JIRWAYE CHAPTER 13

JIRWAYE CHAPTER 13

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‘Ke har kin isa ki fadi mun qaddara’+

‘He has been the one and only person I’ve ever loved and then you just ruin everything….’.

‘You’re sick!… You filthy thing’

‘Na rasa me Abdulmalik ya gani in a cheap and lowly whore like you’

‘A cheap whore like you… like you’.

A firgice ta farka tana salati, jikinta sharkaf da zufa. Runtse ido tayi tana kankame kanta as she recollected memories of the dream she just had. Ganin kanta tayi cikin wani daki full of people who according to the dream duk ýan uwan khalifa ne, Saima included. Sun sa ta gaba sai zagi suke suna mata gorin ugly past dinta, reminding her of how tainted she is and how so incompatible she was with khalifa. Khalifa ya sha karfin ta. Wannan tunanin kawai ya sa hawaye masu dumi suka fara zuba daga idanunta. Zata kai 30 minutes tana kuka kan ta duba clock inda ke side drawer din bed dinta, gani tayi it was just 3:27 am. Wayar ta ta dauka without wasting time tayi dialling number din khalifa, yana ta ringing shuru baa daga ba, saura kadan ta kashe wayar taji a very tired Tariq greeting her.

“I want to speak to your boss”. Ta fadi a hankula.

“Sorry ma’am, Mr Al-Haydar is in a meeting. He gave a strict order not to be disturbed”. Dan shuru tayi kamar ta kashe wayar kuma amma sai ta sake tambayar Tariq.

“How is he Tariq?”. Ta tambaya a hankula.

“He’s good, a little bit stressed but he’s good”.

“Okay then. Sai anjima”. Ta fadi ta ije wayar. Dan kwanciya tayi shuru tana tunanin the last time she spoke with khalifa, about a week ago. Call inda be wuce na 1 minute 30 seconds ba. Kwata kwata 2 weeks inda yayi baya nan sau biyu kawai suka yi magana. Dogon numfashi ta ja reminding herself that she signed up for that kan ta sauko a hankula daga kan gado ta fada bandaki. Wanka tayi kan ta dauro da alwala. Tana fitowa ta sake kayan barci kan ta hau kan sallaya ta kabbara sallah. Ba ita ta koma barci ba sai bayan subh, bata ma dade tana barcin ba ta kuma tashi ta fara shiri saboda she had to be out with Hayfah by 10 am.

Mall suka wuce da Hayfah, one of the best in Abuja. Suna isa direct to wani jewelry store suka yi dun Hayfah ta ishe ta cewa koh rana daya they’ve never gone for shopping. Shagon babba ne, kuma anyi masa decoration me matukar kyau with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling and wall length mirrors placed at every angle of the gigantic room. A hankula ta fara duba jewelries din amma koh kadan ba wanda yayi catching fancy dinta, hasalima she was bored.

“Check this out ma’am, it’s pure English gold studded with a rare black diamond fr…..”. Gaba daya ta yi zoning out of conversation din, dun abunda ake nuna mata daban da abunda take kallo. Idanunta sun fada kan wani simple yet unique cufflinks na maza. Tana gani kawai the first person that crossed her mind was khalifa.

“How about that one?”. Ta tambaya tana nunawa attendant din cufflinks din.

“That is made of 18 carat pure diamond from the Maldives”. Ya fadi feeling so proud of himself. Tambayar kudin cufflinks din tayi, kasancewar masu business din turawa yasa suke pricing kayan su a currency din garinsu. “That’ll be One thousand five hundred thousand dollars only”. Magana tayi wa Hayfah tukun aka yi converting kudin to Nigerian naira which was equivalent to five hundred and seventy thousand naira. Umarni tayiwa attendant din da yayi mata packing din cufflink din kan su biya kudin su dawo. Hayfah ta bari a cash counter ta dan fita waje ta ansa call. Koh da ta dawo sai samu tayi ana dan hayaniya tsakanin Hayfah and a lady whose face she had already gotten accustomed to seeing.2

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

“I’m sorry ma’am but you can’t take that cufflink. Mun riga mun biya kudi for it”. Ta ji Hayfah ta fadi. Tsayuwa kawai Laylah tayi shuru watching the whole drama as it unfolded.

“I don’t care! I want that cufflink, i’ll pay double for it”.

“Fine! I’ll add an additional $1000 to the amount you’re paying”. Laylah ta fadi, finding her confidence. Sai lokacin suka yi ido hudu da Saima. Sun kai minti goma suna kallon juna ido cikin ido kan Saima ta fara breaking silence din.

“I’ll pay $6000 for the cufflinks”. Murmushi Laylah tayi kan ta bata ansa.

“It’s okay Hayfah, Karki damu. Na ci girma na bar mata cufflink din, she can have it as a gift from her sister inlaw. I’m sure I’d find habibi other nice gifts”. Jazur fuskar Saima yayi saboda tsananin takaici.

“Saima Mohammed Jalal doesn’t take alms from others, especially not from a whore”. Ta fadi tana gallawa Laylah wani irin harara. Sosai maganar ta yayi wa Laylah zafi amma koh kadan bata bari ya nuna a face dinta ba dan ya san Saima ta fadi haka ne to get a reaction from her.

“Khalid!”. Ta kwala kiran sunan PA din ta wanda ke gefen ta da karfi “Write her a cheque now…”. Ta fadi masa tana dan murmushi “And don’t forget, ka qara mata canjin da zata sha ruwa a hanya”. Ta fadi masa kan ta juya har zata wuce kuma sai ta tsaya “khalid”. Ta kuma kiran sunan PA din a hankula this time.

