Episode 1
Her first day in school was something that would stay in her for the rest of her life, schools seem different from how it was just few years ago and to her it look like a strange land.
It seems so different, during the entrance examination results, she could not get in to the second year and had to start from the first year, she was devastated but she know it was from the best.
“It better that way, I am sure, you will become better and come to think of it, you will have the chance to start your Tahfidh class, since the class is usually being taught from the beginning in the first year. I can’t wait to see complete your Tahfidh in three years aside from completing your secondary school.” Ismail explained to her.
And as a gift from him, he got her a school bag and a shoe.
Now four weeks in school, she still do not have any friends and was trying her best to enjoy the school,
She took a deep breath as she took her bag and left the class, it is closing time. she is the oldest in school no doubt and she know she need to behave herself.
She walked out of the school gate and saw his car not far from the gate.
She always find her way home daily but he had come pick her up from school thrice, that day would be the fourth.
She walked to his car and met him and also his friend, Idris and her heart missed a beat, she entered the car through the back seat and said her teslim.
They both chorused and Adnan started the car.
“How was school today?” Idris asked looking at her from the front mirror, he could not hide the surprise in him, but he was silent, he didn’t know what to say, so he just let it slide.
“Do you still have that book lists with you? We can stop by at the book store.” Adnan asked.
“Yes Uncle.” She said with a nod.
The dropped by at the bookstore and he got her all the books she needed and drove her home.
“You didn’t tell me she is now going to school?” Idris asked with concern as he started the car and drove out of the street.
“Oh, sorry, you know we haven’t discuss something similar hence why it escaped my mind.” Adnan said to him.
“But I seem not to understand … Adnan why? Don’t you think you are doing so much for them already … you got the sister a job?” Idris asked and his friend sighed.
“It’s nothing, have you forgotten the hadith about caring for orphans, they are girls, we can do the little we could for them.” He said to his friend.
“Hmmm, are you sure that is all?” Idris asked his friend.
“Ehn, what other thing?” Adnan said.
“Just drive me home abeg… when it is time, you will come and explain yourself to me….” Idris said laughing.
“I sincerely don’t understand what you are talking about.” Adnan said to his friend who looked at him and laughed the more.
“You know you can’t hide things from this smart guy here…anyways, is it Yasmina or the elder sister?” Idris asked and watched his friend shook his head.
“You are taking my good deeds wrongly.” Adnan said.
“I know and trust the good deeds but still you can’t hide it from me… the fact that you are replacing my sister with one of them is what baffles me.” Idris said to his friend half teasing.
“Now, this is wrong ….” Adnan said.
“Humm, like I say, when you are ready, you will let me know.” Idris said and watched his friend drove past his street.
“Just because I said the truth, do you want to kidnap me?” He asked teasing his friend.
“Exactly what is expected from a man in love… don’t you see that you just pass the junction to my house.” Idris said
“I was thinking of you taking one car from mine until yours is okay.” Adnan said to his friend.
“Oh, I know that is a cover up.” Idris said and Adnan laughed.
“You are never for once serious.” Adnan said and the two friends laughed the more.
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He wish he could do more but he could not, he was glad there are a lot of positive changes in the girls life just one year that they have been in the house.
Most times, he find himself awake in the middle of the night, thinking about Adnan and what his motives are.
Most of the times he just want him to be who he appear to be;
“Allah sent…”
He is trying to assist the orphans in the best way that that he could.
And sometimes he see a man who want something… initially, he thought he might be interested in Shade but twice, he had seen him look at Ashabi with some desire and at both times he had try to scold himself that he might be overthinking.
Yes, older men might be interested in younger women but Ashabi is barely twenty years, and Adnan is a man in his thirties, mid or late thirties.
And so he know it was just an overreaction, perhaps the thought of him thinking that Adnan might be interested in Shade.
Shade words still confused him.
How can she said, she is not who I thought she is,
Who was she?
Why will she say that?
Is it too early for me?
I always want to get married as soon as I meet my choice,
Yes, she is not the regular Muslimah, but she is striving, even though Yasmina seems to be better but he understand that the sisters has different personalities and this shows in the way they react to people.
Ashabi is a fun loving and lively young lady, she is the good definition of the pride of the family but Shade is very reserved.
And that is one thing that makes him likes her.
Perhaps, I just have to wait…
And be patient.
“This is so easy to do, all you need is to follow the formula.” He said as he put her through with her mathematics assignment.
“Do you think go into a science class is best for me?” She said to him as soon as she complete her homework. They were both sitting in front of house as usual in the evening, he always spare her time for her evening training every evening since she started school.
“I was in Art class before but now I want to go into science.” She said to him.
“Since that is what you want, I have the faith that you can do it, and you are really doing well.” He explained to her.
“But it is a difficult, chemistry… have you seen that big chemistry textbook?” She asked him and he laughed.
“Don’t worry, just continue to be serious with the reading, it will surely get better, it is been a while that you have study too, hence the problem.” He said to her.
“I am sure, Anti mi will do better than I am.” She said.
“Yes, I noticed she come home very late these days. Why?” He asked her.
“Oh, she attend evening class.” She announced.
“Evening class?” He asked to be sure he heard her well.
“Yes, didn’t she tell you? She is writing this year JAMB ins sha Allah.” She announced and he could not hide the surprise on his face.
“Oh… I think you know. Uncle Adnan want us both in school.” She said.
“So, for the preparation of the examination, she enrolled into an evening class, she attend the class after work every evening.” She said to him and he swallowed hard.
“I am sorry, I think you know.” She said looking at him and he forced out a smile.

“Oh, come on, I am not supposed to know everything, I am glad that you are both now in school and I wish you all the best.” He said to her.
“Thanks for everything, you are just like the brother we never had… and whatever is happening between Anti and you, I think you should just be patient with her, sometimes she might sound insensitive but she is very considerate.” She explained to him.
“Did she tell you anything?” Ismail asked her and she shook her head, she see no reason for telling him how her sister always try to waive any discussion that has to do with him.
“Alright then, thank you.” He said to her.
Half an hour later, she returned to their room and he went to the Masjid.