Chapter 47

Mansir came downstairs to join the rest on the dinning table. He look over disheveled for his own good and that didn't go unnoticed by his parents, and even his sister badiyya. They've never seen him look worse as this for a control freak like him. He spent most of his night hourscalling and messaging rahama who in turn wasn't picking upor even replying any of his messages.

He greeted both his parent and avoid all their curious faces.

" I hope all is well? " asked his mother in concern as he drag a seat to sit on.

He knew even if his father doesn't ask him what the problem was, his mother would never let it slide . He responded with a nod " All is well, mama"

" but your face and everything about you looks sluggish dear"

" please just let it slide. It's just an ordinary headache " he exhale slowly

" OK then , if you say so" she shrugged.

All these while ,Alhaji Ringim wasn't even fazed with their conversation.

Badiyya had a hint that it has alot to do with a particular lady. Yesterday when she made her way to her room, she heard him screaming at the maid and whenever he behaves like that, it's either he is deprived of something.

He always wants to be in charge, she snort. In charge indeed.

" BADIYYA!"

She immediately came off her thoughts at the shout of her name.

" yes?" she answered irritably to her mother.

" I don't even know what you're thinking about. I just asked you a question " scolded her mother

" what did you asked? "

" I will be out today to a friend's house and I will like you to escort me."

" who is this friend?" she asked praying and hoping it not her annoying crew of friends who loves scolding her to get married. As if I I'm old. I'm just 22 years old for crying out loud. They never stops trying to set her up with one of their sons. Its so annoying when they do that.

Hajiya maimuna smile broadly " it's an old friend of mine. We met at the supermarket yesterday and I promise to pay her a visit today and you see, I don't want to go alone since its my first time of visiting "

" you've never mentioned any of this to me, Maimuna " alhaji ringim said

She held his hand comfortably " I planned on telling you dear but you were already asleep when I came up to sleep, yesterday.

".

He knew he can't win this conversation with her so he let it slide. He is too lenient on her. Its as if she uses black magic on him. Baddiya shook her head.

" so,who is she?" he asked

" Do you remember the Modibo group Associate . That is the 5th best company in this state? " she asked waiting for him to grab who she was talking about.

Alhaji Ringim tried remembering that name and it click to him " oh yes, are you talking about Aminu Modibo ?"

She click her finger " bingo, the same one. His wife Gimbiya and I graduated from the same secondary school "

Mansir snort from where he was sat. His mom is someone who always get overly excited when she meets a friend that is in her standards. She doesn't go for friends below her as she consider them as trash. Moreover ,the Gimbiya she was talking about is his best friend's mother, Sagir. Sagir isn't that close with Mansir's family same as Mansir isn't close with sagir's family .The two only meet up when they have some outing and that's it.

Badiyya could only roll her eyes at her mom's enthusiastic self

" oh wow, that's good." Alhaji Ringim said and let the matter rest.

They continue their breakfast quietly.

As Badiyya concentrated on her food, she remembers that she had somewhere to be by 2 o'clock. She really needs to see sadiq off , her beloved brother.

" ermm mom? "

" yes? "

" what time are we going to your friends house? "

" around that 3 o'clock. Why? "

She fake smile " it nothing I wanted knowing. But would we take long? "

Her questioning is beginning to seem suspicious to Mansir. He wonders why all the questions. Its as if she has an important placeto be .

" hm ,we wouldn't take that long . It'll be a 1 hour visit or so. "+

" ok" she smiled secretly, happy that she can still see Sadiq off.

The smile did not go unnoticed by Mansir " why the questions? Do you have somewhere to be? " he asked suspiciously

She scoff " why? Can't I asked questions again? " what's his business.

" Watch your mouth young lady, don't forget you're talking to your brother " her mom scolded. Hajiya maimuna has always preferred Mansir over her.+

Badiyya expected her dad to say something but he sat put in his seat as if he isn't aware of what was happening. She planned on living the table for them but was stopped by her mother.

" if you try getting up off that seat, I will beat you black and blue"1

She pouted and abade to her.

***

Sakeena couldn't wait for the day to brighten. She went into the bathroom, did her business and finally came out fully bath. She scavenge her wardrobe preparing the best casual clothes she was going to wear. She sigh. She so was going to miss Jafar but had nothing to do about it other than to support him.

She already told her parent about her free day at work today with the excuse of visiting a long time friend to which they permit her. Her brother Sagir wouldn't stop giving her the look which says ' I know you're lying '.She tried all her possible best to avoid his suspicious look. She put on her best dress and stroll downstairs. She has already had her breakfast.

