•Bilal

"What do you mean by you can't find Layla and Bushra?" I yelled, perplexed.

"I don't know what happened." Rukayyah whimpered.

"How do you not know what happened?! You're their mother!"

"The driver dropped them off at school and returned as usual to take me to work then all of a sudden their teachers each send individual messages telling me to come and take my children that some rebels have raided the school and have already killed some teachers."

"I don't understand."

"The bandits have kidnapped them!" She cries.

"I'll get on the next flight there and I'll come to take you all. I'll involve the Nigerian embassy and see how they'll help us."

"Thank you for everything."

"There's nothing I wouldn't do for you or my kids."

"When will you get here?"

"As soon as I can."

"Please get here as soon as possible. I'm scared. My parents are nowhere to be found and I'm alone...." She pauses, "The driver is gone!"

"Where are you now?"

She remains silent.

"Where are you Bilan?"

"That's not important now. Just try and get to us with help."

"I will not repeat myself again. Where are you?"

"I'm at...."

"Why?!"

Her silence already made it clear that she was indeed with Tadalesh.

"He has enough power to protect me before you get here."

"I don't care what he can do for you. Leave that place now!"

"But I can't. I can die out there."

"I don't care! Get away from him if you still want to be married by tomorrow."

I hear a voice in the background asking her if she's alright and I know it's him even if she doesn't answer.

I refuse to hang up, waiting for her to give an answer.

"Ok, I'll leave!"

I hang up, breathing rapidly not realizing when droplets of tears start to stain my blue Kaftan and the affected spots are warm.

I wipe my eyes and get on my laptop to book a flight to get all my children out of that country. If she decided to stay with him I'd be fine with it. At this point, I knew I was lying to myself but I was too angry to care.

How dare she go back to the same man that almost caused us to get a divorce? Now I'm convinced a part of her still loves him.

When she didn't reply that night I knew I was in trouble but for the sake of our love I forgave her, gave her the benefit of doubt to make myself feel better after all the assurance she gave me.

When men now come up to say women are evil they'd be reprimanded and accused of misogyny.

It was late in the night but I couldn't care less. I'd already texted Baba Imran to inform him of my departure the following morning. Kauthar was asleep so I wasn't bothered about leaving her all alone.

I rose up from my bed and snatched the keys from the dresser beside my bed. The dresser that was once covered with perfume that was owned by a woman that stole my heart, poked holes in them and was still showing me that she was trying to heal it.

What sense did that make? I wanted to leave her so much but my heart wouldn't let me do as much as utter the words of divorce unless provoked like today and this was the second time.

What was wrong with me?

I slammed the door of my room and made my way to Kauthar's room. The door was left ajar when I tried to bend the door handle so I was a bit apprehensive entering the room.

I picked up her blanket that was thrown to the floor and covered her with it before doing a dua of protection for her.

Soon I exited the room and went downstairs. I checked the kitchen and living room to see if there was anything out of place before leaving to my car.

The security guard opened the gates and I drove out to the empty street of the dead night.  I looked around as I drove and nothing could be seen except the road ahead which my headlights put light upon.

I drove angrily—in my feelings—almost driving over an old man on the road. He jumped to the side of the road just in time. By the time I came out to check up on him, he was gone.

I was confused because he was just there a minute ago. What a weird night, I thought before getting into my car and driving off.

I reached Baba Imran's house in less than fifteen minutes and the security guard opened it immediately he heard the horn of my car.

Baba Imran was already waiting outside once I came in. He was sipping from a mug and reading a magazine.

Now that was the peaceful life I wanted in my old age.

I pressed the remote control of the car and locked the doors of the car. Behind me, I catch the face of the old man I almost hit on my way here.

It's the security guard trying to close the gates. He sees me staring and smiles. I look at Baba Imran's smiling figure and look behind me again and I see a different face.

It prompts me to walk faster to join Baba Imran.

"I'm considering leaving her."

"Why?"

"She doesn't respect me."

"Be patient son."

"This isn't the first time."

"She has been doing the same thing for years. I forgave her after catching her and now she's doing it again."

"What do you mean?"

"I saw her phone."

"Do you not trust her enough to be checking her phone?"

"No, her phone kept buzzing when she went to bring me food."

"She can't find Layla and Yusra, she's also with this man. That he's protecting her. I think he's just taking advantage of a naive woman."

"What do you plan on doing now?"

"I'm going back to Somalia tomorrow and I'm going to involve the Nigerian embassy there. I've already emailed them with their address and the school they were taken from. I'll be waiting for a reply."

"Ok, son. Just be careful."

****

The next morning...

"Kauthar you'll be staying with grandpa for a few days until I'm back. Just call me if you need anything, ok?"

"Ok daddy but where are you going?"

"To bring Layla and Bushra home."

"Really?!"

"Really."

"How about mummy?"

"She doesn't want to come back."

"Your daddy is just joking!" Baba Imran laughed nervously.

"Maybe." I countered.

"Don't be irrational, son."

"You don't know her as well as I do that's why."

"I'm sure I don't. Just make sure you bring her  back and try to sort things out here."

"I don't think that's happening. But for your sake I'll try."

"That's my boy!"

"Goodbye Baba. I'll call you once I reach there."

"May Allah be with you son."
_________________________

How was that?

~Aisha SafiyanuXO💚