ORNAMENTS ✅

Chapter Thirty.

Dasuki State, Nigeria
2022.

Two days had passed since Sauban's death, and today marked the third day. Nabeel had yet to return to his house; he was too afraid to step inside. It would feel so empty without Sauban.

Nini had called him. He imagined she hadn't seen him in a while and was wondering where he was. She was one of the reasons he'd been staying in a hotel—he couldn't bear to see her so broken, expressionless, lonely, shattered, and heartbroken. It was just too hard to face her in such a state.

He had promised her that he would come home today, so he knew he had to go back now.

Yesterday, he received a call from Asma. She wanted to meet him, so they arranged a time and place. It was already time, and Nabeel checked out of the hotel. He was on his way to meet her, and then he'd head home after.

When he arrived at the designated location, he saw Asma stepping out of a tricycle. He signaled to her, and she made her way to his car and got in.

"I came in a tricycle because no one knows I'm out. I didn't want even the driver to know I met you," Asma explained.

Nabeel nodded, understanding her caution.

"Nabeel," she sighed, her voice full of sadness, "My family is full of villains. No one is clean."

Was she just realizing this now? After living with them for so many years, she was only just understanding their true nature. But Nabeel knew better—they weren't just villains. He would call them devils with flesh.

"My mum... she's the one who got your mum killed in the UK. She bribed a nurse and had her killed with a pillow," Asma confessed.

Nabeel wasn't shocked, though. He had heard enough shocking truths over the past two days to desensitize him. He could see the tears in Asma's eyes, and he knew how hard it must have been for her to confess. He could relate to how it felt to be surrounded by criminals while trying to remain innocent. He was drained, exhausted, and unsure of what to do next. Why did they keep attacking them? All because they didn't stoop to their level.

"Don't cry," Nabeel said softly. He couldn't offer much else; all he could do was imagine how difficult it must be for her.

"Nabeel, please forgive my family for hurting you," Asma begged, her voice trembling.

She was too innocent, too naive. But what her family had done to his? Forgiveness was not something he could even consider at this point.

"You should go home now," he said. "We'll talk later, on the phone."

"May your brother's Soul rest in peace, I'm sorry for not offering my condolences."

He nodded and she left. He drove off, his emotions numb. He headed to his friend's house and asked him to meet him outside, knowing he couldn't bear to walk in and greet anyone. He just wasn't in the mood.

His friend opened the car door and sat beside him.

"Thank you so much for the car," he said, "I really appreciate it. I came to return it."

"Let's go," Anwar, his friend replied. "Let's visit Nini. After that, I'll return the car."

He nodded, and they drove to Nabeel's house. As expected, people were coming and going, caught up in their activities. Of course, life moved on even though Sauban Shamaki was no longer around.

They parked outside, and as they entered, the first person Nabeel saw was the one person he was silently praying not to meet.

Aunty Nana—his not-so-lovable aunt.