BEFORE THIRTY: Finale

 EFORE THIRTY:

Finale:

I can’t help but smile watching him stealing glances from me at intervals. He winks and blows kisses too. 

“If not that you are on the steering wheel, I would have loved to hug you, biibi.”

Without taking much time he halts the car and opens his arms for me before I hear my name.

I open my eyes to find his lips on mine. I frown spanking his chest. 

“What have I done?” he tucks a strand of my hair behind my ear.

“How could you disrupt my beautiful dream?” I pout.

“Oh, so sorry. Now tell me what it’s all about,” he asks and I narrate to him. 

He takes my hand, fondling my fingers.

“And you know I can never get tired of hugging you, right?” he asks while I nod smiling. 

There is a silent moment between us as we stare into each other’s eyeballs. I shouldn’t be shy but I can’t help it. Our marriage is a year already but it feels like yesterday. I decide to leave the bed but he grabs me back, pinning me to the bed. 

“You are mine, now. So, don’t deprive me of looking at what belongs to me,” he muffles his face. 

I facepalm myself when I see him winking at me. He removes my hands but I quickly shut my eyes, grinning.

“You can only free yourself on one condition. You want to know?”

I nod.

“Kiss me and I will let you go.”

I flip him aside unaware and run out of the bedroom. He races after me and ends catching me when I get exhausted. We are both breathing heavily due to the race. Suddenly, he snuggles me tightly against his chest.

“I love you, babe. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me in life. You are a diamond kept for me not because I deserve it but because Allah loves me. Your beauty always sweeps me off my feet. I marvel at your humility most times and I wonder how could someone so close to perfection. When you smile, you lift the burden on my heart. When you look at me mercifully with your beautiful eyes, I feel like a king. And when you feed me, you make me feel like a baby receiving the best of affection from his mother. You are a rare breed, sweetie. I wish you could open my heart to see how much I cherish you.”

“Aww... You know this will make me cry again like a baby, don’t you? Why will I stop loving a sweet man like you? I just pray you won’t get tired of me, one day.”

“That will never happen in sha Allah. Marrying you is the best decision I have ever made in life. Though, I was skeptical at the beginning as to how I will be able to meet your needs. I was going to marry a boss while I am just an ordinary roadside food vendor. I left Ibadan to forget about you because I thought there can never be us. But then, destiny had its way and we met again. It was just like yesterday when our wedding date was decided upon and here we are today. So, why will I get tired of the woman who accepted everything about me? You never complained about my financial deficit nor brag about your wealth. Four months into our marriage, I got a job as a manager of a restaurant through one of my clients who buy chicken and chips from me. You know the business idea never for once spurred up on my mind but it turned out as a tool that opens lots of gateways to my success. Fawzaan is yours forever, in sha Allah. Can you say that to me too?” he winks, cupping my face.

“Yes, I can. Fareedah is yours forever too by Allah’s grace. I love you Fawzaan. Now I know it’s better to marry late to a responsible man than do early to an irresponsible one.”

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

By Allah’s grace, my marriage is thriving even beyond my imagination. What else could I ask for? My mother-in-law is so nice towards me that she leaves me speechless whenever she supports me against her son. My sisters-in-law also relate with me like mine. 

It was like yesterday that he voiced out his feelings in Abeokuta at brother Luqman’s marriage. Even though Abd’Salaam had informed me, it felt so fresh hearing it from him again. I couldn’t help being emotional seeing his state that day. I wanted to get married before thirty but I needed to slog with caution. I didn’t want to look desperate and just dabble into any relationship. So, I implored him to give me time to think about it. It took me two months to give my consent. I accepted when I was sure of my feelings for him. I was surprised when he told me he already paid for a mini flat in Ibadan. I was happy because the issue of relocating after marriage was out of it and since most of his clients in Ibadan were disturbing him on phone to return to his business, he asked for my opinion on that and I supported him to return his joint. 

To say the fact, it wasn’t rosy at the beginning, and coupled with the fact, he would never allow me to spend a dime out of my salary on our home expenses. We had to live on what he was earning. He never asked about my salary. There was even a time I tried changing ownership of my car in his name, he turned it down but agreed we will drive it together. Another interesting incident was the day I filled the kitchen with foodstuff. I received my pay that day and went to the market to get the stuff. When he returned from work to find what I did, he smiled, praised me, tickled my cheek, and penned whatever I spent as debt on him. “I am your husband and whatever we need in this house is my responsibility. Thanks for the assistance.” He said and wraped it up with prayers. Yes, I always wanted an older man but he changed my opinion. Hardly would anyone speculate I am older than him. He’s so mature enough to make me feel younger than him and I respect him for that. No wonder I love him.

 Fawzaan is selfless and the type that loves wholeheartedly. I won’t deny I was scared initially when I saw the bond he shares with his mother is very strong but his wisdom to handle relationships makes my heart at rest. This is not to say there weren’t hiccups but we are always ready to walk the talk, address issues, and sort them out. 

