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The Phone Call: Post-Exam Resistance
She was lying down on the bed, laughing uproariously. "By Allah, Shalele, you make me laugh so much, you're going to make my stomach hurt!" she gasped.
"Uhmmm... well, my absolute desire is to see you happy at all times," Mukhtar replied smoothly over the phone. "I love nothing more than seeing you laugh, especially when I am the reason behind that laughter."
She teased back, "There you go again with your sweet-talking."
He let out an audible chuckle. "Oh, so now I’m sweet-talking you, baby?"
She giggled. "Well, I didn't explicitly say that."
"Then who said it?"
Pouting playfully, she replied in a pampered tone, "It wasn't me! Who am I to say such a thing? It must have been my spirits (aljanu) who spoke!"
"Is that so? I will definitely deal with those spirits. I’ll perform a spiritual exorcism (ruqyah) and cast them out!"
She laughed. "You wouldn't dare! You better keep quiet before they hear you and pay you a visit tonight."
He laughed too. "May Allah guide you for me, my princess."
Suddenly, she let out a dramatic, pampered whimper.
"Subhanallah! What happened?" he asked, startled.
"Uhmmm... well, it’s because of you!"
"Me? What did I do?"
"Aren't you the one calling me 'princess'? It implies I haven't reached the rank of 'queen' in your heart."
Mukhtar shook his head, thoroughly amused by Muhibbah’s dramatic antics. "Forgive me! You are far beyond a queen to me. You are my life." He paused before adding, "The moment you give birth to our first child, that's when you'll be promoted from princess to our queen, and our baby girl will become our new princess."
Muhibbah covered her face as if he were standing right in front of her. "Stop it, you're making me blush!"
He smiled and adjusted his posture. "Dear, what about my visit to see Daddy? You asked me to wait until you finished your exams. Now that they're over, what else are we waiting for?"
Muhibbah let out a heavy sigh. "Hmm... Mukhtar, it's actually not Daddy you'll be meeting. It’s Abba, because he is the one who will give away my hand in marriage, since he is senior to Daddy. He told me to call him once our exams were completely finished. The reason I haven't called him yet is because my mind is completely tangled. I don't want the topic of our marriage brought up right now. I can’t combine managing university with being married. I prefer we wait until further in the future, at least until after I graduate."
Mukhtar’s brow furrowed heavily. "I don't want to hear another word about this, Muhibbah! I understand perfectly now. I’m the only one who truly loves here, the only one deeply concerned, while you don't care about me at all."
She shook her head rapidly as if he could see her. "That's not true, dear! You know I deeply cherish you."
He cut her off sharply. "You don't love me. If you loved me, you wouldn't say things like that, my Zahra. The ultimate reward of love is marriage. Where on earth have you ever seen marriage prevent someone from studying? Marriage does not hinder education, nor does education hinder marriage! I give you my solemn word: I will support your studies until you say you are tired of school. I will personally secure your university admission. There is absolutely nothing I wouldn't do for you; I can sacrifice my own happiness just to ensure yours, my Zahra!"
Warm, heavy tears rolled down her cheeks. She quickly wiped them away and said softly, "There is nothing you could ever ask of me that I would refuse. You are my entire happiness, my Mukhy."
"If what you're saying is truly the honest truth, then I want you to call Abba the moment we hang up and inform him that you have finished your exams."
She took a deep breath before responding, "Alright, I will do exactly that, Insha Allah."
He smiled warmly. "LOVE YOU."
"LOVE YOU TOO."
With that, they said their goodbyes, and she placed the phone on her bedside drawer. She lay down and closed her eyes, pretending to sleep, but her mind was consumed by a dark, spiraling thought: What would become of me if I were forcefully separated from my Mukhtar? However, a small voice deep inside her heart reassured her, whispering that such a tragedy would never be allowed to happen.
She reached out, picked up her phone, and dialed Abba’s number. It rang all the way to the end, but he didn't answer. Closing her eyes, she drifted back into her deep worries. Sudden, sharp ringing from her phone startled her. She bolted upright, quickly pressing the phone to her ear.
"Abba, good evening."
"Good evening, my precious daughter. How is school?"
"Everything is fine, Abba. We have completely finished our exams! Our graduation ceremony is next week Sunday."
"May Allah grant you success, my daughter. May He bless you with excellent results."
"Ameen," she replied softly.
