HUSNA

Chapter25

A great obstacle to happiness is to expect too much happiness.

_Bernard de Fontenelle
       

                         

                      *******

VICTORIA ISLAND 1004 ESTATE LAGOS
Hameed, when did you arrive? And what brought you back?" his mother asked, studying him with narrowed eyes, her tone half surprise, half suspicion.

He grinned. "Ah, Mommy, you're not even happy to see me? Dad told me to come back. He said there's something important we need to discuss...and you know I can't say no to him."

"So, should I call him?" she asked, already reaching for her phone.

"No, no, no, Mommy, please! Don't do that," he said quickly, stepping behind her and hugging her shoulders from the back. "I just wanted to see my old woman first. I missed you."

She smacked his arm. "Get off me,  Hameed, before you break my bones! You think you can sweet-talk your way out, ehn?"

He chuckled. "Come on, Mommy, admit it...you missed me too."

She gave him a side-eye. "Something definitely brought you back. I was even about to go to Rahima's house before you showed up. Since you're here, you'll drive me there. She's been complaining that you've forgotten her."

"Mommy, please," he said, running a hand over his neatly trimmed beard. "I told you, something important brought me back, and I'm going to Kadu..

"Kaduna?!" she cut in sharply. "What are you going to do there?"

He scratched his neck. "N–nothing serious. Just... visiting some family."

"Abdulhameed," she said slowly, folding her arms, "don't forget I carried you in this stomach for nine months. I know when you're lying."

He glanced at his wristwatch, smiling. "Mom, don't stress yourself abeg. I've got uncles and cousins there. You'll hear everything soon."

"Hmm," she muttered. "Have you eaten?"

He nodded, sliding on his dark shades. "I'll go start the car while you finish dressing."

A few minutes later, his mother joined him in the car. "So, how's work, my pilot son?" she asked with pride and teasing.

"Hectic, Mommy. Flying people up and down, it's not easy o," he replied, adjusting the mirror.

She laughed. "You, that enjoys it too much! You're always smiling when you talk about flying."

He smiled but stayed quiet, focusing on the road.
Halfway through the drive, she began, "You know that young man that was kidnapped two weeks ago? They've still not found him. May Allah protect us from such evil."

Hameed glanced sideways, half listening. "Ameen, Mommy."

"Tell me," she continued, "aren't you scared of being kidnapped?"

He chuckled. "Who will kidnap a pilot, Mommy?
Maybe if they want free flights to Dubai."

"Abdulhameed!" she scolded. "This is not a joking matter."

He laughed harder. "Mommy, relax now! I'm too handsome to be kidnapped."are you scared

"Of course, who isn't? If they kidnap people, they treat them badly."

He stifled a laugh, "Well, I'm not scared."

As they approached a bend in the road, he joked, "Ah, what am I seeing? Is the road closed?" He glanced at his mother's reaction, I guess bandit are attacking people here he try to stifle his laughter.