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Part 1 (Prologue to Part 75)
Morning came, and she hadn't left Mujaheed's side while he was looking through a book. After a while, he turned to look at her and asked, "Did you wake up well, my sister?" She smiled slightly, lowered her head gently, and replied, "Good morning, my brother." He smiled, nodded at her, stood up, and said, "Go and take a shower. I am going to take one as well. We are going out early today because we have to stop by the police station first."
She made a pitiful face and said, "No, brother, please don't leave me behind." He replied, "Go take your shower and come out. I am waiting for you; I won't leave." She stood up weakly and went into the bathroom. He watched her go, smiling. After about thirty seconds, she cracked the door open to see if he was still there. Seeing him standing right there, she quickly closed it. He smiled, and only after he heard her turn on the tap did he quietly open the room door and step out.
When she came out and couldn't find him, she burst into tears, rushed out of the room, and ran straight toward his bedroom. She sat waiting for him in his room until he came out. The moment he saw her, he said, "I am going to get upset with you, my sister. You're not dressed yet you came out." With a trembling voice, she said, "I am scared." He glared at her playfully and said, "Scared of your own eyes, right?" He accompanied her and stood right by the door while she put on her clothes, and she quickly stepped out. She sat in the room while he got ready, and then they went downstairs to the living room together. He only drank coffee, but he forced her to have some tea and bread. After Mujaheed checked in with the security guard, they left the house.
On the way, he looked at her and asked, "Aneesah, who were those people from yesterday?" Tears immediately filled her eyes, and she said, "I don't know either, but I saw them yesterday at the supermarket. It looked like they were following us all the way until we reached the house, and then they changed direction." He quickly braked and parked the car, exclaiming, "What? And you didn't tell me, Aneesah?"
She burst into tears and said, "I didn't realize they were actually following us!" Mujaheed asked, "So, what did they say to you?" She whispered, "They said they were sent to kill me." Mujaheed nodded fiercely and said they would deal with them. Then he started the car and they left.
Aneesah refused to go inside the police station, saying she would wait for him outside. He went in alone and didn't emerge until almost 9:00 AM. He said, "Sorry, my sister, you must be tired of waiting, right?" She just shook her head. He reversed the car, and they headed toward the prison. He didn't say anything to her, and she didn't ask him what happened.
When they arrived, they were told they couldn't see Hydar at that moment; they would have to wait until 11:00 AM. While they sat waiting for 11:00 AM to arrive, Aneesah said, "My brother, I am scared. My heart keeps pounding and I don't know why." Without looking at her, he said, "Keep praying." She softly asked, "When will you find my Ammi for me, my brother?" He turned to look at her and said, "Very soon." She said, "My brother, but we aren't sleeping at that house today, right?" He smiled and said, "Yes," without looking at her.
At exactly 11:00 AM, they were given permission to see Hydar. Mujaheed turned to look at her, saying in a low, gentle voice, "Get up, let's go, my sister." Aneesah's eyes widened, and she said, "No, I won't go in, my brother. I am terrified of him. Didn't you say he kidnapped a girl?" Mujaheed smiled, took her hand, and said, "Come on, he was framed. He's actually going to see the girl right now." Without waiting for her reply, he pulled her along. Flinching and on the verge of tears, she followed him into the room where Hydar was kept.
(Author's Note: Hmm, people are saying Khaleesah has written things that violate Hausa-Fulani culture in Aneesah's story. Oh? Did I tell you I wouldn't include the side effects of such things? I know exactly what I am doing. If I wrote vulgarity in my stories, you would have seen it since 'Inteesar'. If you follow me patiently, you will see how everything unfolds. I know what I am doing.)
Part 75
Hydar raised his head and looked at them. Aneesah was still hiding behind Mujaheed out of fear. Hydar scowled as he looked at Mujaheed, assuming Mujaheed had brought along one of his random, stray girlfriends. Mujaheed ignored her hesitation, walked closer to Hydar, and sat down to face him.
Aneesah couldn't bring herself to walk any further. Seeing Hydar after Mujaheed left her standing there, she felt her legs give out. She collapsed to the floor, her body trembling. Her collapse caused Hydar to look up at her properly, as he hadn't yet looked at the person Mujaheed entered with. He stood up slowly, staring at Aneesah in utter shock.
