Sunday- 15 days later
"We found a flower in your home and we are here to ask for permission to pluck that flower", the spokesman of Saleem's family continued after introducing the two families to each other, with a grin.
"We are here with varieties of fruits and drinks and we hope you accept these gifts from us wholeheartedly", he finished and sat down.
"Thank you, Alhaji Bashir, may Allah spare our lives to witness the union of these two children of ours. On behalf of Mr&Mrs Ademola, the parent of Salamat, your gifts are accepted with gratitude, and permission is granted to you." Oga Buks answered back.
He was standing next to Salamat's parent, who was seated with his wife, facing Saleem's parent while Saleem and Salamat were seated in the middle of the sitting room.
"Ma Sha Allah!" Saleem's parents muttered.
"Since the two people involved have declared their love for each other, we can no longer withhold the permission. The next thing we would request of you is the bride price." Oga Buks finalized and sat down.
Salamat's face was veiled with a big white flowery veil.
"Can we see the bride's face before we present the bride price?" Alhaji Bashir requested.
"Kindly open your face, Wumi", Oga Buks told her.
Salamat unveiled her face and there were mutterings of "All praises be to Allah", from the audience.
Salamat couldn't say how she was feeling. She couldn't tell if it was fear of the marriage and the responsibilities that come with it or she was nervous about the whole process.
"We present to you the bride price of #30,000." Alhaji Bashir announced loudly, standing up once again.
Salamat accepted the envelope with a smile.
"Alhamdulillah! Barakallahu feeh!" They all chorused.
"The next thing is to request for the wedding date. When should we come for our wife?" He requested, still standing.
Salamat's parents didn't expect that and it was obvious from the look on their faces that they were caught unawares and unprepared.
"Ade, let's go in", Mrs. Ade whispered into her husband's ear and they quietly excused themselves.
"I thought of this but I forgot to bring it up before now", Mrs. Ade said, immediately they entered their bedroom.
"I don't even know what to say. Princess needs to be consulted also. Maybe we should tell them we will give them a reply soon." Mr. Ade replied, with a confused look.
"No. It's not supposed to be like that. The earlier you choose the date, the better for them." His wife objected.
"Don't even start." He warned. "You expect me to give them a date without consulting the person directly involved in it?"
"That is not what I am saying, baba iyawo (bride's father)", she said sarcastically as she rolled her eyes.
"What are you saying then?"
"They've given your daughter the bride price already so the earlier we do the nikkah, the better. Unless you want to see your daughter pregnant by next week." She finished and smiled.
"Ibukun!" He thundered.
"I know what I am saying. I saw them kissing." She replied with a straight face, trying so hard to control the laughter bubbling inside of her.
"What?" He panicked.
"Yes. If I was Saleem, I won't let this day go by without taking what rightfully belongs to me." She put in.
"Don't tell me you are encouraging him Ibukun", Mr. Ade said, seeing the amusement on his wife's face.
"Didn't you kiss me before we did our nikkah? Oh! So you don't want him to do the same with your daughter abi?"
"That's not it... I'm Ju...Ju..st considering...." he stammered.
"Ade, I won't interfere in this matter anymore. Do whatever you want. If you like, tell him to wait till she is done with her Ph.D. before they tie the knot and see the consequences." She hissed and walked out of the room majestically, leaving her husband, utterly speechless and with a guilty look on his face.
*****
"Khadeejah, I am very sorry about what happened. I promise it won't repeat itself." Mr. Usman pleaded to his wife, kneeling down to restrict her from entering the compound of the house she was hiding.
He was able to locate her whereabouts but was unable to summon up the courage to talk to her. Today was a good day as he saw her approaching the gate and he quickly alighted from his car to block her way.
"Please go home, Usman. I'm done." His wife responded, recovering from the shock of seeing him after two weeks.
"Please dear, I beg you. Your daughter is in a mess. She neither eat nor talks to anyone. She even refused to go back to school and I fear....."
"So you are here because of your daughter?" She snarled.
"No, I'm here for you." He quickly replied.
"Here for me, indeed", she retorted and pushed him away to gain entrance into the compound.
"I need you back home. Remember how we started", he said, standing up to follow his wife. "We've been through a lot of hurdles, Khadeejah. This shouldn't cause a rift between us, I'm sorry for being unreasonable."
"Thank God you know you are unreasonable. I'm doing this for our daughter and she is the reason why I am here. So go home. Go and act like the mother she needs", she responded, without stopping.
"Come on Khadeejah. Have you forgotten so soon all the vows you made? You promised never to leave me and that's what you are doing now." She stopped in her track, unable to ignore the guilt gnawing at her within.
"Suit yourself." Usman flared up and turned back to go to his car.
He felt the urge to cry. She was punishing him and she knew it. But he was done begging.
"Usman...." She called back with regrets.
"I'm sorry", she apologized and ran after him.
"Usman", she called again as he succeeded in getting out of the compound. She caught up with him as he didn't stop walking and she hugged him from behind.
"I'm sorry", she cried.
He was boiling inside at her silly behavior. He was tempted to fling her hands away and zoom off, far from her but he knew he needed her. She was his partner, both in good and bad times.
He turned to her and cleaned her tears with his right thumb.
"It's ok", he whispered and took her lips.
At first, it was gentle and then it became fierce. They were pouring out their aches and unsaid words of apologies as more tears poured from her eyes.
*****
Monday 1:05pm
"I can hear you now. Where are you?" Salamat asked, moving away from the noisy class.
They had just concluded a class and it was break time. They were to have another class by 2 pm. Some of the students were chatting while others were taking lunch, in a bid to while away time before the next class.
"I'm outside your department", Habib answered.
"Ok. I'm coming", she said and disconnected the call. She moved back into the class to take her bag before leaving.
She saw Habib standing close to the garden and she moved closer. "Habib", she called with a smile.
"I'm so happy to see that you've regained your freedom." He said with a smile too.
"Thank you. You had a role to play too." Salamat commented and sat down.
He sat beside her. "I went to the station to check up on you and I was told you've been released."
"Yes. It's been 20 days now since I was released."
"All thanks to Allah. I was busy with some physical seminars with my boss and I always go back to my hotel room late at night, that's why I haven't come to see you."
"I understand. It's ok."
"My step-sister told me about your engagement." He uttered.
"Your step-sister?" Salamat asked. "Who?"
"Bimpe", ae answered.
"Oh, My God!" Salamat gasped.
"Yes. Ayoade and Bimpe are my siblings. And congratulations on your engagement."
Salamat quickly replaced the surprised look on her face with a smile. "Thank you."
"I just thought I should see and congratulate you before going back home. I have a flight to catch by 2:30 pm. And I am sorry once again for all that happened." He begged.
"It's ok. It's all in the past now."
"So who is the lucky man?" He demanded, all of a sudden.
"What?"
"I mean your fiance. He is a lucky man indeed."
"I reckon so", Salamat smiled.
"I envy him", he muttered out loud, staring at Salamat dreamily.