Chapter 42: Chapter 42

She twirled and tossed on her bed, before darting her eyes open. What she recieved yesterday from the company's management wasn't leaving her mind; how could Kassim just leave and someone is replacing him? Could that someone be worst more than Kassim? She was ecstatic at first, before something gnawed at her that the new CEO might be worst more than Kassim.

Not wanting to make Rayhan late for school, Hayfah stood up and walked towards her bathroom. She bathe and exited the toilet; and saw Adyan's missed call on her phone. She knew he was used to waking her up for work, but today was quite early____for he usually calls when she's even on her way. She hope he's fine thou.

She found herself making up her face lightly. It was a dark shade of red lipstick, eyes adorned with kohl and liner. She wore her traditional dress before drapping a veil over her left shoulder. She took her handbag and phone before descending the staircases; with an alluring smile on her lips.

"Good morning, Maami," she greeted, hugging Maami slightly, as she patted Rayhan's head fondly.

"Good morning, Addah Hayfah. You look beautiful today, or are you going to A's house?" Rayhan chirped in before Maami could answer her greeted.

"Rayhan, Maami is here; you dummy!" She was now regretting telling Rayhan who Adyan was; because the girl is always on her neck asking what not.

"Oopps, sorry Addah, Maami; I didn't said anything huh?" And she closed her mouth with her palms, smiling sheepishly.

"Morning Hayfah, you indeed look beautiful today. Oya come and have your breakfast," Maami smiled and dismissed the topic, for she could see how Hayfah was squirming uncomfortably on her chair.

"Maami, I always look beautiful," Hayfah whined, scooping a spoonful of chips in her mouth.

"Yes, but sensationally beautiful for my son Inlaw; Rayhan's thoughts might be true uno?" Maami jested, and that was how Hayfah lovingly had her breakfast. It was full of love and joy, she've had many family moments with Maami and Rayhan-even Daddy that she never had with her own family.

They bid Maami adieu and left, dropped Rayhan first before he dropped Hayfah. Hayfah entered the building and greeted the passers; before the receptionist halted her--they got acquainted weeks ago, even though Hayfah wasn't comfortable with her yet, but she was the only person she could call her friend in the company.

"I've a very good news for you. You have to hurry and see the new CEO, Hayfah; he's hotter than Mr. Kassim," she sighed dreamily, closing her eyes as she placed her hands on her chest dramatically.

Hayfah scrunched up her face, she isn't into handsome guys-for he would think she's like every girl, and what handsomeness did she not see? Her Addy is handsome in the face and heart also.

"I pray he isn't arrogant like him also, but what's his name?" Hayfah had to ask, albiet she didn't care about whatsoever name he might have-for she wouldn't show him her vulnerable side from the start. That's an avow.

"I don't know, but he surely have a killer smile-and heard they're brothers with Mr. Kassim," The receptionist, whom Hayfah got to know as Muntasra jabbered, she might probably have a crush on this CEO of a man.

"Okay Muntasra, I need to go now; thanks for the information. I'll surely gist you during lunch," and with that, Hayfah scuttled to the elevator- afraid that she was already minutes late.

She entered her office and dropped her bag before walking to his office, her heart was hammering-afraid of the man she might see in there. Could he be handsome in the heart as he is in the face? Could he be like his arrogant brother? Could he be inhumane and have no respect for feminism? Could he also sabotage the creation of Allah? She wondered.

"Assalamu Alaikum," she hushed and turned the door knob, the door screeching as it creaked ajar.

Hayfah entered the office, she could only see his black soft and probably silky hair, with an alluring beard adorning his face. His head was hung low; as he was scribbling some words on a file.

"Good morning, Sir. I'm Miss. Hayfah Talhah Muhammad, I'm your secretary; I would like you to check today's sche...," before she could finish, he looked up with a bright smile and shiny orbs-directly looking at her.

"Good morning to you, Mrs. Adyan Ardo," he spoke endearingly, looking at her directly in the eyes-as she was rooted to her spot, looking at him in disbelief.

"Addy?" She slurred, not wanting to be sure of what she's seeing before her. Could he be the brother of the person she hates more than anything in her life? Could he have the blood of the person she promised not to even interact with his friends talkless of relations? Could he be the brother of the person she avowed to hate whosoever loves him? And she's more than sure that here____Adyan Aliyu Ardo, the love of her life; loves his brother unconditionally.

'What should I do? I can't hate him!' She asked with a halting voice, arguing with her consciousness.

'You have to hate him, Hayfah. His brother crumbled your life before your eyes; you'd soon be married to Malik because of him...' and the list goes on, as she felt tears anguishly filling the brink of her eyes.

"What happened, Haffy?" His voice reverberated through her deaf ears, that's when she realized he was inches close to her-and she; was slumped on the floor, her face resting on the wall. She had no idea how she slumped.

"It's nothin-gg, sir. I think you need to check this," and she handed him the file, trying to stand up from her sitting position.

He caught her wrist on reflex, and his fierce eyes stared through her glassy honey orbs. "Why all this formalities, Hayfah? Is something wrong? I thought you would be happy seeing me here," he muttered, and the game of unpuzzuling what probably might be wrong started playing in his mind.

