ORNAMENTS✅

Chapter Twenty Four.

Dasuki State, Nigeria.
2022.

Nabeel was certain that Nini and Abba must have received his message by now, which was why he switched off his phone after calling a security guard for the location. He had driven out to buy groceries and clothes for the group, and now, he was back, standing at the door, hoping she would open it.

To his surprise, she did. What was going on with her? Why was she acting so meek?

"May I come in?" he asked, and she nodded in response.

He entered the room, holding the clothes in his hands.

"Here, I got you some clothes to wear." She nodded again without saying much. Whatever.

His eyes lingered on her for a moment as an idea crossed his mind. Why not give the Yabos a good scare with a little gift?

"Umaimah, I'm sorry, but we have to recreate a movie scene." She looked at him in confusion, but he knew she'd understand soon enough.

He tied her hands and feet with rope.

"You don’t look like someone who's been kidnapped. I’m sorry, but what I’ll do next might hurt." He rubbed onions under her eyes, watching as tears streamed down, then filmed the moment.

Perfect.

Once the video was done, he untied her, noting the deadly glares she shot him.

Now, who should he send the video to? Asad Yabo or the Alhaji Yabo himself?

No, he’d mess with Asad. This was going to be fun.

Afterward, he dialed Asma’s number—With another sim card. she picked up.

"Babe, babe, I'm sorry," he began.

"Why are you calling me? Nabeel Shamaki," came her sharp response. So, Daddy's girl had found her courage.

"Babe, why have you been avoiding my calls?" he asked, trying to sound concerned, like the perfect boyfriend.

"Maybe you’ve got the wrong person. It’s Asma, not Zainab. What do you even see in that woman?"

"Asma, I'm sorry. Please, let me explain. Just give me a chance to meet with you, please."

"Fine, let’s meet. Should we?" She hung up, leaving him grateful.
---

Later, Nabeel knocked on Umaimah's door with food in hand.

"Hey, why are you still upset? Are you sulking because of that son of a gun?" I can't even hide my anger. Here, i am trying everything in my power to help you get away from that shitty excuse of a man and you're crying??" he spat, barely containing his frustration.

"You wouldn’t understand, even if I explained. It’s better if you leave me alone," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Why wouldn't I understand? Because I have a blocked brain?" he snapped.

"Do you even know the so-called family you're fighting for? Do you know them at all? The person you look at as a Father figure is a fucking drug dealer that's why he's always traveling up and down."

She laughed, as if he were making a joke when he was speaking nothing but the truth.

"I get it," she said. "You're trying to take me back to my biological family, but why taint the Yabo's image? Why drag them through the mud? You’re shameless. What am I even doing here? If you want to take me to my biological family, do it, or take me back to where you picked me up from. Why keep me here? I just wish I’d never come to Dasuki. I should have stayed in Marari."

Nabeel was stunned. Was she serious?

"Why don’t you just go back then?" he hissed. Her attitude was driving him insane. "If you’re hungry, here’s some food. If you don’t want to starve yourself to death."

He tossed the food onto her bed and headed toward the door, but something else still nagged at him.

"You’re ungrateful," he muttered under his breath. "The things I’ve been through just to give you a better life. If it weren’t for Nini, I swear I would’ve driven you straight back to the Yabo residence."

He walked out, his mood completely soured. The food lost its appeal. She had spoiled everything.

Afterward, he hadn’t even bother to check the room he’d planned to stay in. He dropped off the clothes, took a quick shower, and drove out to meet  Asma.

---

When Asma spotted his car, she walked over with a greeting, “Assalamu Alaikum,” which made Nabeel momentarily wonder how someone so beautiful could be born into the Yabo family.

"Wa Alaikum Salaam," he replied, his face lighting up with a smile.

"Take me to her," she said, confusing him. To who? She wanted to meet Zainab and warn her, surely.

"What are you talking about, Asma? You don’t need to meet Zainab. Nothing is going on between us, I promise."

She shrugged nonchalantly. "Take me to Umaimah. I saw you with her the other day. I know you’ve been pretending to love me. Why? If you’d asked me about Asad and Umaimah’s relationship, I would’ve told you everything. Why play me like this? I don’t need an explanation; just take me to her. I need to meet my niece or nephew."

Nabeel was in disbelief. "You saw me? Why didn’t you say anything then?"

"Yeah, I saw you. I also read the scandal about your mum and my dad."

Nabeel was at a loss for words. What could he even say?

"I want to see the baby. Please take me there."

"I'm sorry, the baby was born already gone. She’s in her grave."

Asma’s eyes filled with tears, and she quietly prayed for the child. "As for Umaimah, I can’t take you there right now, but you’ll meet her when things are calmer."

"For whatever reason, next time, don’t play with someone’s feelings," she said and left the car.

Nabeel felt a pang of guilt. He had never meant for things to go this way. He rolled his tinted windows up to avoid the reporters or anyone spotting him, then drove off, regretting the way things had turned out.