It's not always right, the sun doesn't shine brighter every day. Have faith. No condition is permanent! 

*

Two days after the almost break up between the two friends, Kaybee's flight landed in Nnamdi Azikwe international airport Abuja around 9am in the morning. Mommy and Afreen went there to welcome him with the driver and he never felt so happy to see those two souls who mean the world to him . One being the fact that he missed them so much and two now that he is in love and madly so.

The drive back home was not too far. " welcome home son, you've been terribly missed " mommy said giving him a smile.

He bowed a little with a smile too " thank you mommy hope I meet you guys in good health "

Afreen who's already in his arms greeted him cheerily and without any waste of time started telling him the things she has done and everything that happened while he was away.

" Afreen!! Let your Abba have some rest, you guys will talk later " mommy chided Afreen when Kaybee was munching breakfast on the table.

" Afreen and her talkativeness, I wonder where she gets it from " kaybee mused.

" from her dad who else? You were as jovial, talkative and inquisitive as she is now. I hope you'll revive those habit because I miss the old you " mommy sadly stated and kaybee gulped something bitter in his throat.

" In shaa Allah mommy, I hope D will make me revive them for you " he said with a teasing tone wiping his face with a paper towel.

" Shameless boy, by the way, when are you going to meet her? "

" Tomorrow of course, if not because you'll nag and be mad at me, I would have gone there directly. God! Mommy I just can't wait to see her she's everything I have ever wanted and much more " he sighed dreamily like he is in a trance.

" Yah Allah! Where is my son and what happened to him ?? Kaybee go to your room before you go all mushy on me. You're not just shameless but crazy also " mommy pushed him towards the entrance of the house acting a tad bit over dramatic.

" But I love her, and I can't keep it all in without letting you know that I do " he shouted just before mommy banged the door to his face.

" Yah Allah I thank you for making my dreams come true . Yah Rabb make them happy and find peace in each other. Heal them and make them adore each other forever " mommy silently muttered before proceeding to her room to rest.

Kaybee had a shower and dressed in a casual sweats and Tee. He fished out his phone and inserted his Nigerian sim card and dialled the number he has been dying to call ever since he landed.

" Assalamu alaikum angel " he breath out with a contented sigh.

"Wa'alaikassalam Abba, welcome back home. Hope the flight was hitch free" her sweet voice echoed through the phone and now that they are not so far away from each other he felt like sprinting to see her.

" Alhamdulillah it was fine I was exhausted but your voice makes me feel like I can run a marathon right now . How are you too, angel I miss you so much I just don't know if I can wait to see you tomorrow " he pouted and she chuckled.

" Mashaa Allah, I am fine, can't wait to see you too but you should be patient as you've been for the past few months, the twins are so excited that you're coming, by the way, I hope you like Awara (soya beans cake) ? "

" Of course I do, I haven't had it for like forever? D you're just the best you know that right? "

" I didn't know but now I know " she teased him and he laughed a little.

" I will always be there to tell you how precious, how amazing, how rare and awesome you are in shaa Allah "

" In shaa Allah " she whispered feeling some foreign emotions whirling up within her.

They spoke for a while and D begged him to come with Afreen, he brought an excuse of school but D refused to take no for an answer till he gave in and she squealed in triumph.

" Now go and rest Abba, I have lectures by two and I am busy with some things " D finally said.

" Okay hun but you should do something about calling me Ya kaybee or Abba or else I will punish you in the cruelest way known to mankind "

" Kaman dagaske! You can't do anything Abba! " she teased sticking her tongue out even though he can't see her before clicking off the call after he told her he loves her.

He curled up on his king sized bed and snuggled into the blanky thinking about her as if they haven't spoken a few seconds ago. 'Can't wait to have you as mine and show you all the love that you deserve ' he whispered to himself before muttering some du'as and sleep overtook him.

*

" Yah Allah Zee he is not my husband yet. Why are you subjecting me to this kind of torture? " D whined when they reach the house where she will get a make over as Zee put it .

