Affairs Of The Hearts |✅

17| Dreams..

Abuja, Nigeria.

"Get the hell away from her!" Jalal's voice cut through the air, sharp and filled with rage.

Aslam knew he was completely in the wrong and was prepared to accept any punishment from Jalal. How could he have been so foolish as to let his emotions overcome him? Ya Allah.

"Didn't you both attend an Islamiyya? Don't you understand the gravity of what you two just did?"

He turned to Jalilah with an expression of deep disappointment. "And you! I'm really disappointed in you."

"Once that knot was tied, you became somebody else's. How could you let your heart deceive you into committing a sin like this, allowing physical contact with a man who isn't your husband? Yassalam! You need to ask for Allah's forgiveness immediately!"

Jalal's voice softened, but the intensity of his words remained. "Jalilah, why can't you just accept this marriage and move on? Do you think you're the only one who was forced into this? I didn't wish for this marriage either. Never in my life did I imagine getting married, especially not to someone so young. But I want to be the obedient son our parents want me to be. I've accepted this marriage as part of my Qadr. If I can do this, why can't you? This will be the last time, Jalilah. The last time anything like this happens, or billahilazi, you will see the worst side of me. Now, get into the car."

Regret filled Jalilah as she processed his words. How could she have let her heart wander like this, to keep loving someone else while being married? How could she forget Allah's guidance about staying true within marriage? Astaghfirullah. May Allah forgive her.

The drive home was silent. When they arrived, Baninah and the others thanked Jalal and left, while Jalilah stayed in the car.

"I'm really sorry, Ya Jalal," she murmured. "I promise it will never happen again, In Sha Allah. From today on, I will do my utmost to remove Aslam from my heart, In Sha Allah. Thank you for the nasiha." Jalal just nodded, and she sighed as she exited the car.

***
Jalilah struck off another day on her calendar and put down her pen with a sigh. Only two months remained until her WAEC exams—her secondary school leaving exams. After that, her path would no longer cross with Aslam's.

Since the day Jalal confronted her, she had actively worked to cleanse her heart of any attachment to Aslam and to accept her marriage with Jalal. She was no longer angry at him or their parents; she had accepted her fate, hoping that by doing so, Allah would ease her struggles.

She heard that she would be conveyed to her own house after finishing her exams. She just prayed it would mark the beginning of blessings for both of them. Amin.

One boring Saturday afternoon, Jalilah felt an urge to see Jalal. Smiling, she headed to her closet and selected a nice outfit. She changed from her jumpsuit into a flared Ankara gown and draped a matching veil over her head instead of tying a headscarf.

She checked her appearance in the mirror, and when she felt satisfied, she left the room. Thankfully, no one was in the parlor, as Baninah would have teased her endlessly if she'd seen her.

A rush of anxiety hit Jalilah as she stood before Jalal's apartment door. Gathering her courage, she knocked twice. A few seconds later, Jalal opened the door, his expression neutral despite his surprise.

He raised an eyebrow, silently asking what brought her there. Clearing her throat, she spoke. "Um, may I come in, please?"

Jalal looked at her for a moment before nodding. "Sure." He stepped aside, letting her in, and closed the door once she entered fully.

"Good afternoon, Ya Jalal."

"Afternoon. How are you doing?"

"I'm fine, Alhamdulilah. And you?"

"I'm doing great as well."

"Um...I was feeling bored sitting in my room...so I...I thought of coming here," she stammered, fiddling with her fingers as Jalal chuckled.

"That's alright. Since you're here, can you help me with some work?"

"Sure, Ya Jalal," she replied, smiling.

"Alright." He sat beside her, handing her his MacBook. "Help me reply to these emails. You read each one out, and I'll tell you what to respond with."

"Okay, Ya Jalal," she agreed, smiling. They worked together, email after email, until there were none left.

"Thank you for your help, Jalilah."

"You're welcome, Ya Jalal. I'll be going now." She stood up, smiling.

"Take care," he said with a small smile. She nodded, smiling back, before leaving.

***
It was a beautiful snowy morning. In a yard blanketed with snow, a young man and a beautiful lady laughed as they played, love and adoration shining in their eyes as they built snowmen.

"Oh, come on, baby, I've got you," the young man teased.

"No, my snowman is more handsome than yours," the lady pouted, laughing.

"Tsk, tsk. Poor thing—look at his nose," he joked, letting out a hearty laugh.

She huffed in mock anger and stomped over to his snowman, smashing it with her foot.

"Really?" he laughed. "Jealousy, huh?"

She crossed her arms, pretending to ignore him. "I'm not going to talk to you anymore."

He hurried over, stopping her with a gentle touch. "I'm really sorry, baby. I was only kidding. Your snowman's way better than mine, okay? I love you." He leaned in, kissing her gently.

She smiled, her cheeks warm. "I love you too."

Jalal woke with a start, his heart pounding and breath uneven, like every time he had a similar dream. He reached for the jug of water by his bedside, drinking deeply to calm himself.

"Ya Allah, Ya Rahman," he whispered, unable to hold back the tears that slipped down his face.

***
Written on 12.2.21. 
Edited on 21.2.23 🖤