Biba sighed and slouched her shoulder as she zipped her suitcase. She looked where Nini lay as she breathed softly in her sleep, some times going totally silent like she has stopped breathing altogether.

She wondered how someone who is already that old can get so much older. Whenever she had complained about how she doesn't want to go and leave Nini in her frail condition, the old woman has smiled and told her she shouldn't feel like that about her home because it is where she belonged.

She wondered what it feels like to truly belong somewhere. She feels that to belong in the true sense of the word will always elude her.

As a child, whenever she threw tantrums about not having something, Nini forced her to sit in a corner and count all her blessings. When she does that, they usually outweigh her grievances and it make her feel much better.

So she thought of the people over there. Alhaji have been like a soothing balm on a sour wound to her. Hajja has been bearable of late, she missed Atika and Uwani's banter, Kamal too and Jabir.

When she thought of Jabir, she smiled. She remembered how last year when Hajja and Alhaji have gone for Umra, he had brought a small beautiful cake for her birthday and Anwar had been rude about it. "It will be a miracle if she has ever witnessed a birthday party in her life. How the hell did you know her date of birth anyway?"

"Her credentials have been lying for forever on your desk." he answered.

She had felt bruised by Anwar's comments. Bruised, but not hurt. Afterwards Jabir had taken two large slices of the salted caramel and chocolate chip cake to the patio and urged her to seat and eat with him.

"No one should be denied the joy of eating cakes in this life. It is one of the good things in life." he had said smilingly handing her a plate.

He apologized for Anwar's rude behavior again and again as if it was his own fault.

"I tell you what, when ever he acts like a douche to you, just let me know. I promise I will break his legs and get you some cake. Deal?"

She smiled as she recalled that particular line. Yes, she had things to return to.

******************************

On the day of Biba's arrival hajja summoned the house helps. They joined her in the living room where Hanny too was watching a show on Netflix.

"Toh, the reason I called you here is to warn you not to run your mouths when Biba comes back. Especially you Uwani." she said looking sternly at Uwani whose head shot up as soon as she heard her  name.

"Wallahi Hajiya if not now that you mentioned it, me I didn't even know Anwar was going to marry that white lady." she answered defensively.

Hanny rolled her eyes while Atika nudged her on her side. Hajiya glared at her before she continued," And this applies to you too. "

Hanny gaped as she realized the last sentence was directed at her. She sulkily nods. She hates it when she is dragged into things that are of no concern to her. She likes to pretend Biba doesn't exist at all.

"Not like she wouldn't find out anyway" she mumbled under her breath.

"As I was saying, telling her is non of our business. Anwar will do that, and until he does, not a word from anybody. Am I clear?" Hajja continued.

She dismissed them and asked Hanny to go get ready as they are going to her sister Laila's house for her daughters wedding preparations.

*****************************

A week after Biba's return, she had the strangest conversation with Alhaji Bappah. Twice he had asked if she had a talk with Anwar. And when she answered in the affirmative he seemed to doubt it. Now she was beginning to feel there was something Anwar was supposed to personally speak to her about that he didn't. How typical of him.

Then the same thing happened with Hajja while they at the tailors getting their measurements taken. She began to wonder why Hajja asked her the same question as Alhaji Bappah.

As the thought of what it was that Anwar was supposed to talk to her about began to occupy a big space in her mind, she decided to do something about it.

*****************************

The next morning, the house was in a frenzy in anticipation of the arrival of Anwar's sister from Ndjemena. Seeing it's Sunday, she took the opportunity to slip unnoticed to Anwar's room for a confrontation. To her surprise, she met Jabir instead. He was twirling his shades between his fingers with a far off look on his face. He didn't hear her come in.

"Hey! I didn't know you were visiting. So, if I didn't walk in on you here that is how you would have left without me knowing." she said trying to feign
hurt.

"You know I will never do that." he answered with a lopsided grin before he beckoned her to come in.

"Don't just lean on the door frame. Come on in, let's catch up. How was your trip?" he asked with his usual playful charm.

Jabir decided against telling her  that she was actually the reason he was there in the first place.

After failing to convince Anwar to call off this madness with Alaa, he had been on his neck to at least be decent enough and tell Biba about it. They were actually arguing before Anwar went out to answer a call which apparently was from Alaa.

Biba sat nervously on the bed facing Jabir wondering how to explain what it was that brought her here. She felt maybe she should ask him instead, maybe he might know what it was that Anwar was hiding from her. But instead they talked about her trip among other trivial stuff. Seeing that she kept glancing at the wall clock during their conversation, he smiled and said, "You could just ask me to leave if you want some alone time with your one and only."

"Stop it Jabir, you know he is not even my zero talk less of one or any number for that matter. I came here to ask him about something, but I guess it will have to wait. Don't forget to say goodbye when you are leaving."

She got up to leave when his voice stopped her.

"Wait! Biba please, there had been something bugging me for a while now. I wish to discuss it with you."

She stared at him wondering if it was the same thing she was looking for, before sitting again. He rubbed his palms together and began.

"It's about your husband." he said nervously.

It was the first time she had seen him nervous in all the time she had known him. She listened as he continued.

"I know you guys are not in the best of relashionships, but trust me Biba, I can swear to you on my life that there is a side to him you have never seen. I mean not just you, but a lot of people. But trust me, I have... You can't help but fall in love with that person he is."

"Well, I seem to be married to the wrong side then. Maybe someone should have rolled him over for my sake." she added laughingly like she finds it funny that someone really thinks that of her husband.

"Its no joking matter, all I ask of you is patience. Be patient with what is happening and what is about to happen and you will emerge victorious in the end."

"What is it that is about to happen?" she asked looking him dead in the eyes.

"Did I say that? Nah I didn't." He answered, with a poker face.

"Hmm. " she said, looking totally unconvinced.

"Biba forget that. What is important is that you are married to someone who will go to the end of the world for the people he loves. He is the only one in this world that has been there for me..." his voice was shaking at this point.

"... And I want to do the same to him even though he is blinded at the moment, and fighting some personal demons too. I want you to do this for me. This might sound selfish, but he is the only one I truly have..." his voice was filled with so much emotions that he could hardly continue.

"Don't say that. You have your father, you have Hajja and Alhaji... You also have me." she blinked as her eyes was beginning to get moist. "I will always be there for you like you have been for me." she said softly.

As she said this his eyes too became moist, and in a fit of gratitude, he reached out and held both of her hands.

"Thank you Biba. I will never forget this..."

"J you have no idea wha..."

Anwars voice trailed as he saw Jabir holding her hands. After freezing for a nano second, jabir suddenly let go of her hands like they were burning embers. He was at lost for words as she calmly stood up and faced the astonished Anwar.

"I came to speak to you about something, but it will have to wait now. Excuse me."

As if on second thought she turned to Jabir,  "Thank you." she said before she shashayed pass a still speechless Anwar.

"Sooo.... What were you guys talking about?" Anwar asked as he went about the business of connecting his phone to the charger.

"Man, it's not what you think. We were just talking and I was..."

"Don't sweat it J, I trust you." Anwar said nonchalantly. Although he had to bite his lips not to add that he doesn't really care.

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So guys whatchya think?
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Thanks again for sticking with me
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