Ace of Spades ✅

24; Tears of Gold.

Four Years Ago.

Kari Residence, Bauchi State.

A knock on the sliding door snapped Aadil out of whatever trance he was lost in. His eyes that were fixed ahead, staring at the city from the balcony shifted as he turned his head around, now falling on the source of the sound.

His lips slanted into a warm smile, as he extended his hand out for her; a silent invite for her to join him.

The woman flashed him a smile in return, one that brightened his mood without much effort. Gracefully pushing herself off the sliding doors she was leaned against, she closed the space between them; her soft hands sliding into his slightly rugged ones.

Aadil shifted to the side of the chaise lounge he was on, giving her space to sit beside him. Once she had done so comfortably, he picked up a drape blanket that hung by the side of the chair, and then got on his feet—facing her.

"It's slightly chilly." He stated, unfolding the blanket and draping it over her comfortably. "Why didn't you wear something a bit heavy? Do you want to catch a cold or something?" He scolded, eyes playfully narrowed at her.

She chuckled, the action sounding like a dulcet melody to his ears—one he wouldn't mind listening to for the rest of his life. "As if I would get a cold from this weather." She rolled her eyes, an action she is oddly fond of doing as she crossed her arms over her torso.

"You never know." Yet again, he occupied the space beside her, comfortably leaning back on the chair. Not even a second later, he felt her lean her lean her head on his shoulder; her hand now going around his. He didn't comment on it, he simply allowed her knowing such actions were her love language. He didn't mind, never did actually.

He loved it too much to do so.

However, at that moment—an action of hers that's termed normal didn't feel as so again. He couldn't help but worry, and as such, found himself voicing out the worry as well. "—are you really okay, Maa?" He inquired softly after a while, his voice low.

But, she heard him. Even with eyes flicked close, and with a laidback composure that might have one think she'd fallen asleep, she heard him and was aware of every little act of his.

Aadil's mother, Murjanatu Kari, or Maa as he likes to address her had her lips slanted into a small smile. "Of course, I am." She answered back, in a tone slightly higher than his—the elation in her tone hard to miss. "I'm spending time with my son for the first time in a long time. How can I not be happy?"

Instead of feeling relieved, and elated even that his mother is that happy to spend time with him, he couldn't help but feel worried. His stomach was in knots, uneasiness coursing through his veins like hot lava. He wasn't supposed to feel that way, but he was.

He had been feeling that way since his mother showed up at the residence a week ago with no warnings whatsoever.

He had kept in contact with her, and even spends time with her whenever he's in Abuja as well. But, in between being in the military and being transferred to other states, it had been a long while since the two actually spent quality time together.

"—besides, you even took time off work to stay with me. Of course, I'm going to enjoy it to the fullest." She suddenly added, putting an instant halt to his thoughts. "It's not every day you get an Aadil off work, you know."

He blinked, looking away despite knowing she couldn't see him. Guilt decorated his face like fine mosaic. He felt bad he had to lie to her about his suspension, telling her instead that he's taking his vacation days to spend time with her.