HEELS--19

"What did you do? Khadeejah asked narrowing her gaze at me

"Nothing" I said averting my gaze

"You tore something humaira" She said taking a step forward "Show me"

"I told you it's nothing" I shouted

"It is something" She shouted back as we glared at each other

"Fine, it's my father's recipe and I am not giving that to you"

Khadeejah furrowed her brows and said "Everything concerning the company belongs to my father. He bought it"

I laughed humorlessly "He bought it? He bought what exactly Khadeejah? Your father didn't buy my father's company or assets, he only decided to give us a little amount of money to send us off. He betrayed us, and stabbed my father from the back. Turned out your father did lie and forged a signature after all" I spatted watching as her eyes grow

"What... What do you mean?

"Here, see this documents" I handed them over to her and watched as she study them

"This signature is done a day after my father died. His death was made public on the 8th but he really died on the 9th. And look at the price, even this house is worth more than the money your father paid for everything. And if my father really sold it, he would have told Maami about it. In his will, there's no take over. They were only to look over it and share in the business profit as the shareholders not completely own it.

"You mean....." Khadeejah paused "Baba lied" She spoke slowly raising her eyes to meet mine

"More of betrayed" I replied as she handed over the documents to me

"I... I... I don't even know what to say or what to do. What are you going to do? What will we do?

"I'm going to go meet the girls" I said holding the documents close to my chest.

Khadeejah was quite for a while then she turned to look at me "When you go, don't come back"

"What do you mean? I furrowed my brows at suspiciously not getting where she's going. How is she suddenly believing me and not putting up a fight?

"Look I know you do not trust me. I wouldn't if I were you either. But I think this is the truth, I think... I think you're right"

She took a deep breath and continued "I will tell him we found the journal torn and he will start searching elsewhere. If you come back however, he will definitely ask where the recipe is and demand you look for it. But if you leave, then he can do nothing except follow you where you're going to ask if you know anything about it. There you have your family's support so I'm sure he won't even do that.

I kept quiet and stared at her and she sighed

"Just go and spend the night at your friends then leave to your mother's place tomorrow"

"What of my belongings? And I have exams"

"I will send your belongings over today and you can come back to write your exams. You have a week from now. Just make sure neither he nor Alhaji Salisu sees you. Without the recipe, Baba have to create another one and that will raise concerns on the tastes"

"Thank you" I said genuinely letting her know how grateful my heart is.

"I will spend the rest of my life serving you to compensate for what my family did to yours"

"It's okay Khadeejah. This game isn't over" I said grinning a little

She titled her head to one side "You plan to take over the company?

"I don't know, only time will tell"

I grabbed the documents and my purse. Handing her over the journal, I sent her a smile then quickly headed downstairs to leave to Zahra's place.

A huge part of me is scared I just got outsmarted and she really is going to help father but the smallest part of me is assured. Assured that this is just a woman helping another woman at the edge of the cliff.

_______________________________________

"You mean she came up with this plan? Zahra asked for the umpteenth time and I forced down the urged to scream.

"Yes"

"But why? Zahra narrowed her eyes "Will she benefit anything from it? Why go against your father to help someone who is not even your close relative? Is she planning something? Does her and her father plan this whole thing out? Are they playing us Humaira?

"I don't know" I shouted making her jump away from me

I massaged my temple "I'm sorry, but I am very overwhelmed right now"

"No I'm sorry Maimai. I forgot the condition you are in. All these questions will only stress you more" Zahra sat back close to me and held my hands

"It's okay. My life feel like an extremely sad novel. I'm sure even novels won't be this cliché" I laughed bitterly leaning my head and resting it on Zahra's shoulders.

"Everything will be fine. Even My mother suggested we go to Maami's place and said she will come over the next day. We have to get your rights back"

"Maami will not agree" I said solemnly

"What" Zahra looked down at me "Why?

"She only want peace right now Rahrah"

"Have you talked to her?

"No but I will before sleeping"

"Have you eaten?