"Hmm... my daughter, I understand the underlying reason for your call. I am actually on my way there next week Saturday, Insha Allah."
A joyful smile broke across her face. "May Allah bring you safely, my Abba!"
"Ameen, my daughter."
"But Abba, you're coming along with Aisha, right?"
"Uhmmm, yes. Her own graduation is this week Saturday. We will travel down together, along with your Ummi and Suhaila, Insha Allah."
She let out a delighted squeal. "I can't wait to see you, my Abba!"
He let out an audible chuckle. "I have some great news for you. Do you want it?"
"Yes, please!" she chimed happily.
"Ammar has returned from his studies abroad."
Her eyes widened in utter shock. "Seriously?" She instantly went quiet, realizing her tone sounded as though she doubted his words, and quickly corrected herself, "May Allah bring you all safely."
"Ameen." He paused before adding, "By the way, I hope your older brother Fu'ad has stopped giving you a hard time?"
She screwed up her face in frustration. "He still hasn't stopped, Abba! Please tell him to go back to his own station."
"Don't worry about him. Once I arrive in town, I will personally retaliate on your behalf for everything he has done to you."
She laughed out loud. "May Allah bring you safely to my rescue, Abba!" He responded with a warm "Ameen," and after exchanging final goodbyes, she hung up, her heart overflowing with pure joy and relief.
Page 17
Muhibbah stripped off her clothes, wrapped a towel around herself, and headed to the bathroom. She took a shower and performed her ablution as the call for Maghrib prayer began to echo outside. Laying out her prayer mat, she offered her prayers, remaining seated afterward to recite her evening supplications. She stayed on the mat until she completed her Isha prayer.
Walking over to the mirror, she combed through her hair, tying it back neatly. She opened her wardrobe, selected a long, elegant caftan gown, and slipped it on. After tying her headscarf beautifully, she generously sprayed her entire body with perfume before heading down to the parlor. Long before she even stepped into the room, her captivating fragrance preceded her.
"Daddy, welcome back home," she greeted, pulling out a dining chair and sitting down.
"Welcome, my daughter. I hope your exams went well? May Allah bless you with great results."
"Ameen, my Daddy," she replied happily, serving herself a portion of jallof rice accompanied by a rich mutton pepper soup. She whispered a quiet Bismillah and began eating gracefully.
Suddenly, she felt a heavy, intense gaze fixed upon her. Lifting her eyes, she locked gazes directly with Fu'ad. Instead of backing down, she defiantly raised an eyebrow at him and calmly went back to eating her food. Her heart felt completely light and victorious; she knew his oppressive oversight was finally coming to an end now that Abba was about to descend upon Kaduna.
"Brother Anas!"
"What is it, you talkative girl?" Anas replied playfully.
"Oh, please! We haven't had a proper chat in so long, and yet you're calling me a chatterbox? Fine, I was actually going to share some great news with you."
"What kind of news?"
"I've changed my mind, I'm not telling you anymore."
"Well, see if anyone cares!"
Mummy intervened, smiling at their banter. "There you two go again. You just can’t seem to stay apart without bickering. What's the news, Muhibbah?"
Muhibbah threw a playful, dismissive glance at Anas. "Mummy, I was just trying to tell him that Brother Ammar has returned, and he immediately called me a talkative girl!"
Anas’s eyes lit up. "Wait, are you seriously telling the truth?"
She ignored him completely, turning her back.
"Oh come on, Daddy's absolute favorite girl! Forgive me, please tell me!"
Only then did she smile. "Yes, I'm serious! I just spoke with Abba on the phone. He told me they are all traveling down next week Saturday, including Ummi, Aisha, and Aunty Suhaila."
Anas burst into immediate celebration. He was overjoyed to hear that his best friend, whom he hadn't seen in over five long years, was finally returning. Mummy was also deeply happy to hear the news, though a part of her felt a sudden, heavy wave of anxiety—she knew the real, underlying motive behind their massive family visit.
Later, Mummy and Daddy retired to the main parlor section, leaving Anas and Muhibbah to chat happily by themselves.
Meanwhile, over at the company office, Suhail turned to Fu'ad. "Hey, doctor, have you completely forgotten about your hospital patients?"
"Uhmmm... what's it to you? Are you trying to drive me away?" Fu'ad retorted defensively.
"No, not at all. It's just that I know your medical work must be piling up over there."
Fu'ad threw him a sharp glare. "Just because I'm the primary doctor doesn't mean patients won't be cared for in my brief absence."
