*_UK (LONDON)_*

........He lay down on his bed, which Nigerians call a 6-by-6. However, this one had a very soft mattress and a very soft white bedsheet that you could tell just by looking at it. The way he was breathing heavily and sweating profusely indicated that he had just come from training. He was wearing a small pair of JC shorts that reached halfway down his thighs and a shirt. He also wore football shoes. His body was on the bed with his legs hanging off the edge. He exhaled heavily and opened his eyes, which were bloodshot. There was no smile on his face, and he looked more serious than ever before....
          With the energy that showed his physical fitness, he sat up properly, clicked his tongue, and frowned as he started to remove his shoes. He dropped them and stood up, taking off his shirt in a manner that suggested he was annoyed and threw it on the floor. He walked towards the long glass that served as a wall in his luxurious bedroom. He pressed a small green button, and the glass slowly split into two, creating a door. He entered, still looking somewhat angry, and a luxurious toilet appeared, making even me feel like a villager in comparison. He went straight under the shower and let the water pour over him, taking a deep breath...
       This is *_Aliyu Mika'il Idris Mawashi_*, known as _Smart Mawashi_ in the world of football. Although it has only been three months since he returned to the UK and signed with Queen City, a small club in London, we hope it will be a stepping stone for him to reach unexpected heights. The Smart we knew before, who was quiet and reserved, has now become even more so. He has even learned to be aloof. This change happened due to the unfortunate events of the past three months, which were the most significant in his life. Just when he had finished planning and preparing to build an exciting and impressive life with his wife, and was ready to entrust her with all his trust and life, the story changed from how he had written it in his heart to the script of destiny. His wife slipped away from him just as his dream of becoming one of the top footballers in another country came true. Slowly, everything started coming back to him in detail, as if it were happening now. _(After leaving home that day, he went to his parents' house, filled with worry about the situation he had put Lulu in. He found that Asma'u had gone on an errand for Ammah to Aunty Bilkisu's house. Only Maryam and Ammah were home. He barely sat down before he greeted his mother and told her he had come to take one of the girls because Mawaddat was not feeling well. Ammah became worried and, without waiting to ask Abba, told him to take Maryam and go, thinking that Lulu might be pregnant. Maryam quickly got ready and took some groundnut porridge they had made to break their fast, as they had not eaten yet. They arrived quickly as it was early morning and there was no traffic. However, when they saw the front door open and the book he had seen earlier on Lulu's bed lying at the entrance, indicating it had been dropped by mistake, his heart sank. But he composed himself and they entered. Maryam sat in the living room while he went to his bedroom, telling her to go to Lulu's room and that he would join her soon. Maryam agreed, and he went to his room. He didn't stay long before coming out. He stopped short, seeing Maryam pacing nervously. “What's wrong? Didn't I tell you to go inside? I'm coming.” Maryam quickly turned to him and replied, “Brother, Aunty is not in her room. I even checked the toilet and kitchen, but no one is there. It looks like her wardrobe has been ransacked, and some clothes and a suitcase were taken, but one suitcase was left as if there wasn't enough time to take it.” His heart started pounding, and he rushed to the room. Just as Maryam had said, everything of value was gone. His legs started shaking, but he composed himself and continued to strengthen his resolve. He saw a letter on the bed and picked it up. *_I hate you, Aliyu. I never want to see you again in my life. But I leave you to God, you oppressor. It turns out your preaching was all deceit; you don't even practice it yourself. Forget about me forever, for even if we meet by chance, I will be as far from you as the sky is from the earth, east from west. If you suffer in searching for me, it's your choice, for no one can make me live with you again, not even Uncle Yousuf._* He felt dizzy and quickly sat down, calling on God's name. He sat there for a long time, his mind in turmoil, until Maryam got tired of waiting and came into the room. She was alarmed to see how quickly her brother had become unhinged. She called out to him, but he raised his hand and sternly told her to leave. She was scared and quickly left. Just a minute after she left the living room, Ahmad called her. She quickly answered, and without waiting for proper greetings, she told him what was happening. Ahmad's heart started pounding too, and