Hey, I typed again.

****

Maama shook her head when Mimi's shadow faded from her sight. She wished she had checked the name of the sender. Maama sailed down to thinking lane; trying to find out who this mysterious person would be. Or maybe how angelic the person was because she was amazed with the way Mimi's cheeks twinkled in smile.

Mimi quietly closed the door behind her and sat on her bed.

She didn't find the position comfortable enough, so she leaned against the bed headboard and pulled a pillow where she rested her hand on.

She took a lot of time before she finally opened the envelope with her heart racing in it's cage. Well, it was an envelope that General sent to her since on the day of Asnah's birth but it got stucked at the post office. Her eyes welled up in tears as she open the first wrapped paper she came across.

To my lovely wife, the mother of my kid.

Like a sweet dream in wonderland and the serenity of a stream in a village I heard that my lovely wife has put to bed. I felt like growing wings to come down to her. Sadly I couldn't.

On this day, I will love to express my sincere gratitude to you Mimi, for taking up the challenge to sacrifice your life in order to bring a part of me into the world. Congratulations, you won.

I'm excited, happy, overwhelmed in such a way that I can't voice it out properly. I hope you get it, if you don't I think you should wait for my return.

I miss you around me, the warmth of your hugs and the coziness it sends to my being. Being out here, is against my wish I'm sure you know it. But, I will come back soon but never.

Mimi squeezed the paper, held her whimper and looked at the paper again. Does that mean he knew he was dying? Mimi bit her lips and continued.

I love you so much wifey, thank you so much for being a good heart. Thank you for bringing our bundle of joy to life. On this day, I will love to announce to you that I have gifted you the foundations both the one at Kano and Bauchi. I also have three houses at Abuja; those are to my baby. Attached to these, are the properties' ownership papers. I have also opened an account for my baby. Do make sure she gets whatever she wants in life. The money in the account will last her for all her life. Take care and do remember that I love you so much. More than your imaginations.

Mimi finished with a wet face. The later was more than a farewell. It shook her, and all the happiness she was feeling earlier, dissipated into the air.

Just like that, the beat of her heart in it's confine increased as she fished out the other paper. Her hands went trembling. Mimi opened it anyway.

Assalamu alaikum.

I, General Aliyy has divorced my wife Mimi Bashir once. I pray may Allah give her a better spouse that will be the coolness of her eyes.

General Aliyu.

"Noooooooooooooooooooo!" Mimi wailed with all her synergy. Her loud cry continued as though it was generated by a dynamo. Maama ran fast to Mimi and held her in her arms. What was that supposed to mean? A divorce paper? For her? With his own handwriting? Before his death? Was he insane? After all the lovey dovey words?

Mimi didn't know when an agonizing darkness toured her eyes. And she gave in to it.

****

The building was big, painted in white with air conditioner holes everywhere. A big signboard read NIAA which meant Nigerian Intelligence Agency, Abuja. There were CCTV cameras in every nook and crany of it. It had a mini clinic, a kitchen and offices.

Jameel's eyes remained on a particular CCTV camera and gulped. The process was harder than he thought.

"Can you please tell me your name, full name?" Jameel looked at his interrogator and at his cuffed hands.

"Jameel Mamman." He answered. The interrogator, an intelligence officer remained quiet receiving information from his wireless ear piece from a mentalist who was in another room watching what was happening in the interrogation room. His job was to sense if Jameel was telling the truth or not.

"He's right." The man nodded and smiled at Jameel.

"I'm officer Robinson Matthew. You can call me Matthew. I have three children and lost my wife years ago. She always complains about how much I dedicate my time to work! Yeah mate, I'm a workaholic! But It's a passion which I can't live without." The brown haired, and white skinned man chuckled. Jameel didn't laugh.

"Nice to meet you once again Jemeel." Jameel shook his hand and turned his gaze to his wounded leg. It took him five days before the bullets were removed from his body. That made his already dead heart more cold and hard like a rock.

"He's having a flashback. I think you need to postpone the interrogation." Detective Johnson said to Robinson. Jameel's eyes were fixed on the five officers around him but he couldn't point out what exactly they were saying.

"It seems like you're having a tough time dude. Let's have a coffee or maybe cigars?" Jameel shook his head in negative.

"Fresh air." Jameel mumbled. He didn't know he said it out but, that was the conversation going on on his heard because all he needed was fresh air. After the soldier's attack, Mufti was shot dead. Jameel had watched them struggling to breath but instead of them to focus on what was happening to them, they managed to shoot him again. One shot by his leg, making it two and another one on his arm.

"Wanna see your maama?" The viens around Jameel's face popped and became more evident.

"Triggered some memories huh?" Jameel nodded. He didn't want to hear about his family for now.

"Let's meet tomorrow then." Jameel was taken back to his confine. It was room with a neat bed, good toilet and whatnot. All those weren't appealing to him since he wasn't allowed out to have a glance outside. The windows around the room were wired. They made sound on a light contact.

Jameel fell on his bed and stared at the ceiling breathing hard.

****

Inna's house has been renovated once again as Sadiqu ordered. The fences had been lifted up and a gate has been put. People in the neighborhood got something to be talking of. Some said Inna was marrying again. Some said she was involved in illegal acts.