"It's okay, I just need some time alone. My wrist, please," she uttered and slowly shrugged his hand off her wrist before trudging out of the office. Two voices were screaming in her head. The first voice was wailing and begging her to go back, and the other was praising and adding fuel to her already burning heart.

Adyan stared at her retreating back before slumping on the spot she just left, he could still feel the warmth of her soft hand, the pain her tears instilled on his heart, and the cold shoulder she acted on him.

***

He was sitted on the mat in the courtyard of the house, there was a traditional tumbler placed beside him; but he was deep in thought to even give that food to be eaten by him a look. All his life came crashing down the day Shafa'atu told his children that story, they seemed to have forgotten the story, but that day was the day his agony came back in thunder, it was the day a war of remorse embedded itself in his heart, as restlessness filled his heart.

He heaved a sigh when a warm hand patted his shoulder, as the beholder of the hand sat beside him. He gulped down his agony and looked at his daughter. "Amna," he hummed, to end the eerily silence and unshaken stare from his daughter.

"Abba, you're in pain, please tell me what is eating you up," she slurred, for the condition of their father wasn't only eating him up, but her also.

"I'm just worried about Hayfah, you see; I've gave my consent to their union with Malik, his people will soon come to me-but do you think I'm just to her? Could she possibly have someone in mind not Malik?" He voiced out his fear, for he accepted to the consent on Umma's urges, and he knew he could only find peace when he accept.

A wide grin broke Amna's lips, she placed her hand on Abba's laps and spoke. "Abba, if this is what's worrying you; you shouldn't be worried please. I'm Hayfah's sister,I know who she loves, and it's none other than Malik."

"How would I be in peace, when I don't even know how she's living and if she would be happy with this consent," Abba spoke silently, he still wasn't convinced, a guilt feeling was eating up his heart.

"Abba," she drawled, "I know you must be worried. Initially, I have to go to Abuja to buy some goods in two days time, but I'll have to go today. I'll call you when I get there, and I myself will tell her about the consent, you don't have to worry please." And she smiled warmly at him, she too was eager to go and see her sister, it had been a month and days since her leave.

"And with whose permission are you going to see that whore? Not me, definitely not me!" Umma bellowed from behind, as she found a spot on the mat and sat down.

"Umma please, even not because of Hayfah, I have to go for my business. And I'm just to spend atleast a week there, I have to tell her about the wedding, so we should start the preparations." They had finally got used to Umma calling Hayfah a whore, they were even tired of complaining.

"Amna, even if you're going, where are you going to stay?" She asked, still not convinced. She was happy that Hayfah finally left the house, but just the thought of her being back is a torture to her heart; and the only remedy was the thought of her getting married to Malik.

"In Hayfah's place ofcourse. Umma please," she kept beseeching until Umma finally agreed, before she took her to her room and lectured her on making sure she brought a husband along with her, for she wouldn't let her daughter to marry a poor man.

In minutes, Amna got ready and bid them adieu; Hamma Tahir took her to the park with his new golf car. She wanted the visit to be a surprise, she was so eager to see her sister, and has a feeling that she will meet the love of her life in Abuja. A rich don by the way.

She arrived at Abuja around 4:30pm, stretching her body from the drive, she picked up her phone and dailed Hayfah's number, grisping her trolley with the other hand.

"Addah Amna, to what do I owe this call on this cool evening?" Hayfah's husky voice chirped in, from the way her voice sounded; she wasn't herself.

"Guess what, Hayfah?" Amna grinned, as she trolled over to the street; so she could be easily seen.

"Addah, you're making me restless. Tell me please."

"Okay, I'm in Abuja, in the car park ofcourse; come and take me," she spoke enthusiastically, imagining the happy expression on Hayfah's lips as she heard the gasp that escaped her lips.

Hayfah squealed and told her to give her some minutes, she was about to leave for home. After the phone call, she kept contemplating wether to call Maami and tell her about her sister's visit or not. But she deserves to know, she couldn't just bring in a guest without informing.

She finally called Maami's number and told her, and her reply was so heart soothing. "You can bring whosever you want, Hayfah, it's also your home." Hayfah's heart had to flutter at that.

Baba came and they left to the park, she was ignoring Adyan and his calls all the way to the park. They picked Amna from the park and drove to their home-Amna was gushing and awww-ing all the way from the park.

Baba's car halted infront of the huge ironed gate, Hayfah and Amna simultaneously looked at the car that blocked their way to the house-it was no one but Adyan's.

"Hajia Hayfah, I think he's here for you, can you please tell him to move his car so we could enter? An old man here is tired; I can't resist all this lovey dovey stuffs," Mallam Halliru spoke with a sense of humor, looking at Adyan that was walking over to their car.

"W-who is he?" Amna asked tentatively, her voice was shaking, she doesn't want to believe what her brain and heart were telling her.

"Adyan!" And that's when Hayfah realised who she just told Adyan's name. It was no one but her sister, the lady that was admitted into a hospital because of the love she has for him!