Chapter 54: Chapter 54

Completely into a hiatus; Ummi didn't know the decision to make. Should she move back and save her marriage? That means he has won over her. And that means more things coming from him, for he'll surely think she couldn't leave without him. But, stepping outside the house means she had literally divorced herself, it doesn't matter wether he meant it or not; in islam____the marriage had been cutted.

If that happens; she'll finally be free out of his custody, she can do whatever she feels like doing. No more tears, no more accusations, and no more heart breaks. She shrugged all the voices in her head begging her not to step out, and she was about to step out when she was yanked forcefully inside the house.

"What do you think you're doing, Arub?!" He clamoured, he was clearly infuriated and there was fear evident on his face. What if she had stepped out? That means it's over!

Ummi heaved a sigh she didn't know she was holding, as tears of joy filled her eyes. What if he let her step out? That means it's over! Without hesitation; she leaned in and hugged him, as tears washed down her face.

"It would've been over between us, because of my pugnacious behaviour. I'm sorry Al-amin," she whimpered, clutching more onto his shirt, as her tears intensified.

All this while, Al-amin was heaving sighs, he didn't know he over love her until she was an inch to step out, he didn't know when he dragged her inside the house; his heart beating rapidly. God! Who was he joking?

"It's okay, Arub. I think we need to seat down and talk things out," he caressed her back, feeling a chord of solace gliding through his soul. It felt like forever since he hugged her yesterday's morning.

She looked up from his chest, remorse written all over her face, "I'm sorry, Al-amin, let me make you something to eat please," she offered with a warm smile on her lips, as she slowly broke their hug.

He released her and sat on the sofa, as he held his hed with his hand. Reminiscing how he was about to lose that angel just minutes ago. How he would have lived before she agrees on coming back to him again? He knew it would be more than hard!

Ummi was about to enter the kitchen, when Laila; whom was there when it all started. From the breakfast thing, marriage breaking, and huggings; whom felt her heart chogging her throat at the sight of their hugged figures.

"I think you don't have to worry, I've already made breakfast for us," Laila said enragedly, as she began arranging the dining table.

Ummi let out a scoff, and looked at Al-amin, whom was obviously lost in his own world. She steadied her balance, and positioned her hands at akimbo. There was a glint of happiness; as if she was waiting for this time to come.

"Are you Laila by name? Whatever the name may be. What's the relationship between you and Al-amin? Cousins," she air qouted the 'cousins' and continued, without giving a mouth dropped Laila a chance to talk.

"And I, Mrs Al-amin Bugaje. So can you please mind your status and stop poking your nose in couple's matters? I think that would be better for your brain, whom didn't know the position of a sister and a husband. Also, eat your piece of garbage alone, his words not mine, Laila," She finished with a smirk etched fully across her lips, as she shashayyed back to where Al-amin was sitted.

Al-amin looked at her with a smile on his lips "Already done? Or you can't cook? need my help?" He asked, ardouringly looking at her forever gorgeous face.

"No, Babyyy, just wanted to see your face again and say my usual morning greeting to these lips," she said seductively and planted a soft kiss on his lips before standing upright.

"I'll be right back with your breakfast, Babyyy," she hushed and scuttled towards the kitchen, not after flashing Laila the 'This is just the beginning' look.

She swiftly made breakfast for him and served him, which he urged her to eat too; since she haven't ate much. They had their breakfast silently, their hearts emoting how sorry they are, and how they all feel detached without eachother.

The office matter was resolved, as they made their ways out of the house together; but Laila's voice halted them admist their strides.

"Yaya, Hajia's breakfast is ready, won't you take it to her?" She was fluttering her eyelashes ostentatiously, that's when Ummi noticed the dress she was wearing_____it was a half gown that fitted her body, showing all her curves which aren't that curvy, as she completed the look with a silk leggings; letting her long hair dangling on her shoulders.

Jealousy flared up in Ummi's heart, as she made her way towards Laila, smiling warmly as if she isn't burning inside. "Laila, I think it's indecent dressing infront of your non mahram lile this, or what do you think? And apart from all those non mahrams; my husband. I sincerely don't like it, know how to dress next time please," there was a sarcasm laced on her tone, as she flashed her a tight smile. That's when it all dawned on her, she really needs an explanation about Laila's stay in her house.

Laila flipped back her hair; she was waiting for this time too. "Yaya, haven't you told her? Our marriage would've been solemnized tomorrow, what if I didn't beg Hajia for additional two months? For I knew it would feel horrible for your husband to be married to another wife in such a short notice. Anyways; I think you should get used to me dressing as I like in this house, which will soon be my matrimonial home. I can't be covering myself as if I was born by a sheikh, escuse me that please," she spoke bumptiously, rolling her eyes at dazed Ummi; whom seemed so hard to register the words in.

