Hello🤓🤓
Hope you had a splendid Eid.

If there was anything that keeps Sadiqu up at night, then that must be Nazeer's newfound attitude. Sadiqu thought he would stop but things were getting worse. He's a man that has so much concern about people close to him.

He wondered how Nazeer was going to face his father or mother with a bad result despite all the money being spent on him. Or how he's going to cope; by hiding his new lifestyle away from them. Sadiqu shook his head in pity as he packed his clothes in a briefcase. He was going to catch the next morning flight to Nigeria.

Midway arranging his Caftans, the door barged and he diverted his eyes to the direction. Nazeer was purging a smoke from his nose and his eyes were red from intoxication.

"This path, will never have a good ending." Sadiqu said while closing his box. Nazeer scrunched his nose disgustingly and dropped on his bed.

"You may despise me for now... Insult me, hate me again but one day— you will realise that I'm saying the truth I swear by Allah." Sadiqu added but it was as if he was talking to a wall because Nazeer didn't even blinked at his words.

"You're just jealous man." Nazeer purred, changed his shirt and banged the door again.

Sadiqu sighed.

He won't stop trying to talk to Nazeer by God's grace.

****

Bareerah smiled with gleam visible on her face as she fed her son with jollof rice. Just when she lost hope completely, Allah sent Fatima and Dr Muhseen to her. She remembered when she besought Allah for help and in His infinite mercy he intervened.

"Inna when am I going to start attending the school?"  Bareerah smiled yet again and held his hand.

"You will start as soon as possible. You need to be stronger first. Kaji?" He nodded fast, smile not escaping his lips.

"Let me get your medication," she rose to her feet.

"I thought I have finished taking the drugs Inna." He whined.

"This is a supplement son, it will make you stronger, healthier and provide you with the nutrients you lack. That's what Dr Muhseen told me." She explained as it was explained to her. She brought the syrup and gave him. He gladly took it while licking the edge of his lips.

"Assalamu alaikum," a boy came in.

"A bayar da daddawa da kuka na dari." He handed her the money. Bareerah entered her room and dragged the bucket where locust bean cake and baobab leaves powder was. She tied it in a nylon and gave the boy.

She was so proud of her little business because it's helping her  more than one could imagine. She sells Kuka, daddawa, fried groundnut and tigernuts. In the morning, she fries qosai and in the evening she fries awara. Her friends mocked her; calling her a money monger because she does alot of petty businesses which she won't get any profit as they thought.

She was counting her money when she heard a salaam. She lifted the mat she was sitting on and hid the money under. To her surprise, it was a lady.

"Good evening Inna," she greeted and sat beside her on a chair. Bareerah looked at her in surprise. Who was this lady? What was she doing in a village?

"How are you?" Bareerah stuttered.

"I'm fine. Young man, how are you?" She stretched her hand and touched Wali. He smiled at her and greeted her.

"It's like you didn't recognized me Inna. I bought your awara a week ago when I came to visit my farm." The lady explained with a smile.

"Oh you know there are a lot of people that's why I didn't recognized you. What's your name?" Inna brought water in a silver bowl for her.

"Oh no problem. I came to seek for your help."

"Serve your self," Inna brought reheated tuwo for her although she was sure the lady would never eat it. She doubt is she has ever consumed it before. With the way she has that opulence look visible on her body and speech, it would be surprising for her to eat.

She washed her hand and delved into the tuwo. Bareerah stared in shock.

"This is so delicious. You have a magic hand mother." The lady complimented. She didn't stopped eating until didn't stopped eating until she emptied the bowl.

"Thank you so much for your hospitality. You're really kind and I look forward to working with you." Bareerah was left in suspense, she don't want to ask again but she's so eager to hear what the lady wanted from her.

"I am a caterer, mother; my mother owns a restaurant. I want to add your delicious awara to my menu... And I think this tuwo would also be added. So, I don't know if you will be comfortable with it." Bareerah signed in sheer happiness.

"Whatever you suggest, I will be fine by it."

"Kai amma tuwon nan yayi dadi fa. Ga yajin daddawan kamar na tafi da shi." Bareerah laughed at the way the lady couldn't stop talking about the tuwo.

"I sell the pepper too although I do it base on demand because of the season. You know during rainy season it forms balls hence why I don't make it and keep it." Bareerah proudly informed her.

"That's so nice. I think I have another idea about that too but for now, let's talk about the awara. If it goes well, I will add the tuwo." The lady stopped, opened her bag and brought out a notepad and a pen.

"Do you want me to teach you how I do it or what?" Bareerah asked while preparing her locust bean for that day's awara.

