EXTRA MILE FOR LOVE

25: Cooking together

"I'm sorry we didn't get enough time to hang out yesterday." Najma said as she dropped her phone on the cushion, adjusting her airpods. "It's okay, I guess priorities always comes first. We were having fun before that Na'im or Nabil, whatever he calls himself came." All efforts done by Abbakar to hide his jealousy was failing. It was so obvious from the tone of his voice.

"Abbakar, Do you have a problem with him?" Najma asked. "Why would I ? I don't even know him. I should be asking you that, since he's your lover, admirer or what will I call him?" Najma took a deep breath and remained silent. She could hear the fury in Abbakar's voice . The last thing she wanted was to fight with Abbakar, because of Nabil for that matter.

"Umm I've to go now. I'd call you later." She hung up without waiting for his response. Abbakar palmed his face. He knew he shouldn't have spoken to Najma that way. He has no right to behave all jealous, After all they're not dating. By now he was sure of his feelings for Najma. What's stopping him from confessing his love to Najma is the financial aspect. He has decided he would only confess his love when he's ready for marriage. But what if Nabil gets in the way of that? From all indications, Najma and Nabil are becoming closer day by day.

"Haidar come over here, Where did you get Chicken wings from?" Najma happily asked as she took a bite from a piece that Haidar held. "Basma where did you guys get this from?" Najma asked as she slightly closed her eyes appreciating the tasteful chicken wings. "What's your business with that? Since you refused to follow us." She snapped as she sat down on the sofa next to Najma. "Nabil got It for Haidar." Sultana announced.

Nabil came into the living room when Sultana was mentioning his name . "You Gossipmonger , Why are you mentioning my name?" He asked with a frown as he came further into the parlor with Kabir.

Kabir and Najma exchanged pleasantries, and she shunned Nabil. "Najma was just asking Haidar where he got the chicken wings from, So I told her you got it for him." Sultana announced. Najma closed her eyes tight in shame. If she knew he bought it, She wouldn't have eaten it. They're not on talking terms, Since after yesterday that she warned him to stay away from her.

She remembered he made a promise to her that she'd come back crawling back to him. Over her death body was she going to give him that satisfaction. She gave Haidar the remaining piece that was in her hands.

"I've been waiting for you to come back. I gave the chef a day off. So you all would be cooking today." Aunty Hassana announced as she came into the living room. "Mama why did you do that? You know I can't cook!" Sultana pouted.

"Shut up! And you're not ashamed of yourself? Anyways, I'm not counting on you to cook alone. You all will join hands and cook in the kitchen, The men included." That was when Kabir and Nabil looked away from their phones and threw a quizzical look at her. "Yes I mean it. You will have to go into the kitchen too. While myself, Your mother and Hajiya would rest." Aunty Hassana said with a smile.

"Beautiful goddess will be the head. Hajiya told me you're a great cook. Now you see why I really need you to come into this family? Aside from being gorgeous and well mannered, you're also a great cook." She tapped Najma's shoulder with a smile.

"I'm not really a great cook Aunty. I'm trying, Still coming up. But I will see to it that I entice your tastebuds." Najma declared with a smile. "That's more like it! I know you won't disappoint me. So everyone get to work, We are hungry." Aunty Hassana said.

"Nabil if you like, you can permanently join both of your eye brows together, then I'd give you the award of frowning. But you still have to get your ass to the kitchen." She declared. Nabil wasn't finding all of these funny. He knew all these is definitely one of Aunty Hassana's plan. Whatever It was, It won't work. They all went to the kitchen and put on their aprons.