Tears Of Summayah - Episode 4

 

Sumayyah and Hajia Fatima remained in the bedroom talking and giggling like best friends. Hajia Fatima was right- Sumayyah felt very relaxed after the massage. Soon after, they heard the key turn in the front door lock and Mallam Yusuf’s voice announce excitedly. 
“I am home!”
Sumayyah leapt out of the bed and rushed into the living room to greet her father. "How was your day, dad?" She squealed as he enveloped her in a hug.

"It was fine dear . Is your mother back yet?" Mallam Yusuf replied as he kissed his daughter’s forehead.

"Yes, she’s inside.”

Just then, Hajia Fatima strolled into the living room and kissed her husband’s lips. "Assalamu Alaykum sweetheart. Welcome."

He smiled. "Walaikum salam. Thank you honey"

"How was your day? I hope it wasn't too stressful?" Hajia Fatima inquired. She held his hand and helped him into a seat, then she began to gently massage his shoulders.

"Not at all. I came back home early because of the visitors that we are expecting."

“Alright dear.” Hajia Fatima continued to massage her husband.

Mallam Yusuf groaned in pleasure. “Hmm, gaskia that feels good dear.” Without opening his eyes, he told his wife

All episodes of this story can be found here >> https://www.ebonystory.com/story/tears-of-summayah

. "Fatima, you have to make Sumayyah look very nice this afternoon. My princess must look more beautiful than she already does."

Hajia Fatima nodded and glanced at her wristwatch. “Subhanallah! It´s almost time. Didn’t you say our visitors will be here by five?"

“Yes, I was informed that they would be arriving by five.” Mallam Yusuf replied

Hajia Fatima stopped the massage and bolted out of her seat. “Come sweetie, let's get you ready, we don’t have much time left" She said.

Sumayyah looked at her parents and tried to protest.  She didn’t think painting herself up would do any good. "Dad, I think I look fine just the way I am."

"I know darling, but you have to look a bit more attractive.”

“Okay” Sumayyah sighed in defeat. It was useless to argue. She turned to her mum, who was waiting impatiently for her. “Let's go."

“Dan Allah make it snappy. Don’t spend the whole evening in there.” Mallam Yusuf pleaded. 

“Haba don’t worry, we will be out in no time” Hajia Fatima chuckled as they disappeared into her room. When they both reappeared several minutes later, Sumayyah was decked in a beautiful black abaya with gold trimmings around the edges. The light makeup on her face accentuated the delicate shape of her face and she looked older than her age. A crisp white hijab completed the attire. Her mother had also showered and changed into an identical outfit, except that she had on a brown hijab and her makeup was heavier.

“Maa shaa Allah!” Mallam Yusuf exclaimed when he saw mother and daughter. “You both look beautiful.” 

……

About half an hour later, their visitors arrived. Mallam Yusuf ushered them into the living room and offered them seats. 

"Assalamu alaykum. Good evening madam, please do come in and make yourself comfortable." 

Mrs. Aminat, her son Jamiu and a two of their relatives walked into the house and took the seats their host had graciously offered them. "Walaykumsalam warahmatullahi sir. A good evening to you too.” Mrs Aminat smiled. “We hope we haven’t troubled you by arriving late. There was just so much traffic on our way here”

“No problem ma’am. What matters is that you made it here”.

“Thank you sir.” Mrs. Aminat proceeded to make the necessary introductions. “Sir, I would like you to meet my son, Jamiu. He is the intended groom.” 

“Good evening, sir." Jamiu greeted.

"Good evening, my son” Mallam Yusuf replied, taking Jamiu’s hand in a firm handshake.

Mrs. Aminat smiled and continued, stretching her hands towards the two men seated at the other side of the room. “These are his paternal uncles, Mr. Danladi and Mr. Kabiru”. 

Jamiu’s parents had separated due to an argument many years ago and his mother had been granted sole custody, so he lived with her and only visited his father occasionally in Abuja.
It was for this reason that Mrs Aminat had come to their prospective in- laws’ home without his father.

“Welcome my in -laws” Mallam Yusuf smiled and shook both men’s hands. “I guess I should introduce myself as well; I am Mallam Yusuf Sanusi- father of the intended bride.” 
After the pleasantries were over Mallam Yusuf excused himself so he could go inside and call out Sumayyah and her mother. 

In the bedroom, Sumayyah heard her father’s footsteps approaching and immediately became scared. The moment she had been dreading was finally upon her. Soon enough she heard her father’s voice whisper from the other side of the door.

"Fatima, Sumayyah, please you need to come out now. They are eager to meet you”.

"Sorry, we will be out very soon." Her mother replied before turning to her. "Let's go, honey."

"But mom, I am scared."

"Please don't be, my child, the visitors are not going to eat you.” Her mother kissed her cheek. “Besides, I am sure you will like him."

“Okay, if you say so mother” Sumayyah sighed and allowed herself to be led out into the living room.

