HUSNA (EDITING)

Chapter8

VICTORIA ISLAND 1004 ESTATE LAGOS
"Alhaji, it's getting late," she exclaims  looking at the clock on the wall. "You had us cook all this food since Asr, and you mentioned a guest was coming, but I haven't seen anyone yet."

"Just be patient, our guest will arrive soon," Alhaji reassured her.

A middle aged woman, seated on the couch, yawned. "I'm going to sleep." The spacious, modernly decorated parlor was filled with anticipation.

The room's gray and black hues were illuminated by the soft glow of the evening lights. A large coffee table stood in the center, surrounded by a comfortable gray couch and a sleek, minimalist area rug. A large television hung on the wall, opposite the couch, while a large mirror reflected the fading light from the windows. A vase of fresh, white flowers with hints of pink and purple added a pop of color to the coffee table. Just as Alhaji was about to respond, a car horn broke the silence.

"I think they're here," he announced.

The door swung open, and Abdulhameed walked in, beaming with joy. his father rushed to the door, opening his arms wide.

"Welcome home, my son!" his father exclaimed, embracing him tightly.

Daddy, I see you've got some gray hairs now!" Abdulhameed joked , earning him a  smack from his father.

"You'll never change, Captain!" his father chuckled, pride and happiness radiating from his face.

Abdulhameed chuckled, his eyes scanning the room for his mom. "Where's my heartbeat?" he called out, walking towards the stairs.

His mom had already retreated to her bedroom, but Abdulhameed couldn't wait to surprise her. "First love, where are you?" he mumbled , climbing the stairs to her room.

As he entered, he spot  her preparing for bed. "No, I've got it. You really want me to go back?"

Abdulhameed's voice was unmistakable. "Whose voice am I hearing? Could it be my son?"  her eyes widening as she turned to face him.

Tears of joy streaming down her face, she reached out to touch his face. "Abdulhameed, is that really you?" she asked emotionally.

The love between a mother and her child is truly unconditional. Abdulhameed smiled, his eyes shining with happiness. "First love, why the tears? I'm here now."

His mom's face lit up with a warm smile. "I love the surprise! And I hope you'll stay for a long time, right?" She hold  his hand tightly.

He chuckled, "You want my Training Captain to kill me? He  wasn't even supposed to know I escaped... just to come and see your beautiful face."

His mom smiled, "Welcome back, Hameed. Now, enough of those words; save them for your in laws."

He  smiled, "Thanks, Mom. I really need to take a shower." He headed to his room, feeling refreshed after his shower. He changed into comfortable clothes, prayed, and then went downstairs to eat.

His parents bombarded him with questions about his work,

"Abdulhameed, if I start playing with you, tell me, what's that thing you're eating?" His mom forcing him to finish all the food on his plate.

"Mom, I'll throw up!" His mom just laughed and continued to feed him.he  pleaded.

"Let's call your siblings now." After dinner, his mom suggested,but he asked her to wait, wanting to surprise them the next day.

Finally, exhausted, he  leaned on his mom's arms. "Good night, Mom. Daddy, good night." He pecked his mom's cheeks and headed to his room.

As soon as he lay down, he fell into a deep slumber. It felt amazing to sleep in his own home, surrounded by love and warmth.

"Home is where love resides, memories are created, friends always belong, and laughter never ends." He  smiled in his sleep, grateful to be back home.

*****************
Next day..."
Abdulhameed, I'm talking to you, and you're walking away, right?" his mom said, exasperated.

"Oh, God, mom, what else?" He  scrunched up his face, putting on the links of his white FilTex kaftan. "I'm not hungry, seriously."

"What did you eat, then? Remember, this is 10 a.m.?" his mom asked, eyeing him skeptically.
You don't like eating food, Abdulhameed. See how you've lost a lot of weight. Now that you're packing, where are you heading to?"

"Abuja," he  replied. "I'm going to spend maybe two days, Insha'Allah."

"Oya, food first."His mom insisted,

He  rolled his eyes. "Oh, God, mom, remember I'm not five years old."

His mom chuckled. "Yes, I know you're not five years old, but you behave like one of them."

He  opened his wristwatch drawer and clasped the Patek Philippe SA watch. He spread a bit more of his Creed perfume, sliding his legs into his shoes.

"Mom, I'm going," he mumbled , preparing to leave.

His mom called out, "Let's go and eat!"

You look so Masha'Allah, my son. We are just waiting for our in-law now."Come and tell me the truth. Who's that girl that steals my son's heart?"his  mom whispered

He  scrunched up his face. "Mom, your son doesn't have a girlfriend."

Do you want me to arrange a marriage for you since you're not ready to bring a wife?"

He  laughed. "Ahh, hell no! Don't worry, soon I will bring her to you. I will surprise you all one day."

His mom forced him to eat, and after that, he left for Abuja.

As soon as he  stepped into the house in Abuja, two excited voices called out, "Oh my gosh, is that Yaya?"

Bahijja and Munira, his sisters, rushed to greet him with big hugs.

"Hey, mommy's twins," he return their embrace. "Don't you think you're a little too strong for me?" he joked , pretending to be out of breath.

"We missed you so much, Yaya!" they exclaimed.

He  smiled. "I didn't miss the two troublesome ones. I hope you're not giving Ya Mimi a headache in this house."

A young boy, Affan, ran towards him, exclaiming, "Uncle Hameed!"

He  picked him up, twirling him around. "My superman!"

Affan showed Abdulhameed his Superman toys, and Abdulhameed was impressed. "I miss you, too, my superman. You're well grown up now."

As they spent more time together, Uncle Hameed, I want to show you something really cool."

He  followed Affan, who brought out his Superman toys. He  smiled, impressed by the collection.

As they played, he  asked his sisters, "When will she return?"

His sisters, engrossed in cooking, started talking at the same time.she will be back now.

Whose voice am I hearing? Like Captain, his elder sister yaya mimi walking in, 'I guess you both like my surprise.'"

"No wonder Captain Zai, dawo. Maybe that's the reason it's raining yesterday," I hope you're not going back anytime soon,"

I just squeezed in. T.C. didn't even know. I just wanted to see you guys."

"We're going to miss you, Captain," one of the sisters said.

I'm going back next week before he notices. But Insha'Allah, I'm going to take a month's leave soon."

The family spent quality time together, and he eventually returned to Lagos.

He spent four days in Lagos before returning to work.