HUSNA

Chapter13

BAUCHI ROAD MARAFA KADUNA..
The compound at Bauchi Road, Marafa was already buzzing when the black highlander  pulled in. Laughter echoed from the backyard.

"Oh my God, sweethearts!" Faiza squealed, rushing toward the twins. They dropped their phones and jumped into her arms, their giggles filling the air.

"Ehn ehn, Indomie generation, always hyper," Abdulhameed muttered with a smirk, dragging his small travel box inside.

"Aunty Mimi! My boy!" Faiza greeted, blowing kisses around like she owned the place.

"Ah, why am I the only one ignored?" Captain exclaim , settling into the armchair.

Faiza laughed and gave him a salute. "Our one and only Captain! Yaya Hameed, wallahi, you've changed. See beard! See freshness!"

"Don't even talk to me," he replied dryly, pulling off his cap. "You've just noticed me now? Where's my mama and Meena?"

Faiza chuckled. "Wallahi, I didn't even know you guys were coming! I was shocked. You for tell me nau."

Their father, Alhaji Aliyu, had already disappeared into his brother's section of the compound. Mama and the other women settled on the sofa, exchanging greetings and jokes.

From the kitchen, Khadija appeared, hands still wet, towel over her shoulder.

"Hey, can't you greet me?" Abdulhameed called out, one eyebrow raised.

"Haba, Hameed," Mama scolded, smiling. "She's older than you, show some respect."

"Older? This small girl?" he asked, feigning surprise.

Khadija snapped back, "Kai dai mutum yayi saurin girma ne! We're age mates jare....just six months gap."

Everyone burst into laughter.

Mama's voice softened. "My son, there you are. It's been ages since I last saw you."

Hameed walked up and hugged her gently. "At least someone cares for me here.

Mama smiled. "Aha, enough of that. Food don ready. Come and eat before it gets cold. I made all your favorites."

The family gathered around the dining table. The aroma of  rice, miyan taushe, and grilled chicken filled the air. Between bites and chatter, laughter rolled through the room like music.

Mama fed Hameed with her hand. "Toh, ka girma amma you're still my baby," she said fondly.

That night, they decided to sleep over. Abdulhameed had wanted to stay in a hotel, but Mama gave him the look...and that was enough. He ended up in the boys' quarters, muttering to himself about "African mothers and their emotional blackmail."

****

The Next Morning
The early sun filtered through the curtains as Faiza plopped down beside Abdulhameed, who was lazily scrolling on his phone.

"Yaya Hameed, please," she said, clasping her hands. "Take me to school today, biko. Please nau."

He didn't even look up. "What happened to your driver? Abi your legs are paining you?"

"Please, Yaya. Wallahi, I don't feel like going with him. Take me please ," she begged, flashing her best puppy eyes.

He sighed, shaking his head. "Hmm. You're impossible. If I take you, will you hook me up with one of your friends?"

Faiza gasped. "Of course! I'll hook you up with my bestie. She's Fulani, fine, soft-spoken...very your type."

Hameed burst out laughing. "My type ke? Your friends are still watching TikTok in the lecture hall. I was joking."