Larai couldn't keep calm. Ever since Yusuf told her her family was safe and that Azumi had sent her messages, she was desperate for Yusuf to return. Without a doubt, she would squeeze every tiny detail out of him. She missed her family that much. She just wanted to make sure they were safe and doing alright. She would never be able to rest otherwise.

The sound of the gates opening had Larai running to the window. She pulled aside the curtains and her mouth formed into a grin at the sight of Yusuf's car advancing into the compound.

In a haste, she picked up her hijab and raced out of the room.

For a reason inexplicable to Larai, her chest tightened and her breath uneven. She couldn't pinpoint the reason. Perhaps, it was due to over-excitement.

The instant she heard a knock on the door, she pulled open the door and stood in the doorway. Her eyes fixated on the fingers she was busy fiddling with.

For a moment, Yusuf didn't say anything to her. He just stood in front of her; his head a bit lowered.

Larai raised her head and inhaled deeply. She was too scared to ask the questions she had been dying to ask. "Welcome back, Yusuf."

"Thank you, Larai." Yusuf walked past her and into the house.

Larai gazed at him for a moment, before following him. "How was your journey? Tiring?"

"Exhausting." He remarked.

Larai mentally hit herself on the head for being so insensitive. Of course, he would be exhausted. And instead of giving him something to eat, or at least to drink, she was asking him unnecessary questions. "Wait here, I will get you something to eat."

"Yes, please." He mumbled.

Larai hurried to the kitchen and returned shortly with a plate of jollof rice and a drumstick. She placed the plate on a stool beside the couch and brought it in front of Yusuf.

He gave an appreciative smile and muttered 'Thank you."

Larai returned the smile and went back to the kitchen to get him something to drink. "Have some water first." She offered him the glass of water she was holding.

Yusuf collected the outstretched tumbler and gulped the whole content down in one go.

Larai sat on the opposite couch and watched him devour his food.

Though she was desperate for him to finish eating, so that she could make inquiries about her family, she knew better than to do that. He went all the way there for her sake and he did say he was exhausted. He deserved to get some rest before she would start bombarding him with questions. She hadn't even started, but she pitied him already because she had a thousand and one questions she wanted to ask him about her family.

Yusuf wiped his mouth with his handkerchief and reclined backward on his seat.

"Are you done?" Larai eyed his plate. He had barely consumed half of the food. He used to like the taste of her food, but it was obvious he didn't like it today. Typically, he would ask for more. Larai wondered what was wrong. Maybe the salt she added was a little too much. Her heart fell at the thoughts running in her mind.

Yusuf gave a curt nod and shut his eyes. He seemed really exhausted.

Larai forced a smile and walked towards him.

She was about to pick up the plate when his eyes fluttered open.

"Just leave it. The maids will do it."

"The maids aren't around. They were given two days off." 

"Why?"

"I have no idea. You should ask your mother, she's the one who dismissed them."

"Oh! By the way, where's Ammi and Abba?"

At the mention of Mr. Kasim, Larai's breath quickened. His filthy words to her filled her mind and his shameless face made her scrunched her face in disgust. At that very moment, she wished to could tell Yusuf all about his father's doings, but thinking about it rationally, she realized it wasn't the right time. He just got back from driving about all day. He was exhausted. Plus, he might have a hard time believing her—not because he didn't trust her, but because he had known and lived with his father his whole life and had only known her for months. If that happened, she wouldn't blame him, because it was a serious accusation—an accusation capable of breaking his family apart...for good.

Without mincing words, she would tell him all about his father's attempt, but for that, she would have to wait for the right time. She didn't want anything to go wrong. She had to make him believe her.

"I really don't know, but they should be in their room."

"Okay." He responded and silence followed suit.

Larai was fighting a battle with her inner self, in order not to spill the beans. And on the other hand, Yusuf seemed worried about something.

"Don't you want to hear the message Azumi has for you?" Yusuf, all of a sudden, asked.

Larai reclined forward on her seat and her eyes shimmered with sheer enthusiasm. She had been waiting so impatiently for the moment. "What did she say? Where you able to see Baaba and Nna too?"

"No." He shook his head. "I was only able to see Azumi...I met her along the road to the stream."

The fact that all of the household chores had become her younger sibling's responsibility saddened Larai. She wished there was something she could do to help her out because she knew very well how lady Azumi could get. "And she recognized you?" It was surprising, for Larai knew her sister to be very forgetful. She would see a person today and in the next, she would claim she had never set her eyes on him before. Her memory wasn't so sharp.

"Of course. She was the one that even approached me." Yusuf informed.

Larai smiled. She felt her sister had really mature. She was proud.

"She's even taller now. In a few months, she'd surpass me in height."

Larai chortled; tears blurring her vision. "Really?"

"Have I ever lied to you before?"

Larai shook her head. He had never and she prayed he would never, because her frail heart would not be able to bear it. She trusted him too much.

"So believe me when I say, everything is fine. Your parents, as well as your sister, are all fine."

"I know you've told me a countless number of times to stop thanking you for every little thing, but this isn't a little thing, so it doesn't apply. I'm grateful for what you've done today. You've proven to me what a liable person you are. For as long as I live, I will forever remember this. Thank you, Yusuf. Thanks a lot."

Yusuf gave a closed lip smile and shook his head. "I'm also concerned about my future in-laws."

His words sent a warm sensation down Larai's spine. She couldn't wait for the day that they would be together in a halal way. "What did Azumi tell you to tell me?"

Yusuf cleared his throat before speaking; "I miss you a lot, ya Larai. Baaba and Nna also miss you. Don't worry about us, we're doing fine. Baaba is still waiting for you to return so that he can get you married to Ya Zakari, so please don't return any time soon. Return only when you've fulfilled all of your dreams and have become successful. Baaba won't be able to force you to marry Ya Zakari anymore and you'd be able to take me with you to the city. I love you so much, Ya Larai—these were the words she told me to convey to you."

"She really said all that?" Fresh tears welled up in Larai's heart. For Azumi to say all those words, meant she had really grown. She was no longer the childish fourteen-year-old she used to know. It made her happy and sad at the same time. She wished she had heard the words directly from her sister's mouth. It would make her happier.

"Yes. At least now that you've heard Azumi's words, you will get rid of the thought of going back to the village now. I totally agree with her, Larai, you should only return when you've become successful. Everyone, including your parents, will give you your due respect.

Larai nodded in comprehension. "Okay."

"Great." Yusuf smiled. "I will go and greet my parents, then go to my room and sleep. Goodnight." He stood and began to walk away.

"Yusuf?" Larai all of a sudden called, making him stop in his tracks and spun around. "Don't forget to pray before sleeping." He had always reminded her. She felt proud she was the one doing it at that moment—very proud.

"I won't." He smiled and turned back around, then proceeded to his parents' room.

•

Assalamualaikum/hello!

Do you believe Yusuf's words?

Don't forget to vote, comment and share.

Follow me on Wattpad and Instagram for updates 😘

deey_jah
💋💋💋