Assalamu alaikum.

****
Nigeria.
2014.

****

The house was utterly quiet hence Mimi began dozing off. These days, she hardly get time to sleep. She was always shuffling from one area to another in checking out their charity schools. The organization had grew so rapidly in two years. It was known everywhere in the country especially to those who were always updated on what's trending on the net.

Mimi felt her belly contracted. She placed her hand on it, smiling like a goner. Well, if her love for General was to be talked of, she would gladly confess that she's gone and lost in his world.

Her phone rang and she stretched her hand and picked the call. It was Sadiqu. She smiled before she picked the call.

"Maman biyu." He cooed as soon as she picked. Mimi chuckled. That was what everyone was saying; that she's carrying twins because of how large her tummy was.

"How's your Madam?" She asked, pertaining to Leek.

"She's fine and sound. I am calling to tell you that people are coming everyday. Our classes accommodate thirty children only but you need to see how children are coming on their own. What do you do now? I'm out of ideas. Rejecting them isn't a nice thing to do." He replied, going straight to the point. No matter what, there was still a barrier between them. There was something large that set a cold curtain between them and they had to adhere to that to avoid tempts.

"Uh-uh. I will discuss it with Ummah, my mother in-law. Thank you for all you've been doing." Mimi couldn't help but thanked him. Sadiqu was practically the one running the organization at Kano. He also has his money invested to help the poor. People often say that it was unwise of him because it wasn't a business. There wasn't no profit attached. Sadiqu tried to make them understand that what he was doing was to gain reward in the after life.

The Qur'an made mentioned of a group of people that would be resurrected to be the dwellers of hell and if they are asked what took them to hell they would say we were not among those who feed the needy. Sadiqu shuddered at the thought. He wondered why won't a person give out a portion of what he earns. Allah promised to reward those who give out for his sake. The reward will be in folds, if only people will realise.

"You do that. How's your business going?" Mimi opened an event centre alongside with a tailoring service. While Sadiqu had a shop which he supplies electronics.

"It's moving alhamdulillah. It's also a great catalyst for this organizations. I'm so grateful to Allah for so much blessings." Mimi sighed on completion of her words. Sometimes it scared her a lot; the way her life was moving smooth as though she was the mastermind behind it. Well, the blessings of Allah sufficed everything.

"Thank Allah on everything then." Sadiqu glanced at his wristwatch and decided to cut the call short. It was time for prayer.

"We will talk later about our presentation. I guess you have to do that all alone." Sadiqu nodded, catching her joke. He wasn't alone literally. There were a lot of people involved now in moving the organization forward. They included his friends and outsiders.

Such organizations could hardly be maintained by one person or two. People have to join hands together and work hand in hand for it's betterment. Although General Aliyy's family were trying their best, Sadiqu suggested that they should involve more people.

Now that things were going smooth, they opened a school with different sections. The first section was to teach women some handy works free of charge while the other was to serve as a school for younger kids whom parent's cannot afford to pay for their fees.

They were also working on new projects. Now, the Kano state government was aware of their existence and had contributed massively.

While Mimi and her associates managed the one at Bauchi, Sadiqu and others normally go there time to time. So, there were known mostly by the great people in high positions in the political system of the country.

It also became an advantage to the upcoming politicians because, they normally donate huge amounts and broadcast it on the new media.

"We will talk about it in the group later then. Take care." He cut the call and hurried for prayer. Mimi looked at her phone for a couple of seconds. Memories of the first day they met rushed to her mind whenever she talked to him. Sometimes she wondered why fate brought them together. Was it for friendship purpose alone? Now, she has her answer since they were all married, contented and happy. Perhaps it was just ordained that they must share a thing.

****

It was that time of the year when everywhere gets extremely cold. The forest wasn't left out too. It was dark with cold breeze mercilessly lashing bare skins of the people around there.

Ghadbaan, quenched the fire before him and raised his hand in opposition. He wasn't buying any of the suggestions that was being offered to him. He later rose to his feet, paced about for some minutes before he leaned on a tree and stretched his hand.

His face was hard as usual. "Mufti, think again." He shook his head.

"We have to do that Ghadbaan. We have to blow up the churches and mosques. They're all misleaded." The man also rose to his feet.

Jameel's eyes looked skyward and then earthward. His hand was around his waist as he ponders what he was about to do. He was thinking of shooting the man dead. But, before that what was his backup plan?

"You're planning on killing me right?" The man asked with a guffaw. He was like a mindreader. Sometimes Jameel wondered if the man doesn't work with supernatural beings.

"You're right." There was no point in hiding that fact.

"Then," the man lifted his gun in the air before he pointed it at Jameel's face. Jameel didn't move. He was not afraid of death either. In fact if he's sure that Allah has accept his repentance, he would be ever ready to die. The thing was, he didn't know if Allah has accepted or not. Despite his knowledge on how Allah said that one should believe that Allah has forgiven him when he asks for forgiveness, Jameel felt uneasy. It was all among the knittings of the devil in the heart of humans.

