Please Important author's note at the end of this chapter.
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Khadijah sighed for the third time and ran her hands over the intricate designs of her dark teal colored abaya, after finally deciding on the abaya and calming herself she picked her blush YSL bag and flat sandals.

She used her key and closed the house door and after driving her car out of the compound she went back and closed the gate, malam Sadeeq had travelled to Zaria for his friend's sons wedding and Hajiya Ladidi had gone to a naming ceremony of someone she didn't care enough to find out, it was mid afternoon already and since she wasn't praying she left the house when the Zuhr prayer was called, she wanted to be at Baraka's house before one thirty.

The event usually holds at Baraka's house since her husband, General Mubarak Usman Maigona whom they all call 'major' is the first male of the Maigona family, his elder sister used to be the host before they moved to Kebbi with her family. The picnic was mandatory to the family, since most of them were married and lived all across the country, they held it annually so their children could bond and not break the family tie.

She honked when she reached the house in Malali, She groaned remembering the million protocols before entering inside and instead of waiting for the uniformed guards stationed outside to interrogate Her with their never ending questions, they once claimed she wasn't related to the Oga's wife because she was dark, deciding it was easier to just call her sister so she would tell her security men to back off.

"Alright, I'll call them now" Baraka said then hung up.

"Aunty Dee!" Khadijah let out a small chuckle when Nanah crashed into her body in a hug, she hasn't seen her niece since they met at Sadiya's place after she returned from her anniversary trip.

"Nanah you want to fall ba" The overly excited girl only shook her head not letting go.

"Ina wuni" (good afternoon) the six year old greeted finally letting go of her aunt, she looked up with a toothy grin, well toothless she was missing two front teeth.

"Lafiya baby na, how are you?" (Fine my baby) she took her niece's little hands in hers and together they walked to the front door, she was about to push it open when it was opened from the inside, a familiar face smiled at her and she tried to recollect his name, she knew he was one of Major's younger brother.

"Uncle Bash, I told you my aunty will come" she fought back an A-ha when the name clicked after Nanah said it.

"Khadijah, two days" she heard his deep voice say and she looked up and smiled a bit answering with fine and asked how he was and his daughter which he replied in the affirmative.

"Sorry, come in" he stepped away from the door making space for them, Khadijah nodded gratefully and entered the house, the scent of bakhoor mixed with the AC wafted in the air, Baraka's brown English themed house gave off the homey and classy feel, making you feel welcome.

"Mummy, aunty Dee is here!" Nanah ran off in the direction of the kitchen. The only people in the living room were four kids she knew were Major's nieces.

"Everyone is out back" she turned to Bashir who she'd forgotten was there and nodded.

She kept her bag on the console near the dining room then walked to the kitchen to see her sister.

"Ya Baraka" she called to her sister who was giving orders to Two maids, Baraka was dressed in an army green lace, sewn into a bou bou, her head tie was in a turban from the same lace and her veil sat on her shoulders, she pulled her little sister in for a hug.

"Look at you, nayi tunanin sai na roka kan kizo gidana" (I thought I had to beg before you come to my house) Baraka teased, she knew Khadijah didn't like visiting her because her house was almost always crowded, people always going in and out of the house for many reasons, mostly to see the major.

"No, yaya Allah I'm just busy with work" Khadijah defended, it wasn't a complete lie considering she had been busy with Asma'u's dress and some other stuff.

"Just so you know, today you're not leaving until I allow it" Baraka playfully ordered dragging her sister to backyard where her in laws were.

"Ashraf your aunt is here" the eight year old jumped from his father's lap and ran to meet his favorite aunt, they all love her because she is the most down to earth among all their aunts, and she let's them eat all the candy they want whenever she visited.

"I missed you so much aunty Dee, did you bring that chocolate for me?" he asked excitedly after hugging her.

"What happened to strictly veggies?" Baraka raised an accusing eyebrow at her son who widened his eyes in mock shock. They all were not in support of their mother's newfound love for healthy living.

"Don't worry, I'll get it from the car when mummy is not looking" Khadijah whispered in his ear but loud enough for her sister to hear, handing them candy without their mother's knowledge is the biggest mistake she could ever make, they would finish everything within a few minutes, she knew from experience.

"Good afternoon major" she smiled at her brother in law who smiled back in return, she was more of a daughter to him than sister in law, she was only six when he married Baraka, she was only worried about her toys at the time, seeing her all grown up and even managing a business, he felt proud, like a father.

"Mamana, ya kike?" (my mother, how are you?) she was also his mother's namesake.

She answered in the affirmative and asked how his work was, they conversed for a bit before they heard a squeal, she groaned inwardly, she would never forget that annoying squeal.

Major smiled when his youngest sister cat walked up to him and threw her arms around him in a hug.

"Amrah, you're old now don't break my bones, I need to play with my grandchildren" he teased pecking Her forehead.

"Well yaya you'll soon be one" she pointed to Afnan making him glare at her, he was trying to come to terms with his baby girl getting married, but what could he tell her mother "I'm just joking yaya" she placed his hands on her growing bump, he let out a small chuckle and pulled her into another hug, more careful.