She quickly regained back herself and smiled factitiously, "If that's the case; you're welcome to hell_____and you will surely know how it is, to dress like a prostitute in your halal husbands house, not a non mahram!" She bellowed and stomped out of the living room, banging the door so hard.

Al-amin turned to leave, he has totally forgotten the whole marriage issue; he didn't even told her about Laila's stay, and she has messed everything up. He knew Ummi wouldn't be easily consoled, this is a complete different issue, he knew how jealous she could be.

"Yaya, Hajia's fo..," she couldn't even complete her sentence, when he cut her off in a high pitched tone.

"Would you shut your mouth up? To hell with you and that piece of garbage you call a food! I'll have your time when I'm back," he yelled and stomped out of the house, only to see Ummi crying in her car, as she couldn't even ignite the car on.

He moved towards the car, and as soon as she saw him; she quickly wiped away her tears and ignited the car, yelling at the gateman to open the get for her.

"Arub, listen to me please, it skipped my mind. I'm so sorry, and you know it wouldn't happen huh?" He spoke in a soft and pleading tone, looking at her broken self breaks his heart.

"You shouldn't be sorry, Al-amin, and it has to skip your mind for sure," she replied sarcastically and drove out of the house in full speed.

Al-amin silently prayed she would be safe and drove to his work place, not after imagining what he would do to Laila for messing his already peaceful life.

Ummi's whole day at the office was glum, she couldn't get her mind off Laila's words, and she was sure Hajia is capable of doing almost everything. The day passed like a blur, Asiya noticed her forlorn self and didn't disturb her with her garrulous talks.

And it was already closing time, she packed her things and locked her officed before walking out, only for her to almost bump into Mubarak, whom was smiling widely upon the sight of her.

She felt a pang of fear upon sighting him, Al-amin's angry face yelling at her to go back to him vividly came back to her mind, she smiled nervously and wanted to walk pass him when he halted her by his words.

"So, I'm no more your friend huh? What about the 'You're my best male friend, Mubarak',?" He questioned sadly, seeing how she was trying to walk pass him without uttering a word. And from her facial expression, he knew something might've went wrong.

She didn't utter a word, for she knew he knew her so well. Instead, she moved to a nearby bench and sat down, burying her face on her palms; as she broke into silent and painful tears.

Mubarak stood beside her and kept staring, his heart squirming at the sight of her crying self. He knew she wouldn't talk today or tomorrow, but she will surely tell him the problem, or so he thought.

She finished crying and wiped her tears away with the handkerchief Mubarak thrusted to her. "Thank you for hearing me out," she thanked him, smiling ruefully as she was still sniffling.

Mubarak also stood up, his hands in his pockets as he unshakenly stare at her; sometimes he wished she wasn't married yet. "I'll forever be there for you, just call me when in need," he conjectured, smiling warmly at her. She didn't utter a word, but he knew she spoke with her tears, and that's her way of pouring her pains out ; it's either with a pain and paper, or tears.

"Thank you once again, Mubarak, it means alot," with that, she handed him back his handkerchief and walked out, feeling detached but a bit relieved.

She arrived at home and met it the house closed, dumbfoundedly; she walked to the gateman and asked him about the keys for the house; for she has checked where they usually keep it but couldn't find any.

"Good evening, Mallam Garba; has Al-amin gave you the house keys?" She inquired, trying so hard to plaster a smile on her forlorn face.

His face broke into a grin, because Ummi hardly talks to him; only greetings; that's if their paths crossed. And he's fond of the young girl, so obedient; and obviously religious.

"Hajia, he didn't give me any keys, I thought you guys keep them to yourselves. But I've saw one skinny fair girl coming out of the house with a basket, I don't know wether she was the one with the keys," he informed.

"It's okay, Mallam Garba, thank you," she smiled genuinely at the old man and moved back to her car; thinking so hard where the keys might be.

She wanted calling Al-amin, but he's the last person she wants to talk to; so she dailed Ummy's number and waited for her to pick, for she knew they might need to prepare some things for Meeno and Ya Yusuf's wedding_____which is in three weeks time.

Ummy picked at the fifth ring, her euphoric voice filling Ummi's ears, making a wide grin curve her lips as a feeling of solace glides through her mind. She needed this.

"Hey Baby Mama, how's my prince or princess doing?" Ummy asked, she might probably be in a very good mood.

"Ummyyyy! If I smash your head ehn? It'll divide into three; the first part will be in Kano, the second one in Kaduna, and the last part in Mashi; dama it's kwar uku," Ummi jested and burst out laughing, reminiscing how they would always call Ummy 'Me kwar uku'.

"Ummi! I'm on my way to Abuja to kill you die! And that's the end of your storg; useless girl," and that's how they ended up talking about everything and nothing, Ummi felt all her worries vanishing_____that's for a mean time she knew.

