FreeFreeDescription
English Translation
1 week later
Since that day, Haleesa cut off any way that would connect her to Habeeb until she made sure he went out, then she would enter his part to clean while he was inside. In this situation, he received an urgent call from Canada regarding a company where he held shares.
Haleesa was sitting in her parlor braiding Imaan's hair when Habeeb walked in with a scowl on his face. Quickly, she picked up her veil to cover herself because the gown she was wearing was transparent, leaving half of her chest exposed. She hadn't forgotten the humiliation he subjected her to the day he saw her in a transparent nightgown, which was why she had fortified herself against him long before he could violate her.
She made Habeeb Lamido fiercely angry. With force, he snatched the veil away and threw it.
Haleesa stood agape, staring at him.
He looked at Imaan and said, "Imaan, get up and go to my room, there is chocolate on the bedside table, go get it."
Shivering, Imaan stood up and ran out. He walked closer to Haleesa, placed his foot on the chair she was sitting on, lifted her face close to his so his breath landed on her face, and his scent enveloped her. He stared at her with his large eyes—his eyeballs, resembling a cat's, threw Haleesa into further confusion. He squeezed her lips, took a breath, and said, "The day you dare cover yourself again when you see me, this dry chest of yours... I will humiliate you. Even good women are not enough for me to look at, let alone you, a serial keeper of grudges." He finished speaking, let out a hiss, and flicked her forehead. With arrogance and pride, he looked for a two-seater sofa, stiffened, and crossed his legs. Only after putting on airs did he start speaking with disdain: "I am traveling tomorrow. If there is anything you need, you should tell me."
Haleesa ignored him because she didn't know what to say to him.
"I am talking to you and you are quiet; that is one of the things that makes me hate you more."
With great difficulty, as if about to burst into tears, her voice trembling, she raised her head and said, "I don't need anything."
He pursed his lips. "Tomorrow, Mom and Hannah are leaving for Abuja. I spoke with Mom; you will go with them. Hopefully, you haven't forgotten the rules I laid down?"
"Get up now and pack Imaan's things that are in my bedroom." Just as she stood up, he stopped her. "Oh! I forgot to tell you, Chef Peter and the driver who will be taking Imaan to school tomorrow morning are leaving, so you should pack your trash for them to take it with you because you guys are traveling by flight."
In her soft voice, she said, "Okay," and walked out while Habeeb followed her with his gaze. She was wearing a half-gown reaching her knees with spaghetti straps, and his eyes landed on her hips. Quickly, he looked away, drew a breath, and closed his eyes. Ohh! Gosh, so this hot baby has good body structures! He licked his lips. If only her body was this warm and she had a place in my heart! If only we had a love marriage! He hissed, full of anger at himself. So why would I waste my time having these thoughts since I don't love her? In the first place, it's not in my principle to want a small kid. When will this greenhorn be able to handle me?
By the time Haleesa returned, dragging Imaan's trolley, he was sitting with his phone in his hand, playing a game. "Hey!" he called her without looking at her. Very slowly, as if his teeth ached, he spoke: "Get ready, you and Imaan, we are going out, and don't waste my time."
She answered him softly. As soon as she entered the bedroom, she hopped and jumped. Yeee! Today I'll go out and breathe the fresh air of the world. Since I came to this house, I've never even stepped outside the gate.
In a rush, she dressed in an orange Arabian gown adorned with white stones, fixed her face, sprayed herself with a mild-scented perfume, and rolled a thin white veil.
Imaan ran in. "Aunty, Daddy said you should hurry."
With a trembling body, she changed Imaan's clothes and they came out to the main parlor. Habeeb was standing in the middle of the parlor; upon seeing them, he walked out with Haleesa following him, holding Imaan's hand and trailing behind him to the parking space.
Bala was standing waiting for them. He flashed a smile and said, "Welcome out, Boss's bride! Today we are going for an evening show?"
Haleesa forced a smile. Habeeb hissed, opened the front seat, and sat down. Bala opened the back seat for Haleesa and Imaan. Ever since they hit the road, Bala kept talking and gushing while Habeeb ignored him. They approached a beautiful gate, and Imaan shouted, "Daddy, today I'm not leaving this house until Mom pays me for my groundnuts she threw away."
