Falila said, “But Jabir memorized the Qur’an since secondary school, and everyone knows his good character.”
“I know,” Nabila replied. “But if we marry, we won’t live in Nigeria. I’ll lose my da’wah dream. And I need a husband who will be physically present. That’s just who I am.”
Falila thought for a while. “Marriage is worship. Da’wah is worship. Think deeply before deciding.”
“I will,” Nabila replied.
They later discovered they had H.O.D’s class that day. Nabila panicked and rushed home, not wanting to see him.
Falila went to class and found Jabir already there. She confronted him gently, “Why are you upset with me?”
Jabir replied, “Why shouldn’t I be? You know how much I love your friend, yet you don’t support me.”
Falila said, “Jabir, she loves you too. She’s just shy. Be patient.”
He smiled. “You impressed me today, Falila. From now on, you’re my sister. You may call me Yaya Jabir.”
A month later…
Alhaji Alhassan sat outside with Hajiya Jummai when the gatekeeper said, “Alhaji, someone is here to greet you.”
Alhaji said, “Tell him I’m coming.”
He went out and found an ustaz sitting outside.
“Good afternoon, Alhaji,” the ustaz greeted.