THE DARKEST MOMENT
CHAPTER 12
EPISODE 3
She met her getting ready to leave the house for Halqah, his red eyes showed it that he must have had sleepless night, her sister was closely behind him. His mother stared at him and know he was fuming with anger.
“And what is it?” She asked in defensive.
“Ummu, please I am begging you, don’t go see Yasminah like that again. Haba, she is too young for this ... She is not even of the same age as Fatimah...” He said calmly.
“Then can’t you see she is too young for you?” His mother indicted and he sighed then smiled.
“Too young .. you have changed your concern about her?” He asked her.
“Everything is too wrong with that girl, she is too young, an orphan , no family , no proper upbringing ... What type of family will abandon their brother and sister daughter like that? How can she be a good wife...?” she asked him.
“Ummu, ... Any of that does not matter, she is a good muslimah, she had good behaviour and she is my choice, that is all that matters. And so please stop threatening ...” He said sternly ...
“And if I don’t stop?” His mother asked her and that was when his father came out of the room.
“This one... (Points at his son) just so stubborn, he hardly listen to anyone . Go and get married to her and let me see.” His father said to him.
“Is this a way of getting back at me because of Hikmah?” He asked his parents
“Does it matter who I end up with? Do you even care about my happiness?” He asked
“Yes, it matters , I want a daughter in law that I would be proud to introduce to my friends just like I did with my other younger sons... And your happiness? Is that now what everyone had been working so hard to see all the days of our life?” His father said..
“Abu, that is wrong , that is the Sunnah we were brought up with ... What is wrong with getting married to a girl with good morals and the one of the Deen without a noble background?” He asked.
“That girl Hikmah is still not married abi?” His father asked Fatimah who was watching the drama.
“Yes.” She replied.
“Just send a wedding proposal again ... And if you don’t want her...get another reasonable girl from a good family.” His father said to him and left the house.
“She is my choice and nothing can change that and like I said Ummu, stop showing up in her house.” He warned and left the house.
“Ummu, I think we should just give up now ... Please didn’t hurt him the more.” Fatimah said to her mother who look at her with a bad look!
“Do you know what you are talking about ? What will I tell my friends?” Her mother said.
“The girl is not presentable at all, have you seen her?” She said.
“Even the hijab does not fit her ... Secondary school girl! Oh Adnan made a bad choice and he is too blind to see.” She said.
“Whatever it is ... I think we should we give up for now ... Let him just do what he wanted , marriage like that don’t last.” She said with conviction.
Her mother sighed and nodded slowly.
“Don’t let us send him away... You know how bro is? He is so independent ... Have you forgotten how many times he would be admitted at the hospital without him even telling anyone but his friend? Just because he doesn’t want to inconvenience us!!! If we continue like this, I guess he will not even call anyone again...” Fatimah explained.
“Bro had a bad temper... I am sure that girl would not wait for long.” Fatimah said and hissed.
......
......
......
As soon as they left the house, they eave a sigh of relief and she cleaned off the tears that has refused to fall when they were listening to the stories her uncles cooked up about how they tried so hard to search for them without success.
“I cannot believe that we are in the same city... We have searched so much for them.” One of her uncle said.
“Alihamdulilah... “ The Imam said with a nod.
“I am glad Ashabi is getting married to a respectable family, everyone knows the family in this state ... And even her husband.” Another one said.
“How about Shade? When are you getting married ... I am sure anti mi, will be so happy at how her young girls turn out to be.” One of their Aunts asked and all Shade could do was nod and broke into tears.
She cried so much that her younger sister was scared she would hurl insults at their mother relatives but she didn’t do either but cried so much.
Ashanti sighed again as the incidence played in her head as they drove home in Imam’s car.
That evening , he collected their Aunts number from Shade and dialled her number, it was not going through and they realized that she must have changed her phone number and the girls were confused on how to get to her.

“This is going to be tough than I thought ...” The Imam said and Ismail paused to think.
“The facebook can help , how about we search for her name on Facebook?” He asked and brought out his phone as the girls looked at him with surprise.
“The world is a global village they said, let us prove it right.” She said
“Her name?” Ismail asked.
“Tolani Adekunle ... “ Shade said and watched as Ismail typed expertly.
