Chapter 51: Chapter 51
ABUJA, NIGERIA.
Arriving at the Masari mansion, she walked inside with bounces to her step after finding out that her father in-law is inside the house currently and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity that she won't waste. She is going to make sure she talks to him calmly and teasingly to get through him, that is the only way she can get through her father in-law. He does not listen to serious matters, he likes it to look playful and a bit light. He is fragile now, he can't afford being so disheartened by something again.
A smile took over her face seeing her father in-law lounging inside the garden of the house with a newspaper and hot cup of green tea. He really should spend some times like this all alone with his peace, he should not wallow in self pity. Maybe they are both on the same page mourning over their partner's deaths, she hopes they can go through that without heart problem especially him, for his weak age. Their difference is, he's been married to his wife for thirty whole years while she is only married to Mika'il for two years, there are differences between them. His own heartbreak will run way deeper than hers.
"Hello there, old man!" She hollered from the door to the garden so he can acknowledge her presence before she arrives, he shouldn't be startled. Her moves much more stretcher when he returned the smile like he wasn't going through a tough heartbreak.
"Hello there, young woman." His teeth are shining while his hands fold the newspaper and kept it aside on the wooden table between the two chairs there. He looks fresher and calmer than the Malik Masari few days ago, it is definitely a good sign.
"You look much more happier, I'm glad." She beamed then sat down on the chair close to him forgetting about the etiquette of asking whether she should sit. This is her father in-law she is talking about, he is always cool with her.
"Same goes to you. What brought you here this blessed Sunday?" He has his whole attention to her, giving her closer look to see whether she is alright and not as she was days ago. She's been disheveled after the death of his wife and son even after what that said son did to her.
"Ah, you sound like you don't want me here, Daddy." She pouted then grinned again and continued, "I came to talk to you about something actually."
"Now I'm afraid of what you want to talk about now with those mischievous eyes. Can we postpone this 'talks' you want to have with me? I need some doses of energy to listen to you." He grinned at his ex daughter in-law's pout who is more like a daughter to him right from the beginning. He never treated her as a daughter in-law, he has been much closer to her than his own kids back then. She was the one who helped brought them closer as a family, he appreciates her effort and will forever be indebted.
"You don't want me to talk to you now? I feel like you have disowned me." She feigned being mad at him and turn her back to him in annoyance but then she heard him sigh so she knew she has penetrated the wall he built around the matter at hand. Maybe he has a hunch of what is going on, well.
"That's not it, spit it out now." He crossed his arms over his chest like a grumpy child. Everyone has been talking to him about this since a week ago, he is tired of hearing the same thing, they should let him be. It is not easy for him going through this and now another trouble? Please, let him grieve in peace.
"Daddy..." She took a hold of his hand in her gentle frail ones, her eyes fixated on his hand because this man is more like a father to her than a man who gave birth to her ex dead husband. He's built a place in her heart that no one can ever take, just like her belle meré did, the place is still void and filled with their memories together.
"You've heard about this matter not once or twice and you might think I want to say the same thing huh? No, I'm going to say it in a different way which might coax you to think about it." Her words were soft but the impact they were releasing are much stronger than the emotions surging through her blood at the moment. She can't believe there would come a day where she has to say this to her father in-law. Allah plans everything, it's amazing how the roles are being played and how destinies are changed. Some things are never foreseen no natter how much you feel you know.
"Ha, I hope so too." He chortled to lighten up the mood of the matter at hand. He do not wish to have this talk with anyone, especially not his daughter in-law who can easily make him jump into everything with a few words. She should join NGO sometime and run it, she can motivate many with her ways.
"Bellé Meré would not want you to be miserable like this and I am darn sure she is thinking about ways to make you get married again to this so called cousin of yours. From what I've been hearing about her, she is a really nice person who won't try taking belle meré's place but will help you cope with her loss. We need to move from the past or the past would never let us leave, we make the effort then it helps us. I am not saying you should instantly marry, take your time but give a positive answer. We won't stop bothering you about it except if you bring someone you want to marry, hmm. Do you have someone lurking around, Daddy?" She inquired innocently, her eyes twinkling from concern and seriousness to mischief.
