I looked at him, minutes passing by as I tried to process what he said
"Don't be ridiculous. How can he be your father? Your name is Hafeez S Bash---
I stopped mid way as realisation dawn on me
"Yes Hafeez Salisu Basheer" He said looking down
"But I never knew" I whispered
"It's because I don't talk about him. My father is someone who's only aiming for money and fame. He wanted me to go into his business and expand it but I chose being a pilot. That angered him and he decided to do things his way. I knew he was in partnership with a company but I swear I never knew it was yours Humaira. When I found out, I approached him and he took his stand saying they bought it but I knew better. I contacted Zahra and--
"Wait Zahra knew all these and never told me? I asked eyes wide. "Even the days I kept crying my eyes out" I thought to myself
He nodded subtly "Yes, I asked her to promise not to tell you anything. She told me everything that happened and how the situation was. Believe me it was killing me not approaching you and being there for you but I had to, I was determined to expose them but then Zahra told me Maami asked the issue to be dropped, after much thought I knew I couldn't do anything when mami was against it. Zahra then told me your plans to open your own empire and believe me I've never been happier to hear anything in my life. So I started talking to some prestige people I know that can be your trusted partners and help lift the company up with investments. I was going to plan everything first and then come to you---
He stopped suddenly and turned to look at me "Are you okay? Should I stop?
"No, no continue. I'm okay" I said nodding my head and he smiled a bit
"But then Zahra called and told me you were almost attacked by unknown men and I had to make sure they were taken care of. To ensure your safety, I came back earlier than planned
Hafeez took a deep breath "I'm really, really sorry for keeping you out of the loop Humaira. I was desperately trying to mend everything and I thought dragging you into it will just be another jumble of mess on your head"
I turned my head looking deeply into his eyes before I felt a tear slowly sliding down and then another followed, another and another until I was covering my face silently sobbing.
"It's okay. I'm here" He said softly giving me minutes to cry my heart out and a comfortable silence fell in until I raised my gaze to his
"Thank you" I said sincerely with every drop of emotion in me. I really meant it, he took all these measures for me. Sometimes I wonder if he really is true.
"Your puffy eyes aren't pretty" He said laughing as I sent him a deathly glare
"I'm sorry" He laughed raising his hands. "For everything" He added softly "And you look beautiful however and whenever" He finished and I smiled looking up
"Ohh and don't murder Zahra please. She has being a great help"
"I won't" I said chuckling.
"So now what do we do? He asked
"I'll soon be done with my exams. Then I'll go back to Yola and start planning everything. I'm determined to make this work. I hope it does work.
"It will. And I will try finishing my work here and follow you even if is for a few days. For your safety and planning" He said with hard eyes as he saw me attempting to object him
"Fine"
"Then what? He asked
"Maami said I should take back the recipe to them that she has another one. A better one apparently" I replied staring into space
"You should do it. It's for the best. That way, we are keeping them off your trail and planning something big that they will never expect" He said and I turned to look at him
"It will be successful insha Allah. You have the passion" Hafeez smiled and I felt my heart flutter
"And the right people" I added smiling back.
He glanced at the window It's actually getting late, yeah?"
"Yeah" I replied nodding
"Well then I have to go. I'll come pick you up for school tomorrow is it okay? He asked standing up
"Yes sure" I stood up and stared at him
"Good then. How about we take the recipe to Khadeejah together" He added
"Yes please. I was thinking on how to take it alone" I said heaving a sigh of relief
"Well now I'm here. We do it together" He said with such assurance I felt myself straightening up.
"Together" I replied looking right back.
_______________________________________
"Guess we are life savers" Zahra said winking as soon as I came into the room
"She's back dummy" Yusrah said slapping Juwairiyya across the face
"Innalillahi. What was that" Juwairiyya woke up with a startle glaring around as we all point to Yusrah
"Why did you do that" She shouted
"You said I should wake you up when Maimai comes back" Yusrah said shrugging
"Not with a slap" She yelled
"Juju it's late" Zahra warned
"You said you don't care how as long as she wakes you up" Intisaar said coming into the room.
"Well whatever. Maimai gist us, what happened" Juwairiyya asked as all the girls turned their excited gaze on me
"Well, give me my food first" I said sitting down facing them Indian style as they all did the same and Juwairiyya handed over my food.
"Soo......
Eating slowly and sipping my cocktail, I told them everything that Hafeez told me not leaving any detail behind. When I was done, they were all looking at me with open eyes and mouth.
"Is Hafeez real? Juwairiyya squealed clapping her hand together . "I mean who does that for anyone? She asked again grinning
"Our dearest Hafeez did it for our dearest Humaira" Yusrah gushed palming her face
"And I can't believe you wanted to not give him a listening ear" Yusrah said shaking her head
"And Zahra. You little--" Juwairiyya said glaring at her
"What? I promised not to tell! Zahra exclaimed
"Not even us? Her other three lives? Juwairiyya dramatically exclaimed
"Whatever Zahra did, was for the best of Humaira. Even Maimai understands. Now we all know her life isn't threatened, her business plans are coming through and she has not just us but someone by her side again. Now that Hafeez is back, everything will fall into place" Yusrah said with a serious look one her face
"Yes. Initially, he was the missing piece to your puzzle" Zahra said stealing a line from one of my poems.
"You should try poetry Zahra" Juwairiyya said laughing
"It totally look goods on her except you know the way they bend their tongues when talking" Yusrah said
"Yes that way. They sound like Greek Gargoyles" Intisaar chirped in laughing
"Have you ever seen a Gargoyle or hear it speak" Zahra asked with a raised brow
"Yes I did "
"No you didn't"
"That was in your dreams inti"
"Or your wild imaginations"
Hearing my friend's pointless arguments, the big plate of delicious food on my hands and the thought of Hafeez being back placed a relaxing feeling on my chest. There's a floating peaceful vibration that was humming rising from my toes to my head and back again.
Maybe he really is the missing part to my puzzle and the anchor to my sanity.
_______________________________________
YOU ARE READING
HEELS ✅
General FictionCOPY RIGHT 2020 { 1 on #Heels 1 on #wattpadbanters 3 on #nigerian 1 on #fulani 5 on #bosslady} Under estimated or rather just not seen fit to be successful as an Arewa young lady. And here is the irony, I was okay with the simple life I had until...
