Chapter 55: Chapter 55

ABUJA, NIGERIA.

Down at the guest quarters of Masari's where Alhaji Aminu and Hajiya Saratu live, Mika'il's grandparents and their Gigi. There are a few guests that came from distant village to bathe in the riches after coming to help the family grieve for the lost of two people but they keep on prolonging their stay there for they cannot afford to go back to the village so soon and leave such luxurious lifestyle. If they go back home, they will continue eating one meal all the time and they won't even be full after they are done. And then a request came to them from above, that made their whole life better.

"Where is Badriyah?" Hajiya Saratu asked them when she walked into the room one blessed morning. She never stepped foot into the quarters ever since they came so they are surprised with what she wants now. They all rush to clean the place and look presentable when they heard about her sudden visit. She might send them away if they don't tidy up the place, the woman could care less.

"I'm here, Aunt." A small voice of a middle aged woman answered from behind the room as she was watching the scene unfold like the quite woman she has always been. She can't wait to go back home and meet her son, she couldn't come with him because he is old enough to take care of himself in the village.

"I have a proposal for you and I hope you would accept it." It was a request and it should sound like one but no, it was demanding like the matriarch herself. Her words are always straight to the point and she can make you dance to her tunes without you noticing.

"Yes, Aunt." Badriyah answered again feeling all sweaty inside her worn out Ankara oversized blouse and the hijab she refused to remove. Her mother and aunties will keep teasing her that she is matan mallam, she never cared, she likes closing herself because of insecurity.

"I want you to marry my son, Malik." She dropped the bomb and everyone in the room stilled like she suddenly started speaking another language they don't understand. A lot kept webbing through their minds but one thing is for sure, they won't turn down this proposal no matter what. They weren't the ones she asked but they answered her anyway.

Hajiya Saratu don't want her son to end up miserable. She might look heartless but he is her son, she's seen how out of place he looked at his wife's funeral. She's loved that wife of his because she showered her son with the love she couldn't, she changed him into a better person but she is no more, they will have to accept that. If he doesn't get married sooner, he might never get out of that deep pits of self wallow and pity. And then her grandson's death, that is also another reason her son needs a wife asap. The support that comes from a wife is different from any other, he needs that at this stage of his life.

If he doesn't agree to this marriage, she will just have to try one of her many schemes. She is doing it for his sake anyway, even Gigi will agree with her on this for the first time.

And there is no better candidate than Badriyah whose marriage fell immediately after she gave birth to her son twenty one years ago. She has been a single mother since then and Hajiya Saratu is not blind to see that the woman will bring the best out of her son like his first wife did. She is kindhearted, soft spoken, quite but intelligent person and also beautiful in that Fulani kind of way. If she gets them married, she will definitely die at peace. She's loved Badriyah since she was young, she was her favorite niece after all.

Some say she was the only one who could get through her, and they are very right. She wanted Malik to marry her since the beginning but he told them he has someone and they reluctantly agreed to his marriage. But fate has brought them back to the circle again, she can fulfill that dream of hers and unite them.

"Wow, that is a very good idea, sister. I didn't know you would request this, you cab always demand that she marries your son. He is her cousin and you are like her mother too, she will do as you request." Hajiya Saratu's younger sister Saudatu answered before anyone could open their mouths. Some people inside the room might just get jealous and won't let anything workout for them.

"Good, I'll take my leave now." Hajiya Saratu stood up and left the room quietly, not hearing any sound from the people behind till she was out of earshot.

"You are definitely going to marry him, Badriyah. I don't want to hear any excuse because this is your chance to remarry again and have a life. You can now take care of your son and yourself without burdening us, understand that." Her mother was quick to start dictating her life and all Badriyah could do is nod, she cannot do anything about it if her mother already said the final words. And besides, she can't say no to Hajiya Saratu too, her Aunt.

There are five people inside the room currently and all from the village. Badriyah's mother, her younger sister Asabe, and two of Badriyah's cousins that are married then Badriyah herself. The cousins are definitely jealous of her at that moment but she don't care, she won't explain herself to anyone. It's not like she went to Hajiya Saratu and begged her to get her hitched with her son. She would want to back out but she has crushed on Malik since young age, he just wasn't meant for her then but he is now. She will marry her childhood crush.

But the problems she's had with her first marriage makes her wary of marriage again, it doesn't always turn out for the best. Her ex husband is not a topic she wants to talk about, he is just not worth mentioning but has made great impact in her life. Men came rushing for her when they heard about her divorce but she didn't give none her attention, they might all be the same. But this, she will make it work no matter what people might think. Malik is different, deep inside she knows he is far too perfect for the world. His ex wife was very lucky to have him, he is now a widow she will get herself hitched to even if the universe is against their union.

