Al Qulub Haris

Seven

Sahabi was in his office having a meeting with the current Vice president, the Chief of army staff, the Minister of petroleum, the current governors of; Kano, Borno, Kebbi, Lagos, Kogi and Delta and a few other important members and supporters of their Party. They had all come to plead with Sahabi to save them and contest in the upcoming presidential election. They all had individually met with other dignitaries who agreed with their pleas, everyone who knew what they were doing and wanted something good for the country was in support of Sahabi.

"You should know better than to refuse our request. I am the VP and everyone expects me to contest but I know what I am doing and I know you are what is best for this nation, even Mr. President agrees. He would be here too but he had to attend the welcome ceremony of the 98 girls that were released"

"We all may be cowards" Haruna Ali Madu, the governor of Borno state interrupted "But you are not, My people have been killed enough by these men. We know who is responsible for this but there is nothing we can do because we fear for our own lives but if we have a fearless man like you leading us then I promise to give my life for my people"

"You all know I was initially emmm a errrrr member of the emmm of the opposing party" The minister of petroleum cleared his throat before continuing "On my path I must say, I have some brilliant ideas that I'm sure would elevate our crude oil income to higher levels but when I tabled them out to the opposing party, I became a laughing stock that was when I realized that these men don't have our country's best interest at Heart. Sir our economy is crashing we need beautiful minds like you to bring us back to our past glory"

Sahabi got on his feet, his rage fueling him "I have heard all you had to say, I am honored to have great men like you willing to let me lead you but I will need time to prepare for the war to come, the war against corruption. Until then, I will request you, Mr. Vice president sir to run in the upcoming elections, to start the war to clear a path for me and after your tenure, there will be no persuasion needed. Are you all with me?" The room went dead silent as they all processed what he had said. They came there to convince him but he had successfully changed their minds and showed them a better path and that was why they all respected him, he had a great vision.

"Yes" The governor of Delta said, getting on his feet. One by one they all stood up "To ending the war" They chorused.

✊✊✊

"Andy" Zahra waved as she skipped over to where he was standing in her knee length hijab "You look happy today" she added. They both walked towards the car parked outside the gates of the Islamiyya

"I'm always happy around you Zahra and my wife gave birth" he smiled.

"Really? You have a baby?"

"Yes. A little girl"

"What's her name?"

"Josephine"

"Awww, congratulations Andy. But why are you here? Why aren't you at home with them?"

"Well you see my life is dedicated to keeping you safe little one" he fastened her seatbelt, shut the door and got into the front seat. She greeted the driver as he turned on the ignition and drove them away.

"Can I meet the baby?"

"Of course, I'll bring them when my wife is strong enough"

"Lets go see them now"

"I don't think your dad will be okay with that. You should ask him first" The car came to a stop outside the gate of the Kamba mansion, the gate slid open and they drove in. Zahra had already removed her seatbelt when the car came to a stop, she didn't bother waiting for Andrew before jumping out of the car and running inside the house.

"Abba!" she kept shouting till she found him close to his room. She was breathing heavily when she came to a stop, bending a little with her hand on the wall for support as she tried to catch her breath.

"What is wrong my Ummi? Are you okay?"

"Abba. I-I-I" she said in between pants "Andys wife sh-sh-she gave birth and I want to go see the baby" Sahabi let out a sigh of relief after hearing her sentence.

"You should go freshen up and eat, I'll tell Mami to go with you okay?"

"Okay Abba" she set out on what seemed like a race with invincible forces to her room.

✊✊✊

"Salamu'alaikum" Maryam entered Murtalas room, he was deep in thought and wasn't aware of her presence. She walked to his bed and sat beside him "Mami" he smiled.

"Noi Kam (are you okay)?"

"Jam (I'm fine)" he sighed.

"Its okay if you're not. Don't hold back your feelings it will damage you from the inside so just let it out" she opened her arms so he could come in for a hug, he rested his head on her shoulder and they remained in that position for a while as she continuously ran her fingers through his silky hair "Its okay my boy" She made sure he was okay before leaving the room.

"Salam Murtala"

"Wa'alaikis salam. Nana how are you?" he said into the phone.

"Bi khair Alhamdulillah. I was wondering if I could come over and apologize to Abba for what happened, at my house"

"Don't worry I'll do that just keep yourself safe okay?"

"Okay" she rolled her eyes, Murtala knew better than to believe an 'okay' from Aisha. He knew how stubborn she was and she was not one to back down without a fight.

"Nana listen to me, I don't want you disobeying Daddy on my account. Do what he asks and pray for what's best remember Allah has a reason for everything even if we can't see it all HE does is for our own good. I know your parents wont put you in a place where you'll suffer so just keep praying" she was already crying "don't pray against your marriage to Ahmad, pray that our separation is for the best and pray for happiness, love and blessings in your marriage"

"Murtala I love you, I'll always love you" she said in between sobs.

"But you have to stop loving me Nana, you have to forget our love from now on you must only see me as a brother and a friend nothing more. If you ever need anything at all Nana anything don't hesitate to call me" Aisha couldn't speak anymore she kept crying till Murtala ended the call.

And with that call went their love, gone for good with nothing to show for it. He remembered how they planned their dream wedding, how they would live as husband and wife, how they picked out names for their unborn children . They planned their whole lives together, never did they think about their lives apart and little did they know they would be spending the rest of their lives separated.

Murtala sighed as he threw on his Chelsea jersey shirt after pulling up his jersey shorts, he picked a pair of soccer boots from his mini walk in closet and headed for the door. It was a quick drive to city park with 'Post Malone's White Iverson' playing softly as he sang along. He gazed at the green field and smiled, the only thing that could get Aisha off his mind was football, at least he hoped it would.

xoxo hairanumar