A Story by LATEEFAH ADEWUNMI JUMAH – LAJFINGERS
EPISODE EIGHT
Kareemah dragged Yusrah forward swiftly with a giggle. She shuttled her gaze between Yusrah and Khalid before speaking.
“I’ll leave both of you to talk in private.” Kareemah said while Yusrah shook her head.
“There’s nothing to talk about in private.” Yusrah replied with a long face while Khalid smiled before speaking.
“Kareemah thank you for reading my innermost thoughts. There’s a lot to talk about in private.” Khalid replied while Yusrah gave him a stern stare.
“With who?” Yusrah asked.
“With you, of course.” Khalid replied while Kareemah was already leaving.
Yusrah shook her head for the second time and quickly followed her friend before Khalid’s voice halted her.
“Please, Yusrah, give me some minutes of your time.” Khalid pleaded while Kareemah spoke to Yusrah in a whisper.
“What’s the pretence about? You’ve been dying to see him, isn’t it? Now that he’s here, you are fronting. You better go and talk to him. If you mumble his name in your sleep again, I’ll tell all the girls in our hostel that the name does not belong to your brother but a crush…….” Kareemah was saying when Yusrah quickly covered her mouth and turned to Khalid.
“You have just 10minutes……” Yusrah was talking when Kareemah interrupted her.
“Please don’t mind her. You can take your time.” Kareemah replied while winking at Yusrah before running along.
Yusrah was now standing face to face with Khalid. Her heart was thumping heavily. She wished she had a clue of what he wanted to discuss with her. She was still lost in thought when Khalid’s voice jolted her.
“Let’s talk in the car.” Khalid said while Yusrah obeyed.
He entered the driver’s seat while she sat at the back.
There was a short silence before Khalid’s voice rented the quiet air.
“How’s your health now?”
“I’m better. Alhamdulillah.”
“Good to hear that. Alhamdulillah…… And your parents, did they get home safely?” Khalid asked again.
“Obviously!” Yusrah replied.
“What do you mean, obviously?”
“They got home safely. That’s what ‘obviously means.”
“I see.” Khalid replied and coughed out a little before speaking again.
“Your dad asked what your family did to my family that day at the hospital. You don’t know how scared I was. I hope he hasn’t discovered my identity. I hope he didn’t create a scene after I left?” Khalid bombarded her with questions.
“My instinct tells me he knew who you were. He probably kept quiet because of my health. Or maybe he doesn’t hold a grudge against your family again.”
“That’ll be a great relief. I need him to forget everything that happened in the past because I’m dying to plug a flower in his yard.”
“You made a huge mistake. We don’t have a garden of flowers in my house.” Yusrah replied cluelessly while Khalid giggled.
“How did you get a first class with this clueless brain?” He teased and she got angry.
“What do you mean by that? Do you mean I had my first class by crook?” She protested.
“Another cluelessness! Okay, let me bail you out. What I mean by plugging a flower in your dad’s garden is to seek your hand in marriage.” Khalid clarified while Yusrah was stupefied.
She burst into laughter and laughed for a while before she could control herself. Khalid kept his cool and just watched keenly till she stopped laughing.
“Now tell me what’s funny?” Khalid asked.
“It’s not only funny but ridiculous. How can you go to my father’s compound to plug a flower or whatever you call it? Do you want to die?”
“He can’t kill me. That I’m very sure of. And that’s the truth.”
“No, the truth is that you should snap out of your dream. That’s the only reality. What makes you think I’m the one for you? Out of all the women that abound, it is the daughter of your family’s enemy that appeals to you, right?”
“Stop mentioning enemy wherever I am. I don’t like that word. I think I told you I’m not one to inherit other people’s enemies. And yes, it is only Yusrah Giwa that appeals to my heart. I’ve been seeing women before you but there’s this sacred connection I felt when I met you. You heard me when I told your friend that I traveled. Yes, I travelled out of town. To a quiet place to reflect, ruminate and ensure I wasn’t lusting over you. And I realized my feelings were positive. You’re not the only woman I’ve met in my life, but you’re the only woman I just want to be with, that’s a conclusion I made after seeking Allah’s guidance.”
