Jannah stared between the two, her brows furrowed.

Suhad turned his head in the direction of Kamal, who offered him a small smile, wordlessly letting know that he would take care of it. Suhad smiled back, patting his shoulder slightly, he turned to his wife.

Jannah raised a brow at her husband. He simply smiled, walked towards her, caressed her shoulder lightly before he walked away, leaving the two alone. Jannah, still stunned, moved her gaze to Kamal. “What’s going on?” She asked. She didn’t get why her husband and her cousin had been acting so strange.

The Fulani Day event was rounded up two hours ago before Magrib prayer time. Kamal decided to leave after saying his farewell to her. There’s so much could go wrong on the mission. With Jabeer on the case, after the stunt he pulled the last time he was cornered, Kamal knew he had to be careful. He knew the situation would be different considering the CIA are after him too. But, unless Jabeer steps foot in America, they won’t interfere.

And that leaves Kamal, along with the NIA. Jabeer is already an international criminal. An arrest warrant had been prepared already along with a travel ban on him. That’s something they should’ve done before. However, they underestimated him then. That’s why he escaped.

This time around, there’s so much difference from back then. This time around, they have Kamal, they are well prepared compared to the last time, plus, they have an insider there—Saheeb. He keeps Kamal posted on every move of Jabeer despite there wasn’t much to report. Jabeer had been extra careful to not make any move in front of his son. He doesn’t trust him one bit.

Kamal being experienced in such situation knew what he should expect. After pursuing Jabeer in the past year, he knew never to underestimate the man. So, he wouldn’t be surprised if blood is shed. Honestly, he wouldn’t be surprised if amongst the people he’ll go with, some won’t return.

The arrest on Jabeer was made in a way that he’s wanted dead or alive. So, if he gives them trouble, he might have to be executed. Kamal is hoping it wouldn’t reach to that, though he wouldn’t hesitate to carry out the mission.

The chances of him returning healthy is low. His chances are never high. That’s the main reason why Bilkisu loathed him for what he does. That’s why she was so angry when she found out. All the years she spent loving the man, she never had any care whenever he told her he has to travel for work.

However, when she found out that during his travels, there might be a day that he won’t return, it broke her. So, she loathed him for that. But most importantly, she loathed him for not trusting her enough to tell her the truth. They have regulations, she knows that. But would it hurt for him to let her know that he does dangerous work. Granted, she’ll be worried. But she’d rather be worried than not know anything at all. That, she can’t handle.

“Kamal!” Jannah called out, seeing as he wasn’t willing to reply to her any moment soon. “What’s going on? Why are you and Suhad acting as if someone died?” Everyone she loves and care about are there with her. So, is there someone else that’s hurt which she doesn’t know? That thought worried her to no ends.

Kamal smiled, just as he’d been doing for the past years whenever he’s leaving for any dangerous mission. “Nothing of such happened, don’t worry”

“Then what is it Kamal?”

He shrugged, chuckling lightly. Somehow, his chuckle and playful charade lessened her fear. It concealed the truth behind Kamal’s words which she didn’t know. “Work came up. I have to go”

She narrowed her eyes at him, hissing slightly. “You’re jobless! When did you get a job?”

Kamal grinned sheepishly. He felt the weight on his shoulder lessen at her words. Bilkisu told her something, he knew that. Yet, Jannah’s words confirmed that Bilkisu didn’t tell her about his work, and that lessened his fear. He was worried that she knows, worried that she won’t let him if she knows that he might not return. That just like Mama and Baba, Kamal might not return to her too.

It would break her. He didn’t want that for her.

“See you” He narrowed his eyes at her playfully. “I might be jobless but at least, I travel every now and then whenever work comes up”

She folded her hands over her torso, scoffing as she looked away. “Like I said, you’re jobless. Is this really worth you leaving during my wedding? Can’t you wait until everything’s done? You’re the only sibling I have, yet you won’t be here for me too?”