“Yes ma’am”.

“Yaushe birthday dinka?”. Ta tambaya.

“It was 11 days ago ma’am”.

“Good, consider the cufflink as a late birthday gift”. Ta juyo ta kallo expression din Laylah kan tayi dariya feeling satisfied with what she had just done ta wuce “Meet me at the car when you’re done settling her”.

Cheque ya rubuta just as his boss ordered ya miqawa Hayfah kan ya karbi cufflink din fuskar sa dauke da murna ya wuce. Ita kam Laylah murmushi tayi bata nuna bacin ran ta ba tace wa Hayfah tazo su wuce. Gaba daya ji tayi shopping dinma ya fita mata a rai amma haka nan suka wuce wani shop inda designer perfumes masu tsada ake sayarwa, ta siya kala biyu masu kyau for Leek whose birthday was fast approaching. Journey dinsu back home was very quiet, Laylah ranta a bace dan haka bata ce komi ba har suka isa gida, ita ma Hayfah shuru ta zauna bata yi mata magana ba.

Alarm dinta ne ya tashe ta at 12AM on the dot. Miqewa tayi ta kunna data connection din wayarta tayi posting picture dinta da Leek along with a caption wishing her a happy birthday kan ta tura mata a personal text wishing her. Har ta koma ta dan kwanta amma barci be kwashe ta ba sai ta sake miqewa kuma hastily reaching for her phone. Date ta sake dubawa ta ga tabbas it was 25th, birthday din khalifa was on that day too. Nan ta shiga debate da mind dinta koh tayi mixing up date din ne, haka ya sa tayi the first thing that came to her mind, check the Internet for answers. Nan da nan tayi typing sunansa aikam information dinsa ya fito. Nan tayi confirming cewa dai birthday dinsa was on that day. fita tayi daga browser din immediately tayi dialling number dinsa to wish him amma she was disappointed when her call went directly to his voice mail. Text message ta fara composing zata tura masa amma on a second thought kawai sai ta fasa ta yi clearing abunda ta fara typing kana ta sauke wata ijiyar zuci ta miqe ta wuce bathroom. Alwala tayi tazo ta kabbara sallah, tayi 4 raka’ahs of salatul nawafil, praying to subhanahu wata’alah for her husband’s long life, good health, guidance and prosperity. Gama Addu’ar ta yayi daidai da sanda video call din Leek ya shigo. Sun dan jima suna magana kan suka wa juna sallama Laylah ta ije wayar ta kwanta har barci ya kwashe ta.

Sosai ta shiga goge idanunta bayan ta farka, to confirm if what she was seeing before her was reality or just a figment of her imagination. Kallon ta yayi ya saki murmushi sosai. “Good morning wifey”. Ya fadi kan ya dau cup din coffee inda was laying on the side stool of the armchair he was sitting on yayi sipping.

“Khalifa?”. Ta tambaya kamar irin she wasn’t sure koh shi ne.

“Yes habibty”. Miqewa tayi da tsalle ta fada jikinsa tana murnar dawowan sa. Fashewa kawai tayi da kuka tana dan dukan kirjinsa, telling him how so very much she missed him. A hankula ya dinga shafa bayan ta yana rarrashin ta. “I’m so sorry zahra….. abubuwa suka mun yawa, I didn’t have time for myself. Mun samu traitor a ciki  khalif group of companies. Akwai wanda be so yaga cigaban mu, someone has been looting the company’s fund. Ni kaina I wanted to spend my time with you but I can’t”. Ya fadi in a tone which reeked of disappointment. Kallonsa tayi sosai da sosai tausayin sa na shiga ranta, he was going through alot in that moment, nan tayi noticing how tired and worn out he was looking. Hannayenta biyu ta sa at the back of his head, ta dan matso da shi kusa da ita kan ta yi placing 2 gentle kisses on his forehead.

“It’s okay habibi. I’m always here for you. I’ll patiently wait”.  ta fadi tana masa murmushi “And my prayers will always be with you”.

Awkwardly, they stared into each others eyes. For no prior reason Laylah ta sama kan ta da jin kunyar khalifa shikuma murmushi yayi mata kan yayi lowering head dinsa a hankula in such a way that their foreheads were touching. “God I love you so much”. Ya fadi a hankula making a giggle to escape her lips “You make me feel complete”. Dear God, he couldn’t fight against the thoughts that were going through his mind, kanshin jasmine and sandalwood flavoured perfume dinta da ya ta inhaling kept flooding his senses. Rufe idanunsa yayi shima a hankula bayan da yaga Laylah ta rufa nata.

“Wait!” Ta dakatar dashi, opening her eyes “I have bad breath. Yanzu na tashi”.

Murmushi yayi kan ya bata ansa “I don’t care”. Taking shallow breaths, he connected his lips to hers in a gentle kiss and something like magic ignited. Duka idanunsu a rufe, none of them willing to pull away. Khalifa ya sama kansa da relaxing, gaba daya damuwansa gone from his mind.

“Happy birthday habibi”. Ta fadi with a soft chuckle playing on her lips da taga yadda yayi pouting after pulling away. Kankame ta yayi ya matso da ita jikinsa sosai, yana shaqar kanshin that was radiating from her body. “When did you arrive?” Ta tambaya.

“A little past 8 I think”. Ya fadi yana duban agogon rolex inda ke hannunsa, ita ma agogon ta duba.

“That was 2 hours ago!” Tayi exclaiming “Shine baka tashe ni ba”. Ta fadi cikin shagawaba tana dan pouting lips dinta.

