How can I face him....

by @mimsqueen

Haj. Aishatu sat in their quiet living room, her eyes filled with worry. It had been 3yrs since their son Datti had left home, and there had been no news of him coming back home. The silence in the house was suffocating, and she could no longer bear the uncertainty.

Her husband, Dr. Gidado, watched her with a heavy heart. He knew the pain that lay hidden behind her concerned gaze, and he understood the weight of the truth he carried within him. But he also knew that revealing the truth would only add more burden to Aishatu's already frail health.

With a deep sigh, Dr. Gidado approached his wife, taking her hands in his. "Shatu'an," he began softly, "I understand your worry, but I'm afraid the truth behind Datti's absence is something that might hurt you even more." Haj. Aishatu looked up at him, her eyes filled with a mix of anticipation and fear. "Tell me, Gidado," she pleaded, her voice trembling. "I can handle the truth. It's the not knowing that's tearing me apart."

Dr. Gidado's heart ached at her words, but he knew he had to protect her from the pain that awaited. He gently caressed her cheek, his touch conveying both love and a desire to shield her from further suffering.

"Shatu'an," he whispered, his voice laced with sadness, "Datti... he has taken a path that has led him away from us. He has chosen a different life, one that is filled with choices and actions that may not align with our values." Aishatu's eyes widened in disbelief, her breath caught in her throat. She clutched onto her husband's hand, seeking solace and understanding in his words. "What do you mean, Gidado?" she asked, her voice barely audible.

Dr. Gidado took a deep breath, his gaze filled with remorse. "Datti... Haj. Aishatu's heart skipped a beat as her phone rang, interrupting the delicate conversation between her and Dr. Gidado. She quickly glanced at the screen and saw the name "Datti" flashing on it. A mix of emotions flooded her, ranging from excitement to apprehension. She eagerly answered the call, holding her breath.

"Datti!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with a mixture of relief and joy. "Where are you? Are you alright?" On the other end of the line, Datti's voice carried a sense of fatigue and vulnerability. "Mother, I'm back in the country," he replied, his voice laden with a mix of guilt and hope. "I'll be coming home tomorrow morning. Can we talk then?"

Haj. Aishatu's eyes filled with tears of relief as she clutched the phone tightly. The news of Datti's return brought a glimmer of hope to her heart, a chance for reconciliation and healing within their family. She could feel Dr. Gidado's eyes on her, his anger and disappointment palpable, but she chose to focus on the moment of joy that Datti's call had brought.

Placing her hand on Dr. Gidado's arm, Haj. Aishatu looked into his eyes, her own filled with determination and unwavering love. "Datti is coming back, Gidado," she said softly, her voice trembling but resolute. "We have a chance to mend the fractures in our family. Let us welcome him with open arms and find a way to heal together."

Dr. Gidado's features softened as he looked at his wife, his love for her shining through the cracks of his anger. He realized that his own hurt and disappointment should not overshadow the opportunity for her to be happy, he couldn't wish for anything more than to see in healthy. With a sigh, he nodded, choosing to set aside his resentment just for her to be happy and be in good health.

"You're right, Aishatu," he said, his voice filled with a mixture of resignation and hope. "We cannot let our anger blind us to the possibility of healing. Let us be there for Datti, even if it means setting aside our own pain for now." In his heart he knew there's nothing like his words in his heart, he's just doing everything for her not for Datti as vow to make his life miserable for what he did to him and his niece Boddo, who's still unaware of the truth.

Hotel Room....

"How dare you!" Minal said coming Infront of him. "Why haven't you informed them, that you're coming with your family or are you planning on dumping me and your son for that village thing they call your wife? Are you?!" She screamed right at his face.

Datti's heart sank as Minal confronted him with her brazen manner. Her words hit him like a wave of frustration and anger, and he struggled to find the right response. He took a deep breath, trying to maintain his composure amidst the rising tension.

"Minal," he said, his voice tinged with a mix of exasperation and desperation, "I told you from the beginning that involving my family in our relationship was not something I was ready for. I need time to figure things out, to mend the broken bonds between me and my parents first."

Minal's eyes narrowed, her tone laced with defiance. "But why, Datti?" she demanded, her voice rising. "We have been together for so long, and our son, Manga, deserves to be recognized by your family. We can't hide forever."

Datti's frustration grew, his emotions reaching their boiling point. "You don't understand, Minal," he said, his voice strained. "I have already caused my family enough pain. I need to focus on rebuilding their trust, and I can't do that if they see me with you, especially after everything that has happened."

Minal's face flushed with anger, her voice filled with resentment. "So, what? Are you ashamed of us? Ashamed of our son?" she spat, her words stinging like a sharp blade. "I won't let you hide our existence, Datti. I won't let you dismiss us like we're nothing." Datti's patience wore thin, his anger bubbling to the surface. "You're twisting my words, Minal," he retorted, his voice growing louder. "I'm not dismissing you or our son. I am trying to protect both of you and my family from further pain. Can't you see that?"

Their voices echoed through the room, each word a painful reminder of the divide between them. Datti's mind raced, torn between his loyalty to his family and his responsibility as a father. The weight of his decisions felt heavier than ever before.

Suddenly, he realized the damage their argument was causing. He took a step back, his anger slowly dissipating, replaced by a sense of sadness and resignation. "Minal, I don't want us to fight like this," he said, his voice softer now, filled with a tinge of remorse. "We both want what's best for our son, but we have different paths to take. Maybe... maybe we need some time apart to figure things out."

Minal's eyes welled up with tears, her voice trembling. "Are you divorcing me, Datti?" she asked, her vulnerability breaking through the facade of anger. Datti reached out, gently touching Minal's arm. "I don't want to divorce you, Minal," he whispered, his voice filled with a mix of sorrow and longing. "But I need to focus on my family and find a way to mend the broken pieces. And in the process, I hope you can find your own happiness, too."

Minal looked at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and acceptance. She nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "I understand, Datti. I hope you can find a way out to deal with this situation, as you know I can't leave for a day without you. How do you want me and our son to live?"

"Do not worry. I have a House arrange for us already, I will always be by your side I know what to." With a twisted smile forming on her lips, Minal began to devise a plan, fueled by a toxic mix of jealousy and resentment. She was determined to keep Datti away from his family, away from the life he had once known. She believed that by severing those ties, she would forever hold his heart captive, and he would be forced to choose her and their son over his own blood.

As the news of Datti's return spread through the household, it created a mix of emotions within the family. Haj. Aishatu couldn't contain her joy and excitement at the prospect of seeing her son again, longing to embrace him and hold him close. She couldn't help but share the news with the rest of the family, including Boddo and Kamal.

Boddo's heart sank as she heard her mother_in_low words. She knew deep down that facing Datti would be difficult for her. How could she face her husband, knowing that her heart belonged to his brother, Kamal? The conflicting emotions tore at her, creating a storm of uncertainty and guilt within her.

Kamal, too, was caught off guard by the news. He had hoped to keep his feelings for Boddo hidden, to protect her from any potential pain or confusion. But now, with Datti's return looming, he couldn't deny the truth any longer. He wasn't ready to see Boddo with his brother as a married couple, sharing a life together. The thought of it weighed heavily on his heart, filling him with a sense of longing and despair.

Finally! What we have been waiting for.... Datti's coming back home. What do you think will now happen as there's already a lots of tension around... Kamal and Boddo will have a hard time I guess and.... I can't forget Yidi one of my favorite character but unwise what's happening with and..... I'm waiting....