ASLAM EXTENDED his hand out to check the time on the wrist watch, before he let out a soft sigh. Looking up, his bespectacled eyes glanced at the entrance again, as he leaned back on the car, his arms now crossed over his torso.

This time around, he wasn't donning his face mask-because he wasn't at the hospital. The only reason he even bothers with it there is so people won't notice the see the resemblance between him and his father. Since he won't be there for long, he doesn't mind putting up with it for a week more.

Noticing that more people have once again started trooping out of the airport made him swivel his head in the direction, watching closely to see if he could spot the familiar face. It took a bit longer than he expected, but soon enough, he saw her walking out as she dragged her suitcase along with her.

She paused after a while, looking around for reasons only known to her. In the process though, her eyes fell on him and immediately, her lips parted. She then blinked, wondering if she really is seeing him or whether her eyes are playing tricks on her.

The corner of his lips quirked up due to her action, making him raise a hand up and wave at her slightly to discard the thoughts she has in her head.

And it worked, because she quickly got over the shock and strolled her to where he stood, leaning on his car. When she reached him, she stopped, her stunned expression still on. "Ya Aslam..." She called out softly.

"Figured you might need a ride"

"How..." She paused, "How did you know?" She didn't really tell anyone that she's returning-not even her father that forced her to do so. The only people that know are her grandparents, her Murabiya, and of course Mami.

Aslam stood up straight, extending his hand to collect her suitcase, "We have a pretty small family" He answered, before making his way to the trunk to keep the suitcase there.

Her brows drew in slightly, the wheels in her head turning as she tried to comprehend his words. It then snapped, "Huda" She stated, knowing that since Mami knows it's expected she will tell her daughter. And knowing how Huda is with Aslam, she definitely was the one that told.

Aslam's lips curled upwards into a small smile, as he made his way to where she stood. "In a way" He agreed. Huda did tell him, but she wasn't the only one so she wasn't entirely right. He tilted his head to the side slightly, a silent gesture for her to get in.

Taslim went round the car, heading directly to the passenger seat where she got in just in time he did so too. Making sure she has fully settled in, he revved the car to life before driving away from the airport. "Where do you want to stay?" He asked after a few minutes of silence.

She hummed, turning to stare at him. "Huh?"

"Where do you want to stay?" He repeated, swiveling his head to the side slightly to cast her a brief glance, before fixating his gaze on the road. "My house or yours?"

Taslim looked away, her head hung low as she fiddled with her fingers. There's a reason why she didn't tell anyone she was coming home-else her father would've sent someone to pick her up. She was trying to delay the inevitable as much as she can. "My house" She answered, her expression gloomy. She could feel his stare on her as the car came to a halt. Looking up, she realized they are in traffic so she sighed slightly, "I mean, I have to face him sooner or later, right?" She shrugged slightly, leaning back on the seat as she tilted her head to look at him. Her lips curled upwards into a small smile that was forced; hoping to hide how she truly felt regarding the whole matter.

But she should've known better than to try that on him.

Aslam who had been staring at her didn't miss the way her corner of her eyes didn't crinkle slightly when she smiled which was the first hint he picked up that her smile is forced. And besides, he knew her better than to buy that little act. "I'm sorry" He stated honestly.

Her brows drew in, "Why are you apologizing?"

He sighed, looking away. "I'm sure he made you return because I'm here" That is certain of. He knows his Uncle well, just as much as he knows her brother-his cousin. The man must've taken what Aslam said to him on his first day seriously. "Yet again, you're being dragged into this whole mess because of me"

"Is that why you've been avoiding me?" She asked, her voice soft as usual. It was simply in her nature. She wasn't one to act out of place or speak at the top of her lungs. She was always composed-it's in her nature. It is also the reason why she appears older than her age, because she acts that mature though it wasn't intentional.

"Yes" He answered earnestly, he didn't see the point in hiding it from her. "But that's not the only reason" He has another reason why he had been avoiding her. He likes to minimize their conversations as much as he can.