"That's not what I meant," Suhail replied smoothly. "But whatever, I understand. Honestly, there's a specific girl who has completely turned your head, because I don't trust your movements lately. Every single morning, you take your car and drive out. Then by afternoon, you grab your keys and disappear again while we're left working here at the company."
Fu'ad shot him another piercing glare. "What an absolute busybody you are. What business is it of yours where I go? If you're so jealous, why don't you go out and find yourself a girlfriend too?"
"Go tell that to someone who actually doesn't have one!" Suhail countered.
Fu'ad simply shrugged his shoulders dismissively.
Muhibbah stood up, said goodnight to Anas, grabbed a bottle of cold water from the fridge, and retired to her bedroom...
Page 17 (Continued) & Page 18
SOYAYYAR KWANA DAYA (One-Day Love)
By Fatima A. Muhammad (Aminiyar Ango)
Dashen Allah Writers Association — Page 17
Aisha
Meanwhile, back at Abba’s house, the family was gathered in the parlor chatting warmly.
"Brother Ammar, I seriously cannot wait for Saturday to arrive so we can leave for Kaduna!" Aisha said excitedly.
"Hmmm! Of course you can't wait," Ammar teased with a grin. "The moment you and Muhibbah reunite, you're going to completely overwhelm everyone with your endless mischief."
"Oh, come on, Brother Ammar! You know it's been so long since we last saw each other. We’ve missed each other terribly. Plus, I really want to be there to witness their graduation ceremony."
"Well, may Allah take us there safely. Honestly, I’ve deeply missed Anas too; it’s been over five years since we last hung out."
Aisha remarked, "Brother Ammar, if it weren't for our regular video calls, we would have completely forgotten what you look like by now!"
He laughed out loud. "To be fair, when I first walked into this house after arriving, I genuinely thought you were a total stranger! It wasn't until Mummy told me you were her youngest daughter that I finally recognized you." Aisha joined in his laughter.
Turning her attention to Abba, Aisha asked, "Abba, have our graduation outfits—mine and Muhibbah's—been taken to the tailor yet?"
Abba shook his head, smiling. "Aisha, you and Muhibbah have the exact same dramatic urgency. I already called the tailor; he assured me he will bring your graduation dress tomorrow, so you can hand over the rest of the fabrics to him then."
Ummi smiled softly. "It's no surprise their temperaments are identical, considering they share the exact same bloodline." The entire room burst into laughter.
"Well, it's a good thing we didn't grow up in the exact same household, otherwise—" Aisha was abruptly cut off by the ringing of her phone. She picked it up, pressing it to her ear. "Speak of the devil! We were literally just talking about you with Brother Ammar, girl!"
On the other end, Muhibbah laughed. "No wonder! I suddenly felt my heart racing and I bit my tongue, I knew you guys were gossiping about me!"
Aisha rolled her eyes playfully. "Who has the time to gossip about you?"
"Hey, respect my status as your older sister (Aunty)!" Muhibbah giggled.
"Oh please! Allah forbid you ever become my Aunty! By how many months are you even older than me?"
Muhibbah pouted on her end. "Who cares? Even if it's just by a single second, I am still older than you, so you must call me Aunty!"
"You are completely hopeless, let’s drop this topic," Aisha laughed. "Abba told me you guys are arriving on Saturday."
"Insha Allah, you will see all of us on Saturday, including Aunty Suhaila and Ummi."
"I can't wait to see you, dear! May Allah bring you all safely. Honestly, I really wished I could have boarded a flight to come join you for your own graduation today so we could travel back together, just so I could get a break from Brother Fu'ad's suffocating restrictions. But Daddy said absolutely not."
Aisha burst into a loud, mocking laugh. "I knew it! I told them Muhibbah was over there suffering under Brother Fu'ad’s absolute tyranny! Honestly, these past few days have been pure bliss for me; I feel like a bird that has successfully broken free from its cage."
"Uhmmm! Don't even get me started," Muhibbah sighed heavily. "I am in a serious crisis over here. That's why I'm desperate for you guys to arrive, just so I can get some breathing room." They continued chatting happily for a while before Muhibbah added, "Extend my warmest greetings to Ummi."
"She will receive them. Good night."
"Abba! Ummi! Brother Ammar! Good night!" Aisha called out, waving her hand to them as she hung up. Ammar also said his goodnights and retired to his room.
