The comments on the last chapter cracked me up 😂🤣 💔mehn I had a good laugh 😂💔💔
The death threats Binta was receiving 😂🤣 I started feeling scared for her. She better pack her wahala and go before you guys execute your plans 😂😂
Ayusha, Meenarhtou_ & the rest are all set and ready to attack 😂😂

It's good to see your loyalty lies with our Tesoro habibty 😍❤️♥️🖤

AAYAN

"Get it out!" Jawahir shrieked loudly. "Oh my God! Oh my God! Get that thing away from me, hadha muqraffun; it's disgusting."

"Ahda; calm down." I muttered.

"Calm down?! Calm down you said?! How can I calm down when that thing is in here," she shuddered. "Please get it out, and make sure it doesn't enter my kitchen, ya ilahi MY KITCHEN!" She hopped off the table she was standing on, she walked straight to the door but shrieked when she saw the thing again. She somehow ended up in my arms.

I looked down at her in amusement. "Sooo...." Jawahir pouted adorably and mumbled a 'shut up' I sat down on the sofa with Tesoro still in my arms. I have no intention on letting her go. "I never knew you are a drama queen." I grinned.

She wiggled a bit to get comfortable then snuggled into me, resting her head on my chest. Fits like a puzzle.....I pray she doesn't hear how fast my heart is beating right now. "There was nothing dramatic about that, it was a cockroach for Allah's sake! A cockroach!"

"So?" I asked confusedly, I don't get why girls are so scared of the darn thing. It's just a small crawling insect.

"So?" Jawahir asked incredulously, her eyes popping out. She stood up with her hands on her waist. "Do you know what that thing causes?" I just shrugged. "Ya ilahi, you do know it causes so many diseases right? Salmonella Typhi, which causes Typhoid, has been found in cockroaches. They can also cause Dysentery, a disease that causes severe diarrhea that may include BLEEDING! BLEEDING fah! Which will eventually lead to death, so basically cockroaches are KILLERS!!" She huffed.

"You're such a nerd." I teased with a smile.

"Really?!" Jawahir threw her hands up. "After all I stated that's what you have to say?"

"Hey," I raised my hands up in protest. "Don't blame me, you just started spewing out facts like you're an encyclopedia or something."

Jawahir sat back down beside me. "Can we please have this house fumigated? I'm really scared of anything that crawls." I looked at her weirdly. Once she saw the look on my face, she added. "Except babies of course, I love babies."

I nodded my head in yes. "I'll inform the fumigators first thing tomorrow morning," I looked at my wristwatch. "It's already Nine now."

"When are they coming back?" Jawahir asked.

"Who?"

"Binta and Anty."

Oh right! Anty Hassatu and Binta aren't here, they went out early in the morning to 'explore the city' as they put it. A friend of Binta is taking them. Honestly, I don't know what they are still doing here. They said they wanted to see the house, isn't a day or two enough for that? They've been here for more than a week, I don't want to say anything to come off as rude. And I'm most certain that Jawahir is tired of having them here, not that she said it out loud, she's too nice.

The only bright side of having them here is having my Tesoro as a roommate. Being with her brings a certain tranquility and serenity that is unexplainable. The insomnia has left and I've being sleeping peacefully without taking any drug, she's my drug. I've forgotten what it's like to have a normal sleeping routine. Until now.....

I was about to open my mouth when a knock came from the door, followed by the chime of the doorbell. Jawhair and I shared a look, I stood up to get the door as she adjusted her scarf. I pulled the door open and I was shocked to see the person standing behind it. Anger immediately replaced the shock.

"You!! What.The.Hell.Are.You.Doing.Here?!"  I seethed. He had the nerve to smirk at me. I just want to rearrange his face.

"Well hello to you too old friend." He replied cockily.

Binta's voice halted what I was about to say. "Babe? Is everything okay?" She took notice of me. "Ohh Ya Aayan, you've met Abdulrazaq. Babe this is my cousin brother, the one I've been telling you about."

