My New Home

Chapter Twenty-eight

Mama brought back news from her recent outing. She went to one of her numerous friends’ place on Friday and came back with the information that we all needed to start attending Arabic schools on weekends to improve our Islamic knowledge.

She claimed that the newest addition to our family, Remi, needed it even though she’s yet to agree to denounce her belief or no belief and accept the new religion.

She also included that our family is straying and we can only improve our life style by attending madrasah and lectures. In short, the decision stemmed from Idris and Qoriahs’ waywardness and Remis’ need to understand Islam.

“Only if she understood the religion herself could we be assured that she’s a true Muslim”. Mama had explained.

“She had been conditioned to renounce her faith and accept a new one which I know for sure that she would do if she wanted to make things right but as soon as she’s on good footing with her parents, whenever she has a problem with Idris, she could easily become an enemy of Islam which is something I would like to avoid at all cost”. Mama further explained and I see sense in what she said.

“When are we starting mama?”  I asked.

“Not yet. I’m informing you ahead of time. We did give Remi a condition before we could allow her to marry Idris but do you think it’s possible to marry the child off without the parents’ consent? So, today In-sha Allah, I, Alhaji and his wife would be visiting Remi’s parents and we hope the woman especially, has calmed a bit so she can listen to reason. Only when they give full permission could we venture into that territory”.

“What of Qoriah’s issue?” I dared to ask.

“Her uncle is still very angry at her. He’s refused to say anything about her case. You know it’s very disappointing to give your all to a child only to receive nothing in the end”.

“It isn’t fair. I defended. Bro. Idris committed the same offense or even worse and Alhaji did not criticise him that badly.” I added.

“Our society doesn’t really favor women. I’m sorry but then, that doesn’t mean Idris is free of anything. Do you still know how long he would grovel before he could receive Remis’ parents permission and Alhaji would not be too thrilled to provide for him for his wedding preparations like he would have done had he not fallen into sin. So, he has a lot coming for him that might prove to be worse than Qoriahs'”.

“I do not wish badly on any of them. I clarified. I was just speaking my mind and I wish the family the best”.

“I know, and Alhaji will come around soon In-sha Allah” Mama assured.

“About your madrasah, hope we’re clear on that?” Mama asked again.

“Yes Ma”. I answered even though we didn’t discuss much on it.

The next morning, Alhaji, Mama Bauchi, Iya ewe, Remi and Idris left for Remis’ home to make peace with her parents. They were gone for two hours only before they came back in annoyance. Iya ewe didn’t bother getting to her room before untying her head wrap while mama who seemed to be the only clear headed person left for her room Immediately and Alhaji kept grumbling about how the children of the knowledgeable ones are always the ones with the problem and his own family case is a serious test from Allah which he hoped he’ll be able to overcome. It was obvious the meeting didn’t yield a good result but no one was in the mood to give a report.

Remi and Idris followed in tow but idris left after a while when he saw that his relatives were in no mood for conversation but Remi stayed behind.

Watching her sit alone increased my appetite for gossip and hearing it from the horse mouth is an added advantage. I waited for five minutes before I joined her after deciding not to waste the precious opportunity. Who knows? They might decide to make it a bedroom affair like they used to do and all we’ll be able to catch would just be snippets.