***

Back in Hajia's room was Laila sitted on the carpet; heaving sighs, whilst Al-amin was sitted opposite her on the carpet; Abba and Mami just left.

Al-amin looked up from his sitting position and looked at Hajia "Hajia, I can't be leaving an unfinished work always, this girl will forever be my problem, we've been here since 4pm, and it's past 6pm. If she's not ready to live with my wife, I think she can stay here; that's the least I can do," He confidently informed, without an iota of fear on his face. As if he wasn't the one Abba and Mami finished preaching to.

Hajia smirked, the envelope she collected almost thirty minutes ago carefully placed beside her. "I've warned you several times, stop calling her your wife; Aminu. She physically belongs to you, but she has the person she loves," he took Hajia's word as a mantra, for how she had been repeating the exact words since he arrived and calls Ummi his wife; and he still wondered why.

"Would you please stop accusing my wife in my presence, Hajia? I want to leave, if she's still interested; she can tag along," he stood up, his face was devoid of any emotion, but he was seething with rage inside.

"Wait for me, I have to go and warn her about Laila, and also shows her that we know what she's doing behind your eyes; tunda mu ba shashashu bane (since we're not fools)," Hajia nagged and stood up, holding the envelope so tight as if her life depends on it.

"I'm not going with you. Are you sleeping here?" He addresed Hajia and directed his last question to Laila; whom stood up and re-did her talhab before silently walking out. She's seriously afraid of him now.

"Wallahi Aminu sai naje, (Aminu I will go), who do you think you are?" Hajia inquired wrathfully, scavenging for hee Hijab in her closet.

Al-amin groaned, he knew it would be the topic of the century and she would also nag for more than a year,if he didn't go with her. "You should hurry up, or else....you knew the new me so well tsohuwa," he smirked and left the room.

He met Laila at the living room, as she was silently crying, swiftly clearing her tears with the hem of her veil. She remembered Laith, he was still her love, and she knew she would forever love him.

Seeing how she was trying so hard not to burst out, Al-amin felt a feeling of empathy towards her. He sat on the sofa beside her and asked, "Why are you crying? And you dare not to lie to me."

Laila knew as soon as she told him what she was crying for, he would ask her why she wasn't together with him, and that has to unveil a long buried memory she didn't want to remember for eternity, it was dark and filled with nebulous things.

On her rescue, Hajia came out and they all drove out of the house. But the curious and 'we're not done yet' look Al-ami kept flashing her way was making her uncomfortable.

They arrived when the Adzan of Maghrib Salah was being proclaimed in different parts of the state and area. Ummi was leaninh on her car, her phone in her hand; as she plays candy crush.

They drove inside the house, and Ummi's heart lost a bit when she realized Hajia was also in the car. She walked towards her and squated a little bit; "Good evening, Hajia," she greeted, but got a loud hiss as an answer.

"Arub, what are you doing here? It seems you've been waiting for long," Al-amin asked, softly looking at her. And that's when Laila recalled she was the one that locked the house and left with the keys.

"What else would she be doing here? She might've just arrived as well. The other man is satisfied enough," Ummi had to closed her eyes at Hajia's accusation towards her; for the words pierced directly through her soul.

"I was waiting for you, checked all the keys but they weren't there," Ummi tried so hard in stiffling back her tears; as she answered his question.

"But who locked the house? It wasn't me also," before Ummi could answer, Al-amin yawed his gaze to Laila; whom was nervously fiddling with hee fingers_____from her facial expression, he knew she was the one.

"What was that? Do you have the idea how many hours she spent waiting for your stupid self? It's her house for god sake, Laila!" Al-amin bellowed, as he abruptly collected the keys from Laila's hand.

"I'm sorry, Yaya; it wasn't intentional," Laila apologized silently, for all she needs now is to be laying silently on her bed and cry to her heart's fill.

"Sorry for what? You're so stupid; Al-amin. This your so called wife, or should I say a mini whore? She might have just arrived now, and you're venting your anger on a poor soul," Hajia bellowed angrily, as they all looked at her; shock evident on their faces, as the name she called Ummi hit their ear drums.

"I'm sorry to object, Hajia; but you just can't conclude and call me a whore; I've been loyal to my husband since when we were in secondary school, please stop thinking this low of me," Ummi whimpered, as she burst into tears. If it wasn't Hajia today, only Allah would rescue the person that called her this, but she has nothing to do but cry now.

Al-amin tried hugging her but she shrugged him off, she just want to be alone.

"Open the house please," she hushed, but he could hear her pleading tone, and her broken soul beneath.

"Hajia how could you call her that? Do know how to arrange your words please, let's get in," Al-amin said as he was about to turn; when Hajia flinged the envelope on his face.

He caught it in his hands and opened, what he saw was the last thing he expect, as it glided through his heart______cutting all those functioning veins, as the heart started bleeding in pools.