It was a Friday and Walija decided she paid a visit to her parents. They'll soon leave to Saudi Arabia and she wants to see them before that. She waited for Fawwad to come back from work so she can inform him before she leaves. Being it a Friday he'll be back by twelve noon and she could leave after two if he permits.

As she was waiting for him, the door swung opened and he walked in. She abruptly stood up and went over to him.

"Welcome home," she said

"Thanks..." He wasn't expecting that from her after what happened yesterday.

"I want to go see Umma before they leave. Their departure is due next week. If that's okay with you"

He was silent for some time which she thought he wouldn't agree but he did and his reply surprised her.

"Wait for me, we'll go together after Jummu'at prayer(Friday congregational prayer)" and with that, he left to his room.

She didn't like the idea of him going with her but then he didn't say no and that was enough for her.

She went to the kitchen and brought the food she had earlier prepared from the oven and placed it on the dining. She knew that he eats before he leaves to the Masjid(mosque), so she always sets his food ready before he leaves unless they had a misunderstanding.

She finished everything and went up to her room as she has already eaten. She took another bath and came out to pray. She wore a kimono over a pink silky top and black jeans. She draped a veil over her head. Sprinkled a little powder, lined her eyes with Kohl and applied a subtle lip balm. It was simple but she looked elegant.

After Jumm'at prayer, Fawwad was in the sitting room waiting for her. One thing with Fawwad; he always keeps to his words.

When her scent hit his nostrils, he looked up in awe. When their eyes looked, he quickly averted his gaze.

"Go and change that and meet me in the car" his voice filled with authority. He dropped the remote control on the center table and carried his car keys before he left.

"Go and change that and meet me in the car" she mimicked him "what's up with the jealousy when you don't even consider me your wife" she huffed before she went back to change. She wants to go home so she has to do as he says because she doesn't want anything to go wrong.

He was tapping his phone when she entered the car dressed in a peach abaya(Arabian gown).

*****

When they got into the house, the sitting room was empty after the maid opened the door and left. Fawwad made himself comfortable in the sitting room while Walija went upstairs to check on Umma.

"Assalamu Alaikum(peace be unto you)Umma" she entered her mother's room with a salam. The scent of the room's bakhoor(incense) hit her nostrils making her realized how much she'd missed home.

"Walija! What a pleasant surprise" Umma was holding a pocket Quran in her hand. Umma is the religious type of woman.

"I just missed your pretty face...so, I'm here!" she beamed as she went over to where her mother was sitting engulfing her into a hug.

"That's nice of you" Umma said placing the Qur'an aside.

"Where are my twins?"

"They're still not back from the Masjid"

"Ohh..."

"They'll soon be back...I guess. They went together with your father" Umma said while checking the wall clock.

"Okay, I'll be here anyway"

"How are you my dear?" She looked concerned. Though her daughter looked bubbly, she knew exactly what she's going through within. It breaks her heart that her daughter has to go through this and there was nothing she could do.

"I am fine Umma...don't worry about me" she replied as if she knew what her mother was thinking.

"And your husband?"

"We are together... he's downstairs"

"Oh my Allah, Walija! and you didn't tell me. You know its not polite to leave your guests all alone" Umma said as she abruptly stood and left the room. Walija stayed back and looked around. Everything was still sparkling and the room was neat as always.

After a few scans in the room, she decided to go to her room; her old room. The room was virtually the same. Everything was just as she left it if she could remember. She didn't realised it but she felt tears streaming down her cheeks. She swallowed the lump that formed on her throat as she sat on the edge of the bed. She'd missed everything there. She missed her old life where it was just free and simple but now it's a whole different story.

She was startled when a knock came through because she was deep in thoughts.

"Who's there?"

"Mam, it's me, Saratou" Saratou is their housemaid.

"What's it, Sara?"

"Hajiya is calling you downstairs"

"I'll be there"

She went to the bathroom and washed her face before going downstairs. Abba and the twins were back.

Immediately the twins saw her, they rushed to her giving her a bone bone-crushing

"Ya Walija!!!" They chorused.

