*بِسْــــــــــــــــــــــمِ اَللّهِ الرَّحْمن الرَّحِيم*
*May you continue to enjoy Allah's Mercy and Protection till Yaumul Qiyama, may He bless u with a restful mind,useful soul, peaceful home,commendable effort,acceptable worship & successful end. May He beautify ur tongues with truth,ur hearts with sincerity and may He count u among the dwellers of Jannatul Firdaus (Ameen)*
*Juma'at Kareem*

Ameen ya Hayyu ya Qayyum

•••••

Fahad Ibrahim laughed loudly, he'd been waiting for that and it sounded like music to his ears.

"You're sick." HSM stated from his position on the burgundy cushioned chair.

He gave him a look but didn't reply. He was still finding it strange to see the man's face, he has seen Khadijah's father and there wasn't any facial difference between the two, he guessed it was in the head.

"You are my mentor." He finally spoke after a few beats.

He rounded the corner and took the other seat then proceeded to cross his legs, one above the other.

"Is that the only punishment he's getting? I'm sure that lady you like wouldn't be too happy with it. I have seen the damage he did to her daughter."

HSM breathed in and out slowly his brows creased in thought, what Fahad and even Batool didn't know was the guilt that was crippling him.

Every single time he received the medical history of Khadijah, it was a new story every time.

It had taken a whole lot for him to not find the miscreant and send him to his grave as soon as possible.

He'd been the one to push the idiot on her but then he'd thought he was a sensible man, turned out he was a sadistic psychopath that had almost killed her.

She didn't know the multiple times she'd been passed out in the house, he was the one that helped her by sprinkling water on her so she would wake up and then get the hospital staff ready to receive her.

Her go to person was always Sadiya so he kept her phone available always, he might have thought himself a stalker then but he knew he'd saved her life multiple times.

He didn't deserve the credit of course because he'd been the one to put her in that situation in the first place.

Suleiman's father a desperate politician who was in need of power pleaded with him to be given support, a back hand or a God father. What it took to be the under the care of one of the biggest criminal organisations in the world, the price had come at a really low and sweet price, a marriage between his son and the man's niece.

No one knew of his other son and he knew the legal accepted child of his did not deserve her but he'd never prided himself with having a conscience and he went through with it.

The deal had been put in place for a very long time, even her father hadn't known that and his refusal to get her married immediately after her SSCE was what saved her from the marriage.

Everything had been strategic, thier first meeting and everything in between.

He was supposed to woo her but he never had a soft spot for women, at least women from good backgrounds.

Things progressed and he won her mother, whom he'd learned was obsessed with getting her married and would push any available man on her since she didn't seem ready to find one herself.

That was the guilt HSM carried but he didn't let his brother or Batool know, of course she found out later and for a moment he'd thought that was his end.

Outraged and indignant she'd left with a single assignment.

"Fix the mess you made."

Suleiman wasn't willing to divorce her even after he wa taken to court so he sent the boy's father a message and that was it.

His relationship with Batool during that time had been rocky because she still harboured anger over what he did.

He didn't blame her, she was a mother and seeing her daughter in those unfortunate situations took a toll on her.

No one was allowed to sleep over with her in the hospital but she knew how to bend the rules so she was always with her, her doctor then, Abdulhameed that had feelings for her knew of that but there was nothing he could do, that was why no one knew.

She left before morning so Khadijah didn't know she was there, rare times she regained consciousness in the night, she'd thought it was her mother, well the mother she knew anyways.

"He would wish for death."

Fahad rolled his eyes at the older man's words.

"I've only been in his presence for a few minutes but I can tell how much he likes life." He shook his index finger in a no motion. "So no, I don't think he'll wish for death."

He didn't offer any reply, rather he pointed to Fahad to follow him and they went back to the room Suleiman was kept.

It was on a lower level than the basement, not much people knew of it, even those living in the house.

His screams of agony welcomed them even before they were fully down to the level he was.

"What are you doing?!" He screamed, you could hear the terror in his voice and they all knew it mirrored the one in his eyes.

"Let go of me you crazy woman!" Fahad couldn't help the small chuckle.

He thought they were going to the door but HSM took a turn and they passed a few doors before he stopped and unlocked one, using his thumb print this time.

