Inayat's POV

She isn't a baby anymore.....

Why does she keep stressing us whenever she falls ill.....

Her mates are married already. My Dad said all out to my mum. His voice could be heard all over the house. He is so pissed at me.

Am I the only one who gets scared and overreacts whenever I am sick???? Well I don't think so.

How are you feeling now sis??? Mubarakah asked in a caring tone. She felt my temperature and said I was much better now.

Alhamdulilah. I muttered silently as I adjusted the position in which I laid.

Inayat, how are you feeling now? Mum came in and queried.

Alhamdulilah I am much better now.

She is okay now mum, turned out to be nothing too serious. Mubarakah smiled while I chuckled.

Well Alhamdulilah then. Your Dad was scared you know right. Mum said and I nodded a yes.

He really hates it when you fall sick inny. Plus he already called your work place and told them you wouldn't be able to make it today. She sighed.

I looked up at the time and it was just 8:30am.

But it is Monday mum, I have to work. I sighed out in distress.

No, no work today and that is final. She sort of spelt out.

Now who is talking about work over there. Dad said as he walked in.

It is your daughter o. Mum answered while I rambled my blanket.

Now miss, there is nothing like work today for you okay.  Ahmad already called to check on you and I explained things to him. Dad said and then gave me a last caring look before finally leaving the room with his wife.

Ahmad is my boss at work, he is the head of our department and also MR MAHMUD's son. My Dad's childhood friend🙄.

Awwww.. Ma Sha Allah. Ahmad huh??? Mubarakah blushed as she tickled my sides.

Stop, what is it??? I don't like it. I frowned immediately.

Why don't you like him sis??? He seems to like you a lot and besides Dad is very fond of him being that he is his friend's son.
I am sure Dad also wants you guys together.

Also??? You mean there are others who want us to be together too? I raised my brows.

Na'am, of course there are.

Okay, for example??

Well for example, Mum, Dad, I, Ahmad himself and his family in general.

Waw... Just waw

And who told you all this huh? I queried

Well I just knew it because I once heard Dad and His friend talking about it but I am not sure if they were serious.

Who knows sis, you might be getting married soon. Awww! She yayed🤦

Quit with the nonsense Mubarakah. You know I don't love him, I don't even like him a bit. And I mostly dont want to marry him. I frowned.

Why sis, why??? Because of that other guy you told me about huh??? What is that his name again? Rahman? Saleem? Salman?? She raised her hands in the air.

Mubarakah is in her second year in the Kaduna State school of nursing Tudun Wada.
But she still acts like a child😪💔.

Wait, I still act like a child🤷🤦.  I thought with my subconscious.

I don't know. I eyed.

So it is because of him huh? I see. He definitely has forgotten about you sis for Allah's sake. So move on okay, get settled once and for all. She poured all out.

Damn! She really knows how to annoy me.

Well, she was so right😭.

It has been two years already and not even a word from Junaid apart from the last message Aa'yat delivered to me about two months after we graduated. And as usual, he just sent his greetings in addition to his saying "In Sha Allah if we are meant to be Inayat, I would be back for you." Aa'yat and I are always in contact as she has grown too fond of me.

She stays with her Dad in Saudi Arabia and has been given a position in the company pending the time she gets married and decides what to do next.

Her constant reply since the last day we spoke about Junaid was always "I have no idea Inny, he hasn't contacted me since he left for Qatar. He contacts Dad though but Dad is not always around either. Don't worry In Sha Allah he would soon be back."  By Allah, I am getting so sick of hearing those words.

Doesn't he know I am a Lady??? I don't have the whole time in the world.
I have successfully graduated and gotten a job so there is absolutely nothing to wait for again.

Well, Allah's time is always the best but Perhaps it is my love and my trust in us being together that still wants me to wait a little longer. But certainly, it is destiny. Allah's will.

It is just the beginning of a new year (2021) in the Gregorian calendar and In Sha Allah, I want to get married before the year ends. I hope Junaid comes for me soon Ya Allah and I know In Sha Allah he will. Ameeen.

I turned on my notification and logged in WhatsApp and as usual messages rolled in. I waited till I felt they were done rolling and I started scrolling through.