Sumayyah walked into the living room on legs that shook, and the only thing that held her upright was Hajia Fatima’s hand around her shoulders. Her mother eased her into a chair and Sumayyah raised her bowed head slightly, to get a good look at the visitors. She saw her father, two strange men, and a beautiful middle-aged woman smiling at her. Sumayyah concluded that the boy sitting next to the woman with his head bowed must be her intended groom. She swallowed hard and looked closely at him. Sumayyah got the shock of her life when she saw his face because she recognized it only too well; Her intended´s name was Jamiu and he was her senior in school.
…….
Perhaps it was the intensity of Sumayyah’s gaze or the fact that his neck was hurting from having being bent for so long; Jamiu wasn’t sure what propelled him to raise his head. But when he did, his gaze automatically clashed with that of his intended bride and he was shocked to the marrow- the girl was his junior at UDMC.

Both youngsters continued to gaze at each other for a long time. Jamiu was amazed at how beautiful she was, as he had never paid much attention to her in school.  

"Sumayyah, this is Jamiu.” Mallam Yusuf started, pointing at Jamiu. “He is your betrothed.”

“Assalamu Alaykum.” Sumayyah mumbled shyly and bowed her head once more. "Father I know him, we attend the same school. Although we have never spoken to each other before."

Her father smiled. "Maa shaa Allah, that’s splendid. Don’t worry you will get to know him much better”. He looked from one to the other. “You know what? Jamiu’s family and I have a few things to discuss so you both should go to the balcony and talk."

Jamiu and Sumayyah obeyed and excused the adults. Sumayyah could not help but notice how tall he was when he rose from his seat to join her at the balcony. He was very handsome too and did not seem arrogant at all. 

"Hey" Jamiu said the moment he joined Sumayyah on the balcony. 

"Hi." She replied quietly, her eyes on the floor.

"I can't believe that we are about to get married. Believe me, I was really surprised when I saw that you are my intended”. Jamiu paused and cleared his throat. “Although I must confess that after seeing you, I might have developed an interest in you." He finished genuinely.

Sumayyah had also developed an interest in him, but she wasn’t about to tell him that. As far as she was concerned, she had to find a way to stop the marriage from taking place. Sumayyah decided to reason with Jamiu. "You know we don’t even know each other so well, so please tell my parents that you don't like me!" Sumayyah pleaded desperately. "I'm really scared."

"Why are you scared?" He asked with concern etching his voice.

"I'm still a young girl without any experience. I don't know the first thing about marriage plus I don't want to get pregnant.” Sumayyah voice trembled and the tears began to fall.  “I have an ambition, Jamiu. I want to go to school and become a doctor! Will I be able to achieve that if I get married now?” 

Jamiu gave no response but continued to stare at her, so she went on.

"Look, I know you are the most handsome and popular guy in school. I also know that you have a girlfriend, so I am sure it would be easy for you to tell my parents that you don’t want me.” 
She really hoped he would accept her reasons and say no.

Jamiu folded his arms across his chest with an amused smile on his lips. “Is that all?”

“What! Did you hear everything I just said?” She sniffed

“Yes I did. But those reasons are not enough for me not to like you.”

Sumayyah was getting more desperate. “Okay I will give you a very good reason. I am a sickler- I have sickle cell anaemia. So, you can tell them you will get tired of me very soon because of my illness."

Jamiu only threw his head back and laughed. "I didn't know you could be like this- you are usually very reserved at school.” He stopped laughing and continued “Listen while I address all your concerns. First, I promise not to touch you till we both graduate from school. Second, I promise that you will finish your education up to whatever level you desire.” He lowered his voice. “Then about your illness, I promise to take good care of you. I may not know how to now, but I will learn in shaa Allah. So please stop crying and let us make the best of our situation. You know our parents are counting on us to uphold tradition.”

Sumayyah realised that she could not argue, because he had thrashed out each of her concerns. She decided to give their relationship a chance. “I never told you my age- It’s fifteen. How old are you.?“ She inquired, sniffing and wiping her tears with the back of her hand.  

"I am seventeen." He replied.

They continued to chat about school and other issues, and the more Sumayyah remained in his company, the more she liked him. So much so that when her mother came to call them in to eat, Sumayyah was very disappointed. 

An hour later, Jamiu and his family thanked the Sanusis for a lovely meal and bid them goodbye. 

"See you at school tomorrow." Jamiu whispered to Sumayyah before leaving.

"Okay. Have a safe journey back home." She replied. 

Sumayyah’s parents were happy because everything went like they had planned.

Mallam Yusuf smiled at his daughter warmly. "I am so proud of you. Thank you for not disappointing us." 

Hajia Fatima also moved close to Sumayyah and hugged her. “You see, didn’t I tell you that you would like him?”

Sumayyah was happy that she had pleased her parents and she had to admit that the arrangement wasn’t so bad after all. “I have to get to bed now, so I can leave early for school. Good night”