It was 11pm and Haidar is not home, making everyone get worried about him. And at exactly 12:03 he bursted into the house drunk. He couldn't even stand on his feet well. Halima rushed to him and helped him up, she closed her nose and shook her head scrunching up her nose at awful smell of alcohol.

Hisham only sat down on the couch staring at him. What will he even say ? Haidar has the habit of drinking over the years. He had thought that by now he isn't consuming alcohol at all, but he was terribly wrong.

"You took it again."Hisham stated the obvious, shaking his head gravely.

"What can I do brother, she left me."Haidar yelled throwing his hands up in the air.

"This is not the right way to handle things Haidar, drinking is not the way. For once, please think about your current health."Hisham reasoned.

"Everything was going great but then, I'm just confused how did she get to know about it."Haidar was now looking at Halima.

Halima looked at her well manicured nails, unable to meet her brother's intense gaze.

"Yes, Halima told me everything."Hisham chimed in and Haidar stomped on his feet but fell back on the couch.

"What?"Haidar asked in astonishment. "So you did it all didn't you."His voice was now getting louder.

"I didn't tell Mufida anything, and I don't know how she find out. All I did was propose to her."

Halima quickly looked up at Hisham. Haidar shook his head and laughed.

"Propose ? What a joke brother."

Hisham gave him a very serious look which was enough to confirm that he really proposed to Mufida. He wasn't joking, nor was it a joke.

"No, Hisham, that's not possible."Haidar sighed. "You know I like her and then...you."

"Yes, I did propose to her because I love her too. After I found out what you and Halima were plotting against her, I couldn't stop myself from doing what I know is best, I couldn't stay and watch you two cheat her like this and then do nothing about it."Hisham yelled getting pissed off.

"Ya Hisham you're kidding right?"Halima questioned with a small smile.

"Unbelievable."Haidar kept on mumbling the same thing on and on trying so hard to process all the gibberish his brother just said.

"You didn't do it because you couldn't watch her being cheated."Haidar mimicked rolling his eyes heavenwards. "You did it because you couldn't handle me and her being together, you were jealous and selfish, nothing more Hisham."Haidar yelled trying so hard to stand on his feet. It doesn't feel right doing everything while seated.

"Wait and watch what I'll do next, Hisham. I'll make her mine that I promise."Haidar concluded walking sluggishly to his room upstairs.

Halima didn't know what to say to her brother. What would she say to him, when he is the one at fault. She has never taken sides between her brothers but this time around, she is taking Haidar's side.

He is the one who deserve Mufida and no one else. He was always by her side through thick and thin. And the love they've for each other shouldn't go to waste.

Halima got up from the couch and also left for her room, leaving Hisham to his thoughts. What is bothering her more now, is whether Mufida accepted his proposal or she rejected him.

She will settle for the latter.

•

Alhaji Ahmad sat down on the one of the couch in his sitting room upstairs giving all his attention to the Television screen where the Tvc news channel was playing.

"Sir can you please tell us how you were able to get a hold of the kidnapper?"A journalist asked and passed the microphone to Acp Suleiman.

"We traced his phone....."Acp Suleiman kept on explaining how they did it. How they saved the girl whose name has not been mentioned. Alhaji Ahmad kept on nodding his head as he was really impressed by the Police's hard work and dedication towards their work.

The journalist whose name appeared at the bottom of the screen as Mary oladeji turned swiftly and stood in front of the camera.

"The kidnapper has been shot on his leg and is now currently in the hospital, and the name of this kidnapper is Muhammad Bala, It was mentioned in one of the constable's statement that he was under investigation for so many hideous crimes which he had committed in the past."

Alhaji Ahmad knew it was for the best that he fired Muhammad Bala from his company before the situation get out of hand.

"Moving on To Maryam Ahmad, she is currently unconscious due to shock and her family are about to take her to the hospital for urgent treatment."Mary announced and walked to where Maryam's family were and asked the guy who was holding Maryam. "Can I ask you a few questions please?"

"No, ma'am I'm sorry but my wife's life is at stake here."The guy replied walking away.

There was something about the lady's face that looked so awkwardly familiar to him. He couldn't fathom exactly where he knew the face from but she looked familiar, but then a woman was trailing behind the guy and was crying ferociously.

Wait.

Alhaji Ahmad abruptly rose to his feet, the remote slipping away from his hands.

Never in his lifetime has he ever thought that he'll see her again. After what he had done to her, he feel ashamed of himself. He hated the fact that he had that type of mentality before.

And he knows exactly what to do. Set everything right and tell his children the truth.

Alhaji Ahmad sat down on the couch with a long sigh, he ran his palms over his face before pulling his phone out of his pocket and dialed his driver's number. He overheard the journalist mentioning the hospital Maryam was taken to.

When the driver picked the call, Alhaji Ahmad ordered him to get Maryam and Her mother here immediately they're discharged. He won't let them go away without asking for forgiveness if not the thing he did will keep on tormenting him forever.

He concluded the phone call and yelled out to Halima. He has been staying at home for two weeks now and he unwittingly listened to Hisham and Haidar's conversation more like bickering and fighting, that too because of a girl.

"Baba."Halima called to get his attention with a small smile. She really can't say that she have a good relationship with her father, he never really tried to make it better tho, neither did she.

"Call your brothers for me."Alhaji Ahmad ordered in a soft tone.

Halima nodded briefly and turned to leave, disappointment shown all over her face. She thought that he called her to discuss something with her or at least have a father and daughter moment, but no, she was wrong.

How could she even get her hopes high ?

Hisham's room was closer so she went to inform him first. None of them had breakfast together this morning, she cooked and they took it to their room and she is afraid this might go on for a long time.

She is already missing their everybody happy bonding.

Halima knocked on Hisham's door softly before slowly pushing the door open and stepping a foot inside.

"Ya Hisham, Baba has called for you."Halima announced but didn't get a response from him.

Silent treatment I see.

Halima smiled feebly at herself before leaving for Haidar's room. She knocked on his door and surprisingly she got a reply from him. Haidar is nicer than Hisham, that's a fact.

"Anything problem?"Haidar questioned clipping his cuff links, he looks all dressed up.

Maybe he is going out.

"Baba."Halima started and took a sit on his bed and he smiled at her and at the same time giving her a questioning look. "He has called for you."

"Wow, that's new."Haidar mused with a teensy smile. "Are you certain that Baba? I mean did Baba asked for me?"

"Yes, and not only you even Ya Hisham."Halima rejoined shaking her head.

"You should get going, I'll be on my way."Haidar stated only because she mentioned Hisham's name, she understood everything.

"Okay."with that she left.

I've nothing to say, but please comment and tag as much as you can 🥺🤧 I'll really appreciate it.

Ria ❤️