Chapter 5

I woke up the next day pretty late with a pounding headache, which normal happens when you party into the early hours of the morning.

Hearing Najma's voice coming from the kitchen, I made my way there. She was cooing and feeding the baby.

“Morning.” I greeted.

“Afternoon actually” she corrected wiping her mouth with a wet cloth.

I looked over at the baby as she stared at me.

"How did she sleep?"

"Soundly, she whimpered a little like she was having a nightmare but I was able to get her back to sleep." Najma explained pushing a plate of chips and a mug of coffee to me.

"Thanks" I murmured handing her over to Najma before digging into the food.

"I called the orphanage this morning. They are expecting us by 3pm." Najma said, I nodded taking a sip of the coffee.

"How was the party?" She asked.

How the hell did she find out?

"Uh..."

"Let's just get this over with" she whispered. I nodded, feeling my appetite disappearing. I was tempted to push the food away but knowing Najma was already pissed off at me, I decided not to push my luck.

I ate the remaining breakfast in silence while Najma played with the baby. After breakfast I had my bath and shrugged on a kaftan I had left at their house.

We met by the front door, the baby on her hip.

"Ready?" She asked. I sighed nodding before opening the door. We walked to the car

"What's the name of the orphanage?" I asked.

"Golden Heart Home for the less Privileged"

"Well that's a mouthful" I murmured, pushing the ignition button and the car purred to life.

Najma gave me the address, it was at the other side of town.

"We need to get her more clothes" she murmured rubbing the baby's back.

My mind immediately went back to the day I tried buying her clothes and I let out a shudder.

I should have just gone to the thrift sho...

Are you crazy?! Hell no!!! We do not do second hand clothing!!!

I let out a groan, I could already feel a headache coming up.

"Are you even listening to me?" Najma huffed, anger lacing her voice.

"Sorry, yeah, clothes. We'll get her more clothes" I replied glancing over at them as we stopped at a red light.

"Good, I'll make a list then" she said pulling out her phone from her bag. My eyes drifted to the baby who was fast asleep.

How much sleep do you need?

My inner monotone was cut short when she opened her eyes, her gaze on me.

It was shocking, I mean for a child her age to have such an intense gaze. The more I stared into her eyes, the more it dredged up memories I would rather keep suppressed. I couldn't understand why she made me feel like this.

"ABBA!!!" Najma yelled just as the car behind me blared it's horn jolting me out of my thoughts.

"W..what's wrong?" I stuttered before noticing the lights were green.

I murmured an apology and continued driving. I could feel Najma's worried gaze on me, coupled with the baby's unnerving gaze.

Minutes later I couldn't take it anymore, I pulled into the parking lot of Southern Fried Chicken.

"Ab..."

"I need a minute" I choked out, pushing the car door open, not even bothering to close it, I walked into the restaurant.

"Welcome to Sou..."

I brushed past the security man and made my way straight to the toilet. Fortunately for me it was empty, I locked the door.

My harsh breathing filled the room, fingers shaking as I tried to control the rush of memories threatening to overpower me.

"Not now Abba!!! Come on Abba. Not now. Please, not now." I whispered to myself but I found my mind taking me back.

"Master Abdullah, I would like to have a word with you" Headmaster Charles said. I frowned wanting nothing more than to go home. Where could they be? They should have been here hours ago.

"Okay sir" I replied and followed him to his office which was at the East Wing of the school.

"I'm sorry to be the bearer of ill news Abubakar" I shifted in my seat when he said that. Headmaster Charles never called anyone by their first name. Last time he did... my eyes widened. "I'm sorry Abubakar, but your parents were involved in a car crash."

Knocking, incessant knocking brought me out of my memories. I staggered onto my feet and went over to the sink.

Red rimmed eyes stared back at me. I looked like shit. I sighed splashing water onto my face and drying it with a tissue.

My mind drifted to the baby.

I have to get that baby away from me.

With that cemented into my mind, I unlocked the door, coming face to face with an angry man who looked ready to pee his pants.

"Sorry" I muttered as he brushed past me, slamming the door shut.