"You're now as useless as that tree. I wonder why the leader likes you and didn't kill you. Or why Allah left you till date whilst you're not striving on his path." Jameel's fist tightened. He felt like smashing the man's face until it turns like a devoured straw.  He hates to hear them talking bad and calling Allah's name to cover their lies.

The Mufti shrugged when he noticed the way Jameel was looking at him.

"When will you be guided?" Jameel simmered down a bit. He marched towards Mufti and patted his shoulder. After his sincere repentance last year, Jameel has learnt to be considerate. He has learnt the act of selflessness. Indeed, there was tranquillity in depending on Allah.

"I have something for you." He sat down. The Mufti's brown eyes looked at Jameel awkwardly before he also sat near Jameel.

"Close your eyes Mufti for a few seconds and tell me. Do you believe that we are on the right path, deep down in your heart?" Jameel silently prayed that Mufti will be guided. That way, they might find a solution to their problem.

"What's that for?" Mufti asked.

Jameel smiled. "Just tell me."

"I know no religion preaches terrorism. No religion supports the killing of innocent souls but verses were quoted to me that Allah said he who do not judges with what Allah sent, is a disbeliever." He sighed, looking directly at Jameel.

"What happened to the verses that talked about the prohibition of killing innocent souls? Or those that said when a soul is being killed it's like a whole nation has been killed? Or verses that said if someone kills a life deliberately, his result is dwelling in fire eternally?" Jameel asked.

"Actually I don't know what you're saying." Jameel sharply looked at the man.

"What does that mean?"

"I was a Christian before I was brainwashed and forced here. It's a long story..." Jameel's hand stopped drawing the lines he was drawing on sand. He motioned for Mufti to continue his story.

*****

"What do you think I should do?" Leek asked straight to the person she was having a call with. It was Feenah her colleague.

"I don't really know. You know there's only one way and it's hard. It's risky also." Feenah clarified.

"I don't want to keep it honestly." Leek bitterly spoke.

"I don't get your reason. But how comes? You're negligent right?" Leek shook her head and just cut the call. She knew she won't love any of what Feenah will say afterwards.

Now as she sat inside the car, she felt like blowing up. Maybe she should contact the doctor. But, she wasn't sure about the doctor's honesty.

"You're tensed. Don't worry it is nothing serious in sha Allah." Sadiqu squeezed her hand before he got under the wheel and drove them to the hospital. The ride was unusually silent and cold.

"I hate injections." Leek cried, tightening her eyes.

"I'm sorry ma'am we have to have a sample of your blood. Stay put." Leek shrieked when she saw the tip of the syringe glistening, ready to pierce her skin.

"I can't deal with this your phobia seriously." The nurse, a woman in a white uniform laughed at Leek. Leek was drenched in sweat and was seriously shedding tears even before the syringe comes in contact with her skin.

Sadiqu heard her silent cries and entered where she was.

"Sir, your wife has refused to allow us take a sample of her blood. I suggest you test at home. You can get the strips at our chemist." The nurse suggested. Leek's mouth flung open. What was this woman mean? That she's pregnant. No, please.

"Leek, please calm down okay? We will only know what's wrong with you if you allow them take a sample. It won't hurt I promise." Sadiqu signalled for the nurse to start her work while he talks to Leek.

As soon as the syringe touched her, Leek wailed. Other nurses around couldn't help but laugh hard.

"The syringe is already in. If you don't remain calm it may injure you." The nurse warned and took the sample. Leek kept glaring at the woman angrily.

"Let's go and get some ice, right? Then we will come back and collect the result." Leek just nodded, staring at the reddish area of her arm. She hated anything that will cause pain to her.

***

An hour later, Sadiqu and Leek sat by the corridor and waited for the nurse to fetch their results. Leek's stomach was churning in anticipation. She was muttering every dua she knew under her breath.

The nurse came out grinning widely showing her white teeth except for one which was golden. Leek could tell the woman had been to Saudi before.

"Sir, Madam." They all rose to their feet. Sadiqu looked at Leek. There was uneasiness etched on her face. He noticed the way her hands were moving uncomfortably.

Why was she anxious?

"Here is your result." She handed Leek the envelope and turned on her heels. Leek looked at Sadiqu and then at the envelope.

"Let's see." He attempted to collect it. Leek hid it behind her back and just walked out. He followed her with a shrug.

Once home, Leek opened the envelope slowly while Sadiqu let her be dramatic as she wanted. He had tried to have a look of the envelope on their way back but she refused to let him. He was not going to say anything again. She should keep it forever if she wills.

"Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un. I'm doomed. Wayyo Allah na." Leek's breath exploded into a loud cry. She flung the paper to the other side of the parlour while she sat on the floor crying. It was as if she received the most ugliest news in the world.

That drew Sadiqu's attention to her. He abruptly rushed to her aid.

"What's happening Leek?" He asked, terrified. Sadiqu looked for the paper around and began reading.

He looked at it and read twice then looked at Leek with a questioning look.

****

Toooh?

What happened? Any guesses?

Yes. I'm rushing.

Don't forget the usuals.
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