Well of course, if it wasnt Ahmad's message lying somewhere admist others🤦.

I sighed as I scrolled through his messages. (9 messages from Ahmad workplace).

Are you really going to bed??? By this time???  8:45pm

Inayat??? 8:59 pm

Hey???  9:15pm

Are you sleeping?  9:30pm

Talk to me.....  9:45pm

Okay fine, I guess you are asleep so goodnight.  10:30pm
       
           Today

Good morning Inayat and how was your night?  6:25am

Hey, aren't you coming to work?? 7:40am

Subhanallah Dad just called and told me you wouldn't be able to come due to your health issues. Get well soon Inayat, Allah's rahma.
Shafakillah😭. 8:15am

Crying emoji??? Really?

Why is he overreacting???

And why does he keep messaging me, didn't he say having my contact was just for business purposes only. Way to go business! I hissed.

I am fine Alhamdulilah thank you. Jazakumullahu khairan. I plainly sent back.

I jumped to the chat that really does matter most to me which was of course Aayat's.

Assalamualikum warahmatullah wabarakatuhu sis in law. -Sister in Law Junaida.

I sighed in disappointment. Allah knows I was expecting something different like "Guess what sis, Junaid is back and we are coming to seek your hand tomorrow" or better still, "Junaid said to tell you......."  But no, nothing like that.

Wa'Alaikum Salam warahmatullah wabarakatuhu sis in law.  I smiled as I typed back.

At least her calling me sister in law does make me happy.

I moved to Sabeerah's message and as usual, she was teasing me.

Mrs Junaid, when will you marry o😂😂 -Best part❤️💕

Crazy girl. I smiled.

Want to know what else happened within the past years????

Sabeerah got married❤️💕. She really  got married. My crazy weird bestie got married. To top it all, she has a year and some months old baby boy now and is expecting another.
Ma Sha Allah❤️💕

You haven't even gotten to hear the most shocking part, remember the dude that came over to us when we wanted buying Macdee in front of Amina??? Yes, the same guy she snubbed and left speechless when he boasted he was a 300 level student.

Well, this was what happened. After service, her Dad sat her down and told her it was time for her to get settled.

He made it known that he had already matched her with someone he knows would be good for her In Sha Allah and someone who they both would learn to love each other the halal way.

Being the obedient daughter that she is and also considering the fact that she really has no one in mind, she agreed to it.

The husband's family came to visit and that was when she found out it was the same guy. He was really well off and was now a graduate. He took over his family's business and was now ready for marriage.

According to her, she blushed happily as they caught sight of each other. She was immediately beginning to feel love for him and that was it.

Allahu Akbar isn't it so wonderful and amazing how Allah does his things? Na'am, it is.

Soon Mrs, soon. I replied my bestie.

I headed to my favorite group chat and there it was, (102 messages from sisters till Jannah In Sha Allah).
This girls🤦, where do I start from🤷???

Well, the group members included I, Aa'yat, Hassanah and Husseinah you remember them right??? 300 level Roomates. And lastly, Sabeerah our Mrs.

Sabeerah was the only married woman in the group and the twins were the next to join the train.

They would be tying the knot next weekend In Sha Allah. Both getting married on the same day. How sweet🤗💕.

I obviously couldn't completely go through them all so I just scanned through and hoped my eyes caught some interesting things I might have missed.

Where is inny???? - Hassy.

She is probably somewhere in her room now buried in her sheets. - Best part ❤️💕.

Awwww our wife❤️🤗 - sister in law Junaida.

Are they getting married soon??? - Hussy.

Married keh? Didn't Aa'yat tell you guys her brother left our inny hanging? - Best part ❤️💕.

Sabeerah🤦 I know she was just joking but I felt a little hurt by what she said. Nevertheless, I kept scrolling.

Tell me more😲😲 - Hassy

Amebo🙄 - Best part ❤️💕

Don't mind Eerah guys, there is still going to be a wedding In Sha Allah. My brother is just trying to sort things out. - Sis in law Junaida

Now that made me smile a little. Oh ya Allah I know I am not supposed be happy yet since this are just mere words but still, they meant a lot.

In Sha Allah. Now you are talking sis. -Best part❤️💕.

May Allah spare our lives till and after then. -Hussy.

