When I Found You

Chapter 1

Enjoying the cold night breeze, staring at the beautiful sky, and lost in her thoughts, she found herself weaving her own dreams — from her perfect love story, to going to culinary school and getting a degree, to opening big restaurants with so many branches all over the country, to becoming one of the most successful women in the country.

"Zaynab, boddos, boddos!!!" — well, that's how her mum calls her (beautiful), her voice snapping Zaynab out of her trance. She blinked and turned, walking toward her.

"Na'am, Hajiyata," she said with a glorious smile, and her mum smiled back.

"It's so cold out there, and you're by the window doing what?" she questioned.

"Nothing... just thinking about the things I want in life and how I can become successful in achieving my goals."

"In sha Allah, Allah will turn your dreams into reality," she assured.

"Allahumma Aamin," Zaynab muttered.

"Come have dinner before it gets cold," she said, motioning with her hand in a leading manner. Zaynab trailed behind her mum, down to the dining.

Her mum served her a plateful of biryani and fattoush salad.
She ate all her food while still lost in thought — so much that she didn't even notice her dad wasn't at the table.

"Mummy, where's Daddy?" she asked.

Her mum shook her head and smiled. "Oh, so it's now you remember your dad?"

"No, the food was so delicious — that's why I didn't notice," she tried to cover up.

"Your dad went to see his friend, Alhaji Adam Muhammad — his best friend."

Zaynab's mouth formed an 'O' shape as she realized exactly who her father went to visit.

After dinner, the duo sat on the couch in the living room and talked about many things. With her head on her mother's lap, she slowly began to feel sleepy. She stood up, kissed her mum's forehead, and bid her good night.

She went upstairs, showered, wore her pajamas, picked up her phone, and FaceTimed her bestie Amani before dozing off.

Meanwhile...

Today had been tiring and stressful at the office for Bello.
Being the CEO of Castles and Mansions Group of Companies came with a lot of responsibility, and honestly speaking, he didn't want someone else running the company for him — even though he had an efficient team doing an amazing job. He couldn't be more grateful.

The project he was currently working on was for the State House — and the President wanted everything top-standard. Bello was overseeing it personally.

Everyone had left the office except him. He kept working till around 6 p.m. before wrapping up and heading out.

He went to the security station and instructed them to ensure everywhere was locked and all electronics turned off before heading to the parking lot.

He hopped in his Escalade, turned on the ignition, and drove out of the firm's compound, straight home. The gates opened when he honked, and he parked.

He reached for the front door and said his salaam before entering the house. It was quiet — seemed like his parents were in their rooms.

"Where's my mum?" he asked the maid.

"She's in her room," she replied.

He went to his apartment, showered, prayed, and returned to the main house, where he found his dad and his best friend talking in the living room.

He made his presence known with a salaam and sat on the rug, greeting both his dad and his dad's friend, Alh. Imran Fawaz.

"Bello, my boy! How are you? How's work?" Alhaji Imran asked joyfully.

"Sir, I'm good, and work is going smoothly," he replied.

Turning to Bello's dad, Alhaji Imran smiled and said, "Honestly, our son is trying. I'm proud of him — very proud."

"Thank you," Bello smiled.

His dad added, "I'm also proud of you, son. Allah maka albarka!"

"Amin," he muttered.
Then his dad added, "But I want you to find someone and settle down."

"But Dad, I'm just 29 and—"
His father motioned for his friend to continue the talk.

"My son, please find someone soon. You're getting older every day, and you've achieved so much already. You know we want to see our grandchildren, In sha Allah."

Both men chuckled. Bello said he'd try, just as his mum entered and called them to the dining.

They had dinner. After finishing, the adhan for Isha was called, and they all went to the mosque.

After prayers, Bello's uncle's driver arrived, and they left.
He followed his dad back in, and the two talked about business and life. Eventually, his dad decided to watch the news, so Bello excused himself — he didn't like watching the news.

Upstairs, he found his mum still on her prayer mat, reciting the Qur'an gloriously. He waited patiently for her to finish. When she was done, he took both her hands in his and kissed them.

"Mama, Allah bar min ke," he said.

She muttered, "Amin."

"Come here," she smiled, and he moved closer. She placed his head on her lap and gently massaged it.

Then she said, "My darling... when am I getting a daughter-in-law? I want to play with my grandkids, you know!"

"What if I die before I have grand—"
He quickly placed his hand over her mouth before she could finish.

"Mami, you'll get a daughter soon. Don't say that, please," he begged.

"Allah maka albarka, my son," she prayed.

"Amin, my love," he replied sweetly.

She chuckled. "Go find your love — not me."

He blew her a kiss, and she caught it, placing it on her heart.

"Goodnight, Mami!"

"Goodnight, son. I love you," she said.

"I love you mooooore!"

Back in his apartment, Bello sat on the couch in the living room. Then he remembered — Real Madrid vs Liverpool were playing tonight.

He switched on the TV and began watching the match.
During halftime, he picked up his phone and called his best friend, Al'amin.

"Sup, man?" he said.

"Baba, how you dey? Kana ganin match din nan kuwa?" Al'amin asked.

"Eh wallahi. Nifa kamar Real Madrid zasu dau Champions League din nan," Bello shared his thoughts.

"Haba dai. Amma them boys are trying, honestly."

"Yes, they are!"

"So bro, I'm hanging now... an dawo second half," Bello said.

"Sure. Good night!"

He hung up and continued watching the match.
45 minutes later, the match ended — Real Madrid 2 - 1 Liverpool.

A yawn escaped Bello's lips. He switched off the TV and the lights, then retired for the night.

Hey loves, I'm here with a story for the first time! Please do show your support by sharing, voting, and commenting. I hope you enjoy this.
Xoxo, Islaaha__