Aneesah burst into tears. Looking at Mujaheed, who had started typing on his phone, she cried, "Oh my goodness, Ya Hydar, what are you doing here?" Hydar turned to Mujaheed with a questioning look, but he couldn't find the words to speak.
Without looking up, Mujaheed said, "She is the Aneesah you were telling me about, right?" Hydar sat back down heavily, still staring at Aneesah in disbelief. He asked, "Where did you find her, Mujaheed?" Mujaheed turned to look at Aneesah, who was weeping bitterly while staring at Hydar. He said nothing and went back to typing on his phone.
Hydar walked over to Aneesah and knelt before her, looking at her. She raised her head to look back at him. Softly, he called, "Aneesah." She shook her head, burst into a fresh wave of tears, and threw herself into his embrace. He lifted her up, shook his head gently, and said, "No, Aneesah." With a trembling voice, she asked, "Ya Hydar, what are you doing here? So you are the one my brother was telling me about?"
He stared at her and asked, "Who is your brother?" She turned and pointed at Mujaheed, whose eyes were still glued to his phone, not even glancing in their direction. Hydar looked at him too, but Mujaheed remained completely silent.
Hydar turned his attention back to Aneesah and asked, "Where did he take you, Aneesah?" She wiped the tears from her face and asked, "Who?" He said, "Your uncle (Baffa)." She paused for a moment, continuously wiping away the tears that refused to stop, and said, "He took me to a distant town." Hydar asked, "To whom?" She sobbed and said, "I don't know them. He took me to a village in Kaduna."
Hydar fell silent for a moment and then asked, "What about Ammi?" Crying, she replied, "Ya Hydar, I haven't seen my Ammi, but my brother said he will find her for me." Hydar asked, "Who are you staying with now?" She said, "With my brother." He asked, "Who is your brother?" She turned her head toward Mujaheed. This time, Hydar didn't look at him.
Hydar didn't ask her anything else and turned his face away. Seeing his silence, she asked, "Ya Hydar, tell me who brought you here? What did you do?" Without looking at her, he replied, "They claim I kidnapped you." She burst into heavy tears and asked, "Who said that, Ya Hydar?" Hydar answered, "Your uncle." She began to cry intensely. He lifted her up and used his hand to wipe away her tears, saying, "Don't worry, Aneesah. God willing, everything is coming to an end. Rest your mind."
She simply nodded. Turning around, she realized Mujaheed was no longer in the room. She stopped crying, stood up quickly, and asked, "Ya Hydar, where is my brother?" He said nothing, just staring at her. She began looking around for Mujaheed. Hydar said, "Check outside for him."
She rushed out and found him sitting outside. She called, "My brother." Without looking at her, he asked, "Are you two done?" She nodded. He stood up, walked back inside to where Hydar was, and said, "See you in court on Monday." Hydar remained silent, watching him. Seeing Mujaheed turn to leave, Hydar asked, "So early? No explanation at all, Jaheed?"
Mujaheed turned back and asked, "Explanation for what?" Hydar stared at him silently before saying, "Alright then. May God protect your journey." Mujaheed turned to leave again, but changed his mind, stepped back inside, and looked at Hydar. "Don't worry, Aliyu. I will be back tomorrow with the full story. I'm in a real hurry right now, wallahi." Having said this, he smiled, patted Hydar on the shoulder, said, "See ya," and turned to leave. Hydar watched him go.
Mujaheed looked at Aneesah, who was standing by the doorway, and said softly, "Go and say your goodbyes." She replied, "Okay, please wait for me." He nodded. She approached Hydar weakly and said, "Ya Hydar, we are leaving." He looked at her silently and asked, "Where are you going now?" She lowered her head and said, "My brother and I are heading home." He looked away and said, "Okay." Tears welled up in Aneesah's eyes as she turned and walked out. She found Mujaheed standing outside, leaning against the wall with his eyes closed, waiting for her. She called, "My brother." He opened his eyes, looked at her without a word, and walked ahead. She followed closely behind. He opened the car door for her, she got in, and he walked around to the driver's seat, started the engine, and they drove away.
Part 76
The moment Mujaheed finished parking, Aneesah opened the car door to get out, but he called her name calmly. She sat back down and looked at him. He asked, "You were happy to see Hydar today, weren't you?" She lowered her head and said nothing. He called her name again. She raised her head slowly to look at him, and he said, "I am talking to you." She tilted her head, acting pitiful, and said, "Yes, of course, very much." He nodded and said, "Alright, that's good." He opened his door, stepped out, and left her in the car.
