"Juma'at Mubarak"

Came Barirah's text message the moment I finished my morning prayer. Then I smiled and wished her the same.

Suddenly, her call bounced in. And when I picked up she asked how I was doing, to which I told her I was fine. "And you?" I asked.

"Same here" she replied. "Have you eaten breakfast already, ko in girka in kawo maka?" she asked. 

"Hmm, I'm about to. Ba sai kin wahalar da kanki ba" I replied.

"Wahalar da kaina kuma? Kamar ya, wahalar da kaina?" she huffed and continued, "Whatever good I do to you, Allah will reward me abundantly ai. So it's not about suffering myself, it's about earning reward from Allah"

"Toh, Mallama Barirah" I sarcastically said.

"Hmm, just call me Barirah" she said.

"Why not Mallama?" I said as she snapped at me,

"No please, just call me with my name" she insisted.

"Okay then" I said in defeat.

"Good. See you later, I have some work to do now" she said.

"Alright" I gulped.

"Bye" she said.

"Bye" I muttered.

After the call, I dropped my phone on the bed and went into the bathroom to take my bath. I was already used to doing that before eating my breakfast.

When I was done, I went downstairs to the dining room and found my dad and Hajiya Farida eating. Thus, I greeted and joined them.

"When are you going to start supervising your filling station?" Dad asked.

"Next week In Shaa Allah" I responded.

"Good. If you go there, Mallam Garba will guide you on how to run it" he said.

"Okay dad" I nodded in acknowledgement.

"Bismillah!" he said as he stood from his chair, "I have to go now" he continued, "Farida please help me with this to the car" he handed over his suitcase to her.

"Okay Alhaji" she said as she humbly collected the suitcase from him.

"Be a good boy" he brushed my hair with his hand.

"Okay dad" I smiled.

"Good" he said and left, with Hajiya Farida escorting him with his suitcase.

When she came back, she told me she would be traveling to Dubai soon with Alhaji. "It's about my jewelry business" she added.

"Wow, nice" I said smiling.

"Thank you" she smiled back.

After eating, I went to my room and changed into one of my best caftans. I knew the kinds of clothes Siyyama wants, so I made sure I wore something she would love since I would be going to see her today.

On this day, I would be asking her out again. Hopefully, she would accept me and we would start talking about getting married soon. My long awaiting dream! I smiled, staring at my reflection in the mirror.

When I was done, I picked my Lamborghini keys and headed straight to Hajiya Farida's compartment.

Before I could even tell her where I was going, she had already asked where I was heading to. "To a friend's house, bazan dade ba" I said.

"Okay, a dawo lafiya" she said.

"Alright" I uttered and left.

While driving around, all eyes was on me. I could read people's expression as they WOWED at the sight of my car. Well, the price of the car alone could make some people rich forever. So definitely, people would WOW when they see it.

Upon arriving at Siyyama's house I horned and revved, thereby luring the gateman out. He quickly came to check on me. I believed he wouldn't do that if I was driving a normal car. Lamborghini have different sound and horn, you know?

"Sir, how may I help you?" he asked politely.

"I am here to see Siyyama" I said with pride.

"Oh, okay... should I go and call her or I should open the gate for you to come in?" he asked.

"Open the gate for me dai, we can't stay out here ai" I smirked.

"Okay sir" he ran back into the house and quickly opened the gate for me. Thus, I drove in and parked in their parking lot.

Then I pulled my phone out and called Siyyama. "Hello" she said as soon as she picked the call.

"Hi, good morning" I greeted.

"Morning, har ka iso ne?" she asked.

"Yes" I proudly uttered.

"Okay, I will send my sister to you. She will usher you in. I am kind of busy now that's why" she said.

"No problem dear" I said.

"Okay" she terminated the call.

Few minutes later, her sister came and greeted me. "Minal, right?" I asked. And that made her to smile like a new bride.

"Yes, follow me please" she said.

"Alright" I alighted from the car and trailed her. I was expecting her to lead me into their house but then she led me to the garden.

"Wait here," she said as soon as we reached a rest area consisting of a room, table, and chairs. "Let me get you something"

"Alright" I sat in one of the chairs and waited patiently for her.

In less than a minute, she was already back. She placed a tray of refreshments for me on the table before turning, about to leave.

"Isn't Siyyama coming?" I asked.

"She's coming, but she's somehow busy right now" she responded.

"Okay" I muttered and began going through my phone.

"Don't you need company?" she asked.

"Oh, okay... sure" I nodded positively.

"Okay" she said and then sat right next to me.

Silence then crept upon us until I later broke it. "Hope zaku bani Siyyama?" I asked beaming at her. "I really would be glad if you people give me Siyyama" I added.

"Hmm, I don't know fa" she said.

"You don't know what? Baza ku bani ba kenan dai" I sarcastically said.

"Bance ba. It's between you and her ai" she said fidgeting her fingers.

"Okay toh, ashe za'a sha bikin kenan very soon" I giggled.

"Hmm, koh? Lallai" she said.

Just then Siyyama arrived.

Minal quickly stood and left us.

"What were you guys discussing about?" Siyyama asked.

"Nothing much" I responded.

"Toh, yayi kyau" she said, sitting down right where Minal stood up from.

"Alright. So, what can you say about my outfit?" I stood and turned around for her to have a clear view of me before returning back to my sitting position.

"Ka hadu, the outfit fits you sosai gaskiya" she commented.

"That's my queen, I know you will love it" I said as she snapped at me,

"Your what? Uhm!" she chuckled.

"My queen of course, the love of my life" I said with a gritted teeth.

"Uhm, Imran kenan. Even after knowing we can only be friends, you are still pushing it" she said.

"But why, Siyyama?" I asked out of curiosity.

"Well, it's because I don't..." she said and paused, "Look," she continued, "I don't want to say something that will hurt you, okay? Just trust me when I say we can ONLY be friends"

"Hmm, Siyyama kenan" I heaved a sigh.

"Yes, that's the honest truth. I've told you many times already" she said, unknowingly hurting my feelings.

"Does that mean you have someone in mind?" I asked.

"Well, not really. But please stop trying, there are other women out there that are more beautiful than me" she said and continued, "By the way, you are handsome too. And I believe there are many women out there that are dying to be with you"

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Iftar Mubarak in advance...