JADWA

The grand living room echoed with the charged question, "Jadwa, Where've you been?" Baba asked, sat on the sofa right beside Ammi like a masterful detective ready to unravel the case.

Her vision blurred as she sunk onto the carpet in the middle of the huge living room. She couldn't muster the courage to look up at anyone, especially avoiding the weight of her father's gaze.

"Where've you been?" Baba echoed, and she wasn't about to let him repeat himself.

"Baba," she stammered, so she shot a desperate look at Ahmad, hoping he'd take the bullet for her rather than facing her father's wrath.

"Calm down everyone, let me handle this! She left my house with my permission, and I was fully aware of who she left with," Ahmad intervened, but Uncle Nura's muffled voice still made its way through.

"Don't defend Jadwa! She needs a reality check and to be disciplined. Did you not see the photos I showed your old man?" Uncle Nura yelled.

"I'm not protecting Jadwa right now! I'll teach her a lesson, but this yelling won't get us anywhere," Ahmad said, yet Hajiya, her father's elder sister, immediately cut him off.

She cupped her cheeks, scooting closer to Ammi, terrified of the storm about to hit her, courtesy of Uncle Nura.

"Ammi, please," she pleaded, touching her leg.

"Like mother, like daughter! What did I tell you about marrying someone way out of your cultural league, Hafiz? You were warned about tying the knot with that woman, but love blinded you to her glittery charms" Hajiya scolded her dad.

"Adam tried everything to make Jadwa his wife, but she flat-out refused him. Look at the shame she's brought to us now," she added.

"Enough!" Her father thundered. "Don't drag a deceased woman into this, Hajiya.

"And Jadwa," He pointed at her.

"I don't want to speak to her; I've never been more disappointed in any of my kids. You have finished your studies, and I'll give you until the year's end, or I'll arrange your marriage to whomever I please" he sneered, shooting her a disgusted look before storming out.

"Hanan, please talk to Baba. I can't marry her son Adam..." Her voice trembled, and suddenly, a strong hand dragged her, delivering a fierce slap on her cheek, making her face snap to the left.

"You will marry him!" She shut her eyes, bracing for Uncle Nura's next slap, but it never came.

Ahmad saved her, holding his hand, and she swiftly ran behind Ammi, tears streaming down her face.

"I'll never marry him! No one has the right to force me into any marriage, Hajiya! Not you, and certainly not Uncle Nura!" She screamed.

The memories of the day he beat her black and blue for disrespecting her cousin by denying his proposal resurfaced vividly. She unexpectedly had a thing for her while his mother detested hers. She was only 18 when it happened, yet it lingered like a haunting ghost.

"I'm not a child! You despise me and our mother, so why on earth would I marry your son? Why are you on my neck to marry into your family? God forbid! I would rather marry a madman than be your daughter-in-law!" She screamed. All she saw was red. She had always been the one to speak up for her siblings, defending their mother when Dad's family unleashed their nonsense.

Before she could speak again, Ammi dragged her away to her room while her Uncle swore to teach her a lesson next time he sees her.

"Haba Jadwa! I didn't see this coming from you. You know you messed up this time, right?" She asked, and she nodded.

"You should've kept quiet, ignored the nonsense, and I'd sort it out. You know I always fix things at the end of the night now Nura will not rest until he makes you bite your finger for this," she scolded and sat her down on the bed.

"Oh, Jaddu, what have you done?" She asked, gently holding her arm.

She broke down in her arms, weeping like a child. Everything hurt suddenly. She couldn't comprehend how everything went south so fast. She consoled her until the tears dried up, helped her wash her face, and advised her to spend some time alone in her room.

Sitting there in silence, feeling numb, she could only see her life through a mirror. A 21-year-old Hausa girl from Zamfara, with a Lebanese mother. She graduated from university, returning to Nigeria after studying Interior Architecture in Jordan. Her best friend is her younger sister, Zara, just two years her junior.

Life had been fairly good. A successful architect for a father ensured their lavish lifestyle. She was known for her sharp tongue and temper traits Baba always claimed she didn't inherit from her mother. With fair skin and red hair, she resembled her completely, except for Dad's brown eyes. Teased as a child for her red hair, she loved it because Ammi made sure they knew how beautifully Allah created them. Even in Jordan, where modeling offers came, she never entertained them. The phase when she dreamed of being Gigi Hadid was cringe-worthy, but it made her laugh and lifted her spirits.

Thinking of her mother never caused pain, Baba always taught her to thank Allah for her. But tonight, a sharp pain in her chest told a different story. Tonight, she was the reason for vile insults against her innocent mother, hated only for not being Nigerian and not adapting to a culture she wasn't raised in. She was the reason her siblings heard bitter, inhumane words one wouldn't utter to an animal.

Something felt broken in her. She stood up and did the only thing that could help her, which was a warm bath. She was in the bathtub for a long time trying to calm her heart.

Standing in front of the mirror, she examined the bruises on her skin. She detested Uncle Nura, she hated everything about him and Hajiya, and she didn't hide it. She didn't care if he'd lay hands on her a million times; she would never respect him or his sister, let alone marry someone with their blood.

She splashed water on her face, used a cotton swab to clean the dry blood caused by his ring's cut, and winced in pain as she applied Vaseline.

The part she dreaded most was her hair, but sanity required it. She braided it into two long braids that stopped at her waist, and then her phone rang.

It was Abdulhakeem. She didn't want him to sense anything. Yes, she was head over heels for him, but pressuring him to meet her dad because of this situation is embarrassing. She could only tell him the situation; the decision was his. So, she texted him, saying she was with Ammi and would call him tomorrow.

"Goodnight princess. I hope your head is better now. I don't know the problem, but I'm always here for you. Talk to me about anything, okay? I love you."

A simple message, yet it warmed her heart. In the past four months, Abdul's humor, kindness, and his sweet nature had captivated her. She chuckled at her stroke of luck and let out a sigh.

She prayed after, because with the love of Allah, she'll never be alone, even if the world leaves her; she'll still have Allah. The only place her troubled heart truly has comfort is in Sujood, so she cried to her Lord and asked for His forgiveness.

Shortly after, Ahmad strolled into the room and sat down next to her.

"I am very ticked off at you, Jadwa," he started.

"I know, I know, Ya Ahmad," she sighed, her gaze dropping.

He went off at first, letting his anger vent, but when her tears started to flow, and apologies spilled from her lips, he softened, pulling her into a long, warm hug.

"Make sure you apologize to Baba, and Jadwa, fear Allah, turn back to your Lord, and take your time to truly know AbdulHakeem. I know you're young and blinded by your feelings, but if he hasn't met your parents, he deserves no exclusivity. No matter how good he treats you, remember, a man has done nothing for you until he meets your family and shows his seriousness." He playfully tugged at her long braid. "Do you understand?"

"OUCHHH!" She playfully slapped his hands away, nodding. "Thank you, Ya A. I don't know what I'd do without you. I'm so sorry I disappointed you. I promise I'll be careful and I'll talk to him." She gave him a warm hug and planted a kiss on his cheeks.

"I love you a lot too. Can I go back to your house, please? I really can't look anyone in the eye right now."

He sighed and shook his head. "I don't love you right now, but get ready. Even though you've been stealing my wife from me, Zara is coming too, so you can leave us alone. Deal?" he asked.

"Deal."

She's one hell of a girl for saying those things in an Arewa household don't you think? Lol It is just starting!!! I'm excited for you to see what's around the corner in Jadwa's life.
Drop your comments if you want to see the next chapter in a few hours.
Casting Rayan El Mahmoud as Jadwa.
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