She watched him walk all the way into the house, and then she began to cry. After crying her fill, she got out and entered the house slowly. He was lying down in the living room with his eyes closed. She approached carefully, as if she didn't even want her feet to touch the floor tiles. Reaching him, she knelt on the floor, looking at him, and quietly called, "My brother." He opened his eyes and looked at her. She lowered her head as tears streamed down her face.
He sat up and asked, "What is it? Should I take you back to Hydar?" She stared at him without a word. He stood up and said, "Fine! Go pack your things." With that, he turned, left the living room, and quickly headed upstairs. She burst into a fresh wave of tears, burying her face in the sofa cushions.
Meanwhile, Baffa was sitting comfortably in his living room watching the BBC channel. Hajiya Zuwaira was sitting beside him making a phone call. Abdul walked into the living room holding his travel bag and sat on a chair, looking at them. Shehu (Baffa) said, "What's up, guy? I see you with such a huge bag."
Without looking at his father, Abdul replied, "I am heading to London today, Dad." Baffa stole a quick glance at Hajiya, who turned her head away with a slight smile, and said, "Oh, come on, guy. Is your vacation over already?" Abdul said, "I don't even know what has kept me in Nigeria until now. It's been almost five months." Hajiya interjected, "Exactly, son. Go so you don't run into issues at work." Baffa said, "Alright then, son. May God protect you. Do you need anything?" Abdul stood up without looking at him and said, "Nothing." He dragged his bag and walked out of the living room. Baffa called out, "But the driver will take you to the airport, right?" They didn't hear any reply.
Hajiya turned to look at Baffa, laughed, and said, "How do you see my handiwork, Alhaji?" Deeply pleased, he replied, "It is excellent, my wife. That's why I love you so crazily, wallahi." She stood up laughing and said, "Let me go say a proper goodbye to my son."
At 4:00 PM, Mujaheed finally came downstairs since going up. Aneesah was still sitting exactly where he had left her. He walked into the living room, looked at her, and asked, "Are you done packing your things?" She didn't look at him and didn't say a word. He sat on a sofa and said, "I told you to go pack your things so I can take you to live with Hydar."
She stood up, looked at him, and said, "I didn't exactly come to this house with any clothes." Saying this, she turned to walk out of the living room. He stood up quickly and barked, "Hey, where are you going?" She didn't turn around or answer him. He rushed out after her, calling her name. She had almost reached the gate. The security guard was praying in his room, so she simply opened the gate and stepped out. The moment she stepped outside, she started running, knowing Mujaheed would pursue her.
By the time he made it outside the house, she was far away. He muttered, "Ya Salam!" He rushed back inside, grabbed his car keys, opened the gate, and drove out after her. He lost track of which way she went because there were multiple intersecting streets.
Aneesah just kept running and crying without knowing where she was going. She reached a main street and was about to cross when a taxi driver pulled over and asked, "Are you passenger, Hajiya?" She said nothing, opened the back door, and hopped in. He drove off and asked where she was heading. She replied, "Just ahead." After driving a long distance and entering a major highway, she finally said, "Mister, I don't actually have any money." He turned to look at her, pulled over, and said, "Then get out." She said, "Okay, thank you," and stepped out. He drove off.
She looked around, completely lost, and burst into tears. She tried to cross the street when, out of nowhere, a car struck her. She let out a loud scream and collapsed on the spot. She wasn't seriously injured, but she was deeply shaken. A crowd gathered around, shouting at her for crossing blindly. The driver stepped out of his car, furious, and yelled, "What kind of mindless person are you? You walk with your brain under your shoes! Out of nowhere, you just cause a scene and damage my car!"
Aneesah looked up quickly upon recognizing the speaker's voice. Right at that moment, Mujaheed pushed his way through the crowd.
Part 77
Abdul immediately stopped shouting, staring at her as if trying to remember something, and held his head. Then he knelt down in front of her, looked at her, and said, "Sorry about that. I hope you aren't hurt?" She quickly stood up and ran to the side of Mujaheed, who was staring at her in sheer anger, unable to say a word. Terrified and crying, she grabbed his hand and pleaded, "My brother, let's go home, please."
He violently wrenched his hand away and said, "Just go wherever you were going!" She quickly turned to leave, but he grabbed her furiously and snapped, "I can see you lack common sense!" Abdul interjected, "Take it easy on her."