"Where is this place?" He asked his voice lowered.

Everywhere was white save for the mirror that he was sure was semi transparent, meaning the person or well, people on the other side couldn't see them.

The other side was pitch black though, a total contrast to the bright room they were in.

"So, your idea of torture is darkness? How fucking genius." His tone was dry making the sarcasm impossible to miss.

"Will you be quiet?" Again, Fahad rolled his eyes but he did shut his mouth.

"Darkness is not the point of it, it's what is with him in the dark and the anxiousness of not knowing what to expect."

Fahad made a face like he struck gold, who knew sarcasm could be written on one's face, well he made it possible.

"Oh now I get it." He chirped excitedly. "So borderline, your whole idea is the darkness." His tone started high before ending with a sarcastic note.

HSM had smoke coming out of his ears, it would've been visible had he been a cartoon character and for the millionth time he wondered why he dragged the stupid boy into his schemes.

"Just shut up." He flicked a switch and the other side brightened.

Before Fahad could peek in to see what was there they heard a scream like shriek they had to admit had become quite familiar to their hearing.

Every single nerve in his body was on alert in the dark room he was held a prisoner.

He could say he has been there for maybe ten hours or more, he couldn't tell.

There wasn't even a single opening that let light in and after that crazy person jumped on him, he had been on edge.

It was a feat getting her off him and no matter how much he screamed, no one came to his rescue.

That was why he was trying his absolute best to move away from her reach at least they had been nice enough to not bind him to anything.

Now after multiple hours in fear of her attacking him again and almost successfully gouging his eyes out, for some reason she always aimed for his eyes, they might come to his save him, or his father. He hoped though it seemed unlikely.

He guessed them saving him was even more promising than his father but he would keep his mind open.

He was lost in his thoughts with his eyes closed when he heard the unmistakeable scream which had him jumping up in fright, he opened his eyes and felt the pressure in his head because of the sudden brightness.

He was almost blinded and he wasn't even being dramatic, the other occupant of the room didn't give him room to recover from the attack of the light when she lunged again with a battle cry.

The were both screaming loudly, him trying desperately to get her off of him while trying to stop her from clawing his eyes out.

Tears were streaming down his face and he wasn't so sure what it was from the immense fear that was swallowing him whole or the woman's devil like hands that kept attacking him.

After ten minutes that he could've sworn felt like ten hours he finally pushed her off.

She landed on the floor with a loud thud, he didn't bother to check for damages when he moved back gasping for breath.

It took him more than five minutes to get his bearings right and stop turning to see if she would lunge for him again, she was laying in a curled form so he couldn't see her face but she was breathing not that he was very happy about that.

But the thought of her dying and being left in the room with him changed his mind and he was thankful for that.

He slid to the floor again trying his best not to look down and see the hell he was sitting on, he pulled his knees up and wrapped his arms around it.

The position felt so familiar not that he'd done it, the image of Khadijah in that position many times because of him crossed his mind and he mentally screamed, promises and vows of destruction sent her and her husband's way.

The moment he got out of that hell, he would bring his hell to them and they will realize this hell he was in, was heaven.

A low grunt caught his ears and his gaze moved to his roommate, guess he had to call her that.

She coughed a few times before sitting up, she turned so he could see her face and when their eyes met, his widened while she looked furious, it was like she was looking at him but she wasn't seeing him.

He didn't know when the words left his mouth.

"Ma?"

Fahad Ibrahim glanced at HSM whose eyes were still on the image before them.

"What the hell?" He asked his mind swirling with many incoherent thoughts.

When he didn't get a reply, he looked back at them hoping if he paid enough attention, he would understand whatever it was that was going on.

"Ma, what are you doing here?" Suleiman asked again, taking in his mother's tattered clothing and muddy face.

She probably hasn't had a bath in a month, the foul smell that had kept them company had been coming from her.

He crawled to her desperately hoping to get her to say something.

The moment he touched her she attacked him by dragging his ears and squeezing it hard, he was scared she would pull it off, she didn't look like she cared and proceeded to hit him with her free hand, when that wasn't enough she released his ear and started slapping him.