Hmm, who would've thought she would be his wife two hours ago?

"Now that you have this chance, don't ever lose it or you'll forever be a loser." One of her jealous cousins chided and she knew that this so called cousin of here would have her marriage torn in no time just to marry Malik for herself. And to think she married their village's heartthrob, everyone likes the guy and she is really young, just twenty. She got married two years ago even though it is considered late, she was happy with him.

"I know right and she has crushed on him since childhood, remember?" The other one laughed though there is envy there, she still managed to crack joke. She is the type of person that try really hard not to be sad about someone else's achievements though you cannot help it sometimes. This is her way of coping and keep her envious self aside, Badriyah appreciated that too.

She just hopes they won't tell all their villagers about it right now, the lesser they know about it, the better the outcome. At least they should wait till the marriage commence, everything should follow after that. There are a lot of people waiting to ruin your life as soon as they see the light at the end of the tunnel especially her ex-husband, he would definitely want to ruin this little happiness coming her way. That man hates her with all his being and she don't know what she's done to deserve such hatred from him, she should hate him not the other way around for who he's turned her to be.

In all her thirty seven years old of living, she has never had an ounce of freedom like she is feeling that time. Yes, some might think this marriage won't be any freedom but that is a lie, she knows Malik since young age to know he is the only man that can brighten her life. She got married to her ex husband at the tender age of sixteen, she had to marry him or her family will starve. She's stopped crushing on Malik then because he has two children, she doesn't stand a chance with the man who packed to the city with his parents and grandmother so she also moved on and marry him.

So much happened in their household and she is not allowed to tell anyone outside their matrimonial home. Both her and her cowife are suffering, the woman end up dying while she was lucky to get a divorce after giving birth, she has never been happier. Now her son is back in the village but she is going to bring him there with her. Her pride and joy, is her twenty year old son Suhaib who always takes pride is taking after her. He despised being related to his father and never ever pay him any visit.

"Yes, you are right!"

-

Hanan grumbled while hissing because the next person that opened the gym door wasn't Murad as she has been anticipating since two days ago, the last time they talked and have coffee. He didn't call her nor texted her and she was getting tired of waiting anxiously for the message. She don't know how the friendship stuff work but he does so she expected him to make the first move, she needed him and wanted to tell him all about her past now, she wants to say it out loud for the first time. She has been itching to talk but the guy just disappeared out of nowhere, she hates it.

She don't have his number too, she can get it if she wants but she don't want to look too desperate. Besides, this might be how the friendship thingy works, she could just watch and learn too. It sounds too cringey coming from someone as great, arrogant as Hanan Yakasai but she want to keep talking to that man for a long time. He makes her desperate of attention, his attention and his tease, his naughty smile and mighty ideas of riling her up.

"If he won't talk to me, I will also act like he doesn't exist." She grumbled out loud then haul her backpack on her shoulder and made a move to leave only to get startled again by the man occupying here thoughts for the last couple of days. None other than Captain Murad Danbazau in all his glory wearing his army uniform making her salivate.

"Who are you going to ignore?" He gave her a once over and she blushed wanting to say you obviously but she made a poker face, he ignored her for two whole days after becoming her best friend.

"You of course." She rolled her eyes and sidestepped him feeling him following her in tow like a guard and the people inside the gym are staring at them. That is not her concern, she is focused on his explanation.

"Why were you thinking about ignoring me, best friend?" His voice is filled with jest but he wants to hear why she was thinking about that, he's got a hunch. She missed him huh?

"You ignored me like a plague after becoming my best friend, is that how the friendship works or is it just you?" She stopped outside the gym and narrow her eyes threateningly, she don't keep her mind shut whenever she feels agitated. Besides, she is always genuine and honest with her words and feelings, she says what she feels is right.

"Aw, she really missed me but don't worry, it wasn't intentional. A lot has been going on in the military base and being a Captain isn't at all easy you know? We have a special force coming up in about, eight hours from now and we are leaving to country X for a mission." He explained hoping she understands the soldier language and she did, he expected that. She is the President's daughter, she should know about the politics and forces in her country.

"How many days will it take?" Her voice now lowered, she bit on her lower lip. Is it true that he wouldn't intentionally ignore her? Has he been really busy for this mission? Well, it makes her feel better now knowing he was busy and all.

