BEFORE THIRTY Episode 17

 BEFORE THIRTY

Episode 17:

Around 11: 00 am, I am done arranging my suitcase. I feel like not returning as I am already missing home. My mum and sister accompany me to the bus stop. When I got to Berger, I stride to the park to catch the bus headed to Ibadan. 

Entering the car, Luqman’s call comes in. I am in awe as he says he’s already here. Earlier on, he phoned me to inquire where I was to which I told him. I swiftly alight from the bus as there are vacant seats yet to be occupied. 

Just then, I behold his sight from afar, approaching me. He is grinning from ear to ear. When he gets to me, we exchange tesleem.

“You didn’t tell me you were coming.”

“Is anything wrong with that?” he scrunches his brows.

“I-I am just surprised. I wasn’t expecting it.” I entwine my fingers.

“So, you mean I should go back,” his lips twitches.

All I do is purse my lips. Oh, I am shy at the moment. Why ask me such a question when he’s here already. 

“Why come here if you won’t stay? Do what suit you,” I press my lips, lifting up my shoulders.

“Just admit you are happy to see me because I do very much. I left home after speaking with you on the phone.”

“Thanks for coming. I really appreciate this.” 

He nods slowly staring at me. I swiftly turn my face to my side while he smiles. Just then, the driver calls my attention to the fact the bus is fully loaded and it’s time to leave. To my surprise, Luqman pays for the fare. I try stopping him but he persists. 

I hop in the bus while he stays by the side since my seat is close to the window screen. He requests me say the prayer before starting a journey to which I concur. Chanting the adhkaar, he does alongside with me.. 

“Allaahu ’Akbar, Allaahu ’Akbar, Allaahu ’Akbar, Subhaanal-ladhee sakhkhara lanaa haadhaa wa maa kunnaa lahu muqrineen. Wa’ nnaa’ ilaa Rabbinaa lamunqaliboon. Allaahumma ‘innaa nas’aluka fee safarinaa haadhal-birrawattaqwaa, waminal-‘amalimaa tardhaa, Allaahumma hawwin ‘alaynaa safaranaa haathaa watwi ‘annaa bu’dahu, Allaahumma ‘Antas-saahibu fis-safari, walkhaleefatu fil-‘ahli, Allaahumma’ innee ‘a’oothu bika min wa’thaa’is-safari, wa ka’aabanl-mandhari, wa soo‘il-munqalabi fil-maaliwal’ahli.

Translation:

Allah is the Most Great. Allah is the Most Great. Allah is the Most Great. Glory is to Him Who has provided this for us though we could never have had it by our efforts. Surely, unto our Lord we are returning. O Allah, we ask You on this our journey for goodness and piety, and for works that are pleasing to You. O Allah , lighten this journey for us and make its distance easy for us. O Allah, You are our Companion on the road and the One in Whose care we leave our family. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from this journey's hardships, and from the wicked sights in store and from finding our family and property in misfortune upon returning.”

“Aameen yah rabbal- alameen. I wish you journey mercies. May you land safely in sha Allah. ”

“Aameen..May Allah bless you abundantly. ”

“Aameen. Ensure you pick my call okay,” he says and the driver starts the bus. He waves his hand and I smile, nodding to reply while he waves and watches the bus till it leaves the park. 

About thirty minutes after the bus took off, Luqman’s call comes in again. He says he calls to inform me he’s back home and urges me to phone him when I arrive Ibadan.

Getting home, memories start rushing in. I open the gate to find my neighbour’s children playing in the compound. They all race to me, giving me a hug while a loud cheer arise catching attention of everyone. 

“Anti Fareedah, how was the journey? Mama Fiyin grins.

“I’m fine ma.”

“We missed you oo. How is everyone in Lagos?” 

“They are all fine. Thanks.”

Others also come out to greet me. It’s a Sunday so almost all of them are very much at home. I ask after my Landlady and one of them replys she isn’t at home. I share the plantain chips and the chin chin I bought on the way among the kids. They are so happy as much as I am. I walk to my apartment, open the door and go straight to the bedroom. 

