WITH STARS IN HER EYES

 

4 – shocking news

 

Mrs Adeoye and Ibraheem left after staying for two days. Before leaving they assisted Hajar in house hunting and were lucky to find a decent self-contained room not far from campus. Mrs Adeoye preferred for Hajar to stay at the hostel but because of the business, she agreed to let her stay off campus.

 

Before the departure, there were tears and many hugs. Hajar did not wish to see her mum and brother leave, but they had duties, as did she.

 

Hajar finally completed her registration a few hours after her family left. It was a Friday evening, so she took the opportunity to go to the market and purchase foodstuffs and home essentials.

Then she went home to rest and prepare for the new week ahead. For the first time in a long time, she felt she was exactly where she was meant to be.

 

********

Mrs Adeoye and Ibraheem decided to go straight home instead of to the restaurant. They’d had a long day and were eager to reunite with Maalik and the rest.

 

“Will you come and work for me now that your boss has resumed school?” Mrs Adeoye asked Ibraheem as they walked the short distance from the bus stop to their house.

 

Ibraheem snorted. “I thought you washed your hands off deliveries.”

 

“Ehn now that you are available and you’ve proven to be competent, I might as well use you. Abi you think I won’t pay you?”

 

“Of course, I know you’ll pay me. I’m simply wondering how you’ll cope after I resume SS3? You know I’ll be very busy preparing for my final exams. SS3 no be beans.”

“Uhn, you’ll sha not let us hear word that you are in SS3 now. Alhamduillah that we also attended school o” Mrs Adeoye teased her son with a smile.

 

Ibraheem responded by dusting imaginary dirt off his shoulders. “Yes ke. It’s not easy o mummy. You wait until I get admission into university too in shaa Allah. All of una go hear am!”

 

They both burst into laughter. By then they had almost arrived at their house. There were three cars parked in front of the gate. Mrs Adeoye only recognised the one belonging to her husband’s lawyer, Mr Fash. The other two looked exotic and two men in black suits stood right in front of each one.

 

As if on cue, Mrs Adeoye and Ibraheem looked at each other. Ibraheem’s agape expression mirrored hers.

 

“Can this be what I’m thinking…”

 

Ibraheem did not get to finish his sentence because his dad, Mr Fash, and three other men filed out of the compound. Among them was Siddiq, smiling like he just won the lottery.

 

“This can’t be good.” Mrs Adeoye said shaking her head, a sinking feeling in her belly. She had noticed the group’s countenance and only Siddiq looked pleased. She feared something horrible had happened. “Why would Siddiq come here? And for what?”

 

Right then, her husband noticed them standing just a few steps from the gate.

 

“You people are back.” He greeted them tonelessly. “Welcome.”

 

Mrs Adeoye walked up to her husband and whispered to him.

 

“What is going on? Why is Siddiq here?”

 

Mr Adeoye only looked down at her, a defeated look in his eyes. “Say nothing. Do nothing.”

 

“What do you mean by that? What have you done? What else have you given to that wicked excuse of a man?”

 

“Lower your voice, Temi!” Mr Adeoye whispered back urgently.

 

 

Ibraheem, who was standing by his father, had heard the conversation. “Daddy, I hope you haven’t sold another of my sisters again o ehen.”

 

“Come on, shut up, foolish boy.” Mr Adeoye pulled I.B’s ear. “Who permitted you to speak while the elders are talking? Oya, get inside and join your siblings!”

 

Ibraheem stalked off grumbling under his breath about how he was no longer a child and how much he would love to punch Siddiq’s face.

 

Seeing that her husband was not ready to explain, Mrs Adeoye turned to Mr Fash with a pleading look on her face.

 

“Mr Fash please explain what’s happening to me sir.”

 

The lawyer shook his head. “I’m sorry I can’t do that, Madam. Your husband will explain to you.”

 

With that, he patted Mr Adeoye’s shoulder, nodded at the others, then got into his car and drove off.

 

“Madam, how nice of you to join us!” Siddiq announced with a flourish. He couldn’t hide the fact that he was gloating even if he tried. Anyone with eyes and ears could tell that his friendly manner was a farce. “I had asked of you earlier. Anyway, it’s been nice doing business with your family once again…”

 

Mrs Adeoye fearing the worst, rounded on him. “I will never allow you to touch any of my daughters again!”

 

The smile that appeared on Siddiq’s face was cold and menacing. “Relax madam. The little one inside, Khaleelah? She’s too young for me. Although I can tell she’ll be a great beauty. Besides, we all know girls from your family are not exactly wife materials, are they? Much too useless to provide anything tangible for me.” He tapped his finger on his chin. Maybe I’ll take one of your sons? They could work and…”

 

With a growl, Mrs Adeoye prepared to lunge herself at him when she felt a hand grip her arm tightly. It was her husband. He shook his head, pleading with his eyes for her to stand down.

 

Nothing enraged her more than that look her husband gave her.  Reluctantly, she snatched her arm out of his grip. “I don’t understand how you can stand there and allow this monster insult our family!”

 

Siddiq wagged a finger at her. “Careful what you say, madam. Mr Adeoye I’d advise you to caution your wife. Maybe bring her up to speed. Let her learn the new dynamics now at play…”

 

“You have what you came for, Siddiq, so leave.” Mr Adeoye said quietly.

 

“Indeed, I have. Once again, it was nice doing business with you. See you soon.” Siddiq strutted away like a peacock, all the while laughing threw his head back and laughed. He and his companions got into their small convoy and sped off into the night.

 

As soon as they were out of sight, Mrs Adeoye spoke quietly, without looking at her husband.

“What have you done?”

 

Mr Adeoye exhaled deeply. He looked defeated with his slumped shoulders and eyes full of regret. “I just signed off ownership of my businesses to Siddiq.”

 

Mrs Adeoye turned so fast, her neck creaked in protest. “What?! All of them?”

 

Her husband nodded slowly. “Yes. All of them: The concrete block factory, the cement and building materials shops, and even the pure water factory we are about to launch.”

 

Words failed Mrs Adeoye. “Subhanallah! I don’t understand… I mean…why would you do something like this? I thought Mr Fash assured us of victory. Why the sudden change?”

 

Mr Adeoye only shook his head and walked dejectedly into the house leaving his wife to stare at him in confusion and shock.

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Hafsah bint Nurein