I helped Yasmin cut her food into little pieces before getting started with mine.

"Yasmin's reading is really improving" Najma pointed out. "It's really amazing, she'll be able to catch up with her peers when she starts school."

Shit... I didn't even think of that.

Dinner was a silent affair for me as I listened to them discuss on several issues. Khalifa and I went to the masjid and prayed Isha before they left. Yasmin was already in bed by then.

"Goodnight Yasmin" I whispered squatting in front of her. She mumbled a reply, her eyes drooping until she finally fell asleep. I walked to the Chalet and got dressed for bed. Switching on my phone, Najma's words came back to my mind and I tapped on Google Maps.

Schools near me.

The list came up and I nearly had a heart attack at the schools mentioned. There was no way in hell I could afford any of these schools. Not on my salary.

Oh Lord.

I decided to filter the search and gave up immediately. The thought of sending her to a low quality school send chills down my back. There was no way I was going to let that happen.

Maybe I could ask Hajiya to help... no, Yasmin is my responsibility.

I tossed the phone to the side and decided to get some sleep.

**********************

The next day was Friday and I was driving down to the Masjid. My thoughts occupied by ways to get the money for Yasmin's schooling.

I parked in the lot and made my way in. I had performed wudhu at home. I sat and listening to the Imam preach about forgiveness before prayers started.

After the prayer, I sat back as people moved around the Masjid, thinking of what school I could afford with my meager salary.

You could always ask Baba Mohammad for money...  I squashed it down immediately.

Knowing him he would say this was another of my schemes and that was the last thing I needed to hear. I sighed standing and exiting the Masjid, walking towards my car.

"Why do you look like a child who just lost a toy?" I raised my head to see Hassan leaning against his car.

"Didn't see you there" I murmured shaking his hand.

"How are you feeling?" he asked. "Much better Alhamdulillah." I replied with a smile.

"How's Yasmin?"

"She's great actually" I answered, sadness tinting my voice.

Hassan didn't seem to notice the change in me as he had turned his attention to my car.

"Still can't believe the engine on this car. It's a beast. I heard one of the Ajibola brothers is interested in buying one"

I looked at the car when an idea popped into my head.

"Would he be interested in buying mine?" I asked.

"WHAT?!" He sputtered eyes wide. "Did you hit your head on your way back from prayers or something."

I rolled my eyes at his words.

"No I didn't and I'm serious. Talk to him, if he's interested then I am willing to sell it."

"Why?! Dude why?!" He asked pointing to the car "That is a beast right here. Why would you want to sell that?!"

"I need the money for Yasmin. She's supposed to be in school, like her mates" I replied.

"And you want to sell your car for that? Why don't I just loan you the money?" He offered.

"I don't actually have the capacity to pay you back and I would rather not be knee deep I'm debts."

He sighed nodding.

"When do you want the sale?"

"Anytime"

"I'll call him tomorrow then" he said.

"Thank you." I replied getting into my car and driving off. I felt kind of sad knowing by tomorrow, I would he driving something else.

Stepping on the accelerator and listening to the engine rumble brought a smile to my face.

Definitely going to miss this car.

**********************

I was currently taking a stroll down the street, Yasmin holding my hand.

My attention divided between my phone and Yasmin. I felt a tug and looked at her.

"What's wrong?" I asked squatting to her level. She looked above me, pointing to an object in the sky.

"I want one" she said, her lips in a frown. I looked behind me to the direction she was pointing at.

"You want a kite?" I asked.

She nodded "yes... please"

I sighed standing up, not knowing where to get a kite on the weekend around this time. I didn't have the heart to say no to her.

An idea popped into my head and I grinned. "Why don't we go home and let's see what I can do?" I suggested. She didn't answer, the eyes still on the kite.

We walked back home and met Hajiya about to go out.

"I was just about to call, I'm going out for a while."

I nodded "Hajiya do you have any brown paper, sticks and twine?"

She frowned, her eyes narrowed before she answered.

"Yes I do... in the store room. Why on earth do you need all that?"

"Yasmin and I are going to build a kite" I replied grinning. Hajiya chuckled shaking her head.

"Have fun you two"

We walked into the house and I immediately went to the store to get the materials. Yasmin was seated in the foyer, her legs kicking in the air as she stared at the chandelier.

I dropped the materials on the floor and she turned to me. Her eyes lit up in excitement and she wiggled down approaching me.

"Ready?" I asked. She nodded.

I got out my phone and went on YouTube, looking for a kite video. I found one and played it, following it step by step.

Yasmin watched as I worked on it, I was done in 5 minutes. I got a marker and offered it to Yasmin. She grabbed it as I presented the kite for her to decorate it.

She drew a big heart, some wiggly lines and other shapes I didn't even know existed.

"Let's write your name" I suggested holding her hand and together we wrote *AMINA*

"A...am.." she furrowed her brows in concentration as she tried to pronounce it.

"Amina. A-MI-NA, Amina" I said slowly. She looked at me.

"Amima" she repeated. I chuckled "No. A-MI-NA NA.. Amina." I corrected.