Mujaheed didn't even look at Abdul. He dragged her to his car, opened the back door, and shoved her inside. Then he walked around, got into the driver's seat, and drove off. Abdul walked over to his own car, got in, and followed closely behind them.
Aneesah just kept weeping in the back seat, completely terrified by the sight of Abdul. Mujaheed didn't look at her or say a word. As if guided by instinct, she turned around and saw Abdul pursuing them from behind. She let out a terrified scream. Mujaheed slammed on the brakes, turned around to look at her in shock, and asked, "Ya Salam! Do you have any sanity left at all, Aneesah?" She pointed toward the back in terror. He turned and saw Abdul's car pulling over.
Mujaheed looked at her and asked, "What is the meaning of this?" Crying, she said, "He is following us." Mujaheed opened his door, stepped out, and stared at Abdul's car. Abdul got out of his car too. Mujaheed approached him and asked, "Mister, do you have a problem with us?" Abdul replied, "No, I just want to make sure she's alright, because I hit her pretty hard." Mujaheed said, "Don't bother, I am taking her to the hospital." Abdul said, "You should let me examine her; I am a doctor as well." As he reached to pull out his ID card, Mujaheed snapped, "I told you not to worry, mister." Abdul shrugged and asked, "Is she your sister?" Without looking at him, Mujaheed turned back toward his car and replied, "She is my wife."
Abdul challenged, "Your wife? You're lying. She doesn't look like a married woman at all. In fact, I think I used to know her." Mujaheed turned back instantly, grabbed Abdul by the collar, and hissed, "Listen! I swear I can kill you over this girl. Get on your way before I beat you within an inch of your life right here." Without waiting for Abdul's reply, he pushed him away violently, got into his car, and reversed. He changed his mind about going to his usual house, even though they were close since it was on their street. He ignored Aneesah's continuous crying until they had driven a very long distance.
Finally, he pulled over on an empty neighborhood street and asked, "Who is that man, Aneesah?" Crying, she answered, "He is my brother." He slammed on the brakes instantly and stared at her. "Your brother?" She nodded, continuing to cry, and explained, "He is my uncle's (Baffa's) son." Mujaheed gasped, "What? Does he know you?" She nodded and said, "He is the one Baffa wanted me to marry before he picked me up and dumped me in the village." Mujaheed muttered, "Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un." He drove out of the area and asked, "Then how come he didn't recognize you?" She wiped her face and said, "I don't know either."
He didn't say anything else to her until they arrived at a completely different house. He honked, the security guard opened the gate, and he drove in and parked. He stepped out and opened her door. She asked, "Where is this place, my brother?" He said, "This is also our house." She asked, "What are we doing here?" He looked away and explained, "Since he already knows our main neighborhood, it is highly dangerous for us to keep staying there. He knows why he pretended not to recognize you, and I am certain he is going to pass information to his father." Aneesah nodded through her tears and said, "That's true." He walked toward the house entrance, and she followed closely behind him.
When Abdul walked into his family home, his parents stared at him in utter shock. First of all, they thought he had gone to say goodbye to his friend, leave his car there, and head straight to the airport. Secondly, he walked in looking completely disheveled and frantic. Baffa stood up quickly, looked at him, and asked, "What happened, son? Who upset you?"
He collapsed onto a sofa, held his head, and said, "Dad, I saw a girl, and I feel like I know her. Dad, I am so confused." Hajiya asked, "My goodness, where do you know her from, Abdul?" Abdul screwed up his face, trying hard to remember, and said, "I swear I forgot, but I definitely know her." Baffa asked, "Where did you see her then?" Abdul explained, "She just crossed the street blindly and I hit her slightly, but she wasn't hurt. Then her brother or husband—I don't really know—came and took her away."
Baffa laughed and said, "Oh, guy. You should have been at the airport by now instead of wasting your time coming back over an baseless matter." Abdul stood up furiously and yelled, "My matter is baseless?! I swear I know that girl, and I will find her! I know the neighborhood she stays in!" With that, he turned sharply, left the living room, and storm upstairs.
Baffa turned to look at Hajiya, who couldn't close her mouth in shock, and asked, "Are you sure your spiritual work succeeded this time, my Hajiya?" She replied, "Come on, Alhaji, it's as if you don't know me. My work is perfect. Just leave him to me; I know exactly who my son is."
