Affairs Of The Hearts |✅

12|Unexpected.

~Sabr♡~

Abuja, Nigeria.

"What is going on here?" Hajiya Zainab demanded, her voice sharp.

"Um...Hajiya, he..." Banina started, but Hajiya cut her off. "Shut up! I'm not directing my question at you," she snapped.

"Good afternoon, Ma," Aslam greeted her quietly. The fiery glare she directed at him made him quickly lower his head.

"For the last time, Jalilah! Who the hell is this boy, and what was he saying?" Hajiya demanded, her voice filled with barely restrained anger.

Jalilah gulped, a lump forming in her throat as she struggled for words. Her eyes dropped, and she nervously fiddled with her fingers.

"I'm sorry for interrupting, Ma. I'm just Jalilah's friend from school," Aslam said gently.

"Oh really? A friend?" Hajiya repeated bitterly. "I love you, Jalilah; I can't imagine a life without you. How about that, huh?"

"God!" Hajiya exclaimed, face-palming herself. "Just get out of here and never come back!"

Jalilah gave Aslam an apologetic look, to which he smiled and nodded before leaving the room.

"Hajiya..." Jalilah began softly.

"I'm disappointed in you, Jalilah! Really disappointed," Hajiya declared, turning and walking out.

"Mummy," Jalilah whined, looking at Hajiya Khadijah, who had been standing silently since she came in.

"Don't even start, Jalilah! You're at fault here."

"I know, Mummy, but she didn't have to act that way! There's nothing wrong with me having a boyfriend," she whined, making Hajiya Khadijah gasp while Banina laughed.

"Yes, Mummy. Remember you told us you got married to Daddy at fourteen, and you had your first child—Ya Jalal—at sixteen," Banina chimed in.

"So, if I understand you girls correctly, you want to get married at sixteen as well?"

"What?! No, Mummy!" Both of them shrieked.

"Then what is it?"

"It's just that it's kind of normal to have a boyfriend at sweet sixteen. Mummy, we only have three months left, and then we're done with high school! We're big girls now," Jalilah giggled, making Hajiya Khadijah chuckle.

"Oh, so you're big girls now? I'll be sure to tell your daddy that his daughters want to get married immediately after high school," she teased, making both girls gasp.

"No, Mummy!"

"Listen," she said, her tone softening, "as parents, we want to protect you from harm. That's why, whenever you start to go astray, we intervene. I'm not saying you shouldn't have a boyfriend, but at least not now. You're too young for this. I understand you're at the adolescent stage, where these feelings are natural, but you need to be careful. This world can be evil and cruel, and God forbid anything happens to you. Young girls are easily manipulated, and that's why we discourage relationships in the name of love—even with classmates."

"Yes, Mummy. In Sha Allah, we'll take care of ourselves. We love you," they both said, smiling and hugging her.

"I love you more, my girls."

***

"What are you saying, Hajiya? At least not now. What's the rush?" Alhaji Abdurrahman asked.

"This is the right decision, Abdul. Getting Jalal and Jalilah married now is best. Don't forget our beloved Abdulmalik's last wish," Hajiya replied earnestly.

"Hajiya, I'm not against this marriage. In fact, I'm overjoyed at the thought of my children forming a union. But Jalilah is still a child—too young for marriage. Can't we wait a year or two?"

"A year or two? No way, Abdul! I can't bear to wait that long to see Jalal married; I want to see my great-grandchildren. I don't want Jalal dwelling on his past any longer. And, after what I witnessed at the hospital yesterday, I don't think I can wait with Jalilah either."

"What happened at the hospital?" Alhaji Abdurrahman asked, taken aback.

"Jalilah is already keeping boyfriends! What do you think will happen if I leave this marriage for a year or two? She might object to it, maybe even fall in love with someone else. Right now, she's still a child, and whatever relationship she has with that boy can be broken off without drama."

"I understand, Hajiya. Let's set it for three months from now; by then, she'll be done with secondary school."

"No! I want the Nikah to take place this coming Saturday! She should resume school as a married woman."

"But she'll still be in the hospital that day, Hajiya," Hajiya Khadijah interjected.

"I know. Don't worry; I'll make sure the kids don't find out until it's done. Jalilah especially, as she's still unwell and could cause a scene."

"May Allah bless their marriage," Alhaji Abdurrahman prayed, and the others echoed, "Ameen."

"But she won't be moved in yet, right?" Hajiya Khadijah asked.

"No, not until she's done with school," Hajiya replied, before leaving the parlor to inform her relatives and Jalilah's mother's side about the upcoming matrimony.

***

"Good evening, Dad, Mum," Jalal greeted, settling onto the carpeted floor beside his mother's feet.

"Afternoon, Jalal. How was work?" Alhaji Abdurrahman asked.

"Alhamdulilah, Dad."

"MashaaAllah. Jalal, what I'm about to tell you is very important. I want you to take it to heart, as a blessing from Allah. This is also an act of obedience toward us as your parents."

"You're aware of the marriage between you and Jalilah, correct?" Alhaji Abdurrahman asked. Jalal nodded slowly.

"Hajiya wants the fatiha to be held this Saturday, In Sha Allah." Jalal froze for a moment, then looked up.

"Dad? Why the rush? She's still sick and in the hospital."

"As I said, Hajiya wants the wedding as soon as possible. In Sha Allah, this will be a blessing for you both. May Allah bless your home."

"Ameen," Jalal replied. His parents showered him with blessings before he left.

And on Saturday, after the procedures for the Nikah were completed, Jalal and Jalilah were pronounced husband and wife.

***

Written on: 10.12.20 
Edited on: 14.9.22