Chapter 49

" that's because it isn't my secret to share. "

She knew he was right. If she was in his shoes, she is also quite sure she wouldn't have tell. It doesn't even matters anymore. It's time she forgets him and that's it. It's time she talks to Mansir.

She wiped her tears and stood up. She smile forcefully at her dad who in turn was surprised by her mood swing.

" are you OK? "

" yes I am. I'm so sorry for talking to you in the manner I just did and I want you to know that I understand where you're coming from. I don't blame you " she said

He nodded. She move forward to kiss his forehead " I will be in my room " with one last look, she went upstairs.

***

"

where the hell have you been? " Hajiya maimuna shouted at badiyya as she entered the house

" I.. I went to a friend's house"

The way her mother was looking at her right now could make a person piss his pants

" haven't I warned you to stop visiting those useless friends of yours? "

" I care about them, mom"

" I will give you a dirty slap if you don't keep shut. Look at many girls out there whose father is a billionaire and you can easily make friends with them but no, you prefer to go for some bloody civilian's children and the worst of all is that they are children of the Lowest of all civilians who only rely on ten kobo of salaries which is giving to them monthly . Do you think you'll progress with those types of friends? Banza shashasha kawai " Hajiya maimuna hissed

" we are all human being mom" badiyya frowned

" shut your dirty mouth. Don't let me come over to squeeze that useless mouth of yours . If you like bring one poor man for me as your husband, i will so drive him out of my house with hot water. Stand there and be telling me that we are all human. waawiyya kawai"

She eyed her from head to toes " come on go inside and change. We're living for my friend's place. "

She move to make her way to her room but not without rolling her eyes secretly at her mother. She finally was in her room. The first thing she did was collapsing on the bed with the aim of wasting more time just to annoy her mother more.

Her phone dinged beside her. It was a message from Sakeena asking her if she was home yet. She smile and replied with a simple 'yes'. They now click up nicely and already aiming to become best friends. Before departing airport, they shared numbers and plan to meet ones in a while.

She finally stood up and change into something nice.

***

" welcome, welcome. Come in" Hajiya Gimbiya ushered badiyya and her mom in. She directed them to the sitting room . " it's so nice to meet you"

They all have their seat

" thanks Gimbiya, meet my daughter badiyya"

Gimbiya's eyes sparkle like someone who has just found the treasure she had been looking for.

" Good afternoon ma" badiyya greeted shyly

" wow! such a beautiful and lovely girl. My dear, how are you?"

" I'm fine thank you ma"

" I never knew you have such beautiful daughter like this . Don't tell me you always lock her up in her room from the eyes of lustful men" she joked and Hajiya maimuna laughed. Even badiyya found it funny. At first glance, she already likes the woman. So far to say she is so different from her mom's other friends.

" no, we don't lock her up. In fact she also works in her dad's company "

Gimbiya nodded, proud" wow that's very good of you darling "

" thanks ma"

" please don't call me ma you can just call me mom. I'm good with that"

" OK, mom"

The two ladies smile knowingly.

" OK, while you keep yourself busy with this album let me go over to the kitchen to check the food. I will also call down the kids. "

" OK no problem " Hajiya maimuna said.

Rahama was the one eager to check the album she loves anything photography but her mom busied herself with her phone. As Badiyya went through the pictures, she found the faces of the little kids so familiar but couldn't put a finger to it. They look so cute. They were three of them and out of the three, two looks so familiar .

" Mom where did you ke......... Badiyya? "

" Sakeena?"

Sakeena ran to hug her " I never expected that I will see you twice a day"

" me too"

Sakeena glance at the older lady sitting close to badiyya , she immediately withdraw from the hug to greet.

" Good afternoon ma"

" afternoon dear, how are you? "

" I'm very fine ma"

Maimuna smile " good. I can see that you two knew each other from somewhere ?"

" oh yes ma ,we were together not long ago "

" really? "

" yes ma . We were at the air.....

" airtel office, yes we were at the airtel office to register my SIM " badiyya cut her off before she could spill the beans

Maimuna looks at her daughter doubtingly " oh, but you never told be you have made new friends " she smile, now happy that her daughter found someone of their class to call a friend

" it skipped my mind, mom"

Sakeena stood wondering why badiyya didn't want her to say the truth about where they met. Aren't they related to sadiq? . She shrug it off with the aim of asking badiyya later.

" welcome once again ma"

" thanks dear"

" I can see you've finally met sakeena, the baby of the house " Gimbiya said with a smile as she came out of the kitchen

" yes, she's so charming I tell you" Maimuna couldn't help but say.

" more like a talkative "

" Mom" Sakeena whined

" where is your brother? " Gimbiya asked her daughter

" Still in his room"

" Sagir, come downstairs the visitors are already here" she yelled out to him

" coming " he yelled back quite interested in meeting them. He pray that his mother wouldn't try any match making .

He decided to wear something more presentable.

Over at dinning table, everyone was already settled waiting for sagir to come down

" I don't know what is keeping this boy long!" said Gimbiya sigh

" you know boys with their things, allow him to take as much time he needs" Hajiya maimuna said 'after all he will be my son in-law ' she internally said and smile at Gimbiya

" but he is keeping us waiting " Gimbiya was annoyed already

" allow him"

" he.....

" I'm so sorry for keeping you guys waiting. I was tending to some problems on the phone"

His mom appeared concerned " hope all is well"

" yes mom, it's settled " he then glanced at the older lady sitting close to his mother " Good afternoon ma"

" afternoon son, I hope everything is settled " maimuna asked, concerned

He smile appreciatively for her concern " yes ma'am,everything is being settled "

" OK then"

Badiyya was still in her seat. It's him, she thought. The guy at the restaurant . Now everything made sense to her. The pictures she went through a while ago indeed looks like him and badiyya .

" meet her daughter, badiyya"

At the mention of that particular name, Sagir turn his head to the direction so quick that one would think it's going to come off his neck

" badiyya ?" he huskily utter like someone who just heard the name for the first time, with a surprise look on his face. She too tried hard to bring down her gaze but his makes it hard for her. He was looking at her as if he had waited for this day, as if he had dreamt to see her again. What is happening to me? She asked herself, why can't I take my eyes off him ?and worse in the presence of his mother .

From under the table Sakeena pinched badiyya who shrieked a little. If it wasn't because of this situation she would have pinched sakeena back. But still, she was grateful for pulling her off that electrifying moment.

The two mother looked at each other again and shared a secret smile.

" Nice meeting you again, Badiyya "

" same with you"