"I can see Umma has done a great job in feeding you guys...see how you almost made me fall" she said and they all chuckled.

"We've missed you Ya Walija" Muhseen said

"So much" Mubeen opened his hands wide to show her how much they've missed her.

"Ya Walija missed her boys too...very much" she gave them each a peck on their foreheads before they walked hand in hand into the living room.

"Abba, Good afternoon" she sheepishly smiled. Realizing all eyes were on them just a moment ago.

"I see that all the missing goes to the twins" Abba smiled and she ducked her head low before he continued "How're you my dear"

"I'm fine Abba. Alhamdulillah"

She didn't look at the direction Fawwad was throughout. She only heard his voice when he talked. He even looked like a saint in front of her parents. 'Nice try Mr. Fawwad' she thought.

They talked a lot about family issues and all but not before Abba started business talks with Fawwad. Umma excused herself and went to the kitchen. Walija, later on, followed her along with the twins.

Umma was cutting the vegetables when they walked in. Walija collected the knife while Umma stirred the lasagna sauce she was making.

"Saratou, take the twins to their room. Let them change into something comfy" Umma dismissed them because she wanted alone time with her daughter.

Saratou took their hands and they left the mother and daughter alone.

"Hows marriage life Walija?" she said immediately they left.

"It's fine Umma"

"Walija, you don't have to hide anything from me. I'm your mother and I can always guide you. I know you didn't like it... neither do I "

"You don't Umma!" She was shocked at her mother's confession.

Umma let out a sigh but she said "I tried so hard to convince your father not to go on with it, but he didn't listen to me" she looked sad as if she was living the moment again.

"Why would Abba do this to me?" She said as a sob escaped her mouth. She felt hurt that her own father is reasonable for the falling apart of her life.

"Don't cry my dear. It's all going to work out. Just have faith in God and everything will work out just fine" Umma wiped her daughter's face with a tissue before hugging her. "Your father wanted to help Fawwad and he thought you can do it" she finally said after some minutes of silence.

"But why me? how am I responsible for his messed up life?...and they chose me to mend it?" She was really furious. That was the first time they talked about it ever since it happened.

She thought Fawwad was a good person when Abba chose him for her. She thought he had made the best choice for her so she didn't bother or threw any tantrum when the matter was brought her. She gladly accepted because that's the way she was brought up; to be kind and respect the decision her parents make for her. But now that she's hearing the reason behind the whole thing, she felt hurt, disappointed and...betrayed.

"Don't say that Walija. What has happened has already happened and cannot be undone. It's a test from God and no one is above that. Help him and God will reward you. He's your husband. Respect him and secure your Jannah. Be patient and have faith in Allah" Umma advised her and it did work cause it made her feel a little better.

"I'll do as you said, Umma" she smiled.

"Now that's more like it" Umma smiled back.

They finished making the lunch in no time and Saratou was asked to arrange the dining table.

When everything was set, they all gathered around the dining including Fawwad who just ate lunch before he left his house. The meal was scrumptious and they all enjoyed it.

"Thank you very much, Umma for the scrumptious lunch, though we came unannounced" Fawwad complimented when the lunch was over.

"The pleasure is ours and you're always welcome here... It's your home anyway" Umma replied with a warm motherly smile plastered on her beautiful face.

They prayed Asr before they took their leave. The twins wanted to follow them but Umma didn't allow them.

"You've just seen them now and it's getting late...so some other time okay" she had said and they'd nodded in agreement.

They said their goodbyes promising to escort them to the airport when they're leaving.

The drive back home was silent only the soft music playing in the background.

*****

Apple Boulevard - Bar & Lounge. Abuja. 11:35pm

"What can I get for you today, sir?" The waiter asked Fawwad.

"Just get me a bottle of vodka" he said while tapping his phone.

"Okay sir"

He was busy on his phone when a lady walked up to him. She was dressed in a clingy fitted gown exposing all her curves. She sat on the couch beside him.

"You!!" He cringed.

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