Because kvlsum said I should drop Friday update by midnight but I might not be awake by then. So enjoy!

THIS IS YOUR FRIDAY UPDATE BTW. I'm done with you people.

Jumuah Mubarak. Don't forget to read suratul Kahf!

     SA'ADATU'S POV.

KANO, NIGERIA.

Why did I agree to with him? I do not know.

Maybe, it is because I know I am not in the right mental state to drive at the moment. Or perhaps, it was the look on his face which I knew would not take no for an answer. It may have sounded like a question, but something told me it was not.

So, I resigned and simply handed him my car keys, but he did not take my car. Instead, he handed the keys to a man I recognize as Ya Mama's driver, then gave him directions to what I could only assume is my house before he made his way over to me, and gestured for me to get into his car parked just a couple of cars away.

I silently followed, and slipped into the ever so familiar BMW, then kept my gaze outside, refusing to spare him a glance, daring not to be honest. I felt him get into the car, his cologne scent lingered in the car, and somehow intensified when he got into the car as well. Except at that moment, his cologne was the last thing on my mind.

Rather, I gritted my teeth and released a few shaky breaths, trying as hard as I can to hold my tears back. He did not say a thing, which I am as grateful for, as it scared me even more and made me feel worse than I already did.

He probably is disappointed in me, I am sure he is. How could I have said that to Faiza? Deep down I know she only has my best interests in heart and I should not have allowed my feelings to spread to those around me, but it is a habit I cannot seem to let go of no matter how much I tried.

At one point, I buried my face in one of my palms, hoping the car ride would simply pass by quickly, and I would find myself in the confines of my house. But to be honest, the mere thought of returning to that house as well only made the sick feeling from within me to bubble into something else, dread spreading through my veins in fear of not being able to handle whatever it is I would face there as well.

It appears I simply cannot catch a break today.

Much to my utmost dread, the car ride came to a halt sooner than I had expected, and I could swear my heart dropped upon realizing I am back to the place that made this entire feeling within me start. I waited for a second, then another all in an attempt to prolong the inevitable.

A couple of seconds later, I released a shaky breath and decided to just get it over and done with—it is not like I can avoid it any longer. So, I lifted my head, prepared for my gaze to fall on the familiar building of my house, only to be met with something else. The sight of the building in front of me made the dread within me contort into something else—a feeling of confusion, mixed with a hint of leftover dread.

I blinked, then for the first time I stepped into the car, turned my head around to look at him, my eyes dilated slightly. "You said you were taking me home," I hated how hoarse my voice sounded, but truthfully, that was the least of my concerns.

"Exactly." He nodded, almost as if he could not see what I am seeing. "I brought you home."

My brows drew in, and I turned my head around one more time, blinking as I took in the building again, just to make sure I am not hallucinating before fixating my gaze on him again, as if he had grown two heads. "This is your house," I stated, as a matter of fact.

"I can see that," I hated how calm he was responding, as if he could seriously not see anything wrong with this. "I have glasses; I can see better than you can."

I nearly scoffed. He has glasses? Oh wow. Why have I never noticed that before? I thought he just had four eyes.

I flashed him a deadpanned look, not in the mood for whatever half-baked jokes he has, even though there was nothing amusing about his expression as well.

"This is not my house," I found myself saying, because it appeared he has no intentions of changing his mind.

"For now," He breathed out calmly, his words escaping with so much ease. "But, whether official or not, this has always been your home."

I could not even bring myself to feel the butterflies as usual, not even that statement could get to me even though my dead heart got a breath of life from it. I could only hold up my expression, a silent demand for a reasonable answer.

I guess he decided after a while that he had pulled my legs enough, because then his expression softened a bit, though serious still. Holding my gaze, he explained. "It was Anty that called me earlier," He said, and for a second I wondered when until I realized he must have meant the phone call he received when we were in the living room. "She asked me to bring you here to spend the night as Hajiya has been asking of you, and that your father has already approved. So, you can stay here tonight." He explained, then added in a much softer tone. "If you are okay with that, that is."

I cannot explain it, the relief that bloomed within me at his words. Knowing I do not have to go back home tonight gave me immense relief because God knows the last thing I want to do is head back to my home. I could very much use a different environment, one that will not remind me of the mess back at my home.

However, that to say does not mean staying here for the night does not come with its own share of problems—especially not with what I had done just a while ago.

