Chapter 14

The sunlight beamed through the window. Light spilled between the curtains. Shards of sunlight, like broken glass, projected out of the window, illuminating the room. He tardily opened his eyes. Looking around the room, he discovered there was something missing in his room. Hidayah. With a deep, long sigh, he sat up and hesitantly stood up and sauntered into the bathroom. Shortly, he came out and sauntered out of the room and went to hers, thinking she was there. He found her room empty, and any other room upstairs. He descended down the stairs and went straight to the kitchen, where he was sure he'd find her. 'You're up so early." He walks further into the kitchen and stood beside her by the sink. She peered at him and beamed before turning her attention to what she was doing. 'I'm making breakfast because I'm going to start my NYSC registration today," she replied. She moved to the gas cooker and turned off the gas. 'Mn, really? When did your result came out? Why didn't you show me?" Hidayah was already annoyed before he was done interrogating her. 'I didn't know you cared, Officer," she spoke sarcastically which made him to chuckle. She rolled her eyes in annoyance. She kept the warmer on the kitchen counter and took a paper towel to wipe out the drops of sauce that was on the warmer. He turned her around to face him. She looks up into his eyes as he draws her closer. Ahmad gently cupped her cheeks and kissed her sweetly on the forehead, eyes, nose, cheeks and lips. His lips lingered on her lips as he emotionally declared his admiration for her through his eyes. He noticed her clammy hands as she attempted to slow her breathing. A smirk made its way to his lips. He took a moment, staring into hidayah's eyes before letting her go. 'I'll go get ready and take you," he informed her and she obediently nodded. A slow smile crept onto his face as soon as she agreed. He sauntered out of the kitchen while she stood still staring at the door he followed. Hidayah couldn't help herself whenever she was around him or when their skin came in contact. How he caressed her. It was a piece of him he gave her. She felt her face flush as she turned around and picked up the warmer. She finished setting the table and went upstairs to her room. A while later, she stepped out of her room dressed. She met him in the dining room, waiting for her. 'Why haven't you eaten?" She asked, sitting beside him. He hit the lock button on his phone and kept it on the table before he responded to her. 'I was waiting for you," he gave a quick reply. He got up and opened the warmer. 'Let me serve you," he offered and took the serving spoon. Her breathing had become light and her mouth gaped. She could swear her jaw dropped to the floor. Why was he acting all sweet and innocent? Where's the tough, arrogant and nonchalant Ahmad she knew? What has happened to the hatred and violence. 'We'll eat from the same plate today." She heard him say or what she might have heard him say, because she hasn't recovered from what he just mentioned earlier. He kept the fork on her side of the plate before he started eating. He had noticed her facial expression but chose to ignore it. It's about time she started getting used to that side of him. 'Eat now, before it gets cold. Or you want me to feed you..." He allowed his words to hang while he took the first bite. Closing his eyes, Ahmad simply enjoyed. Carefully, hidayah took the fork and shoved a forkful of food into her mouth. At least she won't let him ruin her appetite or be a distraction in any way. A slow smile crept onto his face as he stared at her, pretending to be attentive but she was undoubtedly distracted by him. He cleared his throat and dropped the glass cup he had gulped down.. 'I'll wait for you in the car." He got to his feet and exited the dining area. Hidayah let out a long, relieving sigh when he left. How did she let this man wrap her around his filthy finger. No! That can't be. He was trying to manipulate or even take advantage of her. She took a deep breath and pushed the negative thoughts out of her mind. She briskly went up to her room and got ready before meeting him in the car. She joined him in the car. He scanned her thoroughly, then smiled. 