Conflate

Chapter 24

                                  (Unedited)

Ummi sighed, "why? You took my only daughter and now you want to take my last born with you"

Yahaya only nodded unable to form any word from his mouth.

"Then no, leave my son with me. I wouldn't be bored."

"Ummi, I'm not taking him forever....i just want to..." he immediately kept shut not wanting to talk about Abdullah's new behavior.

Sadiya fidgeted with her fingers hoping Ummi will say no.

"Please Ummi" Yahaya said pleadingly.

Seriously Yahaya just give up, going with Abdullah there will just make everything worst. Sadiya face palmed herself trying her best not to interrupt in the mother-son conversation.

"Okay, okay. I wanted him to join photography." Ummi paused, "how about you convince him."

Yahaya huffed out some air. "Okay Ummi, i will do just that." He turned to Sadiya "i will pick you up after Isha prayers."

He ambled towards Abdullah's room with different thoughts going through his mind.

"You again!" Yahaya exclaimed looking at Abdullah that was crying, mouth agape.

"Seriously Abdullah just say what you want and we will be over with all these stuff" Yahaya half-yelled. "Or should i call Ummi? Perhaps you might explain better."

Abdullah stared at him. "What i want?" He asked slowly.

Yahaya nodded, motioning for him to continue talking.

"Guess what? I'm okay, I'm fine" he blurted, changing his mind on what he actually wanted to say.

"Then why are you ruining your life?" Tears came as his reply instead of words. "Don't just cry, talk"

The adhan for maghrib interrupted their conversation. Yahaya stood up, making sure that Abdullah performed ablution before he did and they moved out to the masjid nearby.

Yahaya scrambled for his car keys in his jeans pocket. "Come" he dragged Abdullah to his car. They roamed around the city in silence. After a while, Yahaya parked the car in an area that's far from home.

"What do you want?" He asked turning to face Abdullah.

"Nothing" Abdullah muttered shifting his gaze away from Yahaya.

"How about you join photography, it will take off your worries." Abdullah only nodded. If that's what they want.

"Don't just nod, Abdullah. I've always known you as a person that likes photography, so are you ready to be part of it?" Yahaya asked, hoping he will say yes and maybe, just maybe he might forget about drugs.

"Yes, i will" he replied, briefly closing his tired-red eyes.

Yahaya smiled and ignited the car, ready to hit the road. "Okay what do you want to eat?"

"Nothing" he replied.

Yahaya tried to cheer up Abdullah but all his efforts were in vain as Abdullah still looked distraughted.

They arrived home and decided to pray isha before going into the house. "This way please." Yahaya showed Abdullah the main door, as he was about going to his room.

"No please, i want to sleep" he protested.

"Okay then, sleep it is. But please talk to yourself Abdullah." Abdullah nodded and left to his room.

Somebody will just be nodding his head like an agama lizard...Yahaya thought going into the house looking exhausted.

He didn't see anyone downstairs and was too lazy to climb upstairs so he settled on the chair, closed his tired eyes and kept massaging his head.

"You okay?"

He opened his eyes gently and stared at Sadiya. "I'm okay, let's go home please. I need sleep." He looked around trying to spot Ummi.

"She's still in her room" Sadiya answered his unasked question.

He slumped on the chair and Sadiya looked at him, puzzled.

"What? I'm too tired to go up."

"Well, i think we should just sleep here" she also slumped beside him.

"What a great idea to cuddle with your wife on a chair, till dawn."

He swiftly dragged her to him. "Let's sleep then."

"Sleep where? Not in my house please." Ummi chuckled, coming down from the stairs.

"Ummi, we're about leaving." He stood up and held Sadiya's hand. "Abdullah wants the photography, he should'nt be alone please. I suggest he moves up to Sadiya's old room."he uttered looking serious.

"Please Ummi." He quickly added.

"Alright then, safe journey" Ummi prayed and they moved out.

***
Two days later, Ummi got a new camera for Abdullah and everything he could need.

"Abdullah" Ummi called out to him.

"Yes Ummi." He answered but didn't move from his sitting position.

"Abdullah, I thought i called you."

"Yes Ummi, should i come?"

"No, it is the sweetness of your name that made me to call you." Ummi replied sarcastically.

He laughed. "Okay here i am Ma."

"Take, this is everything that you will need. I suggest you create an instagram/twitter account for your business."

"Thank you Ummi, No need for a new account. I will just use my old account, change the name and then the bio."

Ummi nodded and left Abdullah in the parlour, his attention on his phone, probably changing his handle.

***
And we're done with chapter 24! Salam Alaikum....how're you guys doing? Fine in shaa Allah.

Okay, Abdullah is not following us to calabar......who's sad and who's happy???? Hands up please😁

Btw, who likes photography??? I do!😻

Any guesses why Abdullah joined photography???

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