"Why didn't you tell me?" he asked still surprised, his baby sister.

"I wanted to surprise you" she whispered when they heard her husband's voice greeting the major.

She sashayed to where Khadijah was seated and smiled widely at her.

"Dee, look at you, I love this color on you, do you have it in your shop? I'd love to get one" she screeched hugging Khadijah, it might seem like a friendly reunion to an onlooker but only the two involved knew what was really happening.

"You look good too Ami" Khadijah mustered as much enthusiasm she could, she wasn't a faker like the woman standing, she couldn't hide her grimace.

"Why thank you, I have the pregnancy glow I've heard" Amrah had a satisfactory smile on her face, finally one thing she had that Khadijah didn't.

"Yeah, Congratulations, May Allah make him or her a blessing in your life, may he or she be the light and coolness of your eyes" Khadijah prayed genuinely happy for her.

"Ameen, she's already a blessing and yes it's a girl, Habibi has been so careful with me, I'm so lucky right?" Khadijah hummed with a nod, she was done with the conversation but clearly her 'friend' didn't get it.

"So, how's life?" Khadijah replied with a clipped fine, praying to God she would disappear from her sight.

"I heard what happened, I'm so sorry, I don't think I can say that enough, it's too bad really, you two were so great together" Khadijah went rigid, it was really low of Amrah to bring that up but what did she know? the girl enjoyed seeing her in pain.

"I don't want to talk about it, it's all in the past" she replied with a frown, she was glad at least she got the memo then.

"If you want to talk I'm here you know" Khadijah almost scoffed, her life story would be the subject of discussion in salons all around Kaduna state.

"I'll remember that" if Amrah noticed the sarcasm, she didn't acknowledge it.

After they had Manal's sandwiches for starters, Baraka's second born and an aspiring chef who insisted on being the head at the kitchen for the day.

"Khadijah please will you check the kids, they are in the sitting room" tired of Amrah's unnecessary talks she quickly got up and walked to sitting room, Bashir was the only one sitting with his one year old daughter, his wife passed away during child birth and left him with his new life purpose, his Azma.

The cute girl seemed to be busy chattering in baby language while he listened attentively, you'd think he was understanding, he looked peaceful in her presence.

He looked up when he heard footsteps, his eyes zeroed on Khadijah who looked guilty for interrupting the father daughter moment.

"I'm sorry for interrupting, where are the kids?" she asked making him look questionably at her, Baraka had all the children below ten take a nap upstairs so as not to disturb the adults, and they'd been quiet which meant they had fallen asleep, he was with his daughter who woke up moments ago and she was the only one awake.

"They are napping, Nanah's room I think, if not check the kid's parlor" she nodded and went upstairs, sure enough they all were on sleeping bags in the parlor, all ten kids, knowing it would be quite awkward to go back and sit with him and she didn't want to go and sit with Nanah, she chose to sit on the couch and texted Layla, who was still not back from Wales.

"Hello...yes I'm up in the children's room and they are all asleep.... Okay I'm coming" she quietly walked out not wanting them to wake up, Bashir was still sitting in the same position but this time his phone in his hands while Azma played with a toy.

She awkwardly cleared her throat and when she was sure she had his attention she pointed to the direction of the kitchen indicating he was needed outside, he nodded wordlessly, since he got the message she walked out to meet the rest, she'd hid enough, she was almost at the door when she heard something that made her stop in her tracks.

<<<<<<🌑>>>>>>

New South Wales, Australia

Park Hyatt Sydney hotel

Dressed in a black turtleneck tucked in Striped mustard and black pallazo pants with a knee length jacket, The lady adjusted her matching mustard turban, her heels making clicking sounds as she walked down the marble floored hallway with a gait even models would envy, her subtle make up consisting only of foundation, kohl, mascara and a cherry lip gloss didn't stop her from standing out, women she passed looked on with adoration and envy, the men with hope in their eyes for a single second of her attention, she turned heads and she knew it, but did it faze Her? No.

Reaching Her destination at the end of the hallway of the ridiculously expensive hotel, she used the key to swipe and fought back a grin when it turned green and made a clicking sound, she pushed the door open and entered when a voice stopped her making her heart to beat faster.

"I've been expecting you"

******

Kaduna, Nigeria

"Ayaan, habibi promise me you'll be on your best behaviour with Neena" the two year old looked up at his mother with tear filled eyes and nodded. Asma'u showered kisses all over his Face then wiped his tears, she stood up and adjusted her gown then handed him over to his nanny knowing if she stayed with him much longer she would back out of attending her wedding dinner.

"He'll be fine" Khadijah assured patting the emotional bride who nodded.

"The cars are here, Let's go" One of the girls around the living room announced and they started piling out.

