HUSNA (EDITING)

Chapter10

Two months later...
Life goes on while they were still struggling. Sometimes, the hibiscus drink money really helped them.Both Husna and her family were sitting on a mat spread in the compound of their house. Her father had just returned from work. Her siblings were chatting randomly, while her parents discussed government work, waiting for lunch to be ready.

"Husna, come and check the food; I think it's done," her mother exclaim.

She  stood up, keeping her book aside, and walked gently towards the kitchen.

"Husnatu be banin ayidi mi bangine be ko'a wata do na Husnatu, do you expect me to get you married like that? You're doing everything slowly, like a snake.

"Adda Moivima mi bangan mi wanyi kalmawol mai ma  Adda, who told you I'm getting married?" She  replied angrily. "I even hate the word."

"Husna, do you mean you won't get married in your whole life?"Her father asked

Abba Malumju islamiya a min do yidi anma o sali mo  Mallam Habib, their Islamic teacher, loved her , but she isn't  giving him any attention, her sister Fatima said.

Mi anda ko damata bingel do a hore maka be yidi mo o vagi anma o sali hukku be yeso be volina mo ma (I don't even know what's wrong in this girl head.."she had so many suitors but she's not giving them any face to talk to her.."husna are you sure you're ok.."or maybe you needed a ruqiya)

Adda accu mi wanyi kalma wol yidi mi metata mi yarda gorko minkam ("Adda stop it.." I just hate the word marriage, I hate the word love.." I will never trust any man in my life again men are betrayals they're cheaters )she wipe her tears immediately.."

"I don't think I can ever marry anyone else," Husna said, her voice trembling. "I'll just stay unmarried forever."

Her father, attempting to lighten the mood, joked, "Don't talk like that, Husna. Wipe away those tears and bring us our food. I'm starving!"

She  served  the jollof rice onto plates and handed them out. Her phone rang, and she sighed when she saw Faiza's name on the screen.

"Are you coming?" Faiza asked, her voice bubbly. "You promised me you'd come today, and I've been waiting since morning. I couldn't even sleep well because I was so excited."

Husna apologized, but Faiza cut her off.

"Nope, I don't want to hear it! I'm not taking 'no' for an answer. You're coming over, no matter what. Get ready and come shower. One step at a time, Hussy."

She  rolled her eyes. "And who told you I haven't showered?"

Faiza laughed. "Sorry, I thought... Please, Hussy, I swear my mom and the others have gone out to a naming ceremony. I'm the only one here."

She  weighed her options, thinking of excuses to give Faiza – helping Adda with cooking, washing clothes...

I won't let the day be boring. We can order pizza and catch up."

She  started to respond, but Faiza interrupted.
I know what you're going to say you'll ask your mom, right? I've got her number; I'll call her right away."

Husna hung up the phone, frustrated. Faiza called Husna's mom, who agreed to let Husna visit. She is  was furious; she didn't want to go.She went to her room, changed into a material gown, and slipped on her baby pink hijab.

"Husna, won't you even put on some powder?"het  mother asked.

No, I'm going."she  replied, "

Her father gave her N300 and told her not to stay out late.As she walked out, Husna thought, "The sun is too much." She looked around; the road was bustling with people and a few cars. She walked further to find a keke.

She asked the keke driver about the price; he said N150. She  gladly hopped in, and he drove her directly to Faiza's house.

The security man already knows  her , so he let her in immediately. She went upstairs to Faiza's room, opened the door, and slid in.

Faiza's room was beautifully decorated. A medium-sized bed with a white and red bedspread caught Husna's attention. Next to the bed stood a bedside table with a pink lamp. On the right side of the bed, a wooden desk and a pink chair sat. The desk held a computer and various work items. Next to the desk stood a wooden wardrobe. The room's colors were beautifully combined.

Faiza lay on her bed, covered with blankets, scrolling through her phone.

Salam alaikum," she  mumbled, "as she walked in.

"Oh my god, sweetheart, you really came!" Faiza exclaimed cheerfully, and hugged tightly.

She  squeezed her face, annoyed. "Now, what do you want me to do?"

Let me grab some drinks for you. Come, sit, and let's gist."

"What's up?"Husna asked in an annoyed tone,

You know my friend who's getting married?"Faiza said, "

She  rolled her eyes. "Yes, what about her?"

The marriage was canceled. The guy is a bastard; he betrayed her."Faiza replied, "

"Typical men."she  cursed,

Come, maybe let's go to the cafe. Let's go to Habil. I'm bored here, and I promise to take you back home."Faiza suggested, "

Husna silently nodded.

"Yayyy, thank you, sweetheart! Let's get you ready."

"Do you like it?" Faiza asked after applying makeup on husna face

Husna pretended to look in the mirror. "It's perfect! You're a makeup goddess!"

Faiza asked Husna to look in the mirror, and Husna finally did. She could barely recognize herself.

Faiza did Husna's hair, which Husna didn't like. Faiza handed Husna a dress and suggested taking pictures.

Husna looked like an Arab girl with the light makeup matching her skin tone. Faiza snapped pictures before changing clothes and dragging Husna to the cafe.

Mostly, Faiza talked, while Husna showed little interest. Around 5, Faiza dropped Husna back home.