~°°~Time changes everything but life must go on~°°~

Opposite corner shops, 1st avenue, Gwarinpa, Abuja, Nigeria. 4:53 pm. ~°~°~°~°~°~°~°~°~°~°~°~°~°~°~

Chaos, was what was happening at Alhaji Hakeem Elnafaty's big compound. Everyone in the family was there making one fuss or the other except five people, Alhaji Hakeem himself, his first wife; Ruha, her daughter; Amani, the main reason of the chaos which is the second born of the household; Marwan and the only person that hadn't been home in decades which was Sayf.

What happened was that a visitor who came with a huge amount of money to the house lost the money, or rather it got stolen alongside her phone in her bag while she was using the toilet.

"We all know who the thief in this house is, no need to accuse further" His third wife whose friend was the reason behind the chaos, Hajiya Malika said. "Keh Malika, don't you dare, what do you mean by that?" His second wife and also cousin; Aaliyah asked hoping she wasn't referring to her son.

"Kai Anti, try and talk to my mother with respect fa" Malika's daughter; Layla said. She was her only child and was 19 years of age.

"Hey you there, my mother is not your mate, kibari tayi da uwarki bada keh ba (let her deal with your mother not you), you're not in the position that she'll talk to you" Aaliyah's daughter; Munawwarah warned. She was also the only daughter of Aaliyah but she had three brothers, the first is older than her; Marwan, he was 26 years of age. The next is younger than her; Abbas, he was 18 years of age and the last was; Abdulrahman, he was 11 years of age. Munawwarah was older than Layla with a year which means she's 20 years old.

"Munawwarah, don't dare me. And yes, just because we say the truth doesn't make any difference. We know that Marwan is the one who steals in this house to get drugs because you and your husband don't give him the money he needs. Idan baa kaddara ba (if not for destiny), why will a multi billionaire have a thief as a son" Malika said eyeing both the daughter and mother duo.

"Wallahi Malika kinji na rantse (you hear me swear), don't allow me to do something we'll both regret" Aaliyah warned. "Iyyi Ummi, at least you have the son compared to someone who's infertile to give birth to a boy" Munawwarah said earning a slap from layla.

Munawwarah gave a reflex action by also slapping Layla, The two of them were angered to the brim. Just when they were about to start a physical battle, Alhaji Hakeem Elnafaty's convoy of three cars drove into the compound making them to all stop whatever drama they were doing.

His family were so much afraid of him, including his wives because he doesn't show an expression to any of them and if any of them dared to cause trouble, he doesn't take it lightly, especially his children.

He stepped out of the car and walked towards the gathering to know what was wrong and just at the moment, Malika's friend was making her sentence.

"This is nothing to fight about you two. Malika, you know that I don't care about the money, I have them enough, I just need my Sim card" Malika's friend demanded.

"What's the problem?" Came Alhaji Elnafaty's voice as a question. No one dared to answer because they know he wouldn't be happy about It.

"Someone stole momma Malika's friend's money and phone in this house" Abdul blurted before anyone could stop him.

"Everyone, get in the house now and wait in my parlour" He commanded and everyone did just what they were told leaving only Malika's friend there.

"Malama, I'll send malika with your phone and money. Let my driver drive you home" he said to her making his personal driver to understand what he wanted to say before walking into the main house. She didn't say anything but only nodded because it seemed like she was also intimidated by him.

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"Wallahi Aaliyah if you don't get your son to bring back her phone or even the Sim card, then you'll find it with me" Alhaji Elnafaty said after a whole series of warnings to everyone in the family, he even asked for Ruha and Amani.

She knew what she'll find with him, everyone knew what he meant and she could only nod in understanding.

"With your voice Aaliyah" He thundered. "Y...ye..yes" she stuttered but managed to answer him before he walked away to his apartment.

Ruha and Amani followed his lead and disappeared to their own side, same thing as Malika and Layla. Aaliyah and Munawwarah were already in tears, she stayed behind to comfort her mother.

Aaliyah knew it was Marwan that took the money and phone, she knew it but just denied the truth because she didn't want to feel disgraced.

After some minutes of tears, she wiped them off and also left to her own apartment with three of her children; Abbas, Munawwarah and Abdul. Abbas was the type of son who only watches their drama without a word, all he cares about is getting enough money in his pocket to chill out with his friends and nothing else.

After Alhaji Elnafaty retired to his room, he couldn't do anything. Neither could he take a bath to relieve the stress nor eat something to fill his empty stomach, he just sat there regretting everything he did.

He regretted ever letting Sayf go out of his sight and now, no matter how hard he tried to reach him, he couldn't. He shouldn't have taken such a tough decision on him, he should have told him it'll be fine, he should have held him and made him feel safe but he did neither of these and he was regretting everything.

He was lost in the pool of thoughts that he didn't realise when Ruha entered his room and was already standing by his side with a cup of water. He lifted his head and looked into her eyes before she handed him the cup of water. He took it and gulped down some while she sat beside him on the bed.

"I know I failed you Ruha, I know I did. I betrayed our love at first then sent your son away from your side, I'm sorry" he apologized feeling the guilt with full force.

"It's okay Hakeem, this is what Allah had planned for us, it is what he wanted to test us on and we'll pass insha Allah. And besides, you're not the only reason why he left, I also caused it so don't feel too miserable about it" she said taking his hand into hers.

All those years of marriage, their love was still very much young.

"I can't help but feel miserable, especially when i get the idea that he might never return. Who will be my successor? Because I can't go about giving a drunkard the trust of my whole properties and investments, it has to be him" he said emphasizing his point.

"That's just Shaytan playing with your mind. I believe that he'll come back someday and very soon at that" Ruha said making him to sigh, that was the only thing he could do.

"Now let's go so that you'll eat some food" she said and he nodded following her to his dining room to dine. She knows just how to make him feel better, better than all his other wives.

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Ok, so as promised, here is an update. The next might be tomorrow or not, but I'm not promising so don't expect anything yet.

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Please comment, vote and share my book to friends and family. Lots of love

Deedi--❤️