One Month Later
Nabila’s mother returned from Saudi Arabia in good health. Everyone rejoiced—especially Nabila, who had been restless for days awaiting her return.
Falila
She was sitting in her beautifully decorated sitting room when, suddenly, Nabila appeared as if dropped from the sky.
Falila exclaimed,
“Besty! My eyes! I haven’t seen you since the walima!”
Nabila smiled and replied,
“Truly, marriage is a blessing. Just look at how you’re glowing!”
Falila laughed,
“Leave that, please. If someone is married, she’s not supposed to talk too much. But yes—I’ll tell you, marriage is a blessing.”
Nabila sat beside her and said,
“No, my friend—tell me the secret!”
Falila said,
“I never knew real happiness and peace until I got married. Wallahi, life is a mystery. Imagine—I came here with six boxes, but when I entered this room, I found fifty sets of clothes, plus matching shoes and bags, plus makeup kits—all gifts. At night after his friends left, he brought out the house documents and handed them to me, telling me to keep them. When I checked, I saw the house was his. Wallahi, I raised my hands in gratitude. Then the next day he gave me a brand-new iPhone 17 Pro. I didn’t even know how to thank him. Later, he explained that he has worked for years with several NGOs, earning at least three hundred thousand naira monthly, not counting allowances. He has a device he uses to file their reports daily, which gives him enough time to attend Islamiyya regularly. Right now, all I do is thank Allah for giving me a husband who suits me—who makes me happy every day. Marriage is truly a world of its own, Nabila. You and I are not the same anymore.”
Nabila said,
“Hmm. Truly, you’ve seen the world, besty—calling me ‘ordinary black-and-white picture’ just because I’m not married? May Allah help you. Anyway, I brought you my mother’s gifts from Saudi Arabia. Since I’ve delivered them, I’ll be going.”
Laughing, Falila hugged her,
“Haba besty, are you angry? You know I was just joking.”
Nabila glared playfully,
“How can you say it was a joke after roasting my face?”
Falila laughed,
“Okay sorry, I won’t do it again, aminiya. But how is school? I know things must be getting intense now.”
Nabila said,
