More To It

Chapter 17- Let's Go

Zaynab

“Am sorry”,Khalid whispers.

“Khalid, get out my face, am not playing witchu”,I shake my head and continue kicking my foot back and forth.

“Look, I know I messed up because I was angry. And am sorry. I shouldn’t have done what I did....not to you”.

“Not to HIM. Khalid, he was trying. He was really trying too. Then you go and do s**t like that? If we’re lucky, he’s serving time for a few years. The amount of s**t that nigga has done could get him sentenced for a lifetime. And you think some idiotic piece of sorry would fix this? Well Khalid. Apology not accepted. Now get out my face”,I snap at him.

He sighs and rubs his forehead before sitting back down beside Aayan who shakes his head.

“So you’re actually serious about marrying him?“,mommy Adelola asks me.

“Yeah”,I nod.

I look st her and daddy expecting them to reject the idea but daddy was just smiling while mommy didn’t look upset with it. So I guess its a yes.

“But we’re not moving in together yet, until he feels he can control himself”.

“Yeah, I think that’s better. I know he’s trying, but you can never be too careful”,daddy nods.

“Yeah”.

“I wonder what will happen now”,Mommy sighs.

The door opens and mommy walks in with a chuckle.

“You actually are the boss. What the fucl did you say to the judge?“,I hear Abiodun’s loud voice from behind her.

“Abiodun?“,I whisper. Maybe am dreaming.

“Abiodun? What are you doing here?“,Fawaz gasps.

“Oh, she bailed me out”,Abiodun shrugs.

“What? How?“,I look at mommy who holds out a letter.

“It’s a certified letter proving that he had mental issues. The judge says he would prove to be a threat but the doctors there have noted his outstanding improvement from the last 6 months. He can control his anger more and also has pills that can help him. So they let him off. But he’ll be monitored regularly. If he can pass that for the 2 months recommended. He’s a free man”,she explains.

“Oh my God. That’s amazing”,I whisper.

“So how about that promise huh”he smirks.

I chuckle then hug him tightly.

“Am so happy you’re back”,I whisper.

“Yeah?“.

I nod which made him chuckle then he releases me and bends down as Yousif comes running towards him.

“You’re back”.

“Don’t I always?“.

Yousif giggles then gives Abiodun a big kiss.

“Don’t leave me again”.

“Don’t worry. I think we straight”,Abiodun chuckles then he looks at Salma who smiles then hugs him. He smiles and ruffles his hair.

“Abiodun, Khalid has something to say”,Fawaz pushes him towards Abiodun who folds his arms and leans back.

“Yes?“.

Khalid glares at Fawaz then he looks at Abiodun with annoyance.

“Am not even su-“.

“Nah it ight. I feel ya. I wanted to kill you too when I heard you was with Zaynab. I don’t care anyways”,Abiodun shrugs.

“I wasn’t jealous. I just don’t like you in general”,Khalid says.

“I swear, this boy”,Fawaz and Aayan shake their heads. He’s so stupid. Really nigga.

Abiodun just chuckled and hums.

“You know. Out of everyone here. I don’t mind you. You a real one”,Abiodun says and pats Khalid’s shoulder.

“Wooow”,I mumble and sigh happily.

“Anyways. Am free. About that surgery. You up for it?“,Abiodun asks uncle Usman.

“Now? You just got back”,aunt Fatima tells him.

“I know. The sooner we get it done, the sooner he can get back to walking”.

“You ready?“,aunt asks uncle who looks at her then hums.

“Let’s take your car”,Aaleyah tells Abiodun who shrugs.

“Keep us updated”,the rest of our parents tell them as uncle is pushed out with Aaleyah and Aremu behind their parents.

“Take care of him”,I tell Abiodun who hums.

“After that, can I take care of you?“,he whispers into my ears.

“Y-. Oh you nasty s**t”,I gasp.then push him away. He laughs his way out of the house.

“That’s the first time I’ve heard the guy laugh”,Khalid whispers.

“I know right. Its actually nice”,Aamanee smiles.

“Khalid”,I turn to him.

“What?“.

“A-“.

