Thirteen
1158 Words
Zahra looked at her mother and back at the grey bearded man that stood before them, she was about to speak when two security guards rushed in.
"We're very sorry madam" They both said to Maryam "We'll get him out immediately" Maryam flicked her wrist gesturing for them to leave. She took a deep breath and sat back down, she looked up at Adam "Bismillah" she pointed to a chair adjacent to hers "Sit down" she turned her gaze to Zahra "Leave" Zahra nodded and quickly exited the room.
Maryam looked deep into Adams eyes, his eyes showed nothing but wickedness just like she remembered. She remembered how he used to hit her over every minor issue and how he used to force himself on her. She remembered how stupid she was and wished she had done something about the ill manner he treated her.
"Hatoi bingyal am (Where is my son)?"
"The son you abandoned? The son whose shelter, feeding and clothing you know nothing about? The son who got tired of asking about you and embraced the fact that he had no father but Sahabi"
"Don't give me that! Murtala is my son and no one else's. Don't forget you were the one who took him away from me"
"And when I took him away did you ever call to ask about his well being?"
"I don't care about all that, I just want to see my son"
"Jibrin!" Maryam called out and shortly a dark, tall, built man walked in "Escort this man out" She got up from her sitting position and headed for the staircase.
"You can't keep him away from me, he is my son and I will be back for him!"
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Murtala greeted Maryam as he sat on the carpeted floor in front of her. He noticed the tension in her voice when she asked him about work.
"Mami is everything okay?"
"Your father wants to see you" she replied. He looked up at her with a confused expression on his face wondering why she was a bit reluctant telling him this. She sensed his misunderstanding and cleared her to throat before elaborating "Adam is in town" He kept his head down trying to suppress his anger and not to speak rudely.
"What does he want?"
"I wouldn't know"
"Mami forgive me but I will not meet with him"
"He is your father" Murtala chuckled as he got on his feet "Excuse me. I'm late for work" he said and quietly walked out before his anger bested him.
✊✊✊
Nadine shuffled into her office with her usual full hands and was surprised to see Murtala seated, an earpiece shoved into both his ears with his head down making her presence unknown to him. She dropped the contents of her hands on her table then walked to his, waving her hand in his face to get his attention.
He looked up at her and took out the right ear of his earpiece "Hey" she huffed to herself wondering why he was being so cold. Even though they weren't the best of friends she always got a 'Good morning' and a little smile since they established their friendship.
"Well someone's grumpy" her sentence got a chuckle out of him which made her smile herself "What's wrong?"
He sighed "Family issues"
"Care to share?"
"Don't worry, its all good"
"You know a problem shared is a problem solved"
"Its okay Nadine" he paused "latey latey, we should get going to site" he said trying to change the topic. She shook her head at him with full knowledge of what he was trying to do and walked back to her table.
"When you do decide to share, I'll be more than happy to listen" she pocketed her phone "let's go"
✊✊✊
Sahabi looked at his moody wife again, he had only gotten back an hour ago and Maryam was being distant for reasons unknown to him.
"Madam, what is wrong?"
"When will you be traveling again?"
"Three days from now in sha Allah. Do you not want me around?"
"I've missed you, I just wanted to know how many days I have with you" She lied. She did miss him but his presence was the last thing on her mind. Zahra was descending the staircase to the living room where her parents were seated but immediately she heard Maryams sentence, she turned around and ran back up not wanting to witness their lovey dovey. Murtala who was not so lucky was seen by his parents and called to the living room before he could escape.
The three were interrupted by a non-peaceful Salam which came from a grey bearded man who looked like he came straight out of Maryams nightmare's. Sahabi not knowing the identity of the man pleasantly offered him a hand shake and a seat while Maryam and Murtala remained standing as they watched what was happening.
The man cleared his throat as he looked directly at Sahabi "I want to see my son" Sahabi had a flinch of who the man was and relaxed a bit, he was about to take him for a ride.
"Do you know where your son is?" He asked smiling whilst purposely looking away from Murtalas direction.
"No, your wife took him away" Adams statement got a chuckle out of Sahabi.
"And why didn't you try to contact your son after she did that?"
"All that is in the past, I am here now and I want to meet my son! I have plans for that big headed boy"
"Hajji Adam it is?" Adam nodded "Okay, may I have an insight on those plans of yours?"
"I am taking him back to mubi to takeover my family business and once he's fully settled, I'll get him married to the governors daughter" he finished his sentence smiling shamelessly, Murtalas hands were balled into tight fists as he tried hard not to launch himself at Adam. Sahabi got on his feet his hands held behind him, a serious expression replaced his playful face, he looked at Adam then at Maryam. She knew what he was about to do and slowly shook her head in disapproval. He then looked at Murtala "This. Is. Your. Son" he turned his gaze to Adam who was now standing.
"Murtala m-m-my my son!" He stuttered to Murtala with open arms who in turn was giving him a cold stare with no intentions of going for the hug. Adam retracted his hands as a lump formed in his throat "I want to talk to you in private, meet me outside"
Murtala looked at Sahabi who was sending a soft smile his way "Your father wants to talk to you, meet him wherever he is" Both Fathers turned and left in opposite directions leaving Murtala confused, not knowing who to go after and Maryam shaken to the bone.
xoxo hairanumar
- Writer