"You stupid woman. You ruined my family. I am going to kill you I swear it I am going to kill you." She kept hitting him eliciting loud cries from his mouth.

He loved his mother but right at that moment he didn't want to be even six feet close to her

"I made sure they killed all your children. You were not supposed to give birth. How did you do it you dirty witch? You broke my charm, you made my husband send me away. Wallahi today I'll end your life." She was making good on that promise with her hand around his throat.

Suleiman was crying and choking, praying for the first time in months for Allah to save him from his own mother.

"Erm, shouldn't we intervene?" Fahad Ibrahim asked dancing on his toes, HSM didn't bat an eyelash.

"We wouldn't want to interrupt a family reunion." He said like it was taking everything in him to let the words out.

"Yes but if we don't do anything, she'll kill him."

"Takes the job off my hand. She made him and she can take him for all I care." Fahad wanted to argue and seeing that he let out a loud irritated sigh.

"She wouldn't kill him because she is not that strong, he is just a dramatic son of a bitch." With that, he turned and exited the room leaving Fahad behind, the latter wasn't so sure about that because looking at the two, he could tell she had a pretty good grip on his neck.

Like HSM said, she let go and fell to the ground after a minute, what he didn't know was if she was sleeping or passed out.

He switched the lights back off as per HSM's orders before leaving and closing the door behind him, he didn't press anything but he heard the locks lock in place with sounds of metal hitting on something.

He walked back to the room he and HSM were in initially, the older man was seated with a fat cigar in his mouth.

He didn't drink but the amount of tobacco he inhaled on a daily Was enough to open a factory and he wasn't even kidding.

"Are you sure your lungs are still intact?" HSM rolled his eyes then blew a puff of smoke to make a statement.

"We're all going to die in the end, I'd rather it not be at the end of a barrel."

*******

Fahad rolled to his side a soft sigh leaving his mouth.

He blindly reached for the object that was interrupting his sleep, when he finally got to sleep.

He picked the phone and blindly swiped hoping to God he answered the call or better yet, rejected it. People had no regards for people's sleep these days.

Not hearing anything on the line made his eyes snap open, he prayed under his breath before getting off the bed when he realized it was his alarm for fajr.

It was surprising he slept through the whole night, that thought was the least of his worries when his eyes landed on the empty bed.

His heart rate quadrupled it was a miracle he didn't have an arrest because of the fear that overtook his whole system.

"Calm down," He muttered to himself then proceeded to say the ta'aweez before stepping out and heading for the door opposite his, where he hoped Khadijah was.

With everything that has been going on, her not being in his sight scared his whole being because he couldn't handle the guilt if anything happened to her because of him.

He really needed to find a way to get rid of those men so he can go back to his slightly normal life, then at least all he would have to worry about would be the crippling guilt.

It was peace to him since the paranoia might die down, even if just a bit.

The door opened the moment he got there and she looked up at him, her eyes widened in surprise.

She was wearing a forest green hijab, floor length as usual.

"Are you okay?" His voice didn't hide his panic and she was taken aback but she nodded looking down.

She didn't know how to feel now that he knows everything, the vulnerability she tried so desperately to mask so she wasn't seen as weak.

She had bared everything to him the night before, her very soul and she was scared of what he would do with that power over her.

She had to admit she was ashamed of her thoughts but she has only ever been close with one man whom had been supposed to be protect her but he'd damaged her boyond words, she didn't believe in second chances or things like that.

Fahad had been speaking to Khadijah but she seemed lost in thoughts which scared him, he was afraid she was having an episode or something of the sort.

From experience he knew sometimes opening up wasn't the best bet because it meant accepting all your fears, welcoming your demons, you had to be a certain type of strong to accept that and he hated himself for not making sure she was ready, he'd just made her dive right into it.

When he called her name thrice and she didn't even blink, he reached out and touched her arm.

Khadijah jumped back in fright and he quickly let go, scared he'd triggered her he moved back apologizing.

The single act tore through his heart and he didn't know what exactly he felt but for a moment he considered seeing a cardiologist because the pain he felt wasn't normal, it shouldn't be borne from a rejection. But it was and he hated that it hurt him as much as it did.

