People used to say if you love something you must literally learn how to let it go. Well, I did not believe in that nonsense until Idris left my life upon all my sacrifices. Verily, I had thought I was doing the right thing when I swapped my transfer with his but I was wrong, in fact what I did united him with the woman he loved...

I had cried the day he left Kano with his daughter, Amani. And since then I couldn't concentrate on work anymore. It took me a month to compose myself. It reached an extent that tears would roll down my cheeks by just thinking about him. My parents became scared, they had to put me in their prayers; day and night!

But right now, I can say Alhamdulillah. Idris was still in my mind but I had met the love of my life already; a surgeon in the private hospital I was working in. His name was Mubarak Abba, he was half Hausa; half Gbagyi (Gwari).

You can't really imagine the tribes up here in Arewa (Northern Nigeria), there are nearly 200 tribes I guess but people view all of us as one tribe. No, even Fulani and Hausa are two different tribes. In fact, some Fulani don't like giving their children to Hausa people and the same goes to Hausa which literally isn't good.

As Muslims, we are not supposed to uphold tribalism. We are supposed to be one nation, INSIDE or outside AREWA. The children of Mallam Nupe should be able to marry the children of Mallam Igala or Ebira, same goes to the children of Mallam Kanuri, Hausa, Fulani, Shuwa-Arab, Gwari, Kakanda, Kamuku, Kambari, Buzu, Zuru and many others. We should eliminate the tribal differences between us, we should come together and live in tranquility.

We shouldn't judge a book by its cover, just because a Yoruba man cheated you doesn't mean all Yoruba people are bad, doesn't also give you the audacity to stop your children from marrying someone from the ethnicity. The earlier we end tribalism, the better...

"Hello babe, is everything okey?" Mubarak said pulling me out of my trance. We were in the cafeteria eating dinner. We normally eat dinner before returning back to our homes.

"Hmm," I gulped and smiled. "Yes, I think we should get going" I said standing to my feet.

"But we are not done eating yet" He muttered.

"Hmm, I will wait for you in the parking lot" I uttered and left after having blew him a kiss.

While waiting for him by the car, my phone began ringing. I wasn't expecting any call so I hesitatingly checked the caller I.D and guess what? It was Idris. Thus, I picked the call...

"Hello, Aisha. I'm getting married!" He said.

His words pierced my heart making me to almost lose my balance. I started feeling dizzy and so I ended the call and gave myself the full attention I needed. I kept inhaling oxygen and exhaling carbon dioxide gently until I was normal. I thought Idris would call back but he didn't, so I decided to call him... And when he picked up he huffed like he was speechless.

"Congratulations, I am also getting married soon" I said out of jealousy thinking he would be pained but he practically seemed happy.

"Wow, that means everything is now pretty okey. When is your wedding? Mine is next..." He was saying when I angrily ended the call.

Just then, Mubarak came. He asked what was going on; that I looked disturbed but I told him to just take me home. Hence, we hopped into the car. While on our way, I decided to end the silence that had crept upon us. "Mubarak..."

"Yes, my love" He said.

"You can send you parents over..." I said fidgeting my finger. That was his dream.

"What? I mean, really?" He joyfully said.

"Yes" I sniffed, burning inside me with Idris allover my head. God, why am I still loving that fool? That fool that doesn't know what's good for him? I mulled over holding back my tears.

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Thank you for reading #InsideArewa