Ties That Bind

EP57

The Balogun household was a blend of warmth and luxury, with an air of formality that Zara could feel in every corner. She and Kabir sat with Alhaji Suleiman and Mrs. Mide Balogun in the expansive living room, surrounded by rich fabrics and tasteful decor. Despite the relaxed atmosphere, Zara couldn’t help but feel slightly distant; she wasn’t entirely invested in the conversation, though she masked her detachment with polite smiles and nods.

Kabir, ever attentive, had noticed her subtle discomfort, but he said nothing. He knew she was here out of duty, as the daughter-in-law, and he appreciated her effort to make the best of it. They shared a glance now and then, unspoken words exchanged through brief eye contact that only they could understand.

They conversed with Kabir’s parents, lightheartedly sharing stories and jokes. Mrs. Mide seemed particularly keen to make Zara feel welcome, her warmth radiating through her gentle gestures and frequent smiles. In a lull of conversation, Mide turned to Zara, her expression softening further.

“Zara, I just want to apologize on behalf of Jalal,” she began, her tone sincere. “I heard what happened while he was staying with you both. I’m really sorry for any disrespect he showed. He can be a bit…stubborn.” She chuckled slightly, her face showing genuine remorse.

Zara offered a polite smile, her eyes meeting Mide’s. “Thank you, ma. There’s no need to apologize. It’s in the past now, and I understand family can sometimes be challenging.” Her words were diplomatic, respectful, and slightly detached, though she genuinely appreciated the apology.

Kabir placed a hand on hers, giving it a gentle squeeze in silent support. The conversation soon shifted, moving onto lighter topics and sparking laughter from everyone, including Zara. For a moment, she allowed herself to relax, enjoying the unexpected ease of the gathering.

But just as everyone seemed most at ease, the front door opened abruptly, and a familiar, firm set of footsteps echoed in the hallway. Everyone turned, surprise flickering across their faces as Alhaja Sikira, Iya, entered. She strode into the room, her expression unreadable, though her sudden appearance cast an unmistakable tension across the atmosphere. They hadn’t expected her back until six, and it was only four thirty-three. Her early return was so unexpected that it threw everyone off balance.

Alhaji Suleiman blinked, his brows knitting in mild surprise. “Iya, you’re back earlier than we expected. Is everything alright?”

Iya looked around, taking in the sight of everyone gathered, her gaze resting briefly on Zara. Her expression was hard to read, though the slight narrowing of her eyes hinted at something just beneath the surface. “Yes, I came back early,” she replied, her voice calm but carrying an edge that left the room noticeably quieter.

As soon as Iya stepped into the room, the entire atmosphere shifted. With her gaze on Zara, her expression darkened, the warmth draining from her face. Her lips pressed into a hard line, and she barely paused before cutting through the conversation with a harsh, “What is she doing here?”

The room fell silent, the tension thickening as her voice, sharp and filled with disdain, hung in the air. Zara felt every eye in the room shift toward her, but she held her head up, refusing to let Iya’s penetrating stare unnerve her.

Kabir, sensing the immediate hostility, straightened, his hand subtly moving to Zara’s in a show of support. But Iya wasn’t done. She shook her head, her voice rising. “No, no, no. You people can’t be serious. This—this girl has no business here, and you all know it,” she said, her gaze darting pointedly between her son and Mide.

Mide, looking stunned, took a step forward. “Iya, please—”

But Iya raised her hand, cutting her off. “Don’t ‘please’ me, Mide. You and Sule are letting this go on as if I haven’t said my piece already.” She turned back to Zara, her tone dripping with bitterness. “Do you know who this girl is? Do you know who her family is?”