He liked being her safe space, when she would turn to him for security, this new act was something he would have to teach his heart to get used to.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to." He added when he saw how she was sizing him up with her eyes.

Khadijah only nodded before going back to her room and locking the door.

She had no idea why she did that but when she'd woken up wrapped in his arms, it made her feel things that weren't positive and the only thought her mind could register was that he was a man and they were all the same.

He may be good and all but he would run out of patience soon enough and it wouldn't take long before the beast that resides in him decided it was time to stake his claim on her.

Her mother had always said, a marriage is not finalized until it has been consummated and nothing scared her in the world like that single act thanks to Suleiman.

She had prayed raka'atainul fajr and headed to get water before the iqamah was called and that was why she headed out, now she definitely knew she wasn't going to get that water, not as long as he was in the house.

<<<>>>

Her phone ringingmade her turn from where he was keeping her folded hijab.

She reached for the phone just in time before it got cut off and she slid the answer button, feeling a sudden brightness in her whole being at her best friend's name.

"Dee, are you okay love? I heard what happened to Baba, may Allah grant him quick shifa. Ya Allah, I am sorry I'm not there with you Dee." Layla's rambling worried voice came the moment she answered.

"Everything is fine Layla, please breathe." She said with a small chuckle and heard Layla take in a deep exaggerated breath

"I've breathed now, tell me the truth now. How are you? Not the automated answer Khadijah, I want the whole truth." Khadijah sighed and pulled the ruffle from her hair, letting the strands fall to her shoulder.

"I don't know Lee, I'm so scared." She whispered feeling her eyes brimming with tears.

"What are you scared of?" Layla asked softly.

"Everything. It all scares me."

"Pray Khadijah, there is nothing I can say right now that would make you feel better more than prayer Khadijah, recite the Qur'an and let yourself know peace." She advised and though Khadijah understood where she was coming from, she didn't know how to put it into action so she asked.

"How?"

"Let yourself be taken care of, you can't keep carrying this burden alone."

She shook her head even though she knew Layla couldn't see her.

"But it is my burden to bear, why give someone the responsibility of dealing with that? It isn't fair." She wiped the few tears that slid down to her cheeks.

"You don't have to bear it alone Khadijah, that is the truth. That's why we have partners and soulmates, we have a second half to take care of us."

"Layla," She called accusingly and her friend made a sound.

"Did your cousin call you?" She asked in the same tone.

"What cousin?" Layla asked playing dumb, or maybe she was confused for real which she doubted.

"You know who I am talking about." She heard a sound and knew even though she couldn't see her that she rolled her eyes.

"He actually didn't call me, at least not tonight. Hamma Shaheed told me your dad was admitted and with how my family can't keep their mouth shut, someone mentioned you being in the hospital."

"Which of them?"

Layla whined before replying, "Promise you won't tell them I told you but it was ya Farhan. He said not to tell you or worry you."

Khadijah's brow creased in thought, how did he know?

To her knowledge only Fahad knew of that seeing how none of her sister's said anything about it, that and she also knew he wouldn't have told them just then seeing her father's situation.

"It's nothing serious, just the panic attacks." Layla made a sound broadly saying she didn't believe it was just that but she didn't press knowing how Khadijah was, she would speak in her own time and it would be a bad idea to force her to open up.

"Let's forget that, how's the being married and dealing with my cousins?" That made Khadijah chuckle despite herself.

"He is good Lee, just like you said." She was doubting that as of recent but that wasn't something she wanted to discuss with anyone. It was better in her head.

"I wasn't speaking about him." Her brows shot up in question but she didn't speak knowing she wasn't done.

"But since he came to your mind, do tell me everything." Khadijah rolled her eyes feeling a bit of her humor returning, Layla had that effect on her.

"There is nothing to tell, well except he knows how to cook apparently."

"I know that's old news. Tell me something new."

"I have nothing new to tell you, why don't you tell me how it's going over there."

Layla scoffed then groaned. "It's still the same, sunny and interacting with people. Are you in love yet?"

Khadijah coughed choking on her spit while Layla burst into loud hoofs of laughter, when she finally regained her speech and thankfully didn't swallow her oesophagus she gave her friend what she hoped was a befitting reply in a dry voice.

