Chapter 25

I was up early the next day, I was way too excited to sleep. I was absolutely restless, deciding to expend the extra energy, I decided to go for a run. By the time I came back I was drenched but I felt much more calm. I showered and made my way to the main house. Yasmin was munching on a piece of toast, her eyes glued to the tv. I pressed a kiss into her head and she huffed moving away.

I chuckled moving away from her.

Children and their cartoons

I walked back to the kitchen and got myself a bottle of water, I was already alert so I skipped the coffee.

"Good morning Hajiya" I greeted walking back to the living room to see her seated near Yasmin.

"Good morning Abba, I was about to have one of the maids call you. The lawyer is going to arrive any moment from now." She explained.

"Oh, no problem. I honestly couldn't sleep, I was too excited for this" I replied grinning. She shook her head but I could see the happiness gleaming in her eyes.

A few minutes later the lawyer walked into the living room.

"Good morning Mrs Barde." He greeted. "Good morning Mr Ibrahim. This is Abubakar, my grandson, and Yasmin, the little girl we talked about over the phone." Hajiya introduced. I shook hands with him and we moved to the dining room, leaving Yasmin to watch her cartoons.

"I have contacted a few of my colleagues about the adoption laws in Nigeria and unfortunately Abubakar, you cannot adopt Yasmin due to the fact that she is not of the same gender as you and you are not married, however I found a loophole and with the agreement of Mrs Barde here, we can file for the adoption in both your names." He explained. I turned to Hajiya, her eyebrows were furrowed in contemplation.

Please agree Hajiya. Please

I kept praying, our eyes met and I sent her a pleading look.

"Alright. Will this give us a chance?" She asked.

"Yes ma'am. A solid chance infact." With that he brought out some forms and handed them over to Hajiya and I. We filled them with some assistance from him.

"Alright. I'll submit this on Monday and see how fast I can move the application. Hopefully by the end of the week we will have a date set for the hearing." He said gathering the papers and placing them into his briefcase.

"Is that all?" Hajiya asked.

"No, there is the Financial documentation, I have the forms here with me." He said producing them from a binder. Hajiya and I quickly filled them with a call to the Bank.

The lawyer collected everything and assured us of getting a date for the hearing within the following week before leaving.

I made my way back to the living room, Yasmin was still watching TV. I sat next to her, she glanced at me before crawling onto my lap and resting her head on my chest. I gently stroked her hair, turning my attention to the cartoon.

I could get used to Sundays like this.

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

It was late Wednesday when the lawyer called, he had gotten us an appointment for Friday morning.

"How are you feeling?" Khalifa asked. "A nervous wreck to be very honest." I replied covering my face with my hands.

We were currently seated in the living room of the chalet playing Warframe on the PS4.

"Don't be like that. Everything will work out in the end. Besides with Hajiya and the lawyer on your team, you have nothing to fear."

"Yeah, you're right." I whispered nodding.

"Najma and I will be there for support also."

I smiled at that, happy about that. We continued with our game till it was time for Maghrib. He left immediately after prayers.

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

Thursday rolled by pretty fast and I was about to leave the office when I walked up to Mr Adebayo's office.

Knocking on the office, I heard a muffled come in.

"Good afternoon sir" I greeted. "Good afternoon Abubakar? What can I do for you?" He asked.

"Sir I have an appointment tomorrow, so I'll need tomorrow off."

"Okay. No problem." He replied, thanking him, I left his office and headed back to my cubicle. Grabbing my bag and keys, I headed out to my car. The drive home was long due to the traffic, I parked and made my way to the chalet. After a shower, I walked to the main house through the kitchen.

I grabbed a bottle of water, checking the microwave and seeing a plate of rice. I ate it in the dining room before I realised the whole house was quiet.

"Atine!" I called out. She appeared within minutes. "Where is my grandmother and Yasmin?"

"They went out, but they should be back soon." She answered.

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

The court was an imposing structure, Yasmin was in my arm, she snuggled closer to me seeming wary of the people. I rubbed her back to comfort her.

The lawyer was already waiting, I looked around wondering when Khalifa and Najma were going to show up.

"Don't worry Abba, they'll be here" Hajiya said patting my shoulder gently. I nodded, hugging Yasmin closer to my chest.

I had called her school earlier and told them she wasn't going to make it today.

"Ah, there they are" Hajiya smiled gesturing towards the approaching figures of Khalida and Najma.

"Sorry we're late, Najma was a bit under the weather." He explained. My eyes moved immediately to Najma who looked exhausted.

"Are you okay?" Hajiya asked voicing my thoughts.

"Yes Hajiya" she sighed "just a stomach bug. Nothing serious."

"Sure?"

"Yes Abba, now come on, we have a adoption case to win"

With that we walked into the court led by Mr. Lawal. A clerk was already waiting for us and directed us to a private office.

It was large, with an oval shaped mahogany table surrounded by chairs in the middle. There was a flat screen TV attached the a wall, pictures of various judges on another wall. We didn't have to wait long before a woman walked in.

The lawyer stood wanting to introduce us to the judge but she beat him to it.

"Jiddah, so good to see you again" she said smiling.

Wait...

"Likewise Maria, I didn't know you worked in the Magistrate"

"I was called in, anyway. Let get started." She said taking a seat.

Mr Lawal spread the documents out in front of the judge before explaining to her what we wanted.

"It states here you and your grandmother want to co adopt the child?"

"Yes ma'am" I replied nodding.

"What's your name?" She asked.

"Abubakar Abdullahi Barde" I replied shakily, to say I was nervous was an understatement. Hajiya had collected Yasmin who was perched on her laps.

"Age?"

"28"

"Profession?"

"Accountant in an insurance company"

"Name of insurance company?"

"Platinum Insurance" I answered.

She nodded looking at the papers before her.

"According to this you filed a police report?"

"Yes ma'am."

She nodded, looking through the documents for a while before bringing her hands together over the table, peering at me. Her eyes seemed to be staring deep into my very soul.

"To be brutally honest with you Mr. Abdullahi, I do not believe you are fit to adopt a child given your reputation in town."

I felt my heart plummet

"If I may..." Hajiya interjected. "I believe that change is possible and Abubakar has shown he is a changed man. He has proven himself."

I sent Hajiya a grateful smile before looking over at the judge who still didnt look convinced.

"Do you have anyone else to corroborate your grandmother's words?" She asked.

"Yes your honour" Khalifa said, I couldn't help the smile that appeared on my face.

"Name?" She asked.

"Khalifa Ibrahim Barde"

"Profession?"

"Commerical Pilot" he replied.

"You are willing to stand behind Abubakar Abdullahi?" She asked.

"Yes ma'am" he answered no hesitation in his voice. The judge nodded.

"We'll have to wait for a social worker from the Ministry to come and we will iron out the details"

I sighed in relief happy this was going to be over soon.

We didnt have to wait long, the door opened and a short woman walked in.

"Apologies for my lateness, the traffic was terrible"

I sat up, that voice sounded very familiar.

"Not a problem Mrs Balogun" the judge replied.

The woman looked up and our eyes met.

Shit. I was fucked

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A/N

Sorry for the short chapter. Who do you think is the social worker and do you think she's going to be a threat to the adoption process?

Let me know what you guys think.

Please comment 🥺🥺 I would honestly love to know what you guys think.

Stay safe.

Sarah

Xoxo