Within these walls

Chapter 6

10:00 a.m on Saturday and one insensitive person is calling me.

"Sadiya, you better have a good reason for this call, it is too early," I said in a groggy voice.

"Good morning Ya Salima," she greeted excitedly.

"Save your greeting, what do you want?"

"You still sleep till noon on Saturdays. Something's will never change," she laughed.

"Start talking before I hang up abeg," I hissed.

"So I have thought about all you said and I have decided to go ahead with the marriage. Even though my first decision was because that was what was expected of me, I have realized that I love Amir, he is kind, he is supportive and pushes me to win more than I push myself. So, I feel like even in years to come, I will want to do life with him and no one else," she giggled.

"Okay! Lover girl," I teased.

"I am so glad you are making this decision based on what you want, you want Amir and not that you are with him because you are expected to have a man. You have made the best decision and I pray Allah blesses your marriage and keep you guys happy," I prayed.

I am so happy she was able to think deep and point out why she wants this marriage. May Allah ease her journey and keep her happy. What I am not happy about is that she has cut my sleep short. I am that person that can't go back to sleep after being woken up.

"Amin ya Allah, thank you so much for looking out for me Ya Salima," she said.

"Girl no worries. As a professional bridesmaid, I have gone to countless weddings so I can call myself that. Let me know if you need help with planning or vendors' suggestion and all of that wedding hassle."

"Alright then Ya Salima. Sorry for waking you up," she added.

"Bye," I ended the call.

After scrolling through my social media for an hour, I brushed my teeth and went downstairs to get something to eat.

"Good morning Daddy," I greeted while drawing out a chair from the table to sit.

"Morning Salima, how was your night?"

"It was fine, where is everyone?"

"They went for a walk, one of those numerous cancer walks." He said absentmindedly.

"It is today?" I asked no one in particular.

"Uhmm," he nodded.

I was supposed to go but I am glad no one woke me up because I spent yesterday running after vendors for my friend's son's birthday. The celebration starts in two hours sef. I ate my breakfast in silence while scrolling through my phone.

I arrived at the party by 2:00 p.m, the moment the children sighted me they all ran to me. Most of my friends are married and have kids from five years and below. I like to think I am that cool aunty because all the kids love me. I also love them, especially because I don't have to deal with their wahala. I like that I can play and hold them but once they start getting naughty and cranky, I hand them over to their parent. A very comfortable arrangement.

"This is a sign that it is time you settle down," said Karima.

"Yen, Yen Yen. Everything is a sign to you, abeg let me hear word." I rolled my eyes.

"Karima can you please let Salima be, why are you always harassing her about a husband?" asked Khadijah.

"You guys don't like telling her the truth. Salima is our agemate but because she is too picky and looking for love, she is here still un-married. Your biological clock is ticking sha, you better do something about it before it is too late," concluded Karima.

"I have nothing to say to you, womb watcher. Clock that is not your own, leave me alone and mind your business, abi are you looking for a co-wife? Let me know so I can marry your husband."

That statement left her quiet, nothing scares Karima more than the thought of having a co-wife.

"I thought as much, so mind your business." I turned to other people on the table that were trying so hard to control their laughter.

Karima is a very interesting person, she is vocal and believes she is honest. Although her comments are never from a bad place, what she lacks is tact. I have always told her that it is not always about what you say but how you say it. Delivery is top tier on the scale of communicating your thoughts.

The birthday was really fun, it was more of the parent's day than the child. I am at cross roads concerning celebrating the birthday of a one-year-old. On one hand, it is the child's first birthday in the world, so, having a celebration is just natural. On the other hand, the child is almost always never aware of what is going on. A lot of them end up sleeping or being cranky all day. Anyways I don't have to worry about that for a while.