MY MOTHER CALLED ME EARLY IN THE MORNING, CRYING HER EYES OUT. It felt off waking up to find Ibrahim's side of the bed empty. I quickly got ready making my way out of the house as early as six in the morning, already dressed for work so I can go to work from home.

I was worried at first, thinking the worst. Maybe something happened to my father, or Safiya. I couldn't imagine it but she said it was none of that and she will tell me when I get there.

The streets were almost empty as I cruised down the street in a faster pace than usual. As soon as I got to the house, I parked Ibrahim's car carelessly rushing into the house to my mother's room. I delivered two knocks on the door before pushing the door open, finding my mother sitting by the window curled up in a blanket.

"Mama." I croaked approaching her hesitantly and her head snapped to me as I called her out. Her eyes were bloodshot and I was quick to wrap my arms around her, embracing her.

"What happened?" I pulled away to glance at her face but she didn't budge, staring ahead with a helpless expression on her face. I occupied the other chair beside her, placing my bag on the play carpet as I stared at her, waiting for her to utter something, anything.

Jamila walked in a few minutes later with a sad smile on her face, her hands toying with each other as she took in the state of my mother, her eyes flitting back to me.

"Would you like anything to eat?" She asked.

"No not really." I shook my head.

"Okay." She mumbled as she glanced at the two of us before leaving the room, the sound of the door shutting emphasizing the silence of the room. I turned to my mother once again, placing my hand on top of hers.

"Mama, I'm worried about you, what's wrong?" I pleaded but got no reply making me sigh, leaning back in the chair defeatedly. I pulled my knees to my chest resting my head on them as I kept my gaze on my unresponsive mother.

The door was pushed open half an hour later as Safiya made her entrance with a hijab covering her whole figure. Her eyes darted to me sitting childishly with my knees to my chest, to mama who was staring off to space. She embraced mama and mama wrapped her arms around Safiya as soon as she did, letting a few tears escape as she did so.

It stung witnessing this sight. I came here as soon as I heard the news but she failed to even acknowledge me but as soon as Safiya came, she was already pouring out her feelings but at the end of the day, we were never close so I could give her that.

"Safiya." Mama cried out as Safiya pulled away, lowering her head to look into her eyes, her eyes roaming around her face wildly.

"Mama mey faru?" Safiya asked as mama swallowed her tears, bringing her hand to wipe the moisture from her face as she sighed defeatedly.

"What happened?" Safiya regarded me and I shook my head in response.

"She didn't tell me." I pursed my lips.

"Mahmoud — he's getting married again." My mother managed to say in between cries making my eyes widen at the news whilst Safiya staggered back, placing her hand over her mouth as her eyes welled with tears.

"Yaushe?" Safiya choked.

"He just told me yesterday and dauren auren is today." Mama breathed out, placing her hand on her forehead.

"How could he?" Safiya seethed as her hands balled into fists. I stayed quiet trying to process what my mother just said, but I had a hard time believing it. My father never seemed like the person to entertain an idea of getting a second wife, but I guess you never know.

"I'm going to go give him a piece of my mind." Safiya gritted out but my mother was quick to wrap her hand around Safiya's small wrist, pulling her back.

"You'll only make it worse, he's made up his mind." My mother shook her head and Safiya dropped to the bed in defeat, blinking her eyes repeatedly.

"Everything was okay, everything was perfect what made him take his decision?" Safiya murmured.

"Is she going to stay here?" I asked mama quietly.

"He says he's too old to move around so he's going to bring her here." Mama explained and I shut my eyes shaking my head side to side, feeling tears of anger well up in my eyes.

"Is that what you should ask right now? Does that even matter?" Safiya snapped causing me to frown at her response.

"Because I don't want my mother to stay in this house seeing that woman everyday." I countered thrusting my hand to the door.

"Yeah and what are you doing to do when that doesn't work out because that's likely not going to happen." Safiya cocked a brow impatiently.

"I guess it's better than storming to his room to give him a piece of your mind." I air quoted with my fingers.

"And what will happen when it doesn't work out? Will you run away like you always do?" Safiya jabbed making me chuckle as I shook my head in disbelief.

"Maybe you shouldn't spend your time finding the smallest things to insult me about and focus on yourself." I leaned forward in my seat, my voice dropping an octave.

"You don't even care! All you've done is sit on that chair doing nothing and you want to be congratulated for it." She yelled pointing at Mama who stared down at her lap solemnly. I sucked my teeth chuckling at her words and parted my lips to counter but mama beat me to it.

"Enough!" Mama shouted shutting both of us. Safiya poked her cheek with her tongue crossing her arms over her chest, looking away.

"You're always fighting every time we meet. Can't you be in the same place and not fight for once?" my mother looked in between us with a clenched jaw.

