NADIYA'S STRUGGLE

Chapter 38

It's been a week since the Nadiya incident and everything has not gone back to normal. The family and the friends as well, seemed dull and shocked due to the experience they had, especially the mother and daughter. Even though it's meant to be a happy ending for them as they've managed to bring back Nadiya safely, they still feel somewhat, as if suspecting that's not the end of trouble in their lives.

However, Usman Babayo and his men have been arrested by Inspector Fatihu and his team. It has been a big war between them which almost seemed scary but Inspector Fatihu, a great inspector and life saver, managed to win against them at last. He had to call many other policemen to come to the location in order to beat Usman and his men. This news alone kept Hajiya Hadiya, Nadiya and the rest going and boosted the security in them to feel free. Although Inspector Fatihu got to win against Usman, but he's sustained some injuries and had to be rushed to the hospital for treatment. There were about seven of them who got injured seriously, plus Officer Bala, Adebayo and Lawal.

In the Sani Dukku mansion, there seems to be real grudges against Nadiya and her mother by none other than Khadijah. The girl has been furious ever since she heard of Nadiya and her mother's past which she wasn't informed about but got to know from Zaliha, a stranger as she calls her. She lives with nothing but hatred against Nadiya and her mother which seems to worry them and they try all possible means to apologise as well as ask what they've done wrong, but she paid no heed to them.

When Nadiya got back home limping and struggling to walk that very day, with Hajiya Hadiya and Zaliha assisting her, Khadijah felt so happy which she has never felt before upon seeing her cousin back from captivity. Nadiya saw the glint of happiness in her eyes and awaited a big hug or cries, or even some statements from her cousin, but however, nothing came up. Khadijah's mood suddenly changed and she glared at the new enemies she's discovered in her life before exiting the living room. They looked shocked off course, but didn't think too much about it, guessing that she got overwhelmed and that's all.

Nadiya and her friends have missed school due to the situation and all of a sudden, they heard of the upcoming exams they're to write. Zaliha and Nadiya couldn't believe it when Precious informed them, but when she sent them the timetable and they saw with their eyes, they had no such but to believe. The nerds are trying so hard to catch up with their mates as they've missed a lot. They asked for PDFs, photocopy some materials and handouts from their friends and request tutorials from their seniors back to back. After all this, they think they can make it and they're all having faith in themselves.

***

Umar, on the other hand is busy studying hard as well. He also has not been going to school, focusing only on Nadiya's case and nothing else. He claimed to have promised himself in bringing back Nadiya and he has fulfilled it. Umar is in his final year and the upcoming exams is his first before the final exams, and he's doing all it takes to excel and keep his records good as they already are. Though, he's trying hard to remove Nadiya's thoughts from his mind, but it just isn't possible.

Ever since the incident, Nadiya and him have been keeping in touch a lot and call each other often. They've maintained a strong bond that cannot be broken. He helps and supports her in every way possible. He is there whenever she needs him, the same with her. Whenever she's lost in her academic, he never hesitate to leave everything behind and help her. He spends his time tutoring her, wanting nothing but his Nadiya to excel as she's always been doing. He hasn't told her of his feelings yet, not wanting to ruin their relationship by confessing his feelings. He believes he'd rather let it be this way. When the time comes, he'd tell her but for now, they have something important to focus on.