Al Qulub Haris

Six

Sahabi had been informed about Aisha and Murtalas case and promised to go have a talk with her father, even if Murtala wasn't ready to get married an assurance may help them. He had enquired about the girls family and found out her father was one of his sworn enemies, a member of the opposing party who was to be the vice president if audhubillah the opposing party gained victory. He had thought about going into the enemies territory, he knew his people would misunderstand his intentions and think he was trying to make a truce with the enemy but he didn't care. Family always comes before anything else.

He asked Murtala to remain in the car, he didn't want his son to witness his father being embarrassed if things were to turn sour. He was ushered in by Aisha and excused herself to get her parents while refreshments were served to him. He heard chorusing salams from the door.

Alhaji Maccido spoke "Welco-" his eyes met with Sahabi's, his jaw clenched as he walked deeper into the room wondering what Sahabi Kamba was doing in his house. He turned to Aisha "I thought you said I was meeting with that boys father"

"Na'am (yes)Daddy. Abba is his stepfather" she felt sick referring to Sahabi as Murtalas stepfather, she knew how much he hated people calling him that and her father did a good job not hitting her when she called the enemy 'Abba'. He looked at her mother, his eyes red with fury, he then turned to Sahabi.

"I will not have security escort you out because I respect you but I am going to have to ask you to leave" Sahabi calmly stood up feeling nothing but pity for the glassy eyed girl that stood behind Alhaji Maccido holding onto her mother for support. She shook her head at him pleading with her eyes for him to say something but he silently turned and aimed for the door.

Murtala impatiently waited for his father leaned on the car bonnet with his arms crossed as Sahabi came into view.

"Abba?" He said, Sahabi patted him on the shoulder saying "I'm sorry boy" before walking past him and into the car.

✊✊✊

"Hal ant majnun (Are you insane)!" Alhaji Maccido yelled at a crying Aisha "This is an insult to my image, if I had known this was what you were planning I would not have listened to you. How dare you bring Sahabi into my home! Kayf tajru Nana! Kayf tajru (how dare you)?! Now listen and listen good, you will marry Ahmad and that is my final decision" her cries became louder as her father rained painful words on her.

"Daddy why? Why have you chosen your political needs over my happiness?" Aishas mother tried to hold her back but she yanked her arm out of Halima grasp and moved closer to her father "You always said family comes first but when have you ever put us first? Was it when you forced Ya Khadija to marry Usman or was it when you forced Ya Sadiq to work under that horrible man? You only care about yourself and your selfish aims!"

"Nana!" Alhaji Maccidos hand pushed through the air towards Aishas face and was stopped by Halima, her mother.

"Yalla habibty go to your room" Nana quickly exited the living room leaving both parents infuriated.

"How dare you raise your hand against my daughter? And for what, your worthless political seat! All you do is oppress everyone and yet you think you stand a chance of attaining that position which you seek. Everyone hates you. 'akhrahuk! (I hate you). I have been in bondage for the past thirty years but yet I have stayed and endured all your hardships. What I will not take is violence towards my children. Alhaji Maccido Grema don't you ever raise your hand at my daughter again" Halima stormed out.

She met her Aisha in her room soaking her pillow with tears, Halima pulled her daughter up resting her head against her bossom "Ant bikhayr habibty (are you okay love)?" Halima asked whilst stroking her daughters hair as she wet her blouse with fresh tears.

"La ammi, ana last (No mom I am not)" she cried out.

"Astamae li (listen to me) Your father is a very stubborn man once his mind has been made up it's very difficult to change it and sometimes impossible. I wish there was something I could do Nana but I'm afraid there is not. I can't help you, I can only pray for you and beg the almighty to ease your pain and make your marriage a healthy one. Now that we've angered your father we have only less than a month to your wedding so you have to put yourself together and show them you're ready to take on this challenge, be a good wife to Ahmad I'm sure he's a good boy and will treat you right. No more tears okay?"

"Okay" Aisha replied, she told Halima what she wanted to hear. She knew her waterways had just opened up and her heart wouldn't let it close anytime soon, she was too hurt to even try to stop. At least the crying made her feel like she was letting go of the pain but the more she cried the more pain she knew she had to let go.

xoxo hairanumar