HUSNA

Chapter16

"Whoever reads Surah Al Kahf on the day of Jummah, will have a light that will shine from him from one Friday to the Next. May Almighty Allah bless y'all with whatever you know is the best for you. Watch over your family and keep them safe forever.           Ameen. Juma'at Mubarak.
                

                          ***********

"What are you doing in our house?" Husna demanded, her arms crossed, a scowl cutting deep across her pretty face. The late afternoon light fell on her, making her frown even more pronounced as she stood at the doorway, staring at the man chatting comfortably with her younger siblings.

He turned with a wide grin. "Welcome back, Tigress! How were your lectures?"

That nickname...Tigress...irked her more than the sight of him sitting there like he owned the place.

"Adda ko goddo, wa ya kawo wannan mutumin gidan nan?" she hissed, glaring at her sister. (Adda, what's this man doing here?)

Her sister,, shifted uncomfortably before replying in calm Fulfulde, "O nonbo on do jodi vulda be goddo on anda daga hatoi o wari."
(You're overreacting, Husna. You don't even know him properly.)

She  rolled her eyes. "See, man, we don't need you here. Just leave."

"Husna, what's wrong with you?" Her mother protested. "Just because you had a misunderstanding doesn't mean you should treat him this way. You can settle whatever it is."

"Misunderstanding?" Her voice rose, bewildered. "With who exactly? Adda, I barely know this man!"

He simply chuckled, eyes glinting with amusement. "Tigress, chill," he said lightly, hands raised as though surrendering.

She  glared at him like he'd just insulted her entire bloodline.

"You two, off to your room before I lose my patience!" she barked at her siblings.

"No, please, Adda Husna, don't kick him out!" the youngest one pleaded.

He  stood, dusting off his trousers. "I should get going," he murmured, glancing once more at Husna's fuming expression.

"Give my regards to your family," their mother called from the kitchen.

"Insha Allah," he replied smoothly and made his exit.

As soon as the gate clicked shut, her  mother turned to her with that knowing look.

"Junta a heɓe suka on a sali yeccugo am ga on vundi handai a wada mo nonnon dume nafu mai?" she said pointedly. (So you've got a new friend now? Just because you had an issue with him doesn't mean you should behave that way. What's really going on?)

She  blinked, confused. "Adda, what misunderstanding? I'm telling you, I don't even know him. For all I know, he could be a kidnapper!"

"Kidnapper?" her mother repeated sharply, lifting a bucket and flinging it in her direction. "Wujju bama tema salu dufto mo yasi hai?" (Then escort the kidnapper outside, nonsense girl!)

"Yasi? Adda yasi toi?" (Outside? Adda, what outside?) Husna muttered, rubbing her arm where the bucket grazed her.

Still grumbling, she stomped out to find him leaning casually against a sleek car parked outside—like he was waiting for her.