Zara

Chapter 16:13th May (II)

13th May; 2007

Moh's POV
Time really flies, and it is pretty scary for me to accept the fact that it really does, it's exactly a year since I lost them, and all my good moments seem to have slipped away swiftly with their demise, and what shock me most is that I didn't cry for them till now, the pain is still constricted in my chest,gnawing at me with every second that pass, but do I have an option? I have been pretending to be strong but deep down inside, I'm dying over and over, Ashraf is nothing but supportive of me, even though most of our stay is of showering abuses, smacks, pranks and all, he is still there for me.

"Moha Moha, I'm thinking of traveling to Ringim, it's your birthday sef, and I really miss my sister and grandma too, wanna tag along? " Ashraf asked his mouth full of popcorn.

Did I mention my friend is a popcorn freak? It seems he is even addicted to eat.

"How many hours travel? " I asked him fetching a handful of his popcorn to which I earned a glare.

"Two hours I think, we can even save an hour since I'm fast with cars. "

"Pardon? What did you say? Hello it's me Muhammad, can you hear me? " I waved my hand on his face.

Who is he kidding? Being in Ashraf's drive is roughly the same as being a victim of an accident.Astagfirullah

"Point of correction, you are not fast with cars, you are reckless. "

"Hebberette!!!, who are you to even say this? I've been driving for good seven years now if I may say, so don't try anything shitty here Abeggi. " He squinted his eyes before he glared at me; head to toe.

You see your life, you started driving at fourteen and you have that stinking something you call mouth to talk, I don't know why people can abide by simple rules in this our country, driving permissions in Nigeria don't require long process yet some people tend to violate them..."

"No need for long speech sir, I'm a law student remember. "

I hissed at how he dusted an imaginary dust off his shoulder.

"Show off " I scoffed.

"Perks of being a law student, Yeey I'm proud " He jumped, typical of a nursery school students.

I later gave in after his persistent beggings and naggings,he asked Baba's(his father) permission before he gave him the car key, bid them(family members) adieu and we headed to Ringim in Jigawa state. Not until after I recited the dua for travel:
Allaahu 'Akbar, Allaahu 'Akbar, Allaahu 'Akbar, Subhaanal-lathee sakhkhara lanaa haathaa wa maa kunnaa lahu muqrineen. Wa 'innaa 'ilaa Rabbinaa lamunqaliboon. Allaahumma 'innaa nas'aluka fee safarinaa haathal-birrawattaqwaa, waminal-'amalimaa tardhaa, Allaahumma hawwin 'alaynaa safaranaa haathaa watwi 'annaa bu'dahu, Allaahumma 'Antas-saahibu fis-safari, walkhaleefatu fil-'ahli, Allaahumma 'innee 'a'oothu bika min wa'thaa'is-safari, wa ka'aabanl-mandhari, wa soo'il-munqalabi fil-maaliwal'ahli.

Allah is the Most Great. Allah is the Most Great. Allah is the Most Great. Glory is to Him Who has provided this for us though we could never have had it by our efforts. Surely, unto our Lord we are returning. O Allah, we ask You on this our journey for goodness and piety, and for works that are pleasing to You . O Allah , lighten this journey for us and make its

distance easy for us . O Allah, You are our Companion on the road and the One in Whose care we leave our family . O Allah , I seek refuge in You from this journey's hardships, and from the wicked sights in store and from finding our family and property in misfortune upon returning.

Not because I am afraid of his driving but because a muslim is expected to seek Allah's huda when he or she is to travel.

We arrived almost after the time of Magrib,as such we decided to perform ablution before entering the house, it is a modern building, it took a whole year before Goggo(Ashraf's grandma)  was convinced about the Renovation of her house which was a Mud and Thatch before, her excuse being that it reminded her of her late husband and she was also that she respected culture and tradition, I was told by Ashraf though maybe he added his own salt and pepper.