BEFORE THIRTY Episode 15

 BEFORE THIRTY

Episode 15:

I connect my phone to charger as my phone’s battery is dead. Receiving my phone from my sister earlier, it stopped ringing. At the second rang, my phone ran out of battery and switched off. 

I continue with mum’s hair when my sister asked who Fawzaan is for the second time.

“Why do you want to know?” I shot her a stern glare while she hugs me from behind.

“Big sis, I am not trying to be nosy because I know how much you detest that. I was only trying to confirm if he’s the one stalking you on Facebook.”

“He’s not the one.” I snap.

Maami didn’t ask anything further. Though against her wish as her expression says she wants to know more. But it is obvious I am not in mood to spill anything. That’s one thing about me. Or should I say it’s a flaw that is part of me? No matter how much you cringe me, if I’m not willing to divulge anything you won’t hear a word except I wish to.

When I finish making her hair, she alongside her daughter head inside her shop. I go to my phone to check the percentage of the battery but it isn’t full yet. I am about to switch on the television, when my phone daze me with it’s ringing tone.

 The caller is unknown.

“Assalam Alaykum WaramatuLlah Wabarakatuhu, sis. How have you been?” her voice echoes in my ear.

“Waalaykum Salam WaramatuLlah Wabarakaatuhu. I am fine but please, who am I speaking with?”

“Don’t tell me you’ve deleted my phone digits. This is Umm Mafauzah, your friend’s co-wife.”  she replies from the other end. My mind suddenly spins around till it comes to a standstill. Zulaykhah’s co-wife? Immediately after the scene that transpired between me and Zulaykhah, I deleted her contact, that of her co-wife and their husband from my phone. I just want to stay clear of whatever goes on in their family. I recall dialling her phone number, it rang severally but not picked and neither was the call returned. Why did she call now? 

“Are you still there sis?” her voice vibrates again, pulling me out of my thoughts.

“Yes I am, ma.”

“You must have been wondering why I didn’t pick your calls. Honestly, I saved your contact but I lost my uncle last week. So, I couldn’t go to my kids school to bring them because I had to rush down there. He is my last surviving maternal uncle and like my big brother. I didn’t even realize I left my phone at home until I got there but any way, it’s for the best because I won’t even have time to access it as I was occupied with consoling his wife and kids. I returned yesterday to find heaps of missed calls on my phone. When my eyes caught yours too, my mind traveled to the promise I made to you. I am really sorry, sis. So, I’m urging you my contact.”

I am speechless, heaving a sigh of relief.

“I’m sorry for your loss, ma. To say the truth, I’d concluded you have changed your mind because we don’t always have control over our heart. I pray Allah forgive the dead, grant him jannah and give succor to the bereaved.”

“Ameen, sis. Thank you. Hence, I will be going to bring the kids home on Friday, in sha Allah. I want you to be there too or won’t you be glad, seeing the wonderful expression on your friend’s face?” 

“Sure, I will. May Allah make it the beginning of peace, love and harmony in your family, in sha Allah..  Actually, I would be glad to be there but I am in Lagos presently. I am here to spend my leave with my family and it will take time before I return..”

“Awnn... And I would have love to see you there. But anyways, I will make a short video clip and forward it to you.”

“That’s awesome to hear. Kindly say tesleem to my little friend, Mahfuzah and grandma.”

“Your friend will hear but grandma has returned to her husband’s house. She only came here to spend some time with us. JazakiLlahu kayran sis.”

“Aameen wa anti, ma’am,” I respond as the conversation ends. 

Reconnecting my phone to charger, it rings again. 

It is from Fawzaan. I find myself smiling.

“Assalam Alaykum WaramatuLlah,” I greet him on the phone.

“AlhamduliLlah. You scared me to bones. Why didn’t you pick my calls earlier? And then, it suddenly went off? I hope you are fine over there?”

“At least, reply to my tesleem. I am fine. I was about to pick it when it ran out of battery.”

“Erm. I am sorry. Waalaykum Salam waramatuLlah wabarakatuhu. I missed you so much. I- I mean, everyone here missed you. How is mum doing? And everyone over there?”

