Chapter 68: Chapter 68

“How’s your family mahmud? You have completely forgotten about us.”

“They're all fine, mommy. I have been a little busy with work that’s why I don't call often now. I’m so sorry, in sha Allah I will try my very best to be calling you more often.” She heaved a sigh over the phone and smiled. “It’s okay, do greet your wife for me please,” she said softly. “In sha Allah mommy. My regards to adila and daddy.” He finally ended the call with habiba’s mother.

He brushed his hand in his hair and sighed. She sat there looking at him. She knew he was thinking of his ex wife, habiba. It pained her to see him like that but she couldn't judge him. She wouldn't blame him for missing her. Habiba was a good person. “She's in a better place in sha Allah,” she uttered massaging his shoulders. He looked up at her and smiled through his bloodshot eyes. “In sha Allah,” he murmured. He rose up from the bed and wore his cap.

“I need to get to the office now, we have a meeting in an hour and I’m already late thanks to my beautiful, clingy wife.” She giggled and hugged him. “I am always alone and bored here. it’s been two months now but you refused to allow to go back to work yet. And you don’t come back early.” She pouted and batted her lashes. He looped his arms around her shoulders. “I’m following daddy’s orders. He said you should spend at least three months resting and he’s right. You need all the rest you can get.” She rolled her eyes at him and groaned.

“Well what about the maid we've talked about? this house is too big for me to do the chores alone. What if I go back to work? Please consider that.” She pouted and tilted her head. He sighed and rubbed the space between his eyes, “okay fine. I will call ummah and ask for one of her maids or she would look for one for you, Is that okay?” He asked and she nodded. “Thank you,” she murmured and hugged him one last time.

She accompanied him outside and headed back inside. And as he promised, after few hours her maid was sent from ummah by fadila.

“Please come in, you can't just come to my house without at least taking anything,” she ushered fadila in. She eyed her from head to toe before hissing. “Your house? Does that even sound right or convincing to you? Someone who already sold herself on the streets? You must be kidding me...” She hissed again before walking to her car. Maryam stared at fadila till she drove out of the compound. She sighed and walked back to the living room where she left the maid there.

“What’s your name?” She asked the maid who was sitting on the carpet few inches away from her. She raised her head and looked at maryam for brief seconds. “My name is Amira, Ma,” she responded, head ducked. Maryam smiled a bit and nodded. “Come let me show you to your room. You'll start your work by tomorrow because I’ve done everything already,” she spoke while they walked towards one of the rooms downstairs.

**

“Here Amira, this is for you.” She handed her the leather. Amira washed her hands in the sink and claimed the leather hesitantly. She opened it and looked up to maryam. “But aunty... this is too much, I can’t take it.” She shook her head briskly as she handed it back to maryam. Maryam furrowed her brows, arms akimbo, “so now I can’t give you anything again? I noticed you needed new clothes that’s why I bought these for you for now. Please take it and use them, this is a gift from me to you and don't ever do this to me whenever I give you something.”

Amira nodded, head ducked and thanked her ceaselessly. It’s been two weeks now since Amira started working. Though Amira doesn't talk much, they still have a little convo whenever mahmud wasn't around. And with Amira being there, maryam learned more on cooking.

“When you're done with the dishes, you're going to the nearby market to get some things for me,” she informed her. Amira nodded and thanked her again. Immediately after she was done with the chores, she went straight to maryam’s living room. Maryam listed everything she needed and gave her enough money for the foodstuffs she wanted.

Amira got ready and headed out. She walked calmly by the road side waiting for a commercial car to pass by. She stopped walking and sighed. Luckily, it wasn’t sunny that much that day. She looked to her left and right but no sign of any commercial car. She walked towards the main road. A car honked at her but she never turned. She knew she wasn't on the road, why was that person honking at her? She continued walking but fast and cautiously.

“Salamu alaikum, wait please,” she heard the intruders voice. She turned and looked at her. “Wa’alaikumus salam, how may I help you please? I am in a hurry,” she spoke looking at Nadia that looked so familiar to her. “You must be Amira right? Ummah’s maid but you're now with maryam,” she spoke nonchalantly as she fixed her abaya veil. Amira stared at her in awe as she nodded. “Don't be surprised please as I will tell you who I am and what I want from you. I promise, you'll never work as a maid ever again if you do what I want. Heck you'll leave this country so as you do what I want.”