'Ready?" He asked and she slightly nodded, avoiding his odd stare. Their first and only stop was at the cafe, to upload her credentials. After they have arrived at the nearest cafe and started with uploading her credentials, he selected the chosen states from each of the geographical zones for her while she sat there looking at him, as if he was the one to serve for her. The next thing was to choose shirts and shoe size which he allowed her to do, then afterwards wait for her call up number. It didn't take long when she got her call up number after few weeks. And hidayah was lucky to get posted at NYSC road, Kubwa in Abuja. Maybe because she was married. Ahmad made sure she lacked nothing and didn't suffer at her posted zone. He followed the queue for her while she stayed in the car. Bought her food when she needed it and all hidayah could do was stare at him and wonder... why? Why was he being so devoted and caring? He didn't allow her to do a single thing unless it was necessary she had to be there or do it by herself. Hidayah never knew men like that existed. Maybe her Adam might do that or not. Nevertheless, she had to admit, Ahmad's kind gesture cannot be compared. As the workers there took a quick break to go pray and eat lunch, Ahmad took that chance to go pray before he went to check up on her in the car. 'Hey, how are you holding up here?" He asked. A smile flickers on the corner of her mouth. 'I should be asking you that. It's sunny and hot." She observed him carefully, he looked worn out but still as handsome as he has always been. He let out a long sigh, looking at the queue. 'Yeah but it's almost our turn. I asked someone behind me to keep my spot for me. I better head back." He was about to open the car door but she beat him to it by holding his hand. 'No, capt, you should eat. You should stay a bit and rest." He always loved it when she called him that even though that was not his title. He had long passed that ‘Captain' title and was now ‘Commander'. He smiled and gently shook his head. 'No, no you have to stay and eat at least. Else how would you keep standing when you don't have the strength. So you have to eat. And as a matter of fact, I'll feed you." She brought out the take away from a brown paper bag together with a plastic spoon. 'C'mon, open up." And she was serious about feeding him. Ahmad chuckled and opened up his mouth. She fed him while scolding him about not wanting to eat at the first place. At least she can show her concern about him also. 'Allow me to go follow the queue. You're so tired." She spoke worriedly. He fixed his eyes on her and shook his head. 'No way. How can my beautiful wife go out there with all these men? You want them to trip and fall while staring at you? Or you want someone to spend the night at the barrack today?" He mumbled, and for one sec she thought he was joking until she saw his facial expression. She felt her face flush as she gently placed her hands on the sides of his face. They both locked eyes and he simply enjoyed the moment. 'Capt you're being too protective. This isn't something to worry about. And no one dares to mess around with the captain's wife." Ahmad couldn't help but chuckle. He leaned in and pecked on the cheek. 'I'll call you when it's your turn." He alight from the car. She followed his movement as she took in a deep breath and exhaled. What is happening to her? Why does he have to make her feel this way? All she wanted was have only one person in her mind but she barely thought of Adam when he was around. Does this mean what Nafisa said was true? A call came through, interrupting her reverie, and it was him. She answered the call and spoke into it. She ended the call after hearing what he had said before turning off the car and stepping out. She got her uniform and all that she needed at the moment before they went back to the car. 'I know you must be so tired. Sannu." She took a tissue from the box at the back seat and dabbed the sweat away from his forehead. 'But... aren't I supposed to stay?" She asked the question, baffled. If she could remember, she was supposed to stay at the camp for three weeks. 'No, not anymore. I called a friend of mine that is a doctor and he wrote a statement that would get you out of camp, so..." He shrugged it off. Her small soft lips parted into an O shape before she slowly relaxed on her seat, thinking why he would do that. 'I don't want to go home now." He spoke after the awkward silence. 'Where should we go then?" She asked, peering at him. He smiled his crooked half smile. 'Let me take you somewhere." He swerved the steering wheel. It was a very long drive and she couldn't prevent herself from glancing sideways every minute, trying to guess where they were heading, but no clue. 'It looks like we're leaving Abuja." She couldn't help but utter what was on her mind. 'Yes, I'm going to sell you to some rotten men. They're willing to pay a huge amount of money and I can't miss the opportunity." She looked up sharply, her heart throbbing fast. 'You're joking... right?" She let out awkward laugh. He looked at her and reluctantly teared his eyes away from her to concentrate on driving. Hidayah didn't know she was holding her breath till she saw the Nigerian Air Force Base sign board. She let out a long, relieving sigh which made him to laugh. 