“Eeya! You’ve even sought Allah’s guidance!” Yusrah replied with obvious sarcasm but Khalid replied to her anyway.
“Yes, I did. And my feelings afterwards were positive.”
“Stop deceiving yourself young man. You and I can’t be together. I’ve also had my share of fantasy but I’ve woken up when reality stared me in the face.”
“You had your own share of fantasy? Did you dream about me?” Khalid asked with a lit face.
“You’re funny. Why should I dream about you? It is you who should wake up from your sweet dream before it becomes a bitter one.” Yusrah said while Khalid smiled wryly.
“What do you now mean when you say you had your own share of fantasy?”
“I am not answerable to you.” Yusrah replied indifferently.
“Mtchewww! Women are really unpredictable.” Khalid expressed.
“Now you know. Stop building a tall hope.”
“I knew this long ago because I have three beautiful sisters. This is exactly how they play hard to get.”
“Women don’t play hard to get. They simply don’t like what they hate. They simply won’t accept what they despise.”
“Wawuuuuu! Do you despise me?”
“Are you through? I want to take my leave.”
“On a serious note, I’m not through because I’ve not conveyed my message. I didn’t come here to play. I came because I like Yusrah Giwa.”
“And you expect me to jump up happily because you like me?”
“You can’t frustrate me with this nonchalant attitude. Please give me your attention and I’ll be through within minutes.”
“I already gave you 10minutes and it’s over already.”
“I beg you in the name of God. Please!!!!!!!”
“Alright, go ahead!”
“Thank you. I’d like to ask you some questions. And I’ll love a straight yes or no answer without beating about the bush.”
“If they’re questions I can answer. Why not?”
“Good! Do you subscribe to the age long feud between our families?”
“No.”
“Do you want the age long feud to end?”
“Yes. But…..”
“No but. I urged you to give me a straight yes or no answer without beating about the bush.”
“Alright, continue.”
“Have I ever wronged you?”
“No.”
“Do you consider me an enemy?”
“No.”
“Do you like me?”
“Yes.” Yusrah blurted without thinking. When she realized that she’d played into his hands, she quickly tried to change the answer.
“That last question is no. I wanted to say no.” Yusrah quickly denied.
“You gave the answer from your heart. That yes came from the deepest part of your heart without compulsion. Which means your answer is correct. Don’t try to change it because I know exactly how you feel.”
“Look here young man, are you trying to blackmail me emotionally?”
“No, I’m just trying to tell you to be sincere and not lie to yourself. Don’t worry, the feeling is mutual. From that very day that I discovered your identity, I wanted nothing but to have you. For so many reasons. The first reason is that I’m attracted to you. It was a beautiful connection at first sight. I’ve seen women but the aura that oozes out from you is undeniably captivating. The second reason was borne out of the danger Allah used me to save you from the very day we met. I want to protect you henceforth and save you from danger. I want to be the one to wipe your tears. I want to give you a shoulder to lean on. The third reason is because of our families’ agelong feud. I want us to end it. The only way is to get married. I know the journey will be long and tough. I know the journey will be blurred and full of trials but I need you to be strong so we can overcome it together. This is the only thing we can do to end the discord that has ripped our families apart for 45 years. Yusrah please!!!!!!” Khalid pleaded.
“No, I can’t marry you Khalid. I can’t, I just can’t. I can’t imagine the fire in my dad’s eyes. I can’t imagine the bitterness in his eyes. I can’t imagine the tears in my mom’s eyes. I can’t imagine the disappointment in my brothers’ eyes. I don’t want to be a child who disobeys her parents. I don’t want to be disowned. I don’t want to bring shame upon my family. Even the Quran says we shouldn’t disobey our parents. The only time we can disobey them is when they tell us to commit shirk. Telling me not to marry you or any of the Bliss isn’t shirk so why should I disobey them? No Khalid, let’s end this before it starts. I can’t deny that I have feelings for you, but I can’t put a lot of things at stake just to be with you. I am responsible for my own feelings. And I know how best to control my heart. You’re a memory I wish to erase forever……..”