Her expression softened. She had been beating herself up, thinking of reasons why he would treat her like that. As far as she knows, Aslam has always been there for her and vice versa. They have always been a team-it was them against the world-or so she believed. So, when he started to withdraw himself from her slowly, she thought she did something wrong. "It's not your fault, you know"

Aslam couldn't help the way the corner of his lips tilted up slightly. She had always been the one to try and console him, even when the truth is there, in front of them. He didn't say a thing though, because no matter what she would say, he has already made up his mind and nothing she would say would change her mind.

Taslim seemed to have known that too, because she spoke again. "-I don't know if you've noticed but we're family. In Nigerian terms, na the same blood we share. You no fit remove me since I dey part of the family too"

Aslam couldn't help himself, because he cracked up almost instantly as the cars started moving again. "Tawaqaf arjuk; please stop" He said, in between his laughter. "Who taught you how to speak like that" Aside from the fact that she wasn't good at it, it simply sounded weird coming from her. She didn't have that Nigerian accent that would blend well with it, considering she has been living with her grandparents since she was young.

She has only been to Nigeria a handful of times.

Taslim, now sporting a wide smile stared at him-simply taking the sight of him laughing like that. God knows the joy she gets knowing she is the reason he is like that. With everything going on in his life, she doubts there's much people to make him laugh like that. "What?" She spoke, not wanting to be caught staring. "Hal kunt bihadha alsuw'i?; was I that bad?" She feigned widening her eyes slightly, amusement lacing her tone.

Aslam stared at her for a split second, still sporting a grin that her expression mirroring his. "Do you want me to be honest?" He didn't bother to hide the amusement in his tone either.

"La, ainsahi; No, forget it" She was quick to shake her head. Knowing him, he wouldn't hesitate to tell her the truth. She knew she isn't good at speaking like that, which is why she tries her best to avoid it or speaking her Hausa. It always ends up with the Muhammad Abd Al-Rasheed siblings laughing at her. The mere thought that she had embarrassed herself in front of him had blood rushing to her face, tinting her cheeks red.

Aslam laughed at her expense. It's been a while since he had spent time like that with her and if he was being honest, he only did that knowing her mood is down considering her current predicament. No matter what she says, he still believes that he has something to do with her father making her return. So, he is trying his best to lift her mood in any way he can.

Judging from the looks of it, he is doing just well.

They continued to have small conversations as he drove them to his Uncle's house directly. It took a while, considering the house is far but he managed to get there soon enough. Besides, with the conversation they were having, neither of them noticed the time that passed.

On reaching the house, he could see how her mood dampened yet again. Exchanging small pleasantries with the gateman, he then drove further into the Adam Abd Al-Rasheed manse. His Uncle's house and his house weren't alike. The difference being his Uncle's house was much more imposing-the man truly loved a lavish lifestyle.

He parked the car in the lot, getting out of the car first since Taslim needed a few seconds to get herself in check. It's been about six years since she stepped foot in the house. Reason being, she didn't like the way she is being treated there by her father, and her brother who lived there along with his wife. Her brother's wife wasn't bad, considering they get along. The men though...

Just as Aslam got her suitcase out of the trunk, she got out of the car. He rounded it to stand beside her, offering her a comforting smile. "Are you ready?"

She nodded, her lips stretching into a tight lipped smile. Together, they took the small stairs leading to the front door, which she opened and stepped in first. Almost instantly, both she and Aslam who stepped in after her, closing the door behind him, were welcomed by the scent of bakhoor.

Footsteps came from the kitchen, and then Hisham's-Taslim's brother-wife came. Her lips slanted upwards into a wide grin seeing the two, visibly making Taslim's shoulder slump in relief. "Marhaban eazizi; welcome my dear" The woman came forth and pulled her in for a warm embrace. She is much older than the girl, considering the age difference between Taslim and her brother, but they get along just well.

When they pulled back, Taslim offered her a smile. "Kayf kan haluki?; How have you been?"

