As another laughter threatened to escape past Meena’s lips, she held it back by placing a hand over her mouth, then turned from her lying position to glance at her bedroom door. Satisfied that no one had come to check if she was running mad. She placed the phone back on her ear,
“Stop jor.” 

Badr responded with a laughter that sounded like a motorcycle struggling to start, “Stop what, what did I say now?”

Plopping on her pillow, she replied, “You know what you said, and you know gossiping is not good.

“Ah, how is this gossip na? Oti o.”

She chuckled. “Okay.” She waited for him to speak, when he didn’t, she checked her phone, still running. “Hello?”

“Hi.” 

She rolled her eyes. “Why are you now quiet?”

I was giving you space to catch your breath, you’ve been laughing too much and you know too much laughter kills.”

“Says who?” She sputtered, smiling widely. 

“Me o, I know a friend that-”

“Ehn ehn, I don’t want o, don’t start that your gossip again.”

“Ah, I don’t understand o. Somebody cannot tell story again.”

“Which kain, you that will finish talking about someone, the next thing you’ll say is, ‘the person is even here sef.”

“Ehen, It’s true na.”

She hissed. “Gossip.”

“Oh, na you sabi o.” 

He kept quiet again, while she waited. “What is it again?”

“I was just thinking,”

“Of?”

“If you’d like to go on a fridate with me?”

Her brows furrowed, “Did I hear you correctly?”

“Only if you don’t have ear problem.”

She smiled despite herself. “You said fridate?”

“Yes, as in a date on a friday.”

She sat up and wrapped an arm around her torso. The sun sent slants of rays across her face. “So you’re asking me on a date?”

He sighed, making her smile. “Or you know what? forget it.”

She burst into laughter, but inside, she was wondering whether to say yes. This would be the second date. “Forget what? Chill jor. I want to think.”

“Of the date or saying yes?”

“Both.” She shrugged. 

“Okay o, when you’re done, let me know. I have to go now. Unlike some people, I don’t take breaks on Friday.”

“Jealousy.”

“For what, las las i will make more money than you.”

“Yes!” She said, surprising herself.

“Um, yes for…”

“The date, it’s a yes.” 

There was silence. “Oh. Oh wow. That’s Masha Allah. Umm,” there was a loud thud. “That’s awesome. Let me um, call you later then.”

“Okay but-”

“Bissalam.” He said quickly and ended the call.

Meena stared at her phone for a while. Did she scare him away? She smiled and fell back on the bed, closing her eyes and spreading her arms wide. She had a feeling about the day, a good feeling. But what of… She halted her thoughts and opened her eyes. No, she deserved this. After everything, she deserved this. As she turned to bury her face in her pillow, her phone vibrated beside her. She turned to it, smiling. Mr. shy shy was back. But then the vibration cut off. A flash? She thought. Weird. 

She sat up, phone in hand, tapped the screen twice, it came alive. Kauthar. She frowned. Why would she-.

Another call came in, a flash. Meena gasped loudly and quickly climbed off the bed.

Flashing was a way of calling for help. Once, a problem. Twice, an emergency. What could be wrong? She wondered as she hurried into the bathroom. Good feeling could wait. Her friend needed her.

Meanwhile, in her parent’s bedroom, Fadilah hummed loudly as she folded some recently washed clothes on their bed. She even swayed as she moved from the bed to the wardrobe to arrange the clothes. She also had a good feeling about the day. 

And why wouldn’t she? When the ring of her daughter’s laughter echoed through their walls, lightening her heart. It had been a while since she heard Meena laugh so. And she felt proud of her contribution to it. Badr was indeed the perfect man.

“Hmmm.” AbdulHameed sighed behind her, pausing her tune. She turned towards him, sitting on the bed, feet apart, glasses on, head bent over his phone. 

“Shewa okay?”

He faced her, “Yes , it’s just this Miss Intisar’s number that’s still not reachable. It's as if she disappeared from the face of the earth.”

She stopped her folding, arms akimbo. “Kini?” She asked. “I don’t understand, which Intisar? Omo Igbo’s aunt?”

Abdul Hameed sighed again, “Is there a problem?”

Fadilah gaped. “You’re calling those traitors and you’re asking if there is a problem?”

“Calm down Ummu Amina.” He took off his glasses. “I was just calling to check up on them. You know, Muslim to Muslim correlation.”

“Oh,” She sneered. “Correlating abi. You want to spoil the joy that has been flaunting itself in our home abi, okay.” She clapped. “No problem.” She made her way to the bathroom. 

“You’re misunderstanding me. I don’t mean any harm. I’ve been having an odd feeling about all this, like something is not right somewhere.”

Fadilah sat on the toilet seat. If there was anything wrong anywhere, it would be from Doctor Najma’s side, for as long Fadilah was concerned, she had played her part well. She sighed and placed her chin in her palm. Since her elder sister’s departure, she had vowed that she would never let the family come apart again. And since this concerned her own daughter, she’d do whatever it took to keep her word. Nobody would be disowned again; History would not repeat itself.

…
Once the keke parked at Kauthar’s residence, Meena stepped out, paid and rushed to the gate.

