A month after I got married to Manal, our MD summoned me back to work. He was this man that would never let you live your best life. He was a Muslim but sometimes he would act like he wasn't one. I heard he hardly pray as well.

Today just after eating breakfast, Manal and I cleared the table while Amani went to her room to prepare for school. She was now in primary two. The school I enrolled her into was Himma International School, Minna...

"Did Amani told you about her school fees?" Manal asked as soon she began washing the dishes in the kitchen. "She said she told you"

"Yes, she did" I huffed and continued. "And I already talked to the school, they should wait till month ends because I want to focus on..."

"Don't worry," She cut in. "I will pay"

"Uhmm, thank you" I said embracing her from the back. "I love you, Manal" I kissed her check.

"I love you too" She uttered and continued washing the dishes while I held her tight.

"So, what should I buy for you when coming back? Pizza? KFC five in one? Or..." I queried.

"KFC five in one" She said.

"Alright" I pecked her.

And just then, Amani bounced into the kitchen with her backpack and lunch box. "I'm ready!"

"Have you packed all your assignments?" Manal asked her. "I mean, the ones we..."

"Yes, all in my bag!" Amani squealed.

"Toh, take care of yourself okey?" Manal said.

"Alright mummy!" Amani bounced out.

"Why didn't she give you a hug today?" I said.

"It is because she saw you already hugging my back plus I am washing dishes" Manal uttered.

"Hmm, okey. Let me drive her to school and come back" I said gently averting from her.

"Toh, mijina (my husband)" Manal said.

"Okey, mata na (my wife)" I kissed her.

Thus, I drove Amani to school and just as I was driving to a KFC branch to buy Manal what she asked for, my phone began ringing. And guess what? It was Aisha. It had been a long time!

"AsSalama Alaykum..." She said as soon as I picked the call. Her environment was noisy.

"Wa'alaykumus Salam, where are you like this?" I queried concentrating on the road.

"I am... I am in General Hospital, Minna. Can we meet? We are here for case studies about Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and Cancer" She replied.

"You mean you came all your way from Kano this morning?" I said imagining the distance.

"No, we've been here since... yesterday in the evening. Can we meet now, please?" She said.

"Well," I heaved a sigh and continued. "Okey"

"Thank you, please call me when you arrive or you can meet me in the H.I.M office..." She said.

"Alright" I said ending the call.

Hence, I changed course and drove myself to work. My colleagues at morning shift were so surprised to see me, it wasn't my time and yet I came? I had to explain to them that I only wanted to see someone. I walked to the Health Information Management office and guess what? Aisha ran to me and gave me a hug...

"What are you doing?" I whispered to her.

"Being lovely" She said holding my hand. "Come, lets sit over there in the bench..."

"Okey" I huffed as we went and settled down.

"So, how was the wedding?" She said.

"Alhamdulillah, yours?" I uttered.

"Same, and I'm pregnant" She said.

"Wow, pregnant?" I wrinkled my brows. Actually, she married a month before me.

"Yes, how about your wife?" She said.

"Not yet" I sighed. "But soon, In Shaa Allah"

"Toh, success" She said.

"Thank you" I smiled.

Just then, she held my hand and looked me straight in the eyes. "Manal is lucky, wallahi"

"You still love me?" I puzzled.

"Hmm" She released my hand. "Not really"

"Okey, so have you gotten the case files you are here for? Where are the rest of you?" I uttered.

"Our team leader is in the M.D's office" She said and continued. "The rest are right over there..."

"Okey, and the case files?" I said.

"We duplicated 13 different case files about Cancer already but that of Cystic Fibrosis is rare, there are only 2 case files and your M.D is literally not willing to release them" She said.

"Did you come with a written order?" I asked.

"From the ministry? No!" She said.

"Then you are going back empty handed, our M.D here is very strict and wicked" I gulped.

"Hmm, can you help us?" She said.

"Me?" I puzzled.

"Yes please, help us out dan Allah..." She began begging me and even adding; "For the sake of the baby in my womb, please help us out..."

Thus, I decided to render help.

I did what I could and the M.D later on gave out the files but it wasn't easy. Aisha and her team were so happy, they duplicated the files and left while I - on the other hand - returned back to my car. It was unfortunate that I had spent more than five hours in the process of helping Aisha and her team. Wouldn't Manal be angry with me? I huffed as I dialed her number to hear from her but guess what? It rang many times without being picked...

What could be wrong? I wondered.

When I drove home, I was welcomed with glares which made me to wonder what I did wrong. I had to ask her, and when I did she told me to ask myself. It sounded funny to me so I laughed, unknown to me I pissed her off.

An angry Manal wasn't good at all...

And what on this earth was my mistake?

Just because I couldn't come back in time?

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Thank you for reading #InsideArewa