The two friends embraced each other warmly before they sat down side by side.
“Do you care for some snacks and juice?” Adnan asked
“You know that is the highest I can offer you here.” He added.
“No, I will pass, I have a healthy food waiting for me at home... I thought Yasmina do come over once in a while...” Idris asked , he had travelled for four weeks official assignments and he got back the day before.
“I thought you said I should get the keys from her.” Adnan said looking at his friends.
“That was not what I said, I said if you want to enjoy the full benefits, get married to her.” Idris said.
“I ought to have expect you to have sent a proposal right now ... Probably invite me for the nikkah next week ... Don’t tell me you are developing a cold feet already “ Idris said watching his friend.
“It is a long story.” Adnan said.
“I have time ... Let’s hear it.” Idris said and listened to his friend narration about his parents not in support and about Shade visit.
“Ismail volunteered to go with me to see the Imam who will be her wali ... Since they don’t seem to have paternal male relatives ... But I am thinking of meeting with their Aunt and maternal family side for the formality ins sha Allah. But I can’t believe Abu and Ummu would not be in support , I never saw it coming ..” Adnan explained sadly.
“I understand the pain.” Idris said and took a deep breathe as he think of what to do, things seem to be getting tougher than he expected.
“Does it look like they would reason with you eventually?” Idris asked.
“I don’t know.” Adnan said and he sighed.
“Idris ... “ He said and looked at his friend ...
“Do you or any of your family members resent me for turning down the wedding Proposal with Hikmah? I know your parents were mad at that time, but we have met severally and I...” Adnan explained.
“I didn’t resent you ...it is been a few years ... And I believe everyone had moved on... You know I would rather speak than do that... Come on we are brothers, I personally was confused when I heard about the wedding proposal because the Hikmah I know will not be a good wife to you ...yes I would love us to be in laws but I know she was not right for you ... I know you understand me better, And so I was relieved when it didn’t work out ... Though she was silent about the whole thing, but I believed she has moved on. May Allah bless her with a good spouse. Really it is been few years, I see no reason why we will still be talking about this.” Idris explained to his friend.
“What other reason are they giving you. I don’t think that is the main thing? I think we need to be happy for you, this is the first time you are making effort to get married ...ma sha Allah, do you remember how you always wave marriage discussion aside each time I make an attempt to bring it in... So I don’t really understand , do you think they what to match make you again?” Idris asked and Adnan shook his head. He could not tell his friend some hurtful things his parents said about Ashabi... He didn’t want his friend to see his parents the wrong way and he didn’t want to build up ideas about them to him.
“That, I don’t know but I don’t think so... “ Adnan said.
“Then I think we still need to make effort, I will talk to Abu to talk to him if you want to ... I know as men, we don’t need their consent to get married but ideally we need their support, not for anything but even for the incoming wife sake, my wife was with my parents all through the time I was away... Imagine how lonely she would have been if they don’t like her?” Idris said.
“I think we just need to find someone to make them see reason, it is not that difficult, while we still go ahead with the plan.” Idris suggested.
“Of course, that is exactly what I had in mind.” Adnan said.
“And whatever you do, don’t over react because I know you and your temper.” He said to his friend and Adnan said smiling.
“You really need to work on your temper, I guess I am the only one that can tolerate that your temper.” Idris said
“Hmmmm, you are always so full of yourself.” Adnan said
“I am not joking , especially now that you are getting married. .. and considering her age... You will need to be patient.” He advise his friend.
“Dont worry, I know you will give me a full lecture as soon as I am ready.” Adnan said and is friend pat him at the back.
“I know you will learn ... I am here for you Akhi.” He said to his friend and both broke into laughter.
They both went to the Masjid for Maghreb after which Idris went home while Adnan stayed back at the Masjid waiting for Salatuh Ishai.
Several thoughts keep running through his mind, as he sat down in the Masjid thinking...
Why can they just be happy for me ...
Would she be able to cope about my health crises?

Is she not too young?
Why aren’t they accepting her ?
Is she not good enough?
Of course, she is good looking , Yasmina has always been an attractive young girl,
She is intelligent , considerate and very smart, smarter than her age. .. she is also a go getter, she is striving to be a better person and I am proud of the person is gradually becoming ...
Of course she had values...
Ummu was just over reacting ...
She was worried about me and that is why she do come to the hospital to see me ...
Ya Allah, forgive me if I have done wrong...
For the first time in my life , I am actually thinking of getting married ... I leave my affairs to you.
