Love And Revenge✔️

Twenty-Nine

 

"You have got to be kidding me" Salma yells.
"What is it"
   
"Rilwan wants us to meet up"
"He still has feelings"
"Guess so but I know he is interested in something else"

"How are you sure?" Fatima asks her.
"Obviously. Look he is still dating that Nusaiba girl".
"Did he tell you that himself?"
    
"You don't have to lie to me, I know what is going on?"
"What do you mean?" she says sitting up.
    
"That you are dating Zubair, I saw you two last night"
"And that proves that Rilwan isn't stalking me?"
     
"You said last night that you were going to meet Rilwan but then a few minutes after you left he called me and he told me he was home that was why I went to check on you and saw you together with Zubair, making out in his car"

"So what? There is nothing wrong with it"
"If there was nothing wrong with it you wouldn't have to hide it from me"
    
"That doesn't concern you".
"Of course you making out with your sister's ex who she dumped by the way is none of my business" she says and walks out.

::

Fuad was seated across Walidain who was busy typing nonsense on his phone.
    
"What are you doing?"
"Just typing stuff"
"What stuff?"

"Fuad why are you prying in my business"
"The fact that you tell me everything and not this is suspicious"

"Cool down, I am not talking to Fatima. She is not my type of girl"
"Oh really? Who did you meet?"
"Do I have to meet someone?"
     "Okay then let us leave it at that"

After a while....
"Her name is Raziqah, I met her last week when I went to the supermarket"
"And you like her?"
    
"I am not really sure right now but maybe".
"How are you not sure?"
     
"You know how excited I get when I meet new girls maybe it's that or maybe I really do like her"
"Ugh! You're not serious"
"I am but you asked for it"
     
"And I told you to leave it but of course you didn't"
"Anyways I am meeting her later, can you please drive me there?"
     "Hell no"

"My car is still at the mechanic and Ismail has been off lately".
   
"What do you mean?"
"Well since his wife had the baby he hardly spends time with me. He is always at home and when we hang out he has to call and he and I don't go to the square anymore ".
    
"Well the answer is obvious isn't it? He isn't a free man anymore. He has a wife and a child and he wants to spend every moment with them. He told me himself that one of the things that really excite him now is holding his son and playing around with him. I know for sure that if my wife has a baby now I would not be here right now"
    "I'm left behind"
"Not that you are but you haven't met the right person yet"
  
"Because I'm picky"
"It doesn't have to be that"
   
"Indeed " He says sarcastically
"Come on I'll drive you maybe this Raziqah girl is the one, you cannot give up now"

"Have you seen his son?".
"Yeah when he was born".
    
"You should go see them together, Ismail isn't the way he used to be he has matured since then. It will surprise you when you see how he is with his son".
     "I would love to see it. Although I am curious when yours is coming"

"I too am not sure"
     "I bet he is going to be ugly. He'll have a huge head, massive teeth and Chinese eyes all from his dad but he'll be lucky enough to get his mother's personality, only"
     "Ugly bastard"
"Fuad, you salty?"
     
"Of course"
"Fine" he says giggling.
     
"Let's go I am a very busy person".

::

They got off the train and she starts pulling her suitcase.
"I cannot believe we are finally here"
  
"Just tell her"
"It's a surprise"
    
"Are you sure it won't be a bit insulting that you couldn't tell her you're coming?"
  "She'll understand".
"Are you sure?"
"She'll never forget my visit, ever".

::

Rumaisa was seated in the living room with Maryam watching Heroes an old series that she still loved when someone knocked on the door.
She got up and opened it. It was Hadiza.

She was holding her baby in her arms.
"Come in" she tells her and they both make their way to the living room.
"You're here" Maryam says when she sees Hadiza.

"Sorry I forgot to tell you that I told her to join us" Maryam says.
"No problem the more the merrier, right?"

They all sit and continue watching.
"Can I hold him?" Rumaisa asks.
"Please do" Hadiza says handing the baby to her.

"You look exhausted" Maryam says.
      "Well Ismail left early this morning because Walidain was throwing tantrums that he wasn't spending time with him and Munira went to the village for her sister's wedding so I was left with everything today"
     "Poor you. All the work in that huge house and that troublesome baby"

"I have a feeling he's going to be a lot like his father"
"But at least he looks like you"
"He is still a baby all that can change in an instant my friend"
    
"So what about your new neighbors? Anything new?"

"You know there is"
"Do I have to ask? Tell me"
"Yesterday I just finished bathing khalipha and I gave him to Ismail, Infact I was still wrapping that my blue wrapper and that blue sleeping gown we bought in the market, when I heard a my phone ringing. It was Musa (the gateman) he told me that they came to see me and I told them to let them in. Ismail ran upstairs with khalipha and told me to tell them he went out with a friend that was why his car was parked outside. I put on my hijab and opened the door only to find a bowl and cartons of drinks. "They were like 'hello good morning I brought you some casserole and lasagna it is a special dish I love making when I was in Australia, anyhow it is because today is Mother's Day and since you are one I thought I would bring it to my only sophisticated neighbor' I just sat there looking at her".
   
Maryam bursts out laughing.
"Then what?"
  
"I said thank you so much that is so thoughtful of you, I don't really have a casserole but I made tuwo and okra soup would you want some?"
     "Did she eat it?"

"Yeah that would be really nice'. So I told her 'but I am not done yet cooking it but I will send it to you' she said 'thank you so much neighbor' I was dumbstruck.
They both erupt in laughter.

"Is she an Australian?" Rumaisa asks. She felt weird being left out.
    
"No she is a typical Hausa arewa girl who went to Australia for 3years as a student, that's all"

Though Rumaisa Didn't want to admit it, it was obvious. These two are already the best of friends. She invited Maryam over to see if things could go back the way they were but it's too late.

Then someone knocked the door.
Holding khalipha, she got up and opened the door but stood there shocked to the core.

   "Aren't you going to hug me or give me a kiss? I'm in Nigeria. Finally"

"Lara"

"And I guess this is little Zubair"

::

She is in Nigeria 🇳🇬