Chapter 3 (part two)

His words melted her heart "Insha Allah I won't." She muttered. He heaved a sigh of relief. "So is that a yes?" He asked grinning from ear to ear. She covered her face with her palms and nodded. "Alhamdulillah" he muttered raising his hands up in a form of prayer. "I'll never let you down Insha Allah. I promise. My Star." She stood up and ran out of the living room. On her way she bumped into aunty "ya salam! Fatima what is it?" Aunty asked looking soha who kept looking at the door to the living room.

She shook her head no. "I hope you bought some refreshments for him" aunty said giving her a pointed look. "Aunty i'm sorry but I have to go." She ran away and left aunty looking at her in amazement. Aunty walked into the living room the same time sultaan stood up. He announced he was going. "Haba at least wait and eat something first" aunty said beaming. "No aunty don't worry, I'm fine my regards to baba when he's back."

~•~

Blithe!

Senile!

Agitated!

These are the three things sohana was feeling. She was happy that she found love after all these years. She was confused because all these while he never showed her any sign till now. They barely even talk and she knows him well when it comes to women. And she was scared to get hurt. Not again!

She sighed and prayed for the best. She stood up from the bed and sauntered out of the room to the kitchen to help maama cook dinner since it's her turn to cook. "Maama do you need any help?" Soha asked. "Yes please help me cut those carrots." She pointed at the carrots on the chopping board.

"Babanku ya fada mana abin alkhairin fa (your father told us about the good news)" maama said beaming. "And that is?" She questioned looking at maama who was stirring the soup in the pot. "About you and sultaan." Soha almost cut her finger. She kept the knife and walked out of the kitchen fast. Maama couldn't help but laugh.

The last thing sohana wants is someone talking about sultaan and that's what's everyone is talking about. She groaned at the same time hitting her head with the soft pillow. "Ya Allah!"

She stood up and sauntered into the bathroom to perform wudhu when she heard the adhan been called for Isha. She came out and spread her praying mat before wearing her hijab. After praying she raised her hands up seeking help from Allah. She prayed for the best, for a better and bright future.

"Salamu alaykum. Ya soha dinner is ready, we're waiting for you." Janaan peeped her head through the door. She stood up from the praying mat and folded her hijab and the mat.

She walked down the stairs as she prayed silently. She doesn't want anyone to say or call his name. She greeted baba before sitting down. She served herself and sat back down. She ate silently hoping no one will bring up the talk.

Baba cleared his throat "Mubarak came here last week and asked for permission to start seeing you. You know about that, right?" She nodded slowly, her head low as always. "I hope you gave him the right answer" baba said beaming. Soha nodded once again. "Stop nodding like an agama lizard and talk!" Aunty spoke. Baba chuckled "leave my baby girl alone."

Janaan pouted "I'm right here." Baba laughed by the way she pouted. "You are also my baby girl." He pinched her chubby cheeks. "I'm really happy for you fatima cause you're lucky, he's lucky too. I trust Mubarak with you." Baba said. "Allah muku albarka" they all answered with ameen.

After they finished eating sohana and janaan cleared the table. "I'm so happy my sister is getting married." Janaan squealed. "Will you shut up!" Soha glared at her. She hissed and left the kitchen. Janaan rolled her eyes murmuring something's under her breath.

Soha entered her room the same time her phone started ringing. She quickly picked it. "Salamu alaykum" she answered. "Waalaykumus salam, my star" a deep husky voice said at the other end. She smiled a little. "Ina wuni" she greeted. "Lfy lau, hope you are fine"

"Yes alhamdulillah." She plumped down on the bean bag chair. "I'm guessing you know who it is." She nodded like he could see her before saying yes. "Uhmm so I talked to my father about us." Her eyes grew wide "already?" She didn't know when the question came out.

He chuckled "that was fast right? Well I just don't want to risk losing you that's why I'm trying to move to the next level" he explained. "Well at least let's get to know each other first" she sighed. "Cmon sohana I've known you my whole life." She rolled her eyes and sighed again.

"I just want our parents to witness our relationship, to know that we're together that's all. When you're ready we'll take it to the next level, ok?" He said softly. She closed her eyes and murmured an ok. "Aren't you going to ask me where I got your number from?" He asked smiling like she was there. "Ya Ahmad right?" He answered with yes. They chatted for a bit before calling it a night.

After a few months Sultaan's dad came on behalf of him to ask soha's hand in marriage. Baba was really happy about it. The date was fixed after sohana was done with her NYSC program.