ADNAN BAYERO'S POV.

KANO, NIGERIA.

I have thought long and hard about how I would break the news to Sa'adah. If I am being honest, I have been putting it off because I still have not figured out the right way to do so. I was hoping to live in this happiness bubble of ours longer, and put off breaking the news to her. And yet, the moment I saw Amir Qasim's call come through, I knew the procrastination has to come to an end and there was no putting it off again.

And yet, I still hoped to extend breaking the news until Amir Qasim got here, but I should have known she would not let that happen—especially not when I have piqued her interest well enough. So, I broke the news to her—of Khalil's murder, and who is behind it.

I do not know what reaction I was expecting from her, but I was more than ready to accept whichever it is that would come. The torn look of disbelief that masked her features the moment I broke the news to her showed it is a bitter pill for her to swallow. So, I tried to reach out to her, hoping to ease some of the burden even if it is only slightly. But, she pulled away almost in instinct, and I would be lying if I said my heart did not ache at the sight.

"Sa'adah..." I tried to reach out once again.

But, she held a hand to stop me as she took another step back. "I..." She avoided my gaze, her mind appearing to be a jumbled mess. "...I need space...give me some space...." She shook her head as she managed to get those words out, and then, without waiting for a response from me, she side stepped me and made her way over to her room—the sound of the door closing, and locking behind her left in its awake.

I stood there, in the corridor with slumped shoulders and a heavy weight pressing my heart down. My eyes flicked close, and I found myself exhaling a breath of relief—in a way glad I have finally gotten the load off my shoulder, but by doing so, I simply shifted it all onto hers.

Realizing I could only respect her choice of giving her space, I headed to the master bedroom, then took a shower, careful with the small wounds I had sustained due to the accident earlier. With everything that has happened in just a day, I feel as though the accident happened months ago and not just a couple of hours earlier.

The day just keeps getting worse, one trouble after another, as if they had simply graced us the grace of getting married, before they all come knocking.

My thoughts were plagued by worries about Sa'adah as I showered, and got dressed afterwards. Considering it was Zuhr prayer time by then, I headed out and went to the nearby masjid to pray, still not making an attempt to disturb Sa'adah and her alone moment. However, that moment was cut short when I returned home, just in time Amir Qasim arrived as he had promised earlier.

As his sleek black Mercedes-Maybach S-class came to a halt in the parking lot, the driver's side soon opened and the man stepped out. He turned his head around, his gaze finding mine as he trudged in my direction, and once within arms-length, he reached his hand out to take off the Saint Laurent Slim sunglass he had on before reaching the hand out for a handshake.

"Amir Qasim," I acknowledged after the pleasantries, "Thank you for all your help, really. I appreciate it."

He shook his head, waving it off. "Don't mention it please." His gaze held mine. "Have you broken the news to her yet?"

I exhaled a breath, my shoulders slumping as I nodded. "Yes, I have." I said. "I honestly do not know how she is taking it. She has shut herself."

He hummed, then reached out to pat my shoulder slightly. "She will come around, don't worry." He ascertained, "It obviously is too much for her to process. Speaking of which, do you think she would appreciate the details now?"

"Let us go in and see. If she is not ready, I will break the news to her later myself. After all, I cannot keep you back form returning home." I said, as we made our way into the house.

Truthfully, I could have just broken the tiny details to her later on since I already told her the main news, there was no need for Amir Qasim to be here regarding that matter. His actual reason for being here is more of a farewell for now, as he will be flying back to Sokoto tomorrow.

"Speaking of which," I found myself saying as we reached the living room and settled on the couches there, mine beside his. "Have you informed anyone at home of your return?"

Amir Qasim calmly leaned back, his head turned in my direction as his gaze held mine. "Aidah knows," He stated simply, referring to his younger sister. "I told her to keep it a secret though." He added, his tone serious.

I hummed, "I doubt she would,"

"She better does," It appears he was truly hoping she would keep the news a secret, but if we are truly talking about the same sister of his that I know, that cousin of mine cannot keep such a secret to herself, which might just land her in trouble with him but still.

"You know..." I started, reaching out to pinch the bridge of my nose, "Hajiya specifically told me to visit you when you came here before Eid. What do you think that means?" She did not need to tell me—Amir Qasim and I are close enough for me to know whenever he is in the country, and in Kano to be specific, we meet every time he is here. But, this time, Hajiya specifically took the liberty of asking me to meet him.