“I derived pleasure from watching you sleep”. Ya fadi yana kissing gashin ta “You looked so peaceful I didn’t want to disturb you. If I die today, I die a happy man knowing that I relished watching my wife sleep peacefully”. Dariya sosai ya bata, ashe khalifa could be that cheesy. Kwanta wa sosai tayi a jikinsa, resting her head on his broad chest as she basked in the glory of being in his arms. Sun dan dade a haka kan yayi magana “Habibty…”. Ya kira sunan a hankula.

“Yes love”.

“I think I should be going. Daga airport directly nan nayi. I need a bath and rest”. Ya fadi.

Dan bata rai tayi kan ta dago kai ta kallesa “I’ll see you later, yes?”. Ta tambaya.

“Cross my heart”. Ya ansa ta da murmushi.

“And hope to die?”.

“Yes habibty, yes”. Ya fadi yana kissing forehead dinta for the up tenth time that morning. Sallama ya mata kan ta rakosa har qasa inda Yasmeenah was sitting in the living room as usual with a cup of tea tana karanta newspaper. Sallama ya mata kan suka wuce har parking lot inda driver dinsa and Tariq were patiently waiting for him. Sai da taga fitar su daga harabar gidan tukun ta koma ciki fuskar ta cike da fara’a. Tana shiga suka hada ido, Yasmeenah ta kashe mata ido daya. Da gudu Laylah ta hau stairs ta wuce dakin ta tana dariya.

“Ya majnun (You crazy one)”. Yasmeenah ta fadi a hankula tana dan girgiza kai.Har ta gama saukowa daga stairs din idanunta a kan sa suke, she kept wondering how he could look so breathtakingly hot without even trying. Sanye yike da plain cream coloured button down shirt da black trousers, his lush ebony black hair well groomed.+

‘Nayi sa’a’. Ta fadi a zuci tana sakin masa wani murmushi. Tana gabato landing din stairs din ya miqa mata hannunsa ta kama. “You look great”. Ya fadi mata “And there’s someone who’s so eager to see you”. Ya fadi mata.

“Wane?” Ta tambaya. Durqusowa yayi gab da kunnenta before he whispered.

“Sirri ne”. Dan dukan hannunsa tayi kan suka wuce bayan ta tsaya a garden where Yasmeenah was busy watering her plants ta fadi mata cewa zasu fita.

“So… what do you want to do on your birthday?”. Ta tambaya.

“Have fun!”. Ya fadi da wani murmushi which resembled that of a child who has just been gifted a jar full of cookies.

“How does an early dinner followed by shopping sounds?”. Ta tambaya.

“Perfect!” Ya fadi “Dama I’ve already made us a reservation”. Daga nan ba wanda ya sake magana har suka isa destination dinsu. Shi ya fara fita before ya zago ya buda mata door ta fito. He couldn’t resist the urge to marvel at the perfect piece of art in form of a woman who stood before him, tayi kyau sosai in a faded blue Jean and black shirt and a matching sheila that covered her long and silky hair.

“God! I feel like the luckiest man in earth”. Dariya sosai ya bata. Kamo hannunta yayi suka fara tafia amma basu kai entrance din chinese restaurant din ba ya juyo ya Kalle ta. “It scares how furiously you make my heartbeat… I love you alot!”. Ya fadi placing a chaste kiss on her forehead.

“PDA? Seriously Abdulmalik khalifa Al-Haydar”. Ta fadi with a mischievous smirk.2

“What’s PDA?”.

“Anya daga generation dinnan kake kuwa”. Ta tambaya with sarcasm “Public display of affection. That’s PDA”.

“Ohhh”. Ya fadi a hankula, his mouth forming an O “I don’t care! You’re my wife and I can display my love at any time I so wish to”. Dariya tayi ta ja sa suka cigaba da tafia.

5 star chinese restaurant ne wanda ya matukar haduwa, gaba daya setting dinsa ma na China ne; from the wallpaper on the wall to the kind of furnitures, instead of normal dinning chairs and tables, they had short tables with cushions sprawled across the floor. It was quaint yet chic with a homey feeling. Scent of soups and spices wafted all through the place. Riqe mata hannu yayi har zuwa private dinning room inda yayi reserving. Once in, wata waitress suka samu waiting on someone.

“Is that all master?”. Waitress din ta tambaya.

“Laylah!”. Fadeel yayi exclaiming his mouth filled up with dumplings.

“Young man, what did I say about talking with your mouth full?”. Khalifa yayi correcting dinsa.

“Laylah! I’m glad to see you again”. Ya fadi yana hugging dinta.

“I’m glad to see you too Fadeel”. Ta fadi tana wasa da gashin kansa “How have you been?”.

“Great! Do you know, I got that play station I wanted. Uncle Tariq got me the play station”. Ya fadi cike da murna.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

“Really! That’s awesome. I’m happy for you”.

“Thank you” ya fadi yana sake kankame ta da small hands dinsa “You helped me win the hide and seek”. Ya fadi before giving her a kiss on her cheek. Gyaran murya khalifa yayi getting the attention of both souls.

“Kamar kun mance ina nan ne koh”. Khalifa ya tambaya “I can see you’ve started dinner without us Fadeel”.

“Just an appetiser”. Ya bada answer. Zama suka yi kan suka fara scanning through menu inda ke gabansu with the waitress taking their order. Ba tare da bata lokaci ba aka kawo musu abincin su suka fara ci, sosai Fadeel ya burge Laylah. He was extremely smart for a 7 year old. He ate perfectly with chopsticks and his table manners was unique. Babban abunda ya qara burge ta was yadda taga yana ta communicating da Babansa, yana tambayar sa about the business trip he embarked on, for a while she zoned out when both boys started conversing fluently in Arabic.

