Ties

~Chapter 35

Amidst the frantic search, Jannah's phone suddenly rang, an intrusive interruption amidst the chaos. Absent-mindedly, she swiped to dismiss the call, but the persistent ringing continued, disrupting the moment. Aisha, sensing the weight of the unknown, urged her gently, “You should answer it. You never know what they might want.”

Jannah sighed and excused herself, heading to the kitchen to take the call. It was only when she glanced at the caller ID that her heart began to pound. It was her father. A flutter of anxiety danced in her stomach at the unexpected nature of the call. She took a deep breath, steadying herself before answering. “Hey, Dad, Ina wuni,” she greeted, trying to keep her voice calm.

“Nana, where are you?” Her father’s voice was firm, laced with an urgency that sent chills down her spine.

“I’m in Wuse, with Marwan,” she replied, her brow furrowing in concern.

“Meet me at the Gwarimpa house right now,” he ordered, the command pulling her thoughts into a tight knot of worry.

Gwarimpa house? A place her father rarely, if ever, used. Confused, she asked, “Gwarimpa? Is everything okay?”

A heavy sigh emanated from the other end, dripping with annoyance. “Don’t ask me questions, Nana. Just do as you’re told, clear?”

“Clear,” she nodded, even though he couldn’t see her.

Returning to the living room, her mind churned with questions about why her father had summoned her so urgently. The moment she re-entered the room, her thoughts momentarily shifted. “Perfect timing, Firdaus. We've got the location.” Yasir exclaimed.

The revelation sent a thrill of joy racing through Jannah. “This is the best news I've heard in ages! Where is it?” she inquired, eager for details.

“Gwarimpa…” When she heard the name, a whirlwind of thoughts swelled in Jannah's mind. Her father had just reached out, urgently asking her to come to Gwarimpa—a location that felt heavy with significance. The coincidence felt too uncanny; she couldn't shake the feeling that a deeper connection was at play.

Aisha, sensing her friend’s distraction, gently nudged Jannah, pulling her back to the moment. “Earth to Firdaus! What’s going on in that head of yours?”

Jannah shook her head as if to clear the fog. “I’m confused. My dad just called, insisting I meet him urgently in Gwarimpa. It might seem like a random coincidence, but I know it’s not.” Her voice quivered slightly with the weight of her realisation.

“But why would your dad have anything to do with their disappearance?” Marwan asked, his brow furrowed in genuine curiosity, unable to see how her father fitted into the mystery.

“Exactly,” Aisha chimed in, her tone supportive but perplexed.

With a heavy sigh, Jannah glanced out the window, “There’s a lot you don’t know about my father,” she admitted, her voice dropping to a near whisper. “But trust me when I say his call might shine a light on their disappearance. And, I have a plan.” The determination in her tone ignited a flicker of hope in her friends, signalling that this was just the beginning of a journey that would unravel secrets long buried.

**********************

Several minutes later, Jannah steered her vehicle into the secluded compound, a hidden gem nestled away from the world. The house, though seldom inhabited, bore an aura of meticulous upkeep; every corner gleamed with care, and the garden was a testament to nature’s beauty, vibrant and flourishing

As she parked, a towering figure awaited her arrival—a robust man with an imposing presence. “Ms. Ibrahim, this way, please,” he intoned, his voice low and deferential. She acknowledged him with a curt nod, her demeanour radiating an undeniable intensity.