SABR:Life Of Zarah

•|CHAPTER 2💜🏝️|•

                       (unedited)

Abuja
September 2019

I sat on the couch beside my bed and stared outside the window, I watched how the ruddy glow of sunset was already fading into the sombre shadows of the night. I heaved a heavy sigh and stood up, adjusting my veil i headed for the bathroom to perform ablution for maghreb prayer.

Earlier that afternoon, i went to welcome Abhi. He was so happy to see me. I didn't get the chance to talk to him the previous day. Abhi was already asleep when i came in.

Abhi is what you can call an average Hausa man from kano state, he's round faced, bearded, with pointy chin. Abhi always wears a frown. Smiling is not a thing in his own world. He's always straightforward,he's tall and fair skinned . He always wears a loose caftan that always reveals his bulging tummy.
Ahbi is a successful business man tabarakallah Masha Allah, he has warehouses in almost all the states. He owns trucks and trailers that moves foodstuff and livestock from his farms to other part of the country, and sometimes outside the country.
His 50th birthday is coming up. He was born on the first of October and that makes His birthdays special. He always challenges himself to be a better person,He's empathetic, loving and forgiving.

Abhi is strict when it comes to decision making. I wonder how Ummi copes with him. He makes his decisions on his own. He interfers in our lives and monitored our every step. He cares allot about his reputation in the society.
We dare not disagree with him. He says what he means and means what he says.We barely see him around. He's always at work or not in the country.

That afternoon after I served his meal of tuwon shinkafa and miyan taushe, I was about leaving him to enjoy his meal when he called out my name.

"Zahrau!"

Goshhhhh I hate that name. Abhi is the only one who calls me that. It sounds old fashioned. Ya salaaaaam... I had no choice but to answer.

"Naam Abhi... You called me".

"Yes! I did... It's nothing je ki"

" Okay... If you need me I'll be in my room".

Walking up the staircase I wondered what Abhi wanted to tell me. What's wrong with all of ehm?. I think I need to find time to talk to Abhi about Nazir.

"Have you lost your manners?. You can't even knock".

" Sorry Ukti my bad... I'm in a hurry it's time for maghreeb already". She said and rolled her eyes." By the way, Abhi said you should see him downstairs after maghreeb prayer". She announced and left the room.

Something's not right somewhere. Whenever Abhi sends for me, he always has a bad news for me. I could still remember that night he sent for me.

        Flashback 4 years earlier🌊

I just graduated from high school few weeks back and was awaiting admission into the University. It was an average night in mid-september, the same as every night nothing was different. The same as many nights before.

Abhi called me downstairs to the living room and announced that I'll be leaving for Saudi the coming month to stay with Grandma and also finish my college. That night, I wept till the next Morning. I was calmed down by Ummi who made me understood it's not Abhi's decision but my destiny. If Allah hasn't destined it to be, it will Never be.

Back to present.

I glanced at the screen of my phone. And it was a new message from Nazir.