“So Laylah”. Fadeel ya fadi, bringing an end to her trance “Congratulations, I heard you’re married to my dad”. That made Laylah feel a wee bit awkward, for a moment she kept playing with one of her chopsticks.

“Uhmm yes Fadeel. You’re happy about that I presume”.

“I liked aunt Saima…”. Ya fadi yana dan jan numfashi “But I think I like you more. We’d make good friends”. Ya fadi mata and that made her smile. Dinner was awesome and soon they were done. Straight suka wuce mall dan yin shopping, sun fi one hour suna ta yawo a qaton mall din buying random things, with Fadeel and Laylah always running around like kids. It was somewhere around 9 when they finished shopping. Suna fitowa daga mall din, already nanny din Fadeel da driver suna jira su dauke sa. Sun dau lokaci shi da Laylah suna conversing about random things.

“I like you. You’ve made my daddy happy. Thank you”. Ya fadi kan yayi placing kiss a both cheeks dinta “Good night Laylah”. Ya fadi kan ya ruga, clutching tight to the piece of puzzle Laylah got for him at the mall.

“He’s such a cute and loving kid”. Laylah ta fadi once they were safely inside Khalifa’s car. “He’s charming”.

“My, my Laylah! Don’t tell me you’re planning on dumping me for my 7 year old son”.

“Without second thought” Ta fadi kan suka fashe da dariya. “You’re taking me home, yes?”.

“No! I think there’s somewhere you need to check out”. After about 20 minutes of driving, suka iso wani quiet street da ba houses sosai, gashi dama dare yayi so everywhere was quiet. Bakin wani gate yayi pressing a certain button on a remote and the gate began to open for them. Harabar gidan ya sama waje yayi parking. Already there were 2 cars parked a driveway din. Gidan was a medium sized country house which looker somewhat new. Saukowa suka yi daga motar, with her hand in his suka tako har gaban main entrance din gidan. Fingers dinsa yayi placing on the biometric device and in no time the door opened up for me with a recorded voice welcoming them.

“Welcome home Mrs Al-Haydar”. Ya fadi ushering her in “Na dade da gidan nan, I come here when I need closure. Ba wanda ya san da gidan daga Nawfal sai a few people and now you. And from the day I said I do to you, the house ceased to be mine. I hope you like it”. Sakin baki tayi tana kallon gidan, the architecture, the interiors. Everything felt homey, warm and cosy “You’ll stay here from now before everything between my Begum and I is settled. Bear with me, ba haka naso abubuwa suyi turning out ba”.

“Khalifa!”. Ta fadi amma sai ta nema words inda zata furta ta rasa “You never cease to knock me off my breath. Ya Allah, this is awesome. I love it! Every single detail about it”. Ta fadi walking forward to check out other rooms. Gida ne which had a living room with an adjoining kitchen and dinning area, 4 bedrooms ko wanne da bathroom dinsa, a gym and a movie room and several other utility rooms. Everything about the house was swoon worthy.

“Habibi”. Ta kira a hankula.

“Yes habibty”.

“I love you alot! I’m glad you came at the right time. I can’t think of a life without you in it”.

Kallon ta yayi for a while before uttering the words “You complete me”. Hugging dinsa tayi sosai wani sonsa na qara shiga zuciyar ta. Sun dade in absolute silence before he broke the silence “May I have a dance with milady?”. Ya tambaya in a prim English accent.

“With due pleasure”. And in no time they were slowing dancing to the rhythm of Marque Houston.

🎶…Before you make up your mind

Just hear me out one last time

I just wanna let you know that baby you completely complete me

I’m never gonna let you go

‘Cause baby you completely complete me…🎶

Dogon numfashi ta ja kan ta dora kanta a kirjinsa, enjoying the warmth that radiating from him. Khalifa was hers, hers alone…. Fid dunya wal akhira.

“It’s getting late, Yasmeenah zata damu. I think we should leave”. Ta fadi, breaking the silence.

“No. Stay with me, I can’t get enough of you. This is now your home”. Ya fadi, hugging her more tightly, as if protecting her from some sort of danger.

“But yas….”.

“Zan kira ta”.

“She might think otherwise”.

“She’s entitled to her thoughts. I feel uncomfortable visiting you at her place, you’ll park here, won’t you? Habibty”.

“Ofcourse I would. Amma tonight I didn’t bring extra clothes and I can’t sleep in this Jean. It’s too tight and it’s getting itchy already”.

“Zo kiga wani abu”. ya riqo hannunta har zuwa wani haddaden bedroom. Wani door ya bude which lead to a vanity table and a walk in closet. Kaya ta gani masu dan karan yawa, kayan barci, native wear, English wears, duk dai ga su nan ba abunda babu ba ya closet din. Riqe baki tayi cike da mamaki.

“Kudos to Hayfah and your design team”. Ya fadi yana murmushi. Wani sabon Godia ta fara masa. “I want pizza, should we order some?”. Ya tambaya ta daga masa kai alamar ehh “Perfecto! Which type”.

“Double pepperoni, with lots of feta cheese”. Ta fadi, her mouth already watering “And soda”. Nan da nan ya dau waya to place their orders and in no time the delivery guy was ringing the doorbell. Khalifa ne ya fita ya ansa pizza din ya biya kan ya dawo ciki. Wani thick comforter suka spreading a movie room din and soon they were sprawled on the floor watching “The notebook” well after literally arguing about what to watch.

“GOD! I can’t stand these sappy romance movies”. Ya fadi taking a bite of his pizza as he gazed at Laylah who was silently sobbing.

