HER CRUSH

Chapter29

Abdullah'
"Ya Sadeeq, what did Abba tell you?" I asked again, my voice low, almost uncertain, as if repeating it would make the news change.

"You heard me clearly, right?" he said, setting his pen down on the desk and leaning back in his chair. "They said you can't marry their daughter alongside someone else on the same day. It's either you marry Fatima first, then Asma after a month, or you marry Asma first, then Fatima after two months."

I dragged my palm across my face, frustration gnawing at my chest. "Ya Allah!" I exclaimed, fingers digging into my beard. "What else did Abba say, ya Sadeeq? I need to know exactly."

He pulled another file closer, flipping a few papers before speaking. "Uncle Ibrahim also spoke to them, but her uncle still disagreed. When Abba spoke, they said they would think about it..." He paused, scratching his chin.

Think, kuma yaya... toh... did they collect—what's the word? The..."

"Kudin gaisuwa,"

"Yes, that I nodded

He nodded. "They did, alhamdulillah. And the marriage has been fixed for the next four months. But still, they refused the idea of joining it with Asma's. Her uncle kept raising the issue of her studies."

I narrowed my eyes. "Studies? As if education stops because of marriage?"

"Exactly," Sadeeq muttered. "From Kaduna to Abuja...that was his argument.

she could continue. I'm even thinking of transferring her to Baze University here."

"That's good. A very good idea."

"But yaya... wallahi, I can marry both of them off at the same time. Please talk to Abba; he should contact her uncle again."

I leaned forward, irritation bubbling. "And why will I...? Am I your child?"

"No, yaya, but....

He  sighed, his voice softening. "See, little brother, what Abba did wasn't right. But he regrets it. He acknowledged his mistakes. Can't you forgive and move on?"

I shook my head, emotions swirling, my throat tight. "How can I? After everything we endured? You're siding with him?"

"I'm not taking his side," he said calmly, folding his hands on the desk. "Allah loves those who forgive. You know who pushed Abba into divorcing Ummi, who fueled his hatred against you and your sister."
The words hit me hard. For a moment, I saw flashes of the past....long nights of arguments, Ummi's tear-streaked face, my sister clinging to me, the humiliation we carried. The wound still throbbed, years later.

"What's Abba's fault here?" Sadeeq pressed, eyes sharp.

"My anger, hurt, my whole life," I muttered, my voice breaking.

"Abba begged Ummi, your sister, and even you for forgiveness, didn't he?" His voice rose, insistent.

I clenched my fists, staring at the floor.

"Didn't they forgive him after everything?" he demanded.

I hesitated, silence stretching like a blade between us. Finally, I forced the word out. "They did."