I bought two bottles of water before walking back to the car. I could hear the baby crying as I neared the car. I got in

"Thank God you're here. I can't get her to stop crying. Please hold her." Najma said leaning over with the baby.

I kept my gaze on the steering wheel, my hands tightening on the leather.

"Abba!!! Seriously. She's been crying since you left. Just hold her!"

I ignored her and focused on my breathing.

In... out... In... out. That's it Abba, let it all go, tune the baby out...

She sounds so helpless, just like you did in your principal's...

No!!! Tune her ou...

Just like how everyone tuned you out? Are you really going to do that to her too?

"STOP!!!" I shouted "Just fucking stop" I whispered.  The car went quiet.

"Abba, are you okay?" Najma asked placing her hand on my arm.

"I... I can't" I whispered shaking my head.

"It's okay. We don't have to. We can just go home. I'll go by myself."

I shook my head.

"N..no. I... I'll. No. Let's just get this over with." I murmured willing the tears back.

I pushed the ignition button and the rest of the journey was spent in silence. We arrived at the cream coloured building.

"Well..." I started

"You don't have to go in. I'll just check..."

"Don't worry. Let's just go" I cut her off switching off the ignition and getting out. She followed and we walked to the gate which was ajar.

So much for security.

The compound was covered with artificial grass, I wrinkled my nose at the smell coming from the trash cans which were overflowing with dirt.

Najma knocked on the front door and I took the time to look around.

"Is that meant to be a playground?" I whispered pointing to some contraptions that shouldn't be anywhere near children.

Najma shrugged turning her attention to the door just as it opened to reveal an old woman.

"Good morning. My name is Najma, we talked on the phone." The woman eyed Najma and I, probably assessing our clothing.

I noticed her eyes narrow as she looked past us, turning to see what she was glaring at.

We should have taken a taxi.

She sniffed in disdain before moving aside for us.

"Welcome to Golden Heart Home for the Less Privileged" she said as we stepped in. I frowned at the water damage that marred the wall. Even through the fresh coat of paint, you could see how bad it was.

There's nothing golden about this place, lady.

Najma and I shared a look as the woman led us further into the house. I almost gagged at the putrid smell coming from one of the toilets.

"Oh hell no"

Najma shot me a look as the woman spun around, her left eye twitching in anger.

Shit!!! I said that out loud didn't I?

"What my cousin meant is..." Najma trailed off shooting me a help-me-out-here look.

"It's just... don't you think... I mean the toilet. The smell... it's harmful for the children" I explained shoving my hands into my pockets.

"What do you expect me to do? The Government doesn't offer us any funds and you rich people aren't exactly generous. Infact you all are selfish!!! Just look, you want to dump your burden with me!!!"

"W..we do..." Najma whispered.

"She is NOT a burden! Do you think she wanted to be in the situation she currently is? Don't you think she wants to be home with her parents? You have no right to call her a problem. You ought to be ashamed of yourself, and why wait for the government and the rich to help. Fucking get up and help yourself and the children!!!" I shouted glaring at the woman.

I could feel Najma's gaze on me but I kept my eyes firmly on the woman.

"You have over stayed your welcome. Leave, now" she stated glaring back at me.

"Gladly" I retorted, turning to Najma who was still gaping at me.

"Let's get out of this dump" I said gently leading her to the front door. We got into the car, the ride back home was in silence, I was lost in my thoughts. Confused at my actions.

Why was I so angry at the words of the woman?

I pressed the horn and the security man let us in. I parked the car in front of Najma's house.

Najma got out with the baby and I helped her unlock the door before following her to the kitchen.

"Well that was shitty" I muttered leaning against the counter.

"Tell me about it, I can't believe an orphanage like that is still running." She replied setting the baby on a chair and placing a bowl of chopped apples and carrots in front of her.

"I don't even want to think about it" I whispered glancing at the baby.

I should have just left he...

I shut the voice down. Najma brought out a pot from the cupboard, filling it with water.

"What can I help with?" I asked pushing all the nasty thoughts far away from my mind.

"Well, I am dying for your pasta sauce, so why don't I make the pasta and you make your sauce?" Najma asked sheepishly.