“Look, look khalifa. That was so cute”. Ta fadi, snuggling more into him.Kallon yadda ta kwanta in an uncomfortable position yayi kan ya dan shafa gefen fuskar ta a hankula, in an attempt to wake her up. Murmushi ta fara masa da ta buda ido kan ya miqe without wasting much time ya daga ta as if she weighed not more than a feather ya wuce da ita. Be sauke ta koh ina ba sai bathroom inda ke bedroom, dama already sun riga sun yi wanka, toothpaste kawai ya sa a toothbrushes ya miqa mata daya shikuma yayi using dayan. Ta mirror inda ke jone da basin suka ta kallon juna suna wa juna murmushi as they brushed their teeth. Suna gamawa ya riqo hannunta suka koma bedroom ta kwanta ya jawo comforter ya rufe mata jiki kan ya rage hasken dakin.+

“Good night habibty”. Yayi whispering to her ears a hankula after placing a kiss on her forehead. Desk inda ke wani side din dakin ya koma ya zauna ya kunna laptop dinsa ya dan fara aiki, yana duba financial records din businesses dinsa. He was very close to unfolding the mystery behind who was stealing his company’s funds. Time to time yike dan Juyawa ya kalli fuskar matar sa who looked very peaceful in her sleep. Ya dade yana going through reports din har sai a little past 1 am tukun ya kashe system din yaje ya dauro alwala kan ya zo ya kwanta, dragging the comforter to cover him. A hankula ya matsa kusa da ita, softly shifting her more closer to him. Kiss ya sake manna mata a gashin ta before her muttered the words “I love you”.

“I love you more. Now go to bed”. Yaji ta fadi in a sleepy tone, much to his surprise. Sosai suka sama barci a daren ranar har sauran kadan su makara sallan subh. Immediately after praying kuma suka koma barci, dama khalifa was still jetlagged. A little past 8 na safe ne wayar sa yayi ta ringing. Da yayi ringing din farko yayi ignoring ya qi dagawa, aka kuma kira na biyu ya sake ignoring, sai a karo na uku Laylah ta miqe ta dan jijjiga sa a hankula ta ce ya tashi ya daga wayar, it could be an important for all they knew. Dan tsaki ya ja da yaga sunan wanda ke kiransa, picking call din yayi wondering what news Nawfal had to tell him da ya kasa haquri har sai sun hadu.



“Yes Nawfal”. Ya fadi in a voice which clearly expressed his irritation “What! Gani nan zuwa yanzu nan”. Yana fadin haka ya kashe wayar ya miqe a gigice ya fara shiri. Ita ma miqewa tayi ta bi bayansa asking him what the matter was.

“Begum is awake… She has regained consciousness”. Yayi breaking news din. Even though she was happy for him, the news didn’t stop her heart from breaking into a million shards. Ji tayi Jikin ta ya wani mutu dan ta san that could be the end of their lives together. Khalifa could never go against his mother, he loved her so much to do that.

“Zan bika”. Ta fadi ita ma going into her closet tayi picking wani simple black abaya dress kan ta wuce bathroom to freshen up.

“No zahra, stay here. Zan je and duk yadda ake ciki I’ll keep you updated”.

“No! I’m going with you and that’s final. I’m now your wife khalifa, your joy, sorrow and problems are now all mine too. Please stop depriving me of that right”. Ta fadi in a voice which soothed him. Even though she wasn’t sure what the outcome of her first real encounter with Sahar Al-Haydar would be. She only hoped for two things; that khalifa shouldn’t be the one at the receiving end of his mother’s wrath and for the odds to work in her favour. Letting out a deep sigh tayi dabbing a little powder a fuskar ta kan ta dan sa kohl sannan tayi wrapping dan medium sized sheilah inda abaya yazo da over her head to cover her hair. Shuru duka su biyu suka yi a mota, ba me cewa kowa komi. Kowa da irin saqar da zuciyar sa ke masa. Koh da suka isa Laylah bata sani ba, hankalinta yayi nisa cikin tunani, sai da ya dan sa hannunsa yayi squeezing nata softly tukun. Ba abunda yace mata face dan murmushi da ya mata kan suka sauko daga motar. Suna saukowa already security team dinsa were placed already all over the parking lot of the hospital awaiting his arrival. Nan da nan suka qarasa inda yike suka fara takawa zuwa entrance din hospital din. A nan suka tarar da tarin press people waiting for khalifa Al-Haydar’s arrival.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

“Sir how do you feel about your mother finally regaining consciousness”.

“How is the relationship between your mother and wife?”.

“Is your mother about your marriage?”

“Is it true Sahar Al-Haydar is in this condition because you defied her”.

“Why choose a prostitute over the beautiful Saima Mohammed?”.

By that time, zuciyar khalifa ya fara tafarfasa da anger amma kawai ya cigaba da tafia, hannunsa riqe da na Laylah wadda maganar da dan jaridar yayi koh kadan be mata dadi ba. Su kam Bodyguards dinsa suna ta faman aikin su.

“Sir how do you feel knowing that your wife has slept with so many people, mostly people within your circle”. A hankula tayi squeezing masa hannu da taga irin kallon da yayi wa reporter din, rage evidently written in his eyes.

“Habibi ignore him, he’s trying go get a reaction from you”. A hankula tayi ta basa kalamai wanda sosai suka Kwantar masa da hankali ya cigaba da tafia.