Amir Qasim did not say a thing, but the look that clouded his vision showed he knew the answer as well—his expression hardening.

I suspired, my shoulders slumping. "Giwa knows your every move, Qasim," I said, referring to his mother. "Besides, you are going home for the first time in so long. I am sure she is more than aware—even without Aidah breaking the news to her. I assure you, she would make it as grandiose as it could be."

"I did not ask her to," He grumbled, his expression laced with annoyance.

"The Crown Prince returns after so many years—you are stepping foot in Sokoto for the first time in what? A decade?" I know the precise years, I am merely trying to stir the conversation up with him. This is the point where he shuts off and avoid it, but there is something I wanted to tell him. "Between you and I," My voice dropped when I held his gaze, my own expression turning serious as the words then escaped my lips. "Maybe you should tone down your anger. It is starting to consume you."

Amir Qasim simply held my gaze wordlessly, though I could tell the wheels in his head were turning. When his voice came again, it was low, and dark. "Do not worry about me, Adnan," He said, and then his lips curled into the faintest, smiles—but there was nothing amusing about it. "I can handle my issues well enough."

His words were supposed to be assuring, but there was this underlying meaning to his words that screamed otherwise. However, before I could say anything that will continue our conversation, the sound of footsteps approaching reached our ears, and just as I looked up, Sa'adah made an appearance with a tray in her hands, her lips curled into a small smile.

She placed the tray of refreshments on the coffee table beside Amir Qasim before she moved to my side, settling down on the couch beside me. Then, her lips curled into a small smile, and her voice followed. "Sannu da zuwa," She acknowledged the man, "Barka da rana."

As she and Amir Qasim exchanged pleasantries, I could only watch her silently, taken aback by how calm she seemed—her expression gave nothing away that would show any sign of her crumbling or anything of that sort. I thought she was still in her room but apparently not.

I was jogged back to reality when I felt her hand slip into mine, and she interlaced our fingers. I found her gaze, and she offered me a small, reassuring smile—as if silently letting me know that she is alright now. I searched her eyes for any sign otherwise, but there was none, and I found myself releasing a sigh of relief.

I rubbed soothing circles on the back of her hand, and then joined in on the conversation, introducing them to each other. "Hayaty, this is my cousin, Amir Qasim—the eldest Prince of Sokoto Emirate." Then, I turned my gaze towards Amir Qasim, "And Qasim, my wife, Sa'adah."

Amir Qasim shifted his gaze from me, and offered her a small smile. "It is an honor to finally meet you, and thank you for agreeing to be with him. The man has not shut up a bit about you."

I threw a pointed look in his direction, but he ignored it, unbothered.

Sa'adah chuckled lightly beside me, and I could tell she was enjoying having Amir Qasim spill all the beans about me. Though not a talkative person, especially not to people he does not know, I knew he simply started off as such so he could later break on the news without much tension, and I appreciated the thought.

"Amir Qasim was the one that paid the girls during the siyan baki," I said, cutting into the conversation before the man could spill too much of my information.

"Really?" Sa'adah sounded genuinely taken aback, "No wonder his voice sounded familiar." She then shifted her gaze to him. "Thank you for that, by the way. Was wondering who else Faiza robbed like that."

Amir Qasim shook his head, waving it off. "It was nothing." Then, he added, straightening his spine as he shifted his gaze between us. "I do not want to take much of you newlyweds time, so, about the reason why I am here in the first place..."

Sa'adah's hold on my hand tightened, though her expression gave nothing away. It was obvious she is not as composed as she is feigning to be. Still, she focused her attention on Amir Qasim, who went on to break down the situation to her.

"I am sure Adnan already told you, but the culprit has been found—Emily, Khalil's first wife. She is being interrogated by the police as of this moment, but she has confessed to she being the one that killed him—or more like paid someone to do it. Apparently, she felt betrayed by him when he asked for a divorce so he could stay with you alone. The day prior to the accident, they met."

Sa'adah softly took in a sharp breath, and I am sure she could not help but think of the time where the two could have met without her knowing. But she did not interrupt, and simply allowed him to carry on with the explanation.

"She came here without him knowing, and he found out at the last minute. She even found out your house and showed up there, but he did not allow her to meet you, and instead, steered her away so they could talk. She did not want to end things, but he was determined. In the end, she felt betrayed, and paid someone to mess with the brakes of his car. She believes if she cannot have him, then no one else should."