"What are you saying?" He blushed shaking his head, his daughter in-law can make situations change drastically with few words.
"Who knows? Those doctors and nurses in your hospital are always ogling at you, it makes belle meré jealous so you never know." She continue to jest, making it easier for him to say his mind to her. She understands his situation, he can confide in her whenever he wants.
"No doctor or nurse is giving me any glance, stop that. And about marriage, I will definitely think about it after meeting the woman. I don't want her to expect what can never happen, I don't want to give anybody false hopes. I'm not saying that my life stopped moving after my wife's death but I am saying, nothing is going to be the same ever again. I will meet her for your sake and everybody's." He explained, his throat tightening thinking about giving anyone a chance, he don't want to go through that ever.
"That is enough to make my day, Daddy! I will ask them to not push the matter further and let you take the next step whenever you are ready." She leaped out of the chair and gave him a brief hug before rushing into the house to meet his other daughters.
He is glad his daughter in-law is not trapped in the past like he had. He's heard about her almost attempted suicide and didn't like it at all, he hated his son for everything then and blamed it on him. His son was under something, he can be assured of that every time of everyday. His first suspect is also his sons second wife who had the guts to console him when she came and now, they are both death in the most tragic way anyone could think of. If only he could do something about it to stop what has happened in the past, he would've changed a lot of things starting from when he left home after iftar.
His wife got raped in their matrimonial room on their bed, there is nothing more tragic than this and for some odd peculiar reasons, he is happy that she's died. She wouldn't have been able to take up the heartbreak that comes with being a victim of rape and not to forget, at her old age when she thinks she is not anymore appealing but a younger man did see something. He wouldn't want to console her in that situation for he can't, the trauma would've lead to so many things. It's better for her to rest in peace, the man is punished according to the law and no amount of connection will bring him out.
"Why do you think I would like the idea of my father getting married? You are nuts!" Kauthar thundered staring at Bushra like she's grown three heads in front of her. The latter only shrugged with a naughty smile and Kauthar won't lie, she is happy that the girl is finally smiling.
"You have to like it, my dear friend. If he doesn't get married, he won't ever be able to move on and you guys won't ever understand who your father is anymore. It's not like you guys must acknowledge her as your mother, nah, she won't have that space but you can only respect her as your father's wife. And she don't have any problem, you also know that. You don't want him trapped, do you?" She inclined her head for she is serious about the matter. Kauthar is jealous for her mother which is understandable, any girl would feel that for even Bushra feels jealous for her dead mother in-law.
"I think Ya B is right. Dad needs someone now in his life, we can't fill that void of a wife. Mom would want that too you know, she would scold us if we don't let him do that. Her soul might never rest in peace if she finds out that we are all not happy. Mom is no more, we have to move on for her sake and be happy or she haunts us down." Afrah agreed crossing her arms over her chest like an adult and Kauthar rose her brow in surprise. Ah, her baby sister has grown so soon.
"I guess y'all are right for the first time in your lives. We need to move on but my fiancée is still not back!" Kauthar wailed the last sentence wanting to take the attention off her poor father. The man will be wrapped in a marriage to help him, that is something he needs to come around with. Ah, she can't think of doing something like that, not in this lifetime.
"Wait, he is not back yet? Your wedding is supposed to be next month!" Bushra knitted her brows, she wants to talk to her about their asoebi but this, nah.
Fahad, Kauthar's fiancee went MIA immediately after the court case when she got released and only texted her that he will be gone for a few months to deal with some stuff and the place he is going to won't have network for them to interact which was four months ago. Up until now, there is no trace of him and his family don't know where he disappeared to so suddenly which makes them more worried. Her father has already complained to the police and they say they will work on it but still, no news. They are keeping calm because of the recent text he sent her that he will be back soon.