"I am not in love and stay out of my nonexistent love life." She wasn't interested in those kinds of things, never have and never will be. Suleiman made sure of that.

"What of him? Is he? It's hard not to love you, you know."

"He is not! Can we please change this topic?" She pleaded desperately.

"Hmmmm, denial. That's a plus."

"Layla, I'll hang up if you don't stop." Khadijah threatened knowing she wouldn't do anything of the sort. She rarely spoke to her best friend and the little times he gets to do it, she likes to take her time so they could catch up.

"What? Are you scared? You know it's normal to be scared when you–"

"LAYLA ALIERO, SHUT IT." She heard a huff before a fine came through in a bratty way, definitely Layla.

"When I do come, you won't be able to hide it from me." She didn't get to give her a reply because someone called for Layla and she apologized before hanging up.

Khadijah sat in that position reflecting long after her call with Layla, she couldn’t find it in her to go out and no it wasn’t because she knew Fahad was still in the house, it wasn’t just that she told herself.

He’d left her to her space since that interaction in the early morning and she didn’t know how to feel about that.

As though thinking of him made him appear she heard a knock on the door, her heart rate sky rocketed and she had to do breathing exercises before she had enough courage to answer her door but to her surprise he wasn’t the one behind the door.

“Aunty Dee,” Manal called hugging her as though she didn’t see her in the hospital before.

Khadijah pushed those thoughts away and let her niece embrace her. She released her a few seconds later and they walked into the room together.

“Are you alone?” Khadijah asked sitting on the bed. Manal joined in and crossed her legs under her.

“No, ya Afnan dropped us off before leaving, Nanah is outside with uncle Fahad.” She added the last part when her aunt raised her brows in question.

“Oh, aunty Sadiya said she’s bringing Hanan, Junior and the twins over because she wanted to do things at home and it wouldn’t be an easy feat with them around.” Khadijah nodded in agreement knowing how the children were.

“So you are throwing a party in my own house without telling me?” she questioned getting to her feet.

Manal followed suit and when her aunt walked to the door, she did too and they met the others in the living room. She hadn’t known they were already there but they didn’t seem to even notice her all engrossed by Fahad who was explaining what seemed like a game.

Junior was the first to notice her and he ran into her arms with a happy shriek which alerted the other kids and they all huddled around her each trying to gain her attention.

Fahad let her have the moment with her nieces and nephew though Farhana that was in his hands started to wail successfully gaining her attention, he looked away first when their eyes met before handing her to a ready Manal and gave a flimsy excuse about meeting someone before leaving.

He wasn’t angry at her if anything he understood what she was going through but at the same time he couldn’t find it in him to be in her presence when she looked at him like that.

He could handle rejection but not that.

His excuse did become a reality because his phone rang immediately he stepped out, he answered and proceeded to get to his car not bothering to check the caller.

“Barkindo, where are you?” he paused when he heard Jawad’s voice, he put the key in ignition and pulled the phone from his ear and he saw his name written.

“You’re in town?” he asked because he saw his Nigerian number which meant he was around so his question was more of rhetoric though he replied.

“Yes and I’m on the way to your house. Ummi mentioned you moved to a new one.”

He started the car and put it on speaker before replying him.

“I’m stepping out, let’s meet in Shaheed’s apartment.”

“He’s around?” he replied with a yes before they hung up with that finalized.

Driving wasn’t an easy feat and the sun wasn’t helping, he knew he was just looking for something to pin his foul mood on and he couldn’t find it in him to blame Khadijah and asides her the only other person was himself and he had enough blame on his head, he didn’t need another pile.

Though he had to accept it was his fault to a degree because if he hadn’t welcomed the momentary weakness to be with her that night, they wouldn’t be where they were right then, back to the beginning where she didn’t want to be in the same room as him.

Now it was worse though because it seemed like he was just being insensitive since she trusted him and told him what hell she had gone through in her first marriage. He had to find a way to fix it because the thought of losing her friendship left a bitter taste in his mouth, he wasn’t the least bit happy about that.

“I should get married too,” Jawad’s teasing voice reached him the moment he stepped out of his car, he turned and gave his cousin a look.

“I am not in the mood Jawad, now where’s Shaheed?” he shrugged typing furiously on his phone.

