So close, yet so far

10

ABUJA, NIGERIA

"If you hadn't come today, i would have blocked you and never ever talk to you." Jamila said jokingly as she hugged Rahma and Hauwa who laughed. Hauwa turned to Rahma and smacked her before saying,
"You're laughing like a goat." And Rahma laughed like a maniac on Hauwa's face. Aunty Jamila just smiled and shook her head at their banters.
"And where is my pretty little niece?" Hauwa yelled dramatically as she opened her arms wide for a hug, it was as if Afra had been waiting for that call because her little figure was immediately seen running towards Hauwa's waiting arms who engulfed her in a tight warm hug.
"I've mhissed you aunty Hauwa." She said in her cute babyish voice with a smile on her cute pink lips. She was the only one amongst Hauwa's niece and nephew that calls her the name she likes which is aunty Hauwa and not aunty Mai-Jidda. It isn't a hidden fact that she is Hauwa's favourite.

"I've missed you two my little Afifi." Hauwa said and she gently pulled her soft cheeks in a teasing manner.
"But you would have come sooner if you had really missed me." Afra said and Rahma and Jamila burst into laughter while Hauwa's mouth was wide open in mock shock.
"What can I say?" Jamila said with a shrug and then continued,
"Your brother is quite the complainer, he kept nagging and nagging about it and you know there is no way this smartass wouldn't have grasped it." Jamila said, everyone burst into laughter while little Afra rolled her eyes. Yes, rolled her eyes. She was just five years old but she was too smart for her age and also very sassy. She was smarter than Aisha's eight and seven year old Hanan and Muhammad.
"You're no longer my favourite, aunty Rahma is." She said as she ran to Rahma and hugged her who also hugged her back and childishly stuck her tongue out for Hauwa who in turn rolled her eyes.

They had lots of fun with Jamila, she was an easy going person, by the time they were done with lunch, Aliyu came in clad in a dark blue Jalabiya with the white trouser he wore peeking out.
"Ya Ali my love." Hauwa said as she ran to hug him and in turn he pushed her.
"Don't hug me, daman ma lura Baki cika sona ba-I've noticed I'm your least favourite." He said and Hauwa pouted.
"C'mon big bro, you know that's not true." Hauwa whined.
"Okay okay, I get it, don't burst my eardrums." He said as he trudged further into the living room, Afra who was sitting close to Rahma immediately ran to him, shouting 'daddy' and he picked her up. He exchanged pleasantries with Rahma and then pecked Jamila's forehead.
"We go love oo." Hauwa said and she and Rahma giggled.
"Isn't it you that Ya Aisha said you're now dating with a guy that brought you gifts for every hour you spent fighting?" Aliyu said and Hauwa groaned as she shyly covered her face while Rahma laughed evilly.

"Ya Aisha is so nosy, I can't believe she already told you." Hauwa said. Later around the afternoon, Hauwa and Rahma left.

Rahma couldn't stop gushing about the gifts Sa'eed had brought Hauwa and she kept chanting "this kind love me I never see before." And each time she said it, Hauwa smacked her but that didn't stop her from saying it.
"Wear this." Rahma said as she pushed a yellow and black atampa towards Hauwa.
"Rahma I want something simple, it's not a date." Hauwa said, Rahma scoffed but kept quiet. She knew Hauwa could be stubborn if she wanted to and since she said she wanted to wear something simple, no one could make her dress extravagantly.

She got dressed in a purple abaya, she bade Aisha goodbye but just as she opened the door, she came face to face with Sa'eed. He was dressed casually in an off white shirt and the sleeves were rolled up and he had blue jeans on with an ash face cap. His signature tomford and bakhoor filled the air, Hauwa's jaw was wide open as she stared at him in fascination and Sa'eed smirked.
"Take a picture, it lasts longer." He said and she rolled her eyes before she opened the door wider for him to step inside.

Hauwa crossed her arms, her eyes flashing with annoyance. "I said we should meet in Bleu Cafe, not here."

