Dedicated to oyiza27 ❤️

•

"Hajiya," Jameel called, putting away his phone and averting his concentration back to the road. "Don't you think the way you spoke to Afrah earlier on was not nice?"

Hajiya Hauwa huffed before she gave him her reply. "Tell me straightforwardly what you mean by that statement."

"I," Jameel glanced at his mother. "Noticed Afrah felt bad about how you treated her."

"Well," she shrugged. "That's her business. I just told her what was on my mind. I didn't lie."

"I felt bad too," Jameel added. The sadness on Afrah's face still haunted him. He wished at that time, that he had said something in her defense, but doing so would anger his mother or give room for disrespect. He was wary of that.

"That's also your business. I trust Najah fully but have little to no trust for Afrah. I feel she isn't a good person."

Jameel sighed, shaking his head. "You feel that way, Hajiya because you don't like her, and it's not fair on her. She hasn't even done anything to you, Hajiya. Can't you please at least wait for her to actually do something wrong? It's all I'm asking for. Please, Hajiya. I just want you to give her the benefit of doubt."

"Did she tell you to tell me all these?" Hajiya asked, turning to Jameel's whose gaze was fixated on the road. "to ask me why I hate her?"

"Wrong word, Hajiya," Jameel mouthed. "You don't hate her. How can you possibly hate the person I love?" He narrowed his eyes at his mother. "Your only child."

Hajiya Hauwa rolled her eyes.

Jameel chuckled. "She makes me happy, Hajiya. Very happy, and I know that's what you've always wanted for me. You're the most important person in my life-no one comes close, so of course, I need you to fully accept her as my wife. If you don't, my mind won't be at peace. I will always be worried. Is that what you want for me, Hajiya? To constantly worry about my mother not liking my wife?"

"If that's the case, then I'm satisfied. There's nothing I want more than for you to be happy and successful in all aspects of your life. You can't blame me for giving her the cold shoulders though, I witnessed the depression that woman and her family caused you. I just feel she isn't worth it all, but since you're already married to each other, I guess it's indeed about time I gave her a chance. I will try my best to be nicer to her."

Jameel's lips broadened. "One of the uncountable reasons I love you, Hajiya; I love the way you do things for my sake. I promise you that Afrah won't give you a chance to regret your decision. Thank you, Hajiya na."

"In all of these, I hope you are not forgetting Najah. She's a gem. Don't lose her."

Jameel couldn't agree less with his mother. He may not have any feelings for her, but he couldn't deny the fact that he was lucky to have her by his side. He knew she deserved better-deserved to be loved. It saddened him that he couldn't give her that. "I know, Hajiya."

"And I'm glad you do. She's a rare gem. You probably love Afrah more, which isn't a sin. I can't blame you because you're only human. There's no way you can love them equally, but treating them equally has become a must for you. They are both your responsibility now. Do not neglect one for the other if you don't want to cause problems for yourself. I advise you read more on the Islamic rulings of keeping two wives to avoid the punishment of going against them."

"Toh, Hajiya," Jameel puffed out his cheeks. What his mother said to him had got him wondering if he had wronged or been unfair to Najah even though they had an agreement to remain only as good friends until they are comfortable enough to take the relationship to a higher level. "I will do as you advised."

"Good. May Allah bless you and keep your home peaceful."

"Ameen Ameen, Hajiya, nagode sosai! In Sha Allah, I'll do my part." Jameel promised. He had already discussed with Najah before about their relationship and though she agreed to his conditions, he knew he had to have the talk with her again. To know if it was still what she wanted. Albeit his love for Afrah, he couldn't deny the fact that Najah was also his wife and she had some rights over him as well. His erudite conscience distressed him about the whole arrangement.

"While we were talking yesterday," Hajiya smiled. "I realized Najah loves children a lot. Given how lonely she's been all her life, just like you, she wants a big family. I'm really looking forward to the day Allah blesses me with my first grandkid. I hope Allah spares my life until then."

Jameel grabbed his mother's hand and squeezed it lightly. "Ameen, Hajiya! You're going to not only be alive to carry your grandkid but grandkids in Sha Allah...a lot of them. And you're wrong, I haven't been lonely because you've always been there for me. You filled every single void. May Allah keep you alive for me, Hajiya, for a very long time. No matter how old I get, I'll always need you."

Hajiya simply smiled in response. "You've really changed. In just a few days, Afrah has succeeded in taking you back to your old self. I must commend her for that. You must really love her."

Jameel gave a closed-lip smile and nodded. Words wouldn't be able to convey just how much he did. At the mention of her name alone, his heart went haywire. His Afrah. It had only been a few hours since he left home but that period seemed like many days to him. He was missing her a great deal. The intensity was selcouth.

"I hope she doesn't take that for granted."

"Afrah will never do that. I trust her completely. The same way I trust Najah. They are both good people."

Mother and son went on to talk about other things before they finally arrived at the airport.

Bidding goodbye to Hajiya Hauwa saddened Jameel. He really wished he could convince his mother to stay longer with them but he knew it would be in vain as she was determined to go back to her business and environment she had gotten so used to and the house she had spent more than half of her life in.

Going back to his car, Jameel brought out his phone to call Afrah but just as he was about to do it, Najah's call came through.

He received and put the phone on speaker.

"Assalamualaikum..." Came her tuneful voice.

"Wa Alaikum salam," Jameel responded.

"Have you arrived there? I called Hajiya but I wasn't able to get through to her."

