Chapter 3

"Look Aalee I'm sorry for slapping you, we both know you deserved that for touching. Now Please let go of my hijab." She pleaded. "You see that incomplete-d building? There, let's go. I'll forgive you when I get what I've been wanting from you for the past few months."

"No please don't do this to me. Someone help me please!" She cried out. He clutch on her wrist and dragged her when someone interrupted. "Aalee! What are you trying to do?" The man yelled sending daggers his way.

"Babu ruwanka (that's none of your business)" Aalee retorted back. "No please help me. He's trying to rape me" she wailed. "Aalee let go of her!" He said through gritting teeth. "And what if I don't?"

The man god furious and landed his fist on Aalee's face. "Go home." He ordered and she ran as fast as she could. She met her father together with their neighbor malam Audu. "Lafiyan ki kuwa? Is someone chasing you?" Baba asked while checking to see if someone was following her. "No baba." She was sweating all over her body. Her body wouldn't stop shaking.

"Go inside." He ordered and she did. She went straight to Aunty. "Aunty." She sobbed and collapsed on Aunty's body. "Innalillahi wa'inna ilaihir rajiun, Ameenah? What's wrong? What happened?" Aunty asked worried. "It's Aalee. I'm in trouble." She narrated the whole story to Aunty.

"Meh ya kaiki? Look at what you've got yourself into! Ya subahanallah! Okay calm down, Bari babanki yazo. Let him get back. We'll know what to do." Aunty comforted. Ameenah sat upright and wiped her tears.

"Salamu alaykum." Baba sauntered into the small living room making Ameenah's heart to skip a beat. He sat down on the three sitter close to Aunty. She told him everything that Ameenah told her. Baba gave Ameenah a pointed look that made her body to start shaking. "I'll talk to his father about it." He said. She Felt a bit relieved. "And you!" He points at her. "I'll deal with you later!" He said and left the living room.

Xx

"Well I'm not saying I don't wanna get married. I'm just waiting for the right woman." Bashir explained dropping his spoon on his plate. "I can hook you up with one of my friends if you want." Hauwa, Madyan's wife said. "Thank you but no thank you." He stood up from the dinning table. "I have to get going. Thank you for the lovely meal."

Madyan accompanied his best friend to his car. Bashir got into his car and drove away. He went straight home. He met an unfamiliar car parked at the parking lot.

He strolled to his father's living room to greet him. After that, he did the same with Mama. "Bashir remember my friend, Hajiya Salamatu?" Mama asked beaming. He could feel someone staring at him but he decided not to look at who it is.

"Ermm yes." He exchanged pleasantries with Hajiya Salamatu. "Mama I'm going to my side now." He announced but she stopped him. "You haven't met her daughter, Yasmeen." He looked to his side to see a beautiful young lady smiling at him.

He smiled a little. She greeted him and he answered. "Masha Allah you guys look cute together." Mama cooed. "You should definitely fix a date to get to know each other." Hajiya Salamatu added.

"Insha Allah." He smiled. "Why don't you exchange numbers?" Mama suggested. They exchanged numbers just like mama suggested before he left for his room.

He knew the moment mama introduced her friend to him, something was definitely going to happen and it did. If mama could just understand. He doesn't care about beauty or anything. He wants someone decent, loving and caring, who will respect him and his parents. And someone who will love him for the sake of Allah not his money.

He sighed and stripped out of his clothes. He showered and performed wudhu before heading to the masjid to pray Maghrib. When he was done praying, he went straight to the family dining room to eat dinner.

He met mama and Baba with his baby sister, Safwana already sitted. Safwana served them before everyone started eating. "So, Bashir what do you think about Hajiya Salamatu's Daughter?" Mama asked hoping to get a positive feedback. "She seems nice" he shrugged.

"Masha Allah so when will you call her. You guys should meet up tomorrow." He chuckled and kept the spoon. "Mama I promise I'll call her tonight and I'll do whatever you ask me to do." He assured her. "Oh Ya Allah I'm so happy. Allah maka Albarka" She prayed for him.

