Chapter 29

2 weeks later

I was seated in my office, going through the excel spread before me, humming to the tone of Into the Unknown from Frozen 2 which was Yasmin's new obsession. The last week had gone by quite uneventful. Yasmin went to school, I picked her up with Mrs Balogun on my tail not that I minded anymore. She seemed to have mellowed down which was an enormous relief. However the looming court case still send shivers down my spine, twisting my stomach in knots.

We were all being as hopeful as possible, we had enough money and we all loved Yasmin. I honestly couldn't wait to introduce her to the rest of the family, at the Barde annual picnic, especially to Suls and Farida. I was sure they were all going to love her the way Hajiya, Najma, Khalifa and I did.

Speaking of Najma, I reached over to my phone. I wondered if she actually got to tell Khalifa, it had been 2 weeks since our talk, scrolling through my contact list, I tapped on her number about to call.

"Heyyy"

I looked up to see Najma standing by the door of my cubicle.

"Think about the angel and she appears" I replied smiling at her. She laughed and walked in, setting her bag on the filing cabinet.

"You were thinking about me?" She asked.

"Yeah, I was about to call you." I explained gesturing to her contact profile on my phone screen.  "How are you?" I asked.

"Fine fine. How are you?" She asked twiddling her thumbs, biting her lip, I stared at her.

She was either hiding something or she was excited.

"Najma?"

She looked up at me.

"Spill." I ordered. She smiled sheepishly before hoping on to the table.

"I told him" she said, a big grin on her face.

"Yeah? How did it go?" I asked excitedly.

"Wanna watch?" She inquired producing her phone from her bag and waving it infront of me.

I laughed nodding, she unlocked the phone and handed it over to me. I played the video.

Najma was fiddling with the phone, behind her were balloons. I could see Congratulations Daddy written on one. They were tied to a what looked like a baby's boot.

She finally got the phone to stand before flashing the camera a smile and moving away just as footsteps were heard.

Quickly taking a seat on the couch, she glanced at the phone before looking away.

"Babe, where are you?" Khalifa's voice could be heard.

"Living room" she called. More footsteps were heard and then he appeared on camera.

"What..." he trailed off staring at the balloons. He walked closer and stared more at the balloons. I couldn't help but laugh at this point. He turned his attention to the little boot, picking it up with both hands as if it were a billion  dollar egg.

"Are you... are we?" He stuttered. She nodded standing up. He walked over to her and engulfed her in a hug.

"I love you so much" he cried out pulling back to press a kiss on her forehead.

"You're really pregnant?" He asked again cupping her face. She nodded laughing.

Her lips moved but I had no idea what she said. He laughed and she reached up to wipe what I guessed were tears from his cheeks.

I paused the video

"He cried?"

"Yup" she nodded.

who would have thought

I played the video and watched as he pressed his forehead to hers before leaning in to kiss her. The video ended after that.

"Congratulations once again" I said hugging her. She laughed hugging me.

"Enough about me..  tomorrow is the big day, how are you feeling?" She asked.

"Nervous, confident, hopeful, did I mention nervous?"

"Don't worry. Everything will go well, Inshaa Allah." She cheered.

"Inshaa Allah." I repeated firmly. We talked for a while before she left. I threw myself into my work until it was time to leave. Due to the traffic, I didn't get home early. The call to Maghrib echoing around as the gates to the house were opened. I parked my car before making my way to the chalet.

After a change of clothes, I performed ablution and headed out to the mosque. I decided to stay back after Maghrib, resting my back against the wall as I stared into space, my mind far away, lost in memory, I sighed running a hand over my face.

It was crazy, if anyone had ever told me I was going to be embroiled in the process of adopting a child, I would have cussed the person but here I was. The thought made me smile, I adjusted my sitting position wondering what my parents would have said if they were here.

Mama would definitely smile and cry a bit, she was always so emotional. Baba would totally support my decision, he would have done the same if he were in my shoes. I shook my head, replacing the memories with that of my previous life. A wave of shame covered me, I didn't want to face the memories so I pushed them out of my head just as the Ladan began the call to prayer.

I came back after Isha to see Mrs Balogun walking out of the house with Hajiya, they seemed to be both in high spirits. I went to them.

"Good evening." I greeted them. They replied, both smiling at me. "Well, we'll see you tomorrow then." Hajiya said to Mrs Balogun who smiled. We watched Hajiya walk back into the house.

"Let me walk you to your car." I offered. She hummed a reply and we walked towards the car. The silence as awkward as ever, desperate to fill it, I  blurted out the first thing to come to my mind.

"I'm sorry about what happened to Afraah" I whispered. She immediately looked up.

Shit...

"You remember her name?" She asked.

Might as well continue

"Yeah, how is she?"

"Why do you care?" She snapped glaring at me. "She was in that condition because of you."

Lord give me the strength

"I was there but I swear to God, I had nothing to do with your niece's alcohol consumption. Hell I was against her being there but no one listened." I explained.

