My Sister My Enemy

Chapter Thirty One

It's Saturday and the atmosphere couldn't get any busier. The parking space is full with cars. Abdulrahman's father Alhaji Ali, his brother Kawu Kaseem, Baba Ali, Alhaji Nabeel (Firdaus's father) and Alhaji Hassan (Alhaji Ali's friend) all made it to Alhaji Muhammad's residence. From Maryam's side all her uncles from paternal and maternal sides were all present too. The guest living room was full of happy and laughing faces. Abdulrahman's family were impressed with the reception and welcome they got from Maryam's family.

"Alhaji we are really grateful for the warm welcome and reception we received. There is nothing much to say or play around the bush for, we all know why we are all gathered here but for the sake of clarity we will say it loud and clear again." Baba Ali was the one speaking as the room was quite and everyone was listening attentively.

"We are here to officially introduce ourselves as Abdulrahman's family, I am a grand father to him because his father here is my nephew Alhaji Ali, then this is Alhaji Kaseem younger brother to Alhaji Ali, Alhaji Nabeel here is a maternal uncle to Abdulrahman and Alhaji Hassan is a close childhood friend to Alhaji Ali. We all came here to forward the good intention of our son Abdulrahman towards your daughter Maryam. Our son wants to marry your daughter and there is no other way to do it than this. We seek the had in marriage for Maryam on behalf of Abdulrahman and we came ready, if it's okay with you we would like to fix the wedding date within the shortest period of time today."

Alhaji Muhammad was the happiest and this was what he really wanted that the wedding date should be fixed today and just for 2 or 3 months and he has already discussed that with his brothers before hand. The room was quite again before Alhaji Musa an elder brother to Maryam's father, he is the eldest amongst them started talking.

"Alhaji Ali we welcome you here once again. Indeed we have heard all that you have said and we are aware of your good intentions since the day we were told about your visit. Abdulrahman is also our son because we have a good encounter with your family before now and he is a man of people, we have heard good things about him from different people which is gladdening. I will go straight to the point too, we have accept your request and I on behalf of Maryam and her father have granted you Maryam's hand in marriage, Allah ya sa albarka." Everyone chorused Ameen and Abdulrahman's family were so happy evidently as they keep chanting Alhamdulillah.

"Going forward, we have already discussed the possibility of fixing the wedding date today too as you mentioned and we are very ready to do that now too. If you are okay with it we would love the wedding to be held in 2 or 3 months time to come that is in September or October inshaa Allah, what do you think?" There was some little discussion between Abdulrahman's family before they come to a conclusion. Baba Ali sat forward to take the discussion forward.

"First of all we want to extend our appreciation and gratitude for your kindness towards us and for granting us our request. We have discussed the wedding date you have proposed and we have agreed on the 3 months time which is October, this time is well enough for everything to be put in place inshaa Allah without wasting much time or being a in a haste. koh ba haka bane? So you can choose a date appropriate in October please."

"Alhamdulillah, Alhaji the pleasure is all ours, we choose 22nd October as the wedding fatiha date inshaa Allah, is that okay for you?" Alhaji Musa asked while Alhaji Ali nodded to Baba Ali meaning yes it is.

"Yes it is! Alhamdulillah, May Allah spare our lives to witness this occasion. It is now settled that Abdulrahman and Maryam's wedding date has been fixed for 22nd October inshaa Allah, Allah ya kaimu da rai da lafiya." Everyone answered Ameen.

"We have brought all the necessary items for sa rana, they are in the car and here is five hundred thousand naira kudin gaisuwa da neman aure." Alhaji Kaseem handed the money to Alhaji Musa. Food was served while the two families get to bond and know each other more. They were almost leaving when Alhaji Nabeel went out to pick a phone call, after he finished his call he noticed a white paper on the windshield of one of their cars. He stepped forward to take a look and it looked like the paper was deliberately put there. He removed it from where it was stuck between the wiper and glass and opened it. He read the paper and he couldn't wrap his head around it. He was suddenly sweating and he is almost having a panick attack. Right at that time he heard voices of his entourage coming his way as they were being escorted by Maryam's family.