Dedicated to sadmerh, for her lovely comments. 💗💗💗

•••
The lack of an answer is sometimes better than the presence of a lie. – Najwa Zebian 

“Hey, stop there!” Fadilah bellowed at Bushra, who was carrying a stack of ceramic plates on her way out of the kitchen. 

“Ma?” She replied, eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

Fadilah walked up to her, examining the plates with a frown. “Have you washed these?” She pointed at them.

“Ah, yes ma.” Bushra nodded. 

Fadilah eyed her, and ran a finger around the edge of the plates, then she showed her the wet dusty stain. “What did you say again?”

“Ummu Amina,” AbdulHameed called from the kitchen doorway, shaking his head. “take it easy.”

Fadilah glared at him. “What do you mean, do you want her to disgrace us out there? Common to wash ordinary plates o!”

Abdul Hameed shook his head again while Bushra let out a frustrated cry. “But ma, the plates are very old and heavy o, it’s not easy to wash them.”

“Eh?” Fadilah advanced towards her as she jumped back, the plates almost toppling over.

“ Wo–look!” Fadilah added, pointing a forefinger at her, eyes blazing.

“It’s okay,” Abdul said calmly, resting his hands on her shoulders and guiding her out of the kitchen. “Just take a deep breath.” He said as Fadilah sat on a dining chair, sighing. 

“I’m scared.” She pronounced, raising her eyes to his warm ones. 

“Of what exactly, it’s just a meeting o,” Abdul said, sitting beside her. 

“It’s not that I don’t want her to be happy, I just don’t think this man is right for her.”

  “Fadilah,” He dragged out her name and leaned closer. 

“No really,  I can feel it here.” She pointed to her chest. 

Abdul sighed. “If it doesn’t work out, then so be it, but what kind of parents will we be if we don’t try and support our children’s choices? Besides, nothing has been finalized yet.” 

Fadilah scoffed. “ But you know how Meena is na, she has taken this one very seriously. I don’t want her heart broken at the end.” 

“Neither do I,” he placed a hand over hers. “but we have to trust her and hope for the best.”

Fadilah shook her head. Hope was the least emotion in her heart right now. Ever since the announcement, she barely slept well. The news had lodged itself in her heart like a tumor.

No matter how hard she prayed, the worry wouldn’t just go away. That was why ignoring Meena and keeping her at arm’s length was the best way for her to deal with it. She had once tried voicing out such fears, but it ended up doing more harm than good. And had caused an estrangement between her and her elder sister. And Fadilah had regretted it since then.

But now, with her daughter, she wished she could be more brave. She wished someone would listen to her, just once. Or at least, ask for the reason behind her reaction. 

But then, they didn’t know about Doyin. Not even Abdul, for her name had been wiped out like a writing on a black board. Nobody spoke of her, not even their mother. And it was because she did exactly what Meena was trying to do —marry from a different tribe. 

The only thing Fadilah could do to keep the memory of her sister alive was to name Meena after her, much to the dismay of her parents.

Especially her father, who had silently glared at her, so hard that she felt the burns of his hatred in her heart. 

But now, as history repeated itself, Fadilah wondered if her efforts had been in vain after all. 

How can I stop this? She thought.

“What?” she heard Abdul ask, then she realized she must have spoken out loud. 

“Nothing.” She smiled at him. “I meant how can I sto—” 

Then came a loud crash from the kitchen, prompting her to scream out: “…this girl from breaking my plates o!”

  …

“It’s supposed to be a sunny day na, that was what they said on TV.” Meena  said, peering out at the dark clouds surrounding the sun, just few minutes after it had risen.

“Do you seriously believe those weather reports?” Kauthar said behind her. 

She puckered her lips, moved a way from the window and folded her arms. “Na wa o.”

Kauthar dropped her blue handbag on the bed, then turned to her. “It’s just 07:35am and you know how tricky clouds can be, it will soon clear abeg.” She said.

“Me I don’t want anything to disrupt their flight sha.” She mumbled, plopping down on the chair facing the dressing mirror. “Where is Shukra na?” 

Kauthar came up behind her. “I think I saw her…” she peered at her reflection. 

“Assalamu alaikum.” Shukra greeted, panting. She placed her makeup kit on the table. “Sorry Aunty Meena.” She said, dragging up her red elastic skirt to the center of her stomach. “Maami sent me to grind pepper.” 

Meena frowned. “ I thought we grinded some last night na?” 

Shukra rose her shoulders. “She said it’s too small.” 

“Ah ah,” Meena shared a look with Kauthar. “It’s just a small gathering na, abi did she invite anybody?” 

Shukra slapped a hand into her open palm. 

“Oya abeg, let’s start.” 

Forty minutes later

“Wow…” Shukra gushed. “Aunty Meena, you look so beautiful.” She wrung her hands in admiration.

Meena smiled at her reflection, turning her face from side to side. The gold blush blended with the dusty brown powder which highlighted her cheekbones and straight nose. Then she puckered her lips painted with a light blue and pink lip splash, which matched her pink eye shadow.

“Ah ah, this kain fine sha, now you’re making me wish Shukra was my makeup artist on my day.” Kauthar said, dressed in a loose peach long sleeved abaya, adorned with hair like material around the neck, hands and the end of the dress. 

”No problem ma, I can still do one for you now.” Shukra offered. 

“Chab, no.” She patted the blue veil wrapped tightly around her head. “I don’t want to be accused of snatching somebody’s husband-to-be.” She said and immediately ran out of Meena’s reach. 

“Why did you run na?” Meena asked, standing up. 

Then they heard a car beep outside. Shukra let out a squeal. Meena’s heart began tapping against her chest.

They’re here, she mused.

Kauthar picked her large white veil from the bed. “How do you want it?” she held it up. 

“No need, I’ll just wrap it around me.” Meena said. 

“Okay, alright.” Fadilah clapped as she came in. On seeing Meena, she stopped. With a shake of her head and tears springing forth, she ambled slowly towards her.

Meena silently watched her mother, feeling the doubts and resentment roll down with the tears that unintentionally gathered in her eyes. She hadn’t even realized she was crying till she called out: “Maami.” She rested her head on Fadilah’s left shoulder. 

Kauthar signaled for Shukra to leave the room for them. 

Fadilah let out a breath as Meena pulled away, smiling, eyes yearning for approval. “You look amazing my dear.” She whispered. 

Meena ducked her head. “You too, Maami.” She whispered.

“Oh,” she spread out her arms, looking down at her gleaming blue lace of long sleeved buba floor length wrapper with peach cover shoes, which matched the gele on her head.

“Bushra did say I was shining bright like a diamond today.” She winked.
Meena laughed.

And just like that, their worries and fears faded away, like the dark clouds. Indeed, it was going to be a very sunny day. 

A/N
Assalamu alaikum, guys,
Hope your week is going well

Am I the only one that loves Kauthar and Meena's friendship?
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And I hope you had fun taking a peek into Fadilah's mind. I know I did. 😛😛😛

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F.I Uthman (Zah Storyteller HQ).