Chapter 87: Chapter 87

It was end of the year. And nothing could be heard from the household of Alhaji Aliyu Ardo but noise. Noise echoing from every angle of the house; not that of children, but noise coming from the adults that calls themselves as family.

Clattering of utensils was rising, laughters were ricocheting, and voices were chirping from every angle. They aren't much, but the love they have for each other over flood their quantity. They have the quality.

Their end of year family union was taking place for the second time, and to say Hayfah was getting the best of it would be an understatement. She came to Nigeria a month ago, attended Fareeha's wedding with Faruk and went to Galadimawa to greet their relatives.

She sometimes laughs whenever she goes out and faces were being turned to her, because now; Hayfah Talhah Muhammad was a well known international program host. And her Mysha was a year and months old.

She roamed her eyes around the living they were sprawled in. Amna had a slight bumped belly on her stomach, and Hayfah smiled_thinking may be, just may be her sister had finally relented and started loving her husband. He was a gentle man.

She looked at Hamma Tahir that was eating while making a conversation with his phone, and a smile escaped her lips again_knowing her brother would be a groom in the next three weeks to come. He got bethroted last three months; to a beautiful lady that lives in Kaduna; Halima Tafarki.

Her eyes fell on her siblings; Rayhan and Aliyu that were now 14 and 7 respectively. She warms within at how Rayhan was moulding from a 12 years old cute girl to a 14 years old beautiful girl. Aliyu was everything sort of handsome as well.

She looked at Jibril, whom could only be called a fulani man by traits, he had became a fully groomed Abuja man. He had been persuading Amna to eat something but she kept proving stubborn. Hayfah smiled, she loves seeing people in love.

She looked at her two mothers. How they were seated side by side, holding each other's hand as they chat happily was what Hayfah took to heart and vowed to make her relationship with Amna and Rayhan even more than theirs'. Their bond was strong, and Hayfah was sure that's what bounded them together.

She looked at Mysha that just crawled into the living room, giggling and strengthening her hands towards Hayfah that was smiling widely upon seeing her daughter. Everyday she opens her eyes, she couldn't stop thanking Allah for showering his endless blessings on her.

"Ibbah!" Mysha stuttered and fell on Hayfah's laps, she still couldn't pronounce 'Hibbah' correctly, which makes it a matter of an argument whenever Mysha calls Adyan 'Abbi' perfectly.

"Mysha!" Hayfah spoke with same enthusiasm and hugged her Mysha, she looked towards the curtain that was being lifted and her gaze eyes caught the sight of Muntasra! And she squealed!

This was the lady she saw two years ago, and when Muntasra called her and asked for her address, Hayfah couldn't believe she would really come, not until now she sets her eyes on her. She carefully placed Mysha beside Rayhan and walked towards Muntasra engulfing her into an embrace.

"I missed my crazy friend!" Hayfah muttered enthusiastically and hugged Muntasra even more.

"And I'm proud to finally set my eyes on the well known Hayfah Talhah Muhammad. Who would believe I've known you? You're always on the timeline of international tv and radio stations, girl you make me proud!" Muntasra cheered and they prowled into the living room and sat down.

Muntasra greeted Mom, Mama, Hamma Tahir and Jibril. They exchanged pleasantries with Amna before Rayhan and Aliyu greeted her. Muntasra took Mysha in her hands and kept playing with her while Hayfah went to the kitchen to bring in refreshments for her.

They nattered away fro hours and Muntasra excused herself to leave. Hayfah looked around but she couldn't sight Adyan, she knew he was in the hut in the spacious courtyard of the house; completing a work in his laptop.

She draped a veil on her head and took Mysha in her hand while they walked out it the living room after Muntasra bade Mom and Mama goodbye. They were close to where Muntasra parked her car when the humungous gate was being flung open.

A sleek flashy car drove into the house and it parked just beside Muntasra's eyes. He intensely set his eyes on Muntasra as she squirmed uncomfortably; not able to see the one through the tinted glass of the car.

He hopped out; as majestically as he ever would; the great undeniable Kassim Aliyu Ardo. He first set his eyes on Muntasra and she looked at him as her heart skipped a beat. What a strange feeling!

She briskly bade Hayfah goodbye and drove out.

As awkward as it was, Kassim smiled at Hayfah and walked towards them, fixing his eyes on a smiling Mysha. This was the first time they were meeting in two years. He came back home when they were in Istanbul, and he couldn't go there; because Adyan was still not taking a word out of it. He still didn't forgive him.

"Welcome back, Hamma Kassim. The house was full with the exemption of only you." Hayfah smiled and handed him Mysha, the girl didn't bulge as she wrapped her tiny arms around his neck.

"Thank you Umm Mysha. How is everyone doing? Where's my tiger of a brother?" He chuckled at the thought of Adyan. He missed him like he had never, because then they could talk on phone and even make a video call; but this was different. Kassim remembered the first time he called him, and Adyan almost turned to a tiger.

"Here's over there, let's go and see him first." She answered and started walking towards the the hut when Kassim's voice halted her.

"I'm very sorry, Hayfah." And she looked at him with a smile.

"Hamma Kassim, you were forgiven two years ago. Now let's go and seek for that tiger's forgiveness!" He chuckled and readjusted Mysha on his arms before they walked over the hut.