Haleeb let out a loud laugh, picked her up, and headed inside the house while Haleesa followed him right into the parlor. Hannah jumped up and ran to hug Haleesa. "Bride of Yaya Habeeb, oyoyo!"
Haleeb went upstairs, leaving them in the parlor.
"Humm... Hannah, young lady, Mom... actually, I thought you went back to school."
"I am right here. Frankly, when I go back... just leave it, I am so eager to finish my studies, I want to get married right here."
Haleesa widened her eyes in extreme shock and looked at Hannah.
"What is that, bride of Yaya Habeeb?"
Before Haleesa could answer her, Hannah yanked her hand. "Come let's go and greet your in-law before she starts showing you mother-in-law behavior." They burst into laughter, and Haleesa said, "Kai, but wallahi Hannah you are wicked, I will tell Mom what you said."
"Madam" was reclining on a 3-seater sofa with Habeeb resting his head on her laps as Haleesa and Hannah walked in. Haleesa knelt all the way down to greet her cheerfully. Madam answered, pushing Habeeb's head away. "Get up, you cat, king of self-love!"
Haleeb twisted his face.
Madam pulled Haleesa to sit next to her, and she began giving them advice while Haleesa kept her head bowed. Afterward, Madam said, "Son, get up and let Haleesa go say goodbye to Ammi."
He sat still as if he wouldn't get up, then he finally stood. Madam and Hannah accompanied them out to the car. Bala drove the car and headed towards Haleesa's neighborhood. Bala parked in front of Haleesa's family house.
Habeeb looked at her with disdain. "Mind you, when you enter your house, don't forget about us out here."
Without saying anything to him, Haleesa opened the door and got out. As soon as she stepped out, her eyes caught Yaya Habeeb wearing sports gear, walking towards her with a smile on his face. Instantly, Haleesa's brain overheated. Can people really die and come back to life? was the question she first asked herself.
At that very moment, intense fear, terror, and confusion enveloped her. Her breath began trying to leave her body. Just as he was about to reach her, she rushed forward and ran into the porch of their house. Habeeb Lamido was standing by the body of the car, watching them...
Jeeddah Aliyu 🌹
Summary
Haleesa continues to avoid Habeeb until he receives an urgent business call from Canada. During preparations for a trip, Habeeb forces Haleesa to pack, reveals travel plans for her and Imaan to Abuja alongside Mom and Hannah, and subjects her to his usual arrogant and domineering behavior. Despite his harsh words and insults, Haleesa experiences a mix of intimidation and suppressed attraction toward him.
Later, Habeeb takes Haleesa and Imaan out to visit family before their travels. Upon arriving at Haleesa's family neighborhood, she is terrified and disoriented when she mistakes Hasheem (who closely resembles her late husband, Yaya Habeeb) for a ghost or her deceased husband returned to life. After clearing up the confusion and visiting Ammi, Habeeb drops her off, behaves coldly, yet secretly carries her inside the house when she falls asleep in the car. Inside the house, after dousing her with cold water to wake her up, Habeeb confronts her about her strange behavior and catches her off guard in his bedroom.
Description
- Setting: A modern, upscale Nigerian household shifting between Habeeb's residence and Haleesa's modest family home in the neighborhood, transitioning into preparations for a trip to Abuja.
- Tone: Emotional, tense, romantic, dramatic, and peppered with lighthearted cultural humor.
- Key Themes: Forced proximity, emotional walls, grief versus moving on, arrogance masking hidden attraction, and familial dynamics.
Analytics
- Character Development:
- Habeeb Lamido: Continues to display a harsh, uncompromising exterior, using insults and rigid rules to keep Haleesa at a distance. However, his internal monologues reveal growing physical attraction and a creeping internal conflict regarding his feelings for her.
- Haleesa: Remains timid, fearful, and defensive around Habeeb due to his harsh treatment, yet displays secret vulnerability, deep-rooted trauma regarding her late husband, and fleeting moments of recognizing Habeeb's charm.
- Plot Progression: The narrative builds tension by moving the characters closer to a major physical and emotional transition (the upcoming trip to Abuja), while introducing psychological hurdles for Haleesa, notably her lingering grief and confusion regarding physical resemblances between Hasheem and her late husband.
- Literary Devices: Heavy use of internal dialogue (stream of consciousness for both leads), sensory details (scents, weather, physical posture), and stark contrast between public coldness and private internal desires.
