(On Hold)The burning candles in our hearts

3

It has been two months since Hamma's wedding. He come over everyday to greet mummy and daddy before going back to his "lovely wife" note the sarcasm. I was starting university today and i am filled with joy even though mummy insisted on me going to BUK. Mallam idi was waiting to drop me off. I woke up very early today. I opened my wardrobe and brought out a long sleeved gown and a black veil. I took my handbag and headed out. Daddy Mummy!! Sai na dawo

"See who was sulking months back that she didnt want to go to BUK" mama said

"Thats children for you. May Allah bless them and grant them success in shaa Allah"
•••
My first day at uni was not bad. I make two friends Halima kabir from katsina she was staying with her brother and his wife then Rabia Nasidi she is from kano state. They are nice and we are getting along well.
We just came out of the second lecture and we are heading to the cafeteria at the law faculty when I heard someone calling my name.

" Aisha Umar faruk!!  I turned around and saw a guy waving at me coming closer. He looked familiar but I can't remember where I knew him.

Salamu alaikum he said when he stopped near us. Wa alaikal salam we all answered. He was with his friend.

" Aisha baki gane ni ba ko? No wallahi ban gane ka ba sorry. "

Ibrahim ne your senior from primary school in adamawa!! ohh now I remember.. So sorry wallahi ban gane ka ba. Ya kake? How have you been. Alhamdulillah

I saw you since during lectures i was waiting for it to end and talk to you. 
Allah sarki. It was nice talking to you.

We  left with my friends and went to have lunch.
Kin san shi ne? Rabia asked me. Eh fa tin a primary ne amma.
Dan ajinmu ne kenan? Halima added  
Obviously since he said he saw me during lectures.. Its suprising because he was my senior with four years. I remember how he used to take me to the school kiosk and buy me spring rolls and samosa. He used to call me baby Aish. He was the headboy then. He used to be so nice and caring.

We finished eating and left for the last lecture. After the lecture I was waiting for Mallam idi to come and pick me up. All my friends left already so i was sitting alone when Ibrahim came . Salam alaiki Aisha. Ameen wa alaikal salam.

" you havent left yet? " yeah i am still waiting for the driver." Alright lets wait for him together" he said smiling showing his cute dimples. I smiled back and then he sat opposite me.
We were all quiet for some minutes before I asked him. Well the curious girl that I am I cant help it but to ask him why he is just in his first year " umm sorry please but you are just in your first year? Sorry to ask but I was just curious "

" his facial expression just changed I hope I didnt upset him with my question"
Forget it kawai I said

" nooo its okay! Life happened Aisha. You wont understand. He smiled sadly "
Someday hopefully I will tell you everything in shaa Allah.

I was so confused but I just smiled back at him. I saw mallam idi parking from a distance. " well i have to go now the driver is here. I stood up to leave when he called my name.

"Aisha!" Yeah? I turned to look at him
Nothing! He replied.. Have a good day. I said and left him there.

Muhammad POV

I just came home from work. I have been sitting in my car for almost 15 minutes.. I dread coming back home everyday but I had no choice.

Salam alaikum I said after i entered. Everything was scattered. The throw pillows were all over the floor. I started picking it up and putting it back on the couch.
"Sannu da dawowa. I heard hafsat's voice welcoming me"
"Yawwa sannun ki kema"

I entered the room and it was thesame story! The bed was the way I left it in the morning. I started picking up all the loitered cloths and started folding em and putting them back into the closet.

" I need a house help! Hafsat said rudely" I didnt say anything and kept doing what i was doing.

"Why?" I asked her after some minutes.

"I cant keep doing all the house chores alone. Its too much work for me"

As if you have ever done anything i said to myself

"As you wish!" I said to her.
"Thank you! Zakaci indomie?"

"No dont worry I will come and cook something later"

" toh" she said and slammed the door.

After few hours i had finished cleaning the house and I cooked Rice and stew.
Hafsat sat down shamelessly waiting for me to finish cooking so she can also eat.

" hafsat idan zakici abinci na gama "

" Muhammad! Wai meh nayi maka ne. Upon All the love I have for you why do you still act so cold towards me. Why do you keep doing this to me. Why cant we have a normal conversation like normal couples do. I am tired I dont know what to do anymore. Everything I do is wrong."

" Hafsat dont start this please. You wanted to marry me and you did. Now what else do you want? You cant even clean the house. Whenever you cook it goes to waste. You dont even pity how tired I come back everyday I still have to do all the work at home. I am sorry I hate arguing in my life but you keep getting on my nerves. You want a house help fine I will ask mama to get one for you. What else do you need? "

"I need you Muhammad. I need you to give me your attention. I need you to love me like every normal man loves his wife. Is it too much to ask? Cant you do just that for me. I am asking for nothing more. If you don't get ready to give me all your love and attention then I promise I would do everything to get it no matter what it takes. I promise you a day will come when you will kneel and beg me to accept your love. "

" anything that makes you sleep at night.. Goodnight i am sleeping in the other room today." I said as i left the room. I could here her cursing.
"Ya Allah give me the patience to live with this woman for as long as I can. May Allah forgive me for hurting someone. Ameen.