“Oh, many names pop out .... “ He said and gave the girls to check the names to see if there is a chance for them to get their aunt on social media
After a few minutes among name, they found her picture ...
“That is her?” Shade said.
“She has grown bigger.” Ashabi said.
“I will send a friend request on her and also send her a message ... Don’t worry, once I receive a reply, I will let you know ins Sha Allah.” He promised and they nodded.
“I think you both should go home, you looked tired ... I will come check on you before I go home ins sha Allah.” He said to them and the Imam agreed, they thanks the Imam for having him go through that stress for their sake and he nodded with smiles.
“It is my responsibility. .. “ He said and watched they left.
“Ismail... “ The Imam called him.

“Na’am.” Her replied
“Marry her.” The Imam said to him and he looked at the man with surprise.

“Do you want me to talk to her?” He asked.
“Don’t give me that look of i don’t know what are you are talking about . I am an old man , and I have eyes, You have a job now isn’t it?” The man asked him and he swallowed hard.
“Sir ...” Ismail called not knowing what to say and the man sighed deeply. He still remember how she rejected him.
“Do you want me to talk to her?” The Imam asked again.
“Okay then, I will assume your silence as a Yes.” The Imam said to him and he nodded slowly.
“Jazakallahu Khayr ... Sir.” Ismail said to the man. He stayed in the Masjid till after Ishai, stop by at their apartment before he left for home hoping for a positive answer from the Imam and their Aunt. The answer came two days later from facebook and in less than an hour, he got the number from her and a call was put through to her.
Surprisingly , she arrived Ibadan two days later.
“I have been looking for them for so long.” She said tearfully and was glad the girls are safe and alive.
“I went to the village twice , no one has the information of where you live ... “ She explained.
“I changed my number some years ago.” She said to them and even demanded to see Adnan that evening she arrived.
“How soon do you want to get married to her?” The woman asked her after a series of questions.
“As soon as possible ins Sha Allah, we will have a discussion at my house this weekend with my grandparents , so as soon as that is done, we can plan a Nikkah ins Sha Allah.” He explained to her.
“Alright ...that means I can start preparation from my end ... They had nice parents ... death happened and it can happened to anyone, don’t ever think that she is pathetic ooo, just like you would like someone treat your sisters.” She said to her.
“And thank you for all you have done so far for them.” She said tearfully to him.
“Alihamdulilah.” He said to her.
The next day after her arrival, Ismail visited her and she was so happy to see him for he was the one she was communicating with before her arrival in Ibadan.
“And I don’t even know when you left yesterday.” The woman said to him.
“I am sorry for not coming to say Teslim before I left, I only think that you would have so many catch up to do.” He said.
“Where do you work Ismail?” The woman asked him.
“I am an assistant Lecturer at the federal university, I am currently running my phD program.” He said and wonder why the woman was asking him so much questions.
“Oh, that is good ... Where are you from?” She asked further.
“I am from Ilorin in kwara state and my parents live there as well.” He said to her.
“I am the last child of my parents.” He added.
“Oh, that is so nice ... You are such a well behaved young man....I am proud of you.” The woman said and he smiled.
He excused himself and went to the Masjid to see the Imam.
“That man is a very nice young man.” She said to her nieces who had been observing quietly.
“How come he know you both so much?” She said and listened to how much Ismail had helped them and he is just like brother.
“Afolashade... Don’t you like him?” Their Aunt asked him and Ashabi could not help laughing.
“Get married to him...” Their Aunt added.
“I don’t know how blind a man can be when he does not even notice this beauty beside him ...” She said
“Abi, we will just do a joint Nikkah.” She said again and Ashabi could not help laughing , for the first time since the reunion with their relatives started... She had not laughed so hard as she was that moment.
Perhaps, it was not so bad.
.....
......
......
Ashabi sighed as they saw their Aunt off at the garage and were even lucky to have a ride home with Adnan, who had suddenly showed up at their house immediately after Fair to take her to the park to get a bus to Edo.
As soon as she left, he drove them back home and returned back home, his grandparents would be in town in a few hours time and he was trying so hard to hide his excitement , one thing he knows is you can’t say No to Bami and Mami, both old couple were so good in persuading and he was glad they promised to help him to let his parents see reasons as they cant wait for him to get married.
...
......
......
