Fauziyyah blew out a breath slowly. She wrapped her hands around her while rocking herself back and forth. The beats of her heard accelerated with every second as she waited for Ilham to check her admission status.
"Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un!" Ilham screeched. They stared at each other for a few seconds but it felt like minutes.
"Microbiology. That's what you got."
And then it stopped.
Her heartbeat.
It stopped.
"Ilham? Na shigesu!"
Fauziyyah collapsed on the floor. Tears welled up in her eyes but she refused to let them flow.
"Maybe I should consider being a housewife...?" Fauziyyah trailed.
"Why? So you think all those night prayers and studying you did went in vain?" Ilham was kneeling by the bed so she crawled to sit by Fau.
"No. This is probably the best for me right? I'm finding it hard to be positive, Ilham!"
"I understand, my friend." She put her hands on Fau's and squeezed it assuringly.
"I don't see myself studying microbiology, Ilham."
She mumbled.
"Microbiology? Did I say that? You got admission to study Medicine, babe!" Ilham sang, hugging Fau tightly.
It took a few seconds for Fauziyyah to register the information. When she did, she stood to her feet and squealed.
She went into sujud ash shukr and thanked her Lord.
"So you intentionally decided to make me sad." Fau slapped Ilham on her back then picked up the laptop to see for her self. Indeed, it was Medicine.
"Did you see your face? Haha!"
"That wasn't funny. I thought you stopped being wicked a long time ago."
"That aside, this calls for a celebration. Tell Anas to send us money for a mini party."
Fauziyyah sharply turned her head to glare at Ilham.
"Ilham, you don't have sense. You're already trying to bill my husband to be?" Fau made sure to emphasize on the husband, a smirk dancing on her lips
"Allah sarki ni baiwar Allah!" Ilham sniffed and wiped invisible tears from her face.
"I need to take my bath. Anas is coming later." Fauziyyah placed the laptop on the bed and sashayed to her wardrobe to pick out an outfit.
"Leave that to me." Ilham said referring to the outfit before pushing Fau to the toilet.
~|~
"Assalamu alaykum!" Fau greeted with heightened enthusiasm as she walked into Amma's living room.
"Waalaykumus salam wa rahmatullah!" Anas acknowledged. He sounded more excited.
He had been on edge for the past two weeks because he hadn't heard from both Bappa Sadu and Fauziyyah.
The night before, Bappa Sadu called him up and told him of his approval.
"Ina wuni." Fau greeted meekly. She had dropped the tray of refreshments and was now seated opposite him.
"Lafiya kalau, Fauzeeyah. Na sameku lafy?"
Anas had his eyes pinned on her.
Fauzeeyah could feel it despite having her head bent down out of shyness.
She couldn't explain why she felt extremely shy in front of him now. Probably because he was about to hold an important title in her life.
"Yes, Alhamdulillah."
"How did you react to the news?" He broached without wasting time. He was feeling more confident.
Fauziyyah looked up at him with a smile. "I was shocked."
"You're completely okay with this?" He asked to clear any doubts.
Fauziyyah looked into his eyes and nodded in response.
"I know kids your age prefer dating and whatnot. So you can let me know if...."
"I swear it's okay, Anas. I chose to do this." She reassured, her smile never wavering.
"Okay, Alhamdulillah."
"Alhamdulillah." She echoed his words.
"I'll send my elders soon. To ask officially. We good?"
"Absolutely."
"About your studies, We have to transfer you somewhere ? I can't leave Abuja because of the company." Anas asked. He silently prayed she would accept.
"You can have me transferred?" She questioned, surprised.
"I'll try."
"Okay, I don't mind."
They spent the evening getting to know each other. Each asked about what they considered most important in a life partner.
That night, the words of Anas kept replaying in Fau's mind. They were on the topic of Deen and he answered with all seriousness,
"I swear that I fear Allah, I keep up with my five daily prayers, I don't deal with anything Haram in my earnings and I keep away from whatever that is a threat to my faith to the best of my ability."
Fauziyyah knew that words could be deceiving. She knew that people put up acts to be someone they weren't.
She knew that things could start well but turn out disastrous along the way.
However, the most important thing she held unto was, none of it was in her control.
As long as I put my trust in my Lord, he would always be there for me.
She reassured herself.