CHAPTER LIII

" Alhaji Ringim, you know we've passed all this friend of a thing. We are now family. So tell me the truth, what did you do to sadiq? " Alhaji dabo asked

The said man heaved a sigh " there is no point in hiding anything. I cheated that boy, I really did"

This got Alhaji dabo confused " how do you mean?"

" All that I did, I thought I was doing the right thing. I thought I was saving sadiq from the bad people. It pains me so badly that my sadiq doesn't even have any ounce of pity for me. It so painful " he shook his head in pain.

" Will you please try elaborating?" alhaji dabo asked the man sitting in front of him.

" I have kept this hidden for so long. I've never told anyone about it but I think it's high time I let the truth out of the bag. "

" OK, go ahead"

" Some years back. I had this argument with sadiq over the same thing we normally argued about " he started

" and what is that thing you two always argued about? "

" His mother, fatimatu."

" OK. Go ahead "

" Maimuna isn't as supportive as you think. Even after fatimatu died she has never once shown sadiq any sigh of love. She had hated that boy with passion . If you ask me why? I really don't know either. She is just filled with so much hatred just like her son. " his mind went back to this particular day.

" on a faithful day, I came home from work. As I entered,I met no one in the sitting room. I checked the kitchen whether maimuna might be there  but she wasn't. I went upstairs to my room and on reaching there, I heard hush sound coming out from Maimuna's room. I moved closer to listen clearly and to my utmost shock I heard Maimuna telling the person on the phone to do a particular job clearly. She said 'make sure you finish that stupid boy off. I want him off this earth'. I couldn't enter to confront her , I was so scared cos I know she was talking about sadiq."

" I was so confused and scared. I quickly walk into my room before she knows about my presence.  I thought of ways to solve the issue , ways to make maimuna change her mind about what she was about to do. Then I came with an idea of pretending to hate my sadiq. My pretense became so strong from there. Already sadiq and I had a clash before then, so it makes everything even more believable. "

" Even Maimuna herself was surprised of my change of attitude towards sadiq. She never expected me to be harsh on him. She knew how I love that boy so dearly but she never complained , Infact she even supported me. The house became so unbearable for that boy. I still remember the look in his eye the day he confronted me about leaving the house forever. My heart aches to call him back but I couldn't, I needed to stand on my promise. I let him leave " he broke down in tears " I let my boy leave home without any money or help. It pains me so much for him but I had to do it for his safety"

Alhaji dabo pitied him " But you should have done something about her. How did you even manage to leave with such a woman? "

" I really don't know wallahi. It surprises me too "

" But as a father you should have helped sadiq in some ways. Maybe through people " Alhaji dabo pointed out.

" I tried, I really tried but it wasn't enough. Maimuna always finds out one way or another. The only help I knew I was successful in doing is buying his and his friend's ticket. "

" you mean the ticket which they use to travel out of the country? How did it happened? " he was surprised

" When the scholarship advert started I went up to the branch to get it and surprisingly I met your wife yasira who was also there to buy the form too. I begged her to please allow me to pay for everything, she didn't want to agree with my request at first but with so much pleading she allowed it. I also told her not to tell anyone about it. It a secret which she and I alone knew about"

" wow! She never mentioned anything like that to even me !"

" Yasirah is a wonderful lady. She might be young but she think like the old. " Alhaji ringim said in amazement .

" So how do I come in? How am I of help here?" asked alhaji dabi.

" Good. I want you to please help me talk to sadiq. Try making him see reasons. You're the only one I know sadiq would listen to because you're his aunt's husband"

" hmm, I will try my best. But why don't you want to tell him about all this things you just told me ?"

" I don't want him to just forgive me just because of that, I want him to forgive me wholeheartedly . I know I started all this problems and I need to also end it "

Alhaji dabo nodded " OK, I will try my best"

" please do "

" What will you do with Maimuna now? "

" It's high time I confront her about all her atrocious act. She needs to repent "

***

ONE MONTH LATER

" awww, I really love this dress. The fashion designer really did a good job" badiyya said as she check herself through the mirror "

The fashion designer brought all the bride maid's clothes today and to say the cloth were beautiful is an understatement,the clothes is so magnificent. They really loved it. They three friends are gathered inside Sakeena's bedroom . Some of the bride maids have already come to take their clothes some hours ago.