"Three months or more, no exact date." He sighed, they were formulating a good plan to submit in three hours on how they can easily penetrate the terrorist base in country X to save their countrymen and some of their soldiers that are still alive. There is also an important figure amongst the fifty civilians the terrorist kidnap so this is a serious mission and top secret away from media and other people in the world except the soldier's close families and he considers Hanan a dear one.

"That is long." She gulled because this is more like a suicide mission than a special force. She's heard about those things before her uncle retired when he almost lost his wife while he was at a war. That mission is suicide, you either come back alive or dead but that is what they swore to do, save their country.

"Yeah, I know. You missed me for just two days, I don't know what you will do after three months without me." He grinned, guiding her to the coffeehouse they went to the last time and she didn't kvetch, she wants to go there and have that dose of amazing treaty.

"Don't feel too special, Mr. Arrogant bastard." She rolled her eyes sighting Ateeq running to then with a shawl around his shoulder and a wide smile. She really likes the little guy, he us so hardworking and she would want to find out what his story is to work there at such a young age when he should be studying.

"Good morning, Auntie Hanan and Uncle Murad. Two cups again?" He beamed, his eyes twinkling as he stare at the both of them.

"Morning, little guy. Bring four cups today." She smile at him when his smoke widened really anticipating the money for four cups. She is only buying four because she wants to pay much then give him and his friends the coffee.

"Why four?" Murad question after Ateeq ran away and she shrugged, she feels shy all of a sudden.

"I want to tell you something. My past, I'm ready." She changed the topic, it is now or never. If she doesn't talk to him about her last before he leaves, she might go crazy keeling it inside of her for a long time.

"Are you sure? Don't tell me you think I'm going to die in this mission so you want to tell me everything." He pouted but she didn't get the joke in that at all and instead, her heart blew to her stomach. That is not a joke, her stomach has already twisted in the most odd way.

"Don't joke about death." Her eyes trickled with tears remembering her sister's death, she don't want to lose another person she is close to. Not when she finally have someone to call her best friend, he can't die on her now please.

"I'm just kidding, you can't get rid of me so soon." He wiggled his brows, took the coffee from Ateeq while she paid and gave him the other two culs to share with his friend. The little guy beamed at her in such happiness that makes her chest squeeze. She is going to do something great for the first time in her life, she could feel it.

"Good, because I'll haunt you down forever." She took a deep breathe and they started walking back to the empty pack they found. She is mulling on how to start talking yo him about her past so they are both quite during the trip.

"I was actually a naïve lady four years ago. But one twisted and tragic experience changed who I am and how I viewed the world. When I went to London to study, I met up with few new friends wanting to befriend me because I'm their country's president daughter, they are Nigerians. One day, we went to a party downtown and it was my first time partying and I wasn't sure about what happens in parties. I got drunk, extremely drunk at that. A guy came to me in a room inside the place and we both struggled for a long time before I took the safe pocketknife I always have inside me..." She trailed off, she don't want to talk about it but she has to, she wanted to say it.

"You don't have to." Murad scrunched his brows almost knowing what she was going to say next and his chest is wildly moving.

"I want to. I killed him on the spot and you know what is worse, I cleaned his blood and his body too because as soon as my hand penetrated his stomach with the knife, I was sober and I wish I never was. I panicked and instead of leaving the scene and just report that it was self defense, I couldn't do that in a foreign country. In my panic state, I cleaned his blood and place him on the bed with great difficulty. I called my father and he helped defend me in every possible way.

"I don't understand what happened but a week later, I was a changed Hanan. It all started as a pretense to make a reputation for myself so people won't come to take advantage of me like that man did. The charade ended when I came back to Nigeria and my sister, Zara continue to mock me about now naïve I was. So to show her that going to London has changed me, I became a real bitch that is afraid of nothing and no one. It was amazing at that time. People fearing me, the thrill that comes with it was unearthly.

"I guess that is what is still hurting me and I always get to have nightmares about that night. I consulted a doctor but he recommended a therapist, I have trust issues so I didn't go to any of my sessions. I really hope that after telling you this, I won't have them. The therapist said I need to get it out and I just did." She sighed, peering up to see his reaction and he was emotionless. She felt somehow, she wants to see what he feels and thinks.

"Wow, I didn't expect that. I hope it helps you too and if it doesn't, promise me you would consult a therapist?" He raise his brow, his eyes showing nothing but the concern he has for her. It overwhelmed her, she is feeling all fluttery inside of her.

"I will."