Her Little Secret (Prime)

E L E V E N

MUJAHID

"Hope never abandons you, you abandon it."
-George Weinberg

I WOKE up too early. Or that is an understatement. I did not get to sleep well last night. Or maybe it's better to say I barely got enough, but I was up in the early hours when I would usually still be curled up in deep slumber. And that is because  I needed to relay my heartaches to the lord of universe.

I've come to know that there's nothing impossible with His guidance.

When subh knocked, I went out with Uncle Mika'il and Mas'ud and as we walked past the iron gates of the 'Aliyy to the mosque right beside it, Uncle Mikail reminded me that his wife said Haleemah departs in the morning. It was totally thoughtful to remind me but I would rather not be reminded by him.

When I woke up I could not wait for the rays of the morning sunshine to set in. Because my chest was full with anticipation of the new dawn, I wanted to make my intention known to Haleemah before she leaves. That was my intention of the use of the little information I got the other day.

"My wife said her flight is by 7am."Uncle Mikail said again after salah as he was about to leave. "To sai a zauna ayita lazimi a jira ko ni dae zan koma gurin matata." I watched him eye my whole existence, pressed his lips together and turn shaking his head.

Why do I need to wait 2 hours when the house is a stone throw? What happened to making use of my legs, mouth and hands plus the iron gate that stood gauntly between us.

Technically, I may have to wait but ok, is that necessary? I mean I do not wish to confess my heart desire dressed in a casual overall dress that could pass more as a pyjama than a casual outfit. It is too early for violence, uncle.

Anyways, I dragged my body and went after him while he eyed me and whistle at my suffering. I'm beginning to think that there was something else wrong with me other than the fact that I was unmarried. At age 32.

"Uncle," I called. "Have you always been in love with your wife? Was there ever a time when you fall out of love?" I've been curious but never thought to ask.

I've seen and heard men cheat on their wives after years of marriage and I've seen the ones that have had other families but I can't fathom the thought of Uncle Mikail falling out of love with his wife. Never!

He's always all over her like ant over sugar.

He gave a throaty laugh before clearing his throat. "I've always loved her, obviously we wouldn't be married if I don't." He gave me a subtle touch of reassurance and I so much wanted to shrug his hand off.

It was one thing to deal with his teasing look and it is another to deal with this look he spots right now, like I'm nothing but an ant in his eyes and I needed his sympathy for being so small. I was sure I wouldn't like his next words either. So when it came, it sounded just as I expected .

"But every day I wake up I realize I haven't loved her enough. I mean I fall more in love with her with each passing day. You would never understand since you are so lonely and single, you have no one to love. Whatever is stopping you from wifing Haleemah is not doing you good. She will leave, and so will you either and before you know it, it'll be two years again. Same you, still as single as a lone pencil."

My jaw dropped. "Uncle Mikail, this isn't about me."

"Yes it is." He glared. "Go back in there and sit. Meet her father when he is less busy with people. Wait until you've met her before you return home. Her flight is at 7 am, but she will leave soon. Eeediot!"

The wheels in my head kept turning and I tried to chew on his words. She will leave and so will I, but why will it be two years again before I meet her?

Is there something I don't know about?

~

I came out of the mosque dumbfounded and strucked, unsure whether I should be excited or not, I wasn't even sure I wasn't dreaming. It felt too surreal.

Someone handed me my phone and I collected it trying to wrap my head around what just happened. The words still rang in my head and I cannot fathom what to do next. I was still trying to wrap my head around nothing when Alhaji 'Aliyys hand reached for mine and he held firmly directing us towards his home while asking me questions I gave answers to robotically.

He had asked one simple question earlier to which I had answered truthfully and that was what brought forth everything that was about to happen.

Hajja was summoned and so were the families of the 'Aliyy. Sometimes it's really hard to understand what goes on in the head of the elders. No, scratch that. A lot of times it's hard to understand what goes on in the head of the elders.

Soon, the room was filled with a lot of faces and things began to become too real and frightening. I watched my phone screen lit up with several names and all I could do is pick the ones I could and watch others ring and cut off by themselves. My main concern was how Leemah Ali will take everything. 

At 6:00am, the knot was tied with I, the groom still in my pyjamas and the bride totally unaware of her sudden matrimony.

Six meters away from where I sat, I spotted Uncle Mikail wearing his devilish smile accepting congratulations on my behalf as he charge towards me with a change of clothing in his hand.

At least, he did one thing right.

****

Glossary:

To sai a zauna ayita lazimi a jira ko ni dae zan koma gurin matata : So, you'll sit here and keep making supplications and wait right. I'm going back home to my wife.

Fulako: shyness peculiar to Fulani culture.