Let Me Be Yours

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

Amira knew for a fact that Ali was scared of meeting with his father but liked that fact. It's refreshing seeing Ali hopeless, just the thought of it makes her imagine if she's always been this heartless because she'd trade a kidney to make Ali do something against his will again.

She didn't miss as he shut his eyes and clenched his fists when Ado drove into the compound.

Even though she wasn't expecting a diver sent to them, Goggo insisted saying Ali doesn't like public transport.

Well all that aside, they were home, in Yola, and she wouldn't lie that she wasn't anxious because she was. But the good thing is, she knew she was doing the right thing.

Since he could apologise to her then why can't he apologise to his father? But hey, they're still not good.

Ado pulled over in front of the main building just as Yusuf stepped out. A glance at him got her wondering how long it's been since last they met.

They both stepped out and Yusuf approached them with a levelled face. "How was the journey?"

"Good." Amira replied with a smile. "It's been quite a long time."

He nodded. "Yeah. The table has been set."

"We're supposed to meet with him immediately we arrive, has there been a change of plan?"

Yusuf trained his eyes on her for a few seconds. "This was your idea, wasn't it?"

"What?" She asked, putting on a clueless face.

He turned to his brother who's leaned on the car, his hands stuffed in the pocket of his twill chinos. He could rightly tell that Ali has lost valuable weight in the few days he's been away and he seemed nothing like his usual self. But nothing could possibly take away his aloofness.

"Good morning Ya Ali."

"Morning." He answered without a look his way.

"If you're both ready, I was actually on my way to him."

"Then lead the way." Amira urged and he proceeded.

When she saw Ali was being reluctant, she grabbed his arm and pulled him along.

He would surely have retaliated but he was anemic and was trying to muster up enough energy to just breathe.

They trailed behind Yusuf to the Lamido's living room and he shook off her hand as they stepped in. Yusuf paused in opening the door to his bedroom and gave them a glance. He thus opened the door almost immediately.

Amira shut her eyes and blew out some air. Do or die.

"Let's go." She said to Ali and he tilted his head, telling her to go first which she did.

She stopped for a beat as she entered with a salaam and took in the faces in the room, the Lamido, Hajiya Halimah, Goggo and then, Yusuf.

She turned to Ali who also stepped in but he has already directed his eyes to his father who was seated on his bed, facing his wife and Goggo who were on the couch by the wall. Yusuf went on to stand by the window.

"Good morning Uncle." She went further into the room, squatting by his bed.

"Good morning Amira, how was your journey?" His voice was slow and hoarse as he spoke.

"Alhamdulillah. Good morning." She turned to Hajiya Halimah and Goggo who both answered her greeting.

She then turned to Ali who was still rooted on his spot, barely inside the room.

"Ali," She whisper-called and he looked at her. She waved for him to come closer and he looked at his father, their gazes locking.

He had this very strong urge to leave the room because everything told him he wasn't welcome but then, he was there already.