*The Twins*
*Chapter 4*
On Friday at 11:43 am, a double wedding ceremony took place. Lukman Ibrahim married Fatima (Zara) Sulaiman, while Mubarak Umar married Zainab Sulaiman. The family hosted an intimate celebration at their residence, attended by close relatives, friends, and neighbors.
The twins, Zara and Zainab, looked stunning in their matching purple wedding attire, while Lukman and Mubarak wore elegant white shadda traditional outfits.
The atmosphere was bittersweet. Zara beamed with joy, having finally married her beloved Lukman. In contrast, Zainab seemed devastated, struggling to come to terms with her arranged marriage to Mubarak.
The celebration was in full swing, with Safina and Safiyya, Zara and Zainab best friends joining in the festivities. The atmosphere was electric, filled with laughter, delicious food, refreshing drinks, and lively conversations. Friends and family took to the dance floor, letting loose and having a great time.
However, amidst the joy and revelry, some subtle dynamics were at play. Zainab seemed distant from Mubarak, avoiding eye contact and maintaining a noticeable gap between them.
In contrast, Zara and Lukman exuded a warm and loving energy. Zara's shy glances at Lukman only added to their adorable chemistry, making them a delightful couple to watch.
Alamin's absence was notable, but his wife Atika, whom he had married just a few months prior, was in attendance. Zara couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness that her brother had missed her special day.
Despite her disappointment, Zara held onto hope that Alamin would eventually come to accept her marriage to Lukman one day if not soon.
_____
After the celebration, Zara and Zainab along thier husband's received words of wisdom and advice from their elders, before being escorted to their respective homes.
At Lukman and Zara's house, Safina, Zara's best friend, and other friends helped her get dressed her in a stunning green gown and, following tradition, gently covered her face.
At Zainab's house, Safiyya and other friends assisted her in getting ready. Zainab wore the same beautiful green gown as Zara. As the night wore on, Zainab's nervousness intensified.
Safiyya, oblivious to Zainab's turmoil, chatted excitedly. "Bestie, you're finally married! I can hardly believe it."
Zainab forced a faint smile, but remained silent. Safiyya noticed her friend's unusual reticence and pressed on.
"I'm surprised, Zainab. You always said you wouldn't marry young. What changed?" Safiyya asked, seeking an explanation.
The other friends remained silent, observing the conversation between Zainab and Safiyya.
"Life is full of surprises, bestie," Zainab replied, her voice heavy with emotion. "Even I couldn't believe it."
Safiyya's expression turned somber. "Yes, you're right, Zee. I was always the one who wanted to marry soon and early among us, but...no one yet. Indeed, Allah is the best planner."
Zainab's distress was palpable, and she was too overwhelmed to offer any words of comfort to her best friend.
Mubarak's arrival with four friends brought an abrupt end to the awkward conversation between Zainab and Safiyya. As per tradition, they presented Zainab and her friends with chicken meat.
The friends offered prayers for the newlywed couple's happiness and prosperity before departing. As they left, the driver took them home.
Zainab was left alone, her thoughts swirling in turmoil. Mubarak had excused himself to bid farewell to his friends, leaving Zainab to her thoughts.
Anxious and nervous, Zainab decided to take a stand. Unwilling to engage in a romantic relationship with Mubarak, she chose to create some distance. Uncertain of Mubarak's plans or how he would react, Zainab steeled herself, not letting concern for his feelings hold her back.
She closed her bedroom door, changed out of her wedding attire, and slipped into bed, seeking solace in solitude.
Zainab was asleep when she heard a knock on her door. She knew it was Mubarak, but she refused to open it. Mubarak knocked only three times before giving up and leaving.
Zainab continued sleeping, unfazed. She thought to herself, "If he wants a wife, he shouldn't have manipulated my brother into forcing me to marry him."
___
At Zara's side, the atmosphere was tense. Zara, resplendent in her wedding attire, waited anxiously for Lukman's arrival. As the hours ticked by, her worry grew. It was already 10 pm, and the silence was oppressive.
Safina, Zara's best friend and sole remaining companion, given all her other friends had departed noticed her growing unease. "Maybe you should call him?" Safina suggested gently, trying to reassure Zara as the seconds ticked by.
Zara called Lukman, but he didn't answer. "He's not picking up!" Zara exclaimed, panic rising in her voice.
Safina suggested, "Try calling him again." Zara dialed again, but Lukman remained unreachable.
Zara's anxiety spiked. What if something terrible had happened to him? she thought.
Safina attempted to reassure her. "Don't worry, let's give him some time. Things will fall into place, Insha'Allah."
At 11 pm, Lukman still hadn't returned. Anxious, Zara dialed his number again. The call rang only twice before being abruptly cut off.
Zara was shocked, hurt, and angry all at once. "Did Lukman just cut off my call?" she wondered. "That means he has his phone... but what if it was stolen or someone else is using it?"
Safina intervened, "Zara, I think you should call him again."
Zara tried calling Lukman again, but this time, his phone was switched off. Zara's anger and frustration intensified.
Overwhelmed with uncertainty and anxiety, Zara sought solace in contacting her brother, Yaya Yusuf. As she was about to dial his number, Safina intervened.
Safina gently took the phone from Zara's hand. "I don't think it's a good idea to call him at this hour, Zara. Let's give him more time before contacting anyone about it? Let's pray to Allah for guidance instead."
Zara and Safina performed ablution and prayed nafila, seeking Allah's guidance and ease in their affairs. Safina, a devout and knowledgeable woman, shared some beneficial duas with Zara.
Together, they spent the night in prayer, their hearts filled with faith and hope. As the hours passed, they eventually drifted off to sleep on their prayer mats, the night coming to a close just before the Fajr prayer time.