Her heart pounded fast against her chest as her eyes widened. Who was she? What does she want from her? “What do you mean? What do you want?” She asked agitated. Nadia chuckled softly. “Don’t be scared. I just want to help you. Now, enter my car so we’d talk properly and I will give you a great deal as long as you fulfil my needs.”

Amira hesitated before nodding and she entered nadia’s car. “Now my name is Nadia and I suppose you know mujahid and you know he has a wife,” she stated and Amira nodded. “You're his wife,” she implored. Nadia chuckled and nodded, “ex wife actually. Your boss maryam ruined everything. She got in the way and ruined my marriage,” Nadia spat hitting the steering wheel. Amira looked at her, mouth wide opened. She couldn't believe what Nadia was saying. Maryam was too nice and innocent to do such. But, you can't judge a book by it’s cover.

“That’s why I need your help to get revenge for what she has done. I promise you, no one would know you had anything that has to do with what will happen to her. No one will get any clue that you have a hand in it....” Then she told her everything she needed Amira to do.

Amira covered her mouth with her hands and shook her head. “I can't... no.... please I can’t do it...”

“You will get millions of Naira for this, thats a farewell to poverty for you and your family.”

“Have I told you that I was poor? Just because I am a maid does not mean that I am desperate. Please, keep your money and stay away from me and also her else I will expose you.” She made an attempt to leave but Nadia held her hand.

Nadia felt the urge to strangle her but she restrained herself. Amira was stubborn, she observed. “Amira, I know you think maryam is a good person but she isn't, trust me... she has hurt me, not just me alone but many people, just look at me, I’m in so much pain cause of her so please, help me. If you where in my shoes, you'd understand. And don't forget, you're not doing it for free.”

Amira kept mute while she had a thought about it. She was afraid of getting caught. This could take her to jail or even sentenced to death. But the money... it could change her life. Change her siblings life and her sick mother. But what would she tell her mother about the money? This is a great opportunity to change her life and she can't afford to mess it up. “Sooo? What do you say? You're in?” Nadia asked impatiently. Amira sighed and nodded, “I'll do it.” Nadia smiled bright, “you made the right choice Amira.”

“I hope I did,” she murmured, helplessly.

“Now about the plan. I want it to be done by tomorrow immediately after her husband is out and when you're sure she's in her room. Just relax and don't act all weird and suspicious else she’ll suspect something.” Nadia repeated her plan one last time before she gave Amira a phone they'll be communicating with the other horrendous men they'll do the rest of the job for them. She dropped her off at the market before they parted ways.

**

He pins her against the door as he lays kisses on her neck, his hands weaving through her hair. “Mahmud, I told you, I’m really sleepy and I’m not in for it tonight.” She slowly pushed him off her body and moved to their bed. She laid down on the bed and covered her body with the quilt. He stood there looking at her every move. He sighed as he moved to the bed and sat down on the side drawer. He pulled the quilt away, “sit down let’s talk.” She looked at him and exhaled.

“Manha is there anything wrong with you? You have not been yourself since I came back today.” She looked at him in awe. He never ceases to amaze her. The fact that he could sense the slightest change in her mood elites her. “You heard my car pulled over at the parking space but you didn't come out like you always did. You were quiet during dinner and when we were watching tv. Is there anything I need to know, manha?” She shook her head slowly. “I’m fine, I promise. It’s just that.... I don't even know...” She breathed out and swallowed the lump in her throat.

He knelt down in front of her and held her shoulders, “whatever it is, just know that I am always here for you babes and I will always support you in any way. Tell you what, you will resume work tomorrow, will that make you happy?” Her eyes sparkled as she nodded sprightly. “Are you serious, babe? Tomorrow?” She asked, having high hopes. He nodded with a soft smile. “It’s already getting late so I will call daddy tomorrow morning to inform him about your resumption. And also inform that your weird assistant that you’re resuming tomorrow.” He stood up from the marbled tiles and sat down beside her. She chuckled softly, “Amanda you mean. I will email her right now,” she stated.

“Yes her, and I will be the one to take you to the clinic tomorrow but I have to go to the airport because I have a meeting to attend to and I promise, it won't take long.”

And as he promised, the next day after he left for work, she went to her room and got ready for work. Amira on the other, she called Nadia that moment and told her everything that was going on in the house. “My boys will be on their way now, you know what to do before they arrive.” Nadia ended the call. Amira inhaled and exhaled while she walked out of the house to the gate. She met the gate man sitting on the bench, having his breakfast.