"Will you please go with my nieces? You came with your car right?" Khadijah nodded and two overly excited girls ran in her direction with wide smiles on their faces, she'd seen them around the house, they are twins that was obvious not only because of their matching outfits but their uncanny resemblance, they looked to be thirteen or fourteen and had nude make up on, courtesy of their mother who said they were too young to have heavy make up done, Khadijah had smiled at the interaction between mother and daughters, they almost cried when another woman she didn't know said they couldn't go because there was no space in the vehicles sent.

"Thank you so much, I promise we won't trouble you" the more chatty one crossed her fingers over her chest showing the value of her promise.

"Let's go" they squealed and ran to the door thanking their aunt over their shoulders.

"Thank you so much, you don't have to worry I'll have my brother bring them back" Asma'u side hugged her.

"It's no problem really, have fun okay?" after one final hug she followed everyone.

The drive was filled with the girls chattering away about school and the likes of it, they were a nice company and she liked every bit of time she spent with them, by the time they reached the event venue, they both shouted their thanks as they ran to the entrance, she shook her head with a small smile, they still had to wait for her at the entrance because it was strictly on invitation and their IV was with her.

"Are you a friend of the bride?" Khadijah sighed before nodding, she didn't bother looking up to the man that disturbed Her peace, they've been doing it a lot.

When he tried starting a conversation for the fifth time with only one word replies from her, he gave up.

"That was the sixth man tonight, he's pretty good looking" the girl beside her talked for the first time, she only nodded in reply.

"You should at least give one a chance" since apparently the lady wanted to be chatty Robin, Khadijah looked up from her phone and gave the lady a once over, she was dressed in the asoebe with a too heavy make up, she looked like those highschool queen bees everyone hated but she looked nice too, trying not to be too rude Khadijah cleared her throat before replying.

"They are all not serious"

"How can you know that? You didn't give them the time of the day" the lady seemed curious.

"I'm sure they are counting who will get the most phone numbers tonight" and it was true, all the six men that approached her were from the same table which meant they were waiting to see who would get her to crack, she found it disrespectful and they seemed too stupid for her liking, the oldest there was probably twenty six, which is too young in her radar, if she was ever going to succumb her fate to a man again, it was going to be someone matured enough to understand she's her own woman and he couldn't control her.

"It's still worth the time, don't you think? It's not every time men will line up for you, the second you hit thirty they'll disappear and you have to pick from scratch" deciding they won't be friends at all seeing her mentality is absurd Khadijah excused herself, she'd had enough of being social already, she just wanted to be in bed with the most comfy outfit she can find in her wardrobe.

"Goodnight" she mustered enough energy to fake smile at the woman, she stood up and picked her purse, she wanted to at least let Asma'u know she was leaving.

She was looking for an excuse to leave and the lady gave her the perfect one, she'd been on edge but didn't ponder on it, besides she was almost always anxious in crowded places. Mayhap she was being paranoid but she was sure someone was staring at her, just like she felt during the first daughter's wedding and when she looked up to meet the eyes of the person responsible for her discomfort, she realised she wasn't as crazy and she'd thought, her body was certain of its deepest fears and she was looking at it right in the eye.

If looking like a mad woman was what would grant her escape, Khadijah gladly took it and almost bolted for the door, she ran and only when she was sure she was at least a few minutes away from the hall did she let the tears fall, in her haste for security she'd passed her car and it would take a few minutes to go back and get it.

A sob left her mouth and she used her hands to cover the most part of it, she didn't know where she was exactly but she was thankful for the bench near a small tent of a mai shayi, which is very popular in the north, for selling tea and instant, it consisted of a table and few benches, bread, egg and noodles on the table, men chattering away with their cup of tea or hot plate of noodles, it's easily the gossip centre for men.

Khadijah sat a few feet away from them trying her hardest to control her sobs, if they noticed her they didn't show it because she could still hear their distinct chatter and loud laughter, when finally the tears stooped when she'd told herself to calm down a million times, only then did she look around to see where exactly she was.

Thankful she still had her phone with her, she checked the time and sighed, cursing her luck, a few minutes past eight, it wasn't exactly the dead of the night and she could still see the place bustling with activities, she looked around confused trying to recall if she'd ever followed the place.

A shout escaped her mouth when she felt a presence beside her, a man had sat down but due to the dim lighting she couldn't make out his features.

Assalamu alaikum dearies

Okay I'm sure you're like finally, I'm so sorry this is coming so late I've just been, I don't know confused, I'm starting my exams next week and I've been busy trying to study, like whyyyyyyyy😭😭😭😭😭

I thought school was resuming next year only to hear of exams, so this will most likely be the last update until I'm done with my exams which will Insha Allah be the second week of November, that long I know 😩😩💔💔💔 so please just manage this.

And on more pressing matters, what is wrong with wattpad? And newsfeed, I miss it so muchhhh😭😭😭 anyhow please since its going to be a tad bit hard for people to access books you're reading, can y'all please do me a solid and share this privately, to your friends, followers just anybody, I'm like begging y'all please please please, if you like it, tell someone too.

Lastly please please vote and comment and share, thank you all.

Off to study, I hate school sometimes 😡😡

Amyrah