Two shades of affection

Chapter 3

Mustapha.

I took a shower after Isha prayer and changed into a navy blue shirt and jeans. I wore my wristwatch, picked up my phone, and went inside the main house. My family, Abba, Ummah, Ummiterh, and my brother, Luqmaan were in the living room. I greeted my parents and sat down on the couch beside Ummiterh.

Luqmaan was at his reading desk, reading with his textbooks. The boy was seventeen now, all grown up. My memory of the 12-year-old boy I left was still vivid that I can't forget.

"You haven't slept yet?" I asked Ummiterh. She shook her head and yawned. "Let it come naturally," I hummed and trailed my gaze to Luqmaan. "How was the WAEC lesson today Luqmaan?" I asked trying to spark a conversation. Luqmaan paused with his writing and I saw his jaws tighten.

The air stilled from the silence, only Ummiterh oblivious to what was happening.

"Your brother is asking you a question Luqmaan," Umma gently scolded him. Luqmaan dropped his pen and uttered with gritted teeth "The lesson was fine,"

"Is that how to speak to your elder brother?" Abba spoke out in a domineering voice. Abba had a tall and huge build with a dark full beard, which gave him a towering aura always. Not to forget his deep voice. I still can't believe that this was the same man that spoilt his son.

"I am sorry Abba," Luqmaan apologized.

"Did you offend me?" Abba and I quickly interfered before it escalated. "Abba, Umma it's okay. I am going to meet up with Naim,"

"Be back before midnight," Abba said.

"In Sha Allah," I muttered and glanced at Ummiterh who had fallen asleep. It does come naturally. I nodded at Umma and stared at Luqmaan for a while before walking out.

I took Abba's car since mine hadn't arrived yet. It was delayed because of Abba too. I drove out as former thoughts overwhelmed me. When I was in my awful days, it almost broke my family apart.

My mother passed away when I was seven and that broke the young me and initiated the stubbornness. I still remember how my mama stopped me from acting haughty and mannerless but after her death, everything lost its meaning to me.

Abba married Umma and she took care of me like her own child despite being a new bride but I showed her how to live with a little devil because I felt like she was taking my mother's place. Being his first child from his late wife, Abba indulged in my bad character and gave me anything I wanted. Amma tried to advise him but he never listened. A few months later, she got pregnant and soon gave birth to Luqmaan.

This should have shared Abba's love but it didn't. I never loved my younger brother, so anytime I wanted him not to have someone, Abba agreed with it. I was affected by this but still treated me well. This woman has a heart of gold wallahi.

I was a bad and rude elder brother of Luqmaan and never showed affection to him, neither in the house nor outside. I started university at a young age but did nothing other than play around. I was a smart lad but never got serious and showed off my father's wealth. I managed to graduate with Abba's help but knowing that I learned barely anything, he decided to send me abroad saying that I would learn better there without my friends.

Umma tried to persuade him but he refused and I was adamant on leaving. Before I left, I had a big argument with my twelve-year-old brother and I can still remember the hatred he has for me.

Even after being a bad son, Umma still reached out to me abroad giving me words of advice always. That woman was nothing but good to me and then, I only made this world hell for her. I only found out from Abba when I came back that he stopped her from giving birth until I left. Ummiterh is five now and only knows me from pictures. Our bond only started.

Umma was very forgiving as she embraced my flaws and treated me like nothing ever happened. I keep praying for Jannah for this beautiful soul every day.

My goal now is to form a bond with my brother Luqmaan. It's going to be hard but I am determined to do it.

I traced the location Naim gave me and only found it after three failed attempts. Naim is my closest friend I met in Uni and just as bad as I was, he was too. We only got separated when I left the country. I didn't want to associate with any of my past but Naim is part of my life. I believe that if I can change, he can too, and leaving someone because they are in the dark is not right at all.

Today is the guy's birthday and he invited me to the party but I don't party anymore. I still decided to meet him before the day was over. I stopped before the guest house and alighted from the car.