Their curiosities were raised high when Leek's furniture were being brought the house. They kept gossiping and side talking. Inna didn't mind any of them.

Inna was by her stove cooking when Maleekah's aunties came in looking at the house up and down.

"Hi." They greeted Inna and went directly to where was supposed to be Maleekah's side. It was initially Sadiqu's father's old room which was joined together with Sadiqu's former room. It turned to a room, a parlour, a kitchen and a bathroom. All in a modern way.

"Haba Maleekah what type of disgrace is this? How are you coping breathing under the same roof with those?" Leek took a sharp breath and asked them to come in. She locked the door and sat down with a sigh.

"Aunt TasTas, it's only been some few weeks but I am good. Alhamdulillah. Do you know what? I'm not allowed to cook, I have to eat what she prepares." Aunty Tasneem pursed her lip in annoyance and went for Leek's fridge to get a drink. She was greeted with a satchet water.

"You mean you don't have any refreshment here? Where does your salary goes?" Leek smiled.

"I gave his brothers and their friends the drinks. They asked for it and I couldn't say no." She proudly said.

"She's asking of your salary and monthly allowance." Aunty Ummul cleared.

"I haven't collected yet. And you know the robbers have collected my savings. The allowance I collected from Baba, I have brought something for my unborn." Leek held her aunties' hand and led them to her room where she was keeping the clothes. They were mostly diapers, feeding bottles, and some unisex overalls.

"Where's the one your husband bought?" Leek almost hissed.

"He's been robbed. In and out. He sold off his uncompleted building to renovate this house. He's planning on buying a ram and a rickshaw with the remaining money." Leek regretted saying the last part of her speech.

"Adaidaita sahu? For what?" They were answered by Sadiqu whom just came in with his crutches by his arm.

"Yeah. I will start driving, the moment I regain my health fully. Good afternoon aunties." He turned his way out after completing his words. Sadiqu didn't wait because he knew they will not give him an answer.

"Maleekah you've cheated us I swear. But thank God he even loves you to renovate the house for you." Aunt Ummul lamented and went back to the parlor. She was against Maleekah's marriage with Sadiqu right from the scratch. She had first of all talked about his leg then at his family. Ammi told her to let Maleekah do as she wished since it was her own life to live.

"Not that, now try your best in persuading him. You have to come with me for your delivery. I will come and fetch you in two days. TasTas, let's go." They hurried to the door as though it was said to them that if they stayed for another minute, they will die.

"Thanks for the visit. I will try my best." She walked them to the compound. Inna wasn't there, so they left immediately.

Maleekah rubbed her belly in hunger. She checked Inna's kitchen and saw her flask. She gladly took it and headed for her side.

"How're you?" Sadiqu asked for the ninth time that day. Maleekah had been breathing beyond normal that day.

"I'm good. Four weeks more." She coldly replied. She hoped it will serve as a mean of bringing up the topic she had at heart.

"What?" Sadiqu asked, switching off the television. He has just came back from the hospital for his physiotherapy. His therapist said he will begin walking in three weeks God's willing. Maleekah was on a maternity leave so she spent the whole days indoors.

"I want to go home please." Sadiqu pretended as if he didn't know what she was saying.

"Please, please." Tears welled up in her eyes. She knew it so well that he hated those tears. They weakened him.

"Don't." His voice was authorative and commanding rather than petting.

"You're staying in Inna's house with me by your side. Do you need anything aside that?" Sadiqu didn't like the idea of Leek staying with her aunty. Because he was afraid of what her aunt might instill on her. Maleekah has improved and he didn't want them drawing back to the phase, they had outgrown.

"But..."

"Are you hungry?" He dismissed her.

"I just finished eating." She replied showing him the plate.

"Good. I will be in the compound if you need me." He acted as if they weren't talking about something earlier. He had to man up and put his home on the right track. They were about welcoming a new born. If he allowed Leek to be the controller of the household, the child might not give him the respect he deserved.

"Being bossy doesn't fit you at all."

"I'm not being bossy. I'm being responsible. A man is always above and that's what I'm doing. You, yourself know I'm not treating you like a low. Am I?" Sadiqu raised his thick brow. And grabbed his crutches oncemore, steadying them under his arm.

When Leek didn't say anything, he let her be and went to Inna's side. Inna wanted to see him in her house together with his wife. And, so be it.

—————

Hmmmmm....

General Aliyu divorced Mimi even before his death (during her stay with Maama.) Turned out she didn't receive the parcel until after his death.

Questions of the day.

1. Why do you think General Aliyy divorced Mimi ?😭💔

2. Do you think Sadiqu's taking the right way in putting his home into place?

3. What of Inna's house?

4. Has Maleekah started loving her child? Remember, we have never seen her talking to the baby like new mothers normally do.

5. What do you think of Jameel?

6. Where's this story going to? Do you love the pace we're moving on? Is there any mistake you've noticed so far? What's your overall review on OOP???

I need your answers to update veryyyy soon. More reviews= faster updates.🎊🎊🎊

Ghosties, you've to answer at least one abeg. Aha, do that.

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Aishah.✨