Finding Mufeeda

Soul of my soul....

Chapter Ten

Derinsola had just called Akay excitedly.
"Cousin, you are in the news right now, check most of the local channels....I'll call you later."
Akay tuned to one of the Nigerian news channel 'FTV' immediately, he was indeed in the news. 'Nigerian born space and satellite engineer, has been appointed as the Director General of the Nigerian Agency for Space and satellite Research and Development.
Before his appointment, Dr. Abdulmumin Kolade Salako was with The Institute of Space Research in Netherlands.
He won the Galaxy prize last year for his work on.....'
He changed the channel.....pausing to take a deep breath.
He had deliberately asked Derinsola not to inform any of their mutual relatives he was in the country.
Perhaps he was still angry with all of them for ignoring him when he had a case to answer in the States and for neglecting the ties of kinship that ought to bind them. He knew what to expect after this broadcast and subsequent appearances he would have to make in the media  Most of those that had forgotten about his existence will begin to look for him.
He was certain some will want to be associated with him now and he was ready for it.

Hajjaju was tired, she had been busy all day supervising the workers on the family farm. This was something her late husband used to do, he would be with them on the farm once the planting season begun. Maintaining the farm was a lot of work, taking care of the family business and other family affairs always made her miss her husband.
Today, she missed him more than ever, especially with the latest development within the family. Mustafa's uncle Alhaji Ado Bature had learnt about his involvement with Mufeeda. Alhaji Ado came over to the house very early that morning before she left for the farm.
After the usual greetings and asking about almost every member of their household, Alhaji Ado had cleared his throat before asking "when is Mustafa getting married?"

"We hope soon, inshallah."

"Ashe da gaske ne...so it's true, na samu labarin." He said with an eyebrow arched.

"I don't understand...."

"Haba Hajiya Maymuna," he complained. As your husband's younger brother, I should be informed about something as important as this."

"That's because there is nothing to tell you yet, " she explained.

"What you're trying to hide from me, Allah has already exposed....or is it not true Mustafa is courting a Yoruba girl?"

Hajjaju noted how he made a face of disgust at the word Yoruba. She did not respond for fear of saying the wrong things.

"Haka din ne ko?.... Tabdijam! Yar Kudu?.....haba!" He expressed his disapproval.

She folded her arms against her chest still not knowing what to say.

"There are several nice girls amongst his cousins he could choose a wife from. Ga yan matan Katsina ...sai wata bareyabiya!"he added spreading his hands.

Hajjaju finally found her tongue.

"Allah ya jikan Alhaji Ali Bature. He accepted all and didn't discriminate against any tongue or tribe."
Her brother in-law had continued ranting and raving. She knew how obstinate and narrow-minded Alhaji Ado could be and she knew just how much trouble he could stir.

She had to do something, the first thing that came to her mind was to call Baba Kassim.

"Assalaamu alaykum, "

"Waalaykumussalaam, Baba."

"Hajjaju, ina yini?" Baba Kassim asked.

"Alhamdulillah Baba, yaya iyali? Where is my Adnan?"