He always feel two things each time he is with them;
At home.
At ease
And most times, he always cautioned himself that he is non mahram to them and he should not feel any of these two feelings… but he just could not help it.
“What is the plan about Yasmina... Do you want her to return to her place of work?” He asked her as soon as he was accompanied to his car by the two sisters.
“No, I don’t want her to go back.” Shade said to her boss sternly and he sighed.

“How about she return back to school?” He suddenly suggested.
“Let her get back to school.” He said and looked at Ashabi who was also looking at him.
“We have many standard schools in this state.” He said.
“Hmmmm, “ Shade said, she didn’t know what to say.
“Don’t worry, I will sponsor her through school ins sha Allah.” He said to her and the two sisters exchanged glances and then return their gaze to him.
“Sponsor?” Shade asked , that was the fear.
“Yes, I will ins sha Allah.” He said to her.
“And yes, Yasmina, I got something for you, I have almost forgotten.” He said looking at her who was still shocked at what he had just said. He dipped his hand into his right pocket and brought a new phone pack and gave it to her.
“You need this too.” He said and gave it to her and Shade was further shocked.
“And I think you should tell Ummu Hikmah that she won’t work for them anymore, just for clarity sake.” He said to Shade.
How can one be this nice?
What does he want?
Could it be...?
“I have to be on my way, we will discuss about her school tomorrow ins Sha Allah. It is almost time for Maghreb.” He said to them, they watched him got into his car and drove away and they returned to the room.
“You will be going back to school ... “ Shade and hugged her sister tightly.
“Would you go to school instead?” Ashabi asked her sister who looked at her with surprise.
“I can call him and let him know , you are already done with your secondary school, getting you to go to the university would be easier and better for both of us.” Ashabi said , she does not know if going back to school would be the best for her, she is almost twenty and she know she would be the oldest in the whole school and that scares her.
“Are you serious at all, he said he want to help and you still want to give him a choice, don’t do that.” Shade said to her sister and she didn’t say anything anymore.
The next morning, she switched on her phone and beamed with smile. He even got her a sim too.
“Do you even have anyone number on it?” Shade asked her and she smiled.
“I have Bro Ismail’s number and I will get Uncle Adnan’s number from your phone.” She said to her sister.
“How do you know Ismail’s number?” Shade asked.
“He wrote it for me, several weeks ago.” She said to her sister, she then asked for Adnan’s number from her sister.
“Why do you want his number?” Shade asked her.
“He is my friend... He said so himself and besides, I need to call and appreciate him for what he did.” She said and her waited as her sister gave her his number and she saved his number with Uncle Adnan.
....
.
.
...
She called him an hour after her sister left for work.
“This is Ashabi.” She said to from the other end after exchange of teslim.
“Oh, Yasmina, how are you doing today?” He asked her.
“I am fine, Alihmadulilah.” She said to him.
“I called to say thank you for all what you have done.” She said to him.
“Alihamdulilah... It is the little I can do for you both.” He said to her and there was silence from the other end.
“Yasmina, are you there?” He asked from the other end.
“Yes Uncle... I ... I ...” She try to say.
“You know you can tell me anything? What is it?” He asked her.
“Is it possible to see you ... Without my sister knowing?” She asked.
“Okay, I hope all is fine ... “ He asked
“Are you at home this minute?” He asked further.
“Yes.” He heard her said.
“Okay, I will come over in a bit ins sha Allah.” He said and the phone got disconnected .
He was at her place an hour later and she was surprised to see him that early.
“So sorry, for having you come over.” She said.
“I could have come to the town to meet you.” She said to him
“There is no problem about that, I am here now.” He said to her and she nodded.
“So, why do you want to see me.” He asked her.
“Can I have my sister go to school Instead of me? Is it possible I work in her place, so that I can take care of the home while she is away... Believe me, I am very fast learner. She is already done with secondary school, I dropped out half way... Please don’t see it like I don’t appreciate all what you have done for me, I do and I will always do so, but I feel it is better she does... She always want to go to school, a lot of things had happened because of it.” She said and her mind went to what her sister had been through earlier.
“I just want her to have a better life.” She said to him.
“And what about you?” He asked her.
“I can cope with anything.” She said to him.
“Isn’t it suppose to be the other way round?” He asked.
“You are younger, and she is older.” He said to her.
“It does not matter.” She said to him.
“Do you think she would be happy if she heard about this?” He asked her.
“You need to go to school... I want that for you.” He said to her.
“And I am sure, you would thank me for that in future.” He said to her.
“It does not even matter if you do.” He said to her.
“She deserves it more.” She said.
“How about you both go to school ... “ He suddenly suggested.
“I will finance it.” He said to her and she looked at him sharply
.
“I mean it... I will finance your education.” He said to her.
“Hemmm, Hemm, I don’t know what to say.” She said to him and he shook his head.