he quickly arrived at the house. Despite all his questions, Smart refused to say anything until Ahmad showed frustration, and then he briefly said, “She left the house.” Although it shocked Ahmad, he tried to calm Smart down, assuring him that she couldn't have gone far. Ahmad called Uncle Yousuf, and after some difficulty, he got through. After greeting him, he quickly explained the situation. Uncle Yousuf was also disturbed but said he was on his way. He first called his wife, Aunty Saliha, who was also worried and had been trying to reach him. Before he could ask her anything, she told him, “Abban Ra'is, there's a big problem. Khadijah just called me, saying I should get ready to go to Mawaddat's house because she is not well and needs comforting. I quickly got ready, worried by Khadijah's explanation. But on our way, I received a text message from her saying we shouldn't look for her because she has gone far away. She said Aliyu should give her a proper divorce, or she would make him suffer. Despite the shocking message, I told the driver to hurry to her house. When we entered the street, we saw a black car with tinted windows passing by. We found the house open, with a neighbor standing at the gate. The driver tried to enter, but the neighbor stopped us, saying he hadn't heard anyone in the house. He said he saw a woman holding the lady of the house, crying, and they got into a car, then loaded suitcases into a Hilux. Realizing something was wrong, he stayed at the gate. I've been trying to reach you to call Aliyu or send me his number, but I couldn't reach you.” “Innalillahi wa-inna ilaihiraji'un” Uncle Yousuf kept repeating. He didn't say anything else and ended the call. He called Mommy, and without proper greetings, he asked if Lulu had come to her house. She was surprised and said she hadn't come and didn't think she would, as she had a court case today. Hearing this, Uncle Yousuf calmed down a bit and ended the call. He called Ahmad and told him to go to the court quickly, saying he would send Aunty Saliha to stay with her. Ahmad quickly got up, and Smart followed. They locked the house and left with Maryam. However, when they arrived at the court, Lulu wasn't there, and they were assured she hadn't come. Now their worry increased, as everyone knew that no matter what, Lulu wouldn't neglect her work, especially considering how much she loved it. But the way her belongings were taken while leaving the house confused everyone. They started calling relatives, beginning with Alhaji Garko's house, but Dada, in distress, said she hadn't come. They called all over Kano and beyond, but the answer was the same: Lulu hadn't come. What seemed like a small issue quickly became serious, and by evening, they had to report to the police station. Poor Smart didn't eat anything all day except water. Just one look at him would make you feel sorry for him. Coach forced him to drink tea after Maghrib prayer, but he vomited it out and had a high fever. Ahmad and Abdull had to stay at his house that night, as they also knew what was happening. Even Ammah, despite her reserved nature, went to Smart's house with Abbah. Umma, on the other hand, was secretly pleased, thinking that if anything happened to Lulu, her parents would imprison Smart for life.
What seemed like a small issue quickly escalated, and after three days with no news of Lulu, Daddy and Uncle Yousuf abandoned their work and returned to Nigeria. The twins were also in Kano. Smart had become very thin, and you couldn't see a smile on his face. He devoted himself to praying to God, and Abba took him to Islamic schools and mosques for prayers. The police were also actively investigating. On the fifth day, the police investigation started focusing on Dada, prompted by the neighbor who saw Lulu leaving with someone. The police didn't let him rest either. When he saw Dada, he told the police, “Yes, that's the woman I saw with the girl that day, along with a young man who looked like them.” Everyone turned to look at Dada, who was flustered and started acting indignant. Everyone's anger rose, except for Alh. Sulaiman and Tajuddeen, who knew everything. Smart gave Dada a look that suggested he would teach her a lesson despite her age if she weren't related to Lulu. Daddy, who had also become thin and sick from worrying about Lulu, looked at Dada and Alh. Sulaiman in a way he never had before. He had always suspected Alh. Sulaiman, but Uncle Yousuf had cautioned him against it. Uncle Yousuf, always the peacemaker, realized the argument was a family matter and dismissed the police, who reluctantly left, saying Dada had to face justice. Being influential people, they called the CP, who ordered the police to leave. After they left, the house erupted in chaos, as Dada said she would never reveal Lulu's whereabouts unless Smart divorced her. For the first time since the incident, Smart gave a bitter smile that burned inside and angered his opponent outwardly.