My New Home

Chapter Five

Jamal returned from work but rather than entering the bedroom to change out of his work clothes, he stayed in the living room with other members of the family adjoined for the meeting. He shouted my name and i moved to the living room to join them.
“Have your seat Fateemah, we have a lot to discuss”. Jamal started.
I noticed he didn’t call me Fatee like he used to and my heart sank but I replied ok and took my seat on the lone armchair. Before we begin, Alhaji moved out of the bedroom adjacent to mine and I dropped to my knees in greeting.  I was surprised to see him around since he’s been absent since I moved into the house and no one informed me of his whereabouts or that he’s coming back today and Jamal also didn’t mention anything about his arrival. He didn’t say much but took a seat. I think he’s still bitter about my marriage.
“We seek refuge from Shaytan, the accursed, Alhaji started, and we begin this meeting with the name of Almighty Allah and we pray that it ends it in peace”.
Aameen. We chorused.
“The purpose of today’s meeting is to resolve the misunderstanding between Iya ewe and his daughter in-law”. Alhaji continued.
I was so surprised when I heard this that I unconsciously gasped. Alhaji gave me the stink eye and continued. “We’re believers, followers of the Holy Prophet and part of his Sunnah, in fact, a very important one is to respect the elders. That aside, we’re Yorubas and regardless of our religion, we have to give regards to our elders, it’s a cultural thing”.
Perhaps he still sees me as a Christian but I can’t do a thing to change his mind. “I was informed that you were rude just this morning to your mother in-law, he looked at me pointedly while speaking, and I expect you to give your apology to her with immediate effect”.
I wanted to argue that I did that already but one look from Jamal shut me up and I decided to play along with it and gave another apology. She patted my head and said she forgave me. Then, we concluded the meeting. I was so hurt and furious by the time I got back to the bedroom. I mean who does such a thing? Calling a meeting over the slightest misunderstanding and everyone has time to attend, don’t they have a better thing to do. I was still fuming when Jamal entered the bedroom.
“Why didn’t you tell me something like that happened”, He said in annoyance.
“Because I thought it wasn’t a big deal but apparently, I was wrong”.
“Treating my mum like dirt isn’t a big deal?” He roared.
“Living In a family house was totally a bad idea; I see that now so let’s move out”.
He laughed scornfully and said, “So that’s your solution to the situation at hand”.
“What else am I supposed to say? I used to think my mum is the worst. I commented distastefully. I’ve probably expected too much from you and that’s the root of the problems. Perhaps I should have realized earlier that Allah is the perfectionist and not human”.
“And what do you mean by that?” He queried.
“I agreed to your proposal of marrying me into a family house despite my absolute loathing of it and that was because I wished that if I were around enough Muslims, I’ll be able to perfect my religion and will serve Allah properly. I paused, don’t forget I live in a house full of nine people with different characters and sentiment, not that alone, but also varying religion, and I can tell you with conviction that even though we’re siblings, my growing up was not as blissful as you would have thought which is why I vowed never to live in a house with a large number of people. In fact, there was a time I convinced myself that I’ll live alone and never get married and that was simply to avoid all these drama”.
“You came into my life, told me stories about your house and family and I saw it as an opportunity to do what I’ve always wanted to do, practice Islam, and I thought it’s not a bad idea and went for it but since I came here, the only thing I’ve perfected is how to greet my elders as at when due and gossip. I’m not saying respecting my elders is a bad thing but I don’t see them encouraging me to respect other people that are not part of the family. They sometimes tell me not to acknowledge some people because of the bad blood between them that I was not even aware of how they came about it in the first place”.
While I was talking, his countenance had done a one-eighty degree and he actually looks remorseful. “I didn’t realize that was your intention. I’m sorry it escalated to that and I promise to make changes. I’ll speak to Hajia about it since she’s the best person for the job”. He said.
“And you? I jested. You have no knowledge about the job”?
“I hardly stay at home and I might not be that helpful”. He replied.
“Is that the real reason or you don’t actually know much yourself seeing how you agreed to my mum condition of being joined by a priest during our wedding”.
“I agreed to that because I was trying to eliminate several evil with one evil seeing how your mum might end up marrying you to a man of her religion if I don’t sweep in to do the job”.
“Was that the only reason or were you actually Scared of her”. I taunted further.
“Me? he said pointing at his chest. Never”
“I’m glad we have that out of the way. He said while lounging across the sofa. Let’s prepare for Maghrib and I’ll show you how to perform a proper ablution before going to the mosque”.
“That’s more like it. Can’t you stay at home and pray as well?” I whined feeling spoilt.
“No, it’s mandatory on every man to pray in congregation”. He shrugged.
“But we’re much enough to form a congregation”. I further argued.
“Yes. He agreed, but it’s more rewarding for men to observe our Salah at the mosque”.
“Alright let’s get on with the ablution”. I said excitedly.
He brought water in a bowl to the room and explained it’s because he wished to give a proper guide and we can’t talk in the bathroom.
“Why can’t we do that?” I queried.