"Oh I know him." Abdulrazaq said with that sick smirk still on his face. Binta gave him a confused expression. "What?" He turned his attention to her, and smiled. "What I meant is that I've seen his pictures a few times on the newspaper and magazine."

"Oh okay, and Ya Aayan this is a—uhh...uhm a good friend of mine." She stuttered moving her weight from one leg to the other nervously. Friend?! The thought made me scoff. Does she call all her friends 'Babe'

"Oh Babe," Can I punch him now? "No need to be shy, it's okay you can tell I am your boyfriend."

This little piece of.....

"Ah Abdulrazaq let's go inside mana." Aunty Hassatu said from behind. Oh hell no, there's no way he's setting a foot in my house.

"Uhh no Aunt, maybe some other day. Se anjima." He smiled respectfully at Aunt, smiled at Binta—which she blushed to, wait till we get inside, zakici gidan ku. He then sent me one last smirk before leaving.

Binta and Aunt went inside and I followed them angrily. "HOW THE HELL DO YOU KNOW THAT MAN?!" I bellowed angrily, both Binta and Hassatu flinched and jumped clearly startled. Jawahir quickly walked to the foyer.

"Ya Aayan what are y—" Binta started.

I swiftly cut her off. "Abdulrazaq, how the hell do you know him?!"

"W-w-we m-met at the bank last week." She said shaking in fear.

"I never knew you were this stupid and dumb. How can you be so comfortable with a man you met last week?! Whom you know nothing about!!" I spatted raging in anger. The stupidity of some girls these days is beyond me, how can you completely trust a stranger??!!

"Y-y-ya Aayan I....I just I'm...."

"SHUT UP!!" I bellowed.

"Aayan calm down," Jawahir placed a hand on my biceps. I didn't notice when she shifted to my side.

"Aayan what is the matter?! I don't understand why you're shouting and scolding my daughter? It's not like she did anything wrong."

Is she serious?! It's entirely her fault, she didn't teach her daughter an inclining about being modest or the proper way to behave around men. Is this tarbiya she's suppose to teach her daughter?!

"Nothing wrong?! Do you know what kind of a man he is?! Do you?! But you let your daughter throw herself to anyone, is this right?!"

Aunty Hassatu glared at me furiously. "Don't you dare Aayan," she pointed her index finger at me. "Don't you dare insult my daughter's character or my upbringing. What's wrong in her trying to her a suitable and rich suitor for herself huh?"

I gritted my jaw and fisted my hands. A warm hand enclosed itself around my fist. I looked down at her and calmed down a bit, I'm so very furious. Seeing Abdulrazaq has unleashed so many emotions, all the pent up anger and frustration. And I am having a hard time controlling myself.

"Honestly Aayan I don't know what's your problem with my daughter? Bakin ciki kake mata?! You refused to marry her, then let her get married mana!" Aunty Hassatu spatted bitterly.

"Envy?! ENVY?! Now why on earth will I envy what she has?!"

"I don't know, wannan kuma kai kasani, but whatever it is, it will not stop her from seeing Abdulrazaq. Who are you to stop her?! He seems like a fine and responsible gentleman and he has ticked all the boxes in my criteria, so I don't see what the problem is. And there's nothing you can do or say to make me decide otherwise."

Aunty Hassatu grabbed the hand of a sobbing Binta and left, she turned around at last minute. "He is visiting her tomorrow night." And she continued walking.

"Not in my house!"

Aunty Hassatu furiously turned around. "What?! What did you say?!"

"I said NOT IN MY HOUSE." I pronounced every word firmly. "I forbid him to step a foot into my house. Since you've made up your mind, fine! You can do whatever you want, but that useless, good for nothing man will not come here, find somewhere else but definitely not MY HOUSE. If you cannot do that, then leave." With that I stormed upstairs, I can hear Jawahir calling out my name, asking me to stop but I paid no heed to her. I can also hear Binta's sobs and Aunty's furious voice shouting, how I dared insult her that way, my father's sister.