" You'll thank me when he sees you and stutter and drool and loose his balance " Zee chirped cheerily dragging her into the house.

" You'll be the death of me " she muttered venomously.

" Whether I'm the death of you already or I will be in the nearest future, you have to do this "

D puckered her lips in annoyance as the duo went through body waxing and henna design and body scub.

" Yah Allah!I can't wait to see Taheer!! He will be so awestruck after seeing me; his beautiful wife " Zee said excitedly admiring her design.

" yen yen yen yen, you're always talking like a parrot allow me to get a breather please! " D muttered with annoyance evident in her tone.

" show me your friend and I will tell you who you're, you're a parrot too just like me habibatin Ya kaybee " Zee stuck her tongue out.

" You guys are funny and cute " the woman observed with a smile.

" Thank you! Please help me tell my friend here that she is supposed to look good for her man " Zee said poking D for emphasis.

" don't mind her, she's high on something today, heck! She's always high " D said frustrated flailing her hands in the air.

" But she's right you know " the woman said still smiling at the two dramatic customers.

" You better accept it for free before you hunt it from your pocket oo " Zee winked at D which riled her more.

" Yah Allah save me " D wailed exasperatedly.

After almost four hours they were done and are sparkling clean looking breathtakingly beautiful.

" Mashaa Allah you all look so beautiful I feel proud of my handwork please do come back soon " The woman said with pride while seeing them off.

" In shaa Allah we will soon come for the wedding beauty remedies " Zee replied waving at the retreating figure of the woman.

Seeing that D will not speak to her no matter how much she tried, Zee fished out her phone and dialled her husband just to rile the fuming D more.

" Hello there hubby ! How is work? I miss you so so so so much and I have a surprise package for you tonight. Just come home soon okay? "
After a few seconds of silence she smiled and said " love you too sweets take care of yourself for me ".

" Da bani da mashinshini da bakin ciki ya Kasheni yau ( if I don't have a suitor I would have died of envy today) " D said squeezing her face in disgust while Zee burst out laughing.

" Yah Allah what's annoying in me calling my other half D? please stop being grumpy it doesn't suit you at all besides you need to be in good spirits to welcome Romeo"

" That reminds me. I lied to him saying I have lectures and here we are coming back from beauty treatment as if he's going to see it "

" Are you by chance, a tiny bit of chance trying to tell me that you want you two to be married already so that he can see and t.... " Zee didn't get to finish off her sentence when D closed her mouth with her hands.

" Don't even dare " D warned.

" But it's the truth " Zee whined in a muffled tone.

" Either you keep shut or I will squeeze all the pervasive words outta your dirty mouth " D warned again glaring at Zee.

"What kind of a married woman talks and behave childishly in a commercial vehicle if not you silly girl " D muttered .

" Na you sabi, malam drop me off at the next junction please " Zee said rolling her eyes after D removed her hands from her mouth.

" Haha... Not even laughable ... Thanks Besty jazakillah khairan till Abba and I give you a visit in shaa Allah. Love you " D said cheerily waving Zee off as she alighted from the vehicle.

After she got home, she started making preparations against the next day, luckily for her she only have 8-10 lectures which will give her ample time to come back and prepare plus Ummie is there to help her with most of the things.

She decided to cook traditional dishes for him and with the help of Nabeeha she gets to know kaybee's favorite dishes after a lot of teasing from her.

They chatted till dawn that night and Khadijah wondered whether she will be able to attend and follow the lecture she's having at 8am.

In the morning after taking her bath and checking up on some of the things she stored for the dishes she will make after school she left telling Ummie that she will be gone for two hours.

Ummie is happy about how khadijah is excited about Kaybee's visit which shows that she's happy and okay with the idea of getting married to him. After making her bed and cleaning the house, Ummie proceeded to the kitchen where she started making dambu.

