Bonded (A Hausa Love Story)✔️

Chapter Eleven.

"I've missed you guys so much" I say when I hug Asiya tightly.
"We missed you too, we couldn't keep calm knowing you'd be here for sallah with us".

"Of course, I can't miss Sallah and I need to talk to you about something" I tell her, she knowing what I mean.
"What about Uncle Yusuf?" Amira asks.
"Don't worry he's going to join us soon".

Finally after lunch I drag Laila to her room and sit her on the bed next to me.
"So, what's been going on?"

"Nothing, it's been peaceful" she says playing dumb.
"Laila, what's going on between you and the twins?"

She huffs "You know I like Khalid, right?" She asks and I nod although I had no idea she did.
"Well Khalipha asked me out a while back and I declined because if I do say yes then that means I don't have a chance with Khalid, that's if he even knows of my existence".

I nod.
"So last week I met Khalid at a friend's house, we talked and even exchanged numbers. We kept chatting and it was getting really fun but then he suddenly stopped replying my messages and I still don't know why but I have a feeling Khalipha might have something to do with it".

"So should I talk to him?" I ask her.
"No, he'll think I reported him to his brother's wife".
"But I was your sister before I became his wife. So I shouldn't?"

She nods "Is he coming too?"
"Of course, they have no choice".
"I'll try to talk to him then".

•

I join Yusuf in the gazebo outside, he was using his laptop, probably working.
"Babe?"
He raised his head and looks at me. I love his eyes so much, especially his long lashes.
"Hey"

I sit next to him.
"So? What are you doing?"
"I just want to get this done and send it, after that just as I promised I won't work while I'm here".

I smile "Perfect".
"Have you spoken to Laila? Did she tell you what all that drama is about?"
"To keep it short, she likes Khalid but Khalipha asked her out, she declined him because she knows if she accepts him then there's no one at she can date Khalid, now Khalid is ignoring her and she feels it might be because of Khalipha".

He nods "Most probably" he huffs "Maybe I should take her to go see his room, she'd block him immediately".
"Yeah. Where is Khalid now?".

"I told him to get me a few things on his way here".
"We need to talk to all three of them but we need to get their story first, we know Laila's so we only need to hear what the twins have to say".
"Yeah".

Yusuf's POV.

"So Ya Khadijah is sorting out everything I got". Khalid says sitting across me.

"Good, you sure you got everything?"
He nods.
This boy doesn't talk much, it might be a little more difficult than Khalipha.

"What's up with you, your brother and Laila?" I ask ke point my laptop aside.
"Nothing, we don't talk anymore".

"Why? What made you stop".
"Nothing".
"You can't tell me nothing, you two were talking and all of a sudden you shut her out, why?"
"Nothing".

I huff "Laila is my sister now too, I promised Khadijah I'll be protective of her sisters and just because you're my brother doesn't mean you're not a threat to that promise too, so tell me what happened?"

"Fine"
"So?"
"Khalipha told me she liked him and the only reason they never dated is because you're married to her sister".

I smile "Khalipha said that? Why didn't you ask her?"
"He wouldn't lie, he had no reason to".
"That's true, go in and eat and call him for me".
"Hm" he walks away.

"Yo!" Khalipha shouts sitting on the table.
"Sit on the chair".

He sits looking at me weirdly "What's wrong? You look so serious".
"Why did you lie to your brother about Laila?"

He huffs "You'd think since he hardly talks he won't snitch" he whispers to himself before turning to me "It was just meant to be a joke".
"A joke? Is messing with a girl's feelings a joke? A guy she likes starts ignoring her how do you think she'd feel?"

"What?!" He shouts his eyes bulging out "So Laila likes Khalid?"
"Why did you say that to him?"

He huffs "It hurt my pride that she didn't accept me when is asked her out and before you say she's family now I'll be honest with you, I really do like her. It's not the way it is with other women. So when I found out she and Khalid were chatting I lied to him so he'd stop".

I sigh "That's just wrong".
"Is it?"
"Khalid liked her first, I know but I like her more?"
"Wait what?!" I asked surprised "Khalid liked her first? And you still went after her, even when you know Khalid never likes anyone? When you should celebrate finally your brother had shown interest in a girl?"

He huffs "I'm sorry"
"You started this so I want you to sort it out. I want things to be perfect before I leave, okay?"
He nods.

•

"I haven't seen you since your wedding" Rufaidah says smiling (Muhammed's wife).
"I know, it feels like it's been ages".

"I know right, how's Kaduna?"
"It's all good Alhamdullilah. How's motherhood and our baby girl Iman?"

"It's all fine we thank God".
"So how's fitting into the new environment?" Asmau asks (Mukhtar's wife)
"It's easier than I expected, interesting too".

"And married life?" Zainab asks.
"We should be asking you that" Rufaidah says to her.
"Yes. When do you two plan on having babies?" Asmau asks laughing.

Zainab smirks "When I feel like it, I'm the one carrying the child in my womb anyway and not him".

I stare at her.
"What about you amarya?" Rufaidah asks.
"Really soon because I really want a baby Yusuf running around".

"Inshallah!" They chant.

•

"Ya Yasir can I talk to you for a second?" I ask him when we all come downstairs.
"Of course"

We enter Laila's room.
"What's up?"
"I've been thinking—"

He smiles "You don't understand how I'm married to Zainab, we are two different people".
It's true that was what I wanted to ask so I stay quiet.

"I guess I was blinded by what mattered to me the most then but now it's too late. It's also my fault so I can't just leave her but if things continue this way I'll bring someone else".

"Really? Why?"
"I can't keep living the way I am Khadijah but don't worry it won't be messy".

I nod.
"But your brother might be getting remarried really soon".

::

Who do you prefer, Khalid Or Khalipha?