"Alhamdullilah" The woman answered with a grin. "I have a surprise for you" She added, her gaze flickering behind the girl for a brief moment to exchange a knowing look with Aslam.

Taslim turned around to spare him a look of suspicion, before looking at her sister-in-law. "What--" She didn't finish, when a familiar figure came downstairs, and hastily approached her before pulling her into an embrace.

Her sister-in-law moved behind to stay close to Aslam, the two of them sporting wide grins.

Taslim snapped out of her mini state of shock when the woman tightened her hold around her. "Murabiya" She called out, her voice low as tears welled in her eyes. The woman left on Saturday, claiming she had a family emergency she needed to attend to.

What Taslim didn't know was that Aslam had her Murabiya come to Nigeria first, so she could surprise her. Taslim wanted the woman to come with her, but she didn't say so not wanting to take the woman away from her family. But seeing here there uplifted her mood tenfold.

Murabiya chuckled lightly, before she pulled back. "Surprise!"

"H-how?"

"You thought I would allow you to comeback home alone?" Murabiya gave her a small glare, which she feigned. She then rose her hand up to wipe Taslim's tears that fell without her realizing. "You're taking me with you, hataa law tazawajat; even if you get married"

The others laughed, including Taslim.

"But" The old woman spoke again, gaining their attention. "You should thank him" She gestured to Aslam, "He didn't want you to come back and be crying because you missed me. We all know anti tifl kabir; you're a big baby"

"Murabiya" Taslim whined slightly, before a grin took over her expression. She then turned around to stare at Aslam. "Thank you so much for this" Her heart fluttered knowing he went to that extent for her.

How could she not love him when he does stuff like that?

"Don't mention it" He waved it off. He is simply glad he could do that much to her. He then glanced at his wrist watch, before looking up again. "I have to get going. I have work today" It was Monday, and in all honestly, he looked forward to going there and checking up on his father as well as a particular doctor.

"Alright"

"Thank you again"

"Bye doctor"

Aslam offered them a small wave before he left them alone to their small reunion. At least now, he won't feel so guilty about her being back home. Without a doubt, he knows her father and brother will upset her again, but she has her Murabiya now as well as her sister-on-law, he believes she's in good hands.

And that was it for him.

~*~

A knock on the door had Aslam looking up from the chart he is looking at. He made a move to fix his mask, before speaking. "Come in" He placed the chart on the table, waiting to see who the person could be.

The door knob twisted open, and then the door opened. He recognized her almost instantly, and the very sight had his lips stretching into a small smile. She closed the door behind her, before making her way towards his table. "Good Morning Dr. Aslam" Aisha greeted, offering him a small smile. She paused for a moment, wondering whether it's still morning before she remembered it's still 11 so technically, it still is.

"Good Morning Dr. Aisha" He greeted back. "I was just about to come and check up on you" He arrived about twenty minutes ago. So, he wanted to get some work done before he checked up on her. "Take a seat please. How are you feeling?"

"Thank you" She muttered before sitting down on one of the two chairs in front of his desk, before she answered. "I'm much better" Her smiled widened, "I told you I'll be fine by today"

He nodded, "Oh yes, how can I forget you're superwoman Aisha?" Though she couldn't see his face, she could hear the amusement in his tone.

"You're never going to forget that name, will you?" She playfully narrowed her eyes at him, without even noticing that she has done it. How could she when he acts more like a friend than a superior.

"Nope" He shook his head, leaning forward slightly. "You'll always be my superwoman"

Aisha could swear she didn't intend for it to happen; heck how can one even intend for that to happen? But, the butterflies in her tummy made an appearance when he said that. He might've just said it casually. She told herself, but that didn't make it any less. "Uh..." She parted her lips to say something, but nothing came.

Much to her luck though, a knock came on the door yet again.

Aslam looked up, "Come in" He wasn't expecting anyone, as much as he knows anyway.

The door opened and this time around, it was someone Aisha expected to not see there. Her head tilted to the side slightly, a brow slightly quirked.