Kamal felt something tug in his heart when she said the word sibling. He wanted to deny it, yet something in him was sure that she knows. He watched her closely, and after a while he realized that she’s oblivious. She just stated it casually. He sighed in relief. Ignorance is bliss. He convinced himself. “I’m sorry” He felt bad for leaving her like that, he didn’t want to. But he can’t postpone this either, for everyone’s safety. “I can’t postpone it else I’ll miss this opportunity”

She stared at him for a while, eyes narrowed at him skeptically. She grew up along with him. There’s nothing about him that she doesn’t know. Yet, for the first time in her life, she felt like Kamal’s a stranger to her.

His smile, the chuckle, the playful demeanor…It all sounds fake.

For the first time in her life, she doubted Kamal.

Blinking, she spoke lowly. “What are you up to, Kamal?” For the first time since Kamal started his unexpected travelling, she didn’t want him to go. Something just doesn’t feel right.

Kamal chuckled again. “What? Are you worried about me now?” He believed that the best way to deal with a serious situation is to turn it into a joke. Especially a situation where he can’t say the truth to her.

Instead of scoffing like he expected from her, she simply narrowed her eyes at him. “You won’t tell me, will you?” It came out like a question, but they both knew it’s a statement. Sure enough, she doesn’t know the truth about his job, yet she knew he wouldn’t tell. So, she didn’t prod further.

If she does, then she’d be a hypocrite for doing the same thing.

“Promise me you’ll be safe” She spoke lowly. She didn’t have the energy to ask further.

He smiled genuinely for the first time. “I’ll try” That was the most he could promise her.

“No” She shook her head, “Don’t try Kamal. Promise me you will be safe”

Kamal looked down for a brief second, sighing in the process. When he looked up again, he nodded, a small smile replacing the one from earlier. “I promise; I’ll return in one piece” He still couldn’t promise to ba safe completely. It doesn’t work that way.

Jannah licked her chapped lips, then nodded. “Fair enough” She muttered. Sighing loudly, “When are you leaving?”

“Tonight”She nodded again. “This is the last time I guess”“Stop acting as if we’ll never see each other again” He chuckled, “You’ve never been like this before”

“That’s because I never felt like this before” Perhaps it’s because all those times she had Baba and Mama. Now, without them, she felt like she’d be losing Kamal too.

Kamal wanted to comfort her. Yet, he held himself back. People would misjudge them if that happens, and he didn’t want that for her. Not at the time especially. “Don’t worry. I won’t die without getting married in shaa Allah. If it makes you feel better, I’d be willing to let you pick the bride. Don’t you want to take me to the mosque fisabillilah again?”

That made her chuckle. It lifted her mood. And that made him happy. “You’re right” She nodded, “I’ll have to get you married soon. You can’t be disturbing my life up and down”

“That’s the spirit!” The two laughed, the tense air disappearing. When it died down, he glanced at his wrist watch, noting the time. He looked at her, his smile turning into a sad one, “I have to go now”

She nodded, “Go then. I don’t want to make you late”

He grinned, turning around to leave. When he reached the door, he stopped. “Jannah!” He called out.“Yeah?” She remained in the same spot he left her.

He grinned sheepishly, “I drank all your Pepsi!”

“What the---” Before she could finish, he had run out and shut the door behind him. She chuckled, shaking her head in the process. She brought her phone up, turning around to make sure that no one’s there. When she’s sure that she’s alone, she unlocked it and dialed the one number she had been in contact with recently. “Hello” She spoke, her grin disappearing, “Is everything set?”

~*~

Kamal dragged his suitcase with one hand. He used the other to send a message to his team mates that he’ll be leaving Gombe at the moment and that the minute he steps foot in Abuja, he’ll head there.

He’s sure that they’ll have a driver waiting for him at the airport when he returns, so he didn’t worry about that. He sighed once they replied.

Honestly, he was a bit worried about the case entirely. He had faced so many criminals in the past yet he had never met anyone like Jabeer. He wasn’t worried for his life; he was worried that they might lose Jabeer again.

Then again, he’s also worried about Jannah. There’s something about her words earlier that he couldn’t pin a finger at. He couldn’t help but feel like there’s something about the girl that he is missing. Was she planning something he didn’t know? What’s she planning? What’s going on in that head of hers?