Luckily for her, it was open, and so was the front door. Peeking into the quiet living room, she called out, “Assalamu alaikum.” She closed the door quietly, about to sit down, when she heard a sniff. 

“Ya Allah!” She cried out. 

Kauthar raised her head, face bloated, eyes dim. She dropped her legs on the rug. ‘Hey, when did you arrive?”

“I swear I didn’t know that was you. I thought it was a bunch clothes wrapped in a black sack.”

Kauthar smiled. Meena sat beside her. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s happening.” Kauthar whispered, eyes on the TV. 

Meena’s heart thumped in fear. “What is happening? Is it Barakah?” She placed a hand across Kauthar’s forehead: cold.

“My punishment,” Kauthar said, turned to her. “for what I did to Salsabil.”

Meena felt all the air leaving her. She stared at her friend, not sure whether to slap her or hug her. “What is supposed to mean na? Why would you even-”

“Hoor fell down the stairs this morning.”

Meena gasped, “Oh my God, when?” She glanced the staircase behind them. “Is she okay, where is she?”

“Hospital.”

She sighed in relief. “So is that why you’re talking like this? It’s just an accident.”

Kauthar shook her head, “Barakah has been found.”

Meena gaped at her in confusion. “Kauthar! She cried. ‘I don’t get it, aren’t you supposed to be happy?” What was wrong with this friend of hers?

“Hidaya has a hand in the kidnapping.” Kauthar looked her in the eyes as she said it.

Meena sighed, deflated. “It’s not your fault.” She said quietly. “These things happen. It’s just a tr-”

“What, trial?” Kauthar shot her disbelieving look, bushy brows furrowed.

“We’re Muslims, Kauthar.’ Meena took her hand, which was surprisingly warm, and trembling.

“Remember what Allah said in Surah Ankabut: Do you think you'll not be tested? And you know why we're here in the first place, not just to earn a place in Jannah, but to also show that we deserve it. So please my dear friend," She wrapped an arm around Kauthar, "stop these toxic thoughts cos they're stopping you from doing the main thing you should be doing. 

" Which is?" Kauthar lifted her shoulders. 

"Pray." Meena said, releasing a small smile. 

"But what if He doesn't listen?" She asked, blinking back tears. 

"Haba Kauthar, who told you so? Remember He is the most Merciful. In fact, look at your life,
He took Salsabil, but gave you not only Barakah, but also Hoor, and weren't you the one who
told me that you lost two babies at a time you were going astray? But despite it all, He gave you more than you lost. Remember, you said this too."

Kauthar looked down, nodded slowly. She sniffed. "I just, I don't know."

" It's okay." Meena nodded, pulling her closer. "You'll be okay, in sha Allah."

Kauthar nodded and sighed, then turned to her friend." Thank you." She breathed out. 

Meena folded her lips and nodded, tears gathered at her lower lid. "So tell me where they found Barakah, and how did you know it was Hidaya?

Kauthar told her. Minutes later, Meena sighed," Wow, the nerve of her."

Kauthar shrugged. "At least they are on their way."

"Abi, thank God. We should pray for them o."

"Yes." She checked her phone for the time. "I should be at the hospital by now." She stood. 

"Yes o, let's go." Meena rose from her seat, just as Kauthar's phone began to ring. 

She picked it, "hello?"

Meena sat back, watching Kauthar's face, hoping for good news. 

" You did?" Kauthar's eyes widen. Meena stood, palms open in anticipation. 

They found her. Kauthar mouthed. Meena cupped her mouth and clapped silently. Alhamdulillah.

"What, an accident?!" 

Meena paused her dance, eyes bulging out. What now? 

“Is Barakah okay?” Kauthar asked, then sighed.

"What's her name?" Kauthar asked calmly. 

Meena sensed anger in her tone with the way she was breathing heavily. 

"Ismail. Ismail!" Meena sprang back in fear. 

Kauthar dropped the phone and slumped on the sofa. Meena joined her, "What happened?" 

"They caught the lady, but he won't tell me who she is."

Meena frowned, "Does that mean he knows her? 

Kauthar nodded. She stood again." I have to be there. They're on their way to the Navy Hospital in Mobil Road." She said, determined. She turned towards the stairs, then paused and turned to Meena. "Hoor." 

"Oh right, the hospital. Don't worry, I gat you." Meena said, also on her feet. 

Kauthar smiled and mouthed. Thank you. 

Once she left, Meena sighed and rested her palms on her knees, as though she had run a marathon. What a day.

Her phone vibrated in her purse. She blew out air and opened her purse. Mr. shy-shy perhaps? She smiled. But on seeing the contact name, she froze.

No. It couldn't be. Her breath came out in rapid puffs. So loud in her ears that she didn't hear
Kauthar coming down, or when she asked "what's wrong?" 

Meena sat back on the sofa, weak, do did her phone, next to her feet.

"What is it na? you're scaring me." Kauthar sat beside her. 

Meena blew out air, thrice, steady. Then she said, "He's back." 

 
...
Who's back?

Can you guess?

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