I barged into the room and slammed the door hard. I sat down at the edge of the bed fuming in anger. HOW DARE HE?! HOW DARE HE STEP INTO MY HOUSE! After everything he had done, he dared showed his face again? The next time I see him, I am not holding back. I've done that more than once but not anymore.

Small dainty fingers started kneading my shoulders. "Yjb 'an tastarkhaa; you should relax, Ya Omri. You're too stiff. Breathe in and breathe out." I did as I was told and I could feel the anger draining out of me. I sucked in a deep breath and relaxed as I concentrated on Jawahir's talented hands.

"Hal 'ant bikhayr ana; are you okay now?" Jawahir asked after a while, her hand continuously rubbing my back. I leaned forward and placed my elbows on my knees, putting my head in my hands. "I am okay, shukran."

She hummed under her breath, her hand still doing it's task. "D-do you uhm want to talk about it?" She asked hesitantly. "It's okay if you don't want to say anything, I understand. I mean, I totally get it. I just thought— I uhm should. You know,....uh I just want to help." She started rambling. She's cautious because the last time I met Abdulrazaq I snapped at her. I deeply regret doing that especially when I heard her hyperventilating from a nightmare, it broke me. I remember how I held her in my arms till she calmed down but I doubt if she remembers or even know it happened.

"I'm sorry." Jawahir closed her eyes.

"Hey, hey. No need to say sorry. I just—ugh! I hate him, wallah I despise him with everything in me." I bit out in frustration.

"Can I say something?" Jawahir asked meekly. I nodded. "He who angers you controls you. Right now the thought of him is controlling your emotions, he is indirectly controlling you Omri. You are giving him so much power and authority over you and your actions. Let it all out, I know it won't be easy, I don't know how grave his mistakes were, it must be bad for you to react this way whenever you see him. But let it all out, I promise it will be worth it. When our minds are clouded by hatred and anger, we lose not only control but also our judgment. Take an example with what happened earlier, I'm sure you know what you did wasn't right even though you had their best interest at heart. Even though your anger may be perfectly justified, YOU are the one that suffers by carrying around that anger. Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; but you are the one who gets burned in the process. And sometimes our loved ones end up being the victim of that anger."

I looked at my wife in awe as I ponder on what she said. Everything she said is the pure truth, Abdulrazaq and the thought of him have been controlling me but not anymore. If only it was that easy.....

"I am sorry if I offended you, that was never my intention." Oh no, she mistook my silence as anger. I encircled my left arm round her waist, tucking her to my side. "Do not apologize habibty. You did nothing wrong, I should be saying thank you. Jazakillahu khairan."

"Ameen."

"I should go and apologize." I sighed. I never meant to disrespect Aunt but I was so angry that I couldn't think straight.

"I don't think it's a good idea to do it now, you're all still emotional. Wait till morning by then you all have calmed down, then you can apologize."

I hummed in agreement. Tomorrow morning, I'll apologize and explain to Aunt why he isn't right for her daughter, she deserves better. No girl deserves Abdulrazaq, they are all too worthy for him. He's nothing but a scumbag.

I took a shower to relax my muscles. I came out fifteen minutes later in a white jallabiya. Jawahir is already in bed, safely tucked in, the blanket covering her whole body except her head. I released a breath and climbed the bed, I switched the lights off. I kept tossing and turning as I couldn't sleep. I want to sleep but my brain won't stop talking to itself.

I hate insomnia, because it puts me into a state of reminiscing memories that I don't want to think about. Insomnia is kind of a torture, because while the world is fast asleep, you're up all alone. Your mind buzzing with every random thought in the universe and sometimes the thoughts will reach a standstill and your mind goes blank. You become more aware of the silence and it is during this moment that you realize how alone you are.

But I noticed the sleeping angel beside me and I realized that I was never alone, at least not anymore. I scooted over to her and hesitantly wrapped my arms around her midriff. Jawahir stirred tiredly. "Aayan?" she whispered into the night. "What is the problem?" She asked softly.

"Nothing, I just want to sleep. Can....can I hold you?" I requested desperately and meekly.

