Nadia watched her reflection in the mirror, she caressed her face, noticing the small wrinkles that has started to form underneath her eyes. She sighed heavily, thinking of how stressed she has been lately. She stretched her arm to pick the moisturizing cream that was on the vanity table she was facing. A shining object behind the cream caught her eyes, causing her to drop the cream to pick it up.

Her heart tugged loudly in her chest when she held the round silver ring. She still had a memory of it, even though it was vague, it was exactly the same. She twirled the ring around looking for the sign, and it was right there. The abbreviation "SM" was boldly written on the inner part of the ring. This was undoubtedly the ring her Mum gifted her Dad on his fiftieth birthday. Her Mum personally customized it for her dad, and it was the only piece the company made, but why was the ring in Abdallah's room?

"Where did you get this ring from?" Nadia asked Abdallah who sat on the bed resting his back on the headboard, He turned his head from his phone which he was scrolling through to face her,

"what ring?" he asked stretching his head to see the object she was holding more clearly. Nadia stretched her hand more, so he could see it since he was a bit far from her, "ohh that ring" he said when he recognized it, "I have it since, I can't remember" he shrugged, "you can have it if you want" he declared smiling at her,

"OK" she smiled turning her face back to the mirror. How long?, from where?, she wanted to ask him all that, but she found herself only replying with an OK. She concluded that she must be over thinking things, but again 'SM' is an abbreviation for Suleiman modibbo. She didn't know why her mind wavered to Hajia Amina's words at that moment,

I can't understand why someone will want to enter their death hole willingly

Ohh you're back after your husband took mine, tell your husband to release mine

Nadia held the sides of her head tightly, she hated the direction her thoughts were going to, she was being suspicious without any solid evidence and that's prohibited in Islam. "Focus Nadia" she intended saying to herself, but it came out a bit loud,

"are you fine?" Abdallah asked concernedly behind her,

"yes I'm" she replied without turning to his direction, she gave a nervous chuckle before applying the moisturizing cream on her face.

****

Nadia opened the large door in the entrance of the modibbo's household hurriedly. She can't wait to see her uncle, who has just been released after he was held hostage for a week. Immediately Basma informed her of his release, she didn't waste any second before finding her way to the house.

"Baba talk to me, say something at least" Nadia heard basma say from where she was standing behind them. Basma, aliyah, Hajia Amina and Alhaji Umar were all seated in the living room, they all had their attention turned towards Alhaji umar.

"salam alaykum" Nadia uttered slowly ambulating towards them, she bent her head respectfully towards Hajia Amina who totally ignored her.

"Baba" she said squatting in front of Alhaji Umar, he raised his head slowly before holding her hands which she kept on her knees,

"I'm sorry my daughter" he cried, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that no matter what, I shouldn't" he cried profusely, the room was silent with only Alhaji Umar cries sounding.

Nadia had no idea of what she could do, seeing a grown up crying hardly isn't something that happens frequently. He held her hand, crying continuously until Hajia Amina intervened.

Hajia Amina took her husband away, leaving the three ladies in the living room, "do you have any idea why baba was apologizing?" Basma asked with worry etched on her face,

Nadia shook her head negatively, she had no idea as well. He didn't say anything since he was released, but immediately he saw her, he was apologizing, why? She didn't know why her life is getting more complicated, but she believed Allah will ease her problems.

****

"Where is that your son?" Alhaji Ahmad aggressive voice reverberated through the building, he strode angrily looking through each room for Hajia Maryam. He stopped when he found her in a corner beside the kitchen. She huddled herself in the corner like a growing embryo, she sobbed silently oblivious of the person approaching her. she quickly got up from her position when she spotted Alhaji Ahmad. She shivered with fear when Alhaji Ahmad slowly ambulated towards her with an evil smile on. "Where is that brat".

"My son isn't a brat" she spatted in anger, she could take any form of pain, but she hated when anyone insulted her son. Alhaji Ahmad punched the upper part of where she was standing, causing her to jump in fear.

"Get your son here in the next 30 minutes" he gritted his teeth, his voice coming out low and piercing, "I need him here" he shouted "or else?" he smirked,

"ain't you tired, just stop already, stop" Hajia maryam cried resting the back of her head on the wall, "stop",

"hey woman" Alhaji ahmad held her jaw tightly with his hands, "you don't tell me what to do" he applied more pressure on her jaw before throwing her head on the hard concrete wall.

Hajia maryam whimpered as she cleaned the blood that dripped out of her nose with the back of her hand. She stared at his retreating figure emotionlessly, she was used to this, it wasn't the first and most probably not the last.

****

Aaima held a picture as her tears dripped on it, she remembered vividly how this picture was taken 14 years ago,

"Aaima come let me give you a piggyback ride" little Idris said crouching down, but little Aaima being the playful kid she is, sprinted around the sandy area giggling,

"catch me if you can" she giggled running around, Idris stood up from his crouched position in an attempt to catch her. He purposely reduced his speed, so she'll win,

"why can't I catch you?" he asked faking distress,

"because I'm faster than you" she stuck her tongue out, she ran happily with her tiny legs, her ponytail bobbed up down with her chubby body. She stopped when Alhaji suleiman approached them with a camera in his hand,

"Aaima, idris come close to take a picture" he said crouching down to take a beautiful shot, Idris looked at the camera while Aaima's gaze was focused on idris.

"I finally caught you" he grinned.

Aaima wiped her tears with the end of the blouse she was putting on,

"why is it so hard to let go of him even after these years, why?" she asked herself, she hasn't agreed to any other person's proposal because of the love she had for Idris even when she's aware that he's dead, he's gone, forever. Maybe it's time for her to finally let go of him and his memories.

****

Abdallah shifted uncomfortably on the sofa he was seated, his gaze was hardened as he waited for Alhaji Ahmad. He had no idea why he summoned him. He reclined into the black leather sofa when Alhaji Ahmad came into his view,

"I thought you wouldn't come" Alhaji Ahmad said smirking, Abdallah rolled his eyes, he is already disgusted seating close to him, his words only added to it.

"Why am I here?, why did you call me?" Abdallah asked impatiently because he couldn't wait to be away from him,

"uhmm I need your favour again" Alhaji ahmad rubbed his beards, "and, I don't have to remind you what will happen if you refuse" he threatened while smiling,

Abdallah eyes turned blood shot red. He hated it when he's being threatened and he's helpless like he's now. Hearing Alhaji Ahmad's statement, he knew he just had to agree to whatever he wants. "What do you want, say it" Abdallah balled is hand into a fist to calm himself down,

"okay" Alhaji Ahmad cracked his neck before he continued "I need someone you have" he declared breaking his knuckles,

"I have?" Abdallah asked, "Who?",

He moved closer to where Abdallah was seated, When he was satisfied with their proximity, "your wife Nadia" he whispered. Abdallah veins popped out of his head when he heard the mention of Nadia's name, he shook vigorously in anger, it was like they just released volts of electricity into his body,

"never, never!" Abdallah boomed, causing the whole house to shake,

"Ok if you say so, it seems you're ready to pay the price" Alhaji Ahmed smiled slyly.

When Aaima declared she lost a part of her was she referring to Idris??😍,

Why is Abdallah's dad threatening him?

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@zinat Abdulkadir ✍️