"Yes, she has already boarded the plane. I'm about to start my journey back home."

"Okay. May Allah take her safely and return you safely too."

"Ameen, Najah..." Jameel's voice trailed. He had noticed how cold she had been with him since that morning. He wanted to ask her about it, but then again, he realized he was only overthinking. Hajiya was leaving. Of course, Najah felt sad about that hence the coldness. "Is there anything you would like me to get for you from here?"

"No," she answered. "There's nothing I want."

"There has to be something," he cajoled. "you can tell me, Najah."

"There isn't."

"Najah..."

"Okay," she sighed. "You can get me whatever you want."

"Yauwa! I will get you something very nice."

Najah hummed her response. "Allah ya dawo da Kai lafiya." (May Allah grant you a safe return) She prayed before ending the call.

Immediately, Jameel dialed Afrah's number.

She picked at the fourth ring.

"JaFrah," he breathed. "Were you planning on not picking AfMeel's call?"

Silence.

"Hey, are you there?" Jameel asked.

"I can hear you." Afrah sounded serious.

Jameel furrowed his brows. "Is everything alright, JaFrah? You don't sound alright. Is that how much you're missing me?"

"Your line has been busy...who were you on a call with?"

Jameel's lips formed an 'o'. He already knew where her sulkiness was coming from. "It was Najah.

"I see."

"She couldn't get through to Hajiya so she called me to ask if we've arrived," Jameel explained. "I was about to call you when her call came through."

Afrah hummed.

"I'm about to return home now."

Again, Afrah hummed.

Jameel chuckled. "Please don't tell me you're jealous right now. We only talked for a few minutes. I wasn't even the one that called."

"Jealous?"

Jameel could imagine her rolling her eyes at the word. He chuckled again.

"Why would I be jealous of her?"

"Because you love me too much," he sneered. "Isn't that reason enough?"

"I'm not jealous." She stated in a firm voice.

"Ouch!" Jameel feigned pain. "That stabbed me right in the heart. I really don't mind if you feel jealous right now. In fact, a part of me wishes that's the case. I find it cute. You're cute."

"Well, that isn't the case. Why would I be jealous of the fact that you spoke to someone?"

"Okay," Jameel agreed. "If you say you're not jealous, I believe you." He didn't. "I wish I can fly back home-that's how much I miss you. I just want to close my eyes and when I reopen them, see you in front of me. Do you feel the same?"

"Not exactly like you do," Afrah chortled. "Of course, I miss you too, but I don't feel like flying to where you are since I'm going to see you in a few hours."

Jameel held his chest and muttered. "Another stab. You didn't have to say it like that, you know."

Afrah laughed. "I'm glad you got there safely. Drive safely when returning. I'll be here waiting for you."

Afrah's words made a smile creep up Jameel's face. It was exactly what he needed after a stressful day. He could already imagine her in her room, dressed intriguingly, waiting for him to return. "What would you be wearing?"

"You will have to return and see for yourself. I'm not telling you anything."

Jameel smiled. "I already have an idea."

"You will be disappointed." Afrah laughed. "Super disappointed. You'd better get your mind out of the gutter. It's not what you're thinking."

"Interesting," Jameel reclined backward in his seat. "How'd you know what I'm thinking right now?"

"I know you. I can't be mistaken."

"Sure you do," Jameel's smile broadened. "In any case, I can't be disappointed though. Seeing you alone will be enough for me... I hope you've had something to eat."

"I promised you, didn't I? I fulfilled it."

"Thank you. I feel at ease now. Did you enjoy the sandwich? Because I really did. Najah's cooking is phenomenal and-"

"I didn't," she cut him off. "Not spicy enough. Not my taste. I almost threw up. I couldn't eat that. I had to fix something else for myself."

"You did?" Jameel shook his head in disbelief. "I told you not to do anything stressful today. You should have asked Najah. I'm certain she wouldn't have had any problem with that."

"Why should I ask her when I'm not handicapped? It was just noodles. It didn't stress me at all. I'm sorry though, I didn't listen to you. I'd have stayed hungry and waited for you to return but I made a promise to you, I didn't want to break it. I didn't want to burden her as well. Sorry, AfMeel, don't get mad at me."

Jameel heaved a sigh. "As if I can ever do that. I asked you to get sufficient rest today because you've been stressed a lot these past few days. Najah wouldn't have considered helping you a burden. Aren't you two even friends?"

There was silence for a few seconds before Afrah grunted. "Friends? Did she tell you that?"

Puzzled, Jameel's forehead wrinkled.

"That we are friends?" Afrah asked.

"Aren't you?"

"Of course we are. We're practically best friends."

Jameel could sense the sarcasm in Afrah's tone but he chose to ignore it at that time. He had a bigger fish to fry. "Don't do anything more aside from praying. I want you to go back to your room, lie down in your bed and close your eyes."

"But I wanted to cook for yo-"

From the bottom of Jameel's heart, he appreciated the gesture. He had been looking forward to tasting her food for the longest time, but despite that, her well-being was much more important to him than his desire. "It's a command, JaFrah, not a request. See you when I get home. I love you."

•

Assalamualaikum/hello!

Just a question 🧐 who do you think loves Jameel more? Afrah or Najah?

Do you like Hajiya Hauwa?

Will there ever be a time when Jameel won't remind Afrah of his love? 😅

Y'all should not forget to vote and comment 🙏

Let's have a Q/A session on Instagram regarding this book, shall we? 😁 My handle is @deey_jah

deey_jah
❤️❤️❤️