Thirty-seven
Surprise Surprise!
Read till the end.
Meena stared at her reflection in the mirror. She took in a deep breath, released it, took another, released it again. Nur was currently on his way. There was a bang from her parent’s room. It startled her. She shook her head. Ever since her mother was informed about the recent development last night, she had been quiet, only talking through loud sounds and bangs.
Meena wished she could also feel just one thing: anger, like her mother. Or curiosity, like her father. Instead, she was feeling more than that: excitement and fear. She wasn’t even able to concentrate on her date with Badr last night, even with his jokes and easy smile, she was far away, thinking, wondering, fearing, hoping that today would end well, hoping things won't change.
There was another bang. Thank God the twins weren’t home today. Only God knew how it’d all end. She turned around, sighted her bed, four steps ahead. Without thinking, she jumped. As her legs left the floor, she shut her eyes, spread her arms and let go. She landed with her chin pressing on the springy mattress. She stayed silent, reveling in the thrill of spontaneity, of taking a leap without knowing where to land, but landing somewhere safe at the end. She opened her eyes and turned till her eyes landed on the ceiling. If only the trials of her life could be this straightforward. She didn’t mind the trials, she just wished she had more control of what was happening, so it won't affect her so.
With another sigh, she sat up. And at that moment, the door swung open, her mother stood, face unreadable. Meena stared at her. What was she thinkng. “Ummi?” She called out. Her mother didn’t move. She climbed off the bed, frowning. Was she okay? She slowly went towards her. “Ummi?”
“Don’t let him fool you.” She said. Meena paused and blinked. When did her mouth move? Her mother released a breath. “Let’s go and prepare something for our guest.”
They worked silently, going back and forth with stilted breaths, only flaps, clinks and pats made up for the silence while the scent of spiced boiled meat struggled with the tension in the air. When they heard the car horn, they froze, exchanging unsure looks. Meena swallowed and turned to the eba she was molding with a wooden stick, while her mother washed the ewedu leaves in the sink.
“Ah, this is what happens when two of the world’s greatest chefs come together.” AbdulHameed said behind them.
Meena smiled widely, then felt his hands on her shoulders, “Barak Allah habibty.” He whispered as she nodded. Without turning, she knew he was with her mother, trying to soothe her. And with the silence following his voice, she knew her mother had ignored him.
“Toh, let me go and keep our guest company then.”
How was he so calm? There was a clatter in the sink. Meena turned around in alarm. She rushed to her mother whose hands were gripping the edge of the sink. That was when her eyes spotted the blood lining the edge of the knife. “Ummi!” She tried grabbing her hand, but her mother moved away towards the door. She stopped, and without turning around, she said, “Don’t let him fool you. Remember what you went through.” Without waiting for a reply, she left.
Meena took a deep breath.
Don’t let him fool you.
She brought out a drink, placed it on a tray, grabbed a cup and made her way into the living room.
Don’t look.
After keeping the tray on the table, she headed towards her room.
“Amina,” Her father called. She closed her eyes. “Won’t you greet him?” Turning around, she saw his head bowed, his black curls shining like the black kaftan he was wearing. He looked good. It was hard not to admit.
“It’s okay, we already greeted on the phone.” He said with a smile.
She frowned. Why was he lying? “Welcome.” She said.
When he looked at her, his smile disappeared, eyes reflecting hurt. “Thank you.”
She hurried into her room, placed a hand over chest to catch her breath. Why was he looking hurt? It was she who was hurt, not him.
Don’t let him fool you.
She stood before the mirror.
Don’t let him fool you.
She nodded firmly, went into the bathroom to freshen up, came out, and picked out a yellow abaya. As she wrapped her veil, she paused. She should look good too. Better than him. Show him that she had been doing well too. So she powdered her face, glossed her lips and perfumed herself. After trying out several smiling poses. She took a deep breath, wore her flat slippers behind the door, and strutted into the living room.
She sat beside her mother on the three seater, with her father to her left and Nur directly across her. She wanted to gauge his every action and reaction. She won't be fooled today.
“So how is your mother?” her mother asked in a calm voice. But she wasn’t surprised. Her mother was good at hiding her feelings in public.
“Alhamdulillah. She sends her greetings.”
Of course she would.
“And your aunt, I tried her number but it’s not reachable.” Her father asked. Meena gaped at him. Since when had he been calling her? Even she had only called once.
“She’s fine now. She’s in India.”
“India, why?” Her mother asked.
Nur clasped his hands. “She went there for surgery. We just got back two days ago.” Meena shared a look of surprise with her parents.
“Ya Allah. We didn’t know she was sick.” Her father said. “What of your mother, how is her health?”
Nur blinked in confusion. “She’s fine.” Meena frowned. Why was he like that?
“So, why are you here exactly?” Her mother asked, face hard, placing one leg atop the other. “To apologize I presume?”
Nur parted his lips, then closed them. “Actually, I came to confront you.”
Meena gaped at him. “Confront us, for what?” Her voice was steady. Good.
“For making the decision that you made.” He said, eyes on her for the first time. He brought out his phone. Meena noticed that it was a new brand Infinix. “I know things are rocky with my mum, but you didn’t have to jump to conclusions.” He shook his head.
“Wait wait, what are you saying? What decision? What conclusion? Was it not you that sent her a text to end your relationship?!” Her mother’s voice was loud, anger surfacing. Good.
“Umm Am-” Her father began, but she held up a hand to stop him.