 He’s just a complete honest man. I prayed day and night to Allah to uplift him as I always want him successful. I didn’t want him to feel too inferior to me as we are all human beings.

His employment was indeed a blessing from Allah. Now he works as a manager in a big restaurant in Ibadan. Despite all, he becomes loving and caring by the day. I pray our love for each other never dies. 

I am happy in my marriage but yet to be blessed with the fruit of the womb. Sometimes I wonder if it’s because I didn’t get married early. My husband is not complaining but I am getting wary of my plight as my biological age is ticking. 

Fawzaan has tried his best to persuade me but my mind seems not to keep off. I want to have my children too. Those who got married after me are now parents, why do I have to cry before getting what others get with ease? 

I return from the office today to find my husband in the living room. He is on phone with his mother. Walking up to him, he handles the phone to me to greet his mum. After the conversation, he gives me a worried look.

“Babe, what’s wrong? Is everything alright? You don’t seem happy. Or ain’t you happy I told mum you just got back?”

“Not at all. Biibi, my monthly flow is here again. When will I have my baby?” I break down in tears?

“Not again. You shouldn’t be ungrateful to Allah. There are many things we should be thankful for. Allah Has been so wonderful to us, my love. We’ve done the tests we were requested to do and they are all fine. Trust me, our children will come at the time Allah wills. And besides, our marriage is just a year old. So, you don’t need to be down like this. All we need is patience and prayers. We are in this together. Okay?” he leans over to kiss my forehead. This has been his way of consoling me. 

I know he also wants to see his children but he is just being strong for me. 

Life and trials are inseparable. Once upon a time, I wanted a husband. Now I have it but crying for the fruit of the womb. We can’t always have it all. Only Allah is self-reliant and sufficient.

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

 I just received a call from Naheemah that she was delivered of a baby boy. I forgot to mention that brother Luqman welcomed his first son three months ago. Zulaykhah is doing fine too just that her husband married his third wife last month. It was hard upon her but she had to move on. 

We are all living to fulfill our destiny.

 

Today is a Sunday. I just made bread and egg sauce for breakfast. I am lost in my work when I suddenly feel his hands around my waist. 

“Since when have you been there?” I ask without looking back.

“Ain’t you scared a bit?” 

“And why would I? Only my husband has such right,” I beam.

“Really?”

“Yes, of course. ”

He flips me to face him. In an eye blink, he straps me to his back, walking to the dining. 

“You sit while I serve,” he pecks my cheek. 

He goes to the kitchen to serve our meal and the moment he scoops the first spoon in my mouth, I feel nauseous. Probably because I have been in the kitchen all day. 

“Are you alright, my love?” he inquires looking worried.

“I am nauseous,” I am saying when I start spilling the contents in my stomach on the floor. I quickly race to the bathroom to avoid further mess while he follows.

He stays with me till I am done. He sprinkles water on my face and helps me to the living room.

“How are you feeling, babe?”

“I think I’m fine now,” I reply when I feel like throwing up again. 

Returning from the washroom the second time, I request him to get me some mint sweets.

Throughout the day, I couldn’t eat without spilling. The following day, we rush to the hospital, and the news we’d been itching to hear all this while was broken to our ears.

“Congratulations, Mr. Fawzaan, your wife is two months gone,” the doctor confirms.

My husband stares at me for a while and back to the doctor.

“You say?”

“Yes, she is pregnant!

“Congratulations, once again.”

Without taking much time, he goes down to postrate for sajda shukur. Our feelings are indescribable. 

Getting home, he lifts me and kisses my belly at intervals.

“AlhamduliLlah, Allah is indeed great. Our marriage will be a year and a half old in the next three days. What favour of Allah could we deny?”

“None, my love. Thanks for your patience and understanding. I love you, Fawzaan,” I kiss him with so much affection.

“I love you too, Diamond. I told you we will be parents too, didn’t I?”

“Yes, you did.”

“So, you should start accepting whatever I say from now onwards okay?” he pulls my ear.

“Yes, sir,” I reply and we burst out laughing.

The journey of nine months ends with happiness and cheers. My husband was full of compassion and doubled his kindness towards me while in pregnancy. We welcome our first daughter, Fawaazah and then Fawaz our first son barely two years after. Afterwards our twins, Farhan and Fareed arrived the following year. 

The blessings of Allah are just flowing in like a river. After the arrival of our twins, I resigned to join my husband’s firm, Farzan Delight And Grills; of which shall be celebrating her second anniversary next month, by Allah’s grace.  

Our love till Jannah, in sha Allah.

And thanks for reading my story

BEFORE THIRTY. 

THE END.

Reflection____

Never lose hope or despair. The best is approaching, in sha Allah.