“You don’t have to say anything ... Is there anything else you need? Feel free.” He said to her.
“Nothing ....” She said to him
“Are you sure?” He asked and watched her played with her finger.
“Nothing.” She replied again and he understand not to ask anymore.
After which he stood up and bade her farewell, she saw him off to his car and watched him drove off.
....
..
..
The smile would not leave his lips no matter how much he tried...
He didn’t know why?
And he didn’t even want to know why?
One thing is sure, he felt at peace ...
Most times he was trying to tell himself that he is helping orphans and sometimes, he keep thinking that he want something more.
He want her happy ..
.
He want her at peace ...
Because it looks like she has been through a lot ..
He want to console her..
He want to try his best ...
And then he remember she is but a non mahram and that scares him off. .
He is not even suppose to be in seclusion alone with her ...
He is not suppose to be too close...
He is not suppose to care so much...
And she is just a young woman ... And not even the age of the last child in his family
.
How could he tell her that the more he move closer, the more he had some feelings that he could not explain and the more he sees her like family even when they aren’t related.
Hmmm, what is this?
How do I solve this?
She is barely twenty
..
Far younger...
This is unexplainable ...
Hmmm, I think I just have to think straight ...
I am out of my mind ...
An old fool..
Yes, an old fool, that explains it,
That explains all of it , an old fool, who misunderstood a young lady innocence,
Oh, I am not going to do that...
I just want to help her .
I want to help them and that is all I have to do.
Perhaps I am just falling sick!
Why will I want something to do with such a young girl ...
Oh, I am crazy
Aaudhu billahi minas shaytani rajim
All I have to do is to enrol her in school
And her sister. ..
Give them a better life
And expect a reward from Allah...
That is all that I need.
He took a deep sigh as he try to concentrate on his driving.
As soon as he got to the office that day, he summoned Shade into his office.
“How about you go back to school too Yusrah? Would you love it?” He asked her and he observed her, she look excited and then had a gloomy look.
“No sir, as along as Ashabi is in school, that is okay for me and if I can maintain this job to sustain the home, I have no problem.” She explained to him and he could sense sadness in her voice and he sighed.
He regretted not knowing this but concentrating only on Ashabi alone.
That shows how insensitive I am,
If I had not been distracted ...
Yes, that is the name for it.
“What if you have it all, school and work ... You can work here part time, I would not want to take that from you, I understand how much you like your job, and how much it means to you, but I think you also need to go to school. Let us work on your SSCE and get you into the university ins sha Allah. “ He said to her and watched her sank on the chair beside her, she has been on her feet all through their discussion.
“Would you like that... I volunteer to finance your education ins sha Allah.” He said to her .
“And Ashabi?” She asked him to be sure he is not changing his mind about her sister.
“That still stand, don’t worry.” He said, he marvelled how the girls always try to have each other’s back.
“I am thinking of Yasmina enrolling into Al Hidayah schools, it is a good and standard islamic school.” He said to her.
“And I will get you the Jamb form for you ins Sha Alalh.” He promised and for the second time, he watched her broke into tears.
“What does he want?” The voice asked and that made her look up from the phone in her hand, and saw him standing not far from her and staring hard at her. She could not even look at his eyes for long before she took her gaze away. It was a weekend and Ashabi was sitting outside listening to some students discussion as she always does every evening.
“What are you talking about?” Shade asked him.
“Your boss, Yasmina told me he want to sponsor both of you in school, what does he want?” He asked her again.
“Why do you care?” She asked him.
“Perhaps you should ask him yourself ...” She said to him.
“Give me his number.” He demanded.
“I know you aren’t serious right now...” She said to him.
“Yusrah ...” He said not knowing what to say anymore.
“What is it?” She said to him.
“I mean well for you both and you know it and yet you keep punishing me for things I know nothing about, you made it seems like I am the real enemy ... and I am not.” He said to her and she sighed hard.
“Was it because of the wedding proposal? Was it because I am a corp member and I don’t have much to offer?” He asked her.
“When I talked about the wedding proposal, I did it not say because I want anything or to take advantage of you... I would not do that... I said it not because I have a pity ...okay, sincerely I did but you both are stronger and determined that I could ever think of ... I see the way you strive in your Deen to get better , I see how you struggle to live upright despite a lot of distractions and without proper guidance, that is the kind of person I want as a wife ... A partner and a friend.” He explained.
“And when I said wedding proposal, I didnt say without Nikkah, I want a Nikkah done, it is the only way we can be related and share the burdens and I wish to share that with you. “ He said to her and watched her shook her head.
“I am not the one you think I am Ismail, not even the slightest... I know about your sincerity but right now please let me be... I don’t even worth to be with people of religion like you ... But at least it made us a better person, alihamdulilah ....getting a better live to my sister is all I want and that is all that matters... “ She said to him, even though she wish things were different.