He shook his head, sighing.

“It’s nothing” He muttered to himself. He’s worrying about nothing.

There’s nothing going on with Jannah. That, he’s sure of.

~*~

“You know I love you. Right?”

Suhad looked up from where he’s sitting on the bed, his gaze falling on his wife that sat on the vanity table stool. She wasn’t facing him, instead, she was taking off her studs which she had on earlier. “Of course I do” He smiled.

She nodded slowly, sighing in relief. “You trust me. Right?”

His brows furrowed. He didn’t get where she’s going with her questions. Still, he decided to answer her. “I do” He watched her up close, though she’s refused to meet his gaze. “What’s this about, Jay?” He placed the book in his hand on the bedside cabinet, not moving his gaze away from her.

She removed her other stud, then placed it in her jewelry box. Sighing again, she turned around to look at him. “Nothing” She muttered, offering him a small smile, “I just needed a bit of assurance I guess”

“Jay…”

“Don’t worry about it, Jaan” She cut him off. She didn’t want to bother him with her questions. She just needed the assurance. They have a long day up ahead, she just wanted some peace at the moment. So, she stood up from the vanity stood and headed towards the bed sitting beside him. She took his hands in hers, then looked at him with a small smile, “I just…” She sighed for the umpteenth time.

Intertwining his fingers with hers, he gave her a small squeeze, “You just what, Jay? Talk to me”

She gulped, looking at their hands together. “I’m just overwhelmed by everything that has been going on recently. Your family had welcomed me with open hands” Not everyone, but most of them did. And that meant a lot to her.

He placed his finger under her chin, lifting her head up to meet his gaze. “Of course they love you. Who wouldn’t?”

“My mother didn’t” She smiled sadly.

His smile fell. He never knew why she and Mama never got along because he felt like it wasn’t in his place to ask back then. That doesn’t mean he’s not curious though.

“Have I ever told you why she hates me so much?” She spoke, noting the look that crossed his features.

He shook his head, “You don’t have to if you’re not comfortable”

“No” It was her turn to shake her head. “I want to. I haven’t had anyone to speak to about this. I feel like I need to get it off my chest”

He gave her hands another small squeeze, lifting it to his lips, he placed a chaste peck there. “Say it then, I’ll listen. I’m here for you”

She released an inaudible sigh, preparing herself to say the words eh had only uttered once to Daihaah. She closed her eyes, shaking her head in the process.

Suhad noticed the internal conflict she’s having. “Jay, you don’t have to--”

“I almost killed her daughter” She cut him off, finally saying the sentence she had been dreading. “My younger sister. I almost killed her”

Suhad thought about his next words carefully, he couldn’t afford to say the wrong one and make her feel worse than she already does. He knew it wasn’t as bad as she says. He knew his wife. She is one to fight back but never to the extent of hurting someone. “What happened?”

She flickered her eyes open, “I don’t remember everything honestly. It was five years ago, shortly after you and I broke up. Daihaah wasn’t here at the time so I was alone. I remember getting angry. I don’t remember why; I just know that I was so furious back then”

“Were you furious with your sister?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know Suhad…” Her voice came out low. “It was the first time that happened to me. I wasn’t acting like myself in any way. I was destroying everything in sighed, and then she came” She stopped, inhaling deeply to calm herself down before she continued. “And I…” She couldn’t utter the next words, tears streamed down her face at the memory.

Suhad pulled her to his chest, wrapping her in his embrace. He let her cry in his arms, knowing she needed it.

“I strangled her Suhad” Her voice was barely above a whisper. She had never been so scared as that moment. “She was simply trying to help, yet I did that to her. It took so much effort to get me away from her. If they had gotten there a bit later, I would’ve…I…” She clenched his shoulder tightly.

Every time she remembered that moment, she not only feared for the people around her but she was scared of herself.She was simply out of it.

It was only when she was detached away from the girl did she realize what she had done. Only then did she realize the damages she made. And the gravity of her actions. Ever since that day, Mama had made it her priority to keep the girls away from Jannah, she feared for her children’s lives.