“Yauwa, malam audu madam said I should give you money to buy bread for her. She needs it now because she hasn't eaten her breakfast yet.” She handed him the money. He looked at her for brief seconds before taking the money. He has been with mahmud for years and he has never been sent to buy such things. She scratched the back of her head nervously, “you're going now right? She is waiting for you.” He responded while he nodded.

She stood there waiting till he stood up and left. Just ten minutes after he left, she received a call from one of the men. She opened the gate for them. “Just do everything quick before she notice I’m not in the house.” They briskly went to maryam’s car, under her car to cut the brakes.

Maryam descends down the stairs to the kitchen while she was on a call with mahmud. “Where are you now? It’s past 10am already, babe.” She stepped into the kitchen to find it empty. The plate and mug mahmud used for breakfast was unwashed. She tilted her head, peering at it. “I am almost home. i will be there in like 5 minutes or even...” She ended the call and stepped out of the kitchen. One thing she hates is an untidy place.

She walked to Amira’s room but she wasn't anywhere in the room or bathroom. A call came through and she annoyingly looked at her phone. She sighed and answered the call. She walked over to the window in the living room. “Sorry I didn't know when....” she gasped, her words caught in her throat as the peeped from the window. “Manha? What is it?” He asked, panicky. “Where are you now? Don't enter the house. Call the police,” she lamented. “What? What’s happening?”

“Just call the police, now!” She yelled before ending the call. No doubt it was him... she could never forget his face. What was he doing in her house? Why was he talking with Amira? Who was under her car?

She quickly went to the door and locked it. Her heart pounding fast against her chest. She looked at her phone that was vibrating nonstop. “I have called them and they're on their way but tell me what is happening?” He asked worriedly. He was already outside the house. “He’s in he house. The man that abducted me. Wallah he’s the one. I don’t know what they're doing to my car. Amira is there too....” Before she could even speak further, he cut the call.

69- 70: WHEN BEST FRIENDS LOVE (II)

“Malam Audu where are you now?” He inquired, eyes fixed on the road to see if the police would arrive anytime soon. “Alhaji, I was sent in an errand to buy bread. But I am already on my way back.” Mahmud ended the call and stepped out of the car. He was about to enter when they finally arrived. “please let’s head in, I will explain everything when we enter.”

They stepped into the house same time the men were heading out. The police men handcuffed the two men and also Amira. “Innalillahi wa’inna ilaihir raji’un. Alhaji I can explain, please I have nothing to do with this... it’s your brother’s ex wife, by Allah she's the one that sent them,” Amira lamented, her body shook and the adrenaline coursing through her system was shutting down her ability to think or even do anything. She tried escaping from the police man but it was unworkable. “Then what are you doing here with them?” Mahmud asked through gritting teeth.

Malam audu stepped in to see what was happening. He looked at his boss to the criminals and policemen holding them. “Who sent you to buy this?” Mahmud asked pointing at the leather he was holding. “It was this girl that sent me. She told me hajiya needed bread right away so I had to go buy it now,” he explained. Mahmud chuckled infuriated.

“Who sent you guys?” One of the policemen asked. “Haven't this girl already told you who we’re working for? Why are you asking again?” One of the heinous men responded. This wasn't his first time being in jail and this won't be the last time he will be out of jail in no time. “I know who their boss is and we’re going there now. Just give me a minute to go check up on my wife.” He excused himself and walked towards the entrance.

He knocked on the door when he realized it was locked. She peeped through the peeping hole before she opened it. He wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her close, gently rubbing her back. “He’s the one. I can never forget that face that ruined my life.” Her eyes were burning and her chest felt heavy as if it was filled with lead. He held her closer and stroked her back. All the memories came back rushing at once. She was afraid. “Your life is not ruined, manha. I know your future is great and bright, and I can't wait to see you shine like you should.” He broke the hug as he started wiping the tears away. “Everything is coming to an end now and I will not rest till I make sure they're punished according to what they did to you and amatullah, okay?” She slowly nodded and sniffed. He smiled and kissed her forehead.

“Nadia was the one that sent them but I am not sure what she sent them to do. All I know is that we’re going there now to get her arrested.” He held her hand and took her up to their room. “Just wait for me here, kinji? I won't stay long.” He assured her before leaving.