" she hasn't brought mine. This one that all yours is beautiful then how would mine be? " Sakeena pouts

Rahama chuckles softly "  Don't worry, yours will be the most beautiful one out of all or have you forgotten that you're the bride? "

" yes o, bride to be insha Allah " badiyya said playfully

Sakeena giggles" you two are just something else. Don't worry yourself wedding is also coming very soon. "

" My dear we aren't worrying, when the right time comes we will be ready by then " badiyya told her.

" Alright, I have heard you." she chuckles " Rahama, I haven't heard you saying anything about your namesake for a while now. I can see she isn't causing any trouble "

" which kind she isn't causing trouble. As we speak right now she is with sadiq "

Badiyya gasps " why is she with him ?and you're not even doing anything ?"

" I don't want to be a nagging girlfriend and right now my mind isn't settled at all. I'm so dying inside to know where they are ,what they are doing " she heaved a sigh " I'm dying of jealousy"

" Then why did you allow sadiq to go out with her then? And what is the outing even about self?"

" It isn't an outing .He only escorted her to  this particular place she had been meaning to go. Do you know what the stupid girl did? " rahama asked in distaste

" what did she do? "

" She had to tell her brother to beg Sadiq to take her out and you know sadiq with his respect for their family? Although he asked me first and I have no choice but to allow him go "

"Eyya" said Sakeena pitifully

" I've got an idea" badiyya said all of a sudden

" and what is that?"

" let's go spy on them. Your mind will be at rest if you see them right ?"

Rahama nodded " yes"

" hey, you two should better stop all this spy of a thing. Look rahama, don't you know that if sadiq comes to find out about this, he would feel bad thinking you don't trust him enough "

" Kai sakeena, I wonder why you're beginning to sound like our mother. The old Sakeena I knew always support in this kind of things. I think this marriage of a thing make people more wiser " badiyya wiggled her brows.

" at least someone amongst us needs to be wise enough to stop you two from doing something wrong. "

Rahama who was feeling bad earlier giggled " you sound so motherly wallahi ."

" you guys should please allow me dan Allah"

" toh rahama , will you do as I said or will you do what sakeena said? "

" isn't it obvious, I'm going with sakeena. " she smiled" wouldn't risk seeing the disapproving look in sadiq's eyes"

" OK o." badiyya shrugged " But I have a request to ask? "

" what's that?" rahama asked

" erm ,you remember I told you that I want to get something yesterday from that supermarket I once told you about? "

" yes I remember. I thought you went there already "

" No I haven't. That is why I need you to please escort me "

" Why me? Why not sakeena?. I'm not feeling to go out today" Rahama said

" Haba rahama, you know sakeena will not go. You know  her tradition about not going out when it get to just four weeks to her wedding and you're my only option fa"

Sakeena glared at Badiyya. She knew what that girl was planning " why must you go to the suppermarket now. Leave it till tomorrow "

" Ke, Wai what is your own now?. I didn't call your name " badiyya rolled her eyes

" OK calm down girls. No need to fight over this. Toh, hajiya badiyya get up let me escort you before I change my mind "

She smile widely at her " OK, let's go. Aunty Amarya see you tomorrow " she winked

Sakeena could only warn her with her eyes not to do what she is about to do.

Rahama who isn't aware of the exchange was already moving towards the door

" don't worry. I don't trust that American girl" badiyya whispered to Sakeena

" Don't  go too far with your spying" Sakeena whispered back

Rahama turned around when she sees that badiyya isn't following " do you want me to change my mind? "

Badiyya cleared her throat and smile " please don't . Come-on let's go"

***

American rahama tried holding sadiq's hand as she has been trying to do since they got here .

" stop it rahama, please "

" I was only trying to hold you hand! "

" just stop it! I have a girlfriend already"

She frowned " I hate it when you say that. Don't you know that it hurts alot hearing you say that? "

" are we now going back to the same topic?I thought we've buried that month ago? "

" why are you treating me like this, sadiq. Look at me, am I not good enough for you? What is it about that girl that you can't get  from me? " she sound desperate for his love .

