****

"Inna, please." Sadiqu besought.

"I don't understand what you mean by please. She was engaged to you immediately after her birth." Inna dropped the plate of rice which she was picking on. Sadiqu knew what that gesture meant. She was ready for him to object so that she would start ranting nonstop. Well, it wasn't happening.

He picked the plate and began shuffling the rice to pick the one with bran and remove the stones in it. "I will go and see her today then." He said, as a conclusion to the matter at hand.

"Better start planning your wedding. She's not getting younger. Har an kawo kudin baikon Maimuna. Your sister will soon be engaged but you're here playing." Inna collected the plate and poured it in the boiling water.

"I am not playing Inna. Who will marry his daughter to a jobless man in this era? I'm in the labour market looking for what to do helter skelter." He sighed.

"Why do you have to wait for government? Men are known hustlers. Go into the city and look for handy works to do and stop acting like ne'er-do-well." Sadiqu closed his eyes briefly.

"Inna I think you should know this. The moment I approach people, the first thing that comes to their mind is What can this cripple do? Some may not say it but it's visible on their faces. Some say it to my face. Others turn out to be worst. Their saying goes like 'go way, you belong to the street." Sadiqu had been strong for all his life. He had been coping and shying away from people's judgement and harassment. But, whenever he got jested, he felt a sting in his heart. It threaten to crush the giantwalls he built for so long. Was it his choice to have a disability?

"I thought you have passed that level Sadiqu. You've passed it. People's talk shouldn't cloud your mind. You should just keep on trying whilst you block all sort of negativity along the way. You will surely get there, if not soonest, then soon." Inna advised with regret. She wished she can take the burden Sadiqu used to take.

"Thank you Inna." He rose to his feet and dusted his clothes.

"I will go into the city. Let me have my bath first."

"May Allah bless you." She prayed, profoundly proud of him. Sadiqu answered and thanked her.

*****

"Zuzu." He teased.

"Yaya stop it." She covered her face with the hem of her veil.

"How have you been?" He found it all awkward leaning on the wall before Zuwaira. He couldn't believe it, he was actually talking to her in the name of love.

"Fine." She smiled revealing her teeth.

"I hope everyone is well. I am on my way to somewhere then I decided to stop by. Let me be on my way." He announced.

"You mean you're going this early? We haven't talk of anything fa. Please stay a little long while." She pleaded.

"Okay then as you wish." Zuwaira grinned again.

"Yaushe ne auren mu?" The question took Sadiqu offguard. Was this girl really serious about their marriage? He had never planned their life together. He wondered when this culture of arrange marriage will die.

"I'm still not working you know. Until I get a stable job. Why don't you just marry someone else? You see if you wait for me, I will waste your time." He hoped she won't misunderstand him.

"Inna said the same. She says my mates have two kids now. I think she's right since you said it too." She said twisting her fingers. One thing Sadiqu liked about her was she was too straightforward and a dummy.

Doluwa.

"You see. And if you marry me, your leg will become like mine. Your children will have it too." He raised his eyesbrow to see her expression. It wasn't a trap at first but she fell for it.

"I will rethink about us honestly. Even though they said it's an arranged marriage we can step upon it koh?" She asked, being serious.

"I'm just joking. There's no way your leg will become like mine. And your children can only have it if they're not immunized." He decided to repair his speech. He knew people like Zuwaira so much. They often act like they have fallen for your trap only for you to hear the same thing you said to them in the streets. The same applies, he knew once she's in, she's going to tell her parent what he said.

No secrets.

She laughed. "I knew you were joking." Sadiqu gulped regretfully.

"I will be going. Have this." He gave her a one thousand naira note. Before she brought up another topic, Sadiqu was out of their lane.

****

It was his first time at Leek's house. The house was seven times bigger than his own house. He knew she was from a rich family but he never knew it was to this extent. His eyes had been browsing over, since he came in.

It made him realised water and basket can never be friends. As goes the Hausa saying 'ruwa ba sa'an kwando bane' But then, a local man has wishes.

"You have been utterly quiet." Sadiqu let the AC cooled his body temp before he answered her.

"I'm knackered that's why." He lied.

"You ought to be. Let me bring something for you."

Sadiqu was deep in thought when Leek came back. "Serve." She repeated. He uncapped the bottle and poured water for himself. He mumbled a thank you before they began talking.

"So how have you been?" He asked.

"Good. School isn't treating me well though." She complained.

"That's the only thing you know how to nag at. Everyday school this school that. All the best." He finished with a tinge of laughter.

They laughed. "What are you up to?"

"I'm searching for a handy job before I go for my NYSC next month." He briefed her. He also wanted to tell her they were going together with Mimi but he couldn't.

"And I finally got one." He added smiling.

"Alhamdulillah."

"I will start Okada business for now." Leek's jaw dropped but she decided not to talk.

"You didn't answer my question the other day. You left smiling though." He smiled too.

"I.." Her words stopped at her throat.

"Talk."

"I will." She answered shyly.

"Alhamdulillah." He beamed and the rest of the day got exhausted with love hanging in every nook and cranny of the atmosphere.

****

Jameel was seated at the front seat of his lecture hall. Their lecture at the Mujahidun Qur'anic college had began and it was now time for Tauhidul Qur'an ( A course about strengthening one's faith, knowing God via the Qur'an.) He knew Tauhid from his previous schools but this was Tauhidul Qur'an a new course developed by the college as the lecturer told them.

They eagerly waited for him to start after writing the Basmalah on the board. The lecturer cleared his voice and began.

"From the previous knowledge you've obtained, I know you know what Tauhid is." They all answered yes.

"Masha'a Allah." He stroke his long beard and rub his belly.

"So, you see nowadays people are just roaming about in the streets in the name of Islam. Western innovation has also clouded our religion. This religion is the religion of truth. It commands us to only worship Allah and no other Albert Einstein." Looks began to be exchanged between the students.

"I mean Allah said we should follow the Qur'an and sunnah. The prophet said whosoever brings a matter that's not ours, he's not from us. That means all this western education is included. We have to be very careful lest you will be misguided. And lastly, you might leave Islam without knowing." Jameel's eyebrow were almost touching his eyes.

"I have a question ya Sheikh." Jameel stood.

"I'm confused." He added shaking his head.

"It's not your fault to be confused. That's how confusing this course is. Just be patient." Jameel nodded and sat back.

"In order not to confuse you more, since I'm not an expert on this course, I think I will leave it till our Sheikh comes." He decided to change his way. The look on the student's faces was scaring him.

"Let's read the Quran alone." And, they began reading.

*****

Hmmmmm.

Sadiqu how many wives are you planning to marry?