Left alone with her husband, Ummi let out a deep, heavy sigh. "Alhaji... honestly, if you were to listen to my personal counsel, I strongly wish you would reconsider this arranged marriage you are planning. By Allah, it’s not that I oppose the union; Muhibbah is my daughter just as much, and I love them both deeply. It's just that I am terrified of the immense friction that will follow, given how intensely they clash with one another. My heart is completely unsettled about this matter..."
"That is enough!" Abba cut her off sharply, his face darkening. "I do not want to hear another single word from your mouth regarding this marriage. If you persist, you will face my severe anger. Nothing will come of this union except absolute goodness!"
"Please forgive me, I didn't speak out of any ill intent," Ummi apologized quickly, lowering her gaze. "May Allah establish absolute goodness for us."
"Ameen!" Abba snapped angrily, standing up and storming out of the room, leaving her sitting alone.
Ummi watched his retreating back, letting out another weary sigh. She quietly prayed to the Almighty to choose whatever was best, and if there was no goodness in this path, to dismantle the arrangement easily.
Time passes swiftly by the grace of Allah.
Muhibbah was sitting comfortably in the parlor, completely engrossed in her phone, a radiant smile gracing her face as her chat took all her attention. Fu'ad walked past her, and in doing so, he deliberately stepped heavily right onto her foot.
"Oh my God! Mummy, I'm dead! I'm in absolute agony!" she shrieked in pain.
Fu'ad merely threw her a cold, unbothered glare, kicked her foot out of his way, and walked past, leaving her squeezing tears from her eyes. Waiting until he was safely out of earshot, she muttered bitterly, "May Allah judge you, I will never forgive you for this!"
Suddenly, a sharp, painful knock landed squarely on the back of her head. "Who on earth are you invoking Allah’s judgment upon?" a voice boomed.
Startled and terrified, she bolted straight toward Mummy’s bedroom, her eyes wide with panic.
Mummy jumped up as she ran in without knocking. "What is wrong with you? Bursting in here without a greeting, looking wide-eyed like someone who just committed a crime?"
Muhibbah caught her breath, trying to look innocent. "It's nothing, Mummy! I was actually just heading to the kitchen to prepare dinner for Abba and the family before their arrival. I just decided to check in on you because I hadn't heard you moving around."
Mummy stared at her skeptically, clearly not buying the story. "Alright then. Let’s go, I’ll join you in the kitchen to help out."
"Okay," Muhibbah replied, turning back toward the kitchen.
Joined by Mummy and the housemaid, they threw themselves into the cooking, preparing a massive feast. Muhibbah insisted on going all out; they prepared five distinct types of dishes and three varieties of fresh drinks. It took them over five hours of intense work to complete everything. Muhibbah beautifully set the dining table while the maid thoroughly cleaned the kitchen and packed a portion of food into a flask to take home.
After taking a refreshing shower, Muhibbah stood before the mirror and combed out her hair, securing it with a ribbon. She applied a light dust of face powder, a stroke of kohl to her eyes, and a touch of lipstick. Opening her wardrobe, she pulled out a stunning black Abaya gown, slid it on, and neatly rolled her matching shawl. After spraying herself generously with perfume, she slipped into a pair of black flat shoes and walked down to the parlor. Before she even fully stepped into the room, her exquisite fragrance filled the entire space.
"Daddy, please can we leave now? Abba's flight is about to land," she urged, checking the wall clock.
"Be patient until your older brothers get ready. They are who we are waiting for." She didn't argue further, standing by the door for about ten minutes until Fu'ad and Suhail finally emerged.
Fu'ad
His eyes immediately locked onto her, scanning her from head to toe. As she lifted her gaze, their eyes collided intensely. She defiantly rolled her eyes at him and turned away. He simply smirked, averting his gaze as he followed Mummy out to the cars.
The family arrived at the airport just as the flight landed, and within moments, the visitors emerged.
Muhibbah
Sprinting forward with absolute joy, she threw her arms around Ammar. "Welcome back, Brother Ammar! I have missed you so intensely!"
"I’ve missed you too, Muhibbah," he laughed gently, pulling her back from the embrace.
Mummy chided her immediately, "My goodness, Muhibbah, are you ever going to grow up? Don't you realize you're a fully grown woman now? You shouldn't be publicly hugging Ammar like that!"