**

She looked at his face like he had grown two heads. She rubbed her eyes again with her fingers and peered at his face again. This must be a dream. It can't be him. “Nadia it’s me, mujahid. I know you must be surprised to see me,” he spoke beaming brightly at her. “Maybe I was so harsh on you and I shouldn't have divorced you without at least calming down. I am so sorry for all that happened and I am here to take you back.” One minute, two minutes but she didn't utter a word. It must be a dream.

She break down into tears and engulfed him in a hug. “I am so sorry too, mujahid. Life has been so hard for me without you. I missed you so much and I promise to be the best wife ever. I promise, I’ll change.” He patted her back and kissed her head. “It’s Okay, I’m here now and I won’t leave you again.” He assured her as he held her closer. “Come, let’s head in. I'll inform mammy that you're here.” She said while leading the way to their main living room.

She rushed to her mother’s room and barged into the room excitedly. Mammy scrambled up from her bed placing her hands on her chest. “What sort of stupidity is this Nadia? How can you just barge into my room like that?” Mammy bayed at her but she didn't even care to apologise. “Mammy, he's here. He came back for me. Mujahid is here and he wants to take me back.” She saw the shock registered on her mother’s face. “Mammy come out now, he’s at the main living room. I will get some refreshments for him.”

She stepped out of the room and headed to the kitchen. She ordered the maids to bring some refreshments for him before she went back to where she left him. “Mammy will be out soon,” she informed as she settled down beside him. “Babe I’m so happy to see you. I've missed you so so much, please don’t leave me again.” She hugged his arm and laid her head on his shoulder. He was about to reply her when they heard the door bell together with a loud bang on the door. She furiously looked up. One of mammy’s body guards opened the door and troops of policemen came in. Her heart did a loud tug as she scrambled up.

She scanned through the police men, her two men has been captured and also Amira. “What’s happening here? What are you doing in my house?” Mammy appeared in the living room. Nadia knelt down and broke into tears knowing her end has come. “I’m doomed!” She lamented as one of the policemen handcuffed her. “Hey what’s going on? Where are you taking my wife to? What has she done?” Mujahid bombarded them with questions. “One; for getting my wife raped, two; for murdering amatullah and for breaking into my house and attempted to kill my wife by cutting the brakes of her car,” he stated, hands in his pocket.

Mujahid jerked back and looked at Nadia that was rolling around the carpet and muttering words. “Nadia? You were trying to kill maryam? Again? What has she done to you now?” He asked, disappointed. “Because she was the reason why you divorced me. She was the reason why I am this way now. I hate her and I don’t wish to ever see her breathing!” Mammy’s eyes bulged out at her daughter’s words. So this what her daughter did? She killed someone? Molested someone and now she was trying to kill someone again.

“Officer, please take them away. The rest of the men have to be captured today!” Mahmud ordered them. “No please don't... mammy, don't let them take me away.. mujahid, no please I just reunited with my husband today...please...” The police men paid no attention to her wails, neither did her mother did. She was out of words, how was she going to defend her daughter for this?

She followed them to the station and no matter how she tried to bail Nadia out, they refused to give her out under mahmud’s orders. The rest of the men were captured and were to be taken to the court in two weeks.

Later that day, mahmud finally went back home to his wife. She was in their bedroom fast asleep. He focused on her face, beaming at the sight of it. He caressed her face and planted a soft kiss on her forehead before getting up. He stripped off his uniform and took another bath before performing ablution.

He stepped out of the bathroom as he dried his hair with a small towel. She sat upright, looking at his face to his bare chest. “You're back,” she murmured. “How long was I asleep?” She asked getting off the bed. “I have no idea, babe. I got back few moments ago.” He responded while going through their closet. He brought out one of his jallabiyas and wore it before praying maghrib. She also prayed before they settled down to discuss about what happened earlier that day.

He settled down beside her on the bed. “My first day got ruined,” she lamented as she pouted. He couldn’t help but chuckle. “It’s okay babe, you can still go to work tomorrow,” he assured her. She placed her head on his shoulder and sighed. “What’s going to happen to them?” She asked as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Well, they will be taken to court in two weeks. I have hired a lawyer already and I am sure they will serve punishment according to what they did.” He explained everything that happened including the part where he met mujahid at Nadia’s place.

And as he said, after two weeks. Nadia and the rest were taken to court. The men that killed amatullah were sentenced to death while Nadia was sentenced to life imprisonment. And for Amira, she would be taken to prison also for few months. Life was now great for maryam and mahmud. It was not easy for the best friends but at the end, they were finally together and happy. It was not easy for mujahid to get over what has happened but he managed to move on with his life and focus on his work for now. He believes his own soulmate was out there somewhere.

