BEFORE THIRTY Episode 16

 BEFORE THIRTY

Episode 16:

He guides us to his seat after exchanging greetings. His smiles was very infectious such that my heart melts instantly. 

“You didn’t tell me you were coming with your sister,” he chuckles while settling down. 

“Anything wrong with that?” I ask almost immediately.

“Why would I say that when I’m not daft. Actually, the thought came to my mind too but I forgot to bring it up. .. So, what’s our sister’s name?”

“Our sister?” I look towards Rahmah who curves up her corner lips.

“Oh yeah! Whatever is yours wiil be mine too, right?” he states smiling. I give my sister assuring smile to tell him her name to which she does. 

“What a beautiful name. So, what should I order for you both?” 

“We are fine,” I reply.

“Oh, come on; don’t be shy. We can’t just come here for meeting sake without buying anything. Sister Rahmah, don’t mind your shy sister. Let’s go to make orders,” he chuckles with his glittering eyes. He leaves while my sister follows. 

Just then, mum’s call comes in. I assure her everything is fine and will give details when we get back. Few minutes passed, he show up with a tray of ice cream and meat pies. He place it in front of me and return with another one while my sister trails behind with a tray in her hand.

To my surprise, Rahmah didn’t sit beside me but move to another table. I am about to ask her the reasons for doing so when she winks at me.

“It’s fine. I am not totally out of sight, sis. You might be needing privacy to discuss.”

“That’s my sister. You hear her? She is such a wonderful person to be with and I’m glad I met her. Back to us, do you like this?”

“Yes. Thanks. Don’t tell me you have hijacked my sister from me.” I say while he laughs.

“That’s to prove she isn’t your sister alone; she’s now mine too. So, as I have promised to reply to all your questions. I am here now but before that I will make a brief introduction about myself to reduce your work. My name is Luqman Hamzah, was born and grew up in the north. Both primary and secondary schools were attended in the north; Kano state. And my university education at the prestigious University Of Ibadan where I studied Micro Biology. Further more, I served in the east where I met my best friend whose father; an ex-commisioner was a tool in securing employment at the Ministry Of Health, Alausa Ikeja. I have memorised the whole of Qur‘an while in the north. In addition, you can call me a polyglot. Since I am Yoruba by blood; I can speak it fluently. Growing up in the north makes speaking Hausa language easy and I was able to grab some basic Igbo language while in Abia for my NYSC program. I think I represent Nigeria since I’m an embodiment of all the basic Languages in my country. You have anything else to ask?” he grins.

All these while, I keep watching him as he speaks. To say I marvel is an understatement. His brief introduction sweep me off my feet as I can feel butterflies dancing in my stomach.

“Maa sha Allah! BarakaLlahu feekum. May Allah bless your endeavour. You didn’t tell me your age.”

“Oh, that? It escaped my mind. I am 32.”

“Are you married?”

“Still single. You asked because of my age isn’t it? Anyways, it’s normal to think so. Actually, there was a lady we’d been together for three years because she was in school. Upon completing her university education her father wants her go abroad for her masters while I was ready for marriage. To cut it short, she went abroad yet, I was waiting for her not until a month ago when a close relative of hers hinted me that she is now married to a family friend who resides abroad. To say the fact, I was heartbroken but I have to move on; life continues. More reason why I felt emotional reading your comments that day. We all get tested in various ways. Anything else you want to know?”

“You’d never seen me before what spurred your interest in me? I mean, why someone you met online?” 

“Well, I can’t explain that too. Perhaps, that’s the way Allah wants it. Meeting today doesn’t mean we should get married tomorrow. I believe when we try giving this a chance there’s tendency we end up as couple. You know your genotype?”

“Yes, AA.”

“BarakaLlahu feekum. Same here. Our genotypes are the same.”

 “And I’m 29. Are you still ready to have a future with me?”

