HUSNA (EDITING)

Chapter24

Our parents have sacrificed so much to raise us. We can never repay them for their kindness. However, we can do our best to honour them and treat them well.

                           ***********

At 7 am, she sprang out of bed like a rocket breaking into consciousness. she glanced at the clock, told herself 'Five more minutes,' and then got up anyway. She couldn't return to sleep until she experienced the day.Her phone shrilled, and she ignored it at first, knowing it must be Hameed. He called her repeatedly as she stretched and finally picked up.

"Assalamu alaikum," she answered with a sleepy voice.

"Wa'alaikumu salam," Hameed replied. "You just woke up now?"

She yawned and hummed. "How are you? Sorry, good morning."

"What should I say, Asma? You got lost. I was thinking of coming to Nigeria to find you. Now I'm doing great after getting over from emotional trauma. You finally picked up my call.

Can I hang up?"she questioned

"What will you do if you hang up?"I'm piloting to Spain right now. Won't you pray for me? And I called you first before calling mom. But haka zamuyi?"

"I'm sorry, Captain. I was just sleeping."
I wish you maximum safety. I pray for your secured arrival at your destination. May Allah bless you abundantly. May His blessings be your companion throughout the journey. Any harm that causes accidents will be neutralized by the angels of mercy. I will be praying for you as you move on."

"Thank you, sleepy head. Let me call mom." He cut the call while she stretched and finally climbed down from the bed.

She went out and brushed her teeth first. The house was silent, with everyone still sleeping. She washed the dishes and set some firewood, trying to make breakfast. In less than an hour, she finished preparing the pap. By then, the house had begun to wake up. She soaked the beans in water, letting the skin swell.

She could hear her mother's voice scolding her brother. She smiled cheekily, listening to what her mother was saying. Her mother was scolding him about going out early to play football.

she chimed in, laughing, "Adda What else do you want him to do? He's a man after all!"

She washed some beans and peeled them, setting them aside for grinding.

Her mother came into the kitchen, husnatu, you woke up so early today?"

"I have to wake up early today. I want to wash our clothes. Fatima didn't wake up?"Abdul should come and take these beans for grinding.

Your father called me and said he'd be back next month. He's waiting for the man to pay him."

"Husna beam I hope he gets the money on time because of Abdul's WAEC registration."

As soon as her brother came back, she whisked the batter until it was airy and fluffy. She fried it immediately. After breakfast, she washed some of their clothes.

***

Around 2 pm, they both sat on a mat, eagerly waiting for their mother to continue her story.

"Adda, you mean that your father was the one who denied the marriage, and our grandma is still alive?" Abdul asked.

Husna looked at her mother, who wiped away tears. "Yes, she's alive," their mother replied. "And I have a brother. He's married and lives here in Kaduna. I just met him three days ago."