“How’s your relationship now like with Nawfal Muhammad Fadoul?”. Suka cigaba da tambayoyin su, su kam khalifa basu tsaya kula su ba har suka isa cikin asibitin. Wani ijiyar zuciyar da bata san tana riqe da ba ta saki da suka shiga ciki, it was really nice to be away from the reporters. She didn’t fancy the lives of celebrities at that moment after experiencing what it felt like to have over a hundred reporters hounding you for information. Har zuwa lokacin basu magana, kawai riqe yike da hannunta suna ta tafia har suka isa special ward inda Sahar Al-Haydar take inda an baza uban security. Without giving it a second thought kawai ya hankada kofar ya shiga and alas! There his mother sat with a newspaper on her laps, the hospital bed giving support to her feeble form. Nawfal ne zaune shuru a gefen ta, ya duqar da kansa kamar wanda ke cikin dogon nazari. Begum na dago idanunta wanda sun rikida sun zama ja, suka hada ido da dan ta, sun dan dade suna wa juna kallon kallo kan ta maida idanunta kan wadda ke gefen dan nata, wani irin kallo tayi wa Laylah wadda ke cike da tsana. Ita kam Laylah a wannan lokaci ta fara regretting decision dinta na biyo mijinta zuwa hospital din, ji tayi ina ma ta bari after a few days bayan abubuwa sun dan lafa sai tazo. Ji tayi ina ma qasa ya rabe biyu ya hadiye ta saboda tsananin tsoron da irin kallon da Sahar ke mata ya bata. After a minutes, Sahar ta dauke idanunta daga kan Laylah ta maida zuwa ga hannayen su that was still entwined in each others. Dan runtse idanu tayi kan ta daga newspaper inda ke laps dinta ta wurga towards her son kan ta nuna masa kofar dakin da hannu, alamar ya bace ya bata waje. Tsayawa yayi wajen, ko da yaji Laylah tana dan jan hannunsa gam ya riqe ta ya yaqi motsawa. Eye to eye suka dinga kallon juna shi da mahaifiyar tasa. Ita Sahar taurin kai shima khalifa haka. Kallon Nawfal tayi kan ta masa alama da ya kora mata khalifa daga dakin. Miqewa yayi ya daga newspaper inda ta wurga wa khalifan ya miqa masa a hannunsa kan ya riqo sa har bakin qofa, kan yayi slamming door din on their faces.2

Gashin kansa ya fara shafawa cikin takaici, pacing the corridor of the ward. Laylah kam newspaper din da ya wurgar qasa ta duqa ta dauka kan ta sama daya daga cikin seats inda ke corridor din ta zauna dun ta karanta ta ga abunda ya batawa Begum rai.

“Heir to multimillionaire company Khalifa airlines and group of companies brings shame upon family 2 months ago when he ditched his wedding with the famous model Saima Mohammed Jalal to marry a prostitute who obviously is after his wealth and the fame and luxury that comes with being the mistress of khalif airlines and group of companies. The lady who allegedly has slept with almost…..”. Bata qarasa karanta article din which was titled *Cheap prostitute turned Princess* kawai khalifa ya sa hannu ya fisge paper din daga hannunta.

“Waya ce ki karanta”. Ya fadi obviously enraged. Dago kanta tayi ta kallesa da manyan idanunta wanda hawaye ya cika ciki, it took every ounce of restraint she had to stop herself from breaking down. Everything was messed up and saboda ita ne, Khalifa’s peaceful life and the good relationship which existed between khalifa and his mother was now gone, duk saboda ita.

“I want to go home. Take me home please”. Ta fadi ba tare ta sake bari sun hada ido ba. Miqewa tayi ta fara tafia ba tare da ta jirasa ba, shima ganin ta kama hanya ya sa shi bin bayan ta. Sun isa qasa security team dinsa suka cigaba da bin su a baya, shielding them from reporters. Suna isa mota bata jira ya buda mata ba ta shiga kan shima ya shiga. Har suka dau hanya ba me cewa kowa komi, shi dai tuqi yike hankalinsa can wani waje. Ganin hanyar da ya dauka yasa tayi breaking silence din. “I want to go home… to Yasmeenah”.

Kallon ta yayi kamar zai yi magana amma sai ya fasa kawai ya juya kan mota zuwa hanyar da zai yi leading to gidan Yasmeenah which was located at the Maitama district. “I just need some time. Alot has happened, I need to clear some things off my mind”. Ta fadi a hankula giving his hand which rested on the gear a reassuring squeeze.

“I understand”. Kawai ya fadi a hankula daga nan ba wanda ya sake cewa komi har aka isa gidan Yasmeenah. Yana parking ta buda mota zata sauka ya tsayar da ita. “Zahra…”. Ya kira ta. Bata ansa ba amma ta dan tsayar da movement dinta, giving her back to him.

“I’m sorry”.

“I should be the one saying that”. Ta fadi kan ta fita daga motar “You need to get some rest”. And with one final glance ta shige cikin gidan. Tana buda qofa ta shiga ta rufe ta zube a qasa Jikin door din ta fashe da kuka.Immediately yana sauke Laylah be tsaya koh ina ba sai gidan newspaper inda suka publishing the story about Laylah. Da saurin sa ya shiga rai a bace ya dinga tambayar a nuna masa who the journalist that published the article was.+

“Labaran Mustapha?”. Ya kira sunan.

“Yes” wani mutum dan dogo, da ka gansa ka ga bafulatani ya ansa “How may I he…..”. Be qarasa maganar ba khalifa ya kai masa nushi a hanci.



“Waye kai?” Ya tambaya tare da kai masa wanin nushin “Who do you think you are to publish such article about my wife?”. Ya kuma kai masa wani punch “Tell me who are you?”. Khalifa pounced on the poor man like an injured lion. Haka yayi ta kai masa nushi har sai da hancin sa ya fara fidda jini, ya kai qasa amma still khalifa be rabu dashi ba ya bisa ya cigaba da kai masa duka. Da kyar security din publishing house din suka zo suka janye khalifa daga kan mutumin suka yi waje dashi. Manager din publishing house din har mota ya bi khalifa yana ba da haquri amma koh sauraron sa khalifan be yi ba ya ja mota ya wuce after threatening to close down the publishing house.