“Why not. You expect me to change my mind because you are 29? Well, age is just a number. And besides, you don’t look it. Fareedah, let your mind be at peace. I am not here to take advantage of you nor scam you. You know where I work now, right? You can come to do some investigations without my knowledge. I will also give the address of where I live before leaving. Let me meet you too.”

I tell him everything about me and the expression on his face says he’s impressed. 

“How many chapters of the Quran have you memorised?” he asks.

“Urmmn, about fifteen chapters as we speak, as I am still a student of knowledge.”

“Allahuma bārik. That’s good to know. But never stop trying to be better, okay? Also, we can be of help to each other in whatever areas we are lagging behind.  Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:

“It will be said to the one who memorised the Quran, ‘Recite and ascend and recite just as you would recite in the world, for your abode (in Jannah) will be the last verse you recite” (sunan Abu Daud and Tirmidhi).

“JazakaLlahu kayran. May Allah make it easy..What’s your view on a woman working after marriage?”

“In as much as she doesn’t place her career above our home. Though, I will prefer my wife work from home or be self employed to her, working 7-7. But in the absence of that, I don’t mind but I will want her balance equation between her career and home. Another thing is no matter my wifes’s income, I will still be the breadwinner in my family. It’s my duty to do as the husband except I am out of job even at that I will go out to bring whatever is within my reach. That’s the way we leave in the north and my parents are perfect example of that.”

“Good. Any plans to be polygynous in future?”

“Wow! What a good question. Honestly, I love your vibes....” he is saying when I interrupt.

“You are happy because I mentioned polygyny?”

“Haha! You want me weep about it? You’re so funny. Polygyny is God given right to men. Being entitled to it, is enough reason to go into it without a sense of guilt. I don’t know what the future holds but if Allah Wills, and it’s in my destiny I will do it to please my Lord and be ready to take up the task that it entails. But then, I will need my wife’s full support. ”

I heave a long sigh dissecting what he said. 

“I am a Muslim who believes in what Allah says. Polygyny remains a bitter pill  some women who find themselves in it are ready to swallow it but then, I can only support my husband if he deserves it..”

“What will make him deserve it?”

“If he’s not secretive about what I should know. If I find him trustworthy, considerate and upright. Nothing will stop me from supporting him. Yes, no one has control over his heart it may happen but if it does, I want him come out clear and transparent. He shouldn’t rub it my face and guilt trip me that he is going into it because I failed as a wife. No one is infallible, if I can compromise and accept his flaws, nothing should stop him from doing so too. His additional marriage should be inorder to expand his family and not to destroy the existing one.”

“You know what, I love you already. This is something I appreciate in person; intelligence and sense of reasoning. In sha Allah, if I am given the opportunity to be in your life, I will try my best to be the man of your dreams.”

“May Allah Ease the journey for us.”

“Aameen. So, when will I come to see your dad? We can’t always meet here.”

“My dad is no more but his elder brother can stand as my waliyy. When I get home, I will inform my mum and will give you the report at the soonest, in sha Allah.”

We down the ice cream and the meatpie in front of us silently. He asks when I will be returning to Ibadan while I mention on Sunday; that’s in two days time.  When we are done, he leads us to his car. He offers to drive us home but I tell him some other time. Before we leave, he pleads we exchange contacts while I give him.

“I will let you know when I’m home, in sha Allah. Pick my call okay,” he says with a pleading tone and I nod.

Despite Rahmah sitting few distance away, some of our conversations got to her. She is also impressed with what she saw. I brief her about the discussion while she grins non-stop.

“Big sis, I have told you the best will come your way. You see now? While with the attendant, he asked if will be okay to give you two some space to converse and I agreed. To be honest, he is full of manners and he’s such a wonderful person. I think he’s nice. Do you like him?” she rubs her shoulder with mine. 

“I think I do but I need to be careful. My dear, I can’t explain what I feel now. He is so good to be true. Does this happen in real life? A woman who is close to 30 already finding a gentle man like Luqman. I need someone to tell me I am not dreaming. ”

“And so? Because you are close to thirty, you don’t deserve a good man? I count him fortunate too for finding a precious gem like you.”