"Good Morning Dakta" The new guest said cheerfully, a grin masking her features. Her eyes fell on Aisha, and in possible, her grin widened. "Well, good morning to you too Shatu"

Aslam chuckled at the action. "Morning, Jannatu"

Jannah made her way further into the office, before handing him a chart. "Chief Wali said to give you this," She explained. "It's for your TMR patient. His vitals look good, and he's responding to the medication well"

Aslam skimmed through the chart, before he nodded. "Alright. Thank you" He placed it aside.

"That's it?" Jannah asked, "You know you're owing me a lot now Dakta"

Aslam shook his head; the girl never fails to amuse him-it seemed to be her character. "I'll pay back soon in shaa Allah"

"Okay"

Aisha stared between the two, with lips curled downwards and brows furrowed. "When did this one start?" She asked, pointing between them.

"What?" Jannah turned around to look at her, "Are you jealous?" She wiggled her brows.

Aisha gave her a deadpanned look. "Of course not"

Jannah turned around to look at Aslam, the two sharing a look before they both chuckled at the same time, fueling Aisha's confusion even more.

It was on Friday, when Jannah stopped by the hospital to get her ice-cream. She had no plans of leaving her house that day. However, since Abdallah told her about the ice-cream, she threw that plan out the window and hastily pulled on a big hijab before making her way to the hospital.

When she arrived there, she headed directly to their office exchanging pleasantries with the people she sees on the way. Reaching their office, she opens it and headed directly to the small refrigerator all the while praying Aisha didn't take both. Knowing the girl and her love for ice-cream too, she might've take both.

Luck seemed to be on her side though because she spotted her tub waiting for her. As if she has been given a most prized possession, her lips curled upwards into a wide grin as she picked it up just in time a knock came on the door. "Come in" She called out, as she stood up straight.

The door opened, and in came Aslam.

Her brows furrowed, not recognizing not just because of the face mask. She's pretty sure she has never seen him before; else she would've recognized him no matter what. "I'm sorry, can I help you?" From the way he's dressed, she could tell he's a doctor-that's pretty much obvious.

"I'm looking for Dr. Aisha" He had noticed that this woman seemed to be the only person there, and both tables looks untouched. "Hasn't she arrived yet?"

Jannah shook her head, "Oh, no. She won't be coming in today"

"Can I know why?"

Jannah paused for a while, wondering if she should tell him that-because she doesn't know him. She had never seen him around before.

He noticed her hesitance, and he understood where she is coming from. "I'm sorry I haven't introduced myself" He knew that's something he should've done from the beginning, but he thought by then everyone knows of him-at least, everyone in CS does. Apparently, she doesn't. "I'm Dr. Aslam Muhammad-the new doctor. She's assisting me for a surgery"

"Oh" Jannah's lips formed an 'o' as realization dawned on her. Her expression morphed quickly, her lips stretched into a wide grin. "Well, hello Dr. Aslam" She has been meaning to meet him since to see for her eyes whether he's really fine. Even though she couldn't see his face, his voice got her though. The thought had her grin stretching if possible. "I'm Dr. Firdausi. But my friends call me Jannah or Jannatu. You can call me that too, worry not"

Aslam chuckled slightly. She seems like the jolly type, that he could tell. "Dr Firdaus--"

"Jannah" She was quick to correct him, "Or Jannatu, whichever you prefer" The fact that he seemed nice quickly got him on her 'I like him' list.

"Jannatu" Aslam grinned, "Are you perhaps friends with Dr. Aisha?"

She nodded, "We're best friends" She explained, "And regarding why she's absent today, she took over my shift for me yesterday, and another resident's too so she won't make it today. She won't be around during the weekends too"

His lips curled downwards into a frown. "She took two shifts along with hers?" He asked, earning a nod from Jannah. "You guys shouldn't work yourselves out like that. We have enough residents to take care of the patients"

"I said the same thing!" She knew at the moment that she would get along with him well.

