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Fresh cool breeze scented with the invigorating aroma of blossoming flowers floated into Layla’s room, she was seated near the window with a book in hand though her mind was far away. She couldn’t remember when last she was by herself like that and she realized she didn’t really miss it.

She was supposed to hang out with Khadijah at Sadiya’s place but she decided to go a little late, and since she has been working from home, she didn’t have to worry about that part of her life, she had all the time she needed to do what she wanted, and she spent a great deal of it with her best friend.

The twins who were four months old then, how time flies, were already sitting, they were just the cutest creatures, masha Allah, her phone rang breaking her train of thoughts, she checked the caller ID and sighed, the call she has been waiting for.

“You’re here?” the person on the other line affirmed.

“There aren’t much people at home, I’m in the upstairs living room,” that being said she, she hung up and kept the phone then picked her veil and wrapped it over herself, the knee length baggy shirt and tights she was wearing she decided were decent enough, with that, she walked to the living room and a few seconds later, he entered with the taslim.

“How have you been lee?” he asked resting his back on the comfortable sofa.

“Alhamdulillah,”

“You said you wanted to talk, Layla what really happened that day, did he try anything?”

“No actually, he did no such thing, he only said something and I think he is in some type of trouble,” She looked up at him with quizzical eyes.

“Layla he is involved with drugs and you’ve seen his circle, he is always in some sort of trouble, what is it this time?” he said running his hands though his hair, this wasn’t exactly what he had in mind after a seventeen hours flight, she’d called him the night before sounding unlike herself, she pleaded with him to come because she was ready to talk.

“No, hamma you don’t get it, I think he is in actual trouble now,” Fahad looked at her with questioning eyes meaning for her to elaborate.

“I think he’s involved with really bad people,”

He heard the seriousness in her voice and the undertone panic, “How bad?”

“International, have you heard of HSM?” he had a blank look on his face, he knows him then, “Well he said he has a message for you.”

**** **** **** 

Khadijah laughed at something Aifa said, the now six years old was so engrossed in her tale, she didn’t notice when her mother joined them.

“-And then I told miss Samson that I know babies don’t call names because I have a baby brother and sister, she didn’t say anything after that.” She finished with satisfied laughter.

“Aifa, are you torturing your teachers again?” she turned wide eyed to her mother who feigned a scolding expression.

“Erm, no mummy,” she smiled then looked around, before her mother could add anything to that, she ran to her brother and sister who were being punished by having to stay in their room for fighting again.

“Always works,” Sadiya said plopping on the chair beside Khadijah who was doing an amazing job with holding two babies at once.

“Sannu maman en biyu.” (Well done mother of twins) She laughed at her sister.

“I knew dama, ke kika min baki.” (You were the one that cursed me,) Sadiya said with a smile.

“Ole innocent me, I had nothing to do with it,” she fake gasped.

“Shut up jare, ehhn I’ve even remembered, did you talk with ya Baraka recently?” Khadijah shook her head no, they were alright but still not completely back to normal, “Well, that they are bring Afnan’s lefe next week I think, wait I think it’s this weekend,” she picked her phone and checked the calendar then made an affirmation sound, “It’s this week.”

“Oh, we haven’t talked” she replied her voice losing the playfulness it had moments before.

She might have forgiven her sister for her comment but that didn’t mean everything was all good, though it did hurt that she didn’t tell her.

“Maybe she just forgot, you know how she is.” Khadijah only nodded, she knew Sadiya was trying to make her feel better.

“That aside, before anyone comes and say they first me, I’ve sent my clothes to Victoria, work your magic sis.” She changed the topic, this time Khadijah did laugh, leave Sadiya and competition.

“But what if it gets lost in the herd of clothes, you know they’re a lot of clothes there, with all the weddings that will happen in December.” Sadiya eyed her.

“Then I’ll pick somebody’s own, they can hug sorry.” She chuckled at that.

Sadiya forced her to watch a movie while they wait for Layla, who happened to be late much to her surprise, she was a low key punctual freak.