Straight be tsaya koh ina ba sai gida, ya wuce side dinsa ya fada bathroom. Shower ya shiga ya kunna ruwa ya tsaya motionless under the cold water. Zuciyar sa har zuwa lokacin be bar tafarfasa ba. Ya dan jima a bandaki kan ya fito ya sa kaya. Ya gama shiri kenan ya sauko qasa da niyyar shan iska a garden to help relive him of the stress he was going through sai ga Nawfal ya shigo gidan da wani uban speed. Koh tsayawa rufe qofar motar be yi ba ya shiga cikin gidan da hanzari yana kwalawa khalifa kira.

“Can you explain what this was?”. Ya fadi rai a bace yana shoving wayar sa to Khalifa’s face.

“It’s a video of me punching that stupid journalist”. Ya bashi ansa kamar it wasn’t a big deal.

“God! Khalifa ka fara hauka ne? Ever since Laylah got back into your life you’ve been acting so irrational. So hauka ne?”. Ya tambaya “You’re on the edge of losing your sanity over a lady”.

“You’ll talk about my wife with respect”. Khalifa yayi masa warning.

“What respect has a whore?”. Nawfal ya fadi cikin bacin rai sai dai gama furucin sa ke da wuya khalifa ya kai masa wani mugun punch a face.

“You’ll learn to talk about her with respect saboda wallahi dan ita ba abunda bazan yi ba, koh da kuwa dukan ka ne or throwing you to bars”. Ya fadi kan ya juya ya wuce dakinsa ya dau key din motar sa ya fita not minding at all to pick his phones. Yana fita shima Nawfal cikin bacin rai ya juya ya fita zuwa inda ya bar motar sa ya shiga and drove straight to the hospital. Shikam khalifa tuqi yike ba dun ya san Inda yike son zuwa ba. Ya dade yana tuqi kan yayi parking da ya kai wajen gari. Ya dade zaune kan motar sa ba irin tunanin baya yi kan daga baya ya koma cikin mota ya fara tuqi.

The next morning Kiran Begum ne cewar tana son ganinsa ya tashe sa daga barci. Wanka kawai yayi ya shirya ba tare da yaci abinci ba ya wuce hospital din. Koh da ya isa a lokacin Al-Mubaraq yazo duba jikinta dan haka a corridor din ward din ya zauna shuru yana jiran fitowan Al-Mubaraq din kan ya shiga. Yana cikin wannan zaman ne Nawfal yazo, kallon juna kawai suka yi ba wanda yace komi. Khalifa ne ya fara dauke ido shikuma Nawfal ya wuce ya shiga room din. After about 30 minutes, Al-Mubaraq ya fito with Nawfal behind him. Dan gaisuwa suka yi sama sama kan Al-Mubaraq din ya wuce stating that he had a conference to attend in Calabar that morning dan haka private jet na nan na jiran sa. Har qasa Nawfal ya tafi raka sa shi kuma khalifa yayi ceasing opportunity din ya shiga room din Begum after saying a silent prayer. Koh da ya shiga tsayawa yayi shuru yana kallon mahaifiyar sa wadda kamar Kullum idanunta na kan newspaper except that at that time she wasn’t on the hospital bed anymore, zaune take a balcony din room din, in a comfortable chair which gave her maximum support, ga bisa dukkan alamu she had just finished breakfast kenan.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

“Come sit”. Ta fadi cikin muryar ta me sanyi. Koh da ya zauna bata ce masa komi ba, maida hankalinta kawai tayi kan paper inda take karantawa. Dan murmushi tayi kan ta daga cup din chamomile tea inda ke gabanta ta dan yi sipping. “Intriguing”. Ta fadi tana ýar murmushi. Juya paper din tayi ta ije gaban khalifa.

“Billionaire turned hooligan”. Ta karanto masa headline din news din “This is like the 10th time you’re appearing in the newspaper this week, not that you struck a deal with any top company no. Ka zama dan ta’adda. Picking up fights with people… In public, getting married to a prostitute”. Ta dan ja numfashi kan ta cigaba “Ba irin tarbiyyan da na baka ba kenan khalifa. Tell me what the problem is”. Ta fadi tana dora feeble hands dinta kan nasa da ya dora kan table “And you’d love to explain the reason for punching your brother”.

“I’m sorry Begum, i’m so sorry for disappointing you”.

“You’re sorry?”. Ta tambaya “Anya ka tabbata you are kuwa? You’ve dragged our family’s name to mud”.

“I am. I can do anything to prove how so sorry I am. Na tsani ganin bacin ran ki, I can’t sleep knowing that you’re in this state because of me. Please Begum, let’s get back to being how we were”.

“Divorce that girl you call a wife”. Dago idanunsa yayi ya kalleta sai yaga ta fadi maganar hankalinta kwance, koh alamar damuwa babu. Daga cup din tea dinta tayi ta sake kaiwa baki “Divorce her and we’ll forget anything ever happened”.1

“But….”.

“No, no but’s son. Divorce her, ka rubuta mata cheque that’ll shut her up kudin take bi dama ai. I’ll get you some other nice girl, we’ll put everything that has ever happened behind us. I’ll shut the press, i’ll clear all the mess. Don’t you trust your mother again?”. Ta tambaye sa “Duk duniya ba wanda ya kaini son ka khalifa, ba wanda ya kaini son ganin progress dinka. That girl isn’t the one for you”.1

“How do you know that?”.