She also hated Jannah right from the moment. When they found out the cause of it, Mama hated Jannah more.

The only people that stood by her that time were Baba and Kamal. Yet, Jannah was still scared of herself, and everyone around her. That was why she made the decision of studying abroad, away from everyone if Baba agrees. Which he did when he realizes that the girl is hurting too.

Suhad shushed her before she could continue, he could feel her body shake as the tears racked her whole body. “It’s not your fault Jay, accidents happen”

She shook her head furiously. He wouldn’t understand. Suhad makes her happy, immensely happy. But, that’s the problem.

She doesn’t deserve that happiness. Not when she almost took someone else’s happiness. She’s better off alone because she would never forgive herself if she hurts Suhad.

She couldn’t even bear the thought. She stayed in his arms till she calmed down. Even then, she remained in his embrace and he had no problem with that. He preferred her sharing her problems with him than keeping it alone. That’s when he decided that he’ll tell her everything too. She trusted him, he’d do the same. But not at the moment, after the wedding is over. She’s going so much already; she won’t be able to handle it all.

“Jaan” She called out, this made him hum.

“Yes, Jay”

“I love you”He pecked her forehead, then raised her head to look at him.

“I love you too” With that, he leaned down and pulled her in for an osculate.

~*~

The next day Suhad woke up for subh prayer, Jannah wasn’t there. He simply assumed that she’d gone out to meet the girls.

So, he bathed, performed ablution, put on his jellabiya and then headed out to the mosque where he met the guys. Together, they prayed. 

After they prayed, he, Prince, Faruk, Deen and Aahil stayed out to chat. They stayed out, talking about the event that will take place later, when Prince’s phone rang. So, he excused himself then picked it up.

Amidst the call, he returned, his gaze fixated on Suhad, “Suhad, do you know where Jannah is?” He asked.

Suhad’s brows furrowed, “Isn’t she with the girls? She wasn’t there when I woke up”

Prince tilted his head to the side slightly. He then relayed the message to Daihaah who called to ask. After a couple of answers exchanged between the two, he ended the call then turned around to look at the guys who are staring at him. 

“What’s it?” Suhad asked immediately.

Prince sighed, contemplating on what to say to his best friend. “She’s missing Suhad. The girls can’t find her either”

“What--” Before Suhad could finish his words, darkness blurred his gaze to which he gave in.

~*~

~ABUJA, NIGERIA~

JANNAH'S POV.

In life, we have to realize that things never end the way we want. But there's nothing we can do about it but rather embrace it and make it work that way. And another thing is we aren't always lucky the first time, or the second time and maybe the third too. But that's what makes it life. There are also times when we just don't win, we fail. We fall, we cry, we give up but we get back on our feet because we're only humans. We all make mistakes and fall at a point.

Also, we need to know that not all stories end with a happily ever after. Honestly, no story ends with happily ever after it's just that the characters find a way to make things work for that moment because they are bound to encounter obstacles in the future. Obstacles bigger than the ones they've faced before. You never really know.

Another thing is that nothing or no one is the way we see the person to be. There has to be something the person bottles up. Something we tried hard to keep to ourselves for our sake or the sake of the people around us. But, we shouldn't do that. Instead we need to open up to someone we trust, because keeping so much to ourselves can be bad for us.

How do I know all these?

Easy.

I've been through it all.

I looked at where I kept the paper that only has one word on it. It was placed in between the pages of a book, not just any book but the book. To most, it's meaningless but that one word meant and contained everything.

Someday.

~Jannah.

And that was it.

Turning around, I held my suitcase and walked out of the place that had been my home for months now.

~*~

The ending is from the prologue for those of you who noticed. Actually, the prologue is an excerpt from this chapter.

Back to the book, things are picking up.

Secrets will be revealed in the next chapter, that is, if I don’t put the book on hold by then.

Anyways, Vote, Comment and share PLEASE. I’m pleading now.

People writing JAMB, I hope y’all pass with flying colors (Or numbers in this case🤣) May yall score enough to get your desired course.

Malam Suhad don faint.

Jannah left. Kamal is leaving too.

Alright… Good night people.

Love, Jannah.