'Why would you possibly think that I was actually going to sell you? C'mon I'm better than that." He drove into the gates of the base as the officers outside salute him. 'So, this is the famous Air Force Base I've been hearing about." She looked around through the window. He parked his car at the parking lot before dropping down. He walked around and opened the door for her. 'This is one of the Air Force Base in Abuja, there are tons that I can't even count. But this is where I usually come and also the one in Asokoro." He started off at where some of the new Trainee were training then to where the planes where being kept. 'So you're basically like a pilot?" She asked the question frantically. She was really impressed. 'Sort of." He shrugged. To him it wasn't something to be excited about. Or was it? 'Commander." They both turned at Ahmad's rank being called. 'Good afternoon, sir. What brings you here today?" The tall and dark skinned lady approached them. Hidayah swallowed bitterly, checking out the lady standing before them. She was beautiful quiet alright. The uniform fitted her. Her hair was tied in a pony style. She had a good shape. Hidayah was not impressed, not by the way she was talking to her husband, smiling at him. Being flirty if she may say. 'Hidayah, this is Ella Mathew, she's our Squadron Leader." He introduced her. 'That's me. And you are?" Ella smiled brightly at her. Hidayah paused and her face became darker. She looked Ella dead in the eye. She cling onto his arm and faked a smile. 'I'm hidayah, his wife." She responded before Ahmad could get the chance to. He stared at her in awe as she cling more closer. 'Oh, how didn't I recognize you. I'm really happy for you guy. Congratulations! May God bless your union." Hidayah simply smiled at her cheesy words. Tension in her grin. Ella excused herself and left. Hidayah turned to look at her again and hissed. 'Just look at her, looking like a man. So urgh... annoying." She grunted. 'C'mon hidayah, she's beautiful. Be honest, you know that she's beautiful." She glared at him and hissed, letting go of his arm that she had totally forgotten she was clinging onto. 'Then go back and get her number." She dared him. 'Oh don't worry I already have her number." Hidayah hissed and quickened her pace. She had never felt so certain of anything else in her life. Later that night, Ahmad spent the rest of the evening following hidayah around the house, trying to apologize for what he had done at the Base. 'Baby I didn't do it on purpose. I regret from my heart and I can't stay without you. Please forgive me now. I'm so sorry. And you're right, she looks like a man and I bet she can even beat me up." She laughed, a very appealing, purely feminine sound. 'Don't you ever do that again," she warned. He nodded his head, holding her so close. 'I promise," he whispered as he moved to kiss her. The hair on the back of her neck raises when his lips finds hers. She smiled into the kiss. Their life went on; Ahmad continued to be a caring and loving husband while Hidayah continued playing hard to get with him. But she had to admit, he was always on her mind whenever he wasn't close to her and she felt miserable whenever he wasn't around. She was now used to kisses and touches, his funny jokes and stories. And it was ridiculous how she enjoyed it. What was more absurd was how often she'd thought of him the past few weeks, remembering every foolish details... his eyes were almost precisely the shade of hazel brown colour. The day was perfect, even though he was at work, hidayah simply enjoyed the peace and silence of the house. She had just finished eating lunch and had begun reading one of the novels Nafisa had brought for her the previous week. She was so keen on reading The Last Boyfriend by Nora Robert when she heard the doorbell. With a soft sigh, she kept the book to answer the door. It was the security man. 'Good day Madam." He bowed his head, not meeting her gaze. 'You have a visitor but I can't let him in because Oga asked me not to let anyone in unless they're your relatives and this man doesn't look familiar to me." 'Who is it?" She asked. She peeped behind the security man. Her entire body jerked to a stand still unexpectedly. Her body didn't know how to react, it just shut down. She froze to a point where she was hardly breathing. The security man observed her facial reaction. 'I can send him out, madam. If you want me to." She blinked, coming back to reality. 'N... no, no. se... send him in. He's our cousin," she stuttered drowning in her own fear. She welcomed him in, still not sure if it was really him or not. Her breath caught as she stared at Adam.