BEFORE THIRTY Episode 19

 BEFORE THIRTY

Episode 19:

Luqman is just being a worrywart over nothing but then, Fawzaan seemed acting strange too. And why was he demanding to know about the relationship I share with Luqman? Honestly, I’m confused. Perhaps I should introduced them to each other but is there a need for that?

Upon completing the day’s work, I close my laptop, place it in it’s bag and exit my office. Walking to the car, I see Fawzaan approaching with a trash bin. He greets me casually and past by, exuding a morose aura. What could have happened to him? It’s unusual of him to appear this way because he’s such a person with positive vibes. Perhaps, something is eating him up again. After finding out about his mother’s condition and his state of financial constraints, I take pity on him. He is such a hard working man with great potentials but then, everyone will always have to pass through some rough patches somtime in their lives. I pray Allah ease his affairs.

I enter the car, heading towards the masjid Luqman described a while ago. Getting there, I forward a message to him, notifying that I am around where he is. 

Not quite long, he shows up in absence of his usual smile with tesleem.

“Don’t tell me you are still wary of whatever happened earlier. You don’t seem happy.” I puff my cheeks.

“That’s bygone, sis. Though, I won’t deny the fact I was perturbed because I thought I wasn’t in no competition with anyone not until now. You remember I told you about the first woman in my life? She got married to someone else while I was hoping she was mine. Fareedah, I don’t like heartbreak; I can’t bear it. My dream now is to get married to you, that’s all,” he says looking worried.

“I don’t know how to break hearts but I was taught how to mend it. You need not to get worried because of that. The one who betrayed you doesn’t deserve you nor meant for you. Hence you ended things without formalising your relationship. Mr. Luqman, if Allah destined we are meant to be couple, His Will shall come to pass. Let your mind be at rest that you are not contending with anyone. I am saying when my stomach growls.

“AlhamduliLlah. I trust you completely. You need to respond to that call. You need to feed your stomach with a sumptuous meal.”

“I didn’t even know you heard that. I will do that once I’m home, in sha Allah. My friend must have made a delicious meal..... Erm. You said we have something to discuss about what was that?”

“We can say anything here why not drive to your house to know where you live?” he rests his cheeks on his palm, leaning his back against my car. 

“My house?” 

“Yes! Anything wrong with that? After all, you just said your friend is around too. Moreover, we are getting married, so what’s the fuss?”he shrugs pressing his lips, flashing his eye lashes. 

“I-I am not sure she will be back from school by now,” I stutter beneath my breath. 

“Let’s drive to a restaurant then.”

“No. I am not interested.”I snap.

“Don’t be childish, Faree. I didn’t come here to play or banter. I am here for what concerns both of us. We will be getting married soon, right? We ain’t kids any longer. If you want me to start pampering you like a baby, let’s get married first. Okay? ” he bursts out laughing while I roll my eyes at him. 

I bring my shoulder down, subscribing to the first option which is my house.  I hop in the car and forward a message to Naheemah about Luqman’s surprise visit and of course his interest in finding out about my residence. Within an eye blink, she replies with laughing emoticons and a voice note where she teases me. I can’t help but smile listening to her voice but the bottom line is that she confirms being home already.

Luqman blares the horn of the car, nudging me on to move. When I didn’t react, he alights from his car and he’s about to get to me when I ignite the engine, smirking at him. He just shakes his head, chuckling. 

“Won’t you get in your car and let’s get moving?” I laugh, manoeuvering the steering wheel while he goes to his own, trailing me behind. 

Getting home, I alight from the car and open the gate. He drives in before I drive mine inside. Immediately I get out, my landlady returns holding a polythene bag. I greet her and likewise Luqman. Mama whisper to my ears asking if we are together while I nod slowly. She screams out of joy, snuggling me against her. 

“AlhamduliLlah. Good to hear this. Congratulations, my dear. What’s his name? I need to know the name of the fortunate man taking my daughter away ooo. You must have sneaked in like a night thief. How come I didn’t know someone wants to take my baby away from me?” she bursts out laughing and we do too. 

“He’s Luqman.”

“Ah, mummy. I-I am not taking your daughter away. Even if I will do that, I will make her multiply by giving you precious grandchildren. Fareedah, right?”

“Oh my God! This is so humorous. You just remind me of Yunus. May Allah make your dreams come true. I can’t wait to see that day. But then, Fareedah is precious to me and I won’t bear to see an ant crawl her. If she step on your toes which I’m sure she won’t but as humans, we lack perfections; just let me know. I will be the one to talk to her. Luqman, son, I beg of you, don’t betray my girl. She’s my only daughter oo. May Allah be with you.” 

I didn’t realise when my tears start flowing like river. Mama dismays me with her commendations. This puts me in the know of how deep her love for me is. I didn’t think twice before hugging her again.

“Thanks, ma. May you grow older in wealth and health, in sha Allah.” I pull back from the hug.

“I really appreciate this ma. And I’m glad to be received warmly by  you. In sha Allah, I will take good care of her to my best of ability. Infact, I  happy to know I’ll be having three mothers now. Fareedah, you see how blessed I am?” he chortles while I narrow my eyes him must he always mention my name in every statement.

“Hum-hum. You’re mouthed. What a sugar coated mouth. I need not to ask how you were able to win my daughter’s heart anymore. It’s so glaring like a see through glass,” she says grinning.

“Thank you ma,” he winks at me. 