Muhibbah pouted playfully and turned to hug Abba instead, but he quickly caught her hands with a warm smile. "My daughter, you truly have grown up now."
"Oh come on, Abba, I haven't grown that much!" she whined in a pampered voice, making the entire group burst into laughter.
She then embraced Aisha warmly. "You are so welcome, dear! Missed you!"
"Missed you too, sister!"
The driver gathered their heavy luggage and packed it into the car boots. Abba and Daddy rode together in the primary car; Mummy, Ummi, and Suhaila filled the second vehicle; Muhibbah, Aisha, and Ammar took the third; while Anas, Fu'ad, and Suhail piled into the final car. They all drove toward the family residence in Unguwar Rimi Low-Cost.
Upon arrival, the men immediately headed to the neighborhood mosque as the call for Maghrib prayer was already sounding. The women headed straight inside the house, waste no time moving upstairs to the guest rooms. Muhibbah and Aisha carried their bags up with the help of the driver.
Page 18 (Continued) & Page 19
After completing their Isha prayers, everyone gathered downstairs. Before they could even sit, Mummy intervened, "Alright, let's pause the formal greetings for now. They can wait until after everyone has eaten." Everyone agreed, gathering around the massive dining table, their faces glowing with the pure happiness of a family reunion.
Muhibbah took charge of serving them one by one, carefully asking each person what dish and drink they preferred. When she reached Fu'ad, she stopped right in front of him, freezing silently and refusing to say a word. He remained equally silent, staring back at her. Using only her eyes, she made a sharp, dramatic gesture as if to ask, "What on earth do you want to eat?"
Fu'ad barely contained a laugh at her ridiculous facial expression, but he quickly masked it, hardening his face and pretending she didn't exist as he went back to scrolling through his phone. Nobody at the table openly acknowledged the silent battle happening between them.
Seeing him ignore her completely, she finally forced the words out through clenched teeth. "What should I serve you?"
He waited a long moment before glancing up. "Anything," he replied flatly, returning his attention to his phone.
Knowing very well that he disliked heavy meals at night, she served him a portion of spaghetti jallof and pushed the plate toward him. Opening her mouth as if the words were being forcefully dragged out of her, she snapped, "And what drink?"
"Any one," he muttered shortly. She poured him a cup of tigernut milk (Kunun Aya) and pushed it his way.
After serving Daddy and Abba their food, she finally sat down next to Aisha to enjoy her own dinner, chatting happily. Afterward, they moved to the parlor to relax, diving into deep catch-up conversations. Aisha pulled out the graduation outfits she had brought along, showing Muhibbah the intricate tailoring. Muhibbah literally began jumping up and down with absolute delight because the dresses were styled to perfection.
By 10:00 PM, everyone retired to their rooms, with Aisha joining Muhibbah in her bedroom to sleep.
The next morning, they woke up early. Muhibbah rushed to get dressed in a trendy top and trousers ensemble. Printed boldly across the back of the shirt was their school's name: KA'AB BN MALIK — CLASS OF 2025. She ate a hurried, light breakfast, threw on an elegant over-dress along with a simple school hijab, and left for the venue.
Once at the school, the students fully readied themselves, donning their formal graduation gowns. Muhibbah kept scanning the massive crowd anxiously until she finally spotted her entire family seated elegantly together in the pavilion. A wave of profound warmth and security washed over her; she felt an overwhelming love for her family down to her very bones.
The school administration began calling out names one by one to present awards and gifts.
Suddenly, the microphone boomed: *"The Most Obedient Student in the School... FATIMA A. MUHAMMAD (BICHI)!"*
Muhibbah’s heart skipped a violent beat. Her eyes widened in utter disbelief. Sumayya nudged her hard, "Go on up there! That's your name they're calling!"
With a completely stunned, slow posture, she walked up to the stage. Abba walked up from the crowd to join her, holding one side of the large gift while she held the other as the cameras flashed. The moment the photo was taken, as if she had just been waiting for a trigger, she buried her face in Abba’s chest and burst into heavy tears. Abba immediately began soothing her, while the crowd watched in amusement, whispering about Daddy's pampered girl crying at her own celebration. She finally managed to quiet her sobs and returned to her seat.
Shortly after, the announcer called out again: *"The Most Brilliant Student in SSS 3... FATIMA A. MUHAMMAD (BICHI)!"*
Before she could even step out, tears of pure joy flooded her face. This time, Daddy proudly walked up to join her on stage, holding the award alongside her for the official photograph. She wept all the way back to her seat, with Sumayya gently wiping the tears from her cheeks as fresh ones rolled down.
