"Son?can you hear me? " alhaji ringim asked when he received no response. It was with great courage he used, to call Sadiq. He knew sadiq wouldn't be lenient on him so he had already expected the worst.
Alhaji ringim faced his daughter who was looking worriedly to know whether sadiq had said something or not. She bite on her thumb finger .
" he hasn't said anything? " she whispered to her dad who still held the phone close to his ear. He shook his head at her, signaling NO
" Son, I know you're listening so please talk to me. I know you're surprised by this sudden call, I already knew you'd be. I just want you to know that I called to check up on you. I heard about your great success on TV, and I couldn't contain my joy but to call and congratulate you."
Alhaji paused for a while , there was still no response
" Right now, you must be filled with so much hatred for me, that I already know. I know I was never a good father but please I would love for us to meet and talk over at the company. I would appreciate it if you would acknowledge my request but I will still understand if you don't want to meet me. I am only trying my best. Love you son" he waited for few seconds maybe sadiq might say something and he never did. Instead, sadiq ends the call.
From the ping ping sound, Alhaji already knew sadiq had ended the call. Truth be told, he had expected that from start. He was even surprised that sadiq even allowed him to say some few things.
" So sorry dad" badiyya said out of concern. She and her dad haven't been on good terms for a while but after listening to his story she had forgiven him. She knew her dad still held some affection for his children. It was just so hard to see it.
He smiled sadly at her " it's fine dear. At least I was able to say something. I just pray he would come"
" he will dad" badiyya tried soothing
***
" Sadiq say something. Haba, you've been quiet since yesterday's call and you refuse to even give me a hint on what is happening. This isn't fair" Jafar said to the man laying on the bed.
Sadiq groaned, already annoyed with Jafar 's constant nagging . All sadiq needed was a quiet and peaceful environment.
" so now I'm disturbing you ko? You won't say anything? " Jafar asked.
" please Jafar all I ask is a little bit of silence. I really don't have all the strength right now "
" you need to tell me what's bothering you. I'm very sure it has something to do with home " jafar told him
Sadiq rolled his eyes. He knew his friend won't stop bothering him not until he tells him his problem" OK fine. I will tell you but can we please leave it till abdulbasit's sister leave? "
Jafar shrugged " OK then. You better hurry up and drive her away then" Jafar added teasingly " that girl Won't Leave you not until you give her what she wants"
" and what does she want? " ask a brow raised sadiq
" You"
" mtcheeew. I even thought you have something good to say"
" so you don't want to believe me? Why do you think she followed you down to Nigeria?. Shine your eyes man, that girl loves you badly. It better you tell her your mind before everything escalate" jafar adviced
" I had already made it clear to her at the UK. I told her I don't have feelings for her. I can only be a friend " sadiq defended himself
Jafar laugh mockingly " Don't say I didn't warn you. You better make it clearer to her"
Sadiq heaved a sigh " fine I will do that now. By the way where is she? "
" I think in a guest room downstairs" Jafar shrugged
Sadiq groaned " I just pray she wouldn't start her whining. I don't think I can't take any more of it wallahi "
Jafar snort " Go try your best" he gave sadiq a little push to the door " and please make it faster. Am eager to know what the phone call was all about "
Sadiq could only roll his eyes.
***
As sadiq got downstairs, he could hear some sound coming out from the kitchen. He already knew it was American rahama so he walk to the kitchen and to his surprise, she was standing there just in a pink bum short and a very thin top. This got him in utmost shock.
When did all these started.
" RAHAMA! " he yelled her name in anger. The said girl got startled and unfortunately, the egg in her hand dropped down to the floor.
She turn around to face him " why did you yell my name like that? "she asked with her hand still on her beating chest.
" What do you think you're doing. What is all these nonsense about? "
" I'm cooking? " she said like it's a normal thing
" Not that ,Rahama. Look at how you're dressed up. Have you forgotten that this is a house where two bachelors are living ?"
" so? " she asked confused
" This isn't United Kingdom. You're in Nigeria and you should behave like them"
" Sadiq, I really don't get all what you're saying "
He rub his face out of frustration " you shouldn't dress like this in a house that consist of two unmarried men"
" oh, I didn't know . I didn't hold any extra clothes so I just decided to pull off the gown I wore to this place yesterday since it was dirty and I left these ones on " she explained herself
" still, you should never repeat that."
She flashed him a smile " but I don't really know why you're even bothered. It's not as if I tried anything on you"
" can we just end the talk. It would be best if you go straight to the guest room. I will bring some of my clothes for you so You can choose which would fit best . It's better than seeing you walking around in these" he pointed in distaste.