"Amina" she replied. I nodded smiling. "Good girl. Amina. That's your name. If someone asks you what's your name, you tell them it's Amina." She nodded looking down at the kite.

"Amina" she said.

"Come on, let's go test the kite out?"

She smiled standing, I carried the kite out to the empty street. The weather was perfect for kite flying.

"Stay here" I said before walking away with the kite in my hands. The man in the video said I had to build up speed to get the kite in the air.

I took a breath and placed the kite on the ground, holding on to the string, I ran back to her. Her squeal of delight told me the kite was in the air. The wind did the rest and i watched as it flew higher in the sky.

I knelt behind her and handed her the string, keeping a hand around her. We watched the kite late into the evening, letting her run around before I pulled the kite back in and we headed back home.

I decided to pray at home and we ate dinner. Hajiya came back while we were watching tv. She joined us while Yasmin told her all about our day.

I kissed Yasmin goodnight, she wanted me to tuck her in so after Atine was done getting her ready for bed I walked into her bedroom to see her bouncing on her bed.

"Alright mama na... it's time for bed" I picked her up, spinning her around, her giggles filling the room and my heart. I stopped setting her down on the bed.

"Again again"

"Another time" I whispered. She yawned rubbing her eyes.

I brought the blanket over her body and said the night prayers for her.

"Goodnight Yas Yas"

I flicked the lights off, stopping by the living room to bid Hajiya a goodnight. I walked back to the chalet and got ready for bed.

**********************

Halfway through the next day I got a call from Hassan.

"Are you busy?" He asked.

"Yeah, What's up?" I replied.

"I talked to Tade Ajibola and he's interested. He wants to see the car as soon as possible."

"Okay. I'm running some errands for Hajiya. I'll call you the moment I'm done. Thanks" with that I ended the call.

*******************

I dialled Hassan's number as I got into my car.

"I'm done, where can I meet you guys?" I asked.

He gave me the address to Tade's residence, I drove to Gwarimpa pulling up at the large cream coloured house. The gates swung open and I drove in.

I parked my car near Hassan's black BMW and dialled his number.

"I'm here"

"We'll be right out" he replied.

The door opened seconds later and they walked towards  me.

"Tade this is my friend Abubakar. This is Tade." He introduced.

"Nice to meet you" Tade said stretching his hand out.

"Nice to meet you too" I replied shaking his hand. His eyes moved to the car and he whistled.

"The car is more beautiful up close. Why do you want to sell it if I may ask?"

I shrugged shoving my hands into my pocket.

"I need the money"

He chuckled and something told me he didn't believe me not that it mattered to me. As long as he'll give me what I needed I didnt give a damn what he thought.

"How about I take it for a spin?" He asked.

"It's all yours" I tossed him the key and watched as he bounded in. The car purred alive and I watched as he drove out. I leaned against Hassan's car.

"So what are you going to do?" He asked

"About?"

"A car... you'll still need a mode of transportation" he explained.

"I didn't even think about that. I'll have to get something."

"I knew you were going to say that... which is why I spoke to Tade, he knows a guy."

"Cool... thanks."

"How's Yasmin?" He asked.

"She's good. She was asleep when I left." I smiled.

The familiar roar of my car had me looking towards the gate.

He pulled the car to a stop in front of us, getting out, a huge grin plastered on his face.

"How much are you willing to sell the car?" He asked.

"50 million" I answered.

He frowned looking at the car before shrugging.

"Reasonable. A dealer wanted to sell me one for 60 mil and it was no where near as good as this."

I nodded relieved.

"Why don't we go in, I'll call my lawyer and we'll get everything sorted out."

We followed him into the house, I was impressed at the decor. He led us to the living room.

"Can I get you anything?" He asked.

"Nah. I'm okay" I replied. We sat watching the El Classico match.

"Real Madrid is screwed" Hassan chuckled.

"Tell me about it" I murmured smirking.

A few minutes later, there was a knock on the door, Tade excused himself and went to answer the door. He came back with a tall dark man in a suit.

"This is my lawyer Femi Osien"

We shook hands and sat as he pulled out a written document. Tade called his bank and wired the money to my a account. I saw the alert.

Femi gave Tade and I a copy, I read it over before signing. Tade also signed iìt we exchanged copies and signed.

I handed him the keys and we shook hands.

"It was nice doing business with you" he said.

"Likewise" Hassan and I left, I cleared the car of all my belonging which I transferred to his car.

"To the dealership?" He asked.

"Yeah." We drove back into town and pulled up at Barcelos Motor Inc. We walked in and asked for Wale. The receptionist showed us to his office.

"Welcome. Tade called and said you two were coming."

"Yeah. We're looking for a car." Hassan said. I couldn't help roll my eyes.

No... we are looking for a ship.

"What kind of car?" He asked. "We have two new BMWs... shipped directly from the factory"

"Actually I was hoping for something cheaper" I replied, i saw how the light in his eyes dimmed.

Sorry to disappoint.

"How cheap are we talking?" He asked.

"A mid range car." I answered. He seemed to ponder before he stood up.

"I have the perfect car for you."

We followed him to the showroom,.he stopped infront of a white Lexus.

