Love And Revenge✔️

Eight

Dinner had already begun at the Giwa residence. The long dining table was arranged with trays of food, drinks, and snacks. Anty was present, Mama sat beside her, and the whole room buzzed with familiar faces — Mutassim, Madina, Salma, Saffiya, Saratu, Salam, Jabir, Rilwan, and even Alhaji Ali Bature.
All that was left was for their guests to arrive.

⸻

At Fuad's House

Fuad had just finished dressing. He wore a clean, perfectly ironed caftan with a matching cap. He stepped out of his quarters and walked toward the main house.

The moment he entered the parlor, Momi looked up sharply.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

Both she and Fatima were dressed up like they were going to meet the president — elegant wrappers, perfect makeup, jewelry arranged with care. The sight made Fuad pause.

"I got invited somewhere," he said. "With Hadiza."

"You will have to cancel it," Momi replied immediately, adjusting Fatima's necklace.

Fuad frowned. "Why? She's already waiting for me to pick her up."

"Because we were invited somewhere as well," she said. "And you're going with us. Those are your father's exact instructions."

Before Fuad could argue, Baba walked into the parlor.

"It's better you listen to your mother," he said. "You'll be driving yourself and your sister. And where exactly were you planning to go?"

"I'm meeting Jabir Giwa at their house," Fuad explained.

Fatima gasped. "That's exactly where we're going!"

Fuad blinked. "What?"

Baba waved a hand. "Ibrahim, go and pick up Hadiza. But you will still go with your sister."

Fuad stared at him, the confusion settling heavily.
Something wasn't adding up.
With Baba, things were rarely simple — but this felt different. Calculated.

"You better leave now," Baba added. "Go and pick up the girl."

Fatima grabbed Fuad's wrist excitedly. "Come on, let's go!"

Fuad allowed her to pull him toward the door, though his mind was racing.
Something was off. Deeply off.
And when Baba moved like this... trouble usually followed.

•

Rumaisa finished dressing and stepped out of her room, her heart steady, her expression composed.
Five chairs remained empty — the ones meant for Fuad and his parents.
Tonight, everything was set.
And Fuad... Fuad was about to be blindsided.

Saffiya appeared beside her. "Are you excited?"

"Definitely," Rumaisa replied. "Everything has to go exactly as planned."

"Wait... Baba told you already?"

Rumaisa nodded.

"I'm surprised," Saffiya whispered, "but I'm glad you're okay with it."
She squeezed Rumaisa's arm before walking away.

Moments later, Baba emerged from his room, smiling so widely it almost looked suspicious.

"Salam, go and open the door. Our guests are here."

Salam hurried out and returned a minute later, leading Baba's guests inside.
Baba greeted them warmly, shaking hands with a pride Rumaisa had never seen.

Soon, everyone settled around the table — three seats still empty.

Then they heard laughter from the hallway. A girl's voice.