He must have been able to read my expression somehow, because his voice came again, addressing my unvoiced worries. "Faiza will be staying at Mama's, so you do not have to worry about running into her tonight," He said. "You both would need to cool down."

Was it wrong that knowing she will not be here brought me some sort of relief because I do not think I can face her any longer? Perhaps. Because then I felt bad for crashing at her house after what I had just said to her. And instead of the initial peace I had felt, the sick feeling from earlier returned, and I found myself wondering if agreeing to stay here is the right decision after all.

But, the man with me does not seem to care about that, nor give me a chance to dwell on those pessimistic thoughts. Because he suddenly unlocked the car, then held my gaze and said. "Now let us head in, Hajiya has been waiting for her daughter all day." With that said, he suddenly pushed his door open and slid out.

I hesitated for a second, still thinking the decision over. Am I in the right mental state to face Hajiya? With which face can I even see her at this moment? How can I stay at Faiza's house after what I had done to her?

My thoughts were halted when the door was suddenly pulled upon, and my gaze fell on the man standing there with slightly drawn in brows. "Let's go," He gestured to the front door. Then, he added, his tone as serious as his expression. "Or do I need to help you with that?"

My eyes dilated slightly, and I hastily found myself getting out of the car because with this man, I do not want to take any chances.

Now standing in front of him, he pressed his lips together, then nodded. "Right choice," He pushed the door close, his gaze holding mine. "I intend to keep this halal all the way. I have all the patience in the world."

Blood rushed to my cheeks, and the butterflies in my tummy fluttered but I tried to keep a stern expression, and not be a blushing mess. "You're impossible." I found myself muttering, my eyes slightly narrowed though there were no hard feelings.

He shrugged, "For you? Whatever you want me to be." I could swear the man is trying to hide his smile, and he does a damn good job at keeping a stern face when saying all that. "Muje." He finally decided to stop teasing me, and took the lead.

I glared at his back for a second, before following him regardless, staying a safe distance behind him—my hold around my bag handle tightening as my momentary ease managed to get rid of some of the feelings suffocating me earlier—for a split second, I had almost forgotten about them truly.

He pushed the door open first, then gave me way to step in. I did so, and the moment I stepped foot in the house, the familiar, homey scent of Bakhoor welcomed us, the lingering smoke in the air a testament that it has not been long since the incense was burned.

As we made our way further into the house, our steps came to a halt soon enough when Hajiya's familiar figure emerged as she descended the stairs, and the moment her gaze landed on us, her lips slanted into a wide grin, before she closed the distance between us. "Sa'adatu, my daughter..." Her arms extended out, and she instantly pulled me into her warm embrace, her outfit heavily scented of another bakhoor peculiar to she alone.

A genuine smile made its way on my face. "Hajiya ta," I returned the embrace, and it felt as though all my worries had seeped right out of my body.

A voice came from beside us, "Your son is here as well." I could see him waving by the side, as if that would help him gain his mother's attention.

"Dan Allah kamin shiru," She waved him off, her tone dismissive, without sparing him a glance.

A slight huff of disbelief came from him. "Ikon Allah..." How come I have never realized he could be such a drama Queen as well? Really.

Hajiya pulled back from the embrace, her wide grin evident. "I spoke to your mother, nace ta bar yata tazo ta kwana mini. Thankfully, your father has agreed so today I have stolen you away from your parents. I have not seen my daughter in almost a year. Ai since I am here you should at least spend a day here, ko ba haka ba?"

I could only offer her a smile, not knowing what words to use exactly. "Toh Hajiya," I resorted to saying. "Yanxu gani na zo ai."

"Of course," She patted the back of my hands which she held in her hands, "And I am not letting you go," Her hands gaze me a small squeeze, and for a second, it appears as though her words had a double meaning to it. However, before I could dwell on the thought, she suddenly added. "Come, let me get you something to eat. I am sure you have not eaten much at Mama's."

I shook my head, "A'a wallahi Hajiya, I am not that hungry." Yes, I have not eaten pretty much anything at Ya Mama's to be honest, but I am not hungry. I do not have the appetite for it to begin with.

"Nonsense," Hajiya flashed me a stern look. "Muje, I have made some of your favorites. I am sure you would love it." It was evident from the look on her face that she was not going to take 'no' for an answer, and for a split second, I saw where he with glasses got his stern expression from.

He definitely got it from her. Unfortunately, he did not inherit the sweet side of hers.

