Three

Alhaji Mustapha Argungu was scuppering his wife's words about Alhaji Ibrahim's problem, she gave him a solution, of which she thought would be the way out to both their problems."Do you think it would be the perfect solution? What if he wouldn't welcome the idea?" Alhaji Mustapha questioned his wife, who was sitting on the chair opposite him in his study room."It would be, Alhaji. And I think he would like the idea too. You also know how Alhaji Babba has been instigating us about that issue, I think we have the solution to both," Hajia Zubaida articulated, flashing her husband an assuring smile."Ok! Let me go, I know they're in the hospital by now," he spoke and stood up, heading directly to Budo specialist hospital in lekki, Lagos.He met Alhaji Ibrahim in the room, where Ihsan was laid weakly on the bed. "It's okay, Alhaji. Let's go and sort all this out," he tapped his shoulder and guided him to the reception.***Alhaji Ibrahim gave him a puzzled look, his heart twisting at the words his friend uttered, in an attempt to solve his problems, which he thought would only add more salt to the wound."Alhaji, Ihsan is too young and naive for this, don't you think we're deciding in a haste? Can't we find another way of solving this problem? God! This is so unthinkable," Daada spoke, confusion laced on his tone. He couldn't think straight, How would he? God! Its No, a big NO."I think it's the best way of even curving her back to her senses. It would first be in an attempt to frighten her, it will be a threat. But when she gives in, then we have no other choice but to let it happen," Alhaji Mustapha elaborated, clutching his friend's shoulder in an attempt to assure him.Daada flashed him a rueful smile, swept off the precipitation that formed on his forehead, for the words were just too much for him to comprehend."Well, I'll take the threat part first, but when she gives in, I have no choice. We'll talk about it later, but let's pray she won't give in," Daada spotted and stood up."Let's go see the doctor, she might be well to be discharged," he mumbled and ambled to the doctor's office, Alhaji Mustapha following behind.They entered the room together, with smiles on their faces. The doctor came, did some checkings, asked how she was feeling and discharged her. Ihsan flashed Alhaji Mustapha a weak smile and greeted him "Good morning, Abbu, How's Ummu and Manal?" She asked. They're their neighbours in Pinnock beach estate, Lekki, Lagos. Ihsan was so close to Ummu; Alhaji Mustapha's wife, she was a mother material to her. When her Maama wasn't there to take care of her, and her stepmom was being flagitious to her, before Daada knew and divorced her with three decrees; becoming the single parent of her."Ihsan how are you feeling? Ummu and Manal sent their greetings to you," Abbu answered with a loving smile on his face. He had loved Ihsan since she was a child, he once begged Daada to let her stay in his house since he was the only one living there, but Daada didn't agree, for he loved Ihsan so much.She nodded at Abbu's reply and spoke in an annoyed tone "Daada, let's leave, please. I'm tired of this hospital's air, it's suffocating. I'm quite well, you see?" She sprawled her hands in the air, to emanate how energetic she was.They all laughed before Daada spoke "You don't have to stress yourself Ihsan, we will leave now. Jamila, help her to the car, or should I carry you as always?" Daada teased, laughing at her pouted lips, he knew what her reply would be 'Daadaaaa, I'm now a lady, a graduate for that matter. I'm strong enough to carry myself,' and she would trigger her thin muscles, to show how strong she was.Maama guided her to the car, but she said she wanted to enter Abbu's car, they had been trying to change her mind but to no avail. "I know why you want to enter his car because it is air-conditioned already huh? Ihsan, you haven't even left the hospital's premises, you want to come back again or what?" Came Maama's annoying voice, as she smacked her head softly, which it was resting on her shoulder."Maama," she whined, as feigned tears clouded her view. "I just missed him, it has been days since I last saw him and Ummu, so I will rest in his house today but would come back by 9 pm," she declared and laboriously trudged to where Abbu's car was parked.Before Daada could utter a word, Abbu conjectured "Don't worry, Alhaji. She would be safe, I'll wind down the windows and turn on the heater," he assured, guiding her to the passenger's seat.Daada and Maama hopped in their car, waved at them and drove off. Abbu hopped in the driver's seat, smiling warmly at her as he ignited the car and drove