6. Final Exams

IKHLAS POV.

Studying is a combination of study and dying, I studied and I feel like am dying.

I have been having serious headache, body weakness and loss of Appetite lately but I won't allow it to weigh me down. We need to pass that exam even if it means giving it whatever it takes.

I can't even tell Hanny cause she is definitely going to seize all my books and force me to rest, I don't really think I have time for rest, The timetable doesn't even have much intervals.

I still think about Haneef, I still feel the pain, I still miss him, I still worry about him and I still love him. I can't even ask haneefah for help because he is now her fiance, even though I know she will try to help me but there's virtually nothing she can do. Ohh Allah you are the only one that can help me .

"Hanny wake up and pray" I woke her up.

"Don't tell me you read till daybreak." She looked at me wide-eyed.

" Yeah I did, I wanted to sleep early but there was a topic I couldn't grab I had to go back to Inherent and added filteration in 200level Radiation Physics." I answered with a triumphant smile. 

"Ok let me pray so you will explain it to me." She replied groggily and I answered with a simple nod.

"Alright I will be right back, please pass me that hijab. After ablution I'll just head to the masjid" she said.

________________

"You know for the Gastrointestinal Tract, the contrast media is normally the Barium Swallow, Barium Meal and Barium Enamel" I explained.

"Urrgh! studying is hard Ikhee don't you think it's time for you to sleep? Even if you are not sleepy at least rest for like an hour, you are looking like you are going to collapse at anytime so please help this brain and allow it to rest." She said, earnestly pleading with me.

"I don't want to sleep hanny" I whined.

" Don't worry just close your eyes and sleