Chapter 98: Chapter 98

Zainab and Khalid were seated in the dinning room, about to take having breakfast when Hannatu served the dish. It was fried, Irish potatoes, plantain and egg. About to eat, Zainab grabbed Khalid's fork and said,

"This is my fork! How would you eat with it?!"

She cleaned it with the edge of her clothes but before she could start eating, Khalid angrily gripped it off her fist.

"Are you blind?! Can't you see it's my fork?!" He spat at her.

"No it's mine!" She collected it again from him. He twitched it away from her hand and she collected it again. Taking part of his fried plantain and crunching it into her mouth.

Hmmm... Delicious. She muttered mouthful, taking part of his fried egg to support it.

He finally collected his fork from her and covered his good. Zainab couldn't hold herself from laughing. He wore a funny face at her as she almost chocked. Khalid rushed to give her water to drink.

Watching these two from a corner made Hajia Fati feel so happy. She had tears in her eyes but she walked into her room instead.

Her husband, Alhaji Maikuddi was still in his room, preparing for work that morning when his wife entered.

"My love. There's something I want to tell you about." She proposed.

"Yes wifey, I'm all ears." He replied her, paying full attention to his beloved wife.

"Haven't you noticed Aliyah and Khalid these days?"

"Aliyah and Khalid? What about them?" He quirked an eyebrow, interestedly.

"I noticed that Khalid has been so close with her. The other day, I watched him asked Aliyah for forgiveness and they ended up hugging each other. I feel Khalid is willing and ready to learn. He's a changed leaf now darling, don't you see?"

"Really?" He asked as a smile lots up his puzzled face.

"Yes." She assured.

"Okay... That's good. So he won't be going to Kunchi, right?"

"Yes. He shouldn't go to Inna's place." Mrs Maikuddi replied excitedly. "And I was thinking... What if?"

"What if what?" He moved closer to his wife in a concerned manner.

"What if the both of them falls in love? What if they love each other? Perhaps, Aliyah might be the perfect girl for our son. Seeing them together makes me so happy. What do you think?" She asked her husband, staring at him closely.

"Subhanallah! Wo-men!! Wo-men!!!" He said sarcastically and huffed.

"What did I do?" She frowned. "Or am I wrong? Aliyah has a good heart and she'll just be the perfect wife for our son."

"Whatever... I'm going to work already. There's a meeting the the first bank governor this morning." Alhaji Maikuddi made an eye contact with his wife before grabbing his office bag.

"I don't want to delay you, my dear but... There's something I wanted to ask from you. Just like a favour."

"Okay. But, why don't you wait till I'm back from work, uhn?"

"Ugh! You're just like your son." Hajia Fati rolled her eyes at her husband and huffed. "Impatient."

"Okay, what it is?"?He tried to exercise patience with her a bit.

"I'd love us to send the both of them for Umrah next week."

"What?!" He jerked to her words like a?reaction from getting pinched.

"Only you took that decision alone, right?"

"Yes, my dear. It's not that bad, is it? Perhaps, Khalid has never visited the holy mosque. Let's give the both of them an opportunity to refresh their faith, seek for God's forgiveness and pray for God's success and good luck. The both of them really need it... They're all we have. Their our children now, especially Aliyah. Who knows? By visiting the holy mosque, Allah might open this doors of mercies upon her. And upon us too as well. I hope you understand my reason?"

"Yes... Yes, sure. There's wisdom in it. So when would they be going?"

"I suggest next week. It would be October by then and the weather would be moderate." She explained.

"Okay then. I don't have to think twice about this because I know it's what they need. Especially Khalid. He's turned into a new leaf so he needs Allah's Mercies and blessings, same thing with our daughter. I'll prepare their tickets between today and tomorrow. You should inform them and get them ready." Alhaji Maikuddi concluded.

"Okay my dear. I'll go ahead and break the good news to them. Thanks a lot for this." She hugged her husband tightly before he went to office.

***

After Alhaji Maikuddi left, Hajis Fati called Khalid into her room. She told him about her new plan for both of them (He and Aliyah) to visit Saudi Arabia for Umrah. Of course, Khalid was very excited but his mum warned.

"You'll have to take care of Aliyah. Nothing bad must happen to her no matter what!"