“Don’t. I don’t care. Really. You basically already started a family ams have another set on the way. It makes sense. Plus I divorced you. So am good”, he shrugs.

“Soooooo? Where does that leave us?“.

“Back to square one I guess”.

I smile at his response then throw myself on him.

“I love Youuuuuuu”.

“I love you too”,he chuckles.

“So Amari?“.

“They told you?“,he looks back at the boys who smile innocently.

“It was expected. So when’s the wedding?“.

“Soon*.

“That fast?“.

“Well, we can’t exactly do anything without marriage, now can we? I ain’t bouta go down that haram road again”,he replies which made us all laugh. He right tho. This nigga, I swear.

***

“Hey guys”,Fawaz walks out of the kitchen with a smile on his face.

“Yeah?“.

“The surgery was successful”.

“What? Really? When are they coming back?“,aunt Rukayat asks him.

“Um, should be soon. Uncle is still asleep, so when he wales up and eats something, they’ll know”,Fawaz replies then a chorus of “Alhamdulilah” fills the room.

My phone suddenly starts ringing showing Abiodun’s name so I pick up.

Phone conversation

Me: well hey Mr hero

Him: *chuckles* hey

Me: tired?

Him: s**t took 3 f*****g hours. Am beat

Me: aw, nize one tho yeah. Wait why’d you callm ain’t you supposed to be with uncle?

Him: he’s still sleeping, am in my office. I was bored so...

Me: you only have him as a patient?

Him: today? Yeah

Me: oh okay. Well how’s aunt and the rest?

Him: do you really think I called you to talk about them?

Me: *smirks* well, I can’t think of any other reason, likeeeeee

Him: *chuckles* you play too much. Salma’s birthday is tomorrow. You’re a girl, what do you think she’d want?

Me: *smiles* that’s actually the most sweetest thing yo ass has ever called me for. But awwws. I’ll talk to Aamanee about it and then let you know. What do you have in mind?

Him: well, what kind of birthday party are girls all about?

Me: well, she’s kinda tomboyish. Hey, I’ll ask Aamanee anyways and let you know

Him: yeah, sounds better. I swear that girl scares me more than I can admit

Me: FORREAL? NO WAY!

“Yo guys. Guess what”,I look at the rest while laughing

“What?“,Fawaz asks.

“Abiodun just admitted that Aamanee kinda scares him”,I yell.

“What?“,they all yell then laughter fills the room. Aamanee chuckles and shakes her head.

Me: awww b, don’t worry. She’s lowkey nice

Him: mmm yeah, nah. Anyways, watchu got going on in an hour?

Me: me? Nothing. Why?

Him: your house is ready, furnished and the keys were given to me this morning

Me: wow, that fast? Well its a good thing sef because Khalid and Amari will be getting together soon, ya’knowww

Him: damn. That was fast *chuckles*

Me: I know *chuckles* was expected. But yeah, sure, just come here and pick me up

Him: yeah? Cool, so when you moving out?

Me: the boys will help get my things

Him: cool, so after tomorrow, can I take you out? Just me and you?

Me: as in...a date?

Him: whatever you wanna call it. Just me and you?

Me: I don’t know if I want to be seem with you like....kinda risky ya’know. It’ll ruin my rep like

Him: quit playing with me *laughs*

Me: *chuckles* sure, but boundaries

Him: yeah, yeah. You’ll be mine soon anyways, so does it matter really?

Me: it does. We can talk about that when you pick me up anyways. We can go to Khalid’s and get a few of my things to take. Then tomorrow, the boys can help with the rest

Him: yeah, that makes sense. Am free tomorrow, what time will Salma’s party be at?

Me: boy, don’t worry. We’ll plan it and send you all the deets. Okay?

Him: ugh, okay sure. But we only have like a few hours. Tomorrow is legit in another what? Less than 12 hours?

Me: chillllllllll. When you come over, we’ll discuss it some more, ighttt?

Him: yeah, yeah. Anyways I gotta go, your uncle’s awake. I’ll go check on him, if he’s okay, we’ll be there in less than 30 minutes

Me: *smiles* eeee can’t wait. But you won’t come here straight away though. He’d need some rest which means you’d need to drop him off at his house

Him: oh yeah, forgot. Well then, you’ll see him whenever you’ll see him

Me: ight cool. Byeee

Him: mmmm

I hang up then sigh dramatically before laying back down onto the couch.