"Oh Aayan," she turned around and cupped my cheek. "It's okay, you can. I am here." She scooted closer and snuggled into me, placing her head on my chest. She placed her palm right above where my heart is thumping loudly, patting the place soothingly, she whispered. "Innahu bikhayr, ana huna; it's okay, I am here."

I tightened my hold around her. Placing a lingering kiss on her temple, I whispered. "Thank you. Good night Tesoro." But she was already asleep, a smile hovered around my lips. Aunt, Binta and Abdulrazaq long forgotten, I slept with my world, my life, my wife, in my arms.

*******

The irritating sound of my phone woke me up early in the morning. I bit back a groan, who dared call me in this early hour of a Sunday morning? I managed to fall back asleep after subh, all thanks to my Tesoro. And now someone is disturbing my peace.

"What?!" I growled into the phone.

"Good morning to you too Aayan." Came my father's firm and calm voice. My eyes bulged out, I looked at the phone and saw Baba's name. Oh lord!

I scratched my nape. "Good morning Baba."

"I want to see you, leave whatever you're doing and come home right now."

Now? I furrowed my brows, my eyes took note of the wall clock and it read 9:30AM. What happened that Baba wants to see me this early. "Okay Baba." He hung up without replying. Weird. I looked down at the little body curled beside me, my mouth automatically curved into a smile. I stroked her cheeks before detaching myself from her, careful not to wake her up.

I took a quick bath and dressed up in a blue wagambari and paired it with a matching zanna bukar cap, I am going to meet Baba after all. I sprayed dar al shabab perfume and finally clicked on my Auedmars piguet wristwatch. I quickly scribbled a note for Jawahir.

Sabahul khair Hayati,

Baba called me urgently, I had to leave. You were sleeping peacefully, I didn't have the heart to wake you up.

Call me when you wake up.

Aayan Xx

That Xx is so girly, oh well. I won't have breakfast at home today, I'll have to mange with Ammiey's. Don't tell her I said that. I hopped on my BMW 5-Series and zoomed off to my parents' house.

Since the roads are basically empty, I arrived ten minutes later. The gates were pulled open, I nodded respectfully at the gateman then parked my car beside Maheera's.

I forgot my keys so I had to ring the doorbell, the door was pulled open by a disoriented Kausar. My brows knitted as I took in her appearance.

"Sabahul khair Akhi." She yawned.

"Morning, why....."

"Just go to Baba's parlor, the—he is waiting for you." She grimaced, before I could reply she left.

Ooookkkkaaayyy. I ambulated to Baba's parlor, I heard sobs, a female sob precisely when I got closer to the door. Now 100x more confused, I entered the living room with a salam.

Oh no! So this is way Baba called so early in the morning. Aunty Hassatu and Binta are here, sitting on a sofa together as the mother blew her nose. She was the one crying, I concluded.

Baba glared at me while returning my salam, he gestured the couch for me to take a seat. He looks so furious, I wonder what they told him. Ya ilahi. Ammiey is sitting beside Baba. 'what happened?' She asked with her eyes. I blinked to tell her that everything is okay.

I took a seat on the floor, in the middle of the room. I feel like a small kid about to get scolded for taking a cookie from a cookie jar.

Baba cleared his throat. "Aayan," he called sternly. "Can. You. Explain. To. Me. Why. My. Sister. And. Her. Daughter. Came. Here. Around 10pm. Last. Night. Crying. Saying. That. You. Insulted. Them. And. Threw. Them. Out?!" His voice rose with each word.

"Baban Aayan you should cal—"

"Stay out of this Maymuna," he swiftly stopped her mid sentence. "You," he turned to me. "Explain why insulted you insulted your Aunt, that too In. Front. Of. Your. Wife!! Do you know what you're showing her?! You're showing her that it's okay to disrespect your family."

I released a huge breath before I started speaking. "Baba, what I did was wrong. Please accept my apologies. But Baba wallahi I had their best interest at heart," I glanced at Binta. "The man Binta is with, he is not a good man Baba, wallahil azeem."