"Yes mum. I promise to protect her from any harm. We're now close friends and she's getting better by the day. Don't you see that Umma?"

"Yes my dear. I know. But still you mush be extra careful uh? She shouldn't leave your side." Hajia Fati emphasized the last word and hugged her son tightly. She couldn't believe he's a changed person in the matter of a month and couple of weeks. Something she couldn't have done. Aliyah has been a God sent indeed. Someone that hardly stays home is now someone that hardly leaves home. It's no doubt that Mrs. Maikuddi love this new side of her son. She felt proud.

"Okay mum. Ummm... I would like to take Aliyah out with me. Is it fine by you?" Khalid brought up.

"Out?"

Yes mum. Just for a little shopping. I'll just love to. And do you need anything from the shopping mall? I can get it for you.

Hearing Jim say this made Hajia Fati to stifle a laugh as she shook her head.

Sure... You can. Meet Hannatu and tell her to give you the list. And also, take this. She handed him two big boundle of Naira notes. For the shopping and all. She muttered.

Thank you mum. Khalid collected the money with a wide smile across his face. He looked happy doing all of these. I'll tell Aliyah to get prepared. He announced before he left.?

Hajia Fati couldn't help but to get emotional as tears tears of joy gathered in her happy eyes. She felt tears pricking gradually and filling her eyes as she make a dua'.

'Oh Allah, Make it easy for us as you've made it easy for those before us. Grant my children happiness and show Aliyah the way. In this Journey, let he come back with a fair and clear memory, for you are the best Planner.'

She broke down in tears of joy.

'Oh God, this is too real to be true.' A voice in her head whispered to her once more.

Later That Day...

Zainab and khalid got prepared to go out for shopping. Zainab wore a red, pink and black beautiful stylish gown. The one Hajia Fati bought for her when she the just joined their family. She put on a beautiful black veil and a glittery designed slippers to match.

On the other hand, Khalid dressed casually. He'd always love fashion though but he tried to look as simple as possible.

"What are you still doing?" A voice made him turn from staring at his reflection on the mirror. "Hakimi is waiting for us, bro!"

Khalid looked startled. It looked as if Zainab gets beautiful every single day even though her dressing, style and makeup is always very simple.

"What are you staring at Khalid? Let's go!" She turned her back and hissed. Khalid couldn't help but to burst into a small laughter.

"She so cute when she's like this." He walks outside to join her in the car.

Although, Hakimi stole glances at the both of them, he got to the shopping market in time. He just couldn't stop wondering what was between them. If they were acting as siblings or lovers.

Entering the building, Zainab grabbed the shopping trolley as Khalid gently walked after her, his eyes glued to the list in his hands.

"What's on the list, Mister? Don't tell me you can't read!"

"I was just calculating, Allie! Ummm... 3 tins or sardines and 2 tins of baked beans." He rolled his eyes at her, watching how she picked the tins into the trolley.

"What next?!" She ordered.

"A beg of flour, 2 bags of wheat and 2 bags if semovita."

She picked it into the trolley.

"Next?"

Silence.

"Next?!" She sounded so pissed off.

Silence.

"Don't tell me you can't pronounce it next thing on the list! You're so fucked up!"

A silence reigned within the room as Khalid bursted into an uncontrollable laughter, leaving Zainab to stare at him awkwardly.

"Please, repeat what you just said."

She went quite while he glance at her, amused.

"Don't tell me you can't talk. Ugh! He let out a deep breath. I can't believe you just said that. There are a lot of things I want to learn from you so please, don't ever say that word okay?"

Okay! Come on. Give me the fucking list!" She grabbed the piece of paper from his hand and continued the shopping with a shy smile.

***

Minutes Later...

They got everything packed and carried it to the car boot.

"Wait! We'll be right back, okay." Khalid told Hakimi, the driver. We'll be right back pretty soon.

"Where are we going?" Zainab asked innocently. She didn't want to go but she followed.

"There's somewhere I'll like you to see." He grabbed her wrist and pulled her to the other side of the mall.

There was a beautiful flower garden there. There were varieties of colours and their fresh earthy scent filled the building.

"Wow! This is so beautiful! How did you know here?" Zainab asked, joyfully.

"Well, I decided to check around here not long ago. So I found here. I know you'll love it."

"Yes, I love it. It's so beautiful." She almost jumped.

