Fallible

twenty

“Oga Mubeen, hope you dey okay?”

He ignored him and went into the three bedroom apartment where Suhail resides with his family. He sat at the reception just at the entrance of the sitting room. He decided to dial Salmah’s digit once again which he was almost sure she won’t pick. And as a ritual since the day of the incident, he texted after every three missed calls he left for her.

I know I deserve no mercy, I don’t deserve you Dunni, I know. Please forgive me, Please I beg you in the name of the One you serve. Give me just one chance to explain everything, please Dunni.

He knew she wasn’t going to respond to the messages, like she did for his earlier messages, ignore them. He hoped with sincere tawbah, du’a and mercy from his Lord, she’ll at leaspt give him a listening ear. He rang the bell and waited for a response.

“Who’s there?” came the voice of Rahmat

“Mubeen”

“Oh come in” she unlocked the door.

“Subhanallah! Why is your face all red? Wait why are looking like this. kiloshele?” She examined him more carefully. “come in, come in” she ushered him in and hurried to call her husband.

Mubeen served himself a cup of chilled water from the dispenser before he resigned to sitting down opposite the TV. His eyes were set on the news channel on the TV but his mind wasn’t near.

“Hey bro” Suhail extended his hand for a shake.

“Salam alaykum” was all he could say as he was trying to be man enough not to break down. He deeply hoped within that at least Suhail will hear him out and be willing to help him

“Should we go in?”

“No, here is fine”

“So, what happened? I’m all ears”

Suhail was the replica of their father with wisdom and calmness. As Mubeen narrated what happened two days ago, Suhail listened as calm as possible. Then, he demanded to know the whole story. At a point, Suhail got very furious at him and shouted at him. He then instructed that he gets a shower first, have something light and they can discuss the way forward later on.

Later in the evening, they decided to go to the mansion to iron things out. Suhail drove them to the mosque to say their Maghrib salah. On getting to the house after Maghrib, the gateman insisted that Mubeen wasn’t allowed into the house on the instruction of Alhaji Adebola. Suhail tried to coharse the gateman in allowing Mubeen, but he really wasn’t ready to lose his job, so he was persistent in his claim. Fortunately for them, Baba met them at the gate on his arrival from work.

“As-salamu alaykum baba” Suhail greeted

“Wa alaykumusalam yaa Abaa Abubakr. How is your wife and my grandchildren? Thank God you didn’t kill yours”

“Baba...please. Can we just come in and talk, please”

“Why not? Only you is allowed. Mi o fe omo alaigbonran nle mi”

“Baba please, he needs to talk to Salmah” Suhail pleaded on Mubeen's behalf.

“Ehen... let him call her. If she agrees he comes in, no problem” Baba said before walking away.

Suhail dialled Salmah’s number to request a permit of entry into the house which was granted. Suhail encouraged Mubeen to go see her first before anybody else saw him. Mubeen stood for close to 10minutes at the door, contemplating whether to knock or not. Suhail didn’t tell her they were together, he only mentioned his name to avoid being refused entry. He decided to knock.

“Come in” he heard her voice and realised how much he missed it as he turned the knob to gain access to the room.

Salmah was surprised to see him. Of course, she expected Suhail. Her anger was rising and she needed to thread carefully cause of her health. So, she decided to remain silent.

“I was naive and ignorant. I was infatuated with you so much I got depressed thinking I couldn’t have you. Then I met some Muslim brothers, who suggested marriage as a lasting remedy. Baba was against it, I didn’t listen. I found out it was a fraud marriage, not valid under the Islamic law. All these within my first three years in the UK. I divorced her and stayed away from her since then but she didn’t let me be. I wanted to tell, but I didn’t want to hurt you. I feel you’ll think less of me and think me undeserving of your love. So, I kept quiet-”

“You lied! You lied! You had over 18months to tell me, Mubeen. After I received the first parcel and informed you, you could have told me then. You weren’t chaste after all. You raised your voice at me because you didn’t want me to see the mails she sent you” she sniffed.

“I’m sorry Dunni”

Salmah raised her finger at him “Salmah. My name is Salmah” she wiped her tears.

“How many more?”

“She’s the only one, wallahi”

“Congratulations. Shut the door behind you. I need to rest.” She took off her overall hijab, picked up her phone and laid in bed.