If love is for the sake of Allah, it never dies.

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Sitting in the living room, flipping pages of a fashion magazine, Maryam heard the doorbell ring. "Who's there?" She inquired.

"It's me, Frank." She heard the gatekeeper say.

"The door is not locked, come in," she said, averting her gaze from the magazine.

He pushed open the door and walked in.

"What is it?"

"There is a girl outside, requesting to speak to you, madam." he replied.

"A girl? What does she want?" She asked.

"She didn't tell, she just pleaded with me to allow her in." he replied.

"Alright then, let her in," she ordered.

"Alright ma," Moses bowed slightly before leaving to open the gate and let the unknown girl in.

The doorknob twisted and a girl of about sixteen - seventeen came in. She was dark skinned, average in height and very beautiful indeed.

"Good evening ma," she greeted and before Maryam could comprehend, she had already knelt down on the floor.

"What are you doing? Please get up." She mentally cringed. How may I help you?" She enquired.

The girl stood up and instantly began to shed tears. She began to narrate the sordid details of her family so melancholically. "My dad who was the only source of our income, passed away six years ago and things have been very difficult for us ever since then. My mother is left to take care of four children and she doesn't have a permanent job, she goes around helping people fetch water from the well, washing dishes for them and washing their clothes and now my brother is in need of medical care. He is very sick and we can't afford to take him to the hospital and that is why I'm here in the city. I used all of my savings and my siblings' as well to get here. Please help me save my brother's life for the sake of Allah, I will do anything you want." she pleaded amidst tears.

"Don't worry dear, in sha Allah, I will help. How much do you need for your brother's hospital bill?" Maryam asked.

"Fifty thousand naira only." the girl whose name was still unknown to Maryam replied.

"Fifty thousand?" Maryam asked for some sort of confirmation. She took pity on her after hearing her story and out of humanity, she was willing to help her out.

"I know I'm only but a stranger to you, but if you help me today, Allah will forever bless you and your entire household for your kindness towards the poor," she added.

"Where do you live?" Maryam inquired sympathetically.

"I don't live here in Abuja, I live in a village called Agaie." she replied.

"Oh, you came all the way from your village to look for help here. I totally forgot." She mentally face palmed.

"Yes ma," she answered with her head hung low.

"What are you called?"

"Nafisa," she replied.

Judging by the village she came from, Maryam was quite sure she was Nupe by tribe, but she still felt the need to ask, for confirmation. "You're Nupe by tribe, right?"

"Yes," she replied, looking everywhere, but her.

"We are of the same tribe." She smiled. "it'd be nice working with you."

"Really?" She asked in total astonishment.

"Yeah." She replied. "I can help you Nafisa. You see, I am in desperate need of a nanny right now and can hire you as one if you want. I promise to pay you well, enough for you to be able to take your brother to the hospital and take care of him when he is discharged." She offered.

And of course Nafisa grabbed the opportunity and thanked her immensely and repeatedly. "Thank you so much aunty, may Allah reward you. I promise not to let you down." she promised.

"I hope you don't and by the way, I have a little daughter, Manal. She's five years old and your focus should be taking care of her needs, okay?"

"Alright ma," she replied.

"She's asleep right now and my husband is still at work. I will introduce you to them tomorrow."

"It's completely fine with me." she smiled sheepishly.

Maryam smiled back at her - she suddenly felt at ease. She had not only offered to help the poor in need, but also found the solution to her problem."When will you like to start?"

"I can start immediately if you want." Nafisa was quick to reply.

Maryam was quite impressed by the enthusiasm she showed. It only proved she wasn't the lazy time. "Alright then, let me show you to your room." Maryam motioned and led her to Sa'adatu's previous room.

"This will be your room, starting from today." She said with a duchenne smile plastered on her face.

"Thank you so much, ma. May Allah reward you." she prayed.

"Ameen. Goodnight. Make yourself comfortable."

"Goodnight, ma and thanks again for hiring me."

Maryam nodded, before exiting the room.

Sauntering back to the living room, she took a seat on the couch and continued flipping pages of the magazine.

~~~

Approximately, she waited for four more hours, but her husband wasn't back yet. She took her cell phone and was about to dial his number, when she heard the doorbell ring. She hurried to the door and opened it. As expected, it was Sa'eed. A smile curled up her lips and she threw her hands around his neck.

"As salamu alaikum, habibty."

"Wa alaykum salam, what happened?" She asked. " I was really worried about you,"

"I had lots to do at the office today," he replied, yawning.

"Stress is written all over your face." she remarked, making way for him to enter the house.

"Is Manal asleep already?"

"She fell asleep waiting for you to return." she replied, collecting his briefcase.

"My poor baby," Saeed sighed.

Maryam knew he promised her he would be back early, but unfortunately, he couldn't fulfil his promise. "Have you prayed?"

"I have. I prayed before coming home as usual." he answered.

Maryam had never failed to remind him of his obligatory prayer "Okay. Have gave you eaten already?"

"I brought some snacks and fruit drink in the office, so I'm good,"

"Are you sure?" She asked agnostically.

"Yeah, and besides, it's already too late to eat anything." he smiled reassuringly.

Maryam nodded in agreement. "Alright, let's go to sleep."

***

Nafisa dropped her bag, containing little of her belongings on the tiled floor and scanned the room. It was beautiful and spacious. The room alone was bigger than her entire house. She couldn't wait to get her first pay and go back to the village to her family. She lay on the bed, as thoughts of how her stay in the house would be, invaded her mind.