“He’s picking you up?“,Aayan asks.

“Yeah, the house is ready so we going there and moving a few of my things”.

“That a fast”,Aayan whispers.

“I know. He’s too excited for this, I swear”,I chuckle and rub my face tiredly.

“Yeah?“.

***

“You drove them home?“,aunt Ameerah asks Abiodun who ruffles his hair as he walks into the room.

“Mmm”,he hums with response then he rubs his face tiredly before checking his watch.

“You sure you want to go now? We can go tomorrow”,I tell him.

“Nah it ight, we won’t have time anyways, am working the next day and a few things came up....so gotta take care of that”.

“A few things professional work wise or personal?“,I ask him but he doesn’t reply.

“Abiodun, I hope you’re not back to your way-”

“Am not hurting anybody, relax. Just a few mess I gotta clean up. Nothing big”,he sighs.

“Betta not”,I mumble.

He rolls his eyes then all of a sudden Yousif starts screaming from the play room and right after that we hear crying.

“WHAT’S GOING ON IN THERE?“,Fawaz yells.

Azeez runs out holding his forehead in tears and he quickly hugs Fawaz who gasps.

“What’s wrong with you?“,he asks Azeez who’s crying badly. It wasn’t even his usual tantrum cry, it was as if an adult had beaten him.

“YOUSIF”,I call.

He walks out after with the door of his car in his hand and a frown on his face.

“What did you do?“,I ask him.

“He broke my car. He broke it”,Yousif repeats.

Azeez just continues crying. Fawaz picks him up and rubs his head.

“It’s okay. Hey, stop crying. It’s okay”,Fawaz whispers to Azeez who hides his face in his chest.

“Yousif. What did you do to him?“,I repeat.

“I hit him with the door”,he whispers.

I look at the door then at Yousif.

“What were you thinking? Are you trying to kill the boy?“,I gasp realizing how heavy the door actually was.

“HE BROKE MY CAR”,Yousif screams at me.

“Then you come to tell one of us, you don’t take matters into your hands. You can’t go around hitting him every time. You broke his toy car two days ago but he didn’t hit you”,I tell him.

He frowns and he stares at me with trembling lips.

“Say sorry”.

“No. He broke my car. He has to say sorry”.

“Yousif. Am not playing with you”.

“He has to say sorry”,he repeats.

“It’s okay, let it go”,Fawaz mumbles.

“No. He can’t keep hurting others and expecting to receive an apology. Yousif. Say sorry, am not playing”,I tell him with my tone higher than before.

“NO!“,he yells.

“This boy really thinks am playing”,I mumble.

“Can you chill? Don’t hit him for that”,Abiodun tells me.

“He just smacked another kid with the toy car. Do you realize how hevay that door is?“.

“Yeah, and am sure you can find any other way to talk to him. You don’t have to hit him like”.

“Yousif, drop the car, say sorry. Or imma take not just your Xbox but also your PS from you for a week. You know why that means right?“,Abiodun tells Yousif who’s eyes widens.

“But daddy, he broke my car”,Yousif whispers sadly.

“Yeah, I know. Imma getchu a new one. Probably shouldn’t have hit him”.

“Probably?“,I raise an eyebrow.

“okay. Maybe you shouldn’t have hit him. Say sorry, I thought he was yo best friend anyways? You can’t hit him and expect him to still be your friend”,Abiodun tells Yousif who frowns then looks at Azeez.

“Azeez are you still my friend?“,he asks.

“No”Azeez shakes his head which made Yousif frown then he hides his face in Abiodun’s legs.

“See. Just say sorry before yo ma whoops yo black ass. Apparently she’s turned into the hulk this season eh”,Abiodun whispers.

“You’re actually an ass liked,I chuckle and shake my head.

“Go on”,Abiodun chuckles.

Yousif moves away from him then he walks towards Fawaz slowly. Fawaz places Azeez down and folds his arms watching the two.

“Hhhdhdh”,Yousif mumbles.