Farhana, who was named after Khadijah had fallen asleep leaving her brother who was trying his best to tug his aunt’s earring off, she remembered when Abdulrahman had told her the name, she literally burst into tears, he was more than a brother in law to her, she was sure even if she a brother, that was the most he could’ve done for her, she’d told him he was the brother she has always wanted but thought she never had, but he was right there.

Farhan who insisted she was also named after him was overjoyed and he visits every weekend and sometimes weekdays too to check on his namesake.

Khadijah had told Sadiya about the email she received from Suleiman, Sadiya had told her he was a delusional fool and she should ignore him. He didn’t have her phone number and since her e-mail was still the same, he opted for that, though she hadn’t heard from him since then and she hoped she never will.

Her phone rang and she released a breath of relief seeing it was Layla, she’d wanted to call her but got distracted.

“I was worried, what happened?” she asked immediately after picking.

“Nothing, I just got carried away, I’m outside can you come out?”

“Okay, I’ll be there in a minute.” She hung up and told Sadiya it was Layla when she asked. She handed her a sleeping Farhana and took Adeel’s baby shawl, wore her veil then walked out.

“You shouldn’t worry about it okay, I’ll find out where he is.” Layla nodded the same time Khadijah walked out with the baby in her hands, Fahad walked out of the car and he saw her eyes widen with surprise before her lips curved into a beautiful smile.

“Hey,” she greeted, Layla alighted from the car and rushed to take a peek at Adeel, she made funny faces at him making him chortle.

“Oooo, my baby is so cute,” she cooed taking him in her arms.

“Can you hold him now?” Khadijah teased Fahad who smiled and nodded.

“He’s not so tiny anymore, he won’t slip insha Allah.” She laughed then turned to Layla who was deep in conversation with the baby, his eyes were following her movements with laughter in them.

“I’m not giving you my baby,” she glared at the two before sauntering away.

“You’ll have to wait till they finish talking then.” She finished with a laugh.

“If it’s Layla I might as well wait an eternity,” she chuckled then turned to him with questioning eyes.

“You didn’t say you were coming back today,” she inquired as they make their way inside, she hoped Layla remembered to tell Sadiya they were coming in because she was only wearing strapless top with leggings, she never dressed fully when she was at home.

“Important work, I didn’t know until last night.” She nodded opening the door with a salaam, she resisted the urge to take in a deep breath, the scent of bakhoor and air freshner welcomed them.

She saw Sadiya with a hijab and thanked god, Layla had time to talk then.

“Hey Fahad you’re back, when did you come back? That doesn’t matter how was the journey? Hope everyone is fine.” She bombarded making Khadijah shake her head, she was so like Layla, they were probably sisters in another life.

“Today, it was fine and yes they’re all fine Alhamdulillah, Huda sent her regards.” Speaking of which, she would’ve been disappointed had he not been able to keep up, Allah knew she’d given him enough training. They exchanged more pleasantries and he asked after Abdulrahman who she told him traveled to zaria for a wedding, the kids excitedly trudged into the room to greet them, half excited to leave their room and half to see him, he did try to get their punishment suspended after making them promise to behave but their mother refused, with sad eyes and pouts they turned and left.

“Let them stay for an hour longer,” they laughed at that, she needed rest.

They chatted for a bit before she excused herself saying she was going to start dinner, at some point Layla handed him Adeel even though she first eyed him, then told him for five minutes only and that he was her future daughter’s husband, that she picked before everyone.

Of course he rolled his eyes but he didn’t argue, better to leave Layla to her wild dreams and imaginations.

Fahad didn’t leave Sadiya’s place until after maghrib, they went to the mosque with junior who couldn’t hide his excitement for getting out of the house, he left shortly after that with Layla, who also reminded Khadijah of them hanging out tomorrow.

“Goodnight.” Khadijah waved at them, she was passing the night over because something came up and Abdulrahman wouldn’t be coming back until the next day.

“Call you later?” Fahad asked with a small smile.

“Alri-“

“Stop talking to my best friend!” Layla cut her off glaring at Fahad, “And you, drive me to my father’s house.”

