After Agony...

|Eighteen|

A driver was already waiting for the arrival of Imam alongside his father and two of his uncles. Apparently,after a deeper investigation on the girl's father,they got to find out that he died three year ago according to Ammiey whom was informed by Huda's mother. But luckily for them,a friend of his got to know about Huda and was willing to help them trace his relations. After knowing them for a long time,they still couldn't believe the family had such issues and secrets.

The arrivals gate was opened where people were trooping out from and they had no problem sighting the driver whom was to drive them to Shinkafi,a local government area in Zamfara state.

"Good day!"the driver Mujaheed greeted the gentlemen which was replied simultaneously.

All through the drive,Imam couldn't help but feel nervous as to what the man could say. All sorts of thoughts came to his mind especially a worst case scenario which could totally destroy all hopes he had of being with his love. He was so deep in his thought,he had not realized that the car had came to a stop.

"What have you been thinking about,Imam?" One of his uncle had questioned.

The four men had exited the car trailing behind Mujaheed whom was their guide. After a five minutes walk,they came in sight of a building to which they made way inside. As they stepped inside,they could have sworn they were still in some place and not a local government as the interior of the house was a sight to behold. As the men walked down the hall,they took a turn to the left as they were welcomed with a luxurious living room with a portrait painting of a man displayed. Each one of them took their seats respectively with Imam seated on the rug. Mujaheed excused himself to inform his father about their arrival. A few minutes later,a lady walked in with a wooden tray as she kept it on the center table.

This was it,the moment of truth. There they were seated in anticipation waiting for the man as he appeared through the door separating the living room from the other part of the house.

"Assalamualaikum" the man whom appeared to be in his late sixties said as he sat down near Alhaji Waziri where he extended his hands to him which he gladly shook.

"Waalaikumussalam" they all replied.

"My apologies for keeping you gentlemen waiting."

"Ba matsala. And we are also sorry for showing up on a shirt notice" Mallam Bala,Imam's uncle apologized.

"Worry not. Bismillah,mu sha ruwa ko?" He offered.

A lone silence filled the room before the man spoke once again.

"So who is the groom amongst you?"he asked trying to lighten up the atmosphere.

"Isn't it obvious?" Alhaji Musa said as they bursted into laughter with the exception of Imam.

"I have to ask,because nowadays you can't really tell the difference."

After some few jokes and laughter that came after it,the men were back to business.

"Am guessing you already know why we are here. But let me remind us all. Our soon here,has seen a damsel he desires as a wife and we as muslims have to follow the teachings of our religion as well as the traditions of the prophet(pbuh)And by the investigation we have done,it led us to you. Albeit it is unfortunate to know the father is dead,Allah ya jikan shi da duakn musulmai" Mallam Bala prayed which was simultaneously answered with an amen.

"Amma sha'anin aure sai an bishi ah hankali. And for that,we can't just marry them off to each other without her family and that is why we are here" he concluded.

Alhaji Bawa heaved a sigh before he began. "All what you have said is the truth. Kuma maganan aure I ba karamin magana bane. Before I start,I would like you to know that...

*****

"Assalamualaikum" came his voice through the phone which brought a smile as well as ease down the tension which was building up inside of her.

"Waalaikumussalam" she replied with in a soft and low tone.

"We are on our way already,if that's what you want to know" he said as Huda had never really called him in her own accord,so he had sensed that something was wrong.

"Am sorry,I can't just help it. Am feeling a bit nervous... okay a lot nervous" she confessed as she slumped down on the bed.

"Don't worry,everything would fall into place, in shaa Allah" those words were enough to put her to rest,or were they.

She exhaled as she felt all the nerves disappear into thin air. "Just know that whatever happens,I love you" at this point in time all sorts of pessimistic thoughts were invading her mind,but she quickly disregarded them.

"...are you even listening?" He asked as he had been talking and it seemed like her attention wasn't there.

"Yeah,yeah." she assured.

"Okay,I got to go,but I'll call you later. And remember,I love you too" he said as he hung up leaving her feeling so edgy.

What if he changes his mind? What will happen to her? Oh Allah all she knows is that she has never felt what she was feeling at the moment. She just hopes everything-

"Huda,why are you stressing yourself? Don't worry everything will be alright" Her mom tried to reassure her.

"I hope so. Thank you mommy"she said as she stretched her hands and engulfed her into a bone crushing hug.

"Huda do you want to kill me ne? You don't want me to witness your wedding ko? Mommy joked as Huda suddenly felt shy to which she covered her face with a veil.

"Kai mommy!" She whined as her mom bursted into laughter.

"Allah ya shirye ki. Is that how we are going to marry you off,whining like a baby?".

That was how the teasing and whining continued between the mother and daughter. At that moment,she forgot about everything happening around her as she laughed in her mother's embrace,that feeling was one in a million. At least all she could feel was happiness without the outside world intervening. This is just the beginning.