HEREMAKONO ( AWAITING HAPPINESS )

Chapter Eight. Part One

" What will you like for breakfast?"  Nnadia asked her husband the next morning after they concluded their prayer. Abdullah's jaw dropped. He was astonished. 

" Erm... I will just get something on my way to work. Thank you." He managed to say. 

She stole a glance and saw the confusion on his face. She decided to be brave. 

" You're having breakfast at home and that's final. I will be in the kitchen." With that, she walked out of the room grinning. 

" Nnadia," Abdullah called about to argue. Her one hand was already on the doorknob. She cocked her head seductively and cut him off. 

" If you're planning to argue in order to escape breakfast. Don't!" 

She then quickly opened the door and headed downstairs. 

Abdullah came down about an hour later already dressed for work. He flashed her his signature smile and sat down for breakfast. She served him and as he ate, she felt fulfilled somehow. The kind of joy you get when you do something nice for someone you love. She planned on bridging every gap there's between them. 

" Thanks for breakfast." He said when he was done using the napkin to wipe his hands. 

" Mm-hmm." She replied with a smile. 

He raised his sexy eyes to look at her. 

" See you in the evening. Take care." He told her sweetly. 

Nnadia too left home sometime later. She was supposed to be helping Salma with her birthday shopping. She was having a party. 

" Big sis is your husband going to attend? Salma asked. 

A bit skeptical, Nnadia replied. 

" I don't know, but I will definitely ask him."

" I know he will just ask him. Men are easily controlled if you act right." She stated. 

" How do you know all this when you are not even married?" Nnadia asked her younger sister. 

" I just know." Salma retorted. 

Nnadia was eager to go back home and ask Abdullah. She really wanted to attend the party with him. She didn't expect to meet him in the driveway. He was just wearing casuals, but still, he looked breathtakingly handsome. Nnadia couldn't help but flash him a bright smile. 

" Hi." He said, returning her smile. " I couldn't find you when I came back from work. I brought your favorite chocolate, it's in your room."

" Thanks. Yes, I forgot to mention it earlier. I was helping Salma with her birthday shopping. It's this Friday and I was hoping you would come with me." She went on anxiously. 

He stared at her for a while and then spoke. " I would love to but on Friday, I would already be in New York. I'm really sorry. I will get her a gift and you can take it with you." He added. 

Nnadia felt disappointed. 

" Are you going to take long?" She asked him. 

That caught him off guard. 

" Umm... I really don't know for sure. I also have some work in Asia." He told her. 

" Dinner?" She asked again. 

" I'm going out with Amina so no. But tomorrow we will definitely have dinner." He told her with a smile. 

" Okay then, have a lovely evening." She replied and sauntered into the house. 

The next few days Nnadia made sure her husband ate at home. He always showed appreciation with his wonderful smile. He sometimes helps her in the kitchen. He traveled before the party and she started missing him immediately. It was after a whole month before he returned. 

Nnadia was watching TV in the sitting room when he entered. 

" Abdullah." Nnadia stared at him in shock. She said his name almost in a prayer. She rushed over to where he stood but came to a halt when she realized that she was about to hug him. 

" Wow. What a welcome." He joked. 

Blushing, Nnadia replied. " I'm just glad that you're back. I mean you work so hard, it's good that you are finally home."

"  Yes, that's true. Ramadan is only a few days away, we need to get our parents everything that they might need. Mom won't be coming so I sent her some money. Tomorrow we will go to your parents if you don't mind." He said anxiously. 

" No problem,  I know everything they might need so why don't we go shopping together tomorrow morning and then go see them after?  It would be fun." She told him excitedly. 

" Okay." He replied. 

" You won't be traveling during Ramadan right?  It's good to spend the holy month with family." She said to him. 

" No, I won't travel. Wife." He replied, smirking. 

After they were done shopping the next day, they left together for her parent's house. On the way, Abdullah had a call. 

" Hello, Amina, what is it again you spoilt brat?" He continued talking to her for some time. After he hung up, Nnadia was curious and edgy because she knew very well how Amina felt about her. 

" Is that your cousin?  She asked. 

' Yes." He replied instantly. 

" Is she back in school?" Nnadia enquired. 

" Yes she is, I visited her last week," Abdullah replied. 

Alarmed, Nnadia pressed on. 

" Really?  I thought that you were working." 

Abdullah gave her a lazy smile this time. 

" Yes, I was working. I had a business meeting in Qatar, so I decided to visit her. She lives a few blocks off campus with some friends." He explained to her. 

Nnadia's heart nearly stopped on hearing this information. ' Does that mean Amina succeeded in pushing one of her friends on my husband? ' She thought. Her blood was boiling now and she glared at him in anger. He had no idea what was going on in her mind. His face was straight ahead staring at the road and his hands on the steering wheel. Nnadia took a deep breath because she knew she trusted him. 

" Some of them must be beautiful." She said. 

He turned to look at her. " Who?" He asked, raising his brow. 

" Her friends," Nnadia replied almost sadly. 

Chuckling, Abdullah replied. " N'na, you're quite talkative today. And yes they are." He shrugged and centered his attention on the road. 

" Is that a bad thing?" She asked. Worried that she might be putting him off. 

" Not at all. On the contrary, I've really enjoyed your company today." He smiled at her cheerfully. 

The rest of the ride was in silence because Nnadia couldn't get her mind off the thought that her husband had met with Amina's friends. ' It's all my fault.' She thought. She closed her eyes and prayed silently that her husband doesn't commit adultery. No matter how beautiful they are.