Architect and Mrs Dantata

49: AMAL

Things with Emeka blow out of proportion and it takes a toll on me. I become a sort of outcast at work and Catherine becomes my very own warrior which makes me love her even more.

Eid-el-Adha is nothing intimate and I spend the busy day with Zayd's family before we all head to my family's house for the annual Eid dinner where we all pretend to be in a fashion show because of how elegant everyone's dressed. Mahmud stays out of the sight, as usual, and I run out of threats to get him out.

By the end of August, Zayd turns thirty. I throw a party and it helps in taking my mind off the fact that we still don't have a kid while we're not getting any younger. I get him a painting that's similar to mine (Prince Halim got me connected to the painter in Buenos Aires) and he hangs it right beside mine in the family lounge, further lighting up the cosy space.

Things with Emeka get even messier and I come to the conclusion that I want the case to be dropped because it's too much to deal with. It takes a week to drop charges and when Emeka tries to feel haughty, he's slapped in the face with a restraining order and I'm stocked up with pepper sprays and tasers just in case he still wants to be unfortunate. They change my office and although it's not as big as the first one, I can breathe a little easier knowing it won't take long to get from my desk to the door. My new office is closer to Catherine so it's a win-win in the end. I get a driver too. His name is Ben and he's like Saminu; professional, polite and really, really kind. He also doesn't mind the fact that he won't be driving me all the time.

The girls and I go out a lot in September and Hussayna reveals she's trying again with Salim for a baby. I pray for her (we all do) and then I pray for myself too. Asma then reveals she's having a boy and we literally loose it in the restaurant we dine in. Thankfully, we don't get thrown out but we get warned and we keep it down. She asks us for male names and the first thing that comes to my mind is Kamal. However, I don't give that name to her because in my mind, the full name is Kamal Sa'ed Dantata. I know I'm being biased but Kamal Ahmed Shehu doesn't sound nice to me.

I give her the second name that comes to mind. "Nurudeen." Seeing how her face lights up, I know I've hit the jackpot. "Nurudeen Ahmed Shehu."

She gasps and then brings her hands together. "Amal, I love it!"

Jameelah is beaming. "Me too. Baby Nurudeen."

Hussayna wipes away a fake tear. "It's beautiful."

Catherine snickers. "I pray he looks like you. Ahmed's genes are too strong abeg."

Asma sighs, leaning back in her seat. "I pray so too."

Ya Allah, I silently pray, please let this child look like her, especially if it's going to be her last one since she said she and Ahmed have decided so unless You decide otherwise...And please grant me a son someday so Zayd and I can name him Kamal.

In October, Mukhtar comes with his family to ask for Zafeenah's hand in marriage. They've gotten even closer and it reached the point that Mas'ood got sick and started calling her a lovestruck idiot "just like Aliyah and Zayd". Hajiya Muhibba slapped the back of his head when she came down and heard him say it. Mas'ood knew better than to not be discreet about it after that.

Zafeenah becomes engaged before my very eyes and there's a shift no one else feels except me. That's because it doesn't affect anyone else; just me. I start to wonder how adopting a child would feel like. I won't tell this to anyone yet but polygamy starts to plant its seeds in my mind and I can't shake it off. The scary part of it is that it doesn't have anything to do with giving Zayd a child. I can't figure out why yet.

In that same October, Busola opens her lighting company and it's in the Central Business District where both of Zayd's companies are. We are all in attendance, including Jonathan who comes along with a big bouquet of faux roses because they're her favourites. It hurts to look at them because it's quite obvious they like each other but they can't be together yet. He's somewhat settled with a blooming career and she's just starting.