Then came the next announcement: *"Best Student in Physics... FATIMA A. MUHAMMAD (BICHI)!"*
This time, she was completely frozen in her seat, utterly unable to move. Seeing her paralysis, her Physics teacher, Mr. Danladi Danjuma—who was non-Hausa—walked over, gently took her hand, and guided her to the stage. In the pavilion, Abba told Suhail to go up and receive the award with her, but Daddy intervened, "No, let Fu'ad go, since he is senior to Suhail."
Fu'ad walked up to the stage, looking thoroughly unenthusiastic about the task. Muhibbah, on the other hand, was entirely restless, her eyes darting through the crowd in frustration because she couldn't spot Mukhtar anywhere. Suddenly, her eyes locked with his in the distance. He raised his hand, flashing her a warm wave. Her face instantly lit up, breaking into a massive, radiant smile. The cameras captured the moment as she was presented with the prestigious award plaque.
After the official ceremony concluded, the family gathered around her for an endless stream of group selfies. Once the large group photos were finished, individuals took turns posing with her. Fu'ad was forcefully dragged into a photo; he stood rigidly as she leaned slightly against his shoulder for the shot. The moment the camera clicked, he instantly brushed her off. She pouted, thinking to herself, “Whatever, keep your bad attitude to yourself!”
Aisha stealthily pulled Muhibbah behind the school classroom blocks, where they found Mukhtar waiting privately. The three of them happily launched into a long session of taking photos together.
Waving her hand to him as they prepared to leave, Muhibbah whispered, "Bye, dear. We're heading home now. I’ll be waiting for you later today, come over after Asr prayer."
"Okay, I will be there, Insha Allah," he smiled back lovingly.
By afternoon, the family house was buzzing with life. Relatives like Aunt Asma'u and Aunt Hafsat had arrived, filling the space with loud laughter, stories, and joyful celebration.
Muhibbah took a quick shower, realizing it was already 3:00 PM and she had agreed to meet Mukhtar by 4:00 PM. A professional makeup artist was brought in, giving both her and Aisha an absolute stunning transformation.
Muhibbah stepped out into the parlor wearing a phenomenally expensive maroon lace straight gown, heavily detailed with intricate beadwork. She draped a delicate matching maroon net shawl over her shoulder. A radiant necklace sparkled brilliantly against her neck like pure gold. Aisha followed closely behind, dressed in an identical luxury outfit.
The moment they entered the room, Aunt Asma'u let out a loud, joyful ululation (guda). "Look at next week's beautiful bride! My goodness, Muhibbah, look at yourself, you look exactly like it's your actual wedding day today!"
Muhibbah smiled brightly, completely missing the heavy underlying meaning of her aunt's words. "Oh, Aunt! Wait until Shalele sees me today, he is going to lose his mind completely!"
Aunt Asma'u threw her a deeply sympathetic, pained look. "Uhmmm... well, let's just hope he even gets the chance to recognize you."
Muhibbah simply smiled, assuming it was a compliment. "Thank you!"
Grabbing Aisha’s hand, she eagerly led her out to the compound.
In the distance, she spotted him leaning elegantly against his car. Walking with her signature, captivating grace that always took his breath away, she approached until she stood directly before him. She softly blew a breath of air toward his eyes. "Hey," she chimed.
Mukhtar had been completely paralyzed from the moment she walked out of the house. His eyes were wide, frozen, and utterly incapable of movement. Taking a deep, ragged breath, he finally let out a heavy sigh. "Baby... look at yourself. You look so incredibly cute, adorable, and stunningly beautiful."
Covering her face shyly, she murmured, "You look incredibly handsome today too, like, seriously handsome." They all laughed happily, including Aisha.
Suddenly, Muhibbah's eyes darted past Mukhtar, and her heart dropped violently into her stomach. A wave of pure terror washed over her, though she forced a stiff, hollow smile to mask it.
Aisha followed her gaze, and her entire body instantly began to tremble. Turning to Muhibbah, Aisha whispered in absolute panic, "Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un! Muhibbah, you’ve dragged me straight into a catastrophe! Just by escorting you out here, I know I am completely doomed today..."