Ameeen.

Ameeen ya rabb.

Ameeen o.

Now can someone please talk about my wedding -Hassy.

Calm down sis, you mean our wedding. -Hussy

Okay o brides to be, let us hear word. -sis in law Junaida.

Y'all should do and get married please - Best part❤️💕

And that was the last message and has lasted for like an hour without reply so I made the first move.

"Assalamualikum warahmatullah"

Wa'Alaikum Salam inny, I would be coming to Nigeria and would love to stay at your place this weekend so we can hang out like the in laws that we are. - sis in law Junaida.

"Waw, Ma Sha Allah you are welcome anytime sis"

Just say you are coming for our wedding - Hassy

Na'am, our wedding. - Hussy

You both should keep quiet please there are singles in the house. - Best part❤️💕

She was only teasing us I know. Sabeerah😂🤦.

"May Allah provide the best spouses for us all and those with spouses good children."

Ameeen Inny.

Ameeeeeeen our wife.

Ameeeeeeen Bestie.

______________________________________

I woke to a bang from my head and it was a severe headache.

Oh subhanallah. I groaned.

The time was just 11:45 and I guess it was time to get up from bed.

Mubarakah! Mubarakah!! I called out but to no avail.

I was about to call out to her once again but she rushed in from where I couldn't get a hold of.

Shhhhhh, keep it down sis. She placed a finger over her lips.

Why, what happened? I whispered.

There is a guest in the living room with Dad. She whispered back.

A guest??? What guest? Is it a stranger??? A guy or a lady? I queried. And why do we have to be quiet? I added.

Yes, a guy and he is a stranger to us all but you.

But me? Why???

He told Dad he came here for you, to tell you how he feels and wants to come next time with his family.

A stranger likes me???

But I barely know anyone who would be interested in me. I answered confusedly.

Uhmmm well, he said he was your course mate back then in school and he also said something about his sister being your roommate. She whispered yet again.

Ya Allah!!!!

Subhanallah!!!!!!!

Ya Ilahi!!!!!!!

Come again, you said what???? I asked in happiness as she stared at me in surprise.

What is wrong sis??

Wait, don't tell me it is what I am thinking. Is it that guy? The guy from school? Salman? She smiled.

His name isn't Salman silly, his name is Junaid. And yes, it might be him. I blushed like crazy.

OMG, I need to see him. Is he alone??? I stood up in curiosity.

Yes, he is.

He is alone with Dad like I said and they seemed to be discussing deeply.

Subhanallah, I can't wait to see his face. I would just sneak a peep, just a quick peep would do. I smiled again.

I wore my hijab and stood by the corridor as I attempted my peep.

Ma Sha Allah, it was really him. Nothing really changed except for the fact that he seemed a little huger but is still as cute as ever Ma Sha Allah🤗😍🤭.

And why has my Dad not called me yet??? He ought to have called me to confirm all what Junaid might have said.

What a surprise Ya Allah, I wasn't expecting all this today.

I was about to act unaware and just barge into the living room unexpectedly but my Dad's voice stopped me.

"Gentleman so that is why you cannot marry her." I really heard my Dad say and for a minute I thought I was mistaken.

I stood still and heard it clearly this time.
"I am so sorry Junaid but I can't give my daughter out to any other tribe apart from yoruba."

Subhanallah ilazeem 💔 I felt my heart break into a zillion pieces.

I turned to look at Junaid and he wore the same expression as I.

No Ya Allah, this can't be happening. This really can't. I said within me. I was already crying out.

What Dad???? I barged into the living room.

What exactly do you mean by Junaid and I won't be getting married??? I asked in tears.

Inayat. Junaid stood to acknowledge my presence.

But I didn't spare him a look. His case is going to be tended to some other time for not contacting me all this while but right now, I needed to sort this out. I needed to be sure of what I heard. This honestly can't be coming from my Dad. What happened to his preachings, what Happened to the "We are all Muslims" slogan what happened to the "Brotherhood in Islam" what happened to the  "No segregation among Muslims"???????

See you next time Allah's willing 💕💕

Yhu_so_shy

Less I forget, a question for Nigerians to be precised.
Can you allow your "Female" child to marry from any other tribe apart from  yours???