She folded her arms " I still see nothing wrong with my dressing" she grumbled
He rolled his eyes and turn around to make his way upstairs .
Few minutes later sadiq came down with two T-shirt and two long sport trousers.
He knocked on the door " here are the clothes so choose "
She opened up and took it from his hand with a strained thank you.
" hurry up and change so you can explain the reason why you spent the night here" he said loudly so she can hear since the door was closed.
He marched to the living room where jafar was already sitting watching the drama unfolding.
" That girl is something " said jafar with a chuckle
" real something I tell you. She thinks she is in the UK where she can move around in any small dress she likes.
" Don't mind her. Her UK mentality is still shacking her"
Jafar nodded "so, while she is still in there can you now tell me about who called you last night?"
Sadiq glared playfully at him " you just won't stop bothering me ko? "
" you of all people should know that by now So tell me"jafar said with a smirk
Sadiq took his time before talking " it was dad"
" you mean your father! " a shocked Jafar asked
" yes "
" what does he want? "
" well, he said something on how he came to know about my success in the News. Can you imagine the nerve that man has! So if I wasn't rich he wouldn't call to know about my well being? infact who even gave him my number? " sadiq was angry now
" you need to calm down sadiq "
" I can't calm down. He has never been a good father , he hasn't. He even have the nerve to request that we meet!. He has alot coming for him if he think I will just forgive him so easily. " he scoff " the nerve of him"
" are you going to meet him? " Jafar asked, already he knew the answer
Sadiq frown" God forbid, I will do no such thing. I don't need him in my life anymore, I really don't "
" are you sure about that? "
Sadiq looked at jafar strangely " I really don't get why you'll be asking me such question. Of course I'm very sure. I don't want to ever see him again"
Jafar heaved a sigh. He never knew sadiq's hatred for his own father was up to this length. It will be so hard for the two to patch things up.
" but sadiq think about it, why don't you just meet up with him. Listen to whatever he wants to say and if you aren't good with it , it's fine. Don't regret never meeting him"
" I said I don't want to meet him. Is it by force? " his voice was getting too loud for Jafar's liking.
"You don't need to shout man"
" Then stop saying things that I don't really like "
" fine " Jafar put his hand up in surrender " I have heard. I won't bother you about this again"
" Good"
" erm .....am I interrupting something? " a confused American rahama asked as she met the two friends arguing
" No you aren't " Jafar was the one who responded with a charming smile" in fact you came out at the right time " he said as he gestured her to sit.
She shrugged and took her seat
" I'm sure you two have something to discuss so I'll be upstairs " Jafar excused himself politely
Sadiq still had his head down. The idea of his father requesting to meet him irritates him alot. Hasn't that man with any shame?. If anyone should be the one to meet who, that would be his father. He has money much more than his father so why does his father think that he would just call and in return expect sadiq to come running over?
That man has alot of things coming for him. They all think they can come closer to him just because he is now rich!. Alhaji Ringim should better be prepared because sadiq isn't one to take shit from anybody be it his own father!. The thoughts kept on coming.
" Sadiq?sadiq? Sadiq are you ok?" American rahama called repeatedly when she noticed his attention was elsewhere
He shook off those thoughts and glance her way " yes I am"
" oh OK. I thought Jafar said we have something important to discuss so what is it? " she asker
He exhaled loudly " yes we really need to talk. Why were you here yesterday in the night? Haven't I made it clear that you are to stay with your aunty if you were to follow me down here in Nigeria ?"
She pout " yes yes I know. I had this little argument with her and I just can't let her control me around so I left home for some air"
" so this is where you can get the air you needed? You didn't even think of calling me before coming "
" I wanted calling but remembered that I left my phone in my room the minute I walked out of her front "
He hit his head lightly with his palm " you actually walked out of her front while she was talking to you? "
" yes I did. Sadiq,you won't understand . That woman is too controlling, every minute she get she must nag. "
" what actually was the argument about? " he asked
" She asked me to wash the dirty plates can you believe that? I don't even do dishes at home not to talk of doing it anywhere." She said in distaste
He looked at her in pity. At this point she actually reminds him of someone but thank God that person is already changing.
"Did you or did you not eat from the plate? " he asked
She look at him confused " I don't get why you're asking me that"
" just answer me"
" Yes I did"
" Good, then who did you expect to wash the plate you ate with? Your aunt or her husband? "
She shrugged " I don't care. All I know is that I don't do any house chores" she pout
Sadiq never knew he was going to meet someone worse than the Nigerian rahama. This girl sitting in front of him is actually worst than a spoilt brat.