“Bami, how come you didn’t tell anyone you are coming?” His son asked him as soon he greeted his parents warmly.
“In fact we were suppose to be here late week my arthritis started some days before the proposed journey and we just have to reschedule.” Bami said.
“Bami, your food is ready and you too Mami.” They heard their daughter in law Umm Adnan called out from the dinning table and the old couple exchanged glance and then sighed.
“Ummu Ruqayyah, join us here ... there is something we need to discuss about ....the main reason why we are here.” Mami said , the younger couple exchange glance and as suggested , Ummu Ruqayyah joined her husband and his parents in the living room.
“It is about Adnan’s proposed Nikkah and I was told you are against it... Why?” His father asked him.
“Bami, we don’t know anything about this girl...” Abu Ruqqayah.
“She is too loose , she is always seen around him... You need to see how shamelessly she was making herself available to him, how can that girl be accepted into this family?” She asked her mother in law.
“I have done my findings which is what you both you have done if you truly want your son to get married or care as you claim to be ... She is from a good home, her grandfather was a friend of mine during his life time may Allah forgive the dead and grant them Al jannah.” He said and signed.
“Bami, that girl is too loose.” Ummu Ruqayyah pointed out.
“How many men have you seen her with? Stop saying that statement, it is irritating.” Her mother in law cautioned.
“I have seen her with one aside Adnan. I don’t like the way she was all over the place at the hospital... I even met her in his house ... That does not speak well of her.” Ummu Ruqayyah.
“Is that definition of one being loose...? Do you even care to know what your son is up to? So you just believe what you chose to believe... Isn’t one of the reason why you should not make a fuss about the whole thing in the first place ... “ Her mother in law said.
“Abi for fitnah... What will it cost you...what if he just go get married without you knowing. Men now do these nowadays..
At least he does not need your consent , does he? At his age, two of my children we’re already in secondary school? How old were you when you both get married and you aren’t even worried he didn’t get married until now... What is wrong with you both?” Bami accused them and then sighed .
“Adnan is not a young man, he will be forty soon , he knows what he want... Why can’t you just accept that and stop prolonging this issue at all...?” Bami said.
“Bami, we care about him, a few years ago, I sought for my friend’s daughter hand marriage for him... an healthy young beautiful and smart girl... Who has always been like my daughter ... She know about his health at least, what parents would want their daughter get married to a man like Adnan despite knowing him inside out... But my friend accepted and this girl accepted as well but this stupid and stubborn boy rejected it ...” Abu Ruqqayah explained and his father sighed.
“Dont you get it... This boy do not want to marry for pity ...he shouldn’t , no one deserves that mystery .. so this is what we will do... I don’t have time to drag words with anyone. .. the Nikkah will hold ins Sha Allah, we will be visiting her Wali, tomorrow, it is Sunday isn’t it? I spoke with him on phone while we are on our way here. We aren’t dragging any issue, it has been sorted... Learn to accept her.” Bami said looking at his son who was avoiding his gaze, there were a lot of disappointment on his face.
The day after, Adnan and his relatives visited the Imam and a Nikkah date was fixed.
“In four weeks time ins Sha Allah.” The Imam said and Adnan could not wait.
In his room, he created a calendar and try to strike the numbers each passing day.
..........
.......
Shade sighed deeply as the Imam asked her again.
“Do we have to discuss this now Imam... I think we have Ashabi’ s wedding to prepare for.” She said to him and the man smiled.
“Would that change the date? Of course the preparation is already going on ... So what else...” The Man asked him kindly.
“Okay, I will like to marry him...” She finally said and she felt relief all over her body and the man nodded slowly.
“I am proud of you.” He said to her with smiles.
“Can the wedding happen as soon as possible? It should not disturb your education ....” The man said to her and she nodded slowly, that night, she received a message from him.
Jazakallahu Khayr for accepting the Proposal.
She sighed and smiled.
Wa anta fajazakallahu khayr. She replied she eave a sigh of relief...
She is glad, things are getting into place...
Perhaps that was the best time for her...
She recall how she rejected his wedding proposal few years ago without thinking, she was scared that her sister would be all alone if she get married , she didn’t want that .. she want both of them to be fine and it is look like things are getting better for them and the future she strive for them to have, might be happening .
©Umm Rumaysah