Her Hidden Lies

14: A Threat.

"So you are staying here?" Zainab asks me looking so confused.
"Yeah I have no other choice" I reply back.
"But why not my house? Please Khalil is out of town and the house is lonely please" she begs holding my hands.

"Okay but I have to ask Abdulrazaq and if he agrees then I'll leave with you" I stand up to get my phone from my room.

It feels like it was years ago when I left this house but it has just been 5 very tiring months. I feel like a guest here, like the place I have been calling home for years is not home anymore.

I enter my room and pick my phone from my nightstand and called Abdulrazaq.

He picks up the phone immediately.
"Hello, Aisha?"
"Hey babe"

"You good?"
"I am, why are you asking?"

"We spoke a few minutes back"
I smile "Maybe I miss you already".

He laughs.
"Are you trying to say that it's not possible?"
"Aishatu, what do you want?"

"So the thing is Zainab came over and she's been begging me to come stay with her instead"
"Really? Why doesn't she stay with you there? Mami is there, wouldn't that be better?"

"Oh I didn't think of that"
"That's why you have a smart spouse".

I roll my eyes "You've become very cocky getting married to me Abdulrazaq Nura"
"I learnt it from you. Anyway, if it feels logical to you then go ahead".

"Thank you love. Anyway how's work?"
"It's all okay, Alhamdulillah. The meeting is set for tomorrow afternoon so I got some time to rest and plough through my proposal"
"Okay, I'll let you do that"

"Bye babe"
"I love you"
"I love you too" he ends the call.

I run back to Zainab "It's your lucky day".
"He agreed?" She asks excitedly.

I nod.
But I was feeling bad, Mami was excited that I was staying the night.

"What? You look gloomy"
I huff "What do I tell Mami?"

She drags me "I'll  handle that"
Mami had just finished praying and was using her rosary when we walked in.

"Mams" Zainab calls her, it's what she calls her when she wants something.
"Just turn right back around"

She smiles even wider "Come on, Mami. Kicking your daughter out?"
"What do you want?"

She smiles "You know how you said you didn't want me alone at home?"
"Yes?"
"Abdulrazaq agreed to let Aisha stay with me?"

"Ooh? So now Abdulrazaq is the one making decisions about my daughters"
"I was the one who asked" Aisha says before her mother starts insulting her husband.

She huffs "So you'll leave me all alone? Your mother?" She asks with a frown.
"Mami you're guilt tripping her and it's not fair"

"I miss my girls, can I spend time with them?"
"How about this—" Aisha speaks up "What if Zainab and I come afterwards to spend some time with you, like a week?"

She smiles "Perfect"
"You fell right in her trap" Zainab says laughing.

I know.

•

I throw my luggage aside and jump on the bed.
"Aisha, are you leaving the country?" Zainab asks panting heavily.

"You exaggerate too much, they're not that heavy".
"Of course not" she says sarcastically.

She huffs "I need to go drink some water, you've exhausted me completely"
Aisha smiles "If just one suitcase has exhausted you already, how long do you last?"

She gasps "That's none of your business. But I last long enough. Pack your suitcases and put them aside". She walks out.

Aisha didn't move an inch.
She hisses when she comes back "Aisha, you're house is always spotless and here you are throwing your boxes around in mine, shebi I'm your maid".

"Zainabu, I deserve hospitality and special care. I'm a guest".

"I will insult you" she says arranging them by the side "If you think I'm going to unpack them for you then you're sorely mistaken".

"Is this how you treat your in-laws? Get me a towel, I want to take my bath".
She slaps Aisha's back "Get up and get it yourself"

Aisha groans.

•

I was lying down with my legs crossed, Abdulrazaq excused himself a while ago to take his bath so now I'm just waiting for him.

"I feel refreshed" he says joining me.
"Their service at the hotel wasn't good?"

He shakes his head "No, it was great but being home is just different. It's a different and better kind of comfort".

Someone knocks on the door.
"I'll get it" I say standing.
"Like that?" He asks.

That was when I realized I was still wearing my shorts and T-shirt. "Or I could run upstairs while you open it"
"Seems like a better option".

Abdulrazaq's POV.

I open the door.
I was I shock but I just smiled.
"Faroukh, what are you doing here?"

The man is a maniac so I need to treat him like one. I'm not going to give him the satisfaction of seeing my anger.

He smiles "You're not surprised to see me"
"How could I be? You've been stalking my wife and now I'm being stalked too. I didn't know that's how it worked"

He chuckles "Don't mind me, I just came to get what's mine"
My raise my eyebrows "And what's that exactly?"

"My wife"
"Wow, you really are delusional. I think you need psychiatric help" I laugh.

He glares at me, fuming "I'm not here to joke with you"
"Then you shouldn't have showed up in my house. What? Did you come here thinking you'd frighten me? Or were you expecting my wife to be the one who opened the door just to scare her? Whatever your reason, get the fuck out"

He smirks "And if I choose not to?"
"Well, that's your choice really but this is my property anything goes and I don't care what I do"

He just stares at me.
"And show up in my compound and outside my gate again and wallahi I'll make sure it's the last time you go anywhere in your life. If you don't know me ask, it wouldn't be my first time dealing with subservient thugs"

He nods "Now I realize Aisha didn't escape, she ended up with someone like me, just in sheep's clothing" he walks away.

I have to get a new get man.
This one is getting fired.

::