As they were done eating, he left for his room. He checked his phone to see bunch of missed calls and messages from the one and only Queen, Malika. He hissed and tossed the phone on the bed. He had blocked her countless times but she keeps calling him with different numbers.

When it was time to pray Isha, he went to the masjid and prayed. He decided to call Yasmeen. After two rings, she picked up. It's like she was waiting for his call. "Salamu alaykum." She chirped in. "Waalaykumus salam. Hope I'm not disturbing." He said nervously.

"No, not at all." She chuckled. "So how are you? How's everything?" He asked. "I'm fine and everything is great Alhamdulillah." She replied. They talked for a while and decided to meet tomorrow at Millennium Park by 4pm if Allah wills.

Xx

The next day Bashir closed early from work. He checked his wristwatch, it read 4:02pm. He was already late. He hopped into his car and drove straight to Millennium Park. He spotted Yasmeen sitting on a bench looking around trying to spot him.

When her eyes landed on him, she smiled and waved and him. He did the same before walking to where she was sitting. She was dressed in black abaya which was decorated with silver stones. She wasn't wearing any makeup yet she looked beautiful. She removed her Dior shades and kept it aside.

"Sorry I kept you waiting, I had to cover up some things before leaving." He apologized. "Oh it's okay." She smiled. "Okay then. So why don't you introduce yourself to me."

"Well My name is Yasmeen Mahmoud Gana. I graduated from University Of California, Berkeley last year. I'm done with my NYSC program. I'm just a psychologist looking for job." She finished off with a smile. "How old are you if you don't mind?" He asked. "I'm 24 years" she answered. "Are you sure? You look 20 to me" he teased.

"I'm not joking. In fact I'll be 25 next month." She laughed a little. They chatted about nothing but everything. She answered every question he asked and he did the same. He dropped her off at home and left.

He couldn't help but smile whenever he pictured her face. He never thought he'd fall for someone this fast. He salamed and entered Baba's living room. "Welcome home son." Mama welcomed him. He greeted them and settled down on the couch next to theirs.

"So how did it go?" Mama asked excitedly. "It went well mama. She seems nice. Wife material." He grinned. "Alhamdulillah!" Mama praises. "Son are you sure about this?" Baba asked. "Ermm I'll think about it more."

Mama already started planning on how her son's wedding is going to be. She was on cloud nine. She showered Bashir with prayer. He excused himself and left for his side of the house.

"I've been waiting for you." She looked at her wristwatch "over an hour now. What the fuck were you doing?" She groaned. "Malika how many times will I warn you about coming into my room without permission. I said I'm not interested! You're not my type and you'll never be! Stay away from me! Is that too much to ask? Huh?!"

All what he said didn't pain her one bit cause she was used to all these mean words from him. "You're the last thing I want to see right now so please, kindly leave this place." He finished off and left the entire apartment for her. He went to the garden and collapsed on the hammock.

He brought his phone out to see two missed calls from Yasmeen. He dialed on her number and after few rings, she picked up. "Salamu Alaykum." She said in her angelic voice that makes him feel jovial.

"Waalaykumus salam. My phone was on silent when you called." He explained. "Oh it's okay. I just wanna know if you've arrived home safely." He smiled, what a caring woman. "Yes I have." He answered. "Eaten?" She asked and he replied.

"Do you have a boyfriend?" He blurted out. He suddenly felt ashamed of asking something like that. "No I don't" she chuckled. "Are you going to set me up with one of your friends?" She asked. "Yeah maybe" he smirked.

"Whoever you choose for me I'll be okay with it." She said making him to sigh. "What if I want to be the one?" He asked. She kept mute for brief seconds before speaking. "Ya Bashir, I... we just met yesterday and i...." She stuttered. "It's okay I understand." He chuckled. "Forgive me for falling for you this fast. You're just so sweet and caring. And beautiful."

She smiled sheepishly "thank you." He chuckled yet again. "And I'll think about it." She added. "Thank you. I have to go now. It's almost time for Isha prayers."

"Okay then. Bye and take care of yourself for me." She said making him to smile. "You too." He ended the call and hugged the phone to his chest. He looked at the sky and heaved a sigh. "I've finally found love."