ACCEPTANCE (A Nigerian Love story)

HAFSAT

Hafsat's POV 

I had a great time at my father's friend's house mostly because of Zainab and her elder brother Ahmad who was so much more friendly than the other stiff brother, Ammar. It felt good to click with someone, a girlfriend since we are still getting to know new people around. 

We lived in Saudi Arabia until about 6 years ago just when I started University, my parents together with my brother, Ali moved to London and returned to Nigeria only last year. The last time we were in Nigeria was when Ali was three years old. We haven't returned since then till now that Baba has decided to settle down at home for life. 

I was still in university final year when they decided to return to Nigeria. I was so excited and couldn't wait to graduate and come home. On my swearing-in day I was so happy and grateful to Allah and my parent for all they've done. There Baba met his old friend and we waited for them to chat for a whole hour after the event. Parting apart only after he invited Baba to his place during the week so they pick up where they left off. I doubt there would be an end to their chat though. 

As we returned home from the lunch / almost dinner we had at Baba's friend's residence the security man opened up the gates for us and Baba drove in to his parking space beside my car. The new Mercedes-Benz GLC Class (SUV) he got me a month ago. 

We got off the car. Ali whom I prefer to call Chote and I walked behind Mama and Baba as they walked hand in hand. We watched as Baba kissed Mama's hand and dragged her closer to him as she gave him a light hit on his arm. He turned to look at her and through his side view I saw him playfully scowl and quickly kissed her on her forehead and before she could react he held her hand tight in his. 

They only displayed this type of affection at home. I was used to seeing it and even though I pretended to be disgusted by it especially when they do it purposely in front of me, I was still happy for them and I prayed everyday to have a love like theirs. The type that never dies. Just like my parent I am a hopeless romantic too. 

I held Chote's hand and moved quickly past our parent as I said "Excuse us please we need to protect our eyes" and they laughed. 

"Are you jealous habibty? Then why don't you get married too " Baba suggested with a laugh. 

" Baba you two act like Faisal and Amarachi from my class. They call themselves girlfriend and boyfriend." Chote said teasingly and ran into the house first and Baba followed him with a quick pace making Mama and I laugh our heads off. My family is so normal and lovely. I love them to bits.

*

Two of my cousins came to visit me and relieve some stress. They were both getting married soon, so stress and tension was dealing with them. They are my closest cousins. They came to Saudi from time to time to visit us and perform the holy pilgrimage. Thanks to that we became really. The are literally the only family I am close to now.

After lunch we sat down on my bed to continue with our chat.

"Amina, did Abdulmajeed take you to see the house? " I asked her excited to hear about her new house. 

" Yeah. He did. And my aunts and sisters are going to start decorating it next month insha Allah. I can't wait to see it when its done. It's going to look so beautiful and cozy for me and my lovely Abdulmajeed" she squealed. We awed and laughed at her. 

Abdulmajeed and Amina met some months back and well since then things have been going pretty well for them. So we'll that it led to marriage .... soon at least. 

"Rabia how's Mujahid's mum. Has she been discharged yet? " I asked her concerned about her mother-in-law's to be health. She was admitted in the hospital a week ago from some heart disease Rabia can't explain. 

" She's doing better insha Allah. She has been transferred to Zuma rock hospital and will have her surgery in a day or two."Rabia explained. 

"So have you asked what exactly is wrong with her? " Amina mocked.

Amina is a pharmacist while I am doctor. Rabia studied business administration so she has not even the slightest idea about medicine or Science. She only thinks of money... So her brother said. 

"Pardon me for not being a nerdy freak like you. " she sneered and we laughed. 

" Anyways right now I'm only worried about my hayat, he has been too stressed lately." she pouted. 

"Permission to puke on your face please" I said faking irritation. 

Mujahid and Rabia met in Saudi two years ago when she came to perform Umrah with two of her brothers. We became friends with him and I sincerely don't want to know how their love bond formed. They are nauseatingly romantic and they are not even married yet. 