“On the contrary, you’re a memory I wish to hold and cherish for life.” Khalid interrupted.
“You’ll grow over me. That I’m sure of. Don’t let us do this. It’s very dangerous?”
“We haven’t even started anything. We know it’s dangerous but shouldn’t we try before quitting. You can’t quit before trying.”
“I want to quit before trying. That’s because I don’t want to get hurt. I don’t want you to get hurt as well. After getting to Lagos and leaving the Kano atmosphere, I’m sure I’ll forget about you. How am I even sure it’s not lust I have for you? Please let’s go our separate ways. We can actually reunite our families without using ourselves as scapegoats.” Yusrah objected while shaking her head.
“You still haven’t gotten my points. This is not about getting married to end our families’ discord alone. This is about establishing what is right according to the Quran and hadith. This is about preaching against hate and embracing love. This is about making peace between aggrieved people. It is true that the Quran did say the only time you disobey your parents is when they call you to shirk. But there are some things Allah makes permissible for you that parents would try to deny you for reasons not plausible or genuine enough. You have to fight those rights with wisdom so that it won’t become a tradition. You have to fight for those rights with passion so that it won’t go from generation to generation. Khalid Bliss is not prohibited for Yusrah Giwa to marry and vice-versa. Do not let us deny ourselves what Allah hasn’t denied us. The categories of people a Muslim cannot marry is clearly stated in the Quran. An enemy of your father or family is not included in the list. Killer of your family is not included either which means that Allah is God of love and forgiveness. He despises grudge and hatred……..”
“Who are the people the Quran forbids the muslims from marrying?” Yusrah interrupted while Khalid brought out a pocket Quran from his car and opened it for Yusrah to read.
She collected the Quran and read!
“Do not marry idolatresses unless they believe; a believing woman is better than an idolatress, even if you like her. Nor shall you give your daughters in marriage to idolatrous men, unless they believe. A believing man is better than an idolater, even if you like him. These invite to Hell, while GOD invites to Paradise and forgiveness, as He wills. He clarifies His revelations for the people, that they may take heed.” Al-Baqarah verse 221.
“I’m well aware of this verse. It’s the one that prohibits Muslims from marrying unbelievers, right?” Yusrah asked.
“Yes, and there’s another one.” Khalid replied.
“Let me read the other one.” Yusrah replied.
He collected the Quran from her, opened it to another one and gave it to her to read.
“Prohibited for you (in marriage) are your mothers, your daughters, your sisters, the sisters of your fathers, the sisters of your mothers, the daughters of your brother, the daughters of your sister, your nursing mothers, the girls who nursed from the same woman as you, the mothers of your wives, the daughters of your wives with whom you have consummated the marriage – if the marriage has not been consummated, you may marry the daughter. Also prohibited for you are the women who were married to your genetic sons. Also, you shall not be married to two sisters at the same time – except what has already passed. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful.” An-Nisa verse 23.
“Hmmmmmm.” Yusrah sighed.
“There’s nowhere in the Quran where Allah forbids us from marrying a self imposed, perceived or real enemy. We’re Muslims. We should change the narratives.” Khalid expressed sagely.
“In other words, you’re simply saying that you and I should get married in order to end our agelong family dispute.” Yusrah stated.
“No, I am saying we should get married because we like each other. Love is not a crime. Loving or liking someone is a good thing. By getting married, we’ll use a stone to kill multiple birds biithnillah. We’ll end up putting an end to our families’ discord, establishing the word of Allah and fulfilling our desires amongst others. “
“You’re saying we should use our heads to break the coconut, isn’t it?” Yusrah asked while Khalid chuckled.