“AlhamduliLlah, we are all fine.”

“Ahh, Fareedah.”

“Yes.”

Then he goes silent on the phone.

“Are you still there?” I ask him. 

“Oh! Yes. I- I actually have a lot to tell you. You didn’t even ask me about our pegged discussion.”

“Pegged discussion? Which one was that?”

“The advice you gave me about going into chicken and chips business whenever I am off work.”

“I’m sorry. I have almost forgotten.”

Some weeks back, we were in a middle of discussion when the idea struck. Initially, he was skeptical about it but I encouraged him to do so as it would add more to his income and I have the faith he would succeed because he is an hardworking person.  At the long run, he gave the nod and promised to follow suit.

“So, what about it?”

“I have liaised with the owner of the restaurant I told you about and we’ve reached an agreement. Yesterday, I got an outdoor grill. Thanks for believing in me.

“It’s nothing. So, when are you starting? You shouldn’t sleep on it anymore. Take action, okay?”

“Yes, ma. Your order, my wish,” he laughs. Then, he continues,“ I will start whenever you are back.    

 

“No, start now. After all, you have mastered the ropes of sourcing for the recipes from your mum. You don’t need to wait for me....  May Allah make it easy.”

“As you say, ma. So, this means you should return soon. Everyone here missed you. In sha Allah, I will call you later. Kindly ensure your phone is fully charged. I can’t handle a heartbreak.”

“Alright, sir,” I tease and burst into laughter while the conversation ends.

I rise on my feet to return my phone to charger when I see my mum. I was lost in the realms of my conversation with Fawzaan and didn’t realize when my mother comes in. I want to say something but my throat goes dry. For how long has she been there?

“M-maami, I.  I want to connect my phone. Ermm. .. When did you come inside?”

“I guess you were amused with the discussion. You were in the middle of laughter when I came in and you didn’t even notice. My assumptions were right. Don’t tell me he’s the one you just met,” she pats my shoulder.

“Ah, Maami. Yes. You are right. He’s not the one. I just spoke with Fawzaan.”

“Uhmn. The one your sister was asking about. Perhaps you don’t need to meet the one you met online. Why are you not considering him?”

“What? Who? Fawzaan? No, no, no. Maami, he’s just a colleague who needs motivation for his hardworking and selflessness. He has once helped me out with a project at my work. More reason why I deem it fit to be helpful in return. He truly deserves it.”

“Fawzaan, why do I feel his name rings a bell? Fareedah and Fawzaan. And what if he sees you differently? My mind is telling me there’s more to what you can see or probably you are the one turning blind eyes to it.”

“Maami, you don’t know him more than me. Fawzaan is like my younger brother. I relate with him same way I will do to my brothers. How can I marry someone younger than me? It doesn’t speak well. He is 28 while I am 29. Haha..  I will prefer not to stretch this further.”

“How did you know you are older than him?” she asks with utmost seriousness. Why is mum making what doesn’t exist from this? She has never been so pressing like this. How come? The Fawzaan she has never seen before?”

“Maami, I found out about his age the day he was interviewed. I was among the interviewers. Do you get it now? He works as a cleaner while I am the chief accounting office to the company. That can only happen in a dream,” I gasp faintly.

“Would you have considered him if he isn’t a cleaner?”

“Maami, for Allah’s sake, stop this. This man hasn’t even proposed yet. And if he does, I will turn him down. I’m sure he doesn’t have such mind towards me. He’s like my younger brother didn’t you see mum? I want a man older than me not the other way round. Maami, let’s stop talking about this for Allah’s sake. I am pleading ma as I’m trying my best not to raise my voice over yours.”

“Alright then. If you say so. But I know what....” she stops midway, pressing her lips against each other.

She has never put pressure on me in finding a husband as long as I can remember but the reason why she was persistent about Fawzaan remains unknown. I squat on the floor, hugging my knees as I reminisce through how we met, the process of interviewing him, our conversations and the rest but I can’t feel anything. The chemistry isn’t there at all. No, maami can’t be right about this. I shrug the thoughts away. 

