My Husband, Her Prey

Love resides in homes and in streets two. But this love resides in a beautiful home. At the far end of the street, a magnificent and two storey building stood fixed unto the ground firmly. It was situated at Lamido Crescent, Kano state. It was a well known house of a Judge;it was a no-go area for most of the people there, especially rascals. They all believed that going close to the house could land them in trouble. It was painted light blue, surrounded by lawns where bougainvillea and lantana flowers were used as edges to beautify the entrance.

At the entrance was the royal gate standing ravishly. Inside the mansion was a free style garden. It was furnished beautifully with swings and alot of garden adornments like statues, water fountains and rockeries. One could pinpoint the love of nature the couple had. At the far end of the garden, stood some topiaries which were carved into alphabets and it read. The queen; Halimah, and the king; Hafeez. At the main entrance that will lead one to the last corridor, there was a hedge that was carved also into alphabets aswell. It read; 'Welcome to our kingdom.' It was a modern garden; beautifully and skillfully adorned, constructed and designed by a specialist garden designer, the architects weren't left behind too; The house was well built. Ensconced on a royal peach headrest was Halimah with her Qur'an. Her cheshire eyes were fixed on the holy book. She was reciting surah al-noor with her mellifluous voice. She was eagerly waiting for his honour; Justice Hafeez Sani's return from work. She came back from her place of work earlier too. Just few minutes ago. Halimah heard a raspy sound perhaps coming from the door. She glanced at the wallclock and smiled. She gently closed the holy book, opened a glass covered drawer and kept it in gently. A smile kept making it's way on her charming face. She was happy he was finally back from work. She thought of him throughout at work today. Halimah was dressed in an ankle length skin tight trouser and an off shoulder dress. Her hair cascaded down her shoulder. Halimah sprayed a perfume and glanced at her console mirror before she walked majestically to the door and peeped through the hole. She peeked again but didn't see anyone so she opened the door slightly to check properly. She was sure she heard some sound. Before she became cognizant of what's happening or who was it, the door was pushed against her body and there she fell onto the floor. "Where's Hafeezu?" the woman barked. Haleemah's eyes inspected the woman. From her attire, to the way she was dressed, you could sense her intense love for fashion. The opposite though. Who was she? "He isn't back from work Ma'am. But I'm sure he will be back anytime soon. Good evening what would you like to eat?" Halimah composed her self and put on a polite smile. Whoever the woman was, Halimah was sure that she has nerves and from the looks of it, Hafeez himself must be scared of her and definitely the woman probably was among those held in high regard. "Save the formalities please.." The woman spat and stood up. She made her way to the kitchen. As soon she entered, her mouth flung open and her mind knitted some thoughts for her. 'So this is how big this house is. Look at the kitchen it's even bigger than my house, Hafeezu decided to keep this woman in this house. No way!' She thought as she inspected the house as though she was an environmentalist. She went to a corner in the kitchen and saw a door, she opened it widely. It was the store. Ten bags of rice. Cartons of drink, semovita, pasta and the list goes on. 'Hafeezu must be mad! He was bewitched!' She thought again. A woman cannot get all these from a man without using something to turn the man's head. Well, that was her belief. She opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water and a tin of coke. She checked some food warmers and served herself some food, she hesitated, looked back and forth and then closed it. It was Hafeez's food. Ya Allah! "Welcome Justice. How was the case?" Halimah peeped at her kitchen before she welcomed her husband. She wondered what the woman was doing at the kitchen. "It was good, i thank God all thanks to your support." She removed his suit and went into their room with it. She set a warm water for him and came out. "Your water is ready. My Justice." she finished with a teasing smile and a dramatic bow. "How many times would i tell you to stop calling me justice hmm? My colleagues call me that and when i come back you call me that what's the difference?" He whined and fixed his gaze on hers. Her heart fluttered and skipped a bit so she smiled. "The water will be cold." she dragged his hand playfully and pushed him into the bathroom. "Bath yourself now and come meet me downstairs i have a surprise for you; your favorite food." She winked and closed the door of the bathroom. For a moment, she had forgotten she had a visitor. This man could be the death of her. Halimah wore her knee length hijab because of the way the visitor was looking at her, she knew it was an accusing look. She descended so fast and lo! She collided with the visitor on the last three steps. "Sorry ma'am i was attending to h..." "Cut that. I was coming to check what the two of you were doing, stupid girl!" The woman snapped with disgust. Halimah became tongue-tied and continued stepping down. She sat on a stool after making sure she set the table. She switched on the lights and switched the power of her aquarium and aqua creatures started swimming around. It was an artificial one; staring at it gave her joy and peace. It allowed her dwell in the thoughts of her darling husband. "Hon' Bun," he called out descending but he met his aunt sitting by the stair with her hand supporting her chin. "When did you arrive aunty? You are highly welcome." He blabbed, scratching his head. If only he knew she was coming, he would have warn Halimah about her. He would have tell Halimah how the woman was. "Thank you. Is that the wife?" She twisted her nose and halfly closed her eyes. "Yyyes she is. Halimah." He stammered because her facial expression scared him. "Happy married life then." She threw her hand in the air emanating her lack of concern. "Thank you aunty Mariya. Let's go and eat." And she followed him as if she hasn't eaten earlier. He pulled a chair for her at the dining and she sat. "Hon bun!" Hafeez called out but Halimah was lost in thought. She's been totally carried away by the swimming fishes. Hafeez checked the kitchen but she wasn't there. Then he remembered where she could possibly be. He smiled and walked to where she was. As expected, Halimah didn't acknowledge his presence. Hafeez shook his head then silently tiptoed behind her and began tickling her. Halimah gasped and yelled. "Scary scary," he laughed. Halimah beat his chest playfully and shot him a smile which melted his heart right away. "Can we?" He offered his hand and she gladly took it into hers. They walked to the dining unknown to them, aunty had been looking at them; she kept cursing them in her mind. Which type of shameless couple were they? She asked herself. What was wrong with this woman? "Serve her first." Hafeez signalled Halima to prevent the unfold of a drama. "No i have eaten," she stopped Halimah from her serving her. Halimah wondered why the woman was sitting on the dinning chairs if she had eaten. She should have taken one of the cushions in the parlour and give them some space to eat food. Halimah nodded and as if being tickled, she shrieked. 'I hope it isn't justice food she touched'. She served him coconut rice with italian vegetable soup. There was cheese cake for dessert and an appetizer. He smiled broadly;it was his favorite. Halimah served herself and then sat down. "What the hell is this Halimah?" Justice Hafeez shouted, pushing away the plate. Halimah's heart thudded before she stood up and try to look at the place he pointed. Halimah? When did he started calling her Halimah? Well, a hungry man is an angry man. Wham! She looked. Cockroaches. Three freaking cockroaches dancing on top of Hafeez's food. No, they were dead but what brought them there? When did they enter? "I swear i knew not about them. There wasn't cockroaches when i finished cooking..i..i.." She trembled. Her eyes brimming with tears and her hands were shaking in fear and surprise. How will she explain this better? "There was even broomstick and strand of hair in my own plate of food that was why i gave up eating. Hafeezu you brought a dirty woman as a wife." Aunty Mariya bellowed. "I will cook ann..other food.. I am sorryyy...Justice, i had nnoo idea about the cockroaches." she stammered and started packing the cutleries. "No!" He raised his hand and stomped out. Halimah looked at the path he followed with tears blurring her view. She had never seen him behave this way. Hey. It is me again! I could smell drama ahead, I'm in love with this book so let's tag and share to our friends. Your votes and comments determine the continuation of this book. Who wants to hear from khadijah's side?