Ashabi listened to her sister as the latter explained to her about her first day at Adnan’s shoe company, she was employed at the sales department.
“You didn’t tell me how you know him, how come you know someone like that?” Shade asked her younger sister who shook her head.
“No, it is not what you are thinking oooo, I told you we met in the village, he always buy pure water from me, and sometimes he would just tell me to leave the change... And he is a friend to the son of my madam... he was even the one that recognized me first... I don’t have any other thing to do with him, you know I don’t usually go into my madam house except to work.” She said to her sister.
“Hmmm, the man is very nice ... I can’t believe it ... The salary is thirty five thousand... It is better than any work I have done ...all I have to do is work from Monday to Friday, 8-5pm.” She said to her and her sister nodded.
“Alihamdulilah.” Ashabi said and got a surprise hug from her elder sister who did to her tightly.
“Thank for everything ...you could have just told him you need a job instead of me... But you didn’t.” Her elder sister said to her.
“You need it more sis, besides you have an SSCE, who will give someone like me a job... And it is not like I am not doing anything presently.” She said to her sister.
“Thank you sis.” Shade said to him.
“Do you know when Bro Ismail will come back from camp? I am sure he will be excited to hear this good news.” Ashabi said and watched her sister waved her aside and she wonder why, however she decided not to press the more.
She was happy her sister got a better job after all.



Idris sighed as his friend opened his eyes and saw him sitting on a chair beside him staring at him pitifully.
“Come on Akhi, don’t give me that look.” Adnan said slowly.
“It is not like I am going to die.” He said to his friend.
“I am sorry , I should not have stressed you with the Nikkah preparation. I am just selfish.” Idris said sadly.
“So, who will do all that for you if not me... We have been friends right from childhood and you have always been there for me, so this is just the least that I can do for you.” He said to his friend who sighed.
“This is not your fault... And how is your wife? I hope she has settled in.” Adnan asked him and he nodded.
“And you should not be here at the hospital, you should be at home with her, don’t you know there is a honeymoon after the Nikkah ceremony?” Adnan asked as he try not to groaned with pain he was feeling on his legs.
“It is alright bro... You don’t have to hide it ... I know it is painful... Is it at the leg this time?” Idris asked holding his right hand and watched him nodded. Idris sighed and placed his hands on his friend legs and started performing Ruqya on his friend... And by the time he was done, Adnan had drifted to sleep.
He sighed and wondered how it would have been if he is married to his sister.
Hikmah is currently in Kaduna serving and she didn’t show any emotions or regrets for her failed engagement with Adnan and he was glad, he know how stressful taking care of Adnan could be and he know his sister would not be able to handle it.
He sighed and wondered if his friend would ever get married, each crises give him fear of loosing him to the cold hands of death .
He sighed again as the door opened and Adnan’s mother comes in to the ward , surprised to see him.
“Idris...” She said with surprise
“As salamualykum waramotullah ma’am.” He said and stood up from the chair to help her with the things in his hands.
“Wa alaykumsalam waramotullah wabarakatuh ma’am.” He said with smiles.
“Oh, you are here to see your friend?” She asked him and he nodded.
“But you just got married Idris, you should be at home with Sekeenah.” Adnan mother said and sat down on the chair while he did the same.
“My best friend is here ... I got to Ibadan this morning and I know I just had to come over, if I know about his health since yesterday, perhaps I would have returned since yesterday.” Idris explained and the woman nodded, he know how the two young men had been so fond of each other.
“Hmm, I told your mother not to let you know, you should enjoy your marriage, thanks for visiting anyway.” She said to him.
“Do you met him awake... He was sleeping when I left this morning?” His mother asked him.
“Na’am, I believe he is getting better, don’t worry. He will be fine ins sha Allah.” He said to his friend mother who could not hide the fear on her face. The thought of loosing him suddenly one day scares her.
“Ehn idris , don’t you boys talk to each other? Since he said he is not getting married to your sister, won’t he at least get married? Please talk to him ... Or is there someone already?” Adnan mother asked him and Idris sighed.
“Ummu, ins Sha Allah, as soon as he get better this would be our discussion.” Idris promised
“As long as the girl is from a good family, I sincerely have no option than to accept her... Adnan is just too stubborn.” She said and Idris smiled.



Adnan smiled as his friend entered the ward, he has been on admission for two weeks and he seems to have got a lot better for he was to be discharged that day. He was sitting on the bed and reading from Sahih Bukhari when his friend entered. He closed the book and placed it on the side table beside his bed, he looked so happy to see him. The two friends exchanged pleasantries and watched Idris sit.
“Are you ready? The doctor said you have been discharged.” Idris said and he nodded.
“He said you might have to use your walking cane for a while.” He said and Adnan nodded.
“The legs still feel weak.” Adnan said to him.
“I know you would not want to go home... So to your apartment right?” Idris asked and his friend nodded.
“Okay, let me get all you need to pack.” He said to him.
“Don’t worry, Sis Ruqayyah was here, she had packed them home, all I have left is my Sahih Bukhari...” Adnan said pointing to the volume 1 of the book on the side table..
“I have told you to just download these books on your note pad, you don’t have to carry these heavy books all the time.” Idris said to him and his friend sighed.
“Sometimes being old school makes more sense...and you know I can’t read on screen for long without my glasses.” Adnan said.
“You see, this guy here have so many problems.” He teased him and his friend smiled, and he moved closer to him and support him to stand up, he (Idris) then carry the Sahih Bukhari with one hand, stabilize the support with the other hand and led him out of the ward and slowly they find their way to Idris Car.
He know he could not wish for any other friend, he has done more than any of his siblings would do.
Most times he understand that he was the one who move a bit from his siblings , he hates it when they pity him so much .
“Now, shall we move?” Idris asked as he start the car.
“I think you need to get someone live with you.” Idris said.
“Those domestic staffs are what again?” Adnan asked
“I love my privacy and you know it ... If not for your persistence for me to get staffs at home, do you think I would do that? Now I have a gardener and a security man, so what someone do you think again?” Adnan asked him and he swallowed hard.
“Mr man, those staffs don’t live in the main house, they live at the boys quarter, do I have to worry about you all the time?” Idris asked and his friend smiled.
“Of course, I understand but don’t worry, I can take care of myself.” He said and he relaxed his head on the car seat and closed his eyes.
He was glad and grateful of being alive again.