"Indeed, Allāh does not forgive association with Him, but He forgives what is less than that for whom He wills. And he who associates others with Allāh has certainly fabricated a tremendous sin".
Q[4:48]
The ticking sound of the wall clock was the only audible sound in the room, then the occasional beepings of Nihlah’s phone as she browsed through her WhatsApp messages. She had just prayed Maghrib and was waiting for Kamal to come home from the masjid so they could go shopping and then make a stop at cold stone. She was craving for their ice cream.
Just when she was about to get up from the vanity stool she had been sitting on, Kamal muttered a salam and pushed the door open. She responded to his salaam and proceeded to pick up her niqab from her closet.
“And here I was hurrying up thinking I kept you waiting” Kamal said as he watched her tie her niqab in front of her mirror.
“You did keep me waiting, so it’s only fair if I do the same” Nihlah smirked and Kamal shook his head smiling. Then he stretched out his hand and gently pulled her nose from above her niqab.
“This woman, you always have something to say” He said and Nihlah chuckled.
“You love me anyways” She said and picked her purse.
“I honestly do” He admitted. Then he entwined their fingers and led them out of the room.
They were about to walk past Ja’afar’s room when the door was opened. They stopped, and his strong cologne hit their nostrils seconds before he made an appearance. Nihlah gave him a once over, and then she smiled widely.
He was dressed in a white kaftan that fit him perfectly, with a matching cap perfectly perched on his head. She lifted up her niqab and looked him over again.
“Ahn ahn! Dr Ja’afar Bature in all his white glory!” She hyped, still smiling, and Ja’afar gave her a shy smile, fixing the cufflinks on his left sleeve. Nihlah let out a soft chortle. She could swear she saw his cheeks turn pink at her compliment.
“Kamal did you see his cheeks?” She laughed again.
“He’s blushing” She pointed at his cheeks, and Ja’afar swatted her hands away, laughing. Kamal laughed too.
“Kamal this my uncle is out to kill your niece with his looks oo. You better warn her” Nihlah said, and Ja’afar brushed off imaginary dust off his shoulders.
“Na hadu dai kenan” He winked at her, and she sent a smack his way, which he was quick to dodge.
“Koh haduwa. My hubby is finer” She said, and Ja’afar nodded.
“I agree” He said and looked at Kamal.
“Bro, abeg carry your wife and be going before she ruins my kwalliya” He said, causing Kamal to laugh. Nihlah sent another smack his way, but Kamal was quick to hold her hands firm in his.
“Forget Ja’afar my dear, let’s go” He smiled and guided her out of the house.
“Ja’afar Bature I’m not done with you yet. Wait for me to come back” She yelled at Ja’afar and he nodded, yelling back,
“A sauka lafiya” and Kamal chuckled. Their bickering always left him with aching facial muscles because of laughter.
Kamal opened the car door for her, and when she settled down, he closed the door gently and walked over to the driver’s side. Nihlah was smiling when he entered the car, and her smile made him smile.
“Why is your smile so infectious?” He muttered, igniting the car. Nihlah looked at him, and her smile widened.
“Maybe because it came from my heart” She said, and he nodded, driving out of the house.
YOU ARE READING
Behind The Cloud
SpiritualitéEver heard of love after marriage? Nihlah and Kamal will tell you about that. Kamal got married to his wife without having an ounce of feeling for her but few months into the marriage, he fell head over heels in love with her. For Nihlah, it was a...