off."Abbu, I want ice cream," Ihsan whined, flashing him her best puppy face.Abbu laughed wholeheartedly, so it was the reason behind the 'I miss him'. "This girl, you're so incorrigible, so that's what you wanted all this while? So I'm the rule's breaker huh? I'm out of this, Ihsan," Abbu postulated, as they halted in front of their house."Abbu!" She whined and broke into soft tears. "Abbu, please. I want an ice cream since two weeks ago, please Abbu, don't let me die without taking this ice cream," she elaborated, a beseeching tone laced on her voice."You won't die, Ihsan, until we see your grandchildren. And for your ice cream, let's go in, Ummu will make that moderate smoothie for you, it would serve huh?" Abbu flashed her a loving smile, hoping he would convince her.She cleared her tears with her thumb, looked at Abbu with a smile on her lips. She had always loved Ummu's smoothie, it was the ice cream reciprocate she got whenever she craved for ice cream. "It's perfect, let's go in," she jabbered and weakly got out of the car.They entered the house, and she was engulfed by Ummu's loving embrace, it was always nice and exquisite. "Ummu! I missed you," she whimpered, weakly hugging her back.Ummu guided her to a sofa and sat beside her, her hands in hers, as she spoke sympathetically "Why would you do that, Ihsan? It wasn't good for your health. Do you want to see us always worrying about you? Stop please," she questioned.Ihsan pouted and slopped on her body "I want to study in US, Ummu. And Daada isn't going to allow me. Beseech him please," she muttered, alone of a tear rolling down her cheeks."It's okay now. Go to Manal's room, you need to rest. I'll bring your smoothie and breakfast dear. We will talk about it later, just hold onto your words, and he'll let you go. Insha Allah," Ummu conjectured and guided her to Manal's room, laid her on the bed before she left for the kitchen.She brought the breakfast for her, talked with her and left her to rest. After assuring her to just hold onto her words, they would find a way, so Daada could let her.Ihsan was sleeping peacefully on Manal's bed when she heard a chortle, she slowly squinted her eyes, and her gaze fell on Manal, who was sitting beside her, and was skype calling with god know who."Yaya! You couldn't believe it, we are finally ss3 students, god! It felt soo good," she beamed, laughing at him.Before he could reply, Ihsan smacked her nape that she had to yelp, "You can't behave when a patient is sleeping, your annoying chortles woke me up," came Ihsan's sleepy-annoyed voice.Manal's whole attention turned to Ihsan, with the phone's camera directly on her sleepy face. "Ihsan, what is this? This your flimsy body couldn't make you easily palpable. And I didn't even know you were sick," Manal retaliated with pouted lips."Move please!" Ihsan taunted and sat upright, flashing her a smirk. She loved annoying Manal, she was her closest friend, even with the year gap between them, she wouldn't mind."Who's that?" He questioned, pointing at Ihsan. Manal almost forgot she was on skype."Oh Yaya, don't tell me you have already forgotten Ihsan, Daada's daughter?" She gave him a hint, she knew he hadn't forgotten her, but just a way of annoying Ihsan. They hadn't for once been on the good side.Before he could answer, Ummu called Manal, she placed the phone on Ihsan's thigh and left for Ummu's call.Ihsan gave him a sneering look, annoyingly crinkling her forehead. "Hey, young boy, what's up with asking who I was? I thought we've severed all the familiarity before you left? Mumu," she taunted, glaring at him.He suddenly got infuriated, it was always like that, with just a word, Ihsan could make him angry. "Mind your tongue, you fleshless girl. You're always getting uglier with each passing minute, God! You have to see your face. Or is it time to kick the bucket? For you're always on the risk," He replied."You! Don't you know these words would scare baby boys like you? It isn't good to say those words at your age, learn the words babies are to be saying, silly child," she taunted with a smirk on her face. She couldn't fall, not just easily."Ihsan, don't try my patience. I've always warned you of calling me a boy. Silly you, fleshless bone, amoebic shape, gorilla faced, and a soon to die, lady. Mumu," he retaliated angrily and made an insulting gesture with his hand."I hate you! Idiot. I hate you, your child will be sicker than me. I hate you! You won't even be born a child, for you'll forever remain as a boy. I hate you," she broke into tears and ended the call. It always ended that way. She would first enrage him, but the retaliation wouldn't be nice.