RAYS OF HOPE✔

Chapter 6

The next day Humaira woke up with full vigour and joy like never before. She could remember clearly a week ago she kept wallowing in self pity and if anybody told her she would be this happy, then she wouldn't hesitate to deny it straight up. Indeed Allah is the most miraculous and merciful being. She thanked Him immensely for the blessings He has bestowed upon her and did all her chores on time. She then proceeded to packing just like Maryam rather than sitting idly.

After finishing it in not more than half an hour since her clothes aren't that much, she continued reading The universal journalist.

A few minutes later, an ear-piercing knock from the gate interrupted her and Ammi's peaceful atmosphere. Nabeel was off to work as usual which makes only the two of them at home.

Ammi asked her to check who was knocking that agressively and so she did. Opening the gate came the face of someone she quite expected. A very fuming Goggo jidde and she was sure if looks could kill, she would have long been buried beneath the earth by now. So she is not with her accomplice today? This is serious!

"Where is that mother of yours, huh?!" She jolted her out of her train of thoughts.

"Umh good morning Goggo jidde, she is_"

"Hold your greetings to yourself. I can find my way." She stormed in without allowing her to conclude.

Barging in without a salam, she started bombarding Ammi with questions.
"How dare you sent back those boxes to me Maymunatu? Are you seriously going against me by backing out of this wedding? What are you trying to prove huh? Just who in the world do you think you're?!"

"Please calm down Ya jidde and we'll talk about this in a more civilised way. Let's sit...."

"I am not here to sit! Quit testing my patience and answer me right away!"

"I'm really sorry Ya jidde but Humaira has no interest in getting married now and I am in no position to force her. Her friend Maryam brought her scholarship admission letter yesterday and since it has been her dream to study journalism, I thought__"

As if by magic and reflex, a resounding slap resonated around the four walls of Alhaji Alee's residence, halting her words midway.

"Goggo jidde you didn't just raise your hand at my Ammi?!!" A feeble and perplexed Humaira screeched at the top of her lungs, her voice cracking at the end.

"Yes I did and I'll do it again and again if she keeps spewing these nonsense and supporting a useless girl like you!"

"And back to you Maymunatu you thought what? What makes you think you've the right to take a drastic decision as this? Getting her a scholarship and calling off the marriage?! We're her paternal relatives which means we're like her parents if you want me to come clear and only we have the right to make decisions like this in her life. Whether she studies or gets married only we have a say since our brother who is her father is no more!" She bellowed at a stricken Ammi who stood numb.

"By Allah I have a lot of respect for you inspite of everything Goggo jidde and that's all thanks to Ammi. She taught me how to behave with my elders. But with all due respect there's a limit to everything and I just can't sit and watch my mother getting humiliated for something she's not to blame. If you like you can insult me all you wish but please not my mother. So now if you could please excuse us..."

"Wow! What amazing manners you've taught her Maymunatu. Throwing her Aunt out of her house? I'm impressed! Keep up the good work. And yes, let's see how you try to back out of this alliance while I'm still breathing!" She let out a dry laugh sarcasm dripping in her voice, and then stomped off.