After asr prayers, I walk to my closet to get the hijab I will be wearing to the public lecture my sister informed me about. It was organized by the madrasah she attends.

I swiftly dress up and head out, calling out for her. In a jiffy, she shows up and we leave. We stop at mum’s shop to notify before dashing out.

The guest speaker is one of the awesome scholars of our time. The topic couldn’t have been given to any better person. Almost everyone is breathtaking as he delivers the lecture.

The topic is about finding the right spouse and the steps to be taken before and after. 

After giving praises and adorations to Allah, he showers Allah’s blessings on the noblest of mankind, his households, companions and the generality of the Muslims ummah until the day of reckoning.

He commences the lecture by reciting from the Qur’an where Allah mentioned:

“And among His Signs is this, that He created for you mates from among yourselves, that ye may dwell in tranquillity with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts): verily in that are Signs for those who reflect.”(Surat Ar-rum vrs 21).

He defines Marriage as a spiritual bond which should be contracted solely to please Allah. He furthers, adding that our primary objective in life is to worship Allah alone of which other worldly aspirations queued under secondary objectives. 

He mentions where nabiyy Muhammad sallalahu alayhi wasllam says: A woman is married for four things, i.e., her wealth, her family status, her beauty, and her religion. So you should marry the religious woman; (otherwise) you will be a loser” [Al-Bukhari]. He explained in details what the hadith entails and concluded that a man or woman should go for the one who is religiously conscious. However, one should also consider character while searching as the prophet enjoined on us to choose a well behave spouse who possess good traits and spirit of uprightness; just as it is beautifully mentioned in this hadith:

"Choose carefully for your seed. Marry those who are equivalent (or “qualified”) and give to them in marriage”  [Ibn Majah]. Good character and behavior are part of ingredients of a successful marriage.

 More so, marrying a righteous spouse brings tranquility and peace of mind. He made reference to the chapter of the Qur’an where Allah says: ‘Bad women are for bad men and bad men are for bad women. And good women are for good men and good men are for good women.( Suratu an- Nur 26 vrs 24-26).

Nonetheless, after proposal and acceptance, istikhaara and Istishaara shouldn’t be overlooked. He stresses the importance of these two while we all take notes down. To top it all when finding a good spouse one should be steadfast, prayerful, be vigilante and open minded. Then, he enjoined us to always recite these dua’a from time to time:

“Our Lord, Grant us from our spouses and our offspring the comfort to our eyes and make us leaders for the righteous.” (Suratu Furqan vrs 74).

“My Lord! Truly, I am in need of whatever good that You bestow on me!” - (Quran 28:24). 

Immediately after the lecture which came with lots of supplications to round up, question and answer segment follow suit. 

I swiftly pen down the questions throbbing my mind. I asked if it’s permissible to approach a woman for marriage online and what ways to know if the person is genuine. 

Of course, I got answers to my question that there’s absolutely nothing wrong in doing so. He points out that some marriage process kick off from social media and are thriving successfully. He added that such person should be investigated online and offline. Above all, meeting the person should be done in a public place. I feel satisfied hearing that. This means I am not doing anything wrong in meeting Luqman. 

Getting home, I see his message asking about my conclusion while I give him a positive reply. He gives a hearty thank as we decide to meet.

It’s a Friday afternoon after jumat prayers. We are about to leave when mum prays effortlessly. She reminds us to pick her call as she will be doing so at intervals to know how things are going.

 The restaurant isn’t difficult to locate since it isn’t far from home. Though, I haven’t been there before. The moment we enter, the sight of a man catches my attention. He buries his head in his phone; more like browsing on it. Then, he raises his head up revealing his beautiful face. He is so handsome to a fault with his lengthy beards that blows my mind away. He looks so clean with his caramel complexion. 

“Could he be the one?” I whisper to my sister.

“Message him to know we are here,” she replies.

I lean on my bag to bring out my phone when I hear his footsteps. I look up to see him approaching us with delicious smiles that makes me freeze.

 

“Assalam Alaykum WaramatuLlah Wabarakatuhu, sis Fareedah. Right?” his dauntless voice almost made me freak out. 

He is the one! My heart dance in joy.