Allaahumma 'Anta Rabbee laa 'ilaaha 'illaa 'Anta, khalaqtanee wa 'anaa 'abduka, wa 'anaa 'alaa 'ahdika wa wa'dika mas-tata'tu, 'a'oothu bika min sharri maa sana'tu, 'aboo'u laka bini'matika 'alayya, wa 'aboo'u bithanbee faghfir lee fa'innahu laa yaghfiruth-thunooba 'illaa 'Anta.
O Allah, You are my Lord, there is none worthy of worship but You. You created me and I am your slave. I keep your covenant, and my pledge to you so far as I am able. I seek refuge in you from the evil of what I have done. I admit to your blessings upon me, and I admit to my misdeeds. Forgive me, for there is none who may forgive sins but You.(Whoever recites this with conviction in the evening and dies during that night shall enter Paradise, and whoever recites it with conviction in the morning and dies during that day shall enter Paradise.)
Yaa Hayyu yaa Qayyoomu birahmatika 'astagheethu 'aslih lee sha'nee kullahu wa laa takilnee 'ilaa nafsee tarfata 'aynin.
O Ever Living One, O Eternal One, by Your mercy I call on You to set right all my affairs. Do not place me in charge of my soul even for the blinking of an eye.
Amin .
...
....
......
The Imam appeared in his living room and they exchanged some pleasantries. He was a man in his sixties.
“It is so good to see you Adnan… I am not sure I have seen this young man before.” He said pointing at Idris who sat beside him.
“His name is Idris” Adnan said and the man nodded.
“Oh,,, are you the son of Alhaji from the next street…” The Imam asked and Idris nodded.
“Na’am.” Idris said and the man nodded.
“Ma sha Allah, you look so much like your father.” The Imam said.
“Okay… you said you want to see me.” The man said looking at Adnan.
“Yes… hmmm, Alihamdulilah…I have known you for a while now… and I know you care about Yasmina and her Sister.” Adnan said and the man smiled.
“Alihamdulilah, but you are more of their guardian than I am, Ismail (Points at him where he was) but really they are more like my daughter and they have been good girls since I have known them.” The Imam said and Adnan sighed, not knowing what to say and Idris immediately noticed that.
“Hmm, sir, we are here today with a wedding proposal for Yasmina… Adnan would like to marry her… we don’t know of anyone as her Wali aside from you sir and that is why we are here. Hmmm, like you know, he is name is Adnan Abdul Malik, he is the first son and the second child of five kids to Alhaji Abdul Malik Adisa, he is from Shaki , he had been in Ibadan all his life, he is the owner of Just shoes company. He is single, never been married and he is a Muslim and he is a sickle Patient. We will be glad if you help consider this proposal.” Idris explained to him and the Imam sighed deeply.
“For Ashabi?” He asked Adnan and he nodded.
“Hmmm… Alihamdulilah… ehmm you will have to come over again, perhaps I will call you ins sha Allah, I will have to call her and discuss with her, after that we will meet again ins sha Allah.” The Imam explained to the men.
And he did invite Ashabi into his house, the next day after Fajr Salah, it was Sunday and thus she didn’t go to school.
“Adnan was here with his friends yesterday.” He said to her and observed her reaction.
“With a wedding proposal for you.” He added.
“What do you think about it? Do you like him?” The man asked and she nodded slowly avoiding the Imam’s eyes.
“Has he discussed this with you before?” He asked her.
“No.” She said to him.
“You like him?” He asked her again and she nodded again.
“Alihamdulilah... Does that mean that you would like to marry him too?” The man asked further.
“I will like you to observe your istikharah on it ...” he said to her.
“I have done that severally.” She said to him and he looked at her ...
“Hmmmm, you these children of nowadays ... That means you must have been expecting this abi...” The man teased her and she looked away trying not to smile.
“That means you are ready for marriage if it were to happen immediately?” The Man asked further.
“Na’am.” She said to him.
“Ashabi... Have you given it a thought properly ... He is a sickle cell patient... Do you know about too?” The man asked her.
“Na’am.. it does not matter.” She said to him.
“What do you like about him? Is it his money?” He asked her and she shook her head... Most of the times, she can’t understand how she just like him a lot... There are so many things she loves about him and she does not even know how she would start.
“Do you know your Genotype?” He asked her further.
“Yes, I am AA... Everyone one in our family are AA.” She said to him and he nodded with satisfaction.
“Ma sha Allah... Is there anything you would want me to ask him...” The man asked her.
“I will still like to continue with my education both Arabic and western.” She explained to him. She know her sister would not forgive her if the marriage affect any of these two...she know she didn’t really like the idea of her thinking of getting married at that time.
“Ins sha Allah.” He said.
“I will have a discussion with him ins Sha Allah... “ The Imam said.