Her phone ranged and Ihsan brought it to her with drool all over her face.

" Assalamu alaikum sis, how are you doing today. Ya daddy? " Ummie cheerily greeted mommy.

" We are all fine Alhamdulillah hope you too. Dama I called to warn you beforehand that your guests will be arriving earlier than expected because they are in Zaria now " Mommy offered the information which made Ummie laugh out loud.

" Ikon Allah, so kaybee is this excited to see Deejan?the poor thing left for school, I guess they will be here before her. Lemme whip something up real fast. Talk to you later " Ummie said still laughing at Kaybee's eagerness. If they didn't know better, they would have thought that D is his first love.

Khadijah was delayed at school because of a fixed test and her phone's battery died down so she couldn't call Ummie to inform her of her delay. She kept playing with her pen after she finished writing the answers to the test.

She became impatient and raised her hands, the first time she ever speak lin class " excuse me sir, please I have an emergency can I submit and leave please? " her face shows that she's really in a haste to leave.

After much deliberation and probing for the reason why she wanted to leave before the allotted time, the lecturer allowed her to go and she almost sprinted out of the class and school altogether.

She went into the house breathlessly saying the salam and was engulfed in a fierce hug by Afreen which made her to rub her eyes in case she is not hallucinating.

" Ya Allah! My darling " D said scooping her off the floor and into her arms inhaling the sweet scent of her kids cologne, the one she bought for them when she was in Abuja.

She slowly put Afreen down and raised her eyes to be met with those she longed to see but she quickly averted her gaze and hung her head low.

What D didn't foresee is to come back home and meet Kaybee and Afreen casually sitting in their living room chatting with ummie .Upon meeting his eyes, D suddenly felt shy and started fidgeting with the hem of her hijab unable to look up. While kaybee on his part is dying for her eyes to meet his once again so that she will see a glimpse of the emotions brewing inside him through his eyes.

He wished at that moment they were already man and wife, then he would have sated the strong urge to gather her in his arms and whisper into her ears just how much seeing her made him happy, how terribly he had missed her and he knew that he will feel safe in her arms.

" What is this again, Kabirun bakon kine kuma? Imagine the person that can't stay calm few hours ago" Ummie broke the awkward moment by deciding to embarrass D more.

She stealthily walked into the house and sat on a sofa adjacent to where Kaybee was sitting. He almost asked her to come and sit beside him or opposite him but held himself back because of Ummie.

" Ya kaybee welcome, how was the trip? " she asked coolly unable to control her erratic heartbeats. From the single nanoseconds look she gave him she saw that he looked good in his kaftan and a matching cap. He has added a little more weight too and his skin looks lighter and his trimmed beard was on point.

" Alhamdulillah how's school. What happened to your phone? " he replied praying inwardly that Ummie will give them some privacy.

As if something magical had wired his thoughts to Ummie. She left them with the kids trailing behind her licking their chocolate bar happily without a care In the world. Before khadijah 's arrival, Ummie was amazed as to the reception given and received between kaybee and the Twins. They were so happy to Finally see the man they were told is their Abba and their favorite person Afreen who spoils them with chocolates and toys.

" Angel " Kaybee called out in a voice slightly above whisper.

" Abba " she mimicked his tone and he smiled .

" You didn't answer my question yet? "

" Ohh my battery died down and was held back to write a fixed test, I had to beg the lecturer to let me go not knowing that you guys are already here " she replied.

" So you thought I was kidding when I told you I can't wait to see you huh? Well here I am but then, you are hiding the thing I longed to see and stare at to my fill the most " he said referring to her docked head.

" Mmmm" was all she could mutter.

" D please don't start with this your shy attitude, it will hurt and break my heart " he said with a pout wishing that he can go to her and raise her head but he knew that he have to wait a little while longer.

Upon hearing what he said D raised her head to meet his intense stare and she almost melt into puddles. She gripped the arm of the sofa trying so hard not to be disoriented because the look in Kaybee's eyes indeed relayed all the untold secrets of his heart with just that look.