“Which one is using head to break coconut again? Anyway, if what you mean is sacrifice, then there’s no better time to sacrifice than now. Let’s agree Allah wants to use us as a tool for peace. Let’s grab this opportunity. Not only for peace but because of ourselves as well. Our meeting was not a mistake. I believe our meeting is divine. You said you like me, didn’t you?”
“Why are you hammering on the same thing since morning? Are you happy that I like you? What is so likeable about you?” Yusrah said with a light hiss while Khalid chuckled again.
“I’m sorry if I annoy you. I just want to be sure my feeling is not unrequited. Now that I know you like me, can I visit your dad?” Khalid asked.
“Do you have a death wish?”
“No, I have a marriage wish.”
“Okay, if it is a marriage wish you have and not a death wish, then you have to be patient. Let me seek Allah’s guidance through istikhaarah. It’s going to be a long and tough journey like you said but once Allah has guided my heart to you then I’m ready to walk the journey, no matter how tough and long it takes. I’ll confront my dad and let him know of my desire.” Yusrah replied with great enthusiasm while Khalid exclaimed Alhamdulillah.
“Alhamdulillah! That’s the positivity I love to see. But please do not confront your dad alone o. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“Thanks for your concern. But you can’t love me better than my parents. My dad cannot hurt me. That I know for sure.”
“That’s good to hear. You don’t know how happy I am right now. I’ll sleep soundly tonight. I’ve not been able to sleep well for the past two weeks. I was so worried how I was going to propose to you. How we’ll overcome our families’ differences. Now the first phase is over. Onto the next level!!!” Khalid said excitedly while a voice echoed behind them.
“Yes, o. Onto the next level!!!” Kareemah said from nowhere while they both turned back.
“How long have you been standing there, Kareemah?” Yusrah asked, surprised.
“When I didn’t see you, I decided to check on you. You took ages. The first phase must be so long and conclusive I guess.” Kareemah stated while winking at Yusrah.
Yusrah hissed lightly and shifted attention from her friend.
Khalid invited Kareemah into the car and into the conversation.
“Kareemah help me thank Allah, o. For the first time in my life, I desire a woman and she’s going to be mine.”
“You’re dreaming again! When did I say yes to you?” Yusrah asked sharply.
“I said she’s going to be mine. I never said she’s mine already. How did you get a first class with this………..” Khalid tried to tease her again but Yusrah did not allow him to finish before getting out of the car angrily and slamming the door.
Khalid’s apology trailed her but she didn’t stop.
“I’m so sorry Yusrah. I was just joking. You deserved your first class. In fact, it was a merit well deserved.” Khalid’s voice was trailing her but she didn’t stop.
He also trailed her with his eyes till she was out of sight. After he couldn’t see her again, he hit his head on the steering wheel and lamented.
“Oh Khalid! Why make such an expensive joke over and over again? I didn’t even collect her number.” Khalid lamented.
“Don’t worry, I’ll give you her number.” Kareemah offered.
“Oh thanks so much Kareemah.” Khalid appreciated her with a grin.
“You’re welcome. I’ll do anything to see the two of you end up together” Kareemah replied with a grin while Khalid screamed happily
“Oh Kareemah, you’re the best friend anyone could ever pray for. Thank you so much for being a wonderful person. Please let me have her number now.” Khalid requested impatiently.
“Right away.” Kareemah replied and called Yusrah’s number for Khalid.
Like I said before starting the story, the story won’t be completed here so here is where I’ll stop.
The story is available in ebook for 1,000 and telegram subscription for 500
You can get it directly from me by p*aying into my a*ccount – 6634566470
Jumah LATEEFAH ADEWUNMI
Moniepoint
Kindly send your proof of pa*y*ment to me on WhatsApp via https://wa.link/efaovu
Please don’t call. Send a message only.
For people in the diaspora, you can buy from selar via: https://selar.co/004201
Thanks for buying and reading.
LATEEFAH ADEWUNMI JUMAH – LAJFINGERS