She met her parent both sitting in the love chair watching the morning news in each other's arms. She smile admirably at them.She wish that could be Jafar and her some day In shaa Allah.

Sakeena cleared throat which brought her parents attention to Her. Her mom was the first to shot her a toothy smile then follows by her dad who just gave her a small smile.

" you're all set for your friend's place? "

" yes Mom. "

" and may I know the name of this friend of yours again" asked her dad

Her heart accelerated a bit " ermm fatima"

" but dear I haven't heard of any of your friends who bears that name" her mom asked confused

" oh, you don't know her mom. It a friend of mine back then at the UK so she came down here to Nigeria to spend some holiday with her aunt. I promise to show her around kaduna"

" oh really "

" yes mom" she smiles hoping that they believes her lies.

" OK then,But don't take too long. A friend of mine is coming over to visit and I will like her to meet you personally. "

" I will try my best to be on time, mom "

She move forward to kiss their foreheads each " see you soon " she said as she made her way out.

" your daughter is acting suspicious " alhaji Aminu Modibo said thoughtfully

His wife give him the look that says ' allow her."

" just let her be. We will still find out soon enough. After all ,she has never been so happy like this, all she loves doing is work and work all the time. Let her have today"

He sighed " OK, I've heard you"

" Good"

" and who is this friend of yours that is coming over? "

" oh, it's my best friend in secondary school. Yesterday when I went out shopping, we met at a supermarket and couldn't help but invite her over. The fun part is that she is bringing her daughter over and I pray Sagirwill be interested in her "

" you mothers with your way of match making " he snorts

" hey, I have to do it if not that boy wouldn't go out to bring in a wife for me. All he is after is having fun as if he isn't grown enough to bring home a wife"

He raised his hands in surrender " I've heard. "

She playfully glares at him " so you're referring to me as a talkative,ko?"

" Haba, why would you say that? I was only agreeing with what you just said " He said with a scoff

" atlease, you don't need to raise your hands in surrender! Its makes me look like a nagging mother" she pouted.

He couldn't believe this woman. One minute she is all happy and the next she is something else. Women and their wahala!

"OK sorry. I'm so sorry love " he move closer to pull her in for a hug

" hey" she whined

" am I forgiven ?"

" hm yes" he held her tightly and they both ended up chuckling like some new wedded couple

From afar Sagir watches as his parent's love ten fold each passing day. It amazes him how they keep their love growing . He wish he had something like their's. All the ladies he had been with were only after his money. The only lady he seems not to be able to get out of his mind was Badiyya.1

That name which he can never forget. Since the day he first met her at a restaurant months ago ,he had prayed to see her again but luck wasn't on his side. He hasn't seen a glimpse of her ever since then. He even tried visiting the restaurant frequently hoping to see her, it was still to no avail. She was so beautiful and angelic. He sighed and head back to his room.

***

The room was now left with a bed and their single couch. They've gifted out most of their things as they will be vacating the room. All little things they needed is already well packed in their boxes.

" are you sure you've packed all your things? " asked aunty yasira for the tenth time today

" of course we have" Jafar answered while sadiq roll his eyes

" Good"

Aunty yasira, Badiyya and Sakeena were all around to help them prepare. The two young ladies hit it up nicely and wouldn't stop talking about their experiences in UK . Although they didn't attend the same school but they still had so many thing to share. Like the food and so on.

After a long time of preparing, the time was finally 12:30pm. Aunty yasirah volunteer to take the guys to the airport in her car while the girls will follow them in each of their cars.

The car ride was quiet, all deep in their thoughts . The feeling of going to a foreign country feel surreal to them. They knew they will face alot of hardship before they gets to adapt to alot if things there. They will thrive to live and will never give up. This is a promise they made.

Thirty minutes later ,they landed at the kaduna airport where their plane for Aminu Kano airport will be boarded. They all came down of the car .

" I know this isn't a goodbye but a see you soon. Please ,when you get to Aminu kano airport which will be your flight to leave for UK ,don't hesitate to call me before boarding. Always remember your mission, don't ever give up" aunty yasira guided

" thank you so much aunty yasira for all the help, we really appreciate it " Jafar said thankfully

" you're gonna make me cry now. Don't be silly you two, you're my two little siblings and I won't stop till I see you two achieve your dreams. " she wipe her tears " Alhaji and the twin also wish you two a safe trip"

" thank you, aunty yasira " said sadiq. He wanted asking her about a particular someone but decided against it.

" I'll miss you two"

They both gathered her in a group hug " I love you so much aunty yasirah and we won't stop till we make you proud "