My Sister My Enemy

Chapter Thirty Nine

It's Saturday morning and Alhaji Nabeel was getting ready to leave for Kaduna as he promised Baba Ali. Since when he found out that his wife took the letter issue to Abdulrahman's parents, he has been cold to her. He speaks to her only when necessary and avoids her most of the times. Hajiya Zakiyya has pleaded with him times without number that he should please let it go and they should go back to how they used to be but he still thinks that she hasn't learn her lesson yet. Even though he also yearns for her attention and companionship but he just have to deal with her this way as he believes this is the only way she will learn because she hates the silent treatment from him.

She kept staring at him as he gets ready, knowing that he may not necessarily answer her if she asks him where he is off to but she can give it a try she thought.

"Alhaji where are you going to so early like this on a Saturday morning? I mean it's weekend and you hardly go out this early, it's quarter pass seven now."

He pretended as if he didn't hear her and she has to ask again before he answers her.

"I am going to Kaduna, I have some business to handle over there." She kept staring at him, wondering since when he starts having business in Kaduna. A part of her was telling her he is hiding something, like he isn't telling her the whole truth. But then she knows better than to ask him again on what business he will be handling in Kaduna so she just stood up with the intention to go to the kitchen to make something as breakfast for him quickly before he leaves but he stopped her.

"Where are you going?" He asked walking to where she is standing.

"I am going to fix you some breakfast quickly." He sighed checking his time.

"No don't worry, I will grab some when I reach there inshaa Allah. It's already 7:30am and I don't want to be late as I want to finish what I will be doing as soon as possible and come back home on time."

"But Alhaji what could be so important like this to make you travel on an empty stomach? You know this isn't good." He could sense the curiosity in her voice but he isn't going to tell her anything about his trip.

"Well like I said it's a business trip and I will be back soon inshaa Allah and as for the food just don't bother, I will find myself something to eat in Kaduna. See you later."

"Safe journey then, Allah ya tsare hanya ya bada sa'a."

"Ameen." He replied taking his car key, wallet and phone on the night stand before leaving the room. She went back into bed thinking what her husband is up to but couldn't find anything or any clue and at last she gave up and went back to sleep.

Few minutes pass ten Alhaji Nabeel made it to Kaduna. He first branched at a restaurant to have his breakfast and after that he proceeded to Alhaji Abdallah's residence that is Muhammad's father. On his arrival he called Alhaji Abdallah on the phone, informing him that he is at the gate. Shortly after the gateman opened the gate for him and he drove into the the house and parked his car. He was just out of his car when Alhaji Abdallah came out from the house smiling at him like they know each other for years. He welcomed him with so much respect and ushered him inside the house.

In the living room they exchanged greetings again this time around with Hajia Amina Muhammad's mother. After the greetings, Alhaji Nabeel took charge of the sitting.

"Alhaji like I mentioned to you on the phone when I called you on Thursday, my name is Nabeel and I live in Abuja with my family. We have a son, actually he is my nephew but I consider him as my own child, his name is Abdulrahman. I don't know if you can still remember the girl your son was suppose to marry two to three years back Maryam?"

Muhammad's parents nodded exchanging glances between them.

"Of course we do remember her, in fact we haven't forgotten about her for a second. She was really a nice girl from a good family. Her father was such a gentleman and wallahi naso hada zuri'a dasu but Allah baiyi ba." Alhaji Nabeel nodded in agreement with what Alhaji Abdallah just said.