THE RISING SUN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Three months later, Abdul and his sister returned home to renovate their parents' house. Moreover, Dr Zainab returned to also plan for her wedding. But after some days of planning, Abdul handed the project over to his cousin, and returned to Abiath, but he would still return to Ashurla for Dr Zainab's wedding.

Mr Peter had started applying for a transfer, so that after the wedding, he would begin to live with his wife in the city. He really felt like a fulfilled man as the planning was going on.

Within one week as the planning was going on, the news spread far and across Ashurla. Dr Zainab and her brother became another role model to many young ones. And again, it was also shocking that Dr Zainab was the first Muslim to get married to a Christian in the history of Ashurla.

One week later, Dr Zainab wedded Mr Peter, who was her teacher.

During the wedding ceremony, Emmanuel appeared from afar. He entered the event centre with a smiling look, as if he was the groom. So he walked elegantly onto the premises.

A strong look passed between him and Dr Zainab as he kept moving towards them.

Dr Zainab became very uncomfortable, and was scared that he might come to ruin her moment. So, she swallowed drily with her eyes fixed into Emmanuel's own. She restively adjusted her clothes, and was ready to face the uninvited guest.

As he got to a close proximity, he stopped walking, slightly looked backwards, and beckoned with smiles. Immediately a woman with two kids appeared from behind----they were Emmanuel's family.

Dr Zainab never knew that he had got married, so she never knew who the woman was to him. She kept looking at him with tense. Then she prayed within her that Emmanuel should not bring up the experience they had together----she never wanted her day to be ruined.

Seven years ago, Emmanuel made a pass at Dr Zainab, and she accepted due to the care shown to her by him. The relationship actually led Emmanuel to deflower her. But what ended the relationship was the fact that Dr Zainab wanted to finish her tertiary education before marriage, and Emmanuel was impatient to wait for her. So, after a series of arguments, Dr Zainab decided to walk out on him.

They went very close to the new couple, and greeted them. He introduced his wife to Dr Zainab and her husband, and introduced himself as Dr Zainab's old friend. Immediately, some air of relief went out of her. Thus, she smiled and welcomed them. Then he quickly brought out a Bible and presented it as a gift to Dr Zainab.

This course of action made Dr Zainab to take a very deep breath, and she excitedly took it from him. As this was going on, Peter was surprised to see his wife, a newly converted Muslim, behaving so excitedly while receiving a Bible as a gift. However, he never knew that it was not the Bible that took her to cloud nine, but it was the fact that her secret would remain with her forever.

"I'm very grateful for this great gift", she said.

"It's my pleasure!" Emmanuel replied.

Peter was glad as he saw his wife's joy at the gift presented to her. To him, he felt it was a sign of total submission to Christianity. That was not really the case though.

Upon presenting the gift, Emmanuel bade them bye and left with his family.