"Lexus ES 350. 2015 version. Has a 3.5 Litre  V6 engine, mid range but still has the luxurious feel and look to it. Automatic transmission and has a mileage of 32,510."

"How much is it?" I asked.

"7 million."

"Quite cheap" I replied shocked.

"For a used car, not a lot will agree with you." Wale replied.

what?!

"It's a used car" I asked my nose wrinkled in disgust.

"Yup" he replied.

I stared at the car, a used car, I had never driven a used car before. I never thought I would have to.

For Yasmin. For Yasmin. You are doing this for her.

I let out a sigh.

"What about a test drive?"

"Go ahead" he said giving me the keys. I got into the car, it didn't have the new car smell but it still smelled okay. The leather was still in pretty good condition. Everything looked okay. I could manage it.

I switched on the car and listened to the hum of the engine. I drove out of the showroom towards the lot. The car wasn't that bad, it wasn't a Benz but it would take me wherever I wanted and that was all that mattered. I parked the car outside and met them.

"I'll take it." I said.

"Great. Let's sign the paperwork." We returned to the office and I wired the money to his account. I signed the papers and he handed the particulars over. I transferred my things into my car.

"Thanks" I said to Hassan.

He nodded smiling. We said our goodbyes and I drove to Wellspring Bank, my family had been using the bank's services for years. I had two accounts with the bank... well one since the other one is pretty much useless thanks to a certain old man.

I pushed the thought of him out of my mind, the last thing I needed was for him to spoil my mood. I parked in the car lot, the concrete and glass three storey building standing out amongst the rest.

It was no wonder the bank remains one of the best in Africa and the world. I walked into the bank, some familiar faces sent smiles and hellos as I walked to the elevator.

I stepped out on the second floor and made my way to my account officer's office. I knocked on the door and I heard a muffled come in. I walked into the office.

"Ah!!! Abubakar. Good afternoon. It's nice seeing you" James stood up shaking my hand.

"Good afternoon James." I replied sitting down.

"What can I help you with today? I hope there's no problem?" He asked taking a seat.

"No problem at all. I want to open an account... a beneficiary account."

"Oh... okay. Let me get the forms then" he said and exited his office. I sagged against the chair, feeling a headache coming up. I wanted to get everything done today, I still had to make a list of the things Yasmin would need for school. I made a mental note to call Najma concerning that.

James walked back into the office with the forms.

"Here you go." He said handing them over. I started filling the forms in, I stopped when I realised I had subconsciously filled her name in as Amina Abubakar Abdullahi Barde.

Such a fitting name.

"Done" I said. He collected the forms going over them.

"She is to be the sole beneficiary?"

"Yes." I replied.

"This will take approximately 15 minutes. I hope you don't mind waiting"

"Not really. Can't we bump it up?" I asked.

"I'll see what I can do" he replied. I knew I could get it all checked out in 5 minutes thanks to our longstanding relationship  with the bank.

He closed the door behind him and I brought out my phone scrolling through my newsfeed.

Thirty minutes later, he came back 10 minutes later furiously apologizing. I brushed him off.

"I want to transfer 10 million from my account to this account." I said.

He nodded and assured me he was going to get right on it. I left the bank and drove home

It was around Magrib so I decided to stop by the mosque to pray before heading home. I made my way to the main house where Yasmin and Hajiya were seated near eachother reading.

"Good evening Hajiya" I greeted.

"Evening Abba" she replied, I turned to Yasmin and smiled.

"Hello mama na"

"Hello" she parroted as i approached her and lifted her into my arms.

"How was your day?" I asked sitting with her on my lap. She listed off the things she did with Hajiya and I listened attentively as she went over each and every detail.

I couldn't describe the joy I felt, seeing her so animated and happy.

Atine came in a few minutes later to get her ready for dinner leaving me alone with Hajiya.

"I sold my car." I blurted out. She frowned setting the book aside.

"Why on earth would do that?!" She asked frowning at me. Everyone knew how much of a massive petrolhead Hajiya was. She loved and appreciated good cars.

"I needed the money" I explained.

"And you couldn't ask me?"

"I didnt want to be a burden." I whispered.

"Have you ever heard me complain? Why do you need the money?" She asked. I sighed leaning forward.

"It was getting late and I knew I had to get Yasmin enrolled in school. I didnt have enough money in my account to afford a good school and there is no way the office would give me an advancement on my salary due to my suspension. I was left with only one option which was to sell the car." I explained.

"How much did you get for it?"

"50 million... I bought another car, so I have 43 million with me" I replied.

"Okay... that's very commendable of you Abba. I am so proud of you." She smiled as Yasmin bounded into the room.

Things were finally looking up.

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Wow!!! A lot happened in this chapter. My han actually hurts from spacing it all out 😂😂.

I guess we can finally say Abba is being serious about Yasmin. He sold his car because of her and bought a second hand car (rich people problems 😂😂) and he made a trust fund for her!!!

So things are going to pick up from here. Just giving you all a heads up.

Let me know what you guys think about this chapter in the comments.

Please share and vote

Remember to stay safe ❤

So the white car is the new car Abba bought while the black one is his former car, the one he sold.