•AN OBLIVIOUS ONE•

ISLAM🤍

“Oh my God... how am I supposed to behave? What if I trip while walking out?” I ask, my nerves frayed as my sister tells me I’m being called.

I’m not anxious about meeting my future husband—honestly, I couldn’t care less about him. What worries me is his mother. I really don’t want her to dislike me.

“Don’t be nervous, just go. You’ve got this,” Fadila says, gently pushing me toward the door.

“Yes, I can do this,” I mutter to myself, taking a deep breath as I make my way to the living room, reciting my Tasleem quietly.

“Wa alaikissalaam, wow, Masha Allah,” Farid’s mom says, her eyes assessing me with a look of approval.

“Inawuni maa,” I greet, kneeling gracefully. Manners are something I never take lightly; my late mother made sure to instill good values in all of us.

I glance around, trying to spot my future groom, but all I see are his sisters. There’s no sign of him, just his family.

“Lafiya, pretty girl, get up. How are you doing?” she asks, her wide smile putting me at ease. At least she isn’t grumpy, I think to myself.

I also notice that she has an accent, a thick American one.

“I’m fine, thank you, Ma,” I reply with a smile.

“You’re so beautiful, Masha Allah. I’m sure that Nanu will fall head over heels when he sees you,” she says, making me blush.

But wait, who’s Nanu?

“I know you’re wondering who Nanu is. Fareed’s real name is Adnan, but I call him Nanu,” she explains with a chuckle.

“Ohh,” I mutter, smiling.

“He just stepped out. Something happened with his friend, so he had to go check on him. I’m sorry, kinji,” she says.

“No, it’s alright, Ma,” I reply, trying to sound reassuring.

“Kai, Alhaji Suleiman, your daughter is very beautiful, Masha Allah. And she’s also well-mannered. I couldn’t have chosen a better wife for my son than her,” she says to my dad, her voice full of warmth.

“Toh, we thank God,” Alhaji Suleiman replies, beaming with pride.

“So, my dear, when would you like the wedding to take place? As for the kayan lefe, you don’t need to worry. They’ll be brought early tomorrow morning,” she continues, pronouncing Kayan lefe as keryern leyfeyy with a gentle smile.

“Umm... I—” I begin to respond, but I hesitate. If it were up to me, I’d choose to delay the wedding for at least five hundred years.

“If it’s about Fareed, then you don’t need to worry. You just pick the date; he has no say in the matter. After all, the wife gets to make the decisions in the house, right?” she says, chuckling along with Islam’s dad and the other girls.

I start to relax around her. I actually appreciate her sense of humor—she seems like a genuinely good woman.

“How about a week from now?” my dad suggests, and I can’t hide my shock at his choice.

He isn’t doing this out of selfishness; applications for admission have already started, and he doesn’t want me to miss this year again.

“Are you okay with this?” Hajia Amirah asks me. I can’t very well decline with hope shining in their eyes, can I?

“Yes, no problem,” I reply, forcing a smile.

“Alhamdulillah, it’s settled then. The wedding is fixed for next Friday, Insha Allah,” Hajia Amirah announces with a smile.

“Pardon my manners; I didn’t introduce your sisters-in-law to you, did I?” she says, more as a statement than a question.

“So, this is Salma, Fareed’s elder sister,” she continues, pointing to a woman in her early thirties holding a baby. Salma has a warm, friendly demeanor and a smile that’s genuinely contagious.

“Nice to meet you, sister-in-law,” I say, flashing my teeth in a smile that makes her smile back, nearly making me chuckle.

“And this is Daneen, also known as Didi. She’s Fareed’s younger sister,” Hajia Amirah adds, pointing at Didi.

I quickly take in Didi’s appearance. She seems to be around my age, exuding friendliness with a hint of hyperactivity.

“Hi!” Didi says, waving energetically at me, and I wave back with the same enthusiasm.

“Don’t mind her; this girl is a handful. She can be quite a troublemaker,” Hajia Amirah says with a chuckle, making everyone laugh except Didi, who just pouts.

“So, I’ll officially welcome you before you really join the family. Although, it’s not quite complete since the groom and his dad aren’t here,” Hajia Amirah continues.

“But still, welcome to the family, Islam. I can see that you’re a perfect match for my son. May Allah bless your union,” Fareed’s mom says, standing up to give me a big, warm hug.