Newfound Destination

~ 33 ~

Coincidentally, my leg was free from bandages on my very birthday. It was my 19th birthday and I was so excited.

I was mostly happy to be able to trash my crutches.

It was so hard to walk with them!

I was all dressed up and ready to go to the venue where my friends set up a birthday party for me.

It was probably a surprise party.

I went out of my room and walked downstairs to tell my mom I was ready so she could drive me there.

Upon stepping into the living room, I'm greeted with the sight of Mustapha having coffee with my mom.

They were actually laughing together.

Ummi noticed me first, "Oh Kari, your ex-boss is here to take you out for your birthday."

Oh wow, Ummi already knew him.

Mustapha glanced at me with a bright smile, "You look beautiful as always, Karimah."

I didn't even know how to react or reply. Hell, I didn't even know if I was happy to see him.

He stood up and opened his arms wide, his smile never leaving his lips.

I smiled back and went in for a hug.

"What do you say we go to another amusement park?" He whispered to me.

His breath fanning my ear was ticklish so I found myself giggling.

"I'll take that as a yes." He muttered.

I didn't say anything and just let it be. We stayed in that position for a while and I took the time to sniff in his intoxicating scent.

Okay, I know you want to know what he smells like so I'll give you a hint. His signature scent is a unique kind of oud perfume.

I like it a lot.

We pulled away.

We bid goodbye to Ummi before leaving. We went into his car and he started the engine before hitting the road.

I breathed out, "Let's not go to an amusement park. Take me somewhere else."

He looked at me for a bit before turning his head to the road again, "Do you have anywhere else in mind?"

I shook my head, "You choose."

"Well, good thing I had a plan B." He said.

"Where is it?" I asked.

He didn't reply, just tossed me a blindfold.

Huh?

"Put that on." He instructed.

I sighed but didn't ask any questions and just did as I was told.

After a few minutes, the car finally stopped and I heard him open his door. I managed to unfasten my seatbelt while he came and opened my door for me before helping me out of the car.

He encircled an arm around my waist protectively guiding me with my steps.

Then we got seated on what I assumed was a mat.

I took off my blindfold without his permission and I realized we were at a normal park.

It was so refreshing.

"This place is called 'park and zoo'." He informed me.

"Oh my God! Did you just say zoo?!" I squealed.

He nodded in confirmation.

"Come! Let's go and see the animals!" I jumped excitedly.

He sighed, "Fine."

I pulled him up with me and we went to see the animals. I took so much pictures along the way.

Okay, this was my new favourite place in Abuja.

I fed the monkeys bananas and even went to see the snake. To be honest, that thing looked dead but I was still frightened.

Then I discovered, you could go horse riding!

I dragged Mustapha with me and thankfully there wasn't a line when we got there so I got on the horse immediately.

"Are you sure you don't want me to go with you?" Mustapha asked me for the umpteenth time.

I rolled my eyes with a heavy sigh, "No, Mustapha Sani. I'll do fine on my own."

He shrugged and simply paid the man for my ride.

The horse was moving slowly so I had nothing to worry about. Or so I thought...

I mistakenly kicked the horse by its side when my legs were swinging uncontrollably and it started galloping.

I screamed Mustapha's name at the top of my lungs.

The horse guy who was once holding the horse's reigns was now chasing after us and I just held on for dear life.

I was getting nauseatingly sicker in my stomach by the passing seconds and I thought I was going to puke anytime soon.

The horse finally stopped to feed on some grass and I was given the chance to breath.

Soon the horse guy came along and helped me get off before going away with his horse.

Mustapha was now approaching me and laughing hard at me.

I hissed and stomped off.

I returned to our picnic spot and laid on the mat to get some rest.

Just as I set my back on the mat, my phone starts to ring loudly and I jump and sit up right from being startled.

I took my phone and realized that I had up to 15 missed calls. Some from Salma, from Amir, from Habibah, from Halimah and the most was from Khalil.

He called again and I answered it instantly.

"Karimah! Where are you?! We've been waiting for hours! Is something wrong?! Are you in danger?!" He bombarded me with questions.

"I'm so sorry. It totally slipped my mind, I'll be there soon just wait. Tell the others I'm sorry." I said and hung up.

Just then Mustapha arrived at our spot, I packed my stuff and was about to trot off when I remembered I needed a ride.

"Mustapha, this has been fun but there somewhere else I should've been. I need a ride there please." I told him.

"I understand. Let's go then." He said to me.

I nodded and we rushed out of the place and went into his car.

He used the Google map to get to the venue using the address I gave him.

We were there in no time. The place was kind of deserted but there was a building which I assumed to be the building they were in.

I was about to go in when a hand suddenly pulled me back and my body crashed against the well-built body of Mustapha.

He was staring at me for so long I couldn't even count the seconds that had passed if I tried.

Then he hugged me and I just returned the hug.

"Happy Birthday, Karimah. Please age faster." He mumbled to me.

I chuckled, "Sure thing."

My eyes stayed closed until I finally decided to open them.

And there stood Khalil.

His eyes shouted nothing but fury. He looked pained and like he would burst any moment from now.

"Khalil..." I whispered.

But he stormed off at once.