Maitama, Abuja.
"Jalilah, hurry up! Our new Malam is here!" Banina yelled from downstairs.
"My baby, stand up and go. They're waiting for you," Hajiya Zainab said, looking at Jalilah, who was engrossed in Subway Surfers on her phone like a little kid.
"I really don't feel like going, Hajiya."
"Why?" Hajiya Zainab asked, caressing Jalilah's face as her head lay in her lap.
"I'm sick," she said, pouting.
"Stand up and go, now." Jalal's cold voice came from somewhere in the room.
Jalilah shivered at the sound of his voice. She stood, donned her hijab, and left. Hajiya Zainab smiled at the duo, eagerly awaiting her son's return so she could share the main purpose of her visit.
"Hajiya, you sent for me?" Jalal said, sitting on the carpet beside her feet.
"Yes, Jalal. I want to have an important talk with you."
"I'm all ears, Hajiya," he replied.
"You'll be twenty-nine in a month, so I think it's high time you settle down, don't you think so?" Hajiya Zainab said, gently placing her hands on his soft hair.
Jalal's eyes widened at the suggestion. Him? Marriage? No way! He loathed the idea.
Some moments passed in silence. Hajiya Zainab sighed, understanding this wouldn't be easy.
"You haven't said anything, Jalal?"
"Hajiya, I'm sorry, but there's no way I'm getting married. At least, not now," Jalal said, his tone steady and calm.
"Why, Jalal? You need to let go of the past, please," she pleaded.
"Have you forgotten what happened already?"
"I'm sorry, but I just can't," he added and left the parlor, leaving Hajiya speechless. "Ya Allah!" she whispered, knowing it wouldn't be easy.
---
"What's your name, young girl?" their new Malam asked after the others had introduced themselves.
Jalilah remained silent, looking away. She simply wasn't in the mood.
"I'm talking to you, young girl?"
"Jalilah," she mumbled.
"Masha Allah, Masha Allah, what a lovely name, Jalilah," he said, smiling widely.
"Well, my name is Shehu Murtala. You all can call me Malam Shehu." He smiled at the group.
Jalilah looked him up and down before bursting into laughter.
"What? Why are you laughing? Did I say something funny?" Malam Shehu asked, looking around at the kids, who were all laughing now.
"No! You're the funny one here," Jalilah said, still giggling. "Look at you! Please, go and learn how to dress properly!"
The Malam looked down, seeing nothing wrong with his outfit: a white Jallabiya, a green cap, and red rubber shoes.
Nabeel started laughing, clutching his stomach. "Ya Allah! The man is funny!"
"Gosh, Malam! Nabeel here can teach you—no worries!" Jalilah said, trying to stifle her laughter as the Malam's face grew angrier.
"What nonsense! Why are you laughing at me? There is nothing wrong with my dressing! I won't teach spoiled brats like you. I can't deal with spoiled kids!" he snapped, packing his things and storming out of the mansion.
"Suit yourself!" Jalilah said, annoyed.
"He's so funny. Ya Allah!" Banina added, still laughing.
"Now that we've chased the poor man away, let's go inside and face the consequences," Nabeel said, and their hearts collectively sank—they knew they were in trouble.
"Ya Allah, you're right," Banina muttered as they all made their way back inside. Jalilah, typing on her phone and not looking, bumped into Jalal at the entrance.
"Can't you, for once, be serious in your life? Can't you watch where you're going?" he snapped, storming past her.
Jalilah, still shaken from his outburst, looked at Banina and Nabeel. "What did I do wrong?"
"He seems upset. I wonder what's wrong with him. Let's just go," Banina said.
"Why are you back already? I thought you just left?" Hajiya Khadijah asked, looking at them.
"Mummy, he left. He said he can't teach spoiled brats like us," Nabeel said with a shrug.
"But why? He wouldn't just leave without a solid reason." She raised a brow, prompting them all to stay silent.
"What happened to my Jalilah?" Hajiya Khadijah asked, looking at Jalilah, who looked slightly annoyed.
"Mummy, it was Ya Jalal—he snapped at me! Why is he always like that?" Jalilah complained, settling next to Hajiya Khadijah on the couch.
Later in the evening, as everyone gathered for dinner, Hajiya Zainab announced something that caught Hajiya Khadijah's attention.
"Where is Jalal? I need to speak with him now."
"Khadijah, please call him."
"Sure, Hajiya," Hajiya Khadijah said, dialing his number.
"Salamualaykum, Mum," Jalal answered in a gruff voice.
"Wa alaykumusalam, Jalal. Hajiya wants to see you. Now."
"Okay, I'll be right there," he replied, ending the call.
Shortly afterward, Jalal entered the dining room and greeted everyone.
"You kids, go to your rooms," Hajiya Zainab said to them.
"Yes, Hajiya," they all replied, heading out.
"So, the main purpose of my visit here is to make something official," Hajiya Zainab said, clearing her throat.
"We're all ears, Hajiya, and we'll respect whatever decision you want to make," Alhaji Abdurrahman said.
"I want Jalal and Jalilah to get married."
---
Written: 11.9.20
Edited on: 10.5.22
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Affairs Of The Hearts |✅
RomanceCOMPLETED ~JALILAH~ Jalilah, a sweet, lively, and beautiful sixteen-year-old girl, knows no care in the world. An orphan since her parents passed away when she was just a year old, she has lived her enti...
