7 months later
ASMAU
So much has transpired in the past few months, a whirlwind of both good and challenging events. Here's a summary of what unfolded:
First and foremost, Mimi tied the knot just a week after the twins' naming ceremony. She and her husband are now living in Lagos, and we miss her dearly. Her life has taken a new and exciting turn as she is currently pregnant.
Secondly, there was a tragic incident involving Abubakar's cousin, Layla, four months ago. She was struck by a car, and her passing shook the family to its core. The circumstances surrounding her accident are still under investigation, as the driver fled the scene. We hope the police will find the culprit soon, and may her soul rest in peace.
Thirdly, our twins have now reached the age of seven months, and Alhamdulillah, they are growing up so fast. They've begun to crawl bringing a new level of mischief, especially our little troublemaker, Afeen. They've also started on solid foods, and they can now stand up when holding onto something for support.
"Safeeya, please collect that remote from Afeen's hands," I ordered, frustration tingeing my voice.
"Feen feen, why are you being so naughty? You love to place anything in your mouth, don't you?" Safeeya scolded while taking back the remote. Afeen just gazed at her, his innocent eyes wondering what the fuss was about.
"Just take him away from the television," I sighed.
"Okay," she obliged.
"Mummy, where's Daddy?" Ansar's curious voice chimed in as he entered the room.
"He's out. What's going on?" I asked, staring at him.
"He promised to take me to Jabir's house to play ball."
"You've been going there all week; it might be a good idea to stay home today," Safeeya advised, arching an eyebrow at her brother.
"I won't stay home, and Feeyah, if I'm talking to Mummy, you better stop sticking your nose into the matter," Ansar warned.
"I won't. What will you do?" She challenged, "Mummy, Wallahi, warn Ansar," she added with a pretend scowl.
"Enough, both of you" I scolded, putting an end to their argument, and causing Afeen to look up at me with curiosity.
"Ansar, your Daddy can take you to Jabir's house tomorrow. Please be patient," I tried to reason with him.
"But Mummy, I promised Jabir I'd come today."
"Well, your Daddy isn't here right now. What do you want me to do?" I inquired.
"I swear, this is so unfair!" He stormed away, his frustration evident.
"Ansar, Ansar," I called, after him.
"Mama, just let him be," Safeeya said, rolling her eyes.
"Drop Afeen and go check if Afeena is awake," I ordered, feeling a bit overwhelmed. Safeeya promptly followed my instructions.
I grabbed my phone and dialed Ibty's number.
"Maman two!" she exclaimed as soon as she answered, her enthusiasm ringing loudly through the phone.
"Ibteesam, when are you going to get some sense?" I hissed, playfully.
"When I become a parent."
"You better start looking for a husband, then," I chuckled.
"Don't even start with me. Umma just finished lecturing me about marriage," Ibty groaned.
"Well, it might be for the best," I teased. Safeeya came downstairs with Afeena, whom she passed to me.
"Mama, you're up already?" I asked, as she rubbed her drowsy eyes.
"Aww Baby Afeena woke up?" I heard Ibty's voice through the phone.
"Yeah, she just woke up," I replied with a smile, gently adjusting my precious baby girl into my arms, cradling her close to my heart. When she began sulking, I turned to Safeeya. "Feeyah, please fetch her water bottle from the room," I instructed.
"Where are Noorie and Ansar?" Ibty asked.
"Ansar is in his room, and Noorie is taking a nap."
"Okay. By the way, I have some news," Ibty said excitedly.
"I'm all ears," I replied, taking the water bottle from Safeeya.
"Tijjani sent his people to Baba yesterday, and they've set the date for our wedding," Ibty announced.
"Ibty, are you serious?" I asked, my heart leaping with joy.
"Yes, best friend!" she squealed with delight.
"Alhamdulillah, I'm so happy! Ma sha Allah. So, when's the wedding?" I grinned.
"Next month, In shaa Allah," Ibty revealed.
"Okay, Allah ya kaimu. Allah yasanya Alkhairi," I prayed.
"Ameen, Ameen. So, when are you coming?" She inquired.
"I'm not sure yet, but I'll find a day. You know it's not easy now with the twins."
"I understand. But try to find some time, and come."
"In shaa Allah, Ibty. I have to go now; I need to feed Afeena."
"Alright, take care, and send my regards to Abubakar," Ibty said.
"In shaa Allah," we ended the call. After Afeena had finished nursing, I carefully made my way to the kitchen to prepare her formula. Once it was ready, I poured it into her baby bowl, and then returned to the living room.
"Mummy, Aunty has been calling you," Safeeya informed me.
"Hold the phone, I want to feed Afeena," I said to her while settling back on the couch.
"Mama, come to me. Come take your delicious meal," I cooed, reaching out my arms to Afeena, as she crawled up to me.
"Babyn mamanta," I whispered, as I scooped her up into my arms. With Afeena now in my lap, I began to feed her. She eagerly accepted each spoonful of her meal, her small hands reaching out to touch the spoon as if to say, "I can do it myself, Mama."
After I was done feeding Afeena, I called Aunty back.
"Assalamu'alykum," she answered.
"Wa'alykusalam, Aunty. Ina wuni; good afternoon."
"Lafia kalau, Asmau. How's home? How are the kids? And how's Abubakar?"
"They're all fine, Alhamdulillah. How is everyone at home?"
"Everyone is fine, Alhamdulillah. Asmau, have you talked with Salma?"
"No, we haven't talked in a while. What happened? Is there a problem?" I asked.
"Well, Salma has been acting very weird for the past few months."
"Weird as in how, Aunty?"
"She stays more often in her room now, and with every small thing, she gets startled. It's like she's scared of something, and she's always on a phone call with someone. When you ask who it is, she says no one. I'm sure she's hiding something from us."
"But since when has this been happening?" I asked.
"Well, for like some months, I think. I can't remember. Babaji thinks it's because she's still not married yet; maybe it's affecting her, but I don't think it's that."
"No, it's not because of that. I know Ya Salma; marriage is actually the last thing on her mind right now."
"Well, we keep on praying. I'll keep an eye on her, In shaa Allah. You should also try talking to her."
"Okay, Aunty, I will, In shaa Allah."
We bade each other goodbye and ended the call.
Iman
"Ring, ring, ring," my phone kept ringing, and with a sigh, I picked it up.
"Hello, who's this?" I asked, my voice tinged with irritation.
"Iman, it's me, Salma," came the hesitant voice on the other end.
"I told you not to call me again, didn't I?" I retorted, my frustration evident.
"I'm sorry, Iman, please don't hang up," she pleaded.
"Okay, what do you want?" I asked.
"Abdul has been disturbing me to give him money, Iman," she confessed, desperately.
"And how's that my problem? I wasn't the one who sent him to kill Layla, right?" I snapped, feeling angry.
"But you know if he gets caught, he's going to mention my name to the police, right? And if I go down, I'm going down with you, I swear" she threatened.
"Are you threatening me?" I asked, my voice low and dangerous.
"What if I am? Look, if you send the money, I will get rid of Abdul, I promise," she added, turning desperate.
"Salma, what's wrong with you? You've started getting used to killing people, right?" I couldn't hide the disgust in my voice.
"Iman, sometimes it's not because you like doing bad, but there are some people that are threats in your life and you really need to get rid of them," she said, her voice shaky.
"I don't like this, but I'll send you the money,"
"Okay. Thank you," she hung up, leaving me in thoughts.
"I don't like where this is going," I whispered to myself, feeling uneasy,
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