“A ina ka taba ji a history din family dinmu anyi haka? Kana so ka bata mana zuria’a. Ba yadda zaa yi karuwa ta haifa mun jikoki. I’ll never accept her, neither will I ever accept kids that were begotten from her”. Miqewa kawai yayi ya fara tafia. “Stop! Ina zaka?”.

“It was a mistake coming”. Ya fadi.

“Kana fita dakin nan you’ll forget you have a mother and the Al-Haydar fortune will cease to be yours, Nawfal will take over. Sannan there’s no way my grandson will be raised by a prostitute. The choice is yours”.1

“Gwara na ci qasa da na yarda da conditions dinki Begum. All my life I’ve lived the way you wanted me. Kin taba tambaya na me nike so? Everything has been your decision, the colour of suit I wear to a function, my education, my marriage, where I’ll live with my family. I’ve been a pawn for too long, why do you have to dictate every little thing about my life Begum? Kin taba tambaya na koh i’m happy with all the decisions you make for me? No! But I’ve always done everything you ask of me”. Ya fadi yana share hawayen da ya fara gangarowa daga idanunsa “Amma yau i’ll make one thing clear to you i’m sick and tired of you making decisions for me, I’m sick and tired of being a puppet. And yes I’ll chose zahra over everything in this world, everything Begum. Dukiya kuma is my birthright, you have no right to deprive me of it and Fadeel kuma is my son, I won’t let him be a new pawn in your little puppet show. Allah qara sauki”. Ya fadi kan yayi slamming door ya wuce, fitar sa yayi daidai da dawowar Nawfal. Bangaje sa kawai yayi ya wuce yana share tears inda suka zubo face dinsa.1

Yana shiga mota sai ga call daga Tariq with a new information on the stolen funds. “We’ll have to be in Lagos latest tomorrow morning sir”. Ya masa bayani.

“Meet me in my house, the farmhouse”. Ya fadi kan ya kashe wayar sa. Isar sa farmhouse din ke da wuya shima Tariq ya iso. Dama already yana da spare kaya a gidan so ba tare da bata lokaci ba Tariq ya hada masa kayan da zasu masa kwanan uku zuwa one week suka kama hanya. Amma kan su wuce airport yace a kai shi wajen Laylah ya ganta tukun.

“When will you return?”. Ta tambaya ba tare da ta Kalle sa ba. Zaune suke a garden din gidan Yasmeenah as she listened to khalifa calmly explain to her why he suddenly had to travel to lagos.

“Habibty… I’ll be back before you know it”. Ya fadi yana riqo hannayenta a cikin nasa “And kan na dawo ina so ki hada komi da komi naki, we’ll leave as soon as i’m back”. Ya fadi yana dan murmushi to hide his sadness.

“Ina zamu?”. Ta tambaya.

“Ban sani ba”. Ya bata ansa “we’ll go somewhere quiet and peaceful and it’ll be just you, I and Fadeel”.

“Just us?”. Ta tambaya tana ýar murmushi.

“Just us habibty”. Ya fadi yana hada kansa da nata in such a way that even their noses touched. Runtse idanunsa yayi, hawayen da yike ta riqewa ya dan fara saukowa a hankula “I love you… more than life itself”.

“I love you too”. Ta fadi tana share masa hawayen da suka sauko da idanunsa “To the square of infinity”.

“Take care”. Ya fadi bayan ya miqe. “And remember to pack, kin ji?”.

“You take care too”. Ta fadi tana hugging dinsa kamar baza ta sake sa ba. Sun dade a haka kan ya wuce ita kuma ta shiga cikin gida duk babu abunda ke mata dadi.

Exactly 3 days bayan tafiyar khalifa, Laylah ta sama invite daga Begum Sahar. It was an early Thursday morning when she received the call that Sahar Al-Haydar wished to have a talk with her over dinner. Sosai Laylah tayi mamaki akan yadda zaa yi ace Begum na kiranta bayan the woman loathed her so much but nevertheless ta shirya tsaf ita da Hayfah suka je hospital din. As usual suka sama ýan media cike da harabar asibitin, ana jiran updates on health din Sahar Al-Haydar. Nawfal ta sama yana addressing press din, yana basu update on the progress Begum has been making. Tare da shi suka hauro sama bayan sun gaisa. Ta dan jima a bakin qofar kan Nawfal yayi encouraging dinta ta shiga. Da Bismillah ta buda qofar ta shiga. Zaune ta sama matar a dan table for 2 inda ke dakin, as usual tana sanye da blue hospital wear and her long wavy hair was tied in a loose bun. Idanunta looking exhausted but that did nothing to hide her sheer beauty.

“Come sit with me”. Begum ta fadi a hankula ba tare da ta daga idanunta daga kan rubutun da take yi ba. “Nawfal habibi get the butler and leave us”. Cikin kankanin lokaci butler din wanda bature ne ya shigo dakin, yana tura dan food trolley wanda cike yike da different variety of dishes. Takardun da ke gabanta nurse da ke kula da ita ta dauke kan butler din ya fara jera kayan abincin yayi serving dinsu kan tayi dismissing din sa.

“Bismillah”. Ta fadi kan ta dau cutlery dinta ta fara cin abinci. Laylah gaba daya hankalinta baya kan abincin da ke gabanta, hasalima bata da appetite din cin abinci. In ba tunanin dalilin da zai sa Begum ta kira ta ba, ba abunda take yi. Kusan minti talatin da fara cin abinci Begum tayi breaking silence inda ya cika room din.

“Leave my son”. Ta fadi cutting on a steak.