**

3 months later....

Maryam wanted to kill whoever termed morning sickness. She felt like she had the most terrible hangover all the time. She was nauseous and liable to vomit at the slightest provocation. She couldn't even fill up her car with petrol without the fumes making her wretch and heave. And it lasted all day. How could anything so natural feel so bad? it was worse than gastric flu, at least with the flu you knew it would be over in few days. But This could go on for another two months.

She heard the knock from the door but she ignored it. The door squeaked open and the intruder peeped from the door. “Doctor do you need anything? Coffee or tea, just anything....” Amanda knew her boss was pregnant she has been trying her very best to take care of maryam but the pregnancy was making her to be very stubborn. “Doctor I think you should go home and rest, it’s already past 2pm, you need to go home and rest.” Maryam finally raised her head from her desk. “Okay, Amanda, you win,” she said as she stood up. “I will go home now, thank you for your concern.” Amanda smiled and nodded before leaving.

Maryam packed her things and headed out of the clinic. She drove home as she thought of a possible way to tell her husband she was six weeks pregnant. Her mother knew, heck even aydah knew but they all figured it out themselves due to how she has been dealing with morning sickness. She tends to get surprised that he still haven't figured out she was carrying their baby. She suppressed a smile as she find her way home.

His call came through as she headed into the house. “Babe, how are you doing? You texted me that you weren't feeling good. You see, I asked you last night if you were okay and you said yes, this morning too your temperature was high but you said it was nothing.” She suppressed her laughter and sighed. “Yes babe but please just come home right now. Please don't say no,” she pleaded. “How could I say no to you, manha? I will be on my way. Just get ready before I get home, we’re going to the hospital.” He briskly ended the call.

She chuckled and shook her head. She entered the house and went straight to their bedroom. She brought out her first aid kit and brought out two pregnancy kits to run a test before he gets back. After she has done the test, she laid down on the bed and waited for his arrival.

She tried to keep her eyes open but it was impossible. The soft bed wasn't helping. Soon, that was all she was aware of: the soft mattress underneath her, the warmth of the soft sheets around her. Her eyes began to drift close. She was blissfully unaware of what was going on around her. Then it was just her and her dreams.

Out of no where, she heard his voice calling her name as he tapped her gently. She sat upright. “I fell asleep,” she murmured looking at his worried face. “Yes babe, your body is so hot. We need to get to the hospital now,” he spoke as he helped her to get up. “No mahmud, I have to show you something. We don’t need to go to the hospital.” She held his had and pulled him towards the bathroom but he stood still. “Don't even start manha, I know you're a doctor but you need to be checked up please. We need to go now and stop being stubborn.”

“No mahmud I need to show you something,” she argued. “Please just come, it’s very important.” He looked at her for brief moment and sighed. “Okay, wait here, I will be back now,” she said as she made her way to the bathroom. She held the kits behind her back as she walked towards him smiling. “Now close your eyes,” she said excitedly. “Just close it please, babe,” she insisted when he tried to protest. He sighed and closed his eyes like she wanted. She held the two kits up excitedly. “Open your eyes now.” He slowly opened them and looked at what she was holding. For a second he couldn’t figure out what was it. “We’re six weeks pregnant,” she announced.

She saw the astonishment written on his face before it changed to a bright smile. “Are you serious? You're pregnant? When did you find out?” He bombarded her with questions. She nodded sprightly, the tears of joy finally escaped. “I found out two days ago.” He gently enfold her in a hug as he muttered ‘Alhamdulillah’ multiple times. “I am going to be a father?” He asked wiping her tears as the happiness soaked right into his bones. “Yes babe in sha Allah.” She responded. She looked up at him with her tear stained face and kissed him soft and slow. He placed his hands around her waist and deepened the kiss. As they parted, she saw his eyes sparkled and lips curve up into a smile and she couldn't help but smile back.

“Thank you for being you, for sharing your love with me, for inspiring me to accept myself... for helping me see the unique beauty in imperfection.... For showing me that love is something you do; something not just to be said but also to be shown.” He smiled to reveal his straight, pearly white teeth. It was all worth the wait because he knew when best friends love, it was a painful journey but that was all a history now as they were living happily and he finally sealed their love with a kiss.

THE END.....