CHAPTER 34

The following day arrived swiftly, with Adekunle and Hafsat sharing a loving embrace in their bedroom. Hafsat couldn't help but express her happiness, saying, "I am so happy that we adopted them. I feel so happy. I just wish they could call me 'mom.'"

Adekunle, gazing at his wife with affection, hugged her tightly and reassured her, "Don't worry. Time will tell. Also, school resumes soon. According to what my brother said, Hamza is going to SS3, and Zara will be entering JSS1. I was thinking about which school they should attend to help them settle down quickly."

Hafsat, her eyes filled with concern, sat up and said, "Yes, that is true. But please choose a school where it will be easy for them to adapt." Her plea was heartfelt, reflecting her deep care for the well-being of Hamza and Zara.

Adekunle, ever the considerate father, replied, "Of course, I will ensure they won't face any difficulties. I want what's best for them." His reassurance brought a sense of relief to Hafsat.

As the sun rose, Hamza, as usual, woke up early, and after his morning routine, he heard Hafsat's voice calling him to breakfast. As he made his way to the dining table, he greeted the couple and waited for Zara, who joined them a few minutes later. They all enjoyed breakfast, and the couple took the opportunity to inform the siblings about their school decisions. Hamza and Zara nodded in agreement.

The couple had taken time off from their work responsibilities to ensure a smooth transition for their newly adopted children. Adekunle was a petroleum engineer employed by a Shell company, while Hafsat managed a mall as her personal business. It was clear that they were committed to providing a loving and supportive home.

After breakfast, they embarked on a journey to settle their school matters. The choice was made, and it was decided that Hamza would be in SS3 and Zara in JSS1, with school scheduled to resume next week. The siblings were excited about the prospect of new academic beginnings.

Hamza finally mustered the courage to speak to Adekunle. "Uncle, can I have a word with you?" he asked.

Adekunle, always attentive to Hamza's needs, inquired, "Yes, Hamza, what would you like to talk about?"

Nervously scratching his head, Hamza began, "Well, I actually wanted to talk to you about my music."

Adekunle, with a smile, responded, "Oh, yes. My brother told me about it. So, what happened?"

Hamza hesitated before he voiced his concerns, "I just wanted to ask if I could practice my music here. It's a quiet area, and I don't want to disturb the neighbors."

Adekunle looked at Hamza and chuckled, recognizing the reason behind his hesitation. "So, that's why you haven't touched the instruments in your room, eh?" he remarked.

Hamza, looking down at the floor, admitted, "Yes. I thought it might disturb others."

Adekunle put Hamza's worries to rest. "You don't need to worry about the noise. Our neighbors are understanding. You can practice your music freely," he said, tapping Hamza on the shoulder.

Satisfied with the response, Hamza was about to head to his room to explore the new instruments when Adekunle suggested, "Why don't you play something for us?

Hamza, appreciating the family's interest, replied, "I don't mind if you all want to listen."

Adekunle seized the opportunity, announcing to Hafsat and Zara, "Hamza wants to play something for us."

Hafsat, with a smile, couldn't contain her excitement. "This would be the first time I hear you sing, and I guess it would be a waste not to hear from a talented star like you."

Zara, who had heard that, added playfully, "My brother is already famous. The air hostess showed him a video on the internet of him singing."

Adekunle and Hafsat exchanged eager looks, curious to hear Hamza's singing firsthand. Hamza shared the story of how the air hostess had shown him a video of him playing when he was in the barracks on the flight.

Adekunle's pride in Hamza was evident as he said, "That's surprising to hear, but I am proud of you. You're already making a name for yourself in your own way."

With a grateful smile, Hamza replied, "Thank you, sir," before heading to his room, followed by the rest of the family. Once inside, he settled at his study desk, holding his guitar, and began to play, activating the melodic emotion within him.

Oh-oh

"If you ever find yourself stuck in the middle of the sea

I'll sail the world to find you

If you ever find yourself lost in the dark and you can't see

I'll be the light to guide you"

Hamza's fingers move nimbly across the strings of his guitar as he begins to His voice is clear and resonant, filling the room with its sound. As he sings, he gazes at his family members, seeing their faces light up with love and pride. He feels a deep sense of connection and belonging,

"We'll find out what we're made of

When we are called to help our friends in need"

Hamza made a slight pause here before singing the melodies and a smile could be seen on his face

"You can count on me like one, two, three

I'll be there

And I know when I need it, I can count on you like four, three, two

And you'll be there

'Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh, yeah

Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh

Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh, yeah, yeah"

Hamza's vocals were tested here as he made an effort to bring out and sing it how it was originally sung his guitar stuck in his hand as he strung. The words of the song fill his heart with gratitude and love. He continues to play, lost in the music and the feeling of togetherness.

"If you tossin' and you're turnin' and you just can't fall asleep

I'll sing a song beside you

And if you ever forget how much you really mean to me

Every day I will remind you, oh"

As Hamza sings, his voice becomes more impassioned, pouring his heart and soul into the lyrics. His family members listen intently, drawn in by the emotion and power of his voice. They sway to the music, their eyes fixed on Hamza as he performs.

"We'll find out what we're made of

When we are called to help our friends in need"

"You can count on me like one, two, three

I'll be there

And I know when I need it, I can count on you like four, three, two

And you'll be there"

Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh, yeah

Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh

Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh, yeah, yeah"

As the song builds to its climax, Hamza's voice soars, filling the room with a sense of hope and possibility. For a moment, it feels like anything is possible, and all what Hamza wish for was for the feelings of having a family grow stronger than ever.

"You'll always have my shoulder when you cry

I'll never let go, never say goodbye

You know"

As Hamza continued to sing, his voice filled with warmth and assurance. Each word he sang carried a promise, assuring his unwavering support. His eyes gleamed with sincerity, emphasizing the deep bond between them.

"You can count on me like one, two, three

I'll be there

And I know when I need it I can count on you like four, three, two

And you'll be there

'Cause that's what friends are supposed to do, oh, yeah

Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh

Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, ooh"

"You can count on me 'cause I can count on you"

Reaching here his voice got a little bit higher and he could feel a barer break, everything seemed to slow down, The four felt connection to each other and to Hamza in a way they've never felt before. They might feel like their bond is unbreakable,