“I’m never driving you again.” He muttered and she gasped then started begging him, Khadijah shook her head at their antics before she turned and went back to the house.

“Junior, you’re going back to your room and I’m taking your PS if you don’t sit back.” Khadijah walked in on Sadiya threatening junior who was staring wide eyed at his mother.

“But mummy, I’m only playing with him.” He argued, Sadiya who was feeding Farhana glared at him making him sit back like she said, the Nigerian mother’s eye way.

“Babana, come let’s go and eat our cookies,” Khadijah said to cheer him up, it worked because he jumped up and followed her to the kitchen both of them ignoring his mother’s voice for no sweets after maghrib.

**** **** ****

After dropping Layla off and greeting mamie, ummi and abba, Layla’s father, Fahad drove to his house in new Kaduna because Shaheed wasn’t around and also he had things to do.

He cleared up the dinner he just finished which consisted of Chinese rice, kidney and liver sauce, baked potatoes and chocolate pudding for dessert, which he ate very meager amount of. He took a gulp of water from the bottle sitting on the counter before returning to the living room, his phone in hand, his system that was sitting on the hand of chair was what he picked and called Jawad via skype, grateful he didn’t forget to pay the internet subscription.

“Hey, how was the journey?” Jawad asked immediately he picked.

Fahad scrutinized him, he’d let his beards grow and he sported a 3’oclock shadow that made him look his age, he was wearing a sky blue button up shirt with the sleeves rolled up, meaning he hadn’t changed since when he returned from work.

“It was fine,”

“Private?” Fahad nodded.

“How’s everyone and…” he stopped, he replied in the affirmative. “Is everything alright? It’s almost ten there right?” he asked checking his wristwatch.

“Yes, I wanted to ask if you remember HSM.”

“HSM?” Jawad asked with a thoughtful frown.

“Yes, he has a message,” Jawad was quiet for about a minute before a look of recognition passed over his features.

“Isn’t he that American Italian man?’ Fahad nodded and he made a sound, “what does he want again?”

“That’s what I want to find out, he sent Naseer to Layla with the so called message.”

“Naseer?” he tested the name on his tongue, “wasn’t he kidnapped? Wait isn’t he supposed to be in some rehab in the middle of nowhere?”

“That’s what I thought too, let me call Haidar and see if he has any lead on this HSM, I want nothing to do with him.”

“I know…..” he paused when Fahad didn’t say anything, “keep me updated.” He replied with the affirmative before hanging up.

He scrolled though his contacts before dialing his old schoolmate and friend.

“What amazing thing did I do to receive a call from the Fahad Barkindo at this time of night?” the man on the other end teased with a prominent British accent.

“Presidency, I remain loyal sir.”

“Talban Adamawa, royalty sir, Allah ya kara girma.” he teased back, calling him with the title he much hated in university, story for another day, they both laughed at that and kept teasing each other.

“Man I remembered I said I wasn’t going to speak to you again, one you didn’t come to my wedding and two, you haven’t even the least bit of respect to come and see your daughter.”

“Serious? You’re a father?!” he exclaimed in disbelief.

“Why do you sound so surprised?”

“Because I’m so surprised, you know you’re the last person who I’d expect to be married before any of us, though congrats man, now I’m certainly coming to see her.”

“You better, or I’m getting you arrested and brought to my house.”

“It wouldn’t surprise me,” They continued with their back and forth banter for a bit talking about the country’s present insecurity.

“Speaking of national security, do you remember HSM?” Haidar made a sound of affirmation on the other line.

“What’s up with him?’ he heard him talking to someone on the other side before he talked.

“I think he’s in Nigeria,” he asked how and he related what Layla told him.

“You know boko haram?” he added when Fahad replied in the affirmative “the government might have a chance with them but that man, forget it, only the grace of God.”

“I really hope it’s some sort of sick joke because…” he left the sentence hanging.

“I’ll talk with the chief of defense staff and see if we can find out where he is, that is if he is here, which I hope he is not.”

“That’ll be great man, thank you.”