Page 19 (Continued)
Aisha's body shook violently, her heart pounding frantically against her chest like a Lagos drum. She completely resigned herself to fate, bracing for an immediate, physical beating. Muhibbah, too, stared ahead with frozen, wide eyes as she watched the figure walking directly toward where they stood. She waited in terrifying suspense to see what would unfold—would he forcefully drive Mukhtar away right then and there, or would he unleash a brutal beating on both of them in front of her boyfriend?
It was Fu'ad. He marched directly up to them and extended his hand to Mukhtar for a formal handshake. "Good afternoon," Fu'ad said calmly.
"Good afternoon to you too," Mukhtar replied, returning the handshake.
Forcing every ounce of her strength into a brave smile, Muhibbah stepped forward. "Baby, this is my big brother."
"Oh, is this Brother Suhail?" Mukhtar asked turning to him.
Muhibbah shook her head quickly. "No, this is our eldest brother of the entire household. His name is Brother Fu'ad, he’s down here visiting from Yola." She turned to face Fu'ad, her smile widening. "Brother Fu'ad, this is Brother Mukhtar."
Fu'ad bit his lower lip hard, a hot, furious breath escaping his mouth. Lallai, Muhibbah’s stubbornness had reached its absolute peak. She didn't possess even an ounce of fear; she stood there boldly introducing her boyfriend right to his face without showing a shred of respect or hesitation toward his authority. Hmm! He took a deep, controlled breath to suppress his raging anger.
Mukhtar extended his hand again, and the two men exchanged a thorough, polite greeting. Without saying another word, Fu'ad turned on his heel and walked straight back into the house.
The moment his back was turned, Aisha bolted inside at lightning speed, terrified that a stray slap might find her face if she lingered.
Only after Fu'ad had completely disappeared indoors did Muhibbah let out a massive, trembling sigh of relief. Despite her outward display of confidence, she had been thoroughly terrified inside. She was only acting brave because she knew she had Abba’s full backing, since Abba himself had instructed her to send Mukhtar over so they could have a formal parental discussion about marriage.
Turning back to her boyfriend, she smiled. "Uhmmm! By the way, I forgot to ask you... who on earth gave you directions to this house?"
Mukhtar shook his head with a tender grin. "My heart did, of course."
Muhibbah burst into a hearty laugh. "Uhmmm! No way, I don't believe that for a second! Come on, tell me the absolute truth..." He smiled warmly, his teeth fully revealing...
2. Deep-Dive Literary & Cultural Analytics
The Dramatic Tension: Irony of the "Award"
The graduation scene is packed with profound dramatic irony. Muhibbah is celebrated as the "Most Obedient" and "Most Brilliant" student. However, the reader is hyper-aware that she is actively keeping secrets from her family, bypassing her father (Daddy) to use her uncle (Abba) as leverage, and sneaking around with Mukhtar.
The tension peaks when Daddy commands Fu'ad to accept the Physics award with her. Fu'ad accepts rigidly because he knows the family secret (the arranged marriage), while Muhibbah is completely blinded by her love for Mukhtar, looking past Fu'ad to smile at her boyfriend in the crowd.
Cultural Nuance: "Aunty" and Age Dynamics
In Page 17, the playful argument between Aisha and Muhibbah over who is older highlights a deeply rooted aspect of Northern Nigerian family dynamics. Even a difference of a few months or a year dictates hierarchical respect. Muhibbah demanding to be called "Aunty" is her way of asserting authority over Aisha, while Aisha mocks her because they are close enough in age to be peers.
The Approaching Storm: Ummi's Premonition
Ummi’s conversation with Abba in Page 17 serves as the structural warning of the novel. Ummi explicitly warns Abba that forcing Fu'ad and Muhibbah together is a recipe for psychological and emotional disaster (*"takun saka"*—a cat-and-mouse game). Abba's aggressive shut-down of her concerns shows the unyielding nature of patriarchal authority in this setting; once the patriarch decrees a union to preserve family bonds, individual hearts are expected to bend or break.
The Confrontation at the Gate
When Fu'ad steps out to meet Mukhtar on Page 19, the narrative subverts expectations. Instead of making a scene, Fu'ad plays the part of the mature, eldest brother—shaking Mukhtar's hand and greeting him formally. This calculated restraint is far more terrifying to Muhibbah and Aisha than an outright explosion. Fu'ad refuses to show his hand in front of an outsider, saving his burning fury ("a hot, furious breath") for inside the family walls where he holds absolute domestic power.
