DAURIN AURE

Alhaji Hafiz had sent out an invitation for Jadwa's introduction to his youngest stepbrother, Nura, out of nothing but courtesy days ago. He hadn't received a single call or response, which didn't surprise him considering the ongoing drama with Adam. The memory of seeing pictures at the police station, stark and cruel, sent a fresh wave of nausea washing over him. A tightness constricted his chest, a familiar ache that mirrored the worry gnawing at his gut. Jadwa was his cherished child, just like his other kids, but there was a unique bond. He closed his eyes, and a vision came to life - a baby Jadwa, with her mother's bright smile and infectious laugh, playing in a field of wildflowers, their uncanny resemblance a constant reminder of the promise he made that day, to protect his little flower from all harm.

Jadwa, his once mischievous child who kept him on his toes with her insatiable curiosity, had matured into a sensible young woman. At least, that's what he thought until recently, when her string of bad relationships began. He'd warned her countless times, but she always seemed to get tangled in messy situations, forcing him to wade in and clean up the mess, a weary sigh escaping his lips each time.

But finally, hope emerged. A man responsible, trustworthy, from a good family had shown interest in her. It felt like a prayer answered. He could finally shield his daughter from the hungry sharks circling her and the constant threats she faced. Most importantly, who would take care of her after he was gone? The very ones who should be trusted seemed more interested in personal gain, a bitter truth that left a metallic tang in his mouth.

His reverie was broken by his eldest son, Ahmad.

"Baba, Uncle Nura is here to see you," Ahmad announced. Alhaji Hafiz sighed, the tightness in his chest intensifying. He straightened his posture, the weight of his worries settling on his shoulders, and nodded for Ahmad to usher him in.

Moments later, Ahmad returned with Nura, whose face was a mask of suppressed rage. He sat opposite Alhaji Hafiz, nostrils flaring with barely contained anger, waiting for Ahmad to leave without acknowledging him.

"Alhaji, I came here this morning for one reason," Nura stated, crossing his legs and staring intently at his step-brother.

"Nura, ko Sallama babu?,( No greetings just barging in like that?)" Alhaji Hafiz chuckled, though humor was absent from his voice. Nura let out a humorless laugh, the sound harsh and grating, before speaking.

"Alhaji, I'm here with a request from Hajiya, Adam's father, and myself," Nura began, causing a smile laced with a hint of grim amusement on Alhaji Hafiz's face. He knew exactly where this was going.

"Adam loves Jadwa. He's done so much for her, and we're simply asking for her hand in marriage," he spoke bitterly. "Jadwa is like our daughter too. Are you worried we can't care for her?" he challenged, his voice laced with accusation. Alhaji Hafiz's chuckle erupted into a hearty laugh, a sound that did little to ease the tension in the room.

"Nura, we've had countless discussions about this, even with Adam's father, and he understood! I can't force Jadwa into a marriage, especially not with someone who caused her so much humiliation." His smile vanished, replaced by a stern expression that mirrored the glint of steel in his eyes. "Listen, Adam is my son too, and I helped him out of his mess, I bailed him even after what he did to Jadu. But you should know he deserved everything he got for what he did to a young woman, not just because Jadwa is my daughter but any woman!"

Nura gritted his teeth, his anger bubbling over. "Adam is our son! He's a gentleman, and she turned him like this." He exclaimed with wide eyes almost as if the words of Alhaji Hafiz shocked him. "We all agree the only solution is to grant this boy his dream. Why is it so hard for him to have her? She's his family!"

Alhaji Hafiz cleared his throat, clearly annoyed by his brother's outlandish claims. "Look, I invited you here for my daughter's introduction, not for you to bring proposals, Nura," he said, his voice tight with anger, a vein throbbing in his temple.

Nura, taken aback by the shift in Alhaji Hafiz's demeanor, exclaimed, "Yanzu sabida Allah, you will now engage her to another man right in front of us? This is disrespectful! This is an insult! (For Allah's sake)"

"So be it!" Alhaji Hafiz slammed his hands on the table, his patience wearing thin. The sound startled both Ahmad and Nura.

"Is this about wealth? Or do you think he can't take care of your daughter, so you want to hand her to "...your friend's son? To enrich your friend's son who already has everything including his inheritance instead of your own nephew? So your family never gets to benefit from your wealth?" Nura accused, his voice dripping with suspicion.

That triggered another hearty laugh from Alhaji Hafiz, but this time laced with a hint of sadness. "I remember threatening to marry Jadwa off to Adam if she didn't find a suitor! anything to avoid these pointless arguments and keep the kids out of our family squabbles," he chuckled, the amusement fading from his eyes. "But now I regret it. It seems I underestimated how low you will all stoop to secure your gain."

"Alhaji, do what you like," Nura spat, rising from his seat with a huff, his face contorted in fury. "But when you regret your greed and thirst for wealth, you'll only have your family to fall back on."

"My children will never rely on you, Nura. Not you, not Raudah (Hajiya). They have Allah," Alhaji Hafiz declared, his voice firm with unwavering conviction. He watched Nura storm out of the house, the slam of the front door echoing the finality of their conversation.

