After Agony...

|Twenty seven|

Suraj strode into the main house near the back door when he heard whispers coming from the kitchen. In as much as he didn't care,but a certain name caught his attention.

" Ina fada miki,sai kinga yanda Hajiya ta zuba mata abincin ah kanta . Aunty Huda ta mugun bani tausayi,kuma da alamu abincin zai yi dadi"(I'm telling you,you needed to see how Hajiya poured the food on her. I really pitied Aunty Huda,and from all indications,the food was tasty" Kandala was relaying the incident.

"Allah sarki! I already feel for her. Chap,if it were have been me,da tuni na tafi gidan uba na(I would have left for my father's house)" she exclaimed.

Anyone person in his position would have been angry,irrespective of his mother,but he was rather sad and disappointed. He could not  even begin to fathom what his wife would be going through by now,if this ever happened to his sister he wouldn't hesitate to bring her back home to her parents and beat the pulp out of the so called husband.

Suraj took a deep breath as he walked past them and into the living room where he spotted Mareena,his brother's wife seated on the sofa.

"No one told me you guys were coming" was the first thing he said when he was in sight.

"Toh Mallam,ko sallama babu? You won't change" she sarcastically replied with a full blown smile on her face.

"Actually even I didn't know we were coming,you know how your brother can be" she added.

Abū-Bakar,his eldest brother of the three brothers,lives in Kano with his wife,alongside their cute son Bassam.

"Don't get me started on him" he rolled his eyes as they both bursted into laughter.

"Anyways,where is that little munchkin of yours?"

"We dropped him off at my Aunt's house,but he'll be back by tomorrow hopefully,you know how he gets when he's surrounded by his mates... which reminds me,you better bring his baby sister or brother soon o! Yaro na shi kadai(my son is all alone)" She dramatized.

Unlike his shy and conservative wife,Mareena was a complete opposite of her,which could be really a good combination now that she's here.

"Don't worry,soon..."

Together they bursted into fits of laughter as they kept catching up. Then he suddenly remembered why he was here.

"Ina zuwa?(where to?)"she inquired.

"Up,I'm going to see Hajiya"

"She went out an hour ago,I'm home alone" she sighed.

"Which reminds me,how is your wife? We didn't actually have a proper introduction,I'm not even sure we've talked"

He stared at her for a second before responding.

"Why don't you go see her then. She's also all alone and you know how shy she gets around people" Suraj suggested.

Mareena's smile faded when she remembered the event that happened early today.

"Actually...I don't think she'll be happy to see me after what happened"

He rose a brow suspiciously,which reminds him...

"What happened?" Although he had an idea of what was about to be said.

"I won't lie to you Suraj,Hajiya happened..." and that was how she relayed the recent happenings.

"If i were In her shoes,I wouldn't be able to face anyone"she added.

Sighing for the millionth time,he failed,yet again. He failed to protect her,he failed to to keep her happy,worst of all,he failed to uphold his promise.

"I don't even know how to face her,can you-would you please talk to her,you know girl to girl" he tired to persuade her.

"Okay,I'll try"

"Thank you so much,you're the best!"

*****
"Could you please wait?"

"Sure"

And now,here he was seated for the past ten minutes waiting for her. He glanced at his wristwatch,yet again.

"Wai kitchen din gaba daya zaki dakko?(are you bringing out the entire kitchen?)"

She quickly appeared with a basket which housed two food warmers.

"Here you go,please help me give Ammiey"

He simply smiled at her,the little gestures only increase the love he has for her. It warms his heart to know she not only cares for him and his daughter,she also cares for his entire family which is a dream come through.

"I will,we will be on our way"he said as he carried Maya on his right arm while clutching the basket with his left hand.

"Ah dawo lafiya... nace ba,mai za'a dafa da dadare?(what will I cook for dinner?)"

"Anything would do,just don't stress yourself okay?"

She simply smiled.

Maya on the other hand was getting annoyed by the minute,her father was just standing there without making any effort to move,so she did the only thing that makes her get things here own way,crying. She bursted into tears as he tired to pacify her.

"I'll be back soon,take care" Imam said as he made way outside.

She smiled to herself as usual as she made way to their room. She was arranging the room when she heard the door bell. She was surprised as not many people come to visit,but nonetheless made way to the door.

"Mantuwa kayi?(did you forget something?)"

Was the first thing she said immediately she opened the door,only to be met with a face which looked nothing like her husband's

"..."