"Your sister is looking out for her mother, because she cares. All she said is true, you just don't want to accept the truth." My mother said turning to me with anger swirling in her eyes.

"I was trying to find a solution for you mama. She literally started it." I furrowed my brows in disbelief.

"That doesn't mean you can't listen to the bitter truth." Mama hissed.

"There's a way to correct me, mama. You taught us that." I defended.

"When was the last time you two talked?" Mama tilted her head to the side as she looked between me and Safiya. "Five months ago you wronged her and you've yet to apologize. She's your sister. Just because you think you have everything in life doesn't mean you should throw your family away." Mama lectured.

I scoffed at her words, not believing my ears. I somehow turned into their punching bag. Mama was so blinded with her partiality that whatever I do was wrong and whatever Safiya does was always right.

"I rushed here as soon as I heard you crying on the phone. I sat here for more than an hour urging you to talk to me but you ignored me. But as soon as Safiya came, you spilled everything. You saw my fault without listening to my side so are you sure I'm the one throwing my family away?" I tilted my head to the side, tears welling my eyes.

"Now you're being unfair to mama. She's never shown any difference between us." Safiya cut into the conversation.

"She showed no difference?" I chuckled. "So when you got your dream wedding, where was I in this? How many times do you visit Safiya's house in a week? Can you remember the last time you came to my house?" I tilted my head to the side and they stayed silent, further proving my point.

"You're busy during the week and not to mention, my house is literally two streets from here of course she'll frequent my house more." Safiya raised her hands, her voice getting louder by the second.

"Oh really? So when I introduced Hameed to all of you, and introduced him as yours weeks after, was mama also fair at the time?" My voice cracked as I looked between them, the tears obscuring my vision.

"We agreed not to speak of that ever again." Mama warned sternly. I choked out a humorless laugh running a tired hand down my face as I did so.

"Because that's the one thing you have no excuse for." I scoffed letting out a laugh in disbelief as they both spotted guilty expressions on their faces.

"That was literally in the past. You're married now." Safiya raised her hands in exasperation.

"Does it change what you did?" I cocked my head to the side. "Did you ever stop for one moment to apologize?"

"Because you could easily find someone else, and you did. Khalil was willing to lay his life down for you and you ruined that, but here you are; happily married." Safiya gestured to me, letting her hands drop to her sides defeatedly.

"Are you seriously pulling that card now?" I arched my brow. "You snatched him and that's the best excuse you can offer? At least bring up something more believable." I snapped deepening the frown on my twin sisters face.

"You always had them coming to you, wrapped around your little finger. And the one time I get a man who actually loves me, it's a problem?" Safiya tilted her head to the side and her whole speech made me snap.

"But you had everything else." I said with my hands shaking with anger. "But I don't blame you for turning out that way. I blame you." I snapped my head towards my mother who was quiet, a blank expression on her face.

"You always got what you wanted no matter the circumstance. Even if I had something you wanted, I had forfeit so you could have it. I had a suitable partner to marry but you held it up because Safiya didn't have a husband and as soon as she did, you were quick to force me into a marriage because you couldn't let it pass. You can love another child more, but at least do a good job of hiding it." I jabbed pinning my eyes on my mother, directing my statement at her.

"Sometimes I wonder if I'm really your child or you randomly picked me from the road. This isn't about Hameed because honestly, you made the best decision because I wouldn't have met Ibrahim but it just shows how terrible our situation is." I shook my head in utter disgust, snatching my bag off the carpet and they didn't utter a single word as I made my way out of the room and out of the house.

It was after I got into my car did I let out the pent up anger after all these years. I threw my bag in the passengers seat leaning my forehead against the steering wheel, letting the tears that so badly want to escape fall.

A knock on the window snapped me out of my daze as I looked up, coming to face with Hameed who was peering into the window. I sucked up my tears rolling for the window.

"I saw you from afar." Hameed smiled gesturing to the house.

"Yeah." I replied plainly.

"Are you okay?" He asked, the concern lacing his tone.

"Yes, I'm just running late for work." I replied in a bland tone hoping he would get the hint. He nodded prying his hands off my car stepping back and I started the car, happy to cut the conversation short except he wasn't done.

"I know how things are now," he leaned over once again earning my attention. "But I'm here if you — you know,  if you need anything." He offered making me still my movements for a second and I looked up at him, nodding my head.

His eyes stayed on me for a few seconds before he stood straight, tapping the car twice before he stepped back. "Drive safe." He murmured.

•••

I fixed my self after arriving at the office as I slammed the door shut, sauntering towards the building. A hand wrapped around my wrist and I was quick to jerk my hand out of the person's hold, whipping around to see who it was only to come to face with Farida's boss, I couldn't remember his name.

