"So I'll ever see Adeel again. Who could have thought? He is still the same sweet boy except that he'd gotten more handsome." Ammi uttered with a smile plastered on her face as she massaged her fingers into Humaira's scalp who was clearly enjoying every bit of it. They were in Ammi's room ready to retire for the night after Adeel and co left. This gradually became their unspoken routine whenever Humaira came back for holidays. They'd have a sleepover together and catch up on all they missed during the times they weren't together.
Humaira giggled and hummed feeling lazy to utter coherent words as she was so allured to Ammi's skillful and magical fingers.
"Correct me if I'm wrong Ammi, but they lived in Katsina before right?"
"Yes they did. His parents are really good people and back then, me and his mother were very close, just like you and Adeelah. They moved back to Abuja after his father was appointed as the deputy governor of CBN and then we lost communication along the way.
"Oh, wow..." Humaira trailed off in interest.
"Oh yes. I can remember when you were in Primary 6, Adeelah in Primary 5 while Nabeel and Adeel were in SS2. Adeel's parents were not in the state while I was in Malumfashi to see your granny. There was a bomb explosion in the area your school was located in and all parents were being called to pick up their children. Unfortunately neither of us were available then but Adeel acted so brave that it still amazes me till date. He went to both you and Maryam and Adeelah's classes and held your hands as he guided you out. Nabeel was in panic so he had to be the cool and collected one to help calm you all down. Adeel didn't let the teachers call any of us as he didn't want us to get worried. As you know, we were just a street away from your school back then as we were all neighbours. So he and Nabeel held both you, Maryam and Adeelah's hands and made sure you got home safely."
"Interesting Masha Allah. He's quite protective and caring. But how comes me and Adeelah weren't as close as him and Ya Nabeel back then?"
"You silly." Ammi patted her hair with a smile on her face. "Adeelah was in primary 5 then while you were in 6. You're older than Adeelah with a year or have you forgotten?"
"Ohh..I did actually."
"Well now you remember. If I'm not mistaken, there's a time I heard him calling you sassy a while ago. Already on the nickname terms?"
If Humaira was eating, she would have definitely choked at that statement but she wasn't so she faked a cough instead. "Rabbul izzah. Ammi please stop getting those thoughts into your head. Actually we started on the wrong foot as we bumped into each other in school before I knew he is Adeelah's brother so he thinks I'm sassy I guess."
"Woah! That's alot. And you didn't tell me about it?" Ammi teasingly accused.
"It wasn't that important Ammi. Don't make a mountain out of a molehill." She whined and pouted which made Ammi chuckle.
"Okay as you say. But I feel like there's something going on between you two. A certain chemistry or I'm I just imagin..."
"You're definitely imagining things Ammi." Humaira quickly cut her off as she abruptly sat up. "We're just friends and nothing more."
"Then why are you suddenly getting so defensive huh?" Ammi wiggled her eyebrows.
"Well because you're trying to insinuate things. You know what? I actually feel sleepy from your heavenly massage so I think we should just sleep."
"As you say. Though there might just come a time where I'll tell you 'I told you so'." Humaira buried her face in her pillow at that and Ammi couldn't help but to laugh at her reaction.
*~*~*~
Aunty Fatima's house was a modest 5 bedroom bungalow. A porch occupied the front of the building with relaxing chairs surrounded by a centre table. Black, smooth and shiny tiles replaced the normal concrete floor on the outside and Humaira could only imagine the tiles in the interior of the house. One could tell they were really well to do just like Adeelah's Family.
It was a 15 minutes distance from Humaira's house to Aunty Fatima's place. So they'd called Adeelah to describe the house and now here they were. Maryam and Humaira made their way inside and luckily Adeelah was in the living room reading a book.
True to Humaira's thoughts, the house was more beautiful in the inside. The tiles that surrounded it were more beautiful than the ones on the exterior of the house. Royal golden chairs were situated in their right position. Modern wallpapers surrounded parts of the walls while a huge chandelier hung from above. The house smelt of nicely fragranced incense mixed with the coldness of the air conditioner and Humaira was sure she could spend a whole night in this parlour.
