The car parked in the compound and he got down from the car and followed his friend into the building.
He has been the one driving him to work for one week since his discharge from the hospital.
“Ma sha Allah, you house look neater and the aroma coming from the kitchen is something... Do you get someone do that for you while you are at work?” Idris asked him as they settled down on the chair.
“I guess Yasmina was here.” He said to him and he looked at his friend with question on his face.
“Did she have a key?” He asked and he nodded.
“She was here to clean up the house a day to my discharge at the hospital, and she didn’t return the keys.” Adnan said to his friend.
“Friend, what is with you and this girl? What do you want to do with her?” He asked his friend.
“What do you think?” Adnan asked.
“Remember we had this discussion sometimes ago... Your relationship seem undefined ... And I am not in support ... I warned you getting close to them ... “ Idris said.
“Do you like her?” Idris asked his friend and Adnan sighed.
“And don’t bother to lie... I can see through you... Very clear.” Idris said.
“You know even if I do ... I...” Adnan said.
“You do... Get married to her.” He said to his friend.
“I ...” Adnan tried to say.
“Just like you turn down my sister abi... You know it was easier to do because she was who she is ... Hikmah, that girl you saw grow up , and the one you see as a sister ... But Yasmina is different, ... you have always like her from the very beginning ... Do you know how long you talk about her the first day you saw her at my house? You seem to know more about her despite just buying things from her for few times in your village ... I have never seen you do that with any woman... But then I thought I was wrong ... Until you start getting closer... And now see ... The girl likes you too... It is obvious, and I don’t think you can stop ladies like that, she will keep coming ... Now that she has your keys... “ Idris said
“Hmmmm,... You know my condition Idris... I rejected Hikmah because I am not sure for how long I will live, I don’t want her to go through all the stress of taking care of me ... “ He said to her.
“Yes I know ... But I guess Yasmina is different , ... If you are going to pity yourself , no one knows what Allah has in stock for us ... Sometimes we just have to act greedy sometimes... Enjoy his Rahma on us for even the short time that we have on this earth.” Idris said.
“I really wish for you to be happy, ever since these girls had found their way into your life, you look amazing , I see that joy that I have never seen before, we have known each other all our lives and I have never seen you like this before.” Idris said.
“Act greedy, get married, that is the only way for this to make sense.” He explained further.
“How about we wait for a while, to think it through... She is just a secondary school girl ...” Adnan said.
“Ehn ... Ehn, secondary school girl , we both know that is just a circumstance now... A secondary school girl that would make a house this neat and makes food ...I bet she is a smart girl, she certainly knows what she want ...” He explained to his friend.
“Think about it .... And before this get out of hand.” He advised his friend the more.
“Now, I have to be on my way home... My wife is waiting ...
“I know one day she would block you from coming here...” Adnan teased him and he could not help laughing.
“Before that time comes, it is best you get married.” He said to him and they both laughed the more. He saw his friend as far as to the door before he walked to his bedroom to prepare to go to the masjid.
And that day, he observed his istikharah.
.....
......
....
Immediately he drove into the compound even without the gateman telling him, he knows she is in the building.
“Is Yasmina in the house?” He asked the gateman to be sure.
“Yes sir.”
He nodded and walked to the door, he knocked said his teslim and waited for her to respond and gave him permission to enter the house.
She was in the living room, preparing to go back to her house.
“You didn’t tell me you would be coming today?” He asked her
“I am ready to go home, I was a bit delayed at the market, that was why I am still here, you would not have met me here.” She said to him.
“I made some soups for you, it will last you for some days.” She said to him and walked to the door.
“Ehn, Yasmina, what do I do with you?” He said to her.
“Just be strong.” She said to him and left the house.
He sighed and followed her outside.
“Let me drop you ...” He volunteered.
“Don’t worry, I will...” She try to say.
“Get in.” He instructed and walked to the car and she followed him reluctantly and they had hardly enter the car when a car horned.
“That must be Ummu...” He said recognizing the sound of his mother’s car and got out from the car and she did the same.
“Your mum?” She asked and he nodded.
The gate was opened as a car drove into the compound, it was his mother just like he predicted.
“Then I have to go...” She said to him , he dipped his hand into his pocket and gave her some money which she rejected.
“Don’t worry, I have some money with me.” She said to him.
“Come on, take this and go home straight.” He said to her and accepted the money reluctantly, she moved to Adnan’s mother and said her Teslim and left the compound as fast as she could.
“Ummu, you didn’t tell me you would be coming, what if I am not home.” Adnan said to her.
“Ehn, shebi, I can wait for you.” She said to her and led him inside the house.
“Who is she?” His mother asked him as soon as they got into his house and sat down on his sofa.
“I saw her thrice at the hospital or was it even four times?” She said to him and he nodded.
“Yes, Ummu. She was at the hospital.” He said to her as she got her a cup of water.
“And she is here again?” She asked him.
“Yes, who is she? Omo Tani (who are her parents)?” She asked him as she accept the cup of water from his hand.
“And why is she here?” She asked him further.
“Which of your questions do you want me to answer first?” He asked his mother.
“Who is she?” She asked again.
“Her name is Yasmina.” He said to her
“Ehn... Ehn... Yasmina... Why is she here?” She asked further.
“Ummu, tell me what do you want to eat? I have soups in the freezer. Freshly made.” He said and turned to walk to the kitchen.
“Don’t tell me you want to marry that girl?” Her voice stopped him and he turned to her.
“Don’t even try it...” She said again and he wondered if he heard her right.
“What if I want to marry her?” He asked her.
“Who are her parents?” She asked him.
“Does that matter?” He asked still looking at her.
“Of course it does, do you think your father and I would let you marry just any girl from anywhere? She was at the hospital almost everyday, what type of cheap girl is that? Did she even have parents? Why is she in a man’s house? What is she doing here? Is that the girl you want to marry... Of course you didn’t even tell me that you want to marry her... So I guess I am just over reacting.” She said to her.
“Ummu, are you joking right now?” Adnan asked his mother and walked back to where she was sitting.
“Abi, shebi you are joking , because you should be? Perhaps she is one of those girls who help you do some house chores ABI? Why will you be allowing a strange girl into your house ... With the type of values you are brought up with? Tell me first , what is with you and her ... Yasmin or Yasmina or whatever you call her ?” She asked him.
“I want to marry her.” He finally said to his mother and watched her broke into laughter and she was at it for a while.
“Of course, you are joking... Abi, who are her parents?” She asked further.