"She was at the hospital," Sa'adah whispered, sounding taken aback as she struggled to wrap her head around the fact. In disbelief and startled, she found my gaze, and then added—in a clearer tone this time around. "She showed up at the hospital after the accident and was crying so much." She shook her head. "How could she..."

"She wanted to cover up her traces," Amir Qasim responded, "That helped solidify her innocence."

Sa'adah's shoulders slumped, and she slipped her hand out of mine as she buried her face between her palms, her breathing shaky. This is all too much for her to handle, and truthfully, she is taking it better than I had expected. Because she only remained in that position for a few seconds, before she exhaled a loud breath and then looked up, her gaze shifting between Amir Qasim and I. "Where is she now?"

"In police custody abroad since she has long returned," I answered this time around, already aware of it all. "But she will be brought here. The Wambai family have already been informed, and his parents are not willing to settle." I reached out to take a hold of her hand in mine, my voice softening as I held her gaze. "If you want to visit her when she is brought here, I would take you."

She did not say anything, and instead nodded simply. A few more words were exchanged, before Amir Qasim declared his leave. He bid us farewell, and Sa'adah stayed back inside the house while I accompanied him outside to where his car was. The moment we stepped foot outside and the door was closed behind us, my voice came.

"So," I breathed out, turning my head around to meet his gaze. "The part you left out. Tell me, Qasim, Emily is not the actual culprit, is she?"

Amir Qasim turned his head around to look at me, and then he released a small breath. "She did the dirty deed so she is the culprit. It is best of your wife knows only that much. She does not need those other details."

I hummed, agreeing with him in a way. If Amir Qasim left it out, then it is best if we end our side of the story here. But, just because I left it as such for Sa'adah does not mean I do not want to know the full details.

"Who is the real powerful figure behind this, Qasim?" I held his gaze, my tone knowing. "Someone you know?"

Amir Qasim did not look at me when he gave me his response, his tone arctic cold. "An old acquaintance." He said, his tone dark. "From Kubi Caliphate, not so surprisingly." Though his words were light, there was something dark about his tone—and his words gave away the reason.

This time around, it was my turn to suspire. "So, your in-laws, after all."

Amir Qasim threw me a pointed look, his expression hardening. "Anyways," He continued. "Do not worry that one. It is my fight as well so I will get to the bottom of it."

"And your wife?" I asked, as we reached where the car is.

He unlocked it, then turned around to look at me. His hand reached out to pat my shoulders. "Take care, Adnan Bayero." He said instead, ignoring my words. "Do drop by Sokoto when you have the chance. The gates of the palace are always opened for you."

I shook my head, deciding to drop the topic because it is obvious, he would not indulge further in it. So, I extended my hand out for a quick handshake, "Allah kaika gifda lafiya." I shook his hand. "My regards to Giwa please."

"Ameen and," He clicked his tongue, "We will see." With a quick, fleeting smile in my direction, he turned around and entered his car. I watched as he revved out of the house, before I made my way back in, in search for my wife.

She was no longer in the living room, so I made my way over to her room. But, she was not there either. My brows drew in, and I thought of checking the master bedroom. The moment I stepped in, my gaze landed on her figure that was in the bed, under the duvet which she had pulled up to cover her body.

I sighed, then made my way towards her, slipping into the bed and under the duvet with her. My hand rested on her shoulder as she had her back towards me, and the act had her turning around, her gaze meeting mine. I half expected to see her in tears or something, but her eyes were dry save from the emotions that were thick and masking her features.

I offered her a small smile, my hand moving to the side of her face as I caressed her cheek with my thumb, my eyes meeting hers. "How are you feeling?" I asked, my voice soft.

She sighed, then silently moved closer to me, so she had her head resting on my torso while one of her arms wrapped around me. My hand moved under her head, while I wrapped the other around her, so she was half laying on me. Then, a beat passed before her voice came.

"Torn, and confused." She confessed in a small voice. "I do not know what to think of really."

"Do you want to think about it?" I asked.

She then shook her head, "No. Not now at least."

I nodded, respecting her wishes. "Alright then," My hand moved to her head, patting it slightly. I then leaned down, my lips pressing against her forehead, before I then asked. "What do you want to talk about then?"

