Shirk in Disguise

Chapter 10

"Mama, I'm not marrying that girl," he indignantly stated to his bewildered mother.

His mother turned to him and looked at him from head to toe. "Like seriously?" she asked him, "Now you call her 'That Girl', not 'The-Lovely-Angel-Who-Pulled-Me-From-The-Depths' or something like that?"

"Mama, I'm serious!" Yusuf continued to protest.

At this, his mother paused what she was doing and stared at him quizzically. Was he really serious? She wondered what had gotten into him to make him protest his hitherto anticipated marriage with Sarah.

"But you know that'd be tantamount to treachery right?"

"I've already made up my mind..."

"Based on what grounds?" she cut in quickly.

"Based on solid grounds best known to me."

"Heyyyyy!" his mother exclaimed; clapping her hands simultaneously. "So you have the guts to bail out on her like this?"

"Mama, It's an inevitable choice I have to make..."

"Really?" she looked at him with a smirk.

"Mama, please just understand me..."

"Not after all they did for you..."

"I know that but..."

"But what??" she cut in, "Look at your present life now, your lucrative job... Son, don't you have any shame? Could you continue working with them after doing this?" she continued berating him.

"I'm quitting!" he exclaimed with a pout.

"Whaaaat?!!" she exclaimed, mouth agape. "How would you live, then??"

"God will provide, Mama. I'm not totally unskilled, y'know."

"Well, what can I say to you?" his mother finally managed to speak, faking a tearful tone. "It's your life; do what you want!"

"Mama..." he began in a conciliatory tone, "I really have to do this; please back me up..."

"Well, I'm certainly not pleased with your decision but I'm your mother and I hope this is the best for you."

"Thanks, Mama. I really appreciate your undying love and support for me."

At this, she smiled. He had hit a sensitive nerve; she really loved her son. "Go well my son...God bless you!" she blessed him.

"Ameen Mama! I'm on my way out; do you need anything?"

"Well, I won't say I don't need anything..."

At this Yusuf smiled; his Mum never declined a chance to get goodies. "Very well, Mama I'll make sure to bring goodies for your sweet mouth." He assured her, making her grin with pleasure.

"That's my boy! Now, run along!" she called after him as he made his way out of the house. She sometimes treated him as if he were a boy!

"Phew!" he sighed in relief as he left the house. Thankfully, he had managed to win his mother to his side and he now had to accomplish the bigger tasks – that of his untimely resignation and his exit out of Sarah's life...hopefully forever.

He'd liked and even loved the girl once but he now felt betrayed and disgusted. He knew that she had also loved him back to some extent, but obviously the butterflies had vacated somewhere else and his pride wouldn't let him cling to her; especially now that he had other thoughts occupying his mind...

Yusuf put on his sunshades as he got out of the house. He was aware of the appreciative gazes that followed him, especially by girls – an attention he'd hitherto basked in but now paid no attention to as he was preoccupied by other thoughts. Plus, he was also reforming himself to be a better Muslim, thanks to a certain someone...

As he walked, he thought about many things, clearing his mind for the task ahead in the process. He also felt grateful to his instinct that made him leave his car behind at the Habibs' mansion to take the long walk to his mother's homestead that lovely Saturday morning.

He walked on, reviewing his past life up till the time he made the trip to Maiduguri – a life-changing one indeed! Will I see that woman again? he wondered, sincerely hoping and praying that he would. Whether or not she even remembered the few moments they interacted in, he really confessed that she'd stimulated a spontaneous wave of change in him for the best.

The honk of a car cut his thoughts short. He turned round and saw a woman wearing a niqab on the wheel. Suddenly, a crazy thought flashed through his mind – could she be the one??? Nah... he dismissed the thought, shaking his head.

Meanwhile, the lady at the wheel honked again, wanting him to move aside so that she could pass. The honk brought him back to reality. Jaywalking wasn't his nature but his train of thoughts had made him stray from the sidewalks and right onto the street. He quickly moved aside and muttered his apologies while the woman shook her head and drove away.

He shook his head again, intending to clear it a bit. 'What has come over me???' he asked himself. He however tried to collect his wits as he continued moving, focusing on the task ahead.

Doubtlessly, the Habibs won't be as easily convinced as his mother. They'd ask questions and need answers. Well, he would try to give them some but wasn't sure if they'd be completely convinced. Well, that's their concern not his; he was only concerned with getting out of their lives as quickly as possible. It's certainly for the best, he assured himself.

Suddenly a thought flashed through his mind – Sarah! 'That devil in sheep's clothing...' he muttered. He knew she would surely throw a tantrum as she was wont to when things didn't go her way. Well, he had already steeled himself to face anything that might go wrong.

With a sigh, he mouthed a quick prayer as the mansion came into view.

So...the story has picked up pace by now. Share your opinions!

Do you believe in fate and coincidence? If you do, tell me if you think Yusuf's meeting with the 'Mysterious Lady' is one of such cases.

Don't forget to vote, share and comment!😊