I can see the work of Naheemah. Everywhere look sparkling and clean. I perform ablution and say my missed zhur prayers. Afterwards, I crash on the bed and bring out my phone. I put Naheemah through call to notify her that I am back. She squeal at the other side of the phone saying she will soon be through with her lectures.

About to dial Luqman’s phone number, I hear a knock on the entrance door. Who can that be? I peek through the window to find Zulaykhah looking forward to see the door open. I stand by the door contemplating on whether to let her in or not. At first thought, I want to return inside but on second one, I yearn to hear why she came. 

Opening the door, she says tesleem. She didn’t even wait for my response before hugging me. For a moment, I am speechless as I am taken aback with her gesture. She pull back after a while with tears that has dwelled in her eyes. 

“Can I come in?” she asks sniffling.

“Sure.”

I pave way for her to go in and shut the door. I offer her a couch to sit while I settle down too.

“Where do I even start from? I am totally ashamed of myself at the moment. What was I thinking? Why didn’t I use my brain? I goofed, sis. I know I did. You were there looking for ways to make peace between me and my cowife while I doubted your true intentions. When my husband explained you were the one he was planning to bring in as his third wife, I couldn’t believe it. I requested him to swear he wasn’t bantering and he did. He explained he would love to marry you, so I can get a co-wife like a sister. I was so angry because I didn’t hide the news from you when I found out and all you said was that everything would be fine. You didn’t tell me you were the one. That was why I felt betrayed. For days, I kept ruminating on why you hid that from me. The only thought that came to my mind was to pour out my anger on you. But on Friday, that was two days ago. My cowife phoned me to invite me and the kids to a family get together. When she told me all your efforts towards the reunion, I cursed myself for not hearing from you first. I saw a fulfilled expression on my husband’s face. He sang your praises, explaining that he proposed marriage to you because he is sure you will be a good addition. And, yes. I can’t agree more. He is right, after all. I think I was so selfish. If I could agree to be his second wife why fighting you because he proposed to you? Fareedah, I am begging you for Allah’s sake, kindly forgive me for all I said and did to you. Naheemah always say I behave childish sometimes. She is right. After coming here to harass you, my mind wasn’t settled as my actions didn’t disspate my problems. Yet, you didn’t react or tell my husband and to burst my bubble, my co-wife’s invitation proved how lowly I condescended.... I am really sorry, friend,” she wipes her trickling tears.

“And you think it’s easy to forget such public humiliation? Zulaykhah, you disgraced me in the presence of my neighbours and their kids. We’ve been friends for ages. So, till now you don’t know what I’m capable of? Yes, you told me you found out your husband proposed marriage to someone of which he confirmed. Do you expect me tell you I am the one straight away? Was it easy during your turn? Could you look into your co-wife’s eyes and reveal such news to her? Of course, you couldn’t. Despite that you accepted to marry him but I didn’t. Or didn’t your husband tells you he was the one stalking me here and there? I turned him down and even said spiteful things to him in anger. Then, I went to your co-wife to explain everything to her. In the end, she came to terms with me to make peace with you. When I was leaving, she pleaded with me not to reveal anything to you because she would love to present it as a surprise gift to you and your husband. If only you had given me listening ears. If only you were not contemptuous, if only you were a good friend that you claimed you were, probably, all these wouldn’t have happened but it’s good anyway, whatever transpired has taught me more lessons in life. Despite all that, I have forgiven you but still fresh in my memory. Forgetting such thing isn’t easy.”

“I know it isn’t easy to forget. But I am happy you have forgiven me, thanks. I want to say something; I might sound stupid now but believe me, it’s coming from my heart. Fareedah, I am ready to accept you as a co-wife. You have proven to be the sweetest friend I have ever known, ” she says staring into my eyeballs.

I stare back in awe and didn’t realize when I burst into a loud laughter.

“Be your what? Come off that. No no no, that’s the last thing I will ever do. Your husband? It’d never occurred to me to think of considering his proposal even when I was searching,” I am saying when Luqman’s call comes in.

“Assalam Alaykum WaramatuLlah.” I greet him.

“Waalaykum Salaam WaramatuLlah Wabarakatuhu. Are you home now?”

“Yes I am. Actually, I was about to give you a phone call when a guest arrived. I got home about thirty minutes back.”

“A guest? Who could that be? Let me guess oo.”

