Chapter 3.
The ride back home was a silent one between Hafsat and Abdulmalik. When Abdulmalik first entered the car, he attempted to lighten the mood with a few jokes. However, seeing Hafsat's unresponsive and angry demeanor as she focused on driving made him retreat into silence. "Maybe some other time," he thought.
As soon as they arrived home, Hafsat headed straight to the dining room to check on the meal. She was relieved to find that the food was ready, just as she had instructed. She silently thanked Allah that everything had gone smoothly.
"Are you hungry? The food is ready," Hafsat asked Abdulmalik.
"I'm not hungry," Abdulmalik told Hafsat.
"Oh, okay," Hafsat replied, until Abdulmalik continued with a sarcastic tone.
"I'm more than hungry, I'm starving. You know I have a very good wife who gives me breakfast before I leave for work."
Hafsat felt a surge of anger and guilt. She remembered the morning's chaos, when she had been in a hurry and breakfast hadn't been ready on time. They had both left without eating, but unlike Abdulmalik, she had asked someone to buy her lunch during office hours.
"Hafsat, the lunch is ready," she told him. "You can serve yourself."
"Thank you, queen of my heart," Abdulmalik replied.
Hafsat was about to head upstairs when Abdulmalik called out to her.
"Hafsat," he said, using the name he knew would get a response from her.
"Yes?" she replied, returning to the room with a hint of surprise.
Abdulmalik smiled charmingly. "Please, dear wifey, can you serve me the food yourself?"
Hafsat hesitated, saying "Uhmm" before turning to leave. However, Abdulmalik quickly grasped her hand, stopping her from walking away.
"Please, just a husband's request," he said, his eyes pleading. "Didn't I try to be understanding when you didn't cook for me? As your husband, I prefer it if you cook for me, but I didn't force you. Can you do me the favor of serving me?"
Hafsat turned to look at Abdulmalik's hands on hers, and he quickly realized his mistake. He let go of her hand, apologizing profusely.
"Oh, sorry," Abdulmalik stammered. "I am sorry."
Hafsat had more important things to attend to and didn't have the patience for Abdulmalik's constant joking. She shot him a disapproving glare before turning to head upstairs, leaving Abdulmalik standing alone in the dining room.
The day drew to a close with each of them going their separate ways. Hafsat spent the evening working on her office tasks, even going so far as to shut down her website completely. She also chose to have dinner in the solitude of her room, avoiding any potential disturbances.
Abdulmalik, sensing Hafsat's desire to be left alone, retreated to his own room for the remainder of the day. The tension between them was palpable, and they had both given each others some space.
_____
Saturday had arrived, and as was her custom, Hafsat had designated it as her house sanitation day. Normally, Auntie Saratu would take care of everything, but since she had been away for the past few weeks, Hafsat had to supervise the workers herself. They would thoroughly clean the house and attend to her laundry. For some reason, Hafsat found the process of overseeing the workers to be a constant source of frustration.
After two hours of work, the cleaning was almost complete. Hafsat stood beside Rashida, who was ironing her clothes, when Abdulmalik walked in. He was dressed in a sleek green fitness outfit that accentuated his broad physique, making him look particularly dashing.
As soon as their eyes met, Abdulmalik flashed Hafsat a charming smile, but she quickly looked away.
"Good morning, my queen," Abdulmalik said, standing beside Hafsat.
"Morning," Hafsat replied curtly, without even glancing in his direction.
"Is breakfast ready?" Abdulmalik asked.
"Yes, it is," Hafsat told him.
"Okay, let me go shower. I'll come back, and I hope you've waited for your loving husband so we can eat together," Abdulmalik teased, trying to coax a reaction from Hafsat.
Hafsat's response was harsh: "If you want me to wait for you, then don't ever have breakfast."
Abdulmalik attempted to placate Hafsat's anger, saying, "Oh, that's harsh. Calm down, queen of my heart." He then excused himself to go shower.
As soon as Abdulmalik left, Hafsat remembered something. Since it was sanitation day, she thought it would be a good idea to collect Abdulmalik's clothes and have the workers wash and iron them for him. She followed him to his room, entering just as he was ending a phone call.
