Fatima’s POV
I had been avoiding Amir because everytime I looked at him I felt like billions of arrows were being sent to pierce my poor frail and fragile heart. He made it harder because every time he saw me he tried to start up a conversation and in a bid to show him I’m not hurting, I go on.
When I told Ya Sa’eed what conspired he wanted to trample Amir’s head but I stopped him from doing so, Amir never deserved me but I just couldn’t see it. I was warned but I paid a deaf ear.
I pushed all those thoughts away as I lined my eyes with kohl. It was the day for the conveyance of the brides and as usual all the young boys and girls were to sit in the main parlor where the khudbah {sermon} would be conveyed by Goggo.
I sat down at the side of her left leg in my grey abaya and a black viel. Once we were all settled Goggo started “Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Raheem . Afrah, Aneesah, this message was supposed to be solely yours but I felt the urge to tell everyone that will be in your shoes next time In Shaa Allah.
“ The first and most important thing is that you people should fear Allah, fear the day you will be buried underneath the world, the day the angels will come to your grave as per the orders of Allah and ask you questions. Fear the day that you’ll be awakened from your grave to meet your Lord.
“now the girls, you should know that the key to your paradise is under your husband’s feet. So to earn that key you have to make your husband happy, don’t refuse him anything, he has a right over you. But that doesn’t mean that you should allow him to trample you, don’t allow him to overstep his boundaries.
“if there is anything he’s doing that you don’t like, tell him, sit him down and talk to him about it. Communicate with him. Communication is the most important element in a relationship. Whenever there is a problem sit down and talk it out like mature adults. Don’t ever argue with your husband over something.
“once you see that the argument is leading to a fight, just give up and agree that he’s right whether you’re right or not. And if you are sure that you’re right, look for the right time to explain, show him everything from your perspective.
“ lastly to the girls, never allow your husband to be wowed by another random girl outside. It’s wrong. Then as for the boys, raise your head up, look at me”. They all looked at her including the grooms.
She looked in Amir’s direction and he was hiding. “yaro kallo nan {boy look here}”. He looked up and she squinted her eyes. She then asked what his name was and he said his name is Amir Aliyu.
She looked at him again and asked him to come closer “wallahi he looks exactly like Uwani”. At that moment I saw Ameela look up and look at him. She said “wallahi kuwa he looks like Aunty Uwani sosai wallahi”.
Goggo glared at her and she shut up. “kai yaro who’s your mother?”.
“uhmm, my parents died when I was thirteen”.
“oh ayyaa, may their soul rest in eternal peace and tranquility”.
We all muttered an Ameen and I didn’t even listen to the remaining Khudbah, my mind was just wandering. I was thinking, what if Amir didn’t betray me, would we have gotten married?
After the bride had been conveyed Ammi suggested we go to her parents house. We went and spent one week there. After that we decided to go back to Abuja but decided against it when we remembered that the next day was Halli’s birthday.
Ammi, Abba, Mummy and Daddy (Halli’s parents) organized a surprise party at Yankari resort, Bauchi for Halli. We made sure we all kept mum.
We lied about going back to Abuja the next day when in the real sense we were arranging a surprise party for Halli in her dream tourist attraction in the norther part of Nigeria. Ammi had ordered cakes, cupcakes and small chops ready for our surprise while Abba booked the whole place for us. Ammi and Abba made sure everything would be ready.
Mummy and daddy on the other hand took care of the place we would lodge at and all that. All I and Ya Sa’eed did was steer Halli’s attention away from everything by taking her round Gombe. We went to GSU (Gombe State University), kofar Sarki, Gidan sarki and many other places.
Once it was 10am the next day, we set out to Bauchi.
“you know tomorrow is the last day I’ve given you right”, the young man hiding in the shadows said. “yes I do and I’ll tell her, but how can I break such news to her on her birthday? Haba”, Audu said trying to make the young man understand his plight.
“well that’s your own cup of tea. I don’t care. I’ve given you three years and I’m not giving you any more time. Keep your flimsy excuses to yourself. If tomorrow by 4pm you’ve not told her I’ll make my appearance” the young man said letting his silky hair shine in the night.
“I’d like to see you try and make this appearance you talk of. You know I have every right over you right?” Audu said smirking even though deep down he was scared of what the next day held for his family, his secret wouldn’t be a secret any more.
The young man let out a hearty sarcastic laugh and said,” okay… Daddy”. And then he left.
Halima’s POV
It was my birthday and no one even remembered. The least they could do was wish me happy birthday, but instead they were busy getting ready to go back to Abuja. Even Teemah of people.
The optimistic part of me was thinking that maybe there was a surprise waiting for me in Abuja. With that thought I hopped into the car and drifted into a peaceful slumber.
I opened my eyes to see us driving into some sort of jungle. I looked at mummy and she was sleeping. Daddy was still awake. We stopped somewhere and parked. I saw Ammi’s car also park behind us.
Then suddenly I felt someone blindfold me. I tried moving but someone was holding my hand and tied it. Even my mouth was gagged. I could feel myself being pushed further into the forest.
I started saying all the prayers I knew silently. I was starting to cry. This is the end. Shikenan Halima Audu Kalshingi this is how you’ll die. This is your end. You didn’t even get to rectify your many mistakes. You didn’t get to tell Ya Sa’eed that you love him, those were my thoughts as I was being pushed.
I started hearing sounds of water and then I thought, maybe I’ll survive like Mehek, tunda is inside water. But how deep is the water? Oh Ya Allah ya malikul-mulk please give me the chance to rectify my mistakes.
My chain of thoughts was broken when I was freed of the blindfold. I opened my eyes carefully and Ya Allah the sight in front of me was breathtaking.
I turned to see that it was Ya Sa’eed who had tied me up. Teemah, Ammi, Abba, Mummy, Daddy, Afnan and Amal were all standing in what seemed like a resort.
I looked around and saw a big sign that said Yankari Resort center, Bauchi. I didn’t know when tears fell from my eyes and then they shouted surprise!!!
Teemah came and engulfed me in a hug then whispered happy birthday bestie. And then Amal and Afnan came with a large chocolate cake in their hands before shouting Happy birthday Adda Halli.
I hugged them making sure not to throw the cake away. I went further into the resort and saw a table with chocolate cupcakes, drinks, chocolate bars, chocolate chips, basically everything there was chocolate based.
I looked at Ammi and she signalled for me to come for a hug, I did so and she wishes me a happy birthday. Same with Abba, Mummy and Daddy. Ya Sa’eed on the other hand just wished me a happy birthday.
I was about to go and cut the cake when we all heard an all too familiar voice from behind me saying “sorry to crash this party. Hey dad”. I turned to see him standing in all his glory.
And then he said, “feliz natalicio mi hermana”.
I was beyond shocked, hermana?