FATE

Chapter 6

Bassam

Home sweet home! I muttered loudly once I sighted Faarukh. I remained frozen on the spot waiting for him to locate me himself.

He kept turning his head left and right which made me chuckled. And then his smile got wider the minute he saw me.

He walked up to me and gave me a side hug saying "hiya, how's it going? It's been a minute!"

Faarukh, don't embarrass yourself please, it's been how many years now and you still can't come up with something good.

Man, British accent is not for you so just do us all a favour, cut the crap and give up already.

"You'll be surprised Yaya, I promise. I'ma sign up for an online class just for that. You just wait." He said

Ohh bullocks! Can you take us home? Sometime today, maybe now while i'm still alive, please?

"Of course, i'm sorry I know you're jetlagged and all. Come on." Faarukh said holding my trolley.

I followed him to his car which was tinted of course. I was too tired to comment on that.

I opened the passenger's front door and was shocked to see Aatika sitting down in all her glory.

I was surprised, because neither she nor Faarukh mentioned her tagging along.

"Surprise!" she squealed pulling me into a hug.

I didn't return the hug and she was forced to let me go. I however gave her a tight lipped smile.

I opened the rear door, sat and buckled my seat belt. Aatika handed me a bottle of cold water. I thanked her and drank half of it.

Thank you guys for coming.

"You're welcome Yaya"

"Always Bee"

They replied simultaneously which made me chuckle. The ride home was filled with laughter and "remember when moments." For a minute I forgot I was tired.

That's what Aatika does to me. There's never a dull moment with her. She radiates happiness.

I lost the track of time and soon we were home.

A wave of nostalgia hit me square in the face. I really missed home, my family, my friends and everything.

Don't get me wrong, I love UK but I guess I love Nigeria more. Everyone I love is here.

Mal. Ya'u opened the gate of our house which is located in Sultan Road, Nassarawa GRA Kano.

"Barka da sauka Muhammadu. Sannu da hanya ( welcome back, how was your flight)."

Barka dai Mal. Ya'u, mun same ku lafiya? I greeted him back.

Aatika and I entered the main building followed by Faarukh carrying my backpack and trolley.

Aysha was the first person that saw me and shouted "he's here" and before you know it every body was downstairs in the living room.

Handshakes, hugs, side hugs and kisses on the foreheads were exchanged amongst us.

I asked of Baba and Yaya Sa'ad and I was told they went to a wedding and would be back anytime now.

I excused myself and went to freshen up. I did just that and decided to go back to the living room to join the others.

There, I met Baba, Ya Sa'ad and of course my sneaky cousin Zaahir. I greeted Baba and my brother while Zaahir literally jumped on me.

Zaahir, I really can't wait for you to grow up wallah i faked being annoyed.