“I’m awaiting your guess. ”

“I’m not good at guessing. Tell me now. ”

“A friend of mine.”

“Oh, say tesleem to her on my behalf. Alright then. I’m glad you reach home safely. I will give you a call later. I need to check the food in the kitchen. ”

“Uhmm. What are you cooking?”

“Will you give me a gift if I tell you? ”

“A gift? Don’t forget we’re not in the same state. How I will present it to you?”

“Whenever we meet again. Are you in?”

“Alright.” 

“Noodles and egg.”

“Really? I was even thinking one special food. Oh my,” I tease him, laughing.

“Your matter is not here. Is that what you are supposed to say? I am a professional cook if you care to know. I can cook anything palatable. Didn’t worry, I will you surprise one of these days.”

“Really? Alright then. I will be waiting. I need to go now. I will call you later in sha Allah. ” 

We end the call. 

Meanwhile, Zulaykhah squinted her eyes while I was on the phone. It is boldly written on the wall that she is curious to know who I am speaking with. 

“So, Umm Mazeed, I can’t marry your husband.”

“I’m sorry once again. Can we be friends like before?” she blinks her eyes.

“Why not? Despite all, I never for once see you as an enemy. 

I straighten up, heading the kitchen. I bring out a bottle of fruit juice in the fridge alongside a cup and a tray. I place it on a stool in front of her and press some quantity into the cup. She smiles, thanking me. I know she is eager to know who I was chatting with earlier on the phone but I’m not telling her anything at least not now. 

Relating like we do in the past isn’t something that can return at a fast pace as the atmosphere seems awkward between us but we will get there I believe. Another lesson life has taught me is that no condition is permanent. This is one of those things that makes life interesting. As friends, misunderstandings are bound to happen but when the one at fault realises her mistake and ready to apologise, the ideal is to allow it slide. Though, it might take time to adjust but it will worth it. Zulaykhah seems to have grown up for saying she has accepted me to be her co-wife. Does this mean her husband hadn’t back off or he’s made up his mind in getting a third wife no matter what? Anyway, that's not my business and It’s the least of things that should perturb me. 

She announces her leave while I see her off to the gate. To my surprise, my landlady bumps into us. She opens her arms for me while I hug her tightly with greetings and pleasantries. 

She is glad to see me back. Zulaykhah greets her too but her reply is somehow cold. The moment, she left, mama holds my hand to my apartment asking why she came. I tell her the misunderstanding has been cleared and she has realised her mistake. She grins and prays for me. While leaving for her apartment, I promise to check on her.

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

I wake up exactly 5:30 pm. I have been sleeping all day due to stress from the journey. Naheemah hasn’t returned yet. I swipe the screen of my phone to find five missed calls from Fawzaan. I didn’t bother return the call as I have planned to give him a surprise visit at his new business joint. I swiftly freshen up and drive down there. I gently park and walk to the place. He is busy grilling the enticing chicken thighs and drumsticks join together. They look so yummy. I sight a young man bury his head in slicing the potatoes. I fold my arms around my chest watching with amusement. Just then, he raises his head to find me. He is so surprise as he root to the same spot he is, gaping at me. 

“SubhanaLlah! You almost scared the hell out of me. When did you return? Urhmm..... I see, is this the reason why you didn’t pick my calls?” he grins.

“This aroma is pestering my nose,” I grin and say the tesleem while he replies. He introduces me to young man assisting him as the younger brother of his friend he’s squatting with. I’m so happy to see them enjoying what they are doing. 

“How is everyone in Lagos?” he chortles.

“They are all fine. And you?”

“AlhamduliLlah, I am good. But to be honest, I missed you so much. It felt like a part of me was missi....” he is saying when someone approach us to place order. In an eye blink, his joint has been flooded with customers. I am really impressed. Within a short period of time? I am happy I bring up this idea and happier he agreed. I see he needs more helping hands and I offer to assist. I am about to pick up the spoon he’s using to scoop the sauce in the fries when our hands land on it at the same time. I quickly withdraw my hand while he smiles back.

“You are a blessing in my life,” he looks at me grinning sheepishly. For a moment, everything standstill as I am speechless. 

This episode came late due to to my tight schedules. Sorry about that.