The One He Chose

Chapter 1

           

She sat on the bed trying to mute the noise, it was too much she thought and the worst part of it was it was all a sham, but no one knew that. She never thought this was how it was going to turn out, she always imagined a day like this to be a happy day if not magical, especially since she was finally getting married. She has always been told by everyone 'the marriage feeling was amazing although a person might feel scared entering a new chapter in life' and that was what she believed.

            Her phone beside her began to ring bringing her back to reality. She read the name on the screen "Usman" it showed, she didn't want to talk to him she thought, not now at least. She ignored the call and turned the screen down before shoving it away from her. The name used to make her so happy, but not anymore. Then it was worry, but not anymore. Now all she feels is anger whenever the name comes up.

           "Aren't you going to answer the call Nabila" startled, she looked up. Fatima her sister stood in front of her. Just then the phone stopped ringing; she let out a sigh and smiled at her sister. "You don't look happy sis, is everything okay? You should be all smiles now, you are getting married in few weeks In Sha Allah, we are all very happy".

              "I am happy; my head is just aching a bit. But you have no idea what I've done" she confirmed, whispering the last part to herself.

           "Okay, why don't you lie down and rest for a while. I will come back later". She  put her head down on the pillow and closed her eyes, but all she could think about was the situation she was in, thinking back to some months ago everything was perfectly fine. She was so in love then, all that happened since then has been so confusing that she isn't sure of whether her mind was playing tricks on her or if everything actually happened. And before everything, life was great and everything was working out perfect. She had little to do, going to hospital, although some might find that to be tedious, she didn't care. It was her thing and that made her happy. That use to be her only priority until they came along. 

              Right now her fate has been decided by her uncles who came all the way from Katsina. She wished she could tell someone what was bothering her but she couldn't, no one will understand her reasons. So she decided to tell her lord. She stood up and walks to the bathroom to perform ablution. She came back into the room and walks toward the praying mat which was laid by the corner, she wore her hijab and began to offer two Raka'ats.

              After saying her Salaam, she raised her hands upwards and cried her heart out to her lord.

               "Ya Allah, You alone know what is best for me. You alone know what my heart is going through, Help me with my situation Ya Rabb. Ya Allah, if this thing that I am doing is what is best, May it be the solution to my Problem. And May Usman's love finds its way out of my heart. Ameen Ya Alim"

           When she was done, she went back to her bed and lay down again to rest for a while before Asr prayer. As she closed her eyes, memories of the first time they met flooded her dreams.

               Nine months ago, on a Thursday afternoon. She had afternoon shift that day, she was called into the emergency that day to treat a five year old boy named Yusuf. He was always coming to the hospital with his parents to get treated, he was always so clumsy that he frequently injured himself. This time around he sprained his leg playing football with his friends. She was in a hurry to get to the boy, that she didn't notice someone standing in the hallway to the emergency room. She almost fell to the ground but someone held her in place, she immediately tried to adjust her clothes and scarf, without looking at the person she said "thank you" and continued on her way.