Zainab walked further as she explored the varieties of flowers. She took her phone, trying to take a selfie while Khalid stood by the entrance behind the wall, watching how cute she was. But a frown appeared on Zainab's pretty face. She hissed at the pictures, as if they weren't beautiful enough or something. Khalid grabbed the iPhone phone from her hand as she jerked.

"Give me my phone!"

"Let me take the pictures." He suggested with a gentle smile.

"Whatever!" She hissed at him, unable to give a good posture.

Instead of taking a picture, Khalid clicked on the red button and it switched to video recording.

"I'm videoing you right now, Allie. Try to smile at least. Or have you lost your teeth?" He joked.

"They don't smile for videos, Khalid. I need a picture of me!" She tried collecting her phone but he held it up. He was just three feet taller than Zainab.

"Collect it if you can, shortie." He mimicked.

"I'm not short, Khalid. I'm a tall girl and you're the shortie. We're almost of same height, how dare you call me shortie?!"

"Why don't you collect your phone and prove me wrong?" He requested.

Zainab grabbed his shoulder, trying to reach for her phone but she couldn't. She jumped and stretched while Khalid had a better view of her pretty face. He was just staring. In the process of jumping, Zainab's lips met with his.

She stared at him in shock as the touch of her lips on his felt like opening up her soul. She tasted, felt and saw every colour of the rainbow in their own sensual way, almost like catching a smile in a bottle, its softness, its sweetness?Like breathing in the person like a cool inhalation of oxygen to warm the soul.

Zainab tried to hold her breath as her eyes met his but, she turned away immediately. Trying to calm down her heart and nerves that were bumping fast in her chest. Khalid gently placed his hands between the nape of her neck and her jawline. He held unto her face, staring into her dark, brown eyes.

Zainab tried to look at at him but she tried hard to fight down the hysteria burning inside of her. She felt and urge, drawing her closer to him just she tried not to. Their lips were so close, he would have easily kissed her.

"Can I kiss you?" Khalid asked.

Zainab went dumbfounded to his question.

'How could he ask me this out if the blue?' A voice cried in her as she felt a bead of sweat drop down the middle-line of her back.

"N..no." She muttered.

"No? Why no?"

"Mum might be waiting for us at home. And Hakimi... Let's just go." She jerked his hands off but he quickly grabbed her wrist, stopping her from moving.

"But... I don't want to go home." He explained and then closed his eyes.

Then, he pulled her in closer and placed his soft lips on hers.

It tasted full, soft and plupy like a petal from a rose flower. Zainab's eyes widened at the surprise but she soon, closed her eyes became familiar with his fiery aggressiveness. As they fell into the each other's arms until Khalid unexpectedly broke the kiss.

He stating back into her again, trying to catch his breathe. Zainab wore an emotionless face. She couldn't believe Khalid just kissed her. She wanted to be angry or probably hit him but that didn't feel right.

It was a little awkward between them when he grabed her chin and kissed her again, this time she expected the kiss. Zainab felt his breath on her lips and closed her eyes, ready to accept whatever come with it.

She wanted to kiss him back. So badly. It was like an explosion inside of her that sent sparks and grenades. Zainab held unto his lower lip as his lips swiftly brushed through hers.

He leaned in closer and placed his lips upon hers. They were like that for a minute until Khalid heated things up a little. He kissed her harder as he gently tugged at her veil, cutting the kid with a soft touch. The way he started.

He pressed his forehead against hers and looked at her. 揧our eyes are like swirling galaxies, Aliyah. They drive me crazy.?

Zainab still gazed at him, not knowing what words to reply him with. Her mind went blank and empty that very moment but some reasons, she didn't feel like leaving too. She just wanted to be with him. She really wanted to be alone with him.

"I don't know if this is right or not but Aliyah. I think I'm getting used to you." He swallowed hard.

"I feel the same." Zainab muttered.

"If we get separated by chance, please. Don't forget this floral garden. Let's meet here, okay?"

"Okay." She replied him. Khalid snickered slightly as he held her in a warm cuddle before he pulled away.

"Come on now, let's go."

"Sure." Zainab replied him as they walked out of the flower garden with their hands, interlocked in his grip.

***

Words and Translations

-Umrah: 'Visiting a populated place.'

-Umma: An Arabic word for 'Mother'.

*****