"Good morning sir." I composed myself and he only chuckled.

"You should loosen up more. We help each other out here, don't we?" He raised a brow and I caught on to what he was saying, a tight smile adorning my face as I folded my lips.

"You're right." I agreed and his eyes raked my figure before he went in the direction of the parking lot. I shook my head feeling the goosebumps rise on my skin.

I went to Ahmed's office as soon as I arrived, as Halima called me on my way here telling me he was looking for me. I delivered two knocks on the door before I was urged to come in. I pushed the door closed as I awaited for instructions or whatever he needed to talk to me about.

"You we're looking for me, sir?" I asked.

"Yes. Get ready you're assisting Mr Kabiru in his office today. I expect you'll be in your best behavior." He instructed glancing from his papers for a second.

I nodded stiffly making my way out of the office. I had a bad feeling about going to the office but I kept the dark thoughts at bay, knowing they'll be anything but useful to me. I didn't care to drop by my office and made my way out of the building to my car.

I used my GPS to get there as I stayed in the car for a few minutes to collect myself. The lobby was crowded unlike ours, and the building itself is old only renovated. It was kind of disappointing with the kind of money they generate from this place alone. I approached the desk and the receptionist was anything but welcoming.

"Sumaya Waziri, I have an appointment with your boss." I smiled sweetly as she rolled her eyes checking the computer. If it were any other time, it would've even ticked me off but my day couldn't get any worse.

"Third floor." She said curtly. I made a move to go but something clicked in me and I couldn't let myself walk away. Not like that.

"You should smile more. That is, if you want to keep your job." I threatened pairing it with a smile, tilting my head to the side almost daring her. She jerked her head back but pursed her lips, nodding her head obediently.

I smiled making my way to the elevator, pressing the third floor. As soon as I got there, I released a breath delivering two knocks on the door. A voice urged me to come in and I entered the office finding Mr Kabiru sitting behind his desk.

As soon as he saw me, his eyes lit up as he gestured to a sofa sitting beside the window. I hesitantly walked to the sofa taking a seat with the folder sitting on my lap. I raised my brow when he moved from his chair walking towards me.

"So you're the lawyer he sent?" He smiled almost predatory and I tried to keep a calm facade.

"Yes." I answered curtly.

"I had a feeling you were the best. So tell me Sumaya, how long have you been a lawyer?" He asked scooting closer and I chuckled moving to the side.

"Four years sir." I responded opening my folder. "So Mallam Jafaru looks like he's going to be on the market pretty soon — " I was cut off when he slammed the folder shut causing me to flinch.

"Let's discuss more about ourselves. Loosen up." He chuckled.

"What else can we talk about sir?" I asked shakily as his hands slid from my folder to my thigh. I leaned forward intentionally letting his hand drop from my thigh.

"We could always get to know each other. We might see each other a lot more now." He said but there was an edge in his tone probably because I've been turning down his advances.

"I'm quite boring. My husband tells me that a lot." I chuckled hinting at my relationship status but seeing his expression stay the same, I knew he didn't care about that.

"We don't need to know much about each other. We could have fun." He whispered leaning closer to me, placing his hand on my thigh once again. My eyes flit from his hand on my thigh to his serious face.

"What do you mean sir?" I asked shakily.

"I can show you a good time." He leaned closer to me, running his hand up and down my arm. I flinched standing to my feet when his face got closer.

"Please sir." I staggered regaining my balance.

"You know what I'm taking about. Stop making this harder for the both of us." He said irritably.

"Whatever you're looking for, I'm not up to the task." I shook my head, desperate to get the message across.

"Let me see for myself." He stood to his feet going to lock his door making my eyes widen as I walked backwards, looking for a place to flee. He stalked toward me turning me around pushing me against the desk. I gasped struggling against his hold desperately.

"Please don't do this." I begged as I wriggled in his hold. My heart clenched when he pushed my cheek against the table, before I heard the sound of his zipper. I closed my eyes letting the tears freely escape my eyes as I struggled helplessly.

When I felt him start to push up my skirt, I pushed against him with all the strength I could muster causing him to stumble. I turned around wedging my knee in between his legs eliciting a groan from him. I regained my balance and retrieved my bag quickly.

I passed him as he rolled on the floor, unlocking the door as I went to flee before I paused, turning to him once again with a clenched jaw. "Don't you ever lay your disgusting hands on me ever again. I told you I was married you sick pervert." I gritted out before coming closer to him, tilting my head to the side with a sadistic smile.

"You'll pay for this." He grunted.

"Oh I know, but it's better than having your filthy fingers all over me." I murmured as he squinted at me, his eyes filled with hatred and angst. I rushed out of the office hoping I would never come back to this wretched place ever again.

04|11|2020