" Have you eaten? " she finally managed to stutter.

" Do I look like someone who wants to eat? " he asked playfully and she smiled.

" Let me change into something comfy and make your food "

" Where is the Awara? I have been salivating in anticipation ever since you told me about it " he licked his lips to drive home the point.

" It's in the freezer waiting to be fried, give me 10 minutes sir and your Awara will be served " she mock saluted finally feeling normal and carefree around him. He has a double faced effect on her ; one moment she's shy and uneasy around him and the next she can be herself and act crazy around him.

He followed her retreating figure with his eyes releasing a deep breath he didn't know he was holding, he has imagined how their meeting will be over a thousand times but he hadn't pictured it to be just the way it turned out to be and if he will be given a chance to turn back time and do it all over again, he will surely not change a single detail about it.

He was going through his feeds when a sweet aroma wafted to his nostrils and he inhaled it again, saying Alhamdulillah in his mind, thanking Allah for blessing him with a woman like Khadijah.

Food was served an hour after kaybee finished scraping the bowl in which he was served with Awara. A lot of traditional dishes were served on the table and kaybee was asked to go and eat.

" Where are our kids Mamie? " he asked like it is the most natural thing to say giving D a tender look.

" They are with Ummie , anything the matter?" She knitted her brows in confusion.

" To eat with us now, family reunion " he said serving himself with a mould of fufu and egusi soup.

Khadijah stood there looking at him with so much adoration that he had to flick his hands to bring her out of  reverie. With an uhh she left the dinning area and called the twins, Afreen and Ummie.

" kaybee you can't even wait for us huh? Excited much?? " mommy teased drawing a chair to sit.

Kaybee felt a little embarrassed he doesn't even know how to act like an in law when Ummie is around.

Scratching the back of his neck he said " it is not like that Ummie, I am famished that's why and I thought you are going to eat in your room "

" Mhnm Kodai you wanted to have time with Deejan bah! " Ummie said to the discomfort of both khadijah and Kaybee.

" Mamie! The food is super delicious " Afreen gave D a thumbs up and she smiled at her patting her cheeks and muttering thank you.

" The food is delicious well done Mamie " the twins said at the same time.

" Do they always talk at the same time? " Kaybee inquired looking amused.

" Most of the time " Ummie replied looking at D who has been playing with her spoon not eating.

" You are back at it huh?when will you start taking care of your health? You hardly eat these days and you have not been taking your medications " Ummie chided which startled kaybee. What is wrong with his angel and why didn't she tell him that she is not feeling fine?

" Yah salaam! D what's wrong with you and why didn't you tell me that you're sick? " he panicked which made them almost laugh but held back.

" It's ulcer and not so serious " Ummie offered the information while kaybee shoot daggers at D.

" We are going to the hospital, finish off your plate right now " he said with a serious tone which gives no room for argument.

It was Ummie's plan to admonish D in the presence of kaybee so that he will do something about D's dislike for food and the habit of not taking her drugs religiously.

" Ya kaybee I have some drugs, I will take them right now but don't take me to the hospital please" D pleaded.

" D I am so angry right now don't make me loose my temper, get your hijab and meet me outside " he left without hearing what she said next.

Coming out from the room gloomily wearing her hijab, she met Ummie silently laughing at her.

" Ummie this is not fair Wallahi, now he will nag and nag till I feel like dying in that car "

" Allah kiyaye! " Ummie waved her off and she left the kids in the backyard playing with sand.

Unknown to D Kaybee's act was all a charade, he felt bad that she didn't tell him about her ulcer and is not taking her drugs but he just wanted to spend time with her outside the house.

" Haba angel, stop grumbling , I am sorry, I just wanted to see you and have some privacy with you " he pleaded when they drove for a while without D saying anything to him.