I brought my phone out and called him. He told me he was under the billboard in a white kaftan and I trailed my gaze to find him with someone. My eyes squinted and soon widened in surprise at who was beside him.

Wasn't that the hijab lady I met this evening? When her niqab was pulled by that brute, I caught a glimpse of her face and it was etched in my memory that I couldn't forget. And she was standing dangerously close to Naim without her hijab but tight clothing.

Is what that brute said the truth? That women like her just hide their true colors behind their hijab? I felt hurt inside but at the same time angry.

Naim was called by someone and left her alone, checking her phone and I used that opportunity to approach her.

"What a pleasant surprise to see you here. Miss," I said sardonically when I reached her. She raised her head and checked it I was speaking to her and I can't help but marvel at her beauty even more.

"Were you talking to me?" she asked surprised yet cool. Okay, now she is pretending.

"So you have a memory loss too that you forgot my face," I scoffed and she dropped her hands in anger. "Excuse me Mister but I don't know you. If you are one of my fans who wants to just strike up a convo with me, do it the proper way?"

What fan? Is she sick or what?

"You disappointed me today," I hissed looking at her sadly. Is it so hard to find someone good in this world now? Is someone who isn't two-faced?

The lady was now pissed off as she pointed at me. "Don't see that just because you are handsome you get to say anything you want to a woman. I don't know you and it would be better if you stop saying nonsense to me!" she scolded.

"Who made my bestie angry? Come on it's my birthday, " I heard Naim's voice from behind me and rushed beside and asked, "What's the problem, Diya?"

Diya? Is that her name? She pointed at me and Naim looked over, surprised to see me.

"Mustapha?" he laughed and slapped me on the back. "I thought you wouldn't come and I will be forced to break our friendship."

"Happy birthday," I smiled and he hummed. "I will wait for my gift and make sure it's great since you missed the party. Now tell me, why are you pestering my bestie?"

"Pester? I didn't do that," I shrugged and glanced at Diya who was glaring at me.

Naim chuckled and told her, "Don't be angry much bestie. This is my other best friend I spoke to you about. Mustapha Aliyu Gulani. He is a legend,"

Diya rolled her eyes and smiled at him. Woah, her smile is enchanting.

"It's late Bestie and I gotta go. I'll chat ya," she said and he side-hugged her before she walked away not sparing me a glance.

I felt a touch on the shoulder and knew I had zoomed out. "I know that my bestie is cute but don't stare too much or she can be a tigress," Naim said and I shook my head. "I never knew that you had a female bestie,"

He shrugged and slipped his hands in his pocket. "It's been just a year since I met Sadiyya Suleiman Muhammad. Popularly known as Diya. She is every man's dream. Tell me something, it seems that you were flirting with her and she got angry. If you need help, just ask me."

I hastily shook my head. Maybe before but not now. "I am not interested in marrying a woman who has advantages with other guys." I know I was bad before but playing around with girls was a no for me. I saw them as betrayed. Even if I spend my money on girls, touching them is another matter.

Naim scoff at my statement. "Relax. Who talked about marriage? My bestie isn't ready for that but don't worry, she is a good girl. Her father's status is not in our league but she is. That girl is popular and if she knows who you actually are, she will agree easily,"

So she's a gold digger too.

"As I said. I am not interested. I don't want to date any girl with no intention of marriage," I said.

"Come on bro. Don't kill the fun," he whined. "As for me, I will chill for now and when I am ready for marriage, my parents will take care of it. They will find a good wife,"

I frowned and said, "Aren't you scared that the woman they find is a bad girl just covering her true self,"

"Uh…No one hopes for that, " he returned and I shook my head. I have a little sister and I wouldn't do what I don't want to happen to her to other women.

"Forget about this now. Where is my gift?" he asked.

"In the car," I said and we walked to the car where I gave him his gift. We spoke for a while before I drove back home. The excitement I felt this afternoon died out just like that. Was this the punishment I was getting one by one? The good things I want are slipping away before I even try.