Chapter 22: Chapter 22

After her mother's colorful suggestion, Khadijah went to bed with a broken resolve, she called Layla's phone but it was off which didn't surprise her, she prayed her best friend would be fine.

She didn't do much but she felt tired nevertheless which was because of her earlier breakdown, she promised not to let it faze her even though her appetite was ruined for the better part of the week.

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“How are you man?" Jawad grunted facing away from Fahad who was making breakfast, more like toasting bread they'll most likely not eat.

“Care for breakfast?” again, he grunted. Fahad got the memo that he wasn't going to talk, he finished toasting the whole loaf and went ahead to scramble eggs, all the while Jawad looked half dead with his eyes on the wall. They decided to pass the night in Shaheed's apartment since Fahad didn't want to drive and Jawad has lost touch with reality.

Shaheed was still in bed despite it being a work day and he was supposed to get ready for work, he wasn't feeling it.

The mood of all three men made the apartment gloomy, each person with something on his mind though Fahad and Shaheed were more worried about Jawad than anything else, said person was overwhelmed with life.

Fahad had to go back to Abuja because of work and Jawad hasn't said a thing about his next step though they aren't bothered, it wouldn't be good for him to leave alone and go back to work, he manages his father's company in Australia.

Startled by the sudden knock on the door, Fahad who almost dropped the pan he was holding turned to Jawad who was still as he left him, with a sigh he dropped the pan and went to open the door, the bedroom door closed at the same time and Shaheed walked out, they nodded in acknowledgement, Fahad went towards the door and Shaheed to the kitchen indicating he didn't hear.

“Good morning sir” A maid greeted at the door, she was holding a basket he guessed held their breakfast, he answered her greeting "Madam said to bring you breakfast" he thanked her but told her to not bother with it, they've already taken care of that, she turned without argument and left.

"Who was at the door?" Shaheed who now held a cup of what must be black coffee asked plopping down on the beige colored sofa.

"A maid," he pointed to the direction of the kitchen and understanding he meant how Jawad was the latter shrugged, he didn't notice his presence.

“What are we going to do?” Fahad ran a hand over his face and sat beside Shaheed, he had no idea because whatever they do at that point will just be like trying change black to white, it wasn't possible.

“Leave him be” he said after sometime.

Shaheed served them the then cold egg and toast, he finally got Jawad to move from his trance like state by sending him a death glare after he repeatedly kept asking him to dress and eat.

“Who taught you this?” Shaheed asked conversationally which earned a smug smile from Fahad.

“What makes you think someone taught me? I learned by myself, you're welcome” Shaheed didn't get to retort smartly like he wanted, both men turned to Jawad who was now dressed in a crisp white shirt and coffee colored pressed pants, the suit jactet that was the same color with the trouser was on one shoulder.

“Where to?” Fahad questioned looking at Jawad who didn't look at all like the person at the kitchen and that scared Fahad and Shaheed, that's not good.

“Home,” he deadpanned.

“Sorry, what?” this time it was Shaheed, he looked puzzled because Australia meant home and that was the last place he needed to be.

“I thought we were going back together, I have to be in Abuja before Saturday, so I'll have to leave by Friday probably and then we can go from there” that didn't faze him because he was halfway across the room by then, he went out the door leaving them both frozen in shock, before one of them could snap out it, they heard the sound of a car speeding out of the compound.

“What just happened?” Shaheed questioned bewildered to which Fahad shrugged picking his phone, he tapped on the screen for a bit then put it to his ear, Shaheed was pacing with no idea what do to.

They knew he would be going to the airport though that didn't help them a bit because following him would be pointless, he wouldn't listen and his calm demeanor wasn't a good sign, heavens know what he is up to, but whatever it is, it wouldn't be good.

“What do you mean he didn't talk to anyone there?check in with them, I want information on every flight leaving this country today and find which one he's boarding, call Isah and have him send a driver to the airport right now!” Fahad paused to hear the person on the other line who was shaking, it's not everyday your boss calls you with multiple commands, or him almost losing his temper, they all know his level mindedness, “I don't care when the plane is landing, have them wait for him there!” he ended the call and almost threw the phone at the wall.

