ABUJA,

NIGERIA.

Zayn headed home the next day.

He would be lying if he said he didn't hope to see Batoulah board the plane as him since they are going to the same place on the same day but luck wasn't on his side because there was no sight of her at all.

After the events that had happened in Duste, he was more than happy to return home. That was why the minute he was in the confines of his apartment, he shrugged off his jacket and crashed on the bed, taking the long deserved nap that he hadn't gotten at all.

By the time he woke up again, it was dark. He got off the bed quickly and did the prayers he missed. He didn't intend to sleep for that long but it seemed his body had a different mind of its own.

When he checked his phone, there were missed calls from Kamal. That meant the goofball was done with his task and safe as Zayn anticipated. He dialed the man's phone number, while making his way over to the kitchen to get something to eat.

Kamal picked up after the fourth ring. "I know you'll call me back. Did you miss me this much Zayyanu?"

Zayn hissed, wishing Kamal was close to him so he could throw him a glare. "You'll always be mentally unstable"

"So will you" Kamal threw back, "Birds of the same feather, remember?"

Zayn had to stop himself from rolling his eyes at Kamal's goofiness. "Is this why you called me? Because I'm just wasting my airtime"

"No" Kamal suddenly sounded serious. "I heard what happened while I was gone"

Zayn nodded, though Kamal couldn't see him. He didn't ask who told him, it was pretty much obvious. That man Zayn met at Salma's home. "Yeah it's quite unfortunate"

"I agree" Came Kamal's voice. The lark from earlier that was coating his tone now no longer there. "But didn't you find it suspicious that the daughter was found in the house, sleeping soundly on her parent's bed?"

Zayn who had started brewing himself a cup of hot coffee stopped what he was doing, lips tugged into a frown. "What?"

"Exactly what I thought" Kamal sighed from the other end. "After everything, when the father returned, the girl was there, sleeping soundly on the bed unharmed"

"How is that possible?"

"Someone got into the house and brought her. She hasn't said a word regarding it no matter how many times she was asked. All she asked of is her mother. It's heartbreaking honestly"

It was Zayn's turn to let out a long sigh. The coffee machine pinged, indicating it's done. He picked up his now refilled cup of hot coffee and made his way over to a couch in the living room, settling on it. "The mother's death, the daughter's disappearance and her sudden reappearance all sounds so weird, doesn't it?"

"I thought about that too. But according to the gateman, no one got in or out"

Zayn released an annoyed grunt, before taking a sip of his coffee. "I don't trust that man. He gives off the bad vibes"

"Same thing I thought" There was this sound in Kamal's voice that he uses when he's trying to keep someone in suspense. Thankfully, he spoke beforeZayn threaten to remove his eye balls. "I had him questioned,nicely"

"And by nicely you mean"

"Just a couple of punches here and there when he refused to cooperate. Nothing serious" Kamal said nonchalantly but both he and Zayn knew it was deeper than that. In simple words, he did what he had to do to get answers that the man otherwise wouldn't give out easily.

Zayn hummed, deciding to not say a word about it. "And? What did you find out?"

"That someone indeed got into the house two times that day. But he doesn't know who because he was threatened"

Zayn shook his head. "He knows who the person is" He answered simply. It was that obvious really, "But I think the threatening part is real so he might not give you any more information for the sake of saving his life"

"Figured" Kamal muttered, "He hasn't said a word like you said"

"He won't. But that's okay"

"Zayn, that's not all though" Kamal spoke up. He had been saving this to tell Zayn about it at the end and that was the moment.

"What is it?"

"Salma's death wasn't an accident. She was murdered"

~*~

Zayn expected a lot of things honestly. Yet when they turn out to be true it always baffles him greatly. Same thing happened with the truth behind Salma's death. Apparently, someone messed with her brakes intentionally and because of that, she got into an accident and died.

So, if you really think about it, Kamal is right. It is a murder. But who is the one behind it all?

Kamal agreed to come over, so they would take about what to do next about the whole situation. He would come the next day and then they would make up a plan. That was why when the front door pinged, Zayn thought it was him and made his way over to open it.

Much to his surprise, his mother stood on the other side with a warm smile etched on her face.

