The Price Of 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 room buzzed with familiar faces: Mutassim, Madina, Salma, Saffiya, Saratu, Salam, Jabir, Rilwan, and even Alhaji Ali Bature.

All that remained was for their guests to arrive.

•

At Fuad's house, he had just finished dressing. He wore a clean, perfectly ironed caftan with a matching cap and stepped out of his quarters, heading 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 as though they were attending an important event. Their wrappers were elegant, their makeup was flawless, and their jewelry had been carefully arranged. The sight made Fuad pause.

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

"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 Hamida. But you will still go with your sister."

Fuad stared at him, confusion settling heavily in his mind. 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 continued racing.

Something was off. He just couldn't figure out what.

And whenever Baba moved like this, trouble usually followed.

•

Rumaisa finished dressing and stepped out of her room, her expression composed and her heart steady.

Saffiya appeared beside her. "Are you excited?"

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

Saffiya studied her for a moment. "Wait... Baba told you already?"

Rumaisa nodded.

"I'm surprised," Saffiya whispered, squeezing her arm. "But I'm glad you're okay with it."

She walked away before Rumaisa could say anything.

Moments later, Baba emerged from his room with a smile so wide it almost looked suspicious.

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

Salam hurried out and returned a minute later, leading the guests inside.

Baba greeted them warmly, shaking hands with a pride Rumaisa had rarely seen on his face.

Soon, everyone settled around the table.