EXTRA MILE FOR LOVE

50: Baba's Anger

"Assalamu Alaikum." Najma chanted calmly as she walked into the living room. Her eyes immediately fell into Baba's.
"Where are you coming from? Do you have any idea what time it is now?" He barked standing up, Mummy immediately blocked him from reaching out to Najma. "We spoke about this Alhaji, you won't lay a finger on her. Allow her to atleast to upstairs and freshen up." Mummy protested.

"No, we are going to have this conversation right now! Najma didn't I warn you to stay away from that wayward boy? What on earth was he doing with you at Ameerah's house?" Najma stood there numb, wishing she could disappear into the thin air, so Abbbakar came and reported her to Baba?

"Will you answer me or I have to first skin you alive?" He yelled making Najma tremble with fear. "Baba..... He's just a friend." She announced stammering. "Hajiya look at what you're defending? Can you listen to your daughter?" He asked harshly.

"Maybe she only understands the language you speak, Tell her that I won't become a small boy like that wayward boy. I shall stand on my words." Baba declared facing the window as he stood on his feet.

"There's no going back, she has to marry that young man Abbakar whether she likes it or not, as long as the young man is still interested in her." Baba declared.

"Haba Alhaji, try to also consider her feelings here too, she's in her final year. Allow her to round up her studies first." Mummy protested.

"I'm not seeking anyone's advice on this, It's a decision that I have already made, which will be binding on her!" He declared walking away.

"Mummy na! Wallahi I can't marry Abbakar, Mummy I can't even stand him!" She declared bursting into tears. Mummy knew Only God would be able to convince Najma at this point. Najma crying over this matter shows how adamant she is just like her father.

Mummy hugged Najma tight and didn't say a word. She pulled her gently towards the couch as they sat down. "Calm down. Pray about it, that's all I can tell you right now." Mummy announced as she patted Najma on the back and excused herself.

Najma stood up, not knowing what to do or what to say. Should she call Basma who always calms her down or should she call the absolute love of her life that she can't have? She found herself in Haidar's room. She sat down at the edge of the bed, staring at how he was peacefully sleeping. Part of her wished she was still a child.

A tear escaped her eyes and dropped on his chin, she quickly used her index finger to wipe it off his chin. "Mummy what's wrong? why are you crying?" Haidar asked as he squeezed his eyes while trying to fully open them.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry I woke up my baby." She declared trying to force a smile. Haidar has never seen his big sister in tears before, his little brain could tell him something was definitely wrong here.

"Come here." She announced drawing him close to her as she hugged him tight to her chest. "Today I'm sleeping over here, Is that fine with you?" She asked.

"Yes mummy, I love you." He announced happily.

"I want to ask you something my baby, you remember Uncle Nabil? The one we met in Lagos during our trip?" She asked.

"Your husband?" He asked, "Shhshh, Don't allow Baba to hear you saying that." She quickly used her palm to close his mouth, as a blush escaped her lips. Basma was the one who kept telling Haidar that Nabil was Najma's husband during the trip.

"So tell me, between Uncle Nabil and Uncle Abbakar the tall dark one that hardly smiles, who do you like more?" She asked.

"My uncle Nabil, he makes me so happy and he buys me lots of gifts." Haidar declared happily.