HUSNA

Chapter39

The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. -Walt Disney

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Her eyes snapped open in response to the sound that served as her personal alarm clock, refusing to be silenced. She had gone to bed late the previous night, a habit she couldn't seem to break. Despite knowing the consequences, she always put off her studying until the last possible moment.Reciting her morning dua, she gently climbed down from the bed. She began her morning routine, brushing her teeth and taking a refreshing bath. As she walked outside the compound, she was greeted by the warm sunshine.Her mother was busy peeling beans, while her father listened intently to the radio. It had been three weeks since they returned from Yola and Maiduguri. During their trip, her father had met with his family, but sadly, he had also lost his mother. However, he was relieved to find his father alive and had also reconnected with his brother.

Her thoughts drifted to the recent events. Hameed's family had come to Maiduguri for the introduction, and the following week, they had visited Kaduna with the kayan sarana. Just two days ago, they had finalized the wedding date with the groom's family, setting it for April 26th, Insha Allah. Both families were in agreement with the chosen date.

She glanced at her phone, noticing the time. It was already past 8, and they are expected to be at the Islamiya school by 10:00 to 10:30 for her siblings' graduation ceremony. They had only invited Faiza to join them.she approached her parents, she greeted them with a warm smile. "Adda, let me help you," she offered, stretching out her hands to collect the rubber from her mother's hands.

Her mother shook her head. "Leave it, Husna, go get ready. Time isn't on our side." But Husna insisted on helping, and her mother eventually relented. "I'll soon finish this and get ready," she said.

"I've talked to that boy about the furniture, and I told him we need some time," her father said. "But he told me that you both aren't staying here, and he insisted on not doing it. I wasn't happy about that. He's also been pleading with me to collect some money from him so I can start a new business, but I refused."

She remained silent, unsure of how to respond. Her father didn't want his daughter to be the topic of discussion that day. He didn't want anyone to humiliate his daughter or their family, despite their limited means. He was willing to do his best to protect them from shame.

"Abba, I don't know what else to say," she mumbled finally. "That's exactly what he told me too."

"But Husna, don't you think this sounds somehow...off?"Her mother spoke up.

"Insha Allah, Adda nothing like that will happen."

"The boy is really the luckiest man on earth. I never thought I'd see the day when you'd give someone a chance, Husnatu."

She smiled softly, choosing not to respond. Her father stood up, "I'll go to the Islamiya, and from there, I'll take my leave." He handed some money to his wife before exiting the house.

At exactly 10:00, Husna, and her mother, left the house, exchanging a few words along the way. Upon arriving at the Islamiya, the graduation ceremony unfolded in a blur. She smiled occasionally, reminiscing about her own graduation days when she saw her siblings reciting the Quran.

Faiza appeared, apologizing for her tardiness. "I'm so sorry! I didn't make it on time," she said, squatting beside Husna after greeting her mother.