Chapter 8 Are you douting me

Zainab, who had been in her room immersed in her own worries, heard the boy's message. She knew instantly that it was Usman at her doorstep, as he was the only one who addressed her as Zainab. With a mix of curiosity and concern, she stepped out to meet him, her eyes meeting his. Seeing the genuine smile on his face, a wave of emotions washed over her, leaving her emotionally paralyzed. Usman had undergone a transformation, his once towering figure diminished, weight lost, and complexion darkened.

Returning his smile, Zainab approached him, as she always had. "I don't know why you're here, but can we sit here for a few minutes?" he requested, his eyes pleading for understanding.

They sat together in silence, finding solace in each other's presence. Eventually, Zainab broke the silence, her voice filled with compassion. "Please, Usman, be strong. Every cloud has a silver lining."

Usman, overcome with his own pain, responded curtly. "Please, Zainab, don't add insult to my injured heart. Nothing can comfort me right now," he replied, cutting her off abruptly.

With a resigned nod, Zainab acknowledged his response. They both rose from their seats, silently parting ways. As she watched Usman drive away, a sense of worry washed over Zainab. She hoped that, in time, he would find healing and peace.

Days passed, and Zainab found herself increasingly distressed. Her father had given her an ultimatum, demanding that she bring a man she wished to marry before her service concluded. He even went as far as insisting that she hurry and finalize the arrangements, or he would choose a suitor for her.

In her room, seeking solace, Zainab immersed herself in the pages of the Qur'an. The familiar verses provided a semblance of comfort amidst her growing anxieties. Suddenly, her younger brother Ibrahim entered, informing her that their father wanted to see her. Her heart raced, and her stomach twisted in anticipation. She knew the conversation would revolve around her deadline to find a husband, and she feared her father's reaction to her answer.

In the courtyard, her father sat on a seating mound, waiting for her arrival. Zainab greeted him, her eyes downcast as she took a seat, fidgeting with her fingers, silently praying for mercy.

Clearing his throat, her father began. "I've been waiting for your answer all week, and today is the deadline. Who is the man?" His gaze bore into her, his words heavy with expectation.

"Baba, please grant me more time. I'm not ready yet," Zainab pleaded, her voice trembling, her eyes welling up with tears.

Her father's eyes widened in surprise. "More time? Let me tell you, I cannot bear to have an unmarried daughter. I cannot endure the whispers and judgments. You will marry Malam Musa as soon as you finish your service."

Zainab looked up, her face a mix of shock and fear. It dawned on her that her father had been considerate, even in his own way. He sought a husband for her, and in his desire to give her a chance, he had chosen Malam Musa.

With raised eyebrows, her father continued, "Yes, him. He wishes to marry you, and I asked him to wait, hoping you would find your own path." A hint of regret softened his features as he spoke.

Zainab felt a whirlwind of emotions, a mixture of surprise, apprehension, and gratitude. Her father had shown her unexpected leniency, giving her the opportunity to make her own choice. As she contemplated her future, she realized that every cloud indeed had a silver lining.

Usman drove to his friend Muktar's house after leaving Zainab's Hausa. The gate man, Malam Bala, opened the gate for him after informing his boss Muktar that he had a guest.

Muktar was sitting in his cozy sitting room, engrossed in a captivating movie. As Usman entered, Muktar's eyes widened in surprise. "Usman, what happened? You've changed so much. Look at you, you've lost a lot of weight and your complexion is darker than usual," Muktar exclaimed with genuine concern.

Usman strolled nonchalantly toward Muktar, his heart heavy with sorrow. "You won't understand," Usman lamented, taking a seat next to Muktar.

Muktar looked at him intently. "How can you say that I can't understand? Just tell me, I'm here for you," Muktar replied, showing his care and willingness to listen.

Usman let out a deep sigh. "I made a huge mistake. I pronounced our divorce three times, and I don't even know why or how it happened," he confessed, his voice filled with silent sobs.

Muktar tapped Usman's shoulder, trying to provide comfort. "Be a man, please. Men don't cry over love. Besides, you have Sa'ada. She's got everything, especially the looks," Muktar said, attempting to console him.

Usman tilted his head and smiled ironically. "When I said you wouldn't understand, you claimed you would. But looks and beauty aren't everything. It doesn't matter how she looks. What matters is how I feel and who I love. And I love Zainab, not Sa'ada," Usman said, his voice filled with a mix of weariness and longing.

Muktar raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Then why did you marry her if you had no feelings for her?" he questioned.

"I have my reasons," Usman replied briefly, not wanting to delve into the complexities of his past decisions.

He rolled his eyes and licked his lips before continuing, "What I regret is not admitting my mistake earlier. If I had confessed to sleeping with Sa'ada in our matrimonial home, Zainab wouldn't have asked for a divorce," he said ruefully, acknowledging his own shortcomings.

Muktar shrugged, offering his perspective. "Well, there's always a solution to any problem. It all depends on how we view the problem," Muktar said, hoping to provide some optimism.

"I've already divorced her three times. The only way we can reconcile is if she marries another man and he divorces her. The problem is, the thought of her marrying again is unbearable to me because I know no man will marry her with the intention of divorcing her," Usman confessed tearfully, his heart heavy with sorrow.

Muktar burst into laughter, surprising Usman. "Said who?" he asked, still chuckling. "Let me tell you, there are plenty of people out there who would be willing to marry her just to give you a glimmer of hope."

Usman scowled, his frustration evident. "What is this, Muktar? I'm pouring my heart out to you, and you're laughing. I can't stand this nonsense," he said, his tone growing belligerent.

Muktar tapped his thigh gently, trying to calm his friend. "Calm down, my man. I understand you're going through a lot. As I said before, there's always a solution. Why don't you consider paying someone to marry her temporarily, just so they can divorce her later? It might be a way to reunite with Zainab,".

Usman gently pressed his palm against his forehead, his lips tightening as frustration washed over him. "You will always be the worst person I know," he murmured, his voice tinged with despair. "How can you advise me to do such a thing when we both know it's prohibited? I can't bring myself to do that. Just help me pray for Zainab not to find another man. It would make things easier for me if she never remarries," Usman beseeched.

Muktar smirked, his anger palpable. "That's something I will never do," Muktar replied curtly. "After calling me the worst person, now you're begging for prayers?"

"Haba, my friend, don't take my words to heart," Usman pleaded, his eyes filled with remorse. "I spoke out of anger, and I take back what I said."

After a moment of silence, Usman sighed and said, "I'm thirsty. I need some water."

Muktar frowned and retorted, "You know where to get it."

Usman chuckled and said, "Come on, my friend, let bygones be bygones. I take back my words." He stood up, determined to make amends.

As Usman walked to the kitchen, he opened the refrigerator to find an array of drinks. He reached for a bottle of water and grabbed a soft drink as well.

Muktar watched as Usman consumed both beverages, then questioned, "I thought you quit drinking, Usman?"

Usman looked at the bottle in his hand and replied, "Yes, what did you see? This is just a soft drink."

Muktar smiled mischievously. "It's nothing," he said. "I simply forgot to tell you that I added some drugs to it."

Startled, Usman flung the bottle away and hissed, "You have a lot of problems, wallahi! How could you add drugs to a soft drink and leave it in the fridge? When I called you the worst person, I meant it." His voice slurred as the effects of the drug took hold. The added substance seemed to be heavy, as Usman's demeanor quickly turned angry.

Muktar shrugged nonchalantly and replied, "Well, it's better to be drunk than to have a heart attack because of love."

Undeterred, Usman reached for another bottle and finished it, while Muktar watched without interference.