<p> </p><p>They entered his room and sat on the mat beside him.</p><p>"So, Nusaiba went back to sleep?" Mami asked, noticing her absence. Baba told her to let the child rest.</p><p>"Laila, Maryam," he called their names.</p><p>"Yes, Baba," they responded.</p><p>“I want you to always be obedient to your mother and my siblings. Even if I'm no longer around, they are like parents to you.”</p><p>"Yes, Baba," Maryam replied, while Laila struggled to hold back tears.</p><p>As they sat, Amjad walked in with earphones on, casually listening to music. He pulled out a chair and sat down. Everyone stared at him knowingly, suspecting the source of his happiness. Irritated by the attention, he said:<br>"Sorry, guys. Did I forget to greet you or something?"</p><p>Shaheed shook his head and got up, while Zakia just rolled her eyes and resumed eating.<br>"Amjad, you're happy Dad isn't here, right?" Mom asked.<br>"Huh?" He pulled out one earpiece, not having caught what she said.<br>"I said, you're happy Dad isn't here, aren't you?"<br>"Why wouldn’t I be? He's always on my case. Now that he's away, I can breathe. Honestly, I wish he'd stay gone for six months," he muttered.<br>"Because you want to party and hang out with those silly boys like you," Zakia shot back before quickly retreating to her room to avoid his retaliation.<br>"Mom, did you hear that? I can't tolerate nonsense!"<br>"Just eat your food and ignore her. She's just upset Dad isn't home," Mom replied.</p><p>He sighed, increased the volume of his music, and continued eating. Later, everyone retired to their rooms. As usual, Amjad turned on his laptop but switched things up by starting a video call. First, he chatted with his friend Sam, excitedly telling him about Dad's trip. Then he moved on to a girl named Rosie.</p><p>"Hi, Rosie," he greeted her with a smile.<br>"Hey. How are you?"<br>"I'm good. How about you?"<br>"I'm okay," she replied, though her voice betrayed her.<br>"You don’t sound okay," he said gently.</p><p>With a dramatic sigh and an eye roll, she said, "It's been tough here in London. I’m tired. I need to come back to Canada." She tucked her hair behind her ear as she spoke.<br>"I knew it! I told you you wouldn’t like it there. I bet you miss me," he teased.<br>"Yeah, I do. And you?"<br>"Do you even need to ask?"</p><p>She smiled but stayed quiet.<br>"So, what’s your decision? Are you staying there, or have you changed your mind?"<br>"You know I can’t live without you. Why would I even stay here? It’s not easy," she said, her voice quivering.<br>"It’s okay now. Everything will be fine," he reassured her.<br>"Yeah."<br>"Amjad," she called his name softly.<br>"Hmm?"<br>"I’m sorry. I’m sorry for hurting you, for leaving without even saying goodbye."<br>"Shh, stop apologizing. I know you didn’t want to leave me. You just needed space, and I was wrong for treating you the way I did. I’m sorry too."</p><p>She nodded as tears streamed down her face.<br>"Please stop crying. Everything is fine now," he said.<br>"I know. I just can’t hold it in."<br>"You can. Look at me."</p><p>She slowly raised her head, revealing her red, tear-streaked face.<br>"I love you," he said.</p><p>A wave of happiness washed over her. She had missed hearing those words from him.<br>"I love you too," she replied softly.</p><p>Rosie and Amjad had been close since their teenage years. Their friendship blossomed into love. However, a misunderstanding arose when Amjad saw her with another guy. Without giving her a chance to explain, he grew distant. Hurt, she left for London to stay with her mother. It was only after a month that he reached out to her, rekindling their bond.</p><p>Kano<br>9:15 PM</p><p>Mami was sitting beside Baba, fanning him while untouched food sat nearby.<br>"Where are the kids?" he asked weakly.<br>"They're asleep," she replied.<br>"Wake them up," he ordered.</p><p>Hesitant, she stood up and went to wake the children. Laila and Maryam followed her out, but Nusaiba turned over and continued sleeping.<br>"Baba is calling you," Mami told them.</p><p> </p><p>He continued, "Laila, you're the eldest. Your siblings look up to you, and you're your mother’s partner in decision-making…" A cough interrupted him.<br>"Take it easy, Baba," Mami said, giving him water.</p><p>After some silence, he said, "Forgive me."<br>Everyone remained quiet for almost ten minutes before Mami told the girls to go back to bed. Laila, however, lingered near the doorway, feeling anxious. Moments later, Mami rushed out to fetch Kawu Yunusa.</p><p>When Kawu arrived, he knelt beside Baba and called his name.<br>"Baba," Laila called softly, holding his hand. But when his hand grew heavy, she knew.<br>"Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un," Kawu whispered.<br>"Baba…" she sobbed, unable to accept it.</p><p>The next morning, preparations for the funeral began. Laila was inconsolable. It wasn’t until the house filled with visitors that the reality of Baba’s passing sank in.</p><p>Canada<br>4 PM</p><p>Sam had come to visit Amjad, bringing some energy to the house. He and Shaheed decided to wrestle in Amjad's room, turning furniture into a makeshift ring. As the match got intense, Sam slammed Shaheed into the plank, causing everything to collapse.</p><p>Mom rushed in, scolding them for their recklessness.<br>"Amjad, this is nonsense! Don’t let this happen again!"</p><p>Later, Mom received a call from Dad, informing her of Baba’s death. Saddened, she informed Zakia, who immediately called Dad to express her condolences.</p><p> </p>