“End our relationship?” Nur turned to Meena, brows furrowed. “I don’t understand.”
“Okay, let's all calm down.” Her father said. Turning to Nur, he asked. “Nur, do you recall the text you sent?”
Nur’s mouth fell open. “What? What text?”
“Answer the question. Yes or no.” Her mother snapped.
Meena watched his face go from shock to confusion. It looked real. It couldn’t be real.
His eyes found hers. “I never sent a text. In fact,” he picked his phone, “it was you who sent me a text.”
Meena froze. No.
“Liar!” her mother got to her feet. “Do we look stupid to you, ehn?”
Her father stood and held his wife’s shoulder, “Eni suru now.”
Meena could only stare at Nur, and he at her, her heart banged against her ribcage. Who was fooling who? “I didn’t send you a text.” She breathed out, took out her phone and handed it to him.
“Me neither.” He said and gave her his phone. Meena looked down at it, hands sweaty. What could she have written? She released a strained breath. “Abu.” She stretched her hand towards him. “Please read it.”
Her father gazed at her. “Are you sure?”
She nodded, then felt her mother’s arms around her. She closed her eyes, envisioning herself jumping towards the bed. Free. In control.
Few minutes later, Nur called out, “Innalillahi…” At the same time, her father muttered, “This is serious.”
Both women shared confused looks among the men. What was it?
“Hmmm.”
Meena turned to her father. “Abu?”
He looked at her, eyes dim. Then at Nur, who reciprocated. “There is a big problem here.” He said.
“Kilon shele? Whatever it is, you know Meena would never do such a thing.”
“And you know I would never abandon you.” Nur said. “At least, I believed you knew.” Meena bit lower lip. She knew, just not better. She should have called him then. But wait…
“Abu, what did the text say?”
He gave her the phone, but she shook her head, “Just tell me.” She doubt she’d be able to handle whatever it was.
“Give me the phone.” Her mother collected it and read.
“My mum doesn’t have cancer.” Nur said, sharing a look between Meena and her father.
“So when did you receive the text?” She asked.
“The last day of our deal.”
She chuckled. Was this for real?
“Same with me.” They shared a look, sad and longing.
“Hausa people say Ikon Allah.” Meena turned to her mother, who glanced at her. “Apparently, I was the reason for your breakup.” She said, her lips tugged up.
“But I tried not to believe it.” Nur said as they turned to him. Meena wasn’t sure what to say.
Don’t let him fool you.
“The only truth in your text was that my mum had asked me to come back for her final reply. But when I got there, she wasn’t home. That was when the gateman informed me that aunt Intisar had come and they were arguing. The next thing he heard was my Mum’s scream that Aunt Intisar had collapsed.
“On my way into the hospital, i didn’t realize that my phone had fallen from my pocket, till I wanted to leave. I searched and searched but I couldn’t find it. And because of the insanity going on, I didn’t have time to go and retrieve my number. When I finally did, that was when I saw your text.” His eyes rested on Meena, but she looked away. What did that mean now?
“So does that mean someone else sent both texts to you two?” Her mother asked.
“Of course, someone must have planned it.” Her father said.
Meena pursed her lips. Who was fooling them?
“But that is ridiculous na.” her mother laughed.
“Ummu Amina, you know it's not.”
She scoffed.
“I had wanted to call since then, but I was afraid of finding something I wont be able to handle.”
Meena smiled. She could relate.
“But it only made me restless. To get a clear head, I accompanied aunt Intisar. She advised me to put it in prayer, and also made me promise to call you once I arrived. So I obeyed her on both counts and…” He spread his arms, “here we are.”
“What of your mother?” Meena asked.
“Aunt Intisar begged her to let me do the right thing. But I believe she gave in out of guilt. So she gave her support. I just hope I’m not too late.” He smiled.
Meena glanced at her mother, who shook her head.
Don’t let him fool you.
“So what if your aunt didn’t fall sick, would your mother have agreed?” Meena watched his reply.
He sighed and shrugged. “I really don’t know, but I wouldn’t have given up anyway.”
Meena shut her eyes. How could she have been so stupid?
A knock sounded on the door, making everyone look up. As her father went to answer, her mother leaned towards Nur, “Wo, you can fool everyone here, but not me. I don’t care whether you love my daughter or not, but if your mother is not willing to accept her, better stop wasting your time.”
Nur gaped at her, then shook his head. “I promise. My mother-”
“I know how these things end. I’ve witnessed it before.” She wagged her finger. “So don’t play smart with me.”
Meena watched their exchange. She wasn’t sure what to say or do anymore. Was Nur telling the truth? Even if he was, it was too late. She had moved on, not to Badr, but at least, away from Nur.
She noticed her father returning to his seat, eyes trained on her. “You have a visitor.”
Meena blinked in surprise. A visitor, who? Then her eyes widened.
Let it not be him o.
She rose from her seat. “I’m coming.” She said to Nur. As she walked past her father, she noticed the grave look on his face. Her heart sank, for she knew who it was. Afterall, her father never really liked him. But as a good parent, he wanted to be happy for her.
When she stepped outside, there he was, in a white kaftan, gleaming under the sun. As she went closer, she wondered what God intended to teach her in this trial. Was it how to love or how to lose? If it was, who will she love, and who will she lose?
•••
Assalamu alaikum, all
Hope y'all are doing well.
And how are you preparing for this Ramadan? May Allah enable us to benefit from the khair of this holy month, (ameen).
So...
My surprise is...
At the end of the story.
Get it? 😂😂😂
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