"No. I want you to be doing it for me. Let's start tomorrow, I will come and collect it in the morning."

"Fried one or unfried?" She drained out the water and add another one.

"Unfried. We will fry it in the restaurant." Bareerah nodded.

"How much will make 50 pieces? Let's start with fifty since its a trial." The lady scribbled down something.

"Just 500 naira."

"What? You mean just 500 naira? Oh my God!" The lady squealed because it would bring a lot of profit to her. She opened her bag and brought out one thousand naira note.

"You use this and keep the change for your labor, if I get a lot of profit, I will add something to you." Bareerah thanked her. They arranged the way it will be done before the lady left.

Immediately she exited the house, Bareerah praised Allah and began to dance.

★

Kano, Nigeria.

2006.

Sadiqu stretched his arm in the air as the fresh air of his homeland hit his nostrils. He picked his luggage and board for a cab straight to his village. He didn't informed his mother about coming back because he wanted to surprise her.

He first stopped at the tea junction since it was morning when all of his mates were present.

"Assalamu alaikum," he announced his presence and they all turned to see him. Dawuda was the first to see him, he jumped in happiness and hugged Sadiqu.

"Saukar yaushe Sadiqu? When did you arrived?" He began to check him out.

"A'a mutanen turai!" Another exclaimed and held Sadiqu.

"I just landed. Ko gidan ma ban shiga ba. I didn't even enter our house." Sadiqu replied them as he zipped his bag to bring out the little money he had.

"Where's Saminu?" Sadiqu asked.

"He's not out yet," the tea seller replied him. They gisted a little before he stood to leave.

"Share this. Let me go and see Inna. I will come out in the afternoon." He gave them a thousand note which he had been saving to give them. They were his childhood friends whom have never attended school before. They thanked him before he left for home.

On reaching, he saw a car parked at the entrance of their house. Sadiqu stopped to marvel at the sight of the car. It was looking so lavish and he wished he could own the same some day by the grace God.

Stepping his leg in, he saw his brother first. Sadi ran to hug him tight and he lifted him up in his arms.

"Lil man, look how you grew up," he pinched his cheek before they proceeded in, talking bit by bit.

The scent of Sadiqu's perfume hit the lady's nose and she turned to see him, he was looking sideways so she didn't see his face. Bareerah looked up and thought she was dreaming.

"Inna ta," he dragged her. Bareerah touched his forehead and his cheeks.

"Sadiqu is this you? Or am I dreaming?"

Inna ta," he dragged her. Bareerah touched his forehead and his cheeks.

The lady's heart dropped in her chest. What? Sadiqu? Oh lord, this can't be true. It can't be what she's thinking of.

"Inna it's me." He replied with a smile. Bareerah broke into tears of happiness and collected Sadiqi's luggage. All the while, the lady was staring at them both. She was honestly carried away by his charm.

"Good morning," his voice rang and she realised he was referring to her.

"Erm... Morning how are you?" She stammered while smiling but staring at the ground. She's afraid to look at him; because that would definitely give her an answer to her question.

Sadiqu took a glance at her eyes and lowered his gaze. She's wearing a face cover.

"I'm good." He replied shortly. She just reminded him of Mimi and immediately, he developed a hatred for her too.

"Thank you Inna." She turned to Inna and carried the bucket of awara out.

"Sadiqu please help her with the bucket mana." Inna implored.

"No, you shouldn't bother Inna. He's just coming back, he need some rest." With that, she exited and drove away.

★

She stared at the paper which Sadiqu gave her. Even though Maleekah had told her what the paper contained she wanted to read it by herself. She entered Google and began to translate the words until she got what she was looking for.

*Modesty is the best garment of a woman. A woman is supposed to close and cover all her body except her palm, feet and face* she read the first line and her heart skipped a beat when she remembered the dress she wore on that day.

*Humility, respect, regards are rare gifts; mind you, money cannot buy them.*

She felt a lump in her throat. True to Maleekah's words, she wouldn't enjoy any content of the letter.

*the way to hell is being bought with money, but the path to paradise is free.*

Wait, what did he mean by that? What's wrong with this guy?

* Anything that will harm a person's soul is highly forbidden. Take for example alcohol for reference, check the holy books.*

She skipped five lines and translated the next line.

*Be steadfast in prayers, for, prayers prevent evil deeds*

How did he know she hadn't prayed zuhr yet? Is he a magician?

Lord! She can't continue reading this note. It's all annoying and crap! All of it contained nonsense and she hadn't even read half of it. She squeezed it and dumped it in her wardrobe with rage.

Her phone rang, it was a call from the restaurant. She hoped they will deliver good news.

***

Okay bye
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