" is this how you'd behave when you're in your husband's house? " he couldn't held but ask
She let out a small laugh " I never said I was going to get married to a poor man. Of course I will get married to a rich man who would know my worth like you do"
" like I do? " he asked surprised
" yes like you do."
" what do you mean by that? " he asked with arm folded
Unknown to them,jafar was busy laughing watching this entertaining moment. He was there sitting on the staircase.
" well, anytime I'm with you I always feel like a princess. You make sure to always make me happy and that's one thing I love about you, sadiq" the moment was turning intense
Sadiq stood speechless
She walk slowly to stand in front of him " you are my number one type of goal man and I'm ready to wait until you realize that we are meant for each other sadiq . I know you love me too but something keeps on dragging you back and I'm very sure it's because of that same girl I meant at your party. If you want I can go over to her place to present myself as your fiancee so she can leave us the hell alone. I really love you sadiq " she stood on her toes and tried clashing her lips to his but sadiq was fast enough to push her back.
" STOP IT! " he gritted "please, get out! "
She looked heartbroken at his refusal " please don't do this to me sadiq. I love you so much" she held his hand tightly " please sadiq "
He tried pushing her away from him but she held on to him too tight
" Rahama let me go please"
" you can't do this to me, please sadiq " she pleaded as sadiq finally succeeded in pushing her away .
" you're not in you right senses, you need to stop this nonsense. I don't move this way rahama. I don't use girls, please. It's best you listen to me and wake up. I really don't love you, I have no feelings for you and for the lady you said you met, we aren't together. In fact she is my brother's ex fiancee. Their is nothing between us"
Immediately sadiq said that last sentence she paused " really? There is nothing between you two? "
" yes there is nothing " he said assuring her
Her mind simmered down at this. Now that he mentioned that, she has nothing to worry about, so she thought. She was ready to do anything so that sadiq would finally like her since no one was in the way.
" OK then. I'm sorry for attempting to kiss you" she apologized
Sadiq in return was surprised but still nodded " please don't ever try that again"
" I won't, I promise " she flashed him a wide smile
Sadiq was now having second thoughts with her present behavior. She was acting as if she took something. Isn't she the one crying right now? Then why is she now smiling as if she won a lottery? She is definitely acting suspicious.
" Good" he said and repaired his shirt.
She went to sit on the couch " I'm terribly hungry sadiq. Can we at least go out to have something to eat? " she said as her stomach kept grumbling
He laughed at the noise " you better get up before all the worms in you stomach start biting your intestines " he joked
She too laugh along " it's all your fault I haven't eating. Remember I was in the kitchen trying to see if I can prepare something earlier "
He shook his head at her " will you go wearing these clothes " he pointed at his clothes on her body
She waved him off " who cares. Since the man I love didn't complain I don't give a damn " she said then later realized her mistake ,she bite the tip of her tongue " I mean the man I once love "
Sadiq wanted scolding her then decided against it " let's just go" he said " first you need to wait for me in the car, I need to ask Jafar if he is also coming with us"
" ok no problem " she smiled and did as she was told
As she got out, sadiq release a loud breath " this girl will give me a heart attack one day" he muttered to himself
" actually, it won't be long before you get the heart attack " jafar said all of a sudden. He stood up from the staircase and walk down to meet sadiq
Sadiq was shocked" you were there the whole time? "
Jafar snort " of course. I saw everything "
" I really don't know what to do with her wallahi "
" you better send her back to her country, that's the best. If not ,that girl can do and undo" jafar said seriously
" You know she wouldn't go, that's the problem "
" then force her. You need to be harsh on her if not she won't understand a single thing"
" OK. But for now please let's go to the eatery down town. I don't wanna be left alone with her please" sadiq pleaded
Jafar chuckle " so I should be the third wheel then? "
" abeg don't start with all your teasing. I'm not ready for it" sadiq told him
" fine, fine" he shrugged " let's get going then. But not withstanding which of the restaurant are we heading to? "
" The one close to that waterboard house "
" don't tell me you expect me to go to a female eatery " Jafar said in disdain
" I don't understand your definition of a female eatery? Why are you calling it that? " asked sadiq confused
" The day I landed in kaduna. I branch there to have something to eat and to my surprise the eatery was filled up with women. It was like a place where girls hand out to gossip "
Sadiq hissed" it just so happens that women were much that day. That doesn't mean we will find lots of women there today"
" ok o, I have heard you"
" Better. That is the closest eatery I know ,I don't think I can drive far cos I myself am terribly famished"
Jafar laughed " Boys are also hungry then"
***