"Then how come you were the one who brought her to the hospital? Wasn't that a sign of a guilty conscience?" She grilled me, eyes narrowed.

"A guilty conscience? I was the only one not drunk as a skunk, she was a blubbering mess on the floor. I could have left her but I chose not to."

That seemed to sap the anger right out of her.

"Why didn't you tell me any of this at the hospital?!" She asked.

Really? You are really asking me this

"You didn't really give me the chance to explain. You came in guns blazing accusing mr of things I didn't do." I retorted.

She deflated more after my words, sighing and nodding she looked up at me.

"I am very sorry Abubakar. I misjudged you and I apologise for that." She whispered.

"It's in the past" I replied smiling. She smiled back at me before clearing her throat.

"Oh well, I should get going. I'll see you in court tomorrow" she stood and I walked her to her car.

"Oh and Abubakar, goodluck" I smiled at that.

"Thank you" I replied and watched her get into her car. She drove off before I walked back to the main house. Yasmin was seated watching tv.

"Come on pretty girl, it's way past your bedtime. Time for bed." I said.

She moaned at that before getting onto her feet. She raised her hands and I scooped her into my arms, kissing her all over her face making her giggle.

I made my way to her room and got her ready for bed, making sure she had brushed her teeth before I got her into the bed.

"Goodnight pretty girl." I whispered kissing her forehead. "Na-night" she mumbled back. I smiled at her before switching off the light and walking out of the room, closing the door behind me quietly.

I met Hajiya on my way out.

"Tomorrow's the big day" she said smiling.

"Yeah, I have a great feeling about it. Yasmin is going to officially be part of the family." I gushed making Hajiya nod.

"Off to bed then, we need you fresh and alert for tomorrow" she ordered. I laughed before bidding her Goodnight and walking out.

Typical Hajiya. I was about to become a father and she still bosses me around.

I had a quick shower, changed into my pyjamas and got into bed.

My phone buzzed and I unlocked it.

Goodluck tomorrow. Najma and I will be there.

Thanks, we need all the support we can get.

I texted back before placing the phone on the drawer.

Inshaa Allah, tomorrow is going to be one of the best days of my life.

**********************

It was finally Monday, my fingers shook as I buttoned up my shirt. Taking a deep breath I calmed myself before exiting the chalet. Hajiya was already outside with Yasmin who was in Najma's  arms, Khalifa was showing something to Yasmin on his phone which was making her giggle.

They turned to me as I approached them.

"Ready?" Najma asked smiling.

"Yeah. Let's go make Yasmin part of the family" I replied smiling at Yasmin who gave me a smile in return before turning her attention back to Khalifa.

"Why don't we take her with us?" Khalifa suggested gesturing to Yasmin who was still preoccupied with his phone.

"No worries." I said, Hajiya and I got into her car while Najma, Khalifa and Yasmin followed in their car.

It was quiet in the car, my leg bouncing restlessly. Hajiya slipped her fingers into mine, I looked up at her and she smiled, I smiled back at her as the driver took a turn towards the courthouse.

We arrived five minutes later, just as Mrs. Balogun did. Najma got Yasmin out of their car and she ran towards me. I caught her as she flung herself into my arms.

"Hey there!!!" I smiled at her before hugging her, she rested her head in the crook of my neck. Mr Lawal who was already at the court and briefed on us what going on just as Mrs Balogun approached us and she exchanged greetings with Hajiya and the rest of us before we walked into the courthouse.

We were ushered into the same office. Yasmin insisted on sitting with me when Najma tried to take her away from me and we waited for the judge.

She entered the room and sat down exchanging greeting with Hajiya, Mr Lawal and Mrs Balogun.

"Before I give my final verdict, would anyone like to say anything?" She asked.

Mrs Balogun cleared her throat and I could feel everyone except thr judge tensing up. Hell even I tensed up.

What was she about to say?

"Throughout my visits to the Barde Compound to check up on Yasmin, Mr Abubakar has been nothing but a blessing, his actions have shown me how much he truly cares about her and the unconditional love he shows her knows no bounds. I truly believe he is capable of taking care of her." She said smiling at me.

What the?!

I sat there shocked, I was not expecting her to say anything like that. I sent her a grateful smile.

"Anything else?" The judge asked. No one spoke, she nodded and looked at her papers before turning to Hajiya and I.

"First of all, Mr Abubakar Abdullahi I do believe you have turned over a new leaf which is highly commendable. It's very obvious that the child is a good influence on you." She started. I couldn't help the smile that took over my lip.

Yes.

"However adopting a child is a monumental responsibility and I personally think it is one you are not ready for. Catering for a child goes beyond finances, it requires time, effort and patience as such your application for adoption has been rejected and the child will be handed over to Mrs Balogun with immediate effect. This is my final decision on this case."

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A/N...

Please don't kill me.... *hides behind Khalifa*

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