After Agony...

|Nineteen|

The sun was shining bright,however the humidity was low and moreover the temperature all that high making it perfect for eating outside and it seems like perhaps,it was going to rain later in the day. For now,the four league of gentleman were seated on a mat spread on the green radiating grass under an umbrella which is situated at the backyard of Bello's house. Each one of them appreciating nature as the not-so cool breeze hitting them from different angles.
  It was more of a tradition for them to come together to just eat and discuss riveting issues as well as the good old days  when they were much younger with no care in the world,nor responsibility.

"Remember when we were coming back from school and then decided to pay a visit to Mallam Musa?" Hamza brought up the topic as he took a sip of his lemonade.

"Yeah..." Farouq trailed as if he had an epiphany of the event as he sighed with a small smile as he continued.

"But then he wasn't around,so we decided to borrow few of his mango from the tree situated at the back of his house"

"Yeah,borrow" Abba sarcastically replied as the three of them bursted into laughter. All this while,Imam was drifting into his thoughts as the guys suddenly noticed when their laughter subsided. The trio exchanged glances before Bello whom was beside him nudged him.

"Uhm?" A sound was the only thing he made as he was completely oblivious to the stares he was getting.

"Dude,what's wrong with you? Duk hankalin ka baya nan" his cousin Abba whom was laced with concern asked.

"It's nothing,just stressed out"he declared leaving no room for any further questions.

With Hamza being the carefree one,he shrugged as he decided to indulge him on what they were talking about since he obviously wasn't into the conversation.

"Okay... we were just reminiscing about the fun we use to have"

Imam had on an emotionless expression which was quite odd. The trio knew he was having problem with his wife for sure,but they didn't know it was this deep.

"Uhm-

"Waziri,are you sure your alright? Because you don't look like it" Bello being the more sensitive one decided to interject.

He had a sudden feeling of fear and trepidation as all eyes were on him,he never liked being the center of attraction.

"Speaking of  Mallam Musa,any idea on where he might be?" It was obvious to the guys that Imam doesn't like bringing issues up about his marital affairs.

Turns out,he was actually paying attention to what they were discussing about.

"Remember I told you guys we travelled to Kano,he is now a member of the royal cabinet" This time around,Abba was the one whom responded.

That was how the quad kept conversing until the adhan for Asr was called to which they walked to the near by mosque couple of blocks away from Bello's house. After they had gotten back,right on time as Bello turned on the television and switched to super sports seven where an El-Classico between Real Madrid and Athletico Madrid was on going,although neither of them were fans of either of the teams,it's just a pure love for the sport,like back in the days when Hamza played the position of the goalkeeper,Abba played the central midfield,Bello played the left wingback,while Imam played the position of a striker as well as an attacking midfielder.Fifteen minutes into the game,Hauwa whom is Bello's wife walked in with their three month daughter,Husna.

"Aunty Hauwa,I can see Bello here is doing a great job in hiding you" without doubt,it was coming from the ever jovial Hamza.

"Hamza I can see you've not changed a bit,you need a woman in your life"with a smile,she stated.

"I certainly do,toh yaya? Hook me up with one of your friends" he replied.

"We will discuss later" she stated

"Ina wunin ku?"she greeted Imam and Abba,whom both replied simultaneously.

"Baban Maya,ya mutan gida?" She Inquired.

That was how they kept conversing until she excused herself leaving Husna behind with her father.

*****

"Ammiey,when is the wedding? When are we picking out the dresses? How many event are gonna take place?" That was Layla throwing questions at her mother after finding out about the whole wedding stuff.

"Ya Allah! Layla I don't know,go and ask your father and stop disturbing me" Ammiey repeated for the third time already loosing her cool,the next Layla asks a question pertaining to the wedding,she would most definitely receive the beating of her life.

"Why are you getting so hyped up? After all,this isn't his first wedding" An irritated as well as annoyed Farha stated.

"Come on! Like you don't know everyone was against it,oh wait you do" Layla sarcastically replied.

"So...?" She trailed as she picked up a cinnamon roll from the paper plate.

"Were you not the same Farha that cried her-

She was  not able to complete her statement,Farha immediately shoved a cinnamon roll into her mouth to silence her. Ammiey's attention suddenly focused on the duo as she was on her phone before.

"What is Layla saying?" She asked with keen interest.

At that point in time,Farha was already drenched in sweat as she lets out a nervous smile. Just then,they heard Layla burb as she kept the cup of grape juice back on the tray as they were giving her all sort of looks ranging from disgusted to a deathly glare.

"What? It's food I can't possibly throw it away,so... a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do" she stated with a shrug. Ammiey squinted her eyes as she tried to process what was happening,just then Farha dragged Layla with the excusing of praying leaving Ammiey all alone. She decided not to press the issue as she made a mental note to sit Farha down later. Kids!

As soon as she slammed the door shut,she stared at Layla with a glare trying as much as possible to compose herself.

"The fuck!" She barked as her breathing was becoming unsteady.

The two cousin's kept staring at each other,one in anger and sadness while the other in fear and trepidation.

"How could you?" She said as she got a hold of Layla's arm.