So close, yet so far (ON HOLD)

20

ABUJA, NIGERIA

"Adda Jidda, let me do it."
"No, Safar, it's—"
"Please Adda Jidda." Safar said with a pout.

Hauwa stared at her absentmindedly, not knowing when she even nodded her head indicating yes and Safar collected the box from her with a grin as wide as that of a Cheshire cat.

Hauwa shared a look with Safira and Safina and they both looked as perplexed as she is. For the past to days Safar was suddenly all over Hauwa and trying to be nice, and even started calling her Adda Jidda. To say it was creepy would be an understatement for someone who hated even the mere sound of her name.

Hauwa, being the nice person she is just went along with the flow. The four of them continued working amongst animated chatter until they were finally done with their work.

Adda Bahijja was pregnant again, she was actually 7 months pregnant during Hauwa and Sa'eed's wedding. Hauwa was surprised she didn't notice the pregnancy but then she had been roaming around in boubou's so it was quite hard to notice.

She is now 8 months pregnant and would be coming home to stay until she delivered the baby, apparently her three-year-old, Najib wasn't happy about the new addition in the family because he wanted all his parents love and attention, even though Bahijja had tried to convince him she would love and care for him equally as the new baby but he wasn't budging.

"Adda Jidda," Safar called meekly and Hauwa hummed, both Safira and Safina had filed out immediately after they were done fixing the room Bahijja would stay in, the maids would have done it but they insisted it would be more fun if they did it together and true to their words it was, especially since Safar had stopped throwing snide remarks at Hauwa.

It was Safar who had called back Hauwa, she should have also left since she was doing nothing in the room but from the corner of her eyes as Hauwa was ensuring everything was perfect, she saw how Safar would nervously glance at her and then fidget with her finger until she had seemed to build up courage to call Hauwa's name.

Hauwa could have asked her what was wrong but because she had just started being nice to her 2 days ago she didn't think they had reach the stage were they would talk about her personal lives with each other.

Safar moved towards Hauwa and surprisingly she held Hauwa's hand, Hauwa's eyebrows shot in surprise and she couldn't help the amusement that seemed to dance in her midnight black orbs.

"I'm so so sorry Adda Jidda, I judged you without actually knowing who you truly are," she took a deep breath and then continue her eyes sparkling with hope.

"You're one of the most sweetest and kindest person I've ever met. Mardiyya is my best friend and we all thought she would end up marrying Ya Sa'eed but she didn't and you did and that why I was upset with you. But now I realise I've no right whatsoever to be upset with because I'm not the one who is going to stay with the wife Ya Sa'eed chooses, so I shouldn't try to force a woman he doesn't love on him."

Hauwa was speechless after the heartfelt speech from Safar who looked at her with glassy and hopeful eyes. Hauwa awkwardly cleared her throat not knowing what to say, "do you want a hug? It will make you feel better." She asked as she opened her arms indicating for her to hug.

Safar literally threw herself on Hauwa and the said woman couldn't help but giggle at her childish antics.
"Thank you so much Adda Jidda."
"You're welcome Safar, and if it makes you feel better Sa'eed once told me you're his favourite." Sadat chuckled as she pulled away from the hug and cleaned the remnants of tears in her eyes.

"Yea I know I'm his favourite but I don't think I'm anymore after all I did." Safar said sadly.
"C'mon you're his sister he has to forgive you." Hauwa said and Sadat chuckled, Hauwa's bright smile lightening her mood.

"Now cheer up and let's go meet the rest of the family members." Hauwa said as she held Safar's hand but she held her back.
"Adda Jidda I know the reason between your fight with Ya Sa'eed." Hauwa raised an eyebrow but this time it wasn't because of amusement and even Safar could see the anger and hurt in her eyes.

"I'm the reason Ya Sa'eed turned out the way he once was before he met you."

"Please, Safar, I know you are remorseful but you do not have to take the blame for the stupid decisions your brother made." Hauwa said and she turned to leave the room but once again Safar stopped her.

"Please Adda Jidda just hear me out, Bilal was my ex-boyfriend," Hauwa's eyes widened but she said nothing and Safar knew she was giving her a chance to continue speaking to she did.

"Ya Sa'eed was one of the best practicing Muslim young man I know, but then stupid me had to introduce him to my boyfriend –Bilal– I don't know what he did to him but he began to change from not praying on time to a time he stopped praying completely. Mami was disappointed and they kept having issues but then he met he and he began to change. Adda Jidda, he changed for you. I know he drank and refuse to pray and all but one thing I'm sure about is that he had never committed zina. Please give him a chance and let him explain himself, please."

Hausa swallowed the lump in her throat not knowing what to say, she only nodded her head. Safar smiled at her and squeezed her hands as she led her out of the room.

"There you are," Mami said as soon as she saw the two of them. Adda Bahijja had already arrived she exchanged pleasantries with Safar and Hauwa. Hauwa saw Rahma sitting on the chair grinning from ear to ear.

"I thought you told me you're are in kaduna." She asked.
"I was but I came back." She said but when she saw Hauwa and Safar holding hands, it was her turn to narrow her eyes.

"Why are you two holding hands." She said with a scowl on her face as she stood up as if she was going to beat Sadat who immediately hid behind Hauwa.
"It's okay Rahma, she has apologised."
"Well good for her because if she does anything to hurt you ever again then I will beat the madness out of her."

Mama chuckled from where she sat as every in the room laughed, "Toh Safar kinji dai; Safar you've heard." Mani said and everyone laughed again.

"Hey there, wifey." Sa'eed said as he sat beside Hauwa and nudged her shoulders with his while wiggling his eyebrow.

Hauwa rolled her eyes but said nothing, she hated that for the past two days, Sa'eed's thought were the only ones that lingered in her head and try as she may to stop it, it seemed the be the only thought she kept having. And Sadat telling her that story wasn't helping matters.

"Go on a date with me Mi Reina." Sa'eed whispered close to her ears, the scent of his tomford and bakhour invaded her senses.

"I'm going absolutely no where with you, I do not feel safe around a rapist." A lie. For some odd and annoying reason, she felt the safest around him but she only said that to hurt him but it didn't work because he was still grinning at her.

She hissed softly and turned to continue pressing her phone but suddenly Sa'eed kissed her ear. She gasped softly as she pushed him away, she quickly looked around the living room to make sure no one saw them but the smirks on Rahma and Fahad's faces confirmed they had seen them, she rolled her eyes exasperatedly and turned away from them.

"Your eyes will fall if you roll them again." Sa'eed said, she was about to roll her eyes again but she thought better and hissed.

"C'mon baby just one date." He held her hand as he literally begged her to o on a date with him.
"Gosh, you're so annoying. I'll go on a date with you now leave my hand alone." She said as she snatched her hand from him grip.

Sa'eed stood up grinning ear to ear as he tucked his hand into his pocket, "be ready by 7 love." And with that he walked away.

"Safar maman Ki tazo; your mother is in town and she wants you to visit her for a few days." Hauwa had just turned her attention to Mami when she heard her saying that to Safar and Hauwa's eyebrows furrowed.

"Isn't she your sister? Which mother is Mami talking about?" Hauwa whispered to Safira.
"Adda Safar is actually our cousin but her father is dead so baba took her in as his own daughter." Safira whispered back.
"Okay." Hauwa whispered again.
"Why are we whispering?" Safira said and the two burst out laughing, the family members continued chatting animatedly but even then Hauwa's mind kept wandering back to her date with Sa'eed. She couldn't wait, she had realised that, she repulsed herself for thinking that way but still it didn't dwindle her eagerness for the date.