“I don’t know, I haven’t gone to his part. Mamie made this really amazing kosai and I was too busy having a feast.” Fahad rolled his eyes once again before walking away, Jawad followed behind laughing at the look on his face.

“Why do you seem so prickly? Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed or the Mrs. Is in a bad mood?” his feet stopped before he did and he glared at Jawad who had a hunch he hit home, he shrugged before opening the door and nodding at him to step in.

Mamie was seated on the couch Rahma and Reina beside her chattering away, they greeted their older cousin and reminded Jawad of his promise before leaving the adults to it.

“I’d been thinking I had to beg for you to come see me Fahad, gone were the days you come to me first.” He smiled and scratched the back of his head while Jawad laughed heartily ignoring the glare that was being sent his way.

“It is not like that mamie, I wanted to come last night but something came up.” She waved her hand in the air and he knew she was about to deliver a hit, he was right.

“More important things, I am hurt. Though to be truthful it isn’t exactly you I missed, where is my darling?”

“I will pretend that didn’t just break my heart, she is at home with her nieces and nephews but she’ll come soon I’m sure.” Jawad watched him when he spoke, watching the emotions in his eyes.

He knew how to read him so well but he didn’t know what exactly was bothering him, he wanted to ask what was wrong but he knew it wasn’t the right time or place.

“Tell her I can’t wait and I’ll make her favourite. No, you should bring her since you took her away and with Layla also not around I haven’t seen her, I miss them both a lot.”

They spent more time with her before leaving to check on Shaheed whom she confirmed was in the house but seemed to always be in his room. She joked about him being more secluded than he was before he left.

Jawad though stopped Fahad before they got to the door.

“If you are going to make another married people joke then do not blame me if I punch you in the face.” Jawad raised his hands up in surrender before promising to not do that.

“What is wrong seriously now? Is she alright?”

“She is great just avoiding me,” his face looked ashen before he stopped him.

“What do you mean by that?”

Fahad took in a deep breath only then realising his slip up, he shook his head before answering, this time chewing his words before he sputtered them out.

“It is nothing, let it go.”

“Fahad you can talk to me.”

“I know, it is just nothing you should worry yourself with. Have you spoken with Lee?” he changed the topic hoping that would distract Jawad and him if he was being honest.

“We spoke a week ago, she’s doing great.” Since they both didn’t want to talk, they left it there and headed to Shaheed’s apartment, he wasn’t too keen on having company.

****

“Aunty Dee, Nanah doesn’t want to give me my cup,”

“It’s not his cup, it is mine.” Nanah called out arguing.

Junior folded arms stomped his feet before rushing to her and trying to take the cup from her.

“No no no, junior don’t fight with her. I’ll give you a brand new cup that looks better than that one.” Nanah shoved the cup towards him accepting it wasn’t hers because she wanted a new one. That act made Khadijah giggle when they started arguing all over again.

“Okay, you both get a new cup, just come with me.”

“Thank you aunty Dee,” the chorused before running back out, she had to stop them from running when she heard the soft pads of little feet against the floor.

She didn’t hear the footsteps or the soft taslim but she definitely saw him when she turned and her heart stopped before picking up speed and going at a disturbingly fast rate.

Fahad saw the fear in her eyes and the pain he felt was immeasurable, she looked ready to bolt and he knew she would if he didn’t stop her.

“I just want to speak with you,” he stated softly hoping it soothed her, it didn’t. “Please.” He added and she stopped.

He couldn’t pay any attention with the guys so he chose to leave, they were in agreement though Shaheed looked hesitant. He still needed to speak with him but seeing everything else that is going on with him at the moment that could wait.

“The kids?” she argued weakly, that made his lips lift upwards slightly in an almost smile.

“Kamla is here and Manal is with them.” He stated quite proudly. “Oh and Farhan is also with her if you want to say hi,” she turned to leave when he raised a finger.

“When we’re done.” She huffed and moved back to her initial position, against the fridge.

“Are you planning on training for the military?” he asked lightly hoping she would relax.

“No, why?”

“I was kidding,” she didn’t get it so he told her to forget about it.

“Take a seat please.” She did as he said before pinning him with a look or urgency.

