Zainab and Khalid were seated in the dinning room, about to take having breakfast when Hannatu served the dish. It was fried, Irish potatoes, plantain and egg. About to eat, Zainab grabbed Khalid's fork and said,
"This is my fork! How would you eat with it?!"
She cleaned it with the edge of her clothes but before she could start eating, Khalid angrily gripped it off her fist.

"Are you blind?! Can't you see it's my fork?!" He spat at her.

"No it's mine!" She collected it again from him. He twitched it away from her hand and she collected it again. Taking part of his fried plantain and crunching it into her mouth.

Hmmm... Delicious. She muttered mouthful, taking part of his fried egg to support it.

He finally collected his fork from her and covered his good. Zainab couldn't hold herself from laughing. He wore a funny face at her as she almost chocked. Khalid rushed to give her water to drink.

Watching these two from a corner made Hajia Fati feel so happy. She had tears in her eyes but she walked into her room instead.

Her husband, Alhaji Maikuddi was still in his room, preparing for work that morning when his wife entered.

"My love. There's something I want to tell you about." She proposed.

"Yes wifey, I'm all ears." He replied her, paying full attention to his beloved wife.

"Haven't you noticed Aliyah and Khalid these days?"

"Aliyah and Khalid? What about them?" He quirked an eyebrow, interestedly.

"I noticed that Khalid has been so close with her. The other day, I watched him asked Aliyah for forgiveness and they ended up hugging each other. I feel Khalid is willing and ready to learn. He's a changed leaf now darling, don't you see?"

"Really?" He asked as a smile lots up his puzzled face.

"Yes." She assured.

"Okay... That's good. So he won't be going to Kunchi, right?"

"Yes. He shouldn't go to Inna's place." Mrs Maikuddi replied excitedly. "And I was thinking... What if?"

"What if what?" He moved closer to his wife in a concerned manner.

"What if the both of them falls in love? What if they love each other? Perhaps, Aliyah might be the perfect girl for our son. Seeing them together makes me so happy. What do you think?" She asked her husband, staring at him closely.

"Subhanallah! Wo-men!! Wo-men!!!" He said sarcastically and huffed.

"What did I do?" She frowned. "Or am I wrong? Aliyah has a good heart and she'll just be the perfect wife for our son."

"Whatever... I'm going to work already. There's a meeting the the first bank governor this morning." Alhaji Maikuddi made an eye contact with his wife before grabbing his office bag.

"I don't want to delay you, my dear but... There's something I wanted to ask from you. Just like a favour."

"Okay. But, why don't you wait till I'm back from work, uhn?"

"Ugh! You're just like your son." Hajia Fati rolled her eyes at her husband and huffed. "Impatient."

"Okay, what it is?"  He tried to exercise patience with her a bit.

"I'd love us to send the both of them for Umrah next week."

"What?!" He jerked to her words like a  reaction from getting pinched.
"Only you took that decision alone, right?"

"Yes, my dear. It's not that bad, is it? Perhaps, Khalid has never visited the holy mosque. Let's give the both of them an opportunity to refresh their faith, seek for God's forgiveness and pray for God's success and good luck. The both of them really need it... They're all we have. Their our children now, especially Aliyah. Who knows? By visiting the holy mosque, Allah might open this doors of mercies upon her. And upon us too as well. I hope you understand my reason?"

"Yes... Yes, sure. There's wisdom in it. So when would they be going?"

"I suggest next week. It would be October by then and the weather would be moderate." She explained.

"Okay then. I don't have to think twice about this because I know it's what they need. Especially Khalid. He's turned into a new leaf so he needs Allah's Mercies and blessings, same thing with our daughter. I'll prepare their tickets between today and tomorrow. You should inform them and get them ready." Alhaji Maikuddi concluded.

"Okay my dear. I'll go ahead and break the good news to them. Thanks a lot for this." She hugged her husband tightly before he went to office.

***

After Alhaji Maikuddi left, Hajis Fati called Khalid into her room. She told him about her new plan for both of them (He and Aliyah) to visit Saudi Arabia for Umrah. Of course, Khalid was very excited but his mum warned.
"You'll have to take care of Aliyah. Nothing bad must happen to her no matter what!"

"Yes mum. I promise to protect her from any harm. We're now close friends and she's getting better by the day. Don't you see that Umma?"

"Yes my dear. I know. But still you mush be extra careful uh? She shouldn't leave your side." Hajia Fati emphasized the last word and hugged her son tightly. She couldn't believe he's a changed person in the matter of a month and couple of weeks. Something she couldn't have done. Aliyah has been a God sent indeed. Someone that hardly stays home is now someone that hardly leaves home. It's no doubt that Mrs. Maikuddi love this new side of her son. She felt proud.

"Okay mum. Ummm... I would like to take Aliyah out with me. Is it fine by you?" Khalid brought up.

"Out?"

Yes mum. Just for a little shopping. I'll just love to. And do you need anything from the shopping mall? I can get it for you.

Hearing Jim say this made Hajia Fati to stifle a laugh as she shook her head.

Sure... You can. Meet Hannatu and tell her to give you the list. And also, take this. She handed him two big boundle of Naira notes. For the shopping and all. She muttered.

Thank you mum. Khalid collected the money with a wide smile across his face. He looked happy doing all of these. I'll tell Aliyah to get prepared. He announced before he left. 

Hajia Fati couldn't help but to get emotional as tears tears of joy gathered in her happy eyes. She felt tears pricking gradually and filling her eyes as she make a dua'.

'Oh Allah, Make it easy for us as you've made it easy for those before us. Grant my children happiness and show Aliyah the way. In this Journey, let he come back with a fair and clear memory, for you are the best Planner.'

She broke down in tears of joy.

'Oh God, this is too real to be true.' A voice in her head whispered to her once more.

***

Words and Translations

-Umrah: 'Visiting a populated place.'

-Umma: An Arabic word for 'Mother'.

-'Dua': Prayer.

***

Omg! I just realized I have lots of ghost readers on this book. Like 99% of the people reading this books are ghost readers. The go silent reading as if they didn't even read. Like, they're literally waiting for my update. They'll not even say well done o or a single hi. May God touch the hearts of my readers to start making comments. Shey I no try no? Or I don't just deserve it? Nawa o😥😢😥😢 ...