Upon answering their salam, Adeelah stood from her chair and enveloped them in her arms as if she'd spent weeks without seeing them. "Do you want to crush our bones deelah love?" Maryam whined and she laughed sheepishly while Humaira just chuckled.
"Where is Aunty Fati?" Humaira asked.
"In the kitchen. Let me quickly go and notify her that you're here." Adeelah responded and disappeared through a hallway.
They both made their way to a couch as a pretty four year old little girl graced them with her presence in the living room. She was shyly hiding from them behind the curtains with a cute smile on her face.
"What's your name darling?" Humaira asked the 4 year old fondly as she gently gestured for her to come closer.
"My name is habibty." She replied with a toothy grin as if very proud of the name.
"Habibty?" Humaira questioned with a confused smile.
"Yes. Dwat what i'm called in sukul." The little girl smiled from ear to ear and Humaira couldn't help but smile as well while trying to stifle her chuckle at habibty's baby voice.
"Aunty Fatima and her dad always calls her that so whoever she meets and gets asked of what her name is, it's always habibty. We are already used to it so the family all call her that." Adeelah giggled making her way back to the living room as she placed a smooch on Habibty's forehead.
"Awwwn, how cute. What's her real name though?" Humaira laughed pulling the little girl's cheeks tenderly.
"She's your namesake. Aisha habibty." Adeelah and Maryam chuckled at the gasp that escaped Humaira's lips as the realisation dawned on her.
"Oh My Allah. I've found me a namesake. Right namesy habibty?" She laughed heartily and happily, pulling the giggling girl in her embrace who seemed already fond of her.
"Habibty, where is Umma and Abba?" Humaira asked with piqued interest.
"Umma is in the kitchen while Abba is out shaving lives." She grinned.
"Oh wow, Masha Allah. Abba is a doctor then?"
"Yeshh." She high fived Humaira enthusiastically and Humaira could tell the bubbly girl liked grinning or was it just the connection between them?
"Aunty Fatima will be here in a few minutes. She's giving last touches to the food." Adeelah said.
"Okay." Humaira and Maryam who were busy playing with habibty both replied.
Aunty Fatima emerged from the kitchen exactly five minutes later and Humaira could tell where habibty got her beautiful looks from. She stood relatively tall with her fair skin complementing her red Abaya and veil just well. She oozed regalness with a sense of warmth and kindness. It was only when Humaira looked below that she noticed the cute round bump on her stomach. Yes, she was expecting!
They all exchanged pleasantries and Humaira was about to offer her hand for a hand shake when she embraced her in her comforting arms. "It's so nice to finally get to meet you Humaira. Adeelah has told me alot about you from the span of yesterday to today." She smiled and Humaira chuckled.
"It's equally nice to meet you Aunty Fati. Adeelah here has said alot about you too."
Aunty Fatima hugged Maryam as she did Humaira with that beautiful smile on her face.
"I know you girls must be hungry. Let's go have lunch. It's all set up." Aunty Fatima uttered as they all made their way to the dining room.
When Adeelah said she was in the kitchen, Humaira didn't think she was preparing something almost as grand as a feast. Food flasks occupied the dining table with different kinds of food inside them. From intercontinental dishes to locally made ones. She made tiger nut drink along with Hibiscus drink. Humaira wondered how she could have done all the work by herself until she saw a housemaid making her way to greet them.
They all ate in peaceful silence and then were offered desserts thirty minutes after eating. Desserts one can definitely never say no to even after being full. Inviting looking ice creams sat on small and transparent bowls with waffles and chocolate toppings on top. Asides that were chocolate cookies which looked too cute to be eaten. Aunty Fatima sure knew how to treat her guests so well that they'll feel like overstaying their welcome, Humaira noted in her mind.