I laughed, rolling up the sleeves of my kaftan before washing my hands. We worked together in sync while the baby ate her fruits and veggies.

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

"Honey, I'm hooome!!!" Khalifa's voice filtered into the kitchen.

Great... he's home.

"Be nice please" Najma pleaded squeezing my hand.

"Fine, but he started it last time" I muttered. She sighed as he walked into the kitchexn.

He immediately shot me a look as Najma approaching him.

"Welcome back babe" He smiled at her, wrapping an arm around her waist leaning to place a quick kiss on her lips before turning his attention to me.

"What are you doing here?" He asked tossing his jacket to the side.

None of your business

I wanted to say but glanced at Najma who subtly shook her head.

"I came to see Najma" I sighed leaning against the wall.

He frowned staring at me. "Since when do you car... who's the kid?" He asked staring at the baby before he shot me a look.

"No, I didn't impregnate anybody."  I stated dryly.

"Then whose baby is that?" He asked.

"Abba found her on the street and decided to take her home" Najma explained.

I had to bite my lip to stop the laugh from escaping, Khalifa looked like he was about to have an anyresum.

"So what you are telling me is, you found a child walking down the streets and you decided it will be a good idea to take her home?  Are you back on drugs?" he sputtered glaring at me.

Najma stomped over to the baby and picked her up before approaching Khalifa.

"Does this girl look like she could do any harm to us? If Abba hadn't taken her home with him that evening, she would have died. He saved her. Now stop being such an ass" She snapped.

Khalifa sighed "Fine, I understand why you did it, I'd do the same if I was in your shoes too."

I ignored him and concentrated on the sauce I was making.

"But have you guys tried contacting her parents?" He asked sitting down.

"She's not talking but we filed a police report." Najma explained setting the baby down.

"The sauce is ready" I announced turning the gas off.

Khalifa volunteered to set the table and we sat down eating as Najma cut the pasta into smaller pieces for the baby.

"So, what's her name?" He asked.

"We don't know." I replied.

"What have you guys been calling her then?"

"Baby" Najma answered, Khalifa rolled his eyes.

"I think we should name her"

"What if we get attached and her birth parents come to get her. It will be harder to let her go." Najma explained.

"Well we can't keep calling her baby, I'm certainly not calling her baby. What about Kande?" He suggested.

"Over my dead body" I answered glaring at him. "Name your child Kande when you guys have one"

I watched Khalifa make a face at me. "Binta? Rahma? Adama? Nasreen? " he listed out.

"Will you quit listing names out of the blues" Najma asked hitting his hand. He grinned at her.

"What about Amina?" I asked cutting into the barbequed chicken. The whole table went quiet.

I looked up, brows furrowed at the expression on their faces.

"What? Did I say something?" I inquired. I felt uncomfortable under their stare.

It's just a name for God's sake.

"Nothing. It's a beautiful name"  Najma whispered back smiling at me.

"Yeah... She's going to need a nickname then. What about Yasmin?" Khalifa asked.

"Are my ears deceiving me or did Khalifa Barde just make a sensible input to this discussions?!" Najma said in mock horror.

I laughed.

"Seems he did"

"You two are immature. I think Yasmin and I are the only reasonable people here." He muttered glaring at both of us.

"Have you told Hajiya?"

I choked on my food,  coughing and drinking water to help the food down. I had totally forgotten about Hajiya.

Damn

"I take that as a no"

"I forgot... with everything happening recently..." I trailed off. I couldn't even remember the last time I went to see her. I was that much of a shitty grandson.

"It's not too late, we can go see her tomorrow. I was planning on going over when I got back" Khalifa said.

I nodded and after clearing and washing the dishes, Najma decided to give Yasmin a bath and get her to sleep.

Khalifa was on a call with his mother so I decided to retire to the guest room. I got ready for bed.

Hopefully tomorrow goes smoothly.

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

Hello Everyone.

Sorry for the long wait.

Last month was a really tough one for me but Alhamdulillah I scaled through!!!

So here is the long awaited update of Saving Abba.

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