" It's okay , I am fine you don't need to bother. Let's drive round and go home "

" Naki wayon, you must see a doctor and I will be the one giving you the drugs until I leave" he said glancing her way.

" I don't know why I have been punished by being surrounded with stubborn people " D muttered .

" I heard that "

" I know you do, it was meant for you to hear it "

" Naughty girl "

" I am not naughty " she whined like a 3year old stomping her foot.

" You're naughty only to me and I love you"

" Must you be cheesy all the time ? You make me feel outdated and dry " she pouted

" Anything for you babe, now I will only tell you I love you or compliment you once in ten years "

" Tabb! I will never agree to that " she protested

" But you just complained of me being too cheesy for your liking " he mimicked her.

" I did not say that "

" You did "

" I did not "

They kept arguing till they reached a private clinic and before they alight the car kaybee stared at D ,she tried to hide her face but he shook his head telling her not to.

" You look different in a good way and more beautiful. I love you" he croaked out with a voice laden with emotions.

She blushed and face palmed not succeeding in hiding her smile.

" D please tell me you love me too, I know you do but I want to hear you say it "

She ran out of the car and he followed suit admiring her shyness. After meeting the doctor and buying the prescribed drugs from the pharmacy they walked side by side to the car looking so mashaa Allah and a perfect picture of a couple crush.

" I love you too Ya kaybee, more than I can ever say, I was scared to ever love again because love scarred me for life but you came into my life and stole my heart without my permission. I am glad that I love you, I put away my fears because the moment I realised that I am madly, irrevocably in love with you I don't ever wanna let go of the feeling because loving you makes me feel alive, it stirred a lot of emotions that I thought I am incapable of feeling ever again.

So don't ever be scared when I do not tell you that I love you because I do but don't have the right words to quantify my feelings for you " D blabbed out the moment they entered the car, as if she has memorized her words and if she didn't say them out at that moment she will forget it all.

The car became eerily silent for what seemed like forever and without a warning a lone tear cascaded down Kaybee's cheeks.

" Subhanallah, Ya kaybee I am sorry if I said something wrong please don't cry " D panicked.

" No Khadijah you didn't do anything wrong but everything right! Believe me when I tell you that this tear is of happiness. A pure real happiness that I lost hope of ever having. Thank you sissy, wifey in shaa Allah. You make me the happiest today, jazakillah bi jannah angel " he said hoarsely.

Khadijah breathed  out a sigh of relief she didn't know she was holding and smiled at kaybee.

" Oya drive, let's go home " she said trying to change the mood.

" Spoilsport ! Must you change the topic? " kaybee said with a pout .

" Yah Allah! I think now I have to deal with three babies and you inclusive. I have never seen a grown man whine and pouts like you "

" That's because I am simply amazing and you are too stingy to compliment me " he said reclining the seat backwards for D.

" what are you doing? " she asked

" Making you comfortable and making my view of your face perfect. " he simply answered.

" what happened to going home? "

" we will go after our date "

" Date??when?where? How?? " her expression made Kaybee doubled over with laughter.

" Here angel, we are having a car date. Maybe we are the first to have this type of date so let's make history " he said cockily and she can't help but smile at him.

He excused himself and went out to bring something from the trunk of his car.

Handing D a cute medium sized gift bag he urged her to open it.

D hesitated before she opened the bag.

There were three cute gift box in the bag. The first one is a cute red box with rainbow colored polka dots and there was a customized bracelet in it. It has k&k inscribed on it and the second one contains a Daniele Wellington wristwatch exactly the type Khadijah once used on her WhatsApp profile picture and the third one contains lot of hand written cards in it.

Kaybee was silently watching D's reaction when she was opening the gifts and when she raised her eyes to meet his she started stammering, unable to say anything.

" You're welcome " he said.

" How do you know what I was about to say? Ya kaybee this is the best gift I have ever received in my entire life and the most considerate one too. Thank you so much dear may Allah reward you with the best home in jannah nagode " she said caressing the bracelet like a delicate object.