“Do I scare you?”

Khadijah’s heart stopped when he asked that because she didn’t know what to tell him, she wasn’t scared of him definitely but she wasn’t comfortable with him either and she wasn’t sure there was a way to make that polite so she voted against it and rather chose to play with her fingers.

“Khadijah if we’re going to live together, I need to know what you’re comfortable and not comfortable with and I need you to tell me when I do something wrong.”

“Can’t we have this conversation another time?” Fahad chuckled when he heard the urgency in her voice.

“I’m not sure I’ll see you the second they leave this house so I’ll much rather have this talk now.”

“This conversation makes me feel uncomfortable.” He chuckled when she said that knowing she didn’t have an argument.

“That doesn’t count,” she huffed in a childlike manner making his eyes widen in amusement.

He has been seeing parts of her he didn’t know existed the past few days and he didn’t know exactly how to feel about it but he had to accept one thing, he liked knowing her.

“Khadijah I’m sorry about last night.” He said in a soft voice when she was calmer, her first reaction had been to deny he had anything to apologize for but he stopped her.

“It was crossing the line and I’ll have you know I didn’t mean to. Listen I like how we are like this.” He pointed between them. “We are friends and I don’t want you us to lose that, I like how we are like this because we’re comfortable and I wouldn’t have this any other way.” He stood up and rubbed his hands together.

“I’ll not do anything you’re not comfortable with and I just wanted you to know that.” He did walk up to her and pecked her forehead before leaving her in the kitchen.

Farhan raised his brows in question and he nodded though it wasn’t a valid reply.

“Oh she’ll be right out.”

“Uncle Fahad, I want to play game on your phone again.” Nanah smiled sweetly but moved back when her sister glared at her.

“Manal,” Fahad warned and she shook her head.

“She’ll break your phone uncle Fahad that is what she did to mum’s own.”

“But it was a mistake.” Her sister only rolled her eyes.

"Don't worry, I don't mind." He handed the happy girl the phone the same time Khadijah joined them.

She walked to Kamla and pulled her into a hug all under Farhan's scrutiny which she missed.

They sat and exchanged pleasantries warmly, she made a joke about an up coming wedding which made Kamla leave the room like she was being followed with a spade on fire.

Fahad though noticed how Farhan was looking at Khadijah and he told himself he wasn't jealous, merely feeling protective because she was his wife. At least he believed that.

Manal on the other hand paid more attention to her aunt and her husband seeing they were in a way, more comfortable now than when she'd arrived, she was grateful for that though because she liked seeing her aunt's smile brighter and her movements calmer, more at peace than she has ever known.

******

Hajiya Ladidi watched as her husband conversed with the doctor, she'd forced the children to stay at home since he was getting discharged and there was no point in them coming when they were leaving.

Though it would take a while before that happened seeing as the doctors wanted to run more tests to make sure he is fine and not at a risk of getting another cardiac arrest.

She served him his lunch after the doctor left and sat back on the visitor's chair.

He watched her movements with a keen eye, reading her body language, she may not say it and her expression showed nothing but she was angry, he could tell.

She doesn't realize just how much he actually knows her, too wrapped up in her bubble and idealogies she made herself believe.

She brought the food to him and made to arrange the bed table when he held her wrist, she stiffened but didn't do anything.

"Aren't you hungry?" She asked her Sokoto accent still there.

"We should talk," He replied softly, ignoring her hostile tone.

He'd lived with her for almost forty years, she might not believe it but he knew her a lot more than she thought, probably more than she even knew herself.

"I don't think we have anything to talk about." She wriggled her hand trying to get out of his hold but he didn't let her.

He had a irrm grip on her wrist but not tight enough to leave a bruise.

"Aisha don't be like this." She laughed but it held no mirth and fixed her head on stare on him.

"Oh I'm Aisha now, have you ever called me by my name since we got married, it's always you. Like I wasn't even worthy of my name being said by you." She yelled not caring if anyone walked in, or if someone heard from outside.

She liked causing a scene you see and she didn't realize that was one quality of hers he didn't find attractive, at all.

He breathed out but didn't agree or argue with her, she was looking for something that would give her validity to fight but he couldn't handle right now, he was tired of fighting.

