ABUJA, NIGERIA

"Innalillahi wa Ina illahir rajiun! Ya Aisha, Sa'eed knows that bastard! He knows Bilal Maigoro." Hauwa finally managed to say in between painful sobs.

Aisha's eyes widened in horror as she stumbled backward, her hand flying to her mouth. "Mai-Jidda, what are you talking about? How does Sa'eed know...that monster?" She spat out the words, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and anger. The name Bilal Maigoro was like a poison, a toxic reminder of the pain and suffering their family had endured.

Hauwa's sobs intensified, her body shaking uncontrollably. "I-I don't know, Ya Aisha! Sa'eed just mentioned it casually, like it was nothing! But I know that name, Bilal Maigoro...it's a sore topic for our family, a wound that never healed." She choked on her words, her eyes pleading with Aisha to understand.

Aisha's face twisted in disgust. "You know exactly what he did, Hauwa! How can you even think of marrying someone who associates with him? Have you forgotten the pain, the suffering...the nights we cried ourselves to sleep, the days we lived in fear?" Her voice rose, echoing off the walls as she relived the memories.

Hauwa's eyes flashed with defiance, her voice rising. "I haven't forgotten, Ya Aisha! But I won't let the past dictate my future. Sa'eed loves me, and I love him. He's not responsible for Bilal's actions." She took a step forward, her hands clenched into fists.

Aisha's expression turned cold, her voice dripping with venom. "You're selfish, Hauwa. You only think of yourself, your feelings. What about our family's honour? What about the scars we still carry? You're willing to betray everything we stand for, everything we've been through, for a man who's connected to our tormentor." Her words cut deep, intended to wound.

Hauwa's face crumpled, but she stood her ground. "I'm not selfish, Ya Aisha! I just can't live without Sa'eed. And I won't let you or anyone else come between us." Her voice cracked, but her determination remained unwavering.

The sisters locked eyes, the air thick with tension, as the shadows of the past threatened to tear them apart. The silence between them grew heavier, punctuated only by Hauwa's ragged breathing.

Aisha's gaze narrowed, her eyes blazing with a fierce inner light. "You're blind, Hauwa. Blind to the truth, blind to the danger. Sa'eed's connection to Bilal Maigoro is not just a coincidence. It's a sign, a warning. And you're ignoring it, ignoring the risks, ignoring our family's history."

Hauwa's face is set in a stubborn mask. "I'm not ignoring anything, Ya Aisha. I'm choosing to move forward, to build a life with the man I love. And I won't let you or anyone else stop me." Her voice rang out, a declaration of independence.

The room seemed to vibrate with the intensity of their emotions, the weight of their conflicting desires. Aisha's anger and fear clashed with Hauwa's determination and love, creating a maelstrom of feelings that threatened to consume them both.

The staring contest continued, the tension between them crackling like a live wire. Aisha's eyes blazed with a fierce intensity, while Hauwa's shone with tears and determination. The air was heavy with unspoken words, the silence between them thick with emotion.

Finally, Aisha's face twisted in a snarl, and she hissed, "You're making a huge mistake, Hauwa. A mistake that will haunt you for the rest of your life." With that, she spun on her heel and stormed out of the room, leaving Hauwa shattered and alone.

Hauwa slumped to the ground, her body wracked with sobs. She held her chest, as if trying to contain the pain and heartache that threatened to consume her. "I love you, I really do...and I know Bilal Maigoro and his family are the reason for your untimely dismissal and our family's misfortune...but I just can't leave without Sa'eed. I love him, I really do. Besides, he is innocent, he knows nothing about what Bilal and his family did."

As she cried, Hauwa's mind replayed the memories of her time with Sa'eed, the laughter they shared. She couldn't imagine a life without him, couldn't bear the thought of walking away from the love they shared. But the weight of her family's secrets and lies pressed down on her, threatening to crush her.

Hauwa's sobs slowly subsided, replaced by a dull ache that settled in her chest. She knew she had to make a choice, a choice that would either bring her happiness or destroy her family forever. The weight of that decision crushed her, leaving her breathless and unsure of what the future held.

But no one I'm her family had to know Sa'eed knew Bilal Maigoro. She had made a huge mistake by telling Aisha because it only made her hate Sa'eed more but she knew she could trust Aisha not to say anything. Sa'eed knowing Bilal Maigoro is a secret she would carry with her to her grave.

•
Three days had passed since the explosive argument between Hauwa and Aisha, and the tension between them was still palpable. Aisha had been giving Hauwa the cold shoulder, refusing to speak to her or even acknowledge her presence. But Hauwa knew she had to make amends, not just for her own sake, but for the sake of their relationship.

Ever since Hauwa had come to stay in Aisha's house, it had been Aisha who always apologise first, despite being the eldest. It was a testament to Aisha's kind heart and her desire to maintain peace in their relationship. And so, Hauwa knew it was her turn to make the first move.

She found Aisha in the living room, engrossed in an episode of Keeping Up with the Kardashians on E! Hauwa cleared her throat to announce her presence, but Aisha ignored her, refusing to even glance in her direction. Hauwa didn't give up, though. She walked over to the couch and sat down beside Aisha, her eyes fixed on the TV screen.

