Chapter 6

The buzzing of my phone pulled me from sleep. I stirred reaching for the phone about to switch it to Airplane mode when I realised it was the Prayer App.

I got out of bed padding over to the toilet. I performed the ablution, I could hear the faint call to prayer but stood there looking at my reflection in the mirror.

My mind miles away, I didn't understand why I was so protective of her. I was so keen on getting her far away from me but when the opportunity came I didn't.

You couldn't possibly let her stay in that filth infested place with Count Olaf's wife to take care of them.

But there are other orphanages out the...

No. I wasn't going to think about this. Not now. I made my  way out of the toilet and performed my prayers. After prayers, I ent back to bed immediately, trying to mentally prepare myself for my imminent death with Hajiya.

You've had quite a good life Abba, too bad Hajiya is going to kill you in a few hours.

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I uttered a small prayer of protection as the electric gates opened. This was it. There was no going back. We were currently at Hajiya's residence.

Khalifa parked the car and we got out. Yasmin was in my arms, she looked around before laying her head on my chest.

Najma rang the bell and a maid opened the door.

"Welcome" she greeted standing aside for us to walk in. We sat down in the living room, I looked around thinking to the last time I was here.

"Dude, your leg has been jumping since you sat down. Are you that nervous?" Khalifa asked amused.

"We're talking about Hajiya here, that woman could inflict grevious bodily harm on me and no one would do anything about it." I retorted.

My body froze when I heard her voice asking one of her maids for something.

Please let her be in a good mood. Please let her be in a good mood.

I chanted over and over in my head as she appeared.

Hajiya was a slim stately dark skinned woman who did not look over 50. Most people get deceived by her small stature. But Hajiya Jiddah Barde, the matriarch of the Barde Clan was a force and not one you would want to anger.

Her eyes settled on Najma who stood up to hug her.

"Good Afternoon Hajiya" she greeted. "Good Afternoon Najma, it's so good to see you." She said patting her cheek affectionately.

"Hajiya" Khalifa greeted standing up. "Ah'an our pilot!!!" She exclaimed hugging him. "I have a jar of your favourite tuwon Madara" she smiled. I settled Yasmin on the couch before standing up.

"Good Afternoon Hajiya" I greeted, there was a long awkward silence as she regarded me with a look.

"The prodigal grandson has returned." She stated. "What are you doing here?"

I tried to talk but I had nothing to say. "I'm sorry"

She harrumphed sitting down. "I've been hearing of your exploits around town. I called you several times but you never answered. So I decided to let you live your life how ever you wanted. Duniyar ya Isa kowa riga da wando."

I couldn't take it anymore, I felt like an errant school boy caught with his hands inside a cookie jar, only her could make me feel so helpless. I walked over to where she was seated and knelt on the floor.

"Hajiya I'm really sorry, I haven't been the best or ideal grandson please forgive me." I pleaded my voice shaking.

"I am very disappointed in you Abubakar, I wish I could cut you off like a dead limb but you are still my blood, the only link I have to my late son and daughter-in-law. I pray for you, may your Soul find the right path."

She laid her hand on my head and I had to bite my lip to stop the shaking from the emotions that coursed through me. She stroked my hair. "You have your mother's hair" she said sadly. I looked up at her and noticed the unshed tears in her eyes.

"I'm so sorry Hajiya" I whispered hating how my chest twisted at the sight of her in tears. She nodded wiping her tears away before she looked over at Yasmin.

"Is she..."

"No, she's not. I found her near a.. a club. She was lost and looked like she hadn't eaten or had a bath in days. I couldn't leave her like that so I took her home with me. This happened on Friday" I explained only to look up at Hajiya and noticed the tears rolling down her cheeks.

I should have left the club part out. Now I've broken Hajiya.

"What's wrong Hajiya?" Najma asked alarmed.

"You're just like your father. He always was bringing home lost animals, a cat, a dog, even a bird. Your grandfather was always telling him to keep away from them but your father never listened. He had such a pure and generous heart." I watched as her eyes glazed over, she was lost in memories of the past. She shook her head wiping the tears away.

She let out a chuckle smiling at me. "He never bought home a baby, you did good."

If my heart could explode at that moment, it would have. I smiled back at her happy with her words.

"We're expecting the blood test results today, we've also made a police report and I talked to my friend working in a radio station to help us get the news out." Najma explained. Hajiya nodded.

"Have you considered the possibility that she might have no one?" She asked. We were all silent as we looked at each other.

"There are orphan..."

"Not an option... not after the one we visited yesterday" Najma said shuddering in disgust.

"Then what do you plan on doing?" Hajiya inquired.

"Let's cross that bridge when we get there" I murmured. Najma seemed to agree with me.

"But for now, I think she should stay with me, I me..."

"Abba, this is not a joke, she's a human being, she's not just something you can quit when you get tired." Khalifa cut in.

"No shit sherlock" I replied eyeing him.

Bug off you buzzkill.

"Abba, I think you should think about this. I mean it's a huge responsibility" Najma advised.

I shook my head. "I mean You're not even married. How the hell are you going to take care of her?" Khalifa added. "I'm not in support of this"

I regarded him with a look "I don't remember asking for your support. I am doing this with or without your support. I send her to an orphanage and she ends up being mistreated. Or she ends up being adopted by a horrible family. Would I be able to live with myself?"

"And since when have you cared about anyone other than yourself? It always has to be about y..."

"ENOUGH!!! If the two of you aren't going to talk about this like two grown adults then I will treat you like the immature kids you are."

I bit my tongue to stop the insult that was threatening to spew out. Hajiya was not someone you wanted to mess with. I was already on her bad side, I wasn't about to dig my grave any deeper.

"There is one solution." She said. "I'll allow this arrangement to take place if you agree to come back home. She can stay with me but you will have to be here."

Shit!!! Hell no!!! Just take me to prison or a boarding school, hell a boarding school will have more freedom than here.

"But Hajiya I am perfectly capable of taking care of her on my own" I protested.

"You know it's wrong for her to stay alone with you and we can't put such a responsibility on Khalifa and Najma, it won't be fair onto them. It's either you agree to my terms or she finds herself in an orphanage before the day ends."

Fuck

"Sure Hajiya, you're right" I sighed wanting nothing more than to go back in time and stop myself from picking her up.

"Hajiya I d..." Khalifa started But she shut him down with a look.

Ha!!! Serves you right!!!

"My decision is final. But take note Abba,  one mistake and I am sending her to an orphanage. You can live with the guilt"

"Thank you Hajiya" I whispered. She smiled before turning to the sleeping baby.

"Does she have a name?"

"She's not keen on speaking so we have no idea but I decided to name her Amina"

Hajiya smiled at me "That is a wonderful name. Amina. But you can't be calling your mother's name like that" she scolded.

Ohhhh... that explains the wierd looks Najma and Khalifa were giving me yesterday. Tch... it's just a freaking name

But why did I choose that name out of the million names on planet Earth?

"I know. Khalifa suggested a nickname. Yasmin"

Hajiya nodded in approval. "Najma why don't you take her to my room, she doesn't look comfortable. It won't be nice for her to wake up with a neck cramp."

Najma smiled and picked her up and left the room.

I let out the breath that I had been holding.

Well, that went much better than expected. At least I am still in one piece.

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Hello Everyone!!!

What do you guys think? Did you expect Hajiya to react?

Do you guys think Abba is going to love staying at Hajiya's place?

Let me know down in the comments

Please vote and share 💕💕

Oh and before I forget, Tuwon Madara is a Northern Nigeria delicacy made out of milk. I guess you can call it milk bars 😂