" Don't do this right now rahama. We're in a public place "

" I don't care!" she raised her voice " I don't care whether we are in a public place, all I care about is you. Can't you see that? "

He blew out a breath " you're becoming so unbearable. I'm tired of this back and forth of yours. This should be the last time you ever come to me and I don't give a damn about what you tell your parent. If you like cook up any lie about me to them but I won't take this attitude from you again. I'm sure you know your way home. " with that been said he walked out of her front  leaving her totally speechless to the core.

***

Rahama got home feeling so happy and calmed. She stroll downstairs to help aunty yasira in the kitchen, something she never likes doing.

" what do you want me to help you with? " she asked aunty yasira who still hasn't come off the shock of seeing rahama in the kitchen.

" you said what? "

" I wanna help. Where are the vegetables let me cut" she scan the kitchen looking for the vegetables

Yasira cock a brow " Madam don't come here and scattered the kitchen for me fa. This one that you're very happy "

" Aunty you won't understand. Please let me help " she pouted while doing the puppy eyes look

" fine. Just grate those tomatoes over there that is if you know how to use the grater. "

Rahama put her hands on her waist " of course I know how to use the grater!"

" oya go please. Don't disturb me here"

" wallahi aun__

She was cutoff by the loud ringing of her phone. She smiled.Already, she knew who might be calling. She went out to the sitting room to get the phone.

" hey, handsome "

"  Handsome?really?" he joked

" hey" she whined " don't I have the right to use that for my boyfriend? "

" hmm, I really don't like that name "

" what name? boyfriend Or handsome? "

" Boyfriend. I'd prefer if you call me your fiance . That sound more heart warming" he smile ,knowing she wouldn't see him.

" eh, is my boyfriend getting too cheesy today? "

" hey, I won't call that cheesiness. Am only stating the fact. You're my bride to be inshaa Allah"

She blushed deeply " well ,how was your day today? " she changed the topic

" Hm, I see you're trying to escape the topic. Anyways ,my day isn't good at all "

" why? what happened? "

" remember I told you I was going to escort rahama to the museum "

" yes I do "

" well after I took her there, she begged me to also take her to a supermarket insisting she want to get somethings"

" did you? "

" yes love, I did. I wanted calling to tell you but I thought you might be too busy at the office "

" I understand. Just go ahead with your story"

" She started her childishness at the supermarket again . You already know how she behaves, I don't need to get into details"

She smile proud of him. She knew he would still tell her about it. When she escorted badiyya to the supermarket, it was so unfortunate that they had to came across sadiq and American rahama.

At first rahama was angry and jealous of seeing them there coz he told her he was going to take American Rahama to the museum not a supermarket. She had wanted going over to confront him but badiyya stopped her before she could go ahead with it. They decided to just eavesdrop on their conversation. They heard everything that was said and her heart swelled when Sadiq defended her.

" I love you alot sadiq "

" I love you too rahama. But I don't get why you're emotional all of a sudden?. Did something happened? "

She shook her head. She remembers that he can't see her " I'm very OK. I just feel like saying it over and over again to you "

" look who is getting squishy right now" he chuckles " but I love you like that anyways"

She giggles " you're something else wallahi "

" so how is aunty yasira and the twins?. I hope  they aren't stressing you?"

" Nope they aren't. Infact I was in the kitchen before you called .

" look who is talking. Just don't burn down the house fa? "

She gasped pretending to be shocked " so you've got zero faith in my cooking skill? I'm totally disappointed in you"

" Nooooo, ya Allah. I didn't mean it that way. I was only joking. Please don't be mad at me "

She bites on her lips to stop the giggles that was trying to escape " you're forgiven "

" Thank God. Here I thought I have to bring some ice-cream to make you happy "

" That offer kind of sound enticing though but no need"

He laughed " I'll be the first thing you'll see tomorrow promise "

" let me see you try then "

" you don't believe me? "

" of course I do"

" Great. Don't dream too much about me "

" I should be the one saying that "

" I have alot to tell you tomorrow, rahama "

" and I can't wait to hear all of them. Goodnight, babe"

" Goodnight"

***

Hope you like?

We've got nine chapters to go. A new book is on the way  guys. Who is so excited about it? 😃💙💙💙❤❤❤❤💕💕

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