She hummed, pretending to think, and then I felt her smile before she lifted her head, Her face was mere inches away from mine as she offered a small, cheeky grin. "Tell me, Prof. Adnan Bayero," She started, her expression turning mischievous. "When did you start liking me that everyone else seems to know, apart from me?"

My own lips curled into a smile, mirroring hers. And then, I found myself taking a strand of her plaited hair, then twirled it, pretending to be captivated by it rather. "You know, have I ever mentioned how much I love your hair?" I feigned ignorance.

"Adnan," She pressed, slightly annoyed.

I chuckled, dropping my hand to her waist, and meeting her gaze again, "You know, I used to yearn to hear you say my name before."

"Really?" She arched a brow, seeming genuinely surprised.

I nodded, "Yes. You never called my name before." I stated, because it really is true. "I kept wondering how you address me in your head because you never say my name."

"What I used to call you in my head?" Her lips slanted into an amused smile. She then reached her hand out, her finger lightly tracing the frame of my glasses, just like what Amani does, and her smile widened. "He who shall not be named, but looks ridiculously good in glasses." She stated.

"What?" I found myself chuckling at the statement. "That is how you address me?"

She nodded, chuckling as she then added. "But then you got upgraded to he who shall be named after all. And now, you are Adnan Bayero."

"What other thoughts did you have about me?" I asked amused, genuinely curious. I pulled her closer to me, so I could feel her breath on me, then I leaned down, my lips brushing hers. "And I never thought a moment would come where I would not like you calling my name."

She hummed, "And what do you want to be called?"

"Something peculiar," I said. "Those couple names and all. Calling my name sounds too formal."

Her hand dropped from the frames of my glasses so it now rests on the side of my face, her fingers playing around with the beard. "Which is why I call you Malam. It is peculiar, and what wives call their husbands. Not to mention, you are my lecturer, aren't you? The name just fits you."

I arched a brow, and in a swift move, turned her around so she was laying on her back and I hovered above her. Her eyes widened, a slight squeal escaping her lips due to the unexpected act, and her hands wrapped around my neck, holding onto me like her life depended on it. However, once she felt the bed underneath her, her shoulders slumped, and she relaxed, her eyes meeting mine as she threw me a small glare, her lips forming a small pout. I reached one hand out to take off my glasses, placing it on the bedside cabinet.

I smiled, then leaned down to kiss the pout away, and I felt her smile against my lips. When I pulled back, my gaze found hers, and then I spoke, "You know you always speak of me being your lecturer, but you are always sleeping in my class." I teased.

Her eyes narrowed playfully, "You are never letting me get off that, are you?"

I shook my head, "Of course, not." I leaned down again, pressing small kisses from her forehead, down to her nose, and then to the corner of her lips, then I found her gaze again. "You know," One of my hand moved to her head, slipping off the head tie, and then running my fingers through the braids. "You still owe me those classes."

She swallowed down a lump, her words shaky. "What classes?"

"The ones you slept through of course," I said, my lips curling slowly into a smile. "How about I give you private lessons in return to make up."

Her own lips slowly curled into a smile, which she tried to hide as she attempted to push me away lightly, "Have you always been this shameless?" She asked, her smile now prominent.

"Only for you," I whispered against her lips.

"Just how shameless can you be?" She arched her brow, her smile mischievous.

"How about I show you?" I pressed my lipsagainst hers, showing exactly how shameless I can be when it comes to her.

~*~

True true Adnan don use style to avoid telling us when he fell in love with Saadah--okayyyy you must tell us o, tam.

Only one more chapter to go!! My comment section people, so because we have reached the end you have abandoned me. Okay, it is okay, na just one chapter remain all is well.

So, you have gotten a glimpse of Amir Qasim and his story here, we are more like setting the red carpet for him because he will soon own the spotlight! All of you crushing on him already, he has a wife o! Tam. I have said my own.

Adnanu so you are shameless like this, iyeeeeee. I am not blushing. Ladies and gentlemen as you know i dey get information for you, but them people chased me away so i did not get anything. 

Take heart single people, go and hug your pillows. You did not kill anyone--you are just single no worries.

Truthfully i keep feeling as though i am already done writing this book, and i just want to send off Saadah and Adnan away peacefully. I will miss you people here, hope you will follow us to Amir Qasim's story. It is not for the faint hearted i tell you.

Alright i am done. Stay safe, and single as always (it is not like you have a choice anyways),

Love, Jannah Mia.