“Anytime, I really pray it’s not some political ploy because it would be better if the Mexicans were to infiltrate this country but that man and his army, we don’t stand a chance, just be careful until we figure out what to do with him.” Haidar said with undertone worry, being the president’s special adviser, he knew about their so called strategic political plots but for their sake, for everyone’s sake, he hoped they didn’t just press the self-destruct button of the country.

“Yeah you too.” Fahad replied and was about to hang up when he heard him talk again.

“Call Zayn, he might know something.”

“Will do, kiss my daughter goodnight will you.” With that he hung up and they both started making the calls.

Before Fahad could dial Zaynulabideen, his phone rang.

“Lee, is everything okay?” he was anticipating Layla’s voice when he heard a male voice, his heart skipped a beat.

“I sent you an invitation Barkindo, I don’t take ignorance lightly.” The raspy male voice spoke, it might’ve been a few years but he wouldn’t ever forget that smoker’s voice.

“HSM,” it didn’t take much for him to get his heart to stop palpitating like he just ran miles, his voice was steady and calm when he talked.

“Fahad Barkindo.” He heard the smile in the man’s voice.

“You’re still impatient I see, you know I like to take a while to check my options first.”

“This isn’t an auction, though you’re my highest bidder, let’s meet.”

“No,” his voice was ever so gentle and he could hear the man’s intake of breath, he was losing patience.

“Do you know what I like about you Barkindo?” he heard sniffs like someone was trying to catch their breath or smoking, it was probably the latter.

“I don’t but I know you’ll tell me.”

“It’s your confidence, and how sure of yourself you are, won’t you ask where the owner of the phone is?”

“Will you tell me?” he mocked just to infuriate the man further.

“No I won’t,”

“I know that which is why I didn’t bother asking,”

“Okay then, I’ll tell you-“

“Don’t bother, what do you want? I know you didn’t call me to chat.”

“You’re right, I didn’t,” they were both quiet.

Fahad glanced at his watch then dialed Layla’s home phone, someone picked on the sixth ring.

“Hamma?” he hung up immediately he heard her voice.

“Meet me tomorrow in the golf club, 8am.” The man said after more than a minute of silence.

“I’m not in Abuja,”

He heard him groan, “Fly there or something, you do have an airline don’t you?”

“I’m not in Abuja,” he repeated not missing a beat.

“Fine, I’ll see you tomorrow in the durbar field in Kaduna, only because I like you.” He said the last part with a hiss.

“No rules like come alone or something of the sort?”

“Don’t get on my nerves I may like you but not that much.” With that, the line went dead.

“You have got to be kidding me.” He muttered to himself running his hands down his face, he massaged his temple then dialed Zayn.

“Hello,” he heard Zayn’s deep voice sounding very much awake.

“Sorry to call you so late.”

“No problem Barkindo, do you need anything?”

“I want a full background check on HSM, can you do that?”

“That HSM?” he replied in the affirmative, “There’s nothing on him, no birth history, it’s like he dropped from the sky or something of the sort.”

“Alright,” Fahad pinched the bride between his eyes “can you track his movement then?”

“I’ll try that but I can’t guarantee we’ll find him.”

“Anything you can get on him please, it’s pretty urgent.”

“I’ll see what I can do, goodnight.”

••••••••

Assalamu alaikum, sooooo were moving forward.

We're at 17k readsssss💃💃💃💃💃
Now I believe we can get to 20k before chapter 60 so please keep sharing, thank you guys so much and I love you.

Please comment, vote and share, I haven't been replying comments but don't worry, I will soon insha Allah, I do see all and I love you people that comment (not that I don't love those that don't but🌚) please do

And if you haven't followed me yet on IG, what is you doing babyyyy(PS this was from a YouTube vlog 😂) anyway, seriously do go and follow, link is in my bio or you can search #ameeeyrahh_ and yes I follow back.

You know I like pretending I didn't drop bombshells, and yes I'm doing just that RN, do tell me what you think of the chapter, it means a lotttt.

Fahad is back in Kaduna, hehe

Okay enough of my surutu, I talk a loootttt if you haven't realized yet.

Abeg make una get my birthday gifts ready, it's on Sunday.

Almost legal

Amyrah