"No, I haven't. Your aunt said she will send it over to me"

"Let me go and check then. She might be organizing a buffet for you right now. She's an over the top but extremely kind person"

"She is. Thank you" I replied standing up and walking to the bathroom

Minutes after I'm out, I prayed and poured out my heart to Allah. I sat on the praying mat thinking about how quick my life changed. Taking a deep breath, I whispered "This too is a phase" and immediately, Zahra came in.

"Maimai eat and I will video call the girls" Zahra said handing the tray over to me

"Thank you" I whispered and dig in.

After I finished eating, Zahra prayed and we got on her bed. Unlike me, there's no one who is her age in the house so she stays alone in the guest room. All the children are boys except their little sister who is seven. We got comfortable and then decided to call the girls

Intisaar- Hello my loves. Why are you two together?

Zahra-- Hello Inti. Maimai came over

Juwairiyya-- Hey guys, Maimai what's with your eyes. Did you cry?

Yusrah-- How dumb juju how dumb (Roll eyes)

Me-- Yes I did (shrugs)

Intisaar-- My darling. How are you doing?

Yusrah-- Yes Maimai, how are you. And what's the situation at hand?

Me-- I'm good Alhamdulillah. Zahra and I are going to Maami's place tomorrow.

Juwairiyya-- Really? Why?

Zahra-- Apparently Humaira found out that her father didn't sell the company, his signature was forged

Intisaar-- WHAT! The guts!

Juwairiyya-- The bastards dai. The fools!!

Yusrah-- That's downright betraying. Your father trusted them with all he had.

Intisaar-- This feels like a movie. Wtf!

Me-- Ikr! It still feels like a dream. My life is so messed up

Zahra--Babe you need to stop crying. You cried like a thousand times

Juwairiyya-- You are strong my love. More than what they think. Insha Allah you will get your justice

Yusrah--Insha Allah. We are all here, we will get through this.

Intisaar-- And what explanation did that Khadeejah did?

Zahra--Turned out she played nice. She suggested Maimai comes here and even sent her clothes afterwards

Intisaar--Whatever I still don't like her

Yusrah-- You don't like anyone who's friends with Maimai except us

Juwairiyya-- Let her even not like us. We will not like her right back

Intisaar-- Yeah whatever.

Me-- I can't believe y'all didn't let me speak. I have to go guys, I need to talk to Maami

Intisaar-- Okay then take care. We love you!

Yusrah-- Good night Maimai. Greet Maami, we love you a thousand times over.

Juwairiyya-- Send our regards to Mami and my darling you are strong. We've got this!

Me-- Thank you guys. I love you!

Zahra-- Bye guys.

Zahra ended the video call and went to change into her pajamas while I decided to call Maami. We haven't spoken since she dropped the bomb shell

"Hello, Humaira" Came her voice after the fourth ring

"Hello Maami"

"How are you?

"I'm good. How are you and Zainab?

"We are doing good"

"Maami I'm coming over tomorrow"

"You're? Why?

"I will explain things to you when I get there. Just know that Abba never sold his company or his assets"

"I knew that" she cried out "He could never sell them without informing me. So they forged his signature?

"Yes they did. Aunt Leema will also be coming, she said she will help us get justice from the court"

"Did they drop any money for the so called sale?

"Yes they did but way below it's worth. They said it will be sent to you"

Mami was quiet then she sighed and said "Then no need for any Court"

"What do you mean Maami?

"Please Humaira. I just need peace. All I want is for you to get married and for Zainab to complete her education and get married too. What's more to the company and assets. If we get them back what can we do about it, who will handle them. You two are both ladies. Maybe this is for the betterment of us all. As far as there is enough to get you married and sponsor Zainab's education then that's it. I can even start a business to keep the money going or get a job.

"Maami please...

"We are not having this discussion over here Humaira. We will if you arrive tomorrow. My regards to Zahra and stay safe"

"Okay. Goodnight"

I ended the call with a lump in my throat then decided to call the one person that will find a solution to all this. I quickly dialled Hafeez number but it turned out to be unreachable.

I looked at the phone wondering what is wrong. His phone has being off since yesterday. Is everything okay? Is he safe?

With these thoughts, I drifted off to sleep.