____
Zainab woke up early, performed her Fajr prayer, and recited her morning zikr. After that, she wanted to leave her room but hesitated, hoping to avoid Mubarak.
At 7:30 am, Zainab's phone rang. She saw that it was Anty Hafsat calling. Picking up, she heard Aunt Hafsat's voice on the other end.
"Zainab, I'm at your house. Please open the door for me," Anty Hafsat requested.
Zainab's face lit up with joy as she heard Anty Hafsat's arrival. She quickly opened her door and rushed to welcome her in the parlour.
"My Zainab!" Anty Hafsat exclaimed, as they shared a warm hug at the entrance.
Releasing each other, Zainab led Anty Hafsat into the parlour.
Hafsat handed Zainab a container of food. "I just dropped by to bring you this. I won't stay long."
Zainab thanked her, but then asked, "Please, Anty Hafsat, stay a bit longer?"
Hafsat's expression turned firm. "I'm afraid, Zainab. Your brother specifically told me not to stay here for too long."
Zainab's face fell, disappointment etched on her features.
Anty Hafsat shared, "Your brother only allowed me to visit because my cousin brother, Mubarak, asked me to cook for you for a week."
Zainab and Aunt Hafsat shared a familial connection through Mubarak, who was Zainab's cousin from her father's side and Hafsat's cousin from her mother's side.
Anty Hafsat's expression turned concerned as she gently took Zainab's hands. "How's your married life, Zainab?" she asked.
Zainab's response was brief. "It's fine, Alhamdulillah."
Anty Hafsat's eyes narrowed, knowing there was more to the story. "Are you sure?" she pressed.
Zainab was about to respond when Anty Hafsat suddenly stood up. "Your brother is calling me," she said.
Zainab's curiosity was piqued. "Are things that bad that my brother won't even let you stay with me longer?" she asked.
Anty Hafsat reassured her, "It's not like that, dear. Your brother cares deeply about you and your sister. In fact, he called Mubarak last night to discuss you, and he instructed Mubarak to take good care of you."
Before Zainab could ask another question, Hafsat excused herself again. "Your brother is calling me again," she said, walking away.
Zainab felt a sense of comfort knowing her brother still cared about her. She busied herself arranging the food flasks on the dining table. Once done, she headed to the kitchen to fetch some plates.
As she entered the kitchen, a sudden chill ran down her spine. She heard footsteps and turned to see Mubarak standing there, dressed in all-green pajamas. Though he looked handsome, Zainab's concern wasn't about his appearance.
An uncomfortable silence filled the air as Zainab and Mubarak stood facing each other. Mubarak's expression was blank, but his eyes seemed to hold a hint of anger. Zainab's heart skipped a beat as he walked towards her.
As Mubarak stood inches from her face, Zainab leaned back, her panic rising. But to her surprise, Mubarak simply shifted aside and opened the fridge to grab a bottle of Pepsi.
Mubarak's anger simmered beneath the surface, fueled by Zainab's avoidance. However, he chose not to confront her, instead turning to leave without a word.
Zainab felt a surge of conflicting emotions - relief and anger - towards Mubarak. She quickly took her plate, served herself and took her plate to the solitude of her room.
_____
Zara slept in until past 9 am, causing her to panic. She had missed her Fajr prayer, and Lukman was still not home. Noticing several missed calls from Anty Atika, Zara's concern grew.
"Anty Atika has been calling me for the past 20 minutes," Zara told Safina after they finished their Fajr prayers. Zara quickly dialed Anty Atika's number.
"Zara, how are you?" Atika asked, relief evident in her voice. "I brought you food, but you weren't picking up my calls. I even knocked, but the door was locked. I hope everything is okay."
Zara apologized and rushed to open the door for Atika, leaving Safina behind in the room. She quickly took the food from Atika and placed it in the dining area.
"Thank you Soo much, How's my brother?" Zara asked, her voice laced with concern, knowing Alamin was still upset with her.
Zara's inquiries were merely a distraction from her own concerns about not hearing from Lukman. Atika reassured her, "He's fine, dear."
Zara had been probing, hoping to share her own news about Lukman, but a nagging sense of unease held her back. After all, Alamin had warned her about the potential pitfalls of marrying Lukman.
Atika said, "Zara, I'm going now. Your brother didn't even know I was here. Please greet Lukman for me."
Zara thanked her, "Eyyerh, thank you so much, Aunt Atika."
Zara felt a pang of sadness and concern, realizing Atika had to sneak in to visit her. It made her wonder: were things really that bad between her brother and her? If Lukman were home, Zara would have persuaded Atika to stay longer. But with Lukman's absence weighing heavily on her mind, Zara escorted Atika outside and bid her farewell.
Zara rushed into the room, saying, "Safina, let me call Lukman again." As soon as she dialed the number, it rang, catching Zara off guard. She thought to herself, "This phone is definitely with someone, because it was switched off last night."
Zara's mind was filled with worries. She hoped the phone wasn't with Lukman, or worse, something had happened to him. Why would Lukman ignore her calls or switch off his phone?
Zara sat beside Safina, repeatedly trying to reach Lukman, but to no avail. As the afternoon wore on, Zara's anxiety grew. Eventually, Safina's father called, asking her to return home. Zara mustered the strength to escort Safina outside, bidding her friend farewell.
As Zara and Safina parted ways, they wished each other good luck. Safina reminded Zara to stay focused on her prayers or at least inform her family about her concerns now. Zara thanked Safina, hoping she wouldn't face any issues with her father.
After Safina left, Zara tried to call her family to discuss her worries about Lukman. However, every time she attempted to dial their number, she felt an inexplicable sense of unease, as if something was holding her back.
Even when Zainab called Zara, she struggled to open up about her problems with Lukman.