Hafsat's eyes widened in shock as she heard Abdulmalik say, "Oh, babe, sorry. We'll talk later. Bye." He quickly hung up the phone as soon as he saw Hafsat standing in the doorway.
Hafsat's face fell, her mind reeling with the implications. "Some people would never change," she thought to herself, her heart heavy with disappointment and frustration.
"What brings you here, wifey?" Abdulmalik asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.
"I was wondering if you had any clothes you wanted washed and ironed," Hafsat replied. "The workers are still working on laundry."
Abdulmalik smiled, his expression playful. "Nope, I don't need that. What I want is for my wife to arrange my room and tidy it herself. And also, bring out the clothes I'll wear after I come back from the shower."
"For once, can't you be serious in your life?" Hafsat asked Abdulmalik, exasperation evident in her voice.
But before she could continue, Abdulmalik suddenly removed his shirt, catching Hafsat off guard. She quickly looked away, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
"Abdulmalik, what are you doing?" Hafsat asked, still not looking in his direction.
"Like I told you, I want to shower," Abdulmalik replied nonchalantly. "You can go now. We'll talk later."
Hafsat was taken aback. Abdulmalik had never asked her for space before. His words stung, and she felt a surge of anger.
"Okay, fine," Hafsat said, her voice tight with emotion. She turned and stormed out of the room, leaving Abdulmalik to his shower.
_____
Abdulmalik dressed up in his finest attire, eager to head home and spend time with his brothers. He also had a party to attend that night. Leaving his room, he went straight to Hafsat's side, where he found her seated in the parlour, engrossed in an old American movie.
"Hafsat, I'll be going to my house for the weekend," Abdulmalik announced.
Hafsat remained silent, her eyes fixed on the TV screen as she continued watching her movie. Abdulmalik turned to leave, but then he remembered how he had sent her out of his room earlier. It seemed Hafsat was angry with him.
Abdulmalik scolded himself, thinking that if his brothers found out about his behavior, they would surely be angry with him. He had worked hard to gain Hafsat's trust and make her feel comfortable around him, and now he had gone and jeopardized it.
Abdulmalik returned to Hafsat's side and sat down beside her. "Dear, I am sorry. Please, would you forgive me?" he asked, holding his ears in a gesture of apology.
Hafsat remained silent, her expression unreadable.
"My queen of heart, please?" Abdulmalik asked, his voice filled with remorse. "Should I kneel down for you?" He began to kneel, but Hafsat suddenly reached out and grasped his hands, stopping him.
"No, you don't have to," Hafsat said finally, her voice soft but firm. "No problem."
Abdulmalik's face lit up with hope. "Really?" he asked.
Hafsat nodded slightly, responding with a noncommittal "Uhumm."
Abdulmalik tried again, asking, "Then smile for me, dear."
But Hafsat just held a blank stare, her expression unreadable.
Abdulmalik tried to persuade her, saying, "Please, I can't go anywhere with you still being angry with me."
Hafsat shrugged, her voice neutral. "I guess then you have to stay."
Abdulmalik's face broke into a smile. "Uhmm, that's my Hafsat," he said, relieved. He recognized that response as a sign that she was only annoyed, not truly angry anymore.
"I'll be going now," Abdulmalik said. "I'll see you at the office on Monday."
Hafsat nodded briefly. "Okay, no problem."
Just as Abdulmalik was about to leave, Hafsat called out his name. "Abdulmalik."
Abdulmalik turned around, a smile on his face. "Yes, dear wifey?"
"What about your breakfast?" Hafsat asked, her expression neutral.
"I'm in a hurry," Abdulmalik replied. "I'll have it at home later. But thanks for the concern, dear." He added the last part with a charming smile, but Hafsat simply turned her head, her expression unreadable.
Abdulmalik headed home, where he filled his brothers in on the latest developments in his life with Hafsat. For the rest of the weekend, he partied and enjoyed himself, surrounded by girls.
Hafsat spent the weekend consumed by her work, devoting time to her prayers, and unwinding with her favorite movies. The quiet solitude was a welcome respite, allowing her to recharge and refocus.