“It’s the house of the Shaytan and the most hated room by Allah, he explained. So, while we talk in the bathroom, we’re susceptible to the devil’s attack and that also is the routine of the unbelievers, not us”.
“Wow that’s enlightening! May Allah forgive me. Could you believe that when I was in school and was attending a nearby Arabic school, I practice my Arabic lesson in the toilet whenever my roommate are disturbing, not only that, but if I need a break from my roomies or just didn’t want to be distracted, I study in the toilet or bathroom”.
“Audhubillaah. He chanted. How’s that possible, if you attended Arabic school like you said you should have been told all these and moreover, didn’t you say your dad is a practicing Muslim?”
“As for the Arabic school thing, I actually attend once in a blue moon, so, I haven’t been fortunate enough to hear that and my dad uses the toilet every morning where he read his morning papers and I didn’t see a difference.
“May Allah guide us to the right path”. He said finally.
“Aameen”. I said to the prayer.
He guided me on performing ablution, he taught me the Adhkaar (remembrance of Allah) that should be chanted during the ablution and I was truly amazed. I initially didn’t see the point in performing ablution at all, most especially after bathing, so I didn’t usually bother repeating the procedure but he taught me everything I needed to know and at that moment, I couldn’t have asked for a better husband”.
Afterwards he joined the other men and together, they went for prayer. This is the most excited I’ve been since I got married because Jamal is rarely around or really give me the time of the day except in bed at night. If he’s not away at the mosque, then, he’s joining his relatives for chatting and doing whatever it is that guys does. He’s also an ardent gossiper that he put some women to shame. I’m not trying to stereotype by saying women are gossipers but that’s just how it goes in our society. Jamaal even while in work knows everything that goes on in his environment, courtesy of his relatives. Despite my staying at home twenty-four seven, my husband will still return from his work and narrate all that happened in the street. He knows who married whom, who bought a new car, who recently got arrested by the police and whose property was carted away by the thieves. I couldn’t help but imagine how I missed that quality in him during our courtship days. Though, i do enjoy his gossip because I love being well informed and not out of the loop but I’m not lucky enough to witness the juicy stories myself so I revel in taking what I can get.
At times, I believe he married me simply to procreate and have a gist partner but his guidance and support tonight really changed my view and I’m determined to give my best and learn as much as i could before I start popping out little ones I’ll be responsible in training.
After our prayer, I joined them in the kitchen to prepare dinner. We usually prepare and eat dinner before nightfall but due to our meeting today, it was delayed and we’re preparing that now. One other thing I missed about home is that I don’t necessarily have to go the kitchen to the extent that I spend days without setting a foot in the kitchen. Although I can cook but it’s not my hobby and I hate kitchen duties with passion but my punishment for laziness while I was single is being meted out here because we don’t eat out at all. So we prepare food for the whole family three times a day and at times when I prepare a meal that’s exceptionally delicious, those in my flat will brag to others in the next flat and the next time they want to prepare that kind of meal, they’ll ask for my help. I’m even thinking of deliberately preparing bad meals, perhaps, I’ll be give lesser duties but the fact that Iya ewe is  a no-nonsense-woman and Alhaji is not any better, I won’t go Scot free.
About half an hour later, we finished preparing Amala, Eba, and vegetable soup with fish. Contrary to my healthy diet back at home, my new family gives a new meaning to balanced diet, they believe the heavier meal should be taken at night and I’m gradually getting used to it too.
By the time the men got back from the mosque, we’ve set the table and ready for meal but there is now changes in our meal arrangement as opposed to how it’s done prior to Alhaji’s arrival. I was told that Alhaji doesn’t in the rooms and we all have to eat together in the living room as one big family, although that didn’t last for too long before we moved back to the rooms.
We then settled down for our meal. Throughout the course of the meal, Alhaji spoke few words to every member of the family except me and even fewer to Jamal. I think he doesn’t like me and that was the first subject I broached when we got back to you room.
“Don’t worry; he’ll warm up to you soon”. Jamal consoled.
“I don’t think the day will ever come. I argued. If he doesn’t like me now, then I doubt he’ll do so later. I think I’ve fell out of favor right from the onset”.
“I assure you that your thinking is wrong. Things will get better”. He promised.
Reveling in the attention I’m getting today, I changed the topic to a lighter one. I don’t want the day to end yet.
“I’ll come back early from work tomorrow in sha Allah. Clear your schedule by 4:30; I’ve a surprise for you”.
“What is it tell me?” I eagerly inquired.
“No I won’t”. He deadpanned”
“Yes you will”. I argued.
No, I won’t.
Yes, you will.
Naw
Yeah
We kept going back and forth seeing who’ll cave in first. “We can do this all night and I won’t still tell you. It’s called surprise for a reason”
“I don’t like surprises”. I deflated.
“Then you’ll have to suck it up or I’ll take back my offer”.
“I will never let you do that”. I replied immediately.
“That’s what I thought”. He smirked.
I just have to wait till tomorrow, it’s almost here. I thought and went to sleep