"Ya Aisha, please talk to me," Hauwa said softly, her voice barely audible over the sound of the TV.

Aisha continued to ignore her, her expression unyielding. But Hauwa persisted, reaching out to touch Aisha's arm. "Ya Aisha, I'm sorry. I know I hurt you, and I'm truly sorry."

Aisha finally turned to face her, her eyes flashing with anger. "You think a simple apology will fix everything, Mai-Jidda? You think you can just waltz in here and expect me to forgive you after what you said?" Hauwa smiled internally, Aisha just called her Mai-Jidda which meant she was beginning to get to her and she would forgive her soon. Everyone in her house only called her Hauwa when they were upset with her or during serious matters.

Hauwa shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. "No, Ya Aisha, I don't expect you to forgive me easily. But I hope you can find it in your heart to listen to me, to understand why I'm doing what I'm doing."

Aisha raised an eyebrow, her expression sceptical. "Go on."

Hauwa took a deep breath, her words tumbling out in a rush. "I know you don't like Sa'eed, and I know you think he's bad news. But the truth is, Ya Aisha, he's become a part of my life. Without him, I'm nothing. He makes me feel seen and heard in a way no one else ever has."

Aisha's expression softened slightly, her eyes filled with concern. "Mai-Jidda, I just want what's best for you. And I'm scared that Sa'eed is not it."

Hauwa nodded, her tears spilling over. "I know, Ya Aisha. And I appreciate your concern. But I need you to trust me, to trust my judgement. I know what I'm doing, and I know that Sa'eed is the one for me."

Aisha sighed, her shoulders sagging in defeat. "Fine, Mai-Jidda. I'll support you, no matter what. But please, be careful. I don't want to see you get hurt."

Hauwa's face lit up with a smile, relief washing over her. "Thank you, Ya Aisha. Thank you for understanding."

The two sisters hugged, their differences momentarily forgotten in the face of their love for each other. But as they pulled back, Hauwa knew that the road ahead would be fraught with challenges, and she steeled herself for the battles to come.

•
Sa'eed sat in his lavish penthouse, surrounded by extravagant decorations that reflected his opulent lifestyle. The walls were adorned with expensive artwork, and the floors were made of polished marble. The room was filled with plush couches and chairs, and a massive chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the space.

Bilal Maigoro, Umar Modi, and Ahmad Yakasai, three of Sa'eed's wealthy friends, lounged on the couches, snorting lines of cocaine and drinking champagne. Sa'eed, usually a willing participant in their debauchery, sat apart from them, his expression stern.

"Come on, Sa'eed, join us," Bilal said, holding out a rolled-up bill. "It's just a little cocaine. It won't kill you."

Sa'eed shook his head, his jaw clenched. "I'm not doing it today, Bilal. I'm trying to cut back."

Umar and Ahmad snickered, and Bilal raised an eyebrow. "Oh, Sa'eed's gone soft. His new girlfriend must be turning him into a wimp."

Sa'eed's eyes flashed with anger, but he kept his cool. "I'm just trying to make some changes in my life, Bilal. I want to be a better person for Hauwa."

Bilal laughed. "Hauwa? Ha! She's just a phase, Sa'eed. You'll get bored with her soon enough."

Sa'eed's face twisted in frustration. "You don't know what you're talking about, Bilal. Hauwa is different. She's the reason I want to change."

The three friends continued to taunt Sa'eed, their words dripping with malice. But Sa'eed refused to back down. Finally, he'd had enough.

"Shut up, Bilal!" Sa'eed shouted, his voice echoing off the walls. "I've had enough of your crap. If you don't keep quiet, I'll punch you."

Bilal's eyes widened in surprise, but he didn't back down. "Oh, Sa'eed's got a temper now. How cute."

Sa'eed's fists clenched, and he took a step forward. "Get out. All of you. Get out of my penthouse."

The three friends laughed, but they knew better than to cross Sa'eed when he was angry. They quickly gathered their things and left, but not before Bilal delivered a parting shot.

"You can't escape this lifestyle, Sa'eed. You'll always be one of us."

Sa'eed's eyes blazed with determination. "I'll prove you wrong, Bilal. I'll change for Hauwa. I'll become a better person."

As soon as the door closed behind his friends, Sa'eed took a deep breath and began to rid his penthouse of the drugs and paraphernalia. He threw everything away, determined to start anew.

Despite their friendship, Sa'eed knew he had to distance himself from Bilal and the others. They represented a lifestyle he no longer wanted, a lifestyle that could destroy his chances with Hauwa. He was willing to fight for his future, even if it meant fighting his own demons.

Ok🌚
Didn't really expect that from Sa'eed, or did you😏?
But at least he wants to change for Hauwa🤷‍♀️.
And Hauwa is still adamant, but love is blind🤭.
This Bilal is a bad influence and what did he do to the Gimba family that they hate him so much? Guess🤭.

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Layha🦋🤍