*~*~*
They all sat in Adeelah's room chit chatting after Aunty Fatima tucked Habibty in bed who dozed off halfway into their meal.
"Same old story every day. I wonder when the society will stop pressuring ladies to get married at early ages even if it means settling for less." Maryam who was scrolling through social media on her phone voiced out, and annoyingly threw the phone beside her with a frown on her pretty face.
"Tell me about it sis. Old habits die hard. People will always be judgemental and the funny thing is you can never please them completely no matter how you try. It's always Society, society, society! What they think or say should never matter because they'll always talk and point fingers regardless of what you do or how you live your life." Adeelah chirped in as her eyes clashed with Aunty Fatima, as if she was seeking for permission to continue. When she saw the look of understanding crossed her face, Adeelah continued.
"There's one lady I know who went through the same thing. Society pointed fingers when she clocked almost thirty years and still not married yet. Even relatives gossiped about her although not directly in front of her but the lady never allowed it to get to her. She'd said she wasn't going to settle for less just because people think a lady should always marry early. She believed the right one will come when the time is right and thankfully her parents were understanding even though they started to worry at a point in time. Countless proposals were sent her way, ranging from her mother or father's friends and even a few neighbours. As if she was a thorn in the way that couldn't wait to be removed. Despite all that though, the lady stood strong and didn't allow any of it to get the better of her. She pursued her degree in pharmacy, went for NYSC, later on masters and got a job at thirty. Her father then gifted her a car and you can imagine how much people's small talks increased. They said who will ask for a lady's hand in marriage who is a working class and even owns a car of her own? Doesn't she know that scares men away? Some even said it's hard for a lady to give birth when she gets married late, forgetting there are people who Allah gives offsprings to even in their 50's. Well eventually through all the challenges and staying strong, Allah rewarded her with the best husband out there for having such beautiful patience and perseverance that not everyone could have. The man is handsome, intelligent, religious and all the things any lady will wish for in a man. She got married at exactly thirty one and is now happily married at 35 with a cute little girl and she's even expecting again. So you see? Lesson of the story is to never settle for less no matter the pressure. Marriage is one of the biggest life changers in a person's life and if it isn't done with the right person, then everything ruins and fades away." Adeelah concluded with a deep sigh and a contented smile.
"Wow...I'm just so impressed to the point of speechlessness." Humaira said.
"Me too." Maryam added in awe.
"The story is just so intriguing and inspiring. If only all ladies will be as patient and thoughtful as her then there wouldn't be so many failed marriages." Humaira added after few seconds of silence.
"I know right. And the society would have been a better place." Aunty Fatima chirped in for the first time since Adeelah narrated the story.
"You said you know the lady if I'm not mistaken? Are you guys close." Humaira questioned curiously as her gaze settled on Adeelah.
"Yes and she's right here in this room."
"Like seriously?" Humaira asked just to be sure she meant what she was saying and if she wasn't mistaking then she was referring to_
"You mean Aunty Fati?" Maryam gasped in suprise as if reading Humaira's mind.
"Yes. Aunty Fati is that woman who's about to deliver in 3 months In Sha Allah.
"Masha Allah. This is just so good. I admire you Aunty Fati." Maryam said sincerely and Aunty Fatima smiled and patted her on the cheeks.
"Masha Allah. May you deliver safely Aunty Fati. Your courage is indeed Admirable and outstanding. I want to be like you when I grow up." Humaira pouted as Aunty Fatima chuckled.
"You'll be better my dear Humaira, all of you girls In Sha Allah. " She replied with a smile from ear to ear as the girls all got into her warm embrace.
****
Good morning lovelies. So what do you think of our new character, Aunty Fatima? And their discussion as well? Honestly, the society needs to accept that just like death and giving birth, marriage too lies in Allah's hands so putting pressure on women is downright an absurd thing to do.
Anyways, may Allah always guide us to the righteous path.
With love
Jannah💚