They kept talking about everything and nothing mostly about her school and his work laughing heartily at things that are not even funny just because they are happy.

"Why don't you read the letters angel?" Kaybee asked after a while.

" No I won't, I want to treasure them till when we get married then you'll read them to me " she replied coyly.

" That will be so romantic " kaybee grinned and they continued talking till it was almost dark before finally driving back home each of them not wanting their moment to come to an end.

" How was the surgery? hope it was done successfully without a glitch? " Ummie asked sarcastically the moment they made their presence known and after receiving hugs from the kids.

" Was anyone in the theatre? " both kaybee and D asked.

" So you're asking me huh? Bari Baba ya dawo then you will tell him where you have been for almost four hours " ummie fumed in anger.

" Haba hajia Ummie we are very sorry and it is my fault. We went to the hospital then spent sometime outside " kaybee explained while D was giving Afreen the candy they bought for them to share between them.

" It's okay don't do it next time " they both missed the smirk tugging at Ummie 's mouth.

When Baba came back later in the evening he teased kaybee to his fill calling him his in law and all sorts of things that embarrassed him. He was uneasy at first but finally loosened up and they chatted like they normally do whenever they meet.

Khadija was saying her evening azhkars when her phone rang and she knew that it must be Zee .

" Hey there " She chirped.

" Hey there " Zee mimicked

" How is you ?"

" Someone is happy and giddy and in love , me is fine and also happy and giddy and in love " Zee said with a small voice that made Zee laugh .

" Allahu yahdiki " D chuckled.

" Amin oya tell me what happened today from A-Z before I make my husband bring me to your house to force it out of you " Zee sounded super excited .

" Can't you please wait till he leaves ?then I will tell you everything ?" D tried to find a way out .

" noo that won't do, you'll forget some tiny details that will make the story more interesting ,so you have to be telling me what happened everyday. D manaaaaaaaa" she whined like she is about to cry .

D had no choice than to tell Zee everything that happened while Zee almost damaged her eardrums with awwns and goshs and mashaa Allah and you're so cute blah blah blah .

" God ! Both of you are just so lucky to have each other, I can't wait for you to taste the sweetness of having a pious and loving husband D I just can't wait " Zee sniffles .

" Zee please don't start with your over acting there is nothing to cry about we should just pray and be grateful to Allah " D said also feeling emotional .

" Okay babe din kaybee . Bye let me dress up for hubby he will be home any moment and we don't want him to meet me in Ankara skirt and blouse do we ?" She stated

" Shameless she-goat oya go and dress up for your husband since wearing skirt and blouse in your husband's house has become an abomination. " D said laughing at Zee's antics .

' you'll soon know what I mean. Bye " she clicked off the call leaving D to her thoughts .

Afreen and the twins came in looking like they have been buried deep in a Sahara desert.D almost shrieked out but held her self and bathe them one by one .She dressed them up in their snow white pyjamas before saying her ishaa prayers and going out .

Upon seeing her, Baba patted a space beside him motioning for her to come sit close to him .She is now missing having those moments with him ever since he started working in the company .

" Deejan how are you feeling now ? Kaybee told me that you went to the hospital ealier " he inquired .

" Alhamdulillah Baba , I am better now " she replied playing with the bracelet kaybee gifted her she didn't even show it to her parents yet .

" Mashaa Allah sai ki lura da shan magani " and they continued conversing until the elders retired to bed .

Kaybee gave her one of the looks that makes her melt ever since he arrived in the morning.

" What do you say to me and you tying the knot next week angel ?" .......

°•°
Woah !!! You have no idea how much my thumbs have suffered typing this chapter yesterday and earlier today.

Hope you henjoyed it ....yay or nay ??

No long rants today , juma'at saeedah beautiful souls may Allah grant us all a home in jannah ....ma get ready for lafcasssssss.....I hate school can't wait to graduate 😎