Adyan saw them from afar and his brows knitted. He missed his brother but doesn't think he can forgive him this soon. Hayfah entered the hut first and sat beside Adyan while Kassim sat opposite them.

Their eyes met and Kassim smiled, looking away. He could see a pout forming on Adyan's lips, and tears blinding his vision. They had a staring contest for over five minutes before Kassim spoke first.

"Are we still bad? Do you want a ride on my new blue bicycle? Or you want my toy car as a compensation? Wait, let's go to Sorella so she could make you an extra large Samosa and mine a medium size. Or better, Dad should take you to the company and I stay so Malam Zakiru would beat me because I didn't memorized my hadda."

Their eyes were all misty by the time Kassim closed his mouth to take in some breath. They had the best childhood, having each other as bestfriend.

Adyan pouted and crossed his hands over his chest. "I don't want any of these. I want my big brother to give me a hug, peck me on the cheek and hush some jice words to me. He should also let me sleep in his room today, we should have dinner and go out on a walk. She should write love letters to Sorella and take her out on a date while Dad nag for eternity before we come back. Or, is that much to ask?"

With tears, Hayfah walked over to Kassim and took Mysha off his hand. She watched as Adyan ran to him and engulfed him in a hug before they all broke into tears. Those two years were the most miserable years of their life. They learnt their lessons the best way.

Hayfah went back to the living room and dabbed away the strays of tears on her face. She wants to surprise he family by seeing Kassim and Adyan together.

Not long ago, their voices were heard as they lifted up the courtain and walked into the living room; hand in hand. They both stood up and watched them with mouths wide agape. Kassim and Adyan looked at eachother and hugged themselves. It was good having eachother back.

"I'm not understanding this. Kassim, when did you came back? And Adyan when did you two started talking?" Mom stuttered and walked towards them with tears and a smile playing on her lips.

"Well...let's thank The Queen Of Hearts herself!" They all answered while looking at Hayfah that was smiling widely.

Mom hugged them together and broke into silent tears. They hugged her back and kept drawing some soothing circles on her back before breaking their hug. They walked towards Mama and hugged her one by one. Then handshake follows between the mean, and pleasantries were shared with Amna.

"Young man, what's your name?" Kassim asked Aliyu that was dumbfoundedly staring at him. It was obvious the young boy had never seen him before.

He reluctantly moved towards Kassim's outstretched hands and leaned in. "My Name is Aliyu Mustapha Wamakko. These are my mother's, then sisters here; and my brothers. You are?" They were all amazed by Aliyu's words, he seemed to be well equipped.

Kassim's chuckled softly and answered, "My name is Kassim Aliyu Ardo. These are my mother's too, then brothers, and sisters. And I've gotten myself an addition of a brother right?"

"Sorry I forgot about Mysha, she's my niece!" Kassim and Aliyu spoke at the same time, and the whole family broke into a series of laughter, Mysha joining them as if she understood it was all because of her.

Alhaji Aliyu Ardo stood by the curtains and watched as his family laughed happily. She cleared his voice and entered the room with a salam. Their laughters subsided down and they looked at him, answering back his salam.

"What a happy family we are. I think we should leave for Umrah next week, what do you think?" Dad suggested, and they all cheered to say their relentless.

"All bills on me, everything. These young men here feeling themselves doesn't have to spend a penny, the old tycoon is adorning the trip!" And they laughed at how he bounced towards his wife and pecked her cheeks.

"We're all going out on a date by 8pm. We're only going in pairs, if you know you don't have a pair please stay back!" Kassim informed and laughed at how everyone started looking at each other to see if they really have a pair.

"Me and my Neema have our well granted ticket to this date." Dad spoke first, entwining their hands.

"I'm taking my favorite woman on earth, out on a date." Tahir exclaimed and entwined their hands together with Mama's. They all chuckled.

"Rania knew she has no one but me, and we live each other so much right?" Adyan leaned forward and landed a peck on her cheeks. She blushed, used to his cheesiness around their family.

"My Baby Mama would have the sweetest date of her life today." Jibril proclaimed and fondled Amna's stomach, they all gushed.

"Who's the only one stuck then?" They all cheered pointing at Kassim that was palming his face with both hands.

"Okay okay. Hayfah you're not going with Mysha, she'll spoil the show. Aliyu is staying also, together with Baba Audi (the new maid). And I'll take my beautiful sister with me!" He exclaimed and wrapped his hand around Rayhan's shoulder.

She looked at him a bit startled and smiled. "Baby Ray, would you be my date?" He asked with a sweet voice, and Rayhan shyly nodded her head, hiding her face on Kassim's chest_to block away the cheers coming from their family. They were happy, hearts filled with love.

Alhamdulillah!!!! Ya Allah, this feels so unreal!

Is the journey really over!!! As in over completely? I couldn't thank Allah enough!

Hayfah's journey has finally come to an end.

I had alot of characters I love, but none beats my love for her.

I learnt alot while writing this book!

Do you have Questions? Slide through my dm or in the comment section.

I'll do a casting session, we ought to see Adyan and Hayfah's faces! Even Kassim's!

Started on 19 December 2017

Finished on 13 February 2019

Alhamdulillah.