Mama prays endlessly before releasing us. I can see he is all smiles. His aura has changed to a fresh one compare to the one around him earlier. He seems to be catching everyone’s fancy and I am more happy to see him this way. I think we will make a good couple and our marriage will be one of the best, in sha Allah. I snap out of my thoughts when we get to my apartment.

I say the tesleem waiting for Naheemah to open the door. 

“I will wait outside here. Or, should I wait in the car?”

“You can come in since my friend is around. ”

“Oh, thought you said she won’t be back by now.”

“I phoned her while in the car and she confirmed her presence.” I reply while he makes his mouth in ‘o’ form.

“Don’t tell me you receive and give calls while driving.” 

When he mentions that, my heart thud against my chest as I remember how I met Fawzaan. Why do I feel this way? I just hope he’s fine. 

“Not at all. I’d given her the call before...” I am saying when my friend opens the door to our face. She greets us and we respond. Luqman greets her again as a way of introducing himself. 

“You are highly welcome sir. I am very sorry for keeping both of you waiting. I was actually in the rest room when you arrived. You can come in sir.” she paves way for him while she drags me to an obscure place.

“Maa sha Allah, sis. BarakaLlahu feekum. Both of you look good together. Infact, I was speechless, beholding his sight. He’s handsome too but you are more more beautiful. I’m so happy for you darling. I pray the best comes out of this.”She hugs me tightly.

“Aamen, sis. JazakiLlahu kayran. May Allah bless your household too.”

“Aameen wa feekum BarakaLlahu.”

We go inside to find him sitting. Naheemah exchanges another greetings with him while he responds. She goes to the kitchen to get a cup of water for him and he thanks her for the kind gesture. 

“Your house is beautifully decorated. I love it. You used your favourite colour?”

“Yes.... You don’t like? ”

“W-why won’t I? Just asking. Probably, to use it for our home too.”

“How many dreams have you had concerning our marriage? Need I remind you the date is yet to be decided upon,” I chuckle.

“I’ve had countless dreams. And to the last statement, even if the date is yet to be decided, it will eventually takes place one day. May Allah spare our lives beyond then. ”

“Aamen. You said we have issues to discuss and we are home now. Can you go ahead please?” Naheemah returns with a tray of covered dishes and a bottle of fruit juice. She draws a side stool closer to him and places the tray on it. 

“JazakiLlahu kayran, ma,” he thanks while my friend says it’s nothing but what was expected of her to do. Honestly, I am blessed to have her in my life. 

“Alright. I will be in the bedroom. Brother Luqman, feel at home. And incase you need more, let me know. We still have more rice in the pot ooo. She grins, leaving.

“Alright ma. Thanks so much. I appreciate this. May Allah grant your heart desires too.”

“Aameen na Ya Allah.” 

When she’s now out of sight, he commends Naheemah. 

“I am highly fascinated by the kind of people you surround yourself with. A landlady like a mother and a friend like a sister. If they’ve got your back this way, it means you are also a wonderful soul. Keep it up, pretty,” he smiles. 

“And I must say you are a good man too. You seems wining everyone’s heart without much ado. And only a kindhearted individual can do that. May Allah grant us the best.”

“Aameen.”

There is an awkward silence between us. I look away, concentrating on my phone before his voice pulls me back.

“Ain’t you hungry anymore? You should find something to eat.”

“Thanks. I will do that but not until you tell me the issues bothering you.”

“Fine, then. AlhamduliLlah for Allah’s blessings and favour on us. I believe our path crossed for a reason. There are so many parts of me I just discovered after finding you. Starting from the day I first chatted you, I never knew we would come this far but then, everything has been planned by the most High. Fareedah, I don’t know why, but I find myself loving everything about you. Despite the fact that you hadn’t seen nor met me, you trusted me by giving me a chance. That alone makes my heart beat for you everytime. In sha Allah, I won’t disappoint you. Now to the main issue, according to you, you would love to continue working after marriage, right? I reside and work in Lagos and you do in Ibadan, how do we balance that? This has been given me sleepless nights. I should have discussed this on the phone with you but I felt there’s need to come see where you work. Or, your company has a branch in Lagos?” he says while I heave a long sigh. 

“I’m glad you brought this up. Do you know my mind didn’t even go there? Sadly, we don’t own a branch in Lagos.”

“I have friends who are higher ups in various companies, can I contact them for a position that you can fit in? Or better still, you are an accountant; how about establising your own firm by working as a freelancer. You will write proposals to companies to audit their accounts and also do bookkeeping for them. What do you see to this?”

“Great ideas. Wow! You are a genius. Which of them would you love me do?”

“Hope you won’t pick offences?”

“Why would I?”

“Okay, then. Just be my wife, bear and rear my kids. Take good care of me as your husband and get paid monthly by me,” he muffles his face with  smiles. 

I’m about to respond when I hear a knock alongside her tesleem. Isn’t that Zulaykhah’s voice? Why is she here now that Luqman is around? I don’t want her to know anything until I send the wedding invite to her. I have been yearning to see the looks on her face when she receives the news of my marriage. Oh, I can’t keep this from her anymore. 

“What are you thinking? I can  help with the door if you don’t mind.” he fixes a stare at me, blinking.

“Never mind, I’ll do that. Thanks,” I smile wryly, walking to the door. 

I open it for her and usher in after exchanging greetings and a hug. 

“Brother Luqman! Is this really you? What are you doing here?” Zulaykhah rushes to him with wide-eyes and ‘o’ mouth almost immediately after getting in.

“Longest time, sis.” Luqman greets back, smiling.

“Y-You know each other?” I ask while they nod in unison.