"Mama..." Zayn couldn't believe his eyes. How did she know about the place? Did Aasim tell her? That man...it had to be him. Discarding thoughts of 1001 ways to kill him, Zayn offered his mother a small smile. "...what are you doing here?" He stepped out of the way, giving her room to walk in.

She's the one person he would never be rude to.

She didn't hesitate and instead, made her way in with the small bags she had with her. "I'm here to check up on you obviously. I know you aren't taking care of yourself" She dropped the bags, then turned around to stare at her son who had moved closer to her.

She rose her hands up and placed it on both of his cheeks. "See how hollow your cheeks are. You obviously aren't taking care of yourself. Come," She held his hand and made him sit beside her. She then opened the various bags which held food flasks enough to feed him for about three days, if he doesn't eat much that is. "Eat this" She scooped a spoonful of food, then brought it to his lips.

He tried to ignore it, but she sent him a glare that had him doing as he said. Soon enough she was feeding him and he was enjoying it though he'll never admit it. It is the first real food that he had in so many days. He had been feeding off on coffee and simple food he orders that he had missed how homemade food taste like.

And honestly, it was nice.

When she was done, Zayn looked up only to see her watching him silently, that warm smile still etched on her face. It felt weird to him honestly, considering it's been so long since anyone cared about him that much. He wasn't used to it, and that though saddened his mother greatly.

She wasn't there for her child as she should be. She already lost a child and she felt like she's looking Zayn too. At the thought, her eyes welled up making her look down, tears streaming down.

"Mama," Zayn called out, reaching out to hold her hand. Sure enough, he had learnt to not care about anyone in the family but a mother is still a mother. The relationship she shares with her child is one that can never be broken no matter what.

Sure enough, to some it may reduce to a certain extent but it can never be broken.

"Why are you crying?" He asked.

She looked away, pulling her hand out of his to wipe her tears. "I'm sorry, I just..." She took in a deep breath, before she looked at him again, "I'm so sorry Ahmed" She sniffed, wiping the tears that escaped again, "I'm sorry I failed you as a mother"

Zayn shook his head. Sure enough, she didn't stop his father when he kicked him out. Or maybe she did and he just never knew about it but despite everything, he never for once thought she is a bad mother to him. "Mama you're not a bad mother"

She parted her lips to say something but he spoke up before she could.

"No Mama, listen to me. You're not a bad mother. Yes, you made mistakes but we all do. We can't change the past one bit, and as much as I would have loved for things to be different, but we can't. So all we can do is accept it"

She sucked in a breath, then looked down, her tears never once ceasing.

"I don't and will never hate you Mama, not even for a second" He meant every word he said. She is and will never be a part of the list of people he despises. He owes her too much no matter how little her affection towards him over the past few years seemed.

That seemed to have calm her done. She simply nodded, sniffing as she pulled him into an embrace. "I promise I would do anything to make it up to you Ahmed. I'll always be here because I am your mother"

~*~

Meanwhile, someone stopped off at the Danbatta family house. He stepped out of his car, and made his way into the house. He exchanged pleasantries with the man he saw before he told the man who he came to meet.

The man nodded in understanding, he was informed of the man's arrival already. So, he asked him to follow him while he led the way upstairs. Despite the fact that Alhaji Danbatta quit politics years ago, he still remained a wealthy man since he has other sources of income. He had always known that politics has its day that it will end, and then he would lose everything if he depended on it. Hence, the other sources of income.

Once at the top of the stairs, they stopped infront of a double door. The man then turned to the guest. "Only you can go in, Sir"

The man nodded, then took a deep breath before he pushed one of the doors opened, and stepped in, closing it shut behind him. He padded his way over to where the huge desk is, stopping only once he stood in front of it.

"Take a seat"

And so he did.

Alhaji Danbatta turned around in his seat, offering the guest in smile, "I'm glad you're here"

"Of course"

Alhaji Danbatta smiled, then opened the top cabinet of the table, before he pulled out something covered in a piece of clothing. Offering it one last glance he handed it over to his guest. "I suppose you know what to do, right?"

The man nodded, taking the object from the old man. He then opened the material to reveal the one key to everyone's problems. Kulsum's phone. "Of course" Kamal said, looking up to face the old man as he closed it and placed it in his pocket.