Alqulub Haris (COMPLETED)✔

Three

"Ummi baki jin magana (You're stubborn)" Sahabi lightly pulled on Zahras ear making her wince "Your mom will flog you if she gets you"

"Abba you won't let her get me right?" she looked at him, her big eyes making him forget his disappointment. He pulled her onto his lap and hugged her "Of course baby" he assured.

"Zahra!" Maryam startled both father and daughter "You're still here? Its past seven already"

"Go get your bag, I'm taking you myself" Sahabi cut in. Zahra ran out sticking her tongue out at her mom, she would've received a smack if she wasn't fast enough. Sahabi put on his babban riga and bent over for Maryam to put on his cap for him.
"So, have you made up your mind?" She had figured out the best time to have a decent important conversation with Sahabi was when she dressed him, when he just ate or immediately before he went to bed.

"I really don't know, I just want to focus on Ummi for now"

"You're a great father Zahra will always have your love and attention"

"She needs me"

"The people need you more. You are one of the good leaders, let the people benefit from you. You can make this country a better place" he had thought about it many times but just wasn't sure enough. He didn't want anything to get in the way of his parenting, he continously prayed for Allah's guidance and he knew if it was the right thing to do fate would push him towards attaining that position.

Zahra and her dad sang along to Maher Zain's Paradise as they drove to school.
"Abba your voice is horrible Wallah" she giggled, he raised his hand to his chest feigning hurt.

"Its better than yours" he grabbed her and pulled her closer, tickling her. The black SUV was filled with laughter, from both the front and back seats. Everyone was happy around Zahra, she was indeed a bright star in their lives.

Zahra gasped as her wandering eyes caught sight of a girl who looked around her age parading the streets barefooted in her tattered clothes looking like she was about to give up. She moved closer to the window to look at her more, she would've asked them to stop but she knew she was already late and wasn't looking forward to Mrs. Martina's rants. They drove past her and took a turn into the school gates but Zahra had a plan, Zahra always has a plan.

Andrew got out of the car and opened her door.
"Abba, will you walk me to class" she jumped out of the car and turned her pleading gaze to Sahabi. He and Andrew shared a glance before he stepped out of the car.

"Sir, I would Strongly advice against that" Andrew spoke, trying not to sound disrespectful after all he was only doing his job, keeping them safe.

"Relax, I'm only walking my daughter to class its not like these ten year olds know me" he shrugged off the conversation and walked hand in hand with Zahra to the door of her class. He squatted in front of her and ran his hand down the side of her face "Be a good girl for daddy. Say hello to Fadila and Fadil for me" he kissed her forehead before walking back to the car with Usman walking closely behind.

"Bye Andy" she waved to Andrew who had already taken a seat right outside her class, his normal position then she ran into class. She dropped her bag and lunch bag on the shelf behind the class before jogging to her seat which was between Fadil and Fadila's, her besties. Fadila; the bookworm sat in front, behind her was Zahra and behind Zahra was Fadil who was the least serious among the trio.

Zahra lazily dragged her feet into class. She wasn't happy having to change her school because Abba considered her old school 'insecure'. She had already made so many friends at her old school, they had already planned how their lives in Junior secondary school would be but Abba had to ruin it for them.

Mrs. Martina had announced the presence of a new member to the students of the class. Everyone had their eyes on the skinny little girl standing before them with her long silky hair tied up in its usual style; a pony tail. Her eyes had caught two students smiling at her. She was directed to a vacant seat at the back of the class with the two waving at her.

It was break time and she had just popped open her lunch bag when she saw two shadows coming closer.
"Hello" the two said in unison, their smiles never leaving their faces "I'm Fadila" the girl said "This is Fadil. My brother" Zahra had smiled back at them and introduced herself as 'Fatima Sahabi Kamba' but strictly warned against calling her Fatima and asked to be addressed as Zahra.

"Your last name sounds like that of the former vice president" Fadil, who surprisingly watches news at the tender age of 10 said. Zahra looked down a little, not wanting to disclose her identity; everyone at her old school treated her with superiority knowing who her father was.

"Yeah. That's my dad" she replied in a low voice.

"Wow, he's our dad's hero" Fadila commented. Zahra promised to introduce them to her dad as soon as possible. The three marched to the form mistress's table and asked for Zahras table and chair to be moved closer to Fadil and Fadilas.

✊✊✊

"Shall we?" Andrew motioned towards the parked car waiting for him and Zahra.

"We have to stop somewhere" she ran to the car and hopped in the back. They were driven out and she kept searching the area for the girl she saw earlier.
"Stop! Stop!" she screamed, she waited for the child locks to be turned off and wasted no time in opening the door and running out to meet the girl. Andrew had tried to catch her but she slipped away so he hurriedly walked to where she was standing.
"Hello" she smiled. The girl stared blankly at her, not speaking a word.
"Hausa?" Zahra asked, the girl nodded.

"Mi sunan ki (What's your name)"

"Safiya"

"Mi kike wurin nan (What are you doing here)?"

"Bara (Begging)" Safiyas shaky voice said.

"Gidan ku na kusa (Is your house close)?" Safiya again nodded. Zahra called Andrew closer, asked him to bend and whispered into his ear "Is there any money with you?"
"Yes" Sahabi always made sure Andrew had money with him just in case his Ummi needed anything.
"Can you give her ten?" Zahra asked.

"Naira?" Andrew questioned.

"Thousand" His eyes balled "Are you sure?"
"Yup" He brought out a bundle of one thousand naira notes from his pocket, counted ten and passed it to Zahra. She in turn gave it to Safiya "Take this, run home" Safiya mumbled a thank you before sprinting away, leaving Zahra happy, Andrew surprised and Usman proud of little Zahra.

xoxo hairanumar

Vote
Comment
Share
Thank you.