3. The Test.

HANEEFAH

POV.

I was reciting the Holy Quran after subh prayer this morning when my phone rang.

I picked up my phone from the bedside drawer and the caller ID flashed before my eyes making a smile travel across my face. It was my mom. 

"Assalamualaikum Ummah inakwana ( peace be unto you, good morning mum) " I greeted joyfully.

"Waalaykisalam baby an tashi lafiya ( peace be unto you too, baby how was your night) " she asked.

"Lafiya Lau umma.( It's was fine mum)"

"Ok I called to inform you that your father, your grandma, your uncle and I will be coming back today so prepare for our arrival.

Make sure everything and everywhere is neat and tidy and make sure you cook something okay?

Your uncle is going to his house straight so cook for only me, your grandma and your dad.

"Ok Ummah" I said, "what time are you coming back because I have class by 12:00pm today."

"Ok just cook it and put in the warmers I will take care if the rest when I come" she answered an I replied with an "ok"

"Bye bye Ummah may you arrive safely" I said.

"Bye bye" she replied.

I slumped back on my bed and off to sleep I went. 

I woke up around 9:30am, tidied the house, cooked Jollof rice and chicken, made Coconut juice.

I went back to my room, folded my clothes, bathed and got ready for school.

I called Ikhee and told her to meet me in front of the theater before heading out to school. 

The lecture took 2 hours and we came out already tired.

"I can't wait to see my grandma" I said excitedly. Even though I couldn't wrap my head around the excitement my grandma's arrival ignited, I could still manage to concentrate on class. Don't blame me grandparents are blessings. 

"I really love my grandma she always tease me and she gives me anything I want. ohh! I miss her" I ranted to ikhee and she only smiled in return.

"Ikhee let's go home together I want to introduce you to my grandma she will like you" I asked holding unto her hands. After fidgeting for what seemed like eternity she decided to talk. 

"Ok I am free, lemme just go to the hostel and........."

"Attention everyone!! We will be having Dr. Abdulhameed Gudaji's Test Next week Friday 3:00pm By God's grace" the class rep announced, cutting off Ikhlas. 

"Urrgh! Another test Again Radiological Anatomy is very bulky" I said sadly.

"No problem we will read it, write the test and pass it insha Allah. We will give it what it takes" Ikhlas said confidently.

"I don't know where this Ikhlas came from but I like her" I said, earning a glare from her. 

I knew her to be a very lazy person but studies her ass off when she has a test or exam.

We went back to the hostel, Ikhlas changed to An Ankara A-shaped gown with Veil and flat shoes.

"Ready?" I asked.

" Yes " she answered and we headed out.

We arrived home and I ran into the house shouting "Yar tsohuwa kina ina ki fito in ga tsohuwar

fuskar ki" "(old woman, where are you? Come out here let me see your old face)" I teasingly called her out.

"Toh

jikalle

ganinan

zuwa Nima na ga munmunar

fuskarki" "( ok grandchild am coming to see your ugly face too)" she said and I chuckled.

" I am much more prettier than you"

I replied, sticking my tongue out playfully to her.

I reached out and hugged her, inhaling her calming Woody scent.

"I miss you kakalle" I murmured, nuzzling my face deeper into her neck, inhaling more of that comforting scent.

She always provide me with so much comfort and fill my cup of happiness until it overflows.

She is the woman that gave birth to my father. My one and only kakalle. 

"I miss you too jikalle". She replied, soothingly patting my back. Ikhlas cleared her throat, making us turned to her direction.

"Oh! Haneefah you forgot about your friend" she said.

"Sorry Ikhee I was carried away" I apologised, feeling a bit guilty for making her feel left out. Kaka always have that effect on me.

"No problem, I like the way you joke with your grandma. I don't play with my grandma like that because they consider it as disrespect" she said, rolling her eyes.

"Good evening ma" Ikhlas greeted with a polite smile.

"Good evening," she answered. "how are you and your parents?"

"They are fine ma." She answered with a slight bow. 

"Are you Yoruba?" She asked.