"Since now your beautiful educated wife is back, you can dump me back in the trenches, besides that's where you believe I'm from."

He sighed now getting annoyed but he controlled his temper, knowing she was just hurt and he had to admit it was partly his fault.

"Please calm down Aisha and let's talk." She huffed but agreed and sat, fuming like a child throwing a tantrum.

"Is it your wife? Just know she is not going to live under my roof with that her son." She spat at him, again he ignored her.

He didn't correct her about also living under his roof because that might just push her to explode.

"This has gone on for too long, let's find a way to get our footing—" She scoffed cutting him off.

Malam Sadeeq sighed and pinched the bridge between his eyes, she didn't seem to notice his frustration, or she simply didn't care, he favoured the latter.

"Whatever you want to do Sadeeq, you can go ahead and do it. I've never been able to stop you when it comes to her." She stood up ready to leave and he let her go, they would talk when she was less....aggressive.

Instead of storming out like he expected her to, she turned to him with a glare.

"And she is not taking my daughter away from me. Be sure to remind her she is mine." She closed the door with a loud bang and he sighed yet again.

It would take a while but she would calm down eventually, or so he hoped.

*****

Senator Ibrahim Mas'ud Sanda stared mindlessly at the wall before him, it wasn't an easy feat sitting opposite the intimidating man and not being scared but he hid the fear well enough.

"I spoke with your brother," He started and HSM looked at him from the tips of the coffee mug, a reckless smile on his face.

He liked the power he had over the man seeing how he was desperately trying to hide his trembling fingers.

"Which one of them?" He dropped the cup and lighted a cigar, deciding he would rather blow a puff of smoke in the man's face.

"The...the...the other one." He tsked and shook his head.

Fahad Ibrahim though was absorbing the bits of information like a ready sponge and saving it to memory, he was still trying to find a way for his escape and he didn't think Batool would help him.

HSM seemed to like him but he has seen the man lose his cool and he was deadly with a gun, he didn't want to be on the other side of the barrel because he knew the man wouldn't miss.

"That was stupid of you, to think he had any control over me."

"That wasn't my thoughts sir, I was just asking for mercy."

"Ask where it's recognized because you're in the wrong place." He pointed to the door with the hands that held the thick cigar.

"There's the way to go, be sure to use it before I change my mind and plan a reunion for all of you." On shaky feet he got up and left the office feeling an impending sense of doom.

He'd thought he would at least get to see his stupid son that he had warned not to mess with those people, he wished he could just pretend the obvious fool didn't exist but he was his son nevertheless and he would try his best to save him.

He dialed the international number he has been in contact with recently.

"I assume he didn't listen." The familiar voice said and he confirmed the statement with a yes.

"I'll see what I can do." Taking the man's word for it, he got into his car and drove back to his house, all the while praying his son was fine.

He was a fool and made a lot of mistakes but he didn't deserve to die.

"What?" HSM barked the second he picked the call.

He knew what the person on the line wanted to talk about he didn't want to have that conversation.

*"Fratello minore,"* he rolled his eyes at his brother's word.

"You don't fight with business partners, rule number one."

"Rule number one is omerta." He head a sharp intake of breath before his brothers accented voice came again.

"At least make the death quick."

"I'm not killing him."

"Fratel–"

"You keep saying family first, she is family."

"Fine you win Hassan, next time speak to me first."

"You know I won't." He finished with a laugh before hanging up.

Soon after his phone beeped with an incoming message and his blood went cold.

Be careful what you do, don't force me to come and handle things myself.

•••••

Assalamu alaikum lovesss. I'm typing this with my eyes half closed believe me.

I am so tired and this is proofread on very low standards so please ignore typos and errors or kindly point them out.

We are gradually reaching an end, and face palm, why is Dee doing like this????
She should let herself be loved please, we don wait tire.

Tell me, what do you like most about this book?

That one thing that you think makes it stand out from other books, I'll be waiting for your comments.

And yeah this is 7k words, let me not see update soon because I'll happily and blindly stumble past it.

But think about it, 7k words show some love please by commenting and voting, let me know what you guys think, it means a lot seeing how I went all out.

Have a great weekend

Amyrah