THE FARHAN'S

~~~~11

:"Shattered Bridges"

Hajiya Salamatu sat in her living room when her phone rang. It was her mother-in-law, Hajiya Laraba, a strong and wise woman who had raised her children alone after her husband's death. Hajiya Salamatu smiled as she answered, "As-salamu alaikum, Hajiya Mama! Su en Makkah sun dawo she teased "

"Walahi mun dawo," Hajiya Laraba replied with enthusiasm. She explained how she had lost her phone, which kept her from contacting everyone earlier.

"Amma na zo da tsaraba ga kowa." ,she added (I've brought gifts for everyone.)

Salamatu laughed, "Masha Allah, Hajiya! We missed you so much!"

Hajiya Laraba's tone shifted.

"Salamatu, komai dai lafiya koh?" (Is everything alright?) Her instincts picked up on something in Salamatu's voice.
"Kinsan ba ki iya boye mun komai ba." (You know you can't hide anything from me.)

Salamatu sighed, then began narrating Fathiya's struggles, including how Nadeem had taken her back from the family home. Hajiya Laraba gasped,

"Shi Nadeem ne ya dakko ta? Wallahi ya tafka kuskure!" (Nadeem went to get her? He's made a mistake!)

They both agreed that Nadeem's actions were unacceptable.then hajiya continued to complain on farhan  "Shi da muke ganin mai hankali ne, Ashe ba haka bane." (We thought he was the responsible one, but clearly not.) Hajiya Laraba then asked to speak with Fathiya directly.

"Yanzu ina fathiya take ?",she asked

"Tana Chan daki ta  rasa mai ya ke mata dadi,"she added

"Kai mata wayar "she commanded .

When Hajiya Salamatu gave Fathiya the phone, her expression changed as Hajiya Laraba spoke to her softly, but firmly in mute whispers.

**
Meanwhile, with Farhan...

Farhan was restless. The news of Fathiya's marriage left him in turmoil. He couldn't get it out of his head, and after hours of pacing, he finally gathered the courage to call her.

"As-salamu alaikum," he said when she answered.

"Wa alaikum salam," Fathiya replied. A heavy silence followed, both of them sensing the emotions between them.

Fathiya  broke the silence. "Ina jin ka Farhan "Fathiya  said  after waiting for him to speak.

Farhan was surprised. "Farhan? Yaushe muka fara haka dake?" (Since when do you call me Farhan?)

Fathiya chuckled, her voice tinged with hurt. "Are you really asking me that? After everything you've done?"

"I need to see you," Farhan blurted.

"I don't want to see you," she shot back.

"Dan Allah, kar kiyi mun haka. Please, forgive me. I made a mistake," Farhan pleaded.

Fathiya sighed, "Farhan, you've burnt the bridge that pulls us towards each other . I don't know if we can go back."

Farhan was pained by the distance between them. "Can I ask you one question?" he said.

"Go on," Fathiya replied.

"Do you acknowledge that we are still married?" he asked, his voice serious.

Fathiya stayed silent, her thoughts racing.

"Then, as your husband, I'm asking you to meet with me. Even if it's just for 30 minutes," Farhan said with a calm, commanding tone.

Fathiya hesitated but eventually said, "Okay."

Farhan's heart raced. A few minutes later, farhan  texted her back, "I'll meet you at 8."

Just as he hung up, Amal passed by, overhearing the conversation on speaker. She froze, her heart sinking.

Amal's POV

As I walked past, I heard Farhan talking to her—Fathiya. My chest tightened. I felt a mix of anger, fear, and anxiety. Why was he still talking to her? Har wani zufa ya hado mun (I was sweating from fear).

I quickly dialed my mother's number. When she picked up, she could hear the tremble in my voice. "Lafiya kuwa, Amal?" she asked.

"Anya mutumin nan ya iya aiki kuwa, Mama? Wallahi yanzu naji su suna magana!" (Are you sure this man is committed to me, Mama? I just heard them talking!) I burst into tears.

"Tohhh... kin tabbata kina shafa wancan maganin kuwa?" (Are you sure you're using that medicine I gave you?) my mother asked, concerned.

"Wallahi, Mama, komai inayi. Even the incense!" I replied through sobs. "But he doesn't seem to forget her."

"Don't worry, Amal," she reassured me, "keep using the treatment. Insha Allah, everything will be fine."

"Insha Allah, Mama," I murmured, ending the call as I sat down, feeling lost, and cried harder than I had in a long time.