"Inti" I whispered my eyes still on the car

"Yes?

"Pull over to that store"

"What? Why? Are you suddenly in a mood to shop when it is almost maghrib"

"Just pull over okay"

"Why, what happened Humaira? Yusrah asked

"There's a car following us" I replied. "Or maybe just me" I thought but decided to deny that

Juwairiyya turned and saw the car before muttering "Ohh brownies, they really are following us" when we took a turn to the mall they did too

Intisaar quickly stopped the car and we alighted rushing into the mall. The men got out and followed us in.

Hurrying to the point of running, we quickly headed to the dressing room and into the female section. Each taking a room. Right before closing the door, I saw the men rushing in as an elderly woman quickly stopped them

"I'm sorry gentle men but the men's section is over there" She said politely

"Where are you going? I told you it's over there" She said again her voice rising

"You either leave or I call the security" She added this time shouting.

After a few minutes, I heard footsteps and then heard her sigh saying "Some men and their perverted ways"

Making sure they are gone, I slowly opened the door and heaved a sigh of relief before calling the others out.

"I don't get it, why will they follow us? Intisaar asked

"I don't know the level of kidnapping has come to this in Nigeria" Yusrah added as Juwairiyya nod

"They didn't follow us" I whispered taking a seat

"What do you mean they didn't follow us? I saw them hot on our heels" Juwairiyya said

"Yes but not on our heels, rather on mine. They came for me" I replied looking down defeated. I don't know what to do or how to feel anymore

"Maimai, how sure are you they aren't random kidnappers" Yusrah said taking a seat next to me

"Because I saw them at the school cafeteria and Khadeejah called to warn me yesterday that her father knows I'm back to Abuja and I should be safe"

"It still didn't point to you" Intisaar said

"Yes it does. You guys should stop being optimistic. You should head home, I will take a cab" I said standing up

"What do you mean take a cab? We were to drop you off" Juwairiyya said

"Not anymore. Because of me, all your lives were in danger. Who knows maybe they are outside and when we leave, they follow us again. I don't want to endanger your lives"

"What's that supposed to mean Humaira? You are supposed to know by now we stick with each other through everything, why are you suddenly casting us out? Intisaar yelled

"Exactly. Whatever it is, we go through it together" Yusrah added

"You don't get it, they might still be out there. If I take a cab, I take them off your trail" I said

"You aren't taking a cab, we are dropping you off. I don't care if they are out there. This is you telling us to just throw you into the wolves den" Juwairiyya half shouted

"Fine what do we do? I asked folding my hands

"We go to the food court here, other something, seat where there is people. Discuss my engagement and wait till thirty minutes later, we go out when some people are going out, go home and I will call the police and give them the description. You go home, talk to Maami and rest okay" Intisaar said and we all nodded.

"What will I do without you guy? I said drawing them into a hug

"Nothing. You had just poop your pants" Yusrah said laughing

"That's why we will always be here" Juwairiyya added.

After the hug, we went with Intisaar's plan and it turned out to be successful. An hour later, they drop me off with the promise of calling the police on my behalf and saying they stalked us as a whole. After bidding them goodbye, I went straight into the house, greeted everyone and headed into the guest room. I was so tired, I could barely talk

"You are finally back! I was thinking you were kidnapped" Zahra sighed looking at me with worried eyes

"I am fine. We did had some men following us, we went into the mall and they followed us but was stopped by a security lady who told them men doesn't go into the female's section and so we went to the food court and after thirty minutes came out and found them gone" I said keeping my bag and removing my shoe

"What! People followed you?. Why didn't you call me maimai? She said hugging me

"I'm fine really, I just need a shower then pray, eat and sleep" I said walking to the bathroom

" I'll bring your food over" Zahra said and I thanked her before closing the door.

*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

After my bath, I prayed, ate and hopped onto the bed grabbing my phone to call Maami but stopped when I remembered something.

"Rahrah? I called out as she looked up from her phone

"Uhmm"

"Did you know that Intisaar is getting engaged? I asked looking at her

"Yes I do. We wanted to wait until everything is at least back to normal before telling you" She replied

"Ohhhh" I said dialling Maami's number

She opened her mouth to talk but closed it when she realised I was on call. Good, I didn't want to start explaining why I'm feeling down about that. Honestly, I don't know too and don't want to think it is what I think it is.

"Humaira, I have been trying your number since morning it wasn't going through" Maami said as soon as she picked up

"Sorry, I saw your missed call"

"How are you? She asked

"Not fine Maami. Not fine"

I filled her in on my phone call with Khadeejah, the men who followed us and finally Intisaar's engagement.

"Hasbunaallah. Humaira, you are coming back permanently to Yola tomorrow or hand over the recipe to them please" Maami said her voice sounding pained

"But Maami I have exams and I can't just hand over the recipe" I replied

"You have to. I have another that your father and I shared" She said making my eyes go wide

"You do?

"Yes I do. We discussed everything together and you can also add yours. Just fix a date with Khadeejah and hand the recipe over to her. All I need is for you to be done with your exams and be home safe. Did you even alert the police?

"Yes, Intisaar said she will"

"Okay very good. Make sure to give Khadeejah that recipe"

"Okay Maami. I will think about it" I replied

"And send my best wishes to Intisaar. Insha Allah when the time comes, we will be at the wedding"

"Yes Maami" I replied ignoring the lump in my throat

"Humaira" She called out softly

"Yes Maami"

"Anything that is meant for you will find you. You might think you have lost something, but when it is really yours, then it finds it's way back to you"

"Okay" I replied knowing what she's referring to

"Goodnight. Send my regards to Zahra and everyone else"

"Inshallah. My regards to Daadi and Zainab"

I ended the call and threw my head on the pillow staring up at the ceiling.

"If you are really meant to be mine, you will find your way back"

With that thought, I drifted off to sleep.

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Today wasn't crazy, so far. . I went to school, finished my paper and asked the girls to drop me off at a bakery. Even when they insisted not to, I told them it's daylight and the police is aware plus if I sense anything suspicious I will call them so nothing can happen to me. They still weren't but I managed to convince them to come pick me up an hour later.

After they dropped me off,I headed to the bridal shop. I didn't want them to know where I was going. I wanted to get them all an engagement gift and keep it for everyone when it's the right time.

Not just my duty as a friend, it is actually the least I can do for feeling a little bad that they all got a spouse and I didn't. Well now I know it's better to choose long than choose wrong, what is mine will always find me.

After shopping their gift, I had them packaged and handed over to me. I paid then called Yusrah and told them to meet me at the bakery since it's basically just a few minutes walk. I ended the call and exited the shop making my way to the bakery. Reaching there, I was about to sit on the front porch when I heard

"You know it isn't safe to be walking alone. I tell you this many times Aira"

For a second, time stilled. Even my heartbeat and breath paused as I instantly recognises that voice but refuse to believe it. Adrenaline rushed from the tip of my toe to the crown of my head as I slowly dragged my body, who is still in a haze to gaze back into the eyes of someone I find comfort in. The eyes that reminds me of a tequila sunrise and calming waves on a sunny day. The eyes that is just like a floating cloud of an endless sheer bliss. My lips managed to move, to pronounce the name even if in a haze, my mind, body and soul will say.

"Hafeez"

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