"And how do you know he's not a good man, huh?!" Aunty Hassatu fired.

"Hassatu calm down," Baba said. "Aayan, explain."

"It's Abdulrazaq Baba." Ammiey gasped and Baba's eyes lit up in recognition. "The Abdulrazaq we know?" Baba asked for further clarification.

"Yes." I nodded solemnly. "I first saw him was during Umar's gala then yesterday when he dropped them off."

"So he knows where you live?!" Ammiey started to panic.

I nodded my head again. "Yes he does." Thanks to some people, I added in my mind. "Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un." Ammiey started hyperventilating.

"Maymuna!"

"Ammiey!"

Baba and I yelled at the same time. We quickly moved to her side. "Ammiey calm down, it's okay."

"A-aayan." She croaked. "Na'am Ammiey, ana huna. Kul shay'in ala ma yuram; everything is okay." I soothed.

"Aayan take your mother to her room." Baba instructed. I nodded my head and helped Ammiey stand up, I supported her weight with my body and guided her to the door. I stopped in front of Aunty Hassatu. "Forgive me for what I said earlier, I didn't mean to hurt you."

Ammiey and I continued walking, I guided her as we climbed up the stairs. Maheera saw us and started panicking. "What happened?" She shrieked. This drew the attention of Amal and Kausar, they also rushed to where we are standing.

"Nothing, just open the door." Maheera pushed the door open. I helped Ammiey take a seat on her bed. I attempted to stand up but Ammiey stopped me by placing her hands on top of mine.

I smiled softly at her. "Ammiey," I held onto her shoulders. She looked at me with tear stricken eyes, this made my heart clench. Nobody would want to see tears in his mother's eyes. "Everything will be fine bi Izinil Allah. Nothing is going to happen."

"I am scared." Her voice wobbled. I cupped her cheeks. "In sha Allah, nothing will happen. Just pray okay?"

"Okay." She nodded. I placed a kiss on her forehead. "You rest." She patted my cheeks, I adjusted the comforter and switched off the light. I quietly guided my sisters out of the room.

The second we stepped outside, they started bombarding me with questions.

"Hey, hey!"I gained their attention. "Ammiey is okay, she got a little worked up."

"Are you sure?!" My baby sister asked in a small voice. I kneeled to her level. "I promise Amal." I looked at the worried faces of Maheera and Kausar. "Relax, she's okay."

Maheera released a sigh of relief. "Come on, let's go have breakfast. Akhi I am sure you haven't have your breakfast yet." I nodded. "Come on then let's go."

I took Amal's hand and we ambulated to the dining room. "What are we having?" I asked as I took a seat.

"Toast, egg and tea." Kausar responded.

"That's it?!" I asked incredulously. Maheera shot me a flat look. "Yes that's it, need anything else?"

"Today is Sunday, I am supposed to have Buttermilk Blueberry Breakfast Cake with Strawberry oatmeal smoothie." I grumbled.

Maheera and Kausar gaped at me. "Why are you staring at me like that?" I asked. "I am sorry brother dearest, sadly not all of us have a 'Jawahir' at home." Maheera mocked. "Clearly." I rolled my eyes. Maheera just shook her head and continued serving Amal.

She kept my plate in front of me. The toast looks soggy and the eggs look watery, what the hell is this? "Who made this?"

"Ya Mahee." Amal answered. Is this even edible? I poked the toast with my spoon. I scooped a little piece of the scrambled egg into my mouth.

In the name of Allah, what the hell is this?! "Maheera is this what you plan on feeding Fahad when you get married?!" I asked incredulously. "Allahumu ahfizih; oh Allah save him. I already pity the poor lad." I shook my head.

"AKHI!" Maheera whined, stomping her feet. "What?" I laughed. "It's true." I looked at Kausar and Amal. "How do you guys eat this?" I asked on a serious note. This could give you food poisoning.

"Akhi just keep quiet and eat your food." Amal said to me with a straight face. "Thank you Amal." Maheera said whislt looking at me.