"Yes ma. I am from OYO state but how did you know that" she asked.

"My husband and I lived in Kwara state before I gave birth to my sons"

she said and Ikhee mouthed an "Ohhh".

"Let me go get you something to drink" I said as my grandma told Ikhlas the story of her youthful days.

I came back with the remaining coconut juice to meet the two ladies laughing at Allah knows what.

"What are you laughing at?" I asked.

"she is telling me stories about your naughty childhood" Ikhlas answered.

We prayed Asr and continued chatting till Ikhlas said she needs to go back.

My grandma bade her goodbye and gave her Tsamigaye (A hausa local sweet) she thanked her and I went to escort her, I bade her goodbye as she left.

Hmmmm am so glad I brought her with me at least for the time she spent here she didn't think about Yaya Haneef.

I went back to the house and continued gisting with my grandma before Magrib prayer, we had pizza for dinner which my grandma refused to eat and my mother made another food for her.

After Isha, I was watching The Thundermans when my phone rang.

"Hello peaches" I said.

"Nonsense girl Sha don't forget we have test and read, don't let me ask you a question you don't know tomorrow okay" she warned me.

"ok" I said solemnly. I really wanted to watch Thundermans but I guess that would be for another day. 

I excused myself and my grandma allowed me to go and read. I read till around 11:00pm before saying my Azkar and I slept off.

IKHLAS POV

Today is the D-day, Dr. Abdulhameed Gudaji's Test questions are always confusing. I read everything but it still feels like I don't know anything.

Preparing for the test has been very useful in pushing Haneef's thoughts to the back of my mind. I talked to haneefah's grandma on phone twice and it helped also.

It's 3:00pm already and am starting to freak out. Ya Allah guide us through this. "Haneefah let's go in" I said and we both went in.

The test was ok Alhamdulillah but Dr. Abdulhameed can't live without Clinical questions and that's frustrating.

I retired to my bed to rest a bit, "how was the test?" Khadija my roommate asked.

" It was ok" I answered.

I watched movie till Magrib and I had cornflakes for dinner, prayed Isha and I slept off.

Hello! Hello!! I called seeing a human like figure staring directly at me. I moved closer and saw the least person I was expecting to see. "Haneef is that you?" I called trying so hard to contain my excitement.

"Yes it is I and I am here for you. Ikhlas I want to marry you, I love you." He said making the whole of my heart melt.

"Come closer" he said outstretching his hand for me to take.

I took his hands in mine before I felt an invisible force ripping him from me. I struggled with all my strength to hold on to him, shouting "Haneef please don't leave me!!" Before the twinkling of an eye he was gone. I broke down and started crying seriously.

I was still crying when I heard someone calling me

"Ikhlas! Ikhlas!! Ikhlasss!!" And I woke up shouting "what happened?"

" You were crying in your sleep" my roommate said clearly concerned.

"Don't worry I had a bad dream thank you" I replied and she went back to sleep.

 I went out, performed ablution, prayed two Rakaats and prayed to Allah to ease my pain.

I finished and laid down on my bed thinking about this mysterious heart stealing and mind occupying guy.

...

...

...

"Ohh!! our test is out I scored 34 and you scored 38" Haneefah told me happily. I smiled and said "Alhamdulillah." I excused myself to go make a call with my mother.

I called her twice before she picked, I am already used to that because the first call is to help her locate her bag.

Yoruba mothers Sha "Ekaro ma (good morning ma)" I greeted her "Karo bawoni school (morning how is school)" she asked.

"Alhamdulillah ma Awon Aburo mi nko (We give thanks to Allah, how are my siblings)"

"Alafia ni gbogbowon wa (they are all fine)" she said.

"I just called to hear your voice" I told her.

"thank you my child when are you coming back home?" and I answered with "next month ma"

" Ok May Allah continue to protect you for me" she prayed. That's normal for parents to do right? Yeah because my parents always do this. 

"Ameen thank you ma. Bye bye" I said before hanging up.

"Hey !! Are you done?" Haneefah asked and I said yes.

"Let's go have some icecream."