Meanwhile, Mujaheed was sitting at the dining table, holding his head. Aneesah was in the kitchen preparing the food he had asked her to cook. Aneesah's entire case was driving him crazy. At the police station, they had discovered that a certain 'Hajiya' was the one who hired Bala and his crew to assassinate Aneesah, even though Bala's crew refused to reveal her exact identity. Mujaheed suspected it was Hydar's mother. Now, Baffa's son had spotted them. He knew Baffa would soon receive the information. Indeed, Aneesah's life was in grave danger.
Part 78
Aneesah finished cooking in the kitchen and set the food on the dining table for him. He was still sitting there, typing away on his phone, as the endless thoughts had triggered a severe headache. As she tried to walk past, he asked, "Where are you going?" She didn't look at him or say anything.
He stood up, walked over to her, took her hand, and led her back to the dining table. He sat her down on the chair next to his, served her some rice and stew, and said, "You are tired, right? I regret making you cook; I should have just had the driver buy food from an eatery." She didn't say a word to him. He turned to look at her, and she quickly lowered her head.
Gently, he raised her chin and said, "Stop worrying yourself, Aneesah." Tears welled up in her eyes. He placed his arm around her neck and said, "We are going to fight, my sister. I don't want this unnecessary crying of yours. Every single day, all you do is cry. Don't worry, my sister. The moment Hydar is released, you will see your Ammi."
Softly, she asked, "My brother, when is he coming out?" Mujaheed fell silent as if he wouldn't answer, but then let out a deep sigh and said, "On Monday." She noted, "Today is Thursday." He simply nodded and began feeding her by hand. As she accepted the food, she asked, "Aren't you going to eat?" He replied, "Only after my sister is full." She smiled, picked up a spoon, and said, "No, I will eat by myself. You should eat yours." He stared at her, and she quickly covered her face, smiling. He smiled back and said, "Alright, my sister, fair enough." Then he began eating his own food.
Noticing she had stopped eating, he asked, "What is it, my sister?" She said, "I am full." He asked, "Really?" She nodded, picked up a newspaper on the dining table, and began flipping through it. He didn't say anything else and continued eating.
His phone rang, and he checked the caller ID. He answered with a smile and said, "What's up, son?" He laughed and said, "It's not like that, I swear. Things have just been overwhelming. Here she is, say hello." Mujaheed handed the phone to Aneesah, who was watching him. She hesitated to take it and asked, "Who is it?" He said, "Mudatheer."
She quickly grabbed it and asked, "Really?" Putting it to her ear, she said, "Uhm, so you finally remembered me today, Mudatheer?" Mudatheer laughed and teased, "City girl! So you've returned to the city, huh?" Aneesah laughed and said, "Cut it out. How is home and work?" He replied, "Fine, city girl."
Seeing how happily Aneesah was chatting and laughing with Mudatheer, Mujaheed snatched his phone back and said, "I'll call you lunger, Mudatheer," and terminated the call. Aneesah scowled and snapped, "He was talking to me, brother, why did you snatch it?" Mujaheed glared at her, said nothing, stood up from the dining table, let out a loud hiss, and went upstairs.
This deeply upset Aneesah. She remained sitting at the dining table until Maghrib prayer time. He came downstairs on his way to the mosque and noted, "Hey, young lady, I haven't seen any sign that you performed Zuhr or Asr prayers today. Don't you pray?" Aneesah didn't even glance at him as he left for the mosque.
When he returned, he found her sitting out on the balcony. He asked, "What are you doing out here, my sister?" She stood up and said, "You left me all alone, and I am scared." He took her hand, led her into the living room, and asked, "Scared of what, my sister?" She didn't answer. They walked upstairs together. He said, "Go perform your prayers while I take a shower. Unless it's true that you don't pray." She shook her head on the verge of tears and said, "No, I am just terrified of being alone." He asked, "Terrified of what exactly?" She said nothing. He pulled her along into his bedroom and said, "Go perform your ablution and come out. I am waiting for you."
She went in, performed it, and came out. He pointed her toward a prayer mat and went to take his shower. When he came out, she was sitting on the prayer mat, having completed her prayers. He sat on the bed, looked at her, and asked, "Are you going to take a shower? Because we are heading out." Without looking at him, she said, "I won't." He said, "Then go change your clothes, we need to go out." She noted, "There are no clothes here." He realized, "Oh, that's true. Alright, get up, let's go over to the other house so you can grab your clo—"