That soon was a month ago, there still is no sign of him back.
"My wedding is really in a month, huh? Ah, I can't wait to get married and rub it on your face like you did me." Kauthar gave a naughty grin to Bushra who made a face as if she wants to vomit her guts out. Afrah did the same making Kauthar laugh, she can't help it.
Bushra's phone rang just then and she checked to see it was Fayha calling her. Uh oh, she's found out that she ran away without waiting for her and now she wants to ask where she is, oh well.
"Sup, couz? Are you treating my brother the way he deserves to be treated?" She teased, that is what she has been doing the whole day to make her mood. She vowed to never go through another bad day, she cannot.
"You ran away when I told you to stay, huh? I'm outside Kauthar's house, come talk to your brother." She hung up the phone and Bushra gulped, her best friend is mad at her but what can she do? She will keep doing this if it means giving them time to bond up before their marriage, they need it.
"I should go talk to Bambin outside, I'll be right back." She scrambled out of the room bumping into Amir and Anaan on the way, her daughter screamed for her but she didn't stop. She will send her brother off first before going to be bratty daughter who cries every time she sees her.
"I'll take care of her." She beamed at her brother who bid them adieu but didn't say she should take care of Fayha, she just teased him so he can learn to say it next time. She needs to sit with those brutes and teach them a lesson or two, they really don't have the romantic bone in them like Fayha had said.
"Oh, she can do that herself since she wants to deal with me as soon as I come back. She should have the freedom of the three months." He winked at Fayha who narrowed her eyes trying not to blush and Bushra stared at them with opened mouth and question marks filled her face. Oh well, she should not meddle with these people, she won't.
"You have a death wish before you leave, huh?" Fayha threatened but he only bowed down in mockery and gave that heart stopping smile he knows how to do and entered his car.
"Take care, future wife!" He called out and left the house compound in a flash leaving the two girls staring at the smoke he just left at his wake. Both of them not knowing how to react to this brother of theirs.
"Well, that was sure unexpected." Bushra mumbled underneath her breathe then yaw her attention to Fayha who still isn't back to her sense. Bushra has no doubt that in no time, she will fall in love with her brother and vice versa.
"Your brother is something else." Fayha grumbled and then move inside not waiting for Bushra. Bushra smiled mischievously, she could actually use them to make her life less boring. She could help cupid throw it's arrow, she will shot it directly.
"Are we going to start the wedding arrangement without the groom or wait for his return?" Fayha threw the question at the girls, they were talking about it when she walked in.
"I think we should start because it's going to be too late when he comes back. I can't sew everyone's clothes in less than a month, I'm not a machine." Bushra crossed her arms and huffed, begging Amir with her eyes to take her daughter away. The girl still wants breast milk once in awhile and this is one of the time.
"You're right, we can go shopping tomorrow then. I will try calling him again and hope he picks, really." Kauthar sighed and took her phone although something in her heart is telling that there will be difference this time around, a big one.
"Hello, the owner of this phone has been found dead earlier this morning just beside a dustbin in the outskirts of Abuja around..." Kauthar kept blinking then moved the phone away and return it again, then blinked and blinked and then... a scream tore out from her throat like a war cry startling all the occupants of the room. They immediately move to where she is and surround her, their eyes wide with fear of what they are going to hear.
"What is wrong, Thar?" Fayha asked, her eyes wide because she has a bad feeling about this and her guts feeling is never wrong.
"Talk please, share it with us. Why are you crying after a phone call? Did he break up with you now? Tell us!" Bushra shook Kauthar hard and the latter sputtered out the words she thinks will help them understand.
"He is dead!" And she lulled back and fainted again like she did when she found out about Mika'il's death.
The girls stare at the woman in their arms, eyes and mouths wife open in sheer shock and flabbergast! Not another death please, not to another Masari family, just not them.
This is where their tawakkuls get tested, a real test at that.