THE DARKEST MOMENTS
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The Nikkah
His parents looked at him and smiled. It came as a surprise to see him in town without notice and as soon as he dropped his bag in his room, he explained to them the reason for his visit.
A nikkah ...
“Ma sha Allah, she finally agreed?” Her mother asked him and he nodded. He hardly hide things from his parents being the last child of the family and being the closet to his parents. They were just like his friends.
“And her sister is getting married soon, ma Sha Allah.” His father said.
“I think this is better now that you have a job.” His mother said to him.
“We would have accepted her all the same if she accepted the wedding proposal then, more like a having a bonus daughter.” His father said.
“So, I will get her Wali’s phone number and plan a meeting with him ins Sha Allah, and I am hoping we can even have a Nikkah on her sister wedding day and probably planned for the Walimah later ins sha Allah.” His father said and Ismail nodded.
“Do you think that your apartment is okay ... Will it be convenient if she join you there?” His mother asked him and he laughed.
“Haha, it is a one bedroom flat now...it is better we start like that.” He explained.
“And her education responsibility?” The father asked him.
“We can assist but her sponsor might not stop paying her tuition.” He said to them and they nodded.
“May Allah make it easy... Barakallahu feekum.” His father prayed.
....
.
..
.....
Ashabi sank on the bed, she had just return from school and was tired, it is two weeks to her Nikkah and she didn’t even know how to prepare...
The week before , Adnan sent her some money to get herself somethings she would want but she just don’t know what to get and even her sister could not help. They have no idea on what to get and Shade even promised to get help from her course mates.
She sighed and stretched out her legs, she was already dozing when her phone rang. It was a call from Adnan.
She sighed deeply and yawned (with her mouth covered with her hand)!before picking the call.
“Are you at home?” He asked after exchanged of teslim.
“Na’am, ...” She said..
“Oh sorry, you must have been so tired ... Or should I call back later?” He asked.
“No, don’t ... “She said
“Okay, so you said get to back to me if you need anything else... “ He started, she had promised to let him know if she need more money to get some things for herself.
“Yes, i haven’t exhausted I have with me.” She said.
“Have you not gotten anything?” He asked her and she was silence ..
“That is a yes... “ He said to her.
“I don’t know what to get ... I don’t want to waste the money.” She said to him.
“But Anti mi said she would tell her course mates, probably if they can help with the shopping.” She said.
“Hmm, can we do it this way... How about if Idris wife come pick you up during the weekend and help with the shopping, she is experienced and you know she is mobile, so it will be easy to move around.
How about that?” He asked her and she sighed.
“Is that not some inconvenience ?” She asked him.
“Let me talk to Idris first ...” He said to her.
“Na’am.” She replied.
“And the Mahr, have you thought about it?” He asked.
“Na’am.” She said.
“Okay, let us hear it ...” He said to her .
“I want to have a degree.” She said to him.
“I promised to give that before ... If Allah wills.” He said to him..
“That is all that I want.” She said .
“Mahr... Can be something that has value... It does not have to be money...” She said.
“Yasminah, I promise to sponsor your education ...even when I am no longer alive... Ins sha Allah and that of your sister... But now think and let me know how much you want as your mahr?” He asked again.
“I am waiting ..” He asked her
“Any amount abi?” She asked him
“Yes.” He said.
“Even if it is two million?” She asked half teasing.
“Is that what you want?” He asked her.
“Ehn?” She asked.
“Two million is not bad.” He said to her.
“oh..I am just joking ...” She said to him.
“Hmmm, can we leave it as that?” He asked her.
“But that is too much.” She said to him.
“May Allah Grant us ease ....so as I promised, I will discuss with Idris, his wife will call you ins Sha Allah and I hope you don’t have any tests for now...” He asked.
“No until a week after the Nikkah ins sha Allah.” She said to him.
“Alright then, talk to you later.” He said and hung up.
Her sister entered the room as soon as she did, looking so tired.
“You look tired.” She commented and her sister nodded as she start to undress and went to the bathroom to have a shower , she returned back looking refreshed.
“We have two impromptu tests today... it is not easy.” Her sister said to her and sat on the bed beside her sister.
“haya, how was it? I trust my sister ...the smart lady.” Ashabi said half teasing.
“Hummm, you can say that again ....” Shade said
“Uncle called about the shopping ... “ She said to her sister and explained how he suggested that idris wife assist with the shopping.
“That is better then , because I don’t even know who to ask in class...you know I don’t really have a friend.” Shade said and her sister laughed, of course she knows that her sister had always been the quiet type.
“Of course, I am glad that you will be getting married too to your friend ... I can’t imagine leaving you alone all by yourself.” Ashabi teased her sister.
“After all the pretence that you don’t like him... Hmmm anti mi.” Ashabi teased further and moved closer to her sister then put her hand round her neck.
“Stop that ...” Shade said trying not to laugh.
“Hmmm, see who is blushing ...” Ashabi said.
“And is that why you keep calling your Husband to be Uncle?” Shade asked her sister and Ashabi laughed.
“I don’t want anyone to see me as being disrespectful... You know me now...”Ashabi and laughed the more.
“Just carry your naughty attitude to your husband house... I have had enough of it already.” Her sister said to her and the both laughed the more.
It felt so good
.
“Indeed he is a very good man, I am happy for you.” Her sister said.
“May Allah direct your steps in this new journey that you are about to start.” Her sister said to her and hugged her tightly.
“And yours too.” Ashabi said and the two sisters smiled at each other as tears fell on their face.
©Umm Rumaysah