“What did he say?” Shaheed asked, while Fahad called the airport, he sent someone to tail Jawad, not because he wouldn't notice but it would stop him from whatever he wanted to do at first.

“That he didn't call anyone”

“What are we going to do now?” with a straight face, he muttered nothing.

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The sight of her tears had given him hope but she turned and left, she left him alone, just like everyone does.

It wasn't surprising at least, it shouldn't have been because he knew that would happen, he knew but he pushed it to back of his mind, he was expecting that if he was being honest with himself but it didn't hurt any less than the hundred times it has happened before, why does the pain of separation still feel new to him? With his luck it should've been normal but, no one gets used to pain, you might get over it in the future, but the first minutes accompanying it will still hurt and he is living proof of that.

He didn't let himself cry not because crying made him feel less of a man but the fear of not being able to stop of he starts.

Perhaps he was looking too much into the pain, he sighed for the umpteenth time coming to a resolve, if he didn't think about it, it wouldn't hurt as much, it never happened so why should it hurt right?

After five more minutes in the kitchen, he stood up and went to the bathroom not bothering to look at Fahad and Shaheed who were sat in the living room, he took a scorching hot shower, there's always peace that comes with the drops of fire like water on his back, it soothes him and distracts him from his inner pain, leaving his body numb for a few hours, but he looked forward to the pain and relief that comes with the water, traveling through his skin pores.

The droplets of the water cascaded down his muscular back and lower, and the father it goes the more he felt the pain of the steaming hot water enveloping his whole being, the pain made him smile, it prickles and is as painful as he would ever wish but not enough to make him step out of the shower, he relishes the pain.

Deciding he has spent enough time in the shower and the water wasn't as hot as he liked, he stepped out and picked the new fresh towels Shaheed had sent, since he was a neat freak, all his towels had to be washed each day and whenever he has guests over, which were always Jawad and or Fahad, he will send for new ones to be sent.

He tied one to his waist and used to other to dry his body, not bothering about the droplets from his hair, it would annoy Shaheed but he didn't care at the moment, since he didn't care to oil his body, he was lucky for his skin, it never shows how dry it was.

As much as Shaheed didn't like people getting in his personal space, he didn't mind for his two friends because no one knew him better than them. Jawad entered the walk in closet and went to the side meant for him, he picked the first that caught his eye and stepped out, he dressed and walked out, he came to Nigeria for work and he's finished now he's leaving, that's all, he memorized like a mantra.

Deciding the jacket would be too much work, he draped it over his shoulder and walked out, after talking with his cousin and best friend, he walked out knowing they won't follow him but will most likely be aware of his every step, he let them be, if he didn't want to be found, it didn't matter even if a satellite was following him, they wouldn't find him.

The first car he saw, Shaheed's Audi, he entered and picked the keys from the glove compartment, it was a bad idea to leave it in the car but then no one would be able to enter the house without anyone knowing, he revved the engine and reversed, he was almost out the gate when he saw a silhouette, whatever made him stop, he didn't know but when he saw the person it clicked, life really was testing him.

Layla who was feeling cramped in her room had gone out for a walk around the estate, she tried her very best to avoid everyone, especially Shaheed, he might've been cold to her for years but now, he would probably shoot her on sight, so their side was not part of her agenda. She chose to walk to the gate and back, the scenery of the driveway had a calming effect on her.

She smiled and greeted the security stationed at the gate, they replied back enthusiastically, Mannir the oldest of them and the one who she liked best and was most comfortable with kept her back when she asked about his daughter who had gotten married recently, he was enthusiastic and told her she had given birth, after all the pleasantries, she was walking back occasionally stopping to admire the gardeners work, she saw a car approaching but didn't stay to check, it's probably one of her brothers, something made her look at the driver though it was lightly tinted, her heart skipped a beat when they made eye contact, she didn't know what to do because it felt like Deja Vu, her mood dropped when he turned and zoomed off.

It's over , she whispered to herself, wasn't that what she wanted, for him to leave her alone but why does it feel like he took her heart with him, her hope of ever finding happiness, she wiped the tears that fell without her knowledge and sighed, that's it,

New beginnings.