"Instead of reading novels maybe you should pick up a cookbook, you clearly need it." Maheera glared at me but said nothing.

There is no way am eating this, the tea, yes but the egg and toast, no thank you. Maheera sat down beside me the same time my phone pinged. I unlocked the phone to see the message when it was abruptly snatched away from my hand.

"No phone at the table." Maheera teased while walking away. "Ouu look, it says from Tesoro. Who's Tesoro Akhi?"

"Jawahir of course." Kausar said like it's the most obvious thing in the world. "Maheera don't let me stand up, give me back my phone." I warned.

"Look it's Jaw's picture," she squealed showing Kausar. "It is captioned 'Goodmorning.'" Kausar read.

Maheera looked at Kausar and squealed. "Simple and sweet! What a perfect way to start your day. Oh Allah! You guys are couple goals." Kausar nodded. "They are my couple crush!" Kausar added gleefully.

"Let me see too." Amal climbed the table and crawled to where Maheera and Kausar are, she poked her head between their heads to also see the picture. Amebo, see gulma.

"Okay that's it!" I stood up and snatched my phone from their hands. I looked at the picture they were gushing about. It's a picture of Tesoro she took on Snapchat, she's dressed in a simple black abaya. It's captioned with a simple 'Good morning☺️' The corner of my lips lifted.

"See," Maheera squealed, "he is smiling!!" I turned to frowned at them but the smile managed to make it's way to my lips again.

"The smile won't even leave his lips." Kausar shrilled and they all high-fived each other. I left the room with a smile on my face. Those girls.

Jawahir and I made a deal few weeks ago, I didn't like the idea of her posting her pictures on social media—it just didn't sit right with me—so instead of posting the pictures to either Instagram or Snapchat, she sends them to my phone. Silly and childish? Whatever but I'd rather have her fulling my memory than her sending her pictures out to the world to see. Call me possessive, but that beauty is only reserved for my eyes, no one else's.

I went to the backyard to have some fresh air. The sound of my phone brought me out of a reverie.

"Hello?"

"Sabahul khayr." Came her melodious voice. My mouth automatically curved into a smile.

"Morning."

"Is everything okay?"

"Yeah, everything is fine."

"Uhh, there's something thing I want to tell you."

I hummed. "Go ahead."

"Aunt and Binta are not here, I went to their room and it's empty, even their suitcase is missing. I think they've left."

"It's okay, they are here. They left since yesterday night."

Jawahir gasped. "How did we not know?"

"I honestly have no idea either."

"Everything okay now?"

"Yeah, everything has been cleared up."

"Alhamdulillah," she sighed in relief. "When are you coming back?"

"Someone is already missing me I see," I teased. "I'll return after asr prayer in sha Allah."

"Rihlat amina, I will see you then. Bye."

"Wada'an." With that she hung up the phone. Just then Binta walked in but she immediately turned around when she saw me.

I called her back. "Can we talk?"

She hesitantly nodded her head, she took a seat on one of the single stools.

"Uhh, have you spoken with Baba?"

"Yeah," she nodded. "I understand everything now, I never knew he is t—

"—it's okay. Like you said, you never knew. I am sorry about the way I reacted though." 

"I understand, you were just looking it for me. Thank you Ya Aayan." She sent a last smile my way before standing up. "I'll take your leave now."

I nodded my head. She was almost out of the door when she turned around. "And Ya Aayan—

"Yes?" I looked up.

"That Jawahir of yours, she's a true gem. I can see why you love her."

Do you think he'll accept or deny being in love with Jawjaw?

Oh well🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️ I guess we'll never know.......

Ghen ghen ghen!! There seems to be more to this 'Abdulrazaq' of a thing than what just meet the eyes🤔🤔🤔

What could it be? Leave your guesses in the comment section.

You know the drill
Please 🙏🏼
VOTE
COMMENT
SHARE &
FOLLOW

Love you all 💕💕💕

Yours truly
Memzyb✨🌹