She was walking slowly because she wasn’t in a hurry. Even though it was almost time for the Maghrib prayer, she knew she would reach home before the call to prayer started. The sound of her phone stopped her. She slowed down, reached into her bag, and pulled it out. When she saw who was calling, she smiled. Without wasting time, she answered and held the phone to her ear.
“Hey babe,” she said, tilting her head and rolling her eyes as if he were standing right in front of her.
“My beautiful one, how are you?” he asked from the other side.
“I’m fine. I’m just coming back from school, I’m almost at home,” she said.
“Oh, I just dropped Afaf and the kids off at Hajiya’s place. We went shopping and I bought some things for you. I want to bring them to you later. Is that okay?”
“Yes, babe. You know I’m always here if you’re the one coming to see me. How are my kids? Are they fine?”
“Alhamdulillah, they’re all good. I just can’t wait for us to live together in one house so I can stop all this visiting the kids.”
“Aww, don’t worry. Very soon, God willing. We’ll talk more about it when you come. For now I’m about to enter the house, you know Mommy doesn’t allow me to stay on the phone outside.”
He laughed softly. “You’re right. Okay, see you soon.”
They said goodbye and ended the call.
She entered the house with a greeting, her face bright with joy as if someone had given her great news. There was no one in the sitting room except Mommy, who was about to go for the Maghrib prayer. After answering her greeting, Mommy said, “So today you’re walking around advertising Macleans (toothpaste)?”
“Mommy! I’m just happy,” she said, laughing.
She walked to her room while Mommy went into hers.
She was fully aware of how she was walking and smiling, and she enjoyed it. When it came to Mustapha, she could do even more. Just hearing his voice made her feel an indescribable happiness. They had only met seven months ago, but because of how caring and loving he was, he had already taken over her heart like someone she had known for years. If she had agreed, they would already be married, because he was ready. But she was the one delaying the marriage because she wanted to finish her Level 1 studies before the wedding.