He took a deep breath, a mix of anger and relief washing over him. He wasn't getting any younger. The thought of something happening to him and leaving Jadwa under the care of these people gnawed at him but he He pushed his worries aside and focused on the positive – his daughter's introduction.

The guests soon arrived, and after warm greetings and prayers, the introductions began. Muhammad's brother, Sadiq, was present, along with Ibrahim, Ahmad, and other respected figures. Dr. Kabir, Alhaji Hafiz's close friend and the late Alhaji Moriki's confidante, spoke up amidst the introductions.

"MashaAllah! This is a gathering that brings me immense joy. I know Moriki would be ecstatic if he were here. May Allah grant have mercy on his soul," he prayed, and everyone echoed an "Amin."

"He truly would have been! They were the best of friends, and now look at their children are coming together," Ameerah's father added. "If it were up to me, I'd have the Nikkah right now!" he chuckled, drawing smiles and agreements from the room.

"You're right. Since it's family, all these formalities are unnecessary," Dr. Kabir chimed in, causing Ahmad to shift uncomfortably in his seat. Fast-tracking marriages after introductions had become a trend, but something deep down made Ahmad uneasy. He hoped his suspicions wouldn't come true because of his sister.

An expectant silence fell over the room. All eyes turned to Alhaji Hafiz, waiting for his response. He cleared his throat and sat up straighter, a glint of determination in his eyes.

"What do you think?" Ameerah's father asked, his voice brimming with anticipation.

"You are also her fathers. Whatever decision you make, may Allah put barakah in it," he replied, leaving the choice in their hands, as culture and courtesy demands in the situation.

A chorus of agreement resonated from the men in the room. "It would be wonderful if we did this today," one man suggested, a sentiment readily echoed by the others.

In a blink of an eye, right there and then, Ameerah's father became the Waliyy for Muhammad Imran Jadwa, her brother Ahmad, filled with a surge of pride despite his reservations, stepped forward as they officiate the Nikkah ceremony. It all happened so fast, leaving even Ahmad bewildered. Just like that, as per Allah's plan, Qadr. Jadwa became Muhammad's wife, and Muhammad became Jadwa's husband.

A wave of relief washed over Alhaji Hafiz. It felt like a heavy burden had lifted from his shoulders. Now, he could focus on his other children and face his own mortality with a lighter heart. A wide smile stretched across his face. This would have been a dream come true for him and his late friend. As for Jadwa's mother, may her soul rest in peace, this would have been her proudest moment. Her daughter, whom she never got to raise, had finally completed half her deen (religion).

As the elders began a celebratory lunch, Ahmad found Sadiq and Ibrahim seated across the living room. He greeted them with warm handshakes and brotherly hugs.

"Alhamdulillah, this feels surreal," Ibrahim said, beaming with joy for the newlyweds.

"Completely unexpected, but I feel incredibly happy," Ahmad responded, a hint of concern lingering in his voice.

"Never thought I'd witness a wedding ceremony during an introduction," Sadiq remarked, his smile wide. "May Allah grant them a happy and healthy life together," he prayed.

"Amin! I know Muhammad will be over the moon today," Ibrahim said, eliciting laughter from the group.

"Have you told him yet?" Ahmad inquired amidst the chuckles.

"Absolutely should but I don't want him speeding all the way from Kaduna to Abuja now," Sadiq said, shaking his head.

"Knowing him, he probably will, unless someone calls to warn him," Ibrahim joked, glancing towards the group of elders.

"I'll let you handle that while I figure out how to break the news to Jadu," Ahmad said with a nervous laugh, scratching his head. "She's bound to be nervous," he added, worry crossing his face.

"Women always have some pre-wedding jitters, be it anxiety or just regular nerves. It's best not to take it lightly," Sadiq acknowledged, his smile softening with understanding.
Ahmad just chuckled, recalling Ameerah's behavior before their wedding.

"Yeah, well, at least she won't have a full-blown wedding to stress about," Ibrahim said, trying to lighten the mood. Ibrahim reasoned, "and at least it will be a memorable one! Not many people can say they got married during their introduction."

His words were met with roaring laughter from Ahmad and Sadiq.  "Ya Ibrahim! You've been single for too long that you don't know women anymore. Time to get back on the marriage wagon, bro" Sadiq teased, patting Ibrahim on the back.

"Even Ya Imran is married now, the one we had no hope for! Come on! All these gains, no woman?" Ahmad said, poking Ibrahim's huge biceps with playful rivalry.

Ibrahim shot Ahmad a playful warning glare, making him step back with his hands up in surrender. "Let me go and announce the good news to our women," Ahmad teased and quickly walked away, avoiding the soldier's wrath, leaving the men as happy as they had ever seen them.

***

Sadiq knew his brother liked Jadwa to pieces, but everything happened so fast he wondered what his brother's reaction would be.  He called him immediately and on the second ring, Muhammad Imran answered the call.

"Hello? Assalamu alaikum..."