Chapter Six

During the marriage

Abdul-Dayyan Mohammad

He left Kaduna for Abuja as usual on Friday evening, few hours after Munawarrah had walked out on him. He wasn't in a happy mood and not even the thought of seeing his daughter Nura lightened him up.

He drove into his home and before his feet could touch the ground Nura was screaming as she ran to him, he held out his arms for a hug and she crashed into them.

Abdul-Dayyan and Amal had adopted Nura when she was ten years old, they had found out Amal wouldn't be able to give birth so Abdul-Dayyan suggested they adopt. Initially, they had wanted a toddler but as soon as they got there and sighted Nura playing on her own, they wanted her and nine gears later they've never regretted that decision.

"I missed you dad" She pouted

"And I missed you too my little nurrie-berry"

She scrunched up her nose, "dad don't you dare call me that"

He faked a confused look, "huh? But you had asked me yourself to call you that? I'm sure my memory isn't failing me as usual" He joked

"But dad, Umma said I had been just ten" She whined as they headed inside

"So? It was still you who asked for it, my dearest nurrie-berry" He tickled her lightly and she let out a heartwarming laughter

"Where's your umma?" He asked as they entered the house

"Right here babe" He felt an arm wrap around him from back and he smiled, he turned and picked up Amal before whirling her around she began to scream while Nura and Abdul-Dayyan laughed

"Let me down, let me do right now Abdul-Dayyan Mohammad"

He let her down gently and she began to pound his chest in mock anger, he held her hand and gave her a peck

"Eeew eew PDA, parents on the loose" Nura said covering her face with her hands, her parents laughed

"I'm famished"

"Come, I prepared your favorite" She held his hand dragging him to the dinning table.

Abdul-Dayyan regardless of the happy atmosphere at his home, he wasn't at ease, he missed her a lot

"It's okay I understand, just hold me tight"

Amal said later that night, he felt guilty about what happened. She tried to get them to fulfill their marital rights but he wasn't in the mood so they just laid there holding each close, but far from each other regarding their thoughts.

The next day which was Saturday, the couple woke up to a sumptuous breakfast Nura had prepared.

After eating Amal went upstairs to get ready for work, she was a nurse and she was on duty most Saturdays

"Sorry babe but I gatta leave, I'd see you later" She pecked him and hugged Nura before hurrying off

"Guess it's just me and you now" Abdul-Dayyan said as the servants began to clear the table. They went to the sitting room and sat quietly watching the television till Nura cleared her throat

"So dad, what's it like being married to Miss Munawarrah?"

"Good"

"Aww dad, don't be a bore"

"I'm not"

"Ooooh!" She cooed and clapped her hands, "You're shy"

"Shy? Why should I be shy?"

She shrugged, "well spill"

"Young lady"

"Dad!"

"Fine, it's great. She's a very smart woman"

Nura clapped again, "I know right? Me and my friends admire her so much, in a world where men think they're high and mighty it's so admirable to see a woman being so successful"

Abdul-Dayyan raised an eyebrow, "Men think they're high and mighty? We are indeed high and mighty"

Nura scoffed,"And do you know the high rank I'm now in among my peers? Nura's dad is married to the almighty Munawarrah Osman Abdel-Jabar. Ohmy! I still can't wrap my head around that, oh dad you're the man, you're really the man"

Abdul-Dayyan shook his head at his daughter's antics, when she was in this mood of hers there was no stopping

Her expression turned serious and she scratched her head, "Uhh dad, do you think you could put in a few words for me if I applied at Aaima pharmaceuticals for my intern?"

Abdul-Dayyan shook his head at her,, "if you're getting accepted there for your internship, it should and would solely be because they choose to and not because of the connection between me and the CEO"

Nura pouted, "but she's my stepmom and you can't stop her from helping me if it's in her power"

"And besides what branch do you want to do it? The one in Abuja is quite far from the house"

"Branch?... Pfft dad, I want the headquarters"

Abdul-Dayyan's eyes widened, "What? Why?"

"Loads of reasons, because you're there and I want to spend much time with you especially in your lab and also I want to get to know my stepmom very well, we could be the best of friends"

"I doubt" Abdul-Dayyan muttered

"So dad?"

"You can't leave your mom alone in Abuja, it's not fair on her. It'd seem as if we've both left her to be with my new wife, you know how you women get really sensitive concerning this kind of things"

"But she won't be lonely, I'd ask her to tell aunt Samira and the kids to come stay with her. Aunt Samira, that money monger, she'd dump everything and come stay here then you see mom won't be lonely"

"Nura!"

"Dad please, I just really want to do it there"

"Does your mom know about this?" She guiltily shook her head

"I thought as much"

"But dad... Ok, you'd help me talk to her and stuffs, you know bedroom talk and the norms, mom won't say no to you"

Abdul-Dayyan shook his head at her, "you've been pampered too much"

She pouted, "come on dad"

"Okay let's make a deal, tell your mom about it and make sure to omit the part where my involvement comes in, or if you want to involve me tell her I strongly rejected it, whatever she says that's where your future lies"

"Dad! That's no deal"

Abdul-Dayyan raised an eyebrow, "really?"

"Like hell if that's considered one"

"Language missy"

"Yeah, yeah whatever I'm going upstairs" She stood up and angrily went upstairs, the sound of her slammed door reverberated.

•••• ••••• ••••

Munawarrah applied lip gloss on her lips before she began combing through her hair with her hands. Samad Hussein, the vice president was sitting on the bed watching her, he was a hand some man in his late 40's

"Congratulations on your marriage" He said staring intently at her

"Thanks" She said her hands still weaving through her brown hair

"I wouldn't have betted on you getting married"

"Good! Coz it's wrong to bet"

"So what next?"

"How?" She asked finally looking at him and she saw the way he was looking at her. Bastard!

"I'm in love with you Munawarrah and you know that"

"You've told me that before"

"You told me when I asked you to marry me that you didn't want to get tied down to any man, in your own words you're a woman of your own"

"I did say so"

"Then imagine how I felt when I heard you were married to Abdul-Dayyan, my friend"

"I don't have to explain anything to you sir, our relationship to me is purely business you do some certain things in your power for Aaima pharmaceuticals and Aaima construction company meanwhile I satisfy your lust, at the end of the day everyone is happy" She shrugged

The pain on Samad's face was fathomable, "I love you... Alot"

"If you continue with this Samad, I'm afraid I'll have no other option than to break up with you"

She knew she had him right where she wanted him, hopelessly in love with her. Who knew the second in command of the country could be treated like a slave by a woman? Could be turned into a blabbing fool?

"Please don't, I beg you in the name of God don't do this to me. I'd do anything you want, I'd stop talking about you and Abdul-Dayyan"

She shook her head, "convince the president to give the contract for the renovation of ajaokuta steel company to Aaima construction company"

"But we... He plan on giving it to a foreign construction company so as to maintain ties."

"Do all that is within your power Samad, if not..." She left her words hanging as she left the penthouse where they had their rendezvous every first Saturday of the month.