After Agony...

|Twenty three|

After the nikkah,Imam drove to his wife's parent house alongside his friends. He could not wait to see and her,and this time he could actually touch her and hug the daylight out of her. Unlike his first marriage to Sophie,this wedding was an unceremonious one as the couple did not feel the need to spend money on things that are not worth it or necessary.Immediately he and his friends stepped out from the car,an old woman whom was the first to see them yelled "Ayiriri,ga ango! Ga ango!"

They majestically walked into the living room where they waited for Huda and her friends to show up. And by friends,it was his sister Layla and some few cousins.

"Who knew the conservative Imam could get married to two women! Hamza you better come and get married o!"

Abbas and Bello simply laughed at Hamza's remark as the groom only shot him a glare which made him duck his end.

"First of all,its Sunnah and secondly at least no woman is chasing and I was still able to get two of them"Imam retorted.

"Ouch man! You got me there"

Just then,the dark skinned girl elegantly walked into the room with her sweet scent dominating the air in the room as she was adorned in a burgundy and gold lace. Her face was covered in minimal makeup. She smiled brightly as she sighted her groom. The room was filled with both the bride and groom's friends. Flashes of camera could be reflected everywhere with both the professionals and amateurs.

As soon as her face was in sight,the three friends jaw dropped to the ground as they sighted her.

.....

She woke up as early as three a.m In the morning as she evoked her Creator,she prayed her heart out and before you know it,it was already time for subh. She passed out on the prayer mat until she was woken up by her mother. Ever since they arrived at Katsina,they mother and daughter have not really seen sight of each other as they were both busy with the wedding preparations.

"We will be leaving by eleven"

She stared at the door for several minutes before she understood what her mother meant. Sluggishly walked into the bathroom.

Her heart was beating at a fast rate as all possible outcomes of the event. Driving around the road of Katsina,she stared in awe as the car drove around an area of houses she only saw in the neighborhood she worked in. But never thought she could call it home,her father's house.

Apparently,during the course of the wedding preparations between the couple,Imam alongside his parents did a background check up on Huda,and was able to trace her father here in Katsina according to his old time friend. The father was ecstatics about the latest discovery and was also anxious of meeting his daughter.

As they alighted from the car,Huda senses how tensed her mother was and grabbed her hands and entwining it with hers,drawing soothing circles. They were welcomed by a woman probably in her late thirties whom showed them the living room. And after few minutes,he walked in where he met the mother and daughter. No doubt,Huda was his daughter as she got all her facial features from him. Even his beauty was not an exception as she was equally beautiful if not even more. She only got her dark skin and long hair from her mother.

With a trembling mouth,"Ismail?"

He stared at the woman before him for several minutes before he was able to move his mouth.

"Hajjo?"

As she heard his voice,he burst into tears which was holding back as Huda stared at her parents in utmost confusion.

"Is this our daughter?" Although he knew the answer,he still wanted to hear it from the mother.

"Y-ye-yes"

Later on,when they recovers from shock,the business of the day began.

"I'm so sorry,please forgive me. After I left,I felt guilty and by the time I came back,o was I informed that you had ran away. Believe me I searched everywhere I could think off,but to no avail"

Huda was still quiet as she listened to both the people she could collectively call her parents. Euphoria washed over her and tears,not just any,but tears of joy streamed from her eyes.

"I suffered,I had to run away because of the humiliation I had caused my parents. After I gave birth to Huda,I did as many jobs as I come to make sure she had food as well as education just like any child with a father. But what can I say,at sixteen with a child and no father,just me. I was thankful that an old couple had mercy and took me in before i turned twenty five and ran away yet again,just to protect my child. Ismail,you ruined me,afterwards you ran way,abandoning me with our child. Did you think it was that easy while you were here living lavishly?" Anger was written all obey her face.

But that day,tears were shed,confessions were made,but most of all,hearts were mended. After so many years,she got to see her father for the very first time.