Sa'eed smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I didn't want to tire you, Mi Reina. Besides, I wanted to see you in your natural habitat."

Hauwa raised an eyebrow. "My natural habitat?"

Sa'eed nodded, his gaze roving over her face. "Yes, where you're most beautiful and unguarded."

Hauwa tried to maintain her irritation, but Sa'eed's words chipped away at her defences. "You're trying to distract me," she accused.

Sa'eed chuckled. "Maybe a little. But can I help it if being near you makes me want to be my best self?"

Hauwa sighed, her shoulders relaxing despite herself. "You're impossible, Sa'eed."

Sa'eed's smile grew wider. "Only when it comes to you, Mi Reina."

Hauwa's expression softened, but her voice remained firm. "I'm still upset with you, Sa'eed. You hurt me deeply even though it wasn't intentional. "

Sa'eed's eyes filled with remorse. "I'm really sorry, Mi Reina I'd rather die than ever cause you pain again. You mean everything to me."

Hauwa's gaze faltered, her heart aching at the sincerity in his voice. "Choose between me and Bilal," she demanded, her voice barely above a whisper.

Sa'eed's response was immediate. "You, Mi Reina. I choose you. I can't imagine a life without you by my side."

Hauwa's resolve crumbled, her heart soaring at his words. She felt like she was melting into his gaze, her love for him overwhelming her.

They sat in silence, the tension between them palpable. Sa'eed reached out to hold her hand, but Hauwa glared at him, her cheeks flushing. "We can't touch, Sa'eed. You know that."

Sa'eed retracted his hand, his eyes burning with longing. "I know. I just can't help myself when I'm near you."

Hauwa's blush deepened, her heart racing at the intensity in his gaze.

Sa'eed took a deep breath, his voice filled with excitement. "I told Baba  about us, Mi Reina. We're going to send our elders to your house soon. I want to marry you, Mi Reina. I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy."

Hauwa's heart skipped a beat, her joy overflowing. She felt like she was floating on air, her love for Sa'eed consuming her.

"I...I don't know what to say," she stammered, her voice barely audible.

Sa'eed smiled, his eyes shining with happiness. "You don't have to say anything, my love. Just knowing that you're mine is enough for me."

Hauwa's blush deepened, her heart racing at the possessiveness in his tone. She felt cherished, loved, and protected.

Sa'eed stood up, his eyes never leaving hers. "I should go now. But know that I'll be back soon, and next time, I won't leave until I make you mine completely."

Hauwa nodded, her heart still racing from his words. She watched as he walked away, feeling like the luckiest person alive. She loved Sa'eed more than life itself, and she knew that he felt the same way.

Even after Sa'eed left, she didn't leave the living room, she sat there alone as she kept thinking about her future with Sa'eed. The front door was open and Mubarak stepped inside, he smiled at Hauwa when he saw her and sat on the chair opposite hers.
"I saw Sa'eed on my way out." He said and Hauwa immediately frowned.
"Calm down, it's not what you're thinking, I'm not here to bad mouth him as you think I usually do." He said,
"Ya Mubarak, it's not like that." Hauwa said with a guilty smile.
"You don't have to say it but I know you think that is what I'm trying to do." Mubarak said and Hauwa sighed in defeat knowing she had been caught red handed.
"Mai-Jidda you are a sister to me and I only want what is best for you. Sa'eed told me his intentions with you but billahil azeem if I do my research and I find even a dent on him, know that you will not marry him." He said and then he stood up when Hauwa nodded.

"We care about you Mai-Jidda and that is why we are doing this." Mubarak said and Hauwa nodded. She knew how her father trusted Mubarak so she could only pray that he wouldn't find anything bad on Sa'eed when he did his research.

Okay I don't care what you guys say, Sa'eed loves Hauwa🥹🫶.
This kind love, god Abeg 😫.
Am I invisible ne that this love doesn't want to locate me?!

Ya Ali 🌚

Layha 🦋🤍