“What?“,I ask him.

“Am sorry I hit you”.

Azeez frowns and looks at him.

“Am sorry I broke your car. I didn’t mean to”,Azeez whispers.

“It’s okay. Daddy’s going to fix it. Will you be my friend again?“,Yousif smiles.

“Okay”,Azeez giggles then the two hug each other before running back into the play room.

“What the f**k was that?“,abiodun furrows his eyebrows with confusion.

“Kids are like that”,mommy chuckles.

“Wowuu”,Abiodun mumbles.

“Ight. Come on. I wanna go home”,Abiodun tells me.

“Uh nigga. I told you to go before sef. You’re the one wanting to go now”.

“Well ain’t like we can go any other day, my schedule is booked like”.

“Really? Already? Ain’t you just get back to work?“,I ask him.

“Yeah. But I’ve had patients on waiting list, waiting for me to resume. It’s weird, they only trust me to perform their surgeries.... I wonder if they still would if they knew the amount of bullshit I’ve actually committed”,he hums.

“No they won’t”,Aamanee says instantly.

“Shush”.

“I can’t wait till something happens and you come running towards my office. Best future date ever”,Abiodun smiles at her.

“God Forbid”.

“Sure. Whatever you say”,he smirks then turns to me.

***

“Wow, this place is amazing. It’s not too big or too tony. It’s just right”,I smile as I look around my new house.

“Yeah, you like em like that”,he chuckles and wheels in the last of my bag. We just ended up collecting all my things, it was much easier than I thought.

“And this area is safe?“,I look at him.

“Mmm”.

“No cameras?”

“None”,he nods.

“Good. Will you make my bed? My back hurts”,I smile innocently at him.

“You are the worst. If I am too tired, am sleeping here”,he tells me as we make our way up the stairs towards my room.

“Yeah sure. You can just stay over. Stay in one of the rooms”,I tell him.

“Yeah?“.

He fluffs my pillow them pulls back the covers.

“Well get in”,he tells me.

“I need to change first. I don’t like sleeping in jeans”,I tell him then get down on the floor and start going through my suitcases for my nightgown. I take out my white, ankle length nightgown then close the bag.

I walk out of the bathroom while putting my hair in a bun.

“Yousif is sleeping”,Abiodun says from the entrance of my room.

“Yeah? Mmm. Well go to bed too”,I tell him as I get into the covers.

“Yeah”,he whispers.

“Goodnight”,I smile.

“Night”.

He switches off the light then closes the door gently. I turn on my right side and close my eyes.

“Mommy?“,I hear Yousif’s tiny voice which made me open my eyes only to find him at the entrance of my room.

“Baby what’s wrong?“,I ask him.

“I want to sleep with you and daddy”,he smiles.

“Daddy isn’t here yet. You can’t sleep with us yet but you can sleep with me”.

“Please mommy”,he begs.

“Baby, your daddy and I aren’t together yet. You won’t understand. He’ll be sleeping here soon. Okay?“.

“Just today? It feels nice to have both of you here”,he whispers while rocking side to side.

“Oh”,I him then smile.

“Sure. Call your daddy here then”,I tell him.

“Thank you mommy”,he yells then runs out of the door.

“DADDY, COME SLEEP WITH ME AND MOMMY”,he screams.

“Lil man I can’t slee-”

“MOMMY SAID COME DADSY. HURRY!“.

He drags a shirtless Abiodun into my room then he closes the door and smiles.

“He insisted. Said it felt nice to have us both here. I couldn’t say no to that face”,I tell Abiodun who chuckles and shakes his head.

“Put on a shirt”,I groan as I lay back down and cover my eyes.

“Why? Is it disturbing you?“.

“YES. It really is. Put on a shirt”.

“Can’t. I don’t sleep with a shirt on, you know that”,he shrugs then he gets in bed beside Yousif.

“Plus, Yousif is like a barrier between us. So it’s okay”,he shrugs.

“I thought you was sleeping anyways Yousif”.

“I was, then I wasn’t”,Yousif replies then he snuggles into my chest and shuts his eyes.

“Haha. Okay then, goodnight”,I kiss his head and smile while rubbing his back.