Mujahid actually got her number from me since he was initially closer to me. I received some insults from her for giving out her Nigerian number but I think she's secretly thanking me in her heart now. 

Note to self :don't visit their house until you are married too and can show off your own romantic life in their faces.

"Oh please Hafsat admit it. You are just jealous" Rabia teased. I huffed dramatically

"I wish we were getting married together Hafsat. We've always wanted our wedding to be the same day." Amina said sadly. 

"So did our fathers." I added with a small smile. "But Allah has better plans I guess" I clapped my hand to lighten up the mood. 

We chatted some more about how amazing their wedding was going to be. I couldn't wait. I was even more excited than the brides. Its going to happen in less than four months. The first wedding I would attend since my return to Nigeria. 

Rabia and Amina left before magrib after playing Xbox with Chote. 

Baba returned after Isha and requested to see me in his room. I entered after he answered my salam. He was typing something on his laptop. He gestured for me to sit down on the floor. I waited for him to finish whatever it was he was doing while I played subway surf on my phone. 

"Ah, habibty how was your day? " Baba asked. I didn't notice when he put his laptop away. Guess I was too immersed in my game.

"Alhamdullilah Baba. I had a greet time with Rabia and Amina. How was yours?" I replied with a smile. 

"Just like every other Friday. Alhamdullilah. So when are you going to start your housemanship?"

"Upper week insha Allah "

"So are you just going to play and rest for now? " he asked playfully 

" maybeeee. I'm just going to be helping the brides-to-be with whatever they need" I chuckled. 

"You know I wanted you to get married with them. Things don't always go as planned" He sighed then gave me a small smile. 

"And Allah is the best of planners" I assured him. 

"Speaking of which..... I wanted to talk to you about something" 

Yeah. Its about time. I was getting tired of the pleasantries anyways. I knew he wanted to talk about something else. Something serious. So I gave him my best 'I'm listening face' as I watch his face changed to a serious one too. 

"Did you see Uncle Hussain's children?" Baba asked. I gave him a face that says 'who is Uncle Hussain? '

"My friend. The one we visited last Wednesday" he answered my unasked question. I nodded in affirmative. 

Oh yeah. Of course I remember them all. The pretty and nice Zainab. The arrogant Ammar. And the nice but flirty Ahmad. 

"One of them showed interest in you" Baba continued. Not surprising, he was flattering me all day long. After all he's a player. 

"So their father called me and formally asked me for your hand in marriage but you two need to get to know each other first" I looked at my father in utter shock.

I mean who does that in this century. I know its Islamic teachings and all but seriously? 

Through our parents?

I haven't been in Nigeria for a long time but I know that that's definitely not their way, not until the he gets to know the girl better and then ask for her permission to bring his parents into their matter.

And besides I thought the guy was a player why would he go through our parents? 

Still speechless from the shock, Baba continued without minding my state. " So I told Ammar to come and see you tomorrow" And my brain stopped. Did he just say Ammar or Ahmad? 

"What? Ammar the arrogant one? " I quickly covered my mouth after saying that but it was too late. Baba already heard my loud shocked voice. 

" Hafsat, is he arrogant? " he asked carefully and i just shook my head while looking at my hands. 

"But what I heard about him and the way I saw him is different from how you just described him." Baba said and I tried not to groan. 

"Maybe you should really give him a chance and get to understand him better" he suggested and I nodded. 

"May Allah bless you." He dismissed me. 

I decided not to be disturbed with tomorrow's event. Maybe he's not arrogant or rude. I mean he was probably shy since he went through this long route just because he was interested in me. I guess he is sincere. 

I sat on my bed for a while thinking of the whole thing Baba told me earlier. Maybe just maybe that Ammar guys isn't arrogant maybe he really just likes me.

I finally did my night routine before lying down to watch season 2 of 'how to get away with murder' until sleep over took me.