C4 Bilal

After returning back to our head office from the Emir's palace, I took care of some things before preparing for home. "Have you sent that lady the Email I asked you to?" I said to Khalil through the two way intercom in my office. "Don't tell me you have forgotten fa!"

"I sent it to her already, sir" He replied.

"Good!" I sighed, heading out of my office.

It had been long I visited my parents, thus I told my driver to drive me there first before going back home. My parents lived in a five bedroom flat at Samaru, I was the one that bought the house for them just few months into my marriage with Rahina. I wanted to make sure they live a happy life and to also enjoy the luxury of this world before it ends. As for my siblings, Amal and Zubair, I made sure they both got admission into ABU Zaria. They were presently in their first and second levels respectively. I wanted them to get the opportunity I never had, and to also become successful people in the future. I also didn't want them to end up marrying the wrong person because of wealth — just like me!

While on my way to the house, I asked my driver to pullover at a shopping mall. You know, I can't just visit my parents without getting them something. "Wait right here, I won't stay long" I said as I alighted the car.

"Okay sir" The driver said.

"Good!" I uttered as I shut the door off.

There were many shops in the mall, thus I went to the one that was closer. And after purchasing all the things that crossed my mind like breads, milk, chocolates, sugar, I decided to return back to the car. "Drive" I uttered to my driver, thence off we went...

As soon as we arrived at our destination, I alighted from the car and headed into the house. My siblings were so happy to see me, perhaps they missed me a lot. Same also my parents, but after the greetings my mother changed her emotion and told me to come with her into her room which I gladly did.

"Mama, is everything okay?" I asked.

"It is you whom I should ask, Bilal" She said sitting on her bed. "Why is it that whenever you are asked about your wife, Rahina, you would first heave a sigh before answering?"

"Hmmm" I heaved a sigh again. If only she knew what exactly my situation was at the moment, if only she knew I did not love my wife as I had claimed. "It is nothing, mama"

"Nothing? Are you sure?" She queried.

"Yes, mama" I faked a smile.

"Alright then" She sighed.

"Okay, mama" I gulped.

"But gaskiya if there is any problem I don't think hiding it is the best o!" She cautioned.

"Hmm, there is no problem mama!" I lied. I really didn't want her to know I didn't love Rahina, if she knew she wouldn't be happy.

"Toh, how work?" She changed the topic.

"Work is fine, mama..." I replied.

And that was how we kept on talking until Rahina called and asked where I was. And after telling her where I was she told me to send all her regards to my parents and my siblings too, which I did just after the call!

*******

I didn't leave my parents' house until it was quarter past eight, hence I went back home after having prayed both Magrib and isha'i respectively. Upon my arrival, I met Rahina pacing round the parlor with Kamal in her back. Actually, the boy could be troubling at times. "AsSalama Alaykum, I'm back" I said.

"Wa'alaykumus Salam" She uttered walking towards me. "Welcome, my husband. How's everyone over there, hope they're all fine?"

"Yes, they are!" I said as I pecked her on her forehead. "It seems Kamal is troubling you"

"He is fa!" She huffed. "He had been crying"

"And his Nanny?" I wrinkled a brow.

"He only wants my back today" She said.

"Hmm" I huffed as I tried to take him away from her but he refused. "This is ridiculous, Kamal is so serious today o!" I laughed out.

"Wallahi, and he's doing this for a reason fa" She giggled. "It is because he's the only one"

"Is that so, Kamal?" I playfully said, making him to stare at me widely. "Don't worry, my boy" I brushed his hair with my hand. "You would soon retire from your current post!"

"In Shaa Allah" Rahina chimed in and then glanced at me. "Go and take some shower"

"Okay" I nodded in acknowledgement.

"And... supper is in the dining table, in case you're hungry" She said as I began walking upstairs. Verily, I was somehow exhausted.

"I am not hungry" I commented.

"Is that so?!" She queried.

"Yes, I ate in Baba's house" I responded.

"Okay!" She said.

Just as I went into our room, the first thing I did was to take off all my cloths. After that I headed into the bathroom and took shower before coming out. All I wanted was to see myself in bed, sleeping soundly. But just as I wore my nightwear and fell wearily on the bed, Rahina salaamed into the room. I tried pretending like I was already as sleep but it didn't work. She laughed out loud and then climbed the bed. "You better wake up Bilal, there is no sleep for you now fa!" She said.

"Why?" I sighed opening my eyes.

"Have you forgotten your promise?" She said reminding me of the day prior. "You can't be tired everyday Bilal, are you even taking the herbal mixture I bought you few weeks ago?"

"No" I absentmindedly uttered.

"Why?" She said wrinkling a brow..

"It is bitter, so very bitter" I claimed.

"Okay, but it is also helpful" She said.

"Yes, I know but..."

"You just don't want to take it, koh?" She said.

"Hmm" I heaved a sigh.

"Bilal, what is wrong with you?" She asked.

"Nothing" I swallowed the truth.

"Okay then why are you acting weird these days and also ignoring your biggest duty? If I could remember, you were always the one initiating sex in the past but not anymore. I asked, you said you don't used to feel horny anymore which made me to buy that herbal mixture for you but then, you aren't taking it at all!" She complained wearing a sad face.

"I am sorry, dear" I uttered knowing the fact that things could hardly be like before because I truly was tired of pretending already. But, I wasn't also ready to tell her I didn't really love her the fact that I was scared of what would end up happening to us, my family, and so on. "I will change from now on I promise" I added not knowing what else to say to convince her.

"Hmm, toh shikenan (alright)" She said as she drew closer to me and began kissing me. She was really gentle, and so I went on with it that way until she finally ignited the fire in me. I could be a warlord in this aspect when the fire in me is ignited...

*******

The following day, while preparing for work I couldn't find my ATM card. I thought Rahina was trying to pull a prank on me until I later realised I left it with the salesgirl I purchased host gifts from yesterday while on my way to my parents' house. Shit, I forgot to collect the card from her after paying for all the items!

"I think I know where exactly it is!" I said.

"Where is that?" Rahina asked.

"That mall around Samaru" I responded.

"Oh, hurry up then!" She said and continued. "Leave the room like that, I will rearrange it"

"Thank you" I said about going out when she called my name. "Yes?" I wrinkled my brows.

"You forgot something" She beamed sexily. "A tight hug and a very long kiss, my husband!"

Oh God, this woman! I deadpanned.

She was sure to always ruin my days!

Is it even compulsory to be romantic?

"Sorry, I forgot" I said as I walked to her and gave her what she wanted before going out.

The drive to the mall was a fast one, and the moment the salesgirl saw me she smiled and handed the ATM card to me. "We are sorry..."

"No, it's okay!" I snapped at her. "It was my fault anyways" I said as I walked out of the shop. And just then, my eyes landed on the beautiful chubby girl that bumped into me yesterday in our head office, she was with someone that appeared to be her... mother?

I tried to control myself but I couldn't, and guess what? She pretended as if she hadn't seen me before in her life. This girl is very beautiful, I said to myself while staring at them as they walked over to a jewelry and gold store nearby. They seemed to be rich!