Abuja, Nigeria.
.
.
Days passed since the series of incidents at the Shettima family house. Things were slowly getting back to normal. Amna reached out to her academic mentor and requested for an interruption in her study, which Aslam suggested. She also was getting comfortable with her therapy and was putting in effort to communicate.
***
On Tuesday afternoon, Aslam was working from home while Junaid was having a meeting with a client -a senator in Kano, when Aslam's phone rang on the desk beside him, taking his attention off the iMac he was staring at for so long. The phone screen displayed his friend's name, Bello Bugaje. He smiled and picked up the call.
"BB of Banana Island!" Aslam said into the phone, leaning back in his chair.
"My oga at the top," Bello replied, laughing.
"You think say you dey wise, calling me your oga to avoid billing? Inaaa baka isa bah, mutumina- That's not possible, my guy." Aslam laughed.
"Haba, Architect Shettima, babes suyi billing, abokai ma suyi? cut me some slack mehn- Come on, Architect Shettima, babes bill, friends bill too? Cut me some slack." Bello's voice came through the speaker, full of the exuberance as always. "How's Abuja treating you?"
Aslam chuckled. "Kai ne ai ka zama Lagos big boy ai- You have become a Lagos big boy now, I don't blame the babes, you get doings. And Abuja is typical Abuja, man. Quiet, you know. The usual, work, family... How's everything in Lagos?"
"Busy, as always," Bello replied with a laugh. "But that's Lagos for you. Listen, I've got something exciting coming up soon, and I want you to be a part of it."
Aslam's curiosity piqued. "Oh? Ina jinka- I am all ears."
"It's a Charity Shield Polo Tournament," Bello announced. "BB Polo Team is hosting it, and I need my best guys on the field. You can't say no."
Aslam's scratched the edge of his thick eyebrow. It had been almost three years since he last played, life had gotten in the way. His work, family... had all taken priority.
"Bello, I don't know, honestlyyy," Aslam said, hesitating. "It's been a long time since I've been on the field. Almost three years, actually. I'm not sure I'm up for it. But I can definitely donate."
"Come on, Shettimaaa," Bello urged. "You're a natural. A day or two of practice, and you'll be back in form. Your +2 handicap can't just disappear. And your ponies have been idle."
Aslam laughed, but there was still a hint of doubt in his voice. "I don't know, BB. I'm out of practice, and I've got a lot on my plate right now. Maybe it's not the best time. The stable keeper has been giving them out to upcoming players for practice, anata tournaments recently but I've not had time to play or watch."
Bello wasn't one to give up easily. "Listen, Aslam. Alamin's team is playing too, Khalifa too is going to be there to watch. You know how much fun we used to have together. It'll be like old times. Plus, it's for a good cause—the proceeds are going to charity. It'll be worth your while."
The mention of his friends made Aslam pause. They were not just friends; they'd become brothers in every sense of the word. The thought of reuniting with them on the polo field so was tempting to resist.
"Hmm," Aslam murmured, weighing his options. "It does sound like it could be fun. And since it's for charity, I thinkkk..."
"Yes! All for charity," Bello confirmed enthusiastically. "It's the perfect way to get back into the game. Plus, you can't let us down. The team needs you."