His voice came again, as if the ignorance from earlier was not enough for him. "Hajiya, I am hungry as well." He suddenly said, "Will you not offer your food to me?" I do not think I will ever get used to seeing this man's childish attitude. It is as if he is an entirely different person around his mother.

How come I never noticed that before? Maybe because I have never been alone with the two of them before, and he was too busy forming hard guy before. Now, it seems like a very long time ago really.

Hajiya threw him a glare. "Kasan hanyan kitchen dai ko?" And it appears Hajiya was not tolerating any of his childish attitude. "And you know the way to the dining as well, do you not?"

"Hajiya it is like you love her more than you love me at this point." He flashed her a look of disbelief.

"Is that a question?" She arched a brow. "Kaga, banson shashanci. Go and eat if you would. Stop disturbing us." She shifted her attention to me, taking a hold of my hand and pulling me with her to the kitchen. "Come, let us go so you can pick out what you would like."

She pulled me with her to the kitchen where there were various food flasks, all of which I know without a doubt were filled with food. I notice she has a thing with going all out for every single Eid, and she never fails to deliver. Even at that very moment, she picked out a plate, then went about filling it with various food, while I tried to keep her at bay because there was no way I could eat all that up.

After a while, I managed to get her to stop, after placing yet another serving spoon full of another food. I could only stare at the plate, wondering how I would be able to finish it all off because no way can I do that—even if does smell heavenly.

"I can definitely get used to this." Ya Adnan's voice suddenly came, reminding me of his presence there which I had earnestly forgot. Lifting my head up, my gaze fell on him as he stood by the entrance, leaned against the wall with his arms crossed over his torso. A warm smile danced across his lips. "My two favorite women, together like this. A dream come true." He admired.

Hajiya beat me to it, not that I dared to throw back a remark in his presence—she thinks I am sensible, I cannot ruin that now. "Wai Adnan have you always been shameless?" She asked, and remain small make I say;

'Ah, you never know. This one no get shame in the slightest.'

But I did not, and instead, kept my lips shut while I watched the exchanged between the mother and son.

He simply shrugged, unbothered. "It is not that I am shameless. Can I not admire my mother and my wife together like this?"

Hajiya flashed him an unimpressed look, "Adnan, get out. I do not want to see you in this house again. Bazaka samin 'ya a gaba ba. You have been disturbing this poor girl since she arrived."

His lips parted, and he was quick to try to defend himself. "Haba Hajiya, I am not disturbing her. You can ask her yourself, she wants me here as well." He casually tossed the ball over to me, his gaze on me as he flashed me one of his teasing smiles—his look mischievous.

My lips parted, eyes dilated as I threw him a quick glare, which disappeared into an innocent look when Hajiya shifted her gaze to me.

"Is he disturbing you?" She inquired, her tone serious.

I quickly nodded, and the look that took over his expression nearly had me laughing out loud, especially when Hajiya shifted her stern gaze to him.

"Adnan, get out. I will not repeat myself." Her tone left no room or arguments.

His expression yawed disbelief. "Hajiya..."

She pinned her glare on him, making him yaw his gaze to me as if to save him. But, the moment our gazes clashed, I poked my tongue out, and did an evil laugh in my head. His eyes narrowed, his lips slanted into a deep frown and I had to hold myself back from laughing out loud evilly.

Realizing there is no way out for him, he sighed, shook his head and simply walked out, not without throwing me a pointed look that had my lips slanting into the widest, mocking smiles out there. As he walked out, and Hajiya turned to look at me, the smile disappeared hastily and in its stead, I held up my innocent look.

"Come, my daughter." She urged, and I offered her a smile.

You know that friend whom your parents think are innocent but truly are the devil's incarnation? Well, that is me at the moment. And believe me, I will enjoy using Hajiya to get back at that man.

So many evil ideas formed in my mind, and I could only pity him. Ai yashiga uku a hanu na.

The thought had me releasing another evil laugh in my head.

****

Tohhhhh I'm so sleepy I might not have much to write here. Anywaysssssdd I love my Bayero family, they are the sweetest!😭

And Keh Saadatu Wato haka kike, you'll use Hajiya to get back at Adnanu ko😂😭 Oya now 🙂‍↔️ gwara kiyi

Kai Kuma Adnan Wato ko kunya 🫢 yo naga duniya

Tohhhh I genuinely do not have much to say. I don't even know what I'm writing at this point.

Have a good night and enjoy your Friday.

Love, Jannah Mia💕