Our Friendship

8

Zainaba was diligently washing the dishes when her brother informed her that Malam Musa was waiting outside for her. Her heart skipped a beat, and a lump formed in her throat. Her father had indeed meant it when he mentioned Malam Musa. With no alternative, she had no choice but to face him to avoid her mother's slander.

As she approached the entrance, she caught sight of the old man standing there. A faint smile spread across his face upon seeing her. Zainab cast her eyes downward, avoiding direct eye contact. Malam Musa appeared frail, withered, and toothless. She couldn't fathom the thought of spending her life with him, but her parents would never understand her true feelings.

"Good afternoon," she managed to utter, her voice trembling slightly.

"Afternoon, my bride," he replied, his smile unwavering.

He continued, his voice trembling with emotion, "Your father requested me to come and discuss the preparations with you."

Summoning all her courage, she pushed back the tears that threatened to spill over. "No, I have nothing to prepare, and I am busy at the moment. Please come back later," she said, striding back inside.

As he watched her retreating figure, Malam Musa licked his lips and smiled, his heart brimming with happiness. He had loved Zainab since she was just fourteen, but fate had never granted him the chance until now.

"Why are you back so early?" her mother inquired, studying her closely.

"He said he's busy," Zainab lied.

"Okay," her mother replied, seemingly satisfied.

Zainab felt the tears welling up inside her, but she had to finish the dishes. To hold back the flood of emotions, she summoned all her strength, stretching her heart to its limits.

Once the dishes were done, she made her way to her room. For the first time since her divorce, her courage seemed to abandon her. She wept until her eyes turned red and swollen, deciding to spend the entire day indoors, shielding herself from the world.

Sa'ada and her friend Aisha found themselves in the ward during their free time, engrossed in a conversation about Sa'ada's troubled marriage.

Sa'ada poured out her heart to Aisha, expressing her deep sorrow and regret.

Shaking her head, Aisha responded, "I knew this day would come eventually. I warned you to think it over before marrying him. The reasons that could lead Abu to seek a divorce are not insignificant, but you chose to disregard my words and close your eyes."

Aisha sniffed, then continued, "While witnessing you together might be another reason, it wouldn't be the sole factor causing Abu to break the marriage. Yet, you chose to ignore my warnings and the unpredictable nature of his love for her," Aisha said, her voice filled with concern.

"I've already made a mistake, and I'm in pain. What I need right now is a solution. When Abu and Usman break up, I thought I would be the happiest woman. Little did I know that his love for her is beyond measure," Sa'ada said, her voice filled with despair.

Aisha pondered for a moment, then offered some advice. "Why don't you ask for a divorce if living with him is torturing you?" she suggested.

Sa'ada smirked, "How I wish I could do that. But leaving him would be unbearable; I love him with all my heart. I cannot imagine my life without him. The thought of it crushes me," she lamented.

Aisha contemplated for a while before suggesting, "Then why not report him to his mother? If I recall correctly, you once told me that he listens to her and does whatever she wants."