“Really? Alright then. But I need you to assist with prayers. I need Allah’s guidance as much as ever. ”

When we get home, I see my mum seats at the corridor of her shop. She has been watching out for us. Seeing us, she heaves a sigh of relief. 

“This one you are happy like you won a contract. How was your meeting with him?” mum asks with a sneaky smile. 

I ask my sister get me a chilled satchet water from the fridge to dampen my throat. When she gives me what I demand, she goes in to excuse us and I give details to my mum without missing out anything. 

“Do you like him?” was all she says.

“Yes, mum.”

“May Allah make it the best of best. Urmmn... Concerning meeting your uncle, I will speak with him on the phone to give us the date he would want to meet him. But before that time, I will love to have few conversations with him too.  May Allah put His blessings on it. Whatever makes you happy is fine by me.”

I hug her with smiles.

******---------******

The next day, I just have my bath when my phone starts ringing. I move closer to it to find Luqman on the phone. 

“Assalam Alaykum WaramatuLlah. How are you doing this morning?”

“Waalaykum Salam WaramatuLlah. I am fine. And you?”

“Good. How is Rahmah and mum?” 

“AlhamduliLlah, they are fine. I hope you hear from dad and mum too?” 

“Yes. I did a while ago. You know what? I told my mum about you and she’s eager to meet you. Fareedah, I don’t want us delay our marriage. We are both ready to settle down. What did mum say about meeting her and your uncle?”

“She promised to speak with him on the phone but she will love to see you before then. Let me know when you are ready.”

“When I’m ready? If am asked to come there with my family tomorrow, I am ready to do so.”

“Ah, no. Let’s not rush things. Patience is virtue. A step at a time. In sha Allah, everything will fall in place.”

“Alright then. Whatever you say is fine by me. Extend my greetings to everyone.”  

We end the call.

At night.

I am about to sleep when Naheemah’s call comes in. I dialled her contact earlier but she didn’t pick it. I guessed she must be in the call and didn’t bother redialing. I rest on my pillow against the wall to answer her call. 

“Assalam Alaykum, sis. I saw your missed call. How is maami and Rahmat?” 

“Waalaykum Salaam..  They are fine oo. And you?”

“I’m good. Babe, I have plenty gist for you ooo. Come to WhatsApp. ”

“Okay then.” 

I didn’t waste time before connecting. 

“Here I am,” I type

.

“You won’t believe who I saw today. I just returned from school when I heard her tesleem. Initially, I doubted it was her not until I peeked through the window. Guess who she was?”she messages.

“Release me oo. I can’t guess.”

“Your friend and her husband. Chai! I wonder what why they came at first before recalling you told me her co-wife phoned you. You need to see how she was. I felt like returning those slaps but I stopped. It was her husband who spoke first. He asked after you but I calmly told her you were not around. Then, the wife cut in asking where you went. I just gave her a repulsive look. She told me she dialed your number but it wasn’t reachable. She even have the gut. Oh, if not for the sake of Allah and coupled with the fact that I was very tired, I would have given my piece of mind to both of them. But that Zulaykhah will still hear it from me later. Her husband asked when you will be back but I told them to direct the questions to you. I had to leave them to themselves and returned inside....... Probably, her co-wife has invited her for the family reunion.”

“I think so too. Though, she promised to send a short video clip but I am yet to receive any. She might be busy, I guess. Naheemah, my friend! I trust you. I’m sure she must have realised her mistake. But I feel sorry for her though. AlhamduliLlah, Allah has vindicated me.”

“Yes, He has. I’m so happy for you and I’m hopeful the best will come your way, soon. In sha Allah. I have missed you so much. Are you still coming tomorrow?”

“Yes, in sha Allah..We have lot to talk about when I get home. I pray Allah spare our lives beyond tomorrow.”

Naheemah will be so happy to hear I have finally found someone. I yawn and didn’t realise when I get to my dreamland.