He smiled slightly. "In that case, I'll get going then. I'll see her on Monday"

"Wait, I can give you her number" She offered.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course I'm sure. Very, very, extremely sure." And that was how she ended up giving him her best friends' number. She was already planning to be a match maker because one, she is tired of seeing her best friend single and two, she already likes this doctor. He seems like a good man.

"Thank you" He said after getting the number from the girl.

She waved him off, "Don't mention it"

He turned around to leave, but stopped before he opened the door. Turning around, he asked. "Hey Jannah, is your friend in a relationship?"

Jannah's eyes widened slightly. "Excuse me, what?" She understood what he meant, she just wanted to ask to make sure she didn't hear otherwise.

He couldn't help but chuckle at the expression she was sporting. "Does she have a boyfriend?" He asked, because he realized he doesn't know that about her.

Jannah grinned, "Well, you should ask her that yourself" She said, "However, even if she does, I'll help you get rid of him. Worry not"

Aslam chuckled yet again-Aisha surely have herself a funny friend. "I have a feeling we'll be good friends"

"So neither of you will take me how you became, well, friends?" Aisha asked, still waiting for an explanation that will make sense to her. She simply couldn't help it.

"Nope" Jannah shook her head.

Aisha turned to Aslam, "Did you perhaps buy her food or something?" She asked, knowing food is Jannah's friendship language. That is the case with Abdallah anyways.

"No..."

Jannah snapped her fingers, turning to face him. "You owe me food seff"

"Alright, whenever you're free in shaa Allah"

Jannah left with a satisfied grin, saying she has patients to check up on. She went to the extent of telling Aisha to take her time talking to him since she will help her handle her patients for her.

Aisha didn't bother to ask him again, knowing he wouldn't tell her anyway. So, she decided to focus on why she's there to begin with.

He noticed her sudden change of mood. "Hey, are you okay?" He asked.

She fiddled with her fingers, wondering how she is supposed to bring it up to him. "It's about tomorrow's surgery"

"What about it?"

She swallowed thickly. She then blinked, blowing out a low breath. "Are you sure you want me to assist you?" She asked, her voice low.

He frowned. "Of course. Are you having second thoughts?" He chose her because he trusted her, despite not seeing her in action. But if she's having doubts, and wants to back out on her own then there's nothing he can do about it.

"It's just..." She sighed, looking down for a second before looking up again. "...I've never done a CABG before, and with the risks involved-don't get me wrong, I'm sure you can do it but me, what if I mess up? Yes, I've seen Chief Wali do it before, I've watched numerous videos about it, and I've studied on it extensively. But that's different from actually doing it. What if I mess up? What will I say to his family? What if I ruin this for you?" She has thought about it over the weekends, and truth be told, overthinking made her nervous about the whole thing.

His expression softened. "Do you still want to do it?" He asked, "You can back out if you want, I won't stop you"

On the other hand, she didn't want to disappoint him. She could see he has high hopes on her, "I want to do it, but..."

"I can walk you through the whole thing if you want" He offered, "I can explain the whole thing"

"Dr. Aslam--"

"Aisha, I trust you" He cut her off, his eyes never leaving hers. "I trust that you can do it. It's okay to be nervous, but it's up to you to let it get to you or overcome it. I trust you'll make the right decision. So, what do you say?"

She was quiet for a while, as she looked down. She took in deep breaths, and when she looked up again, she knew her answer.

~*~

HELLOOOO!

It's a long chapter so I expect commentsssss, I've been typing since five wlh (Yes, I've taken breaks but warrreva)😂🤷

Anyways, Jannah and Aslam's new friendship is making me crack up. If they work together, I don't think Aisha can't escape it😂😂

Oh and Aslam and Taslim. I won't lie, I love them together. Abeg give us hashtag for Aslam and Taslim❤️.

But at the same time, I love this Aslam and Aisha something😭.

Malam Aslam kodai mata biyu zakayi ne? Kodake I know you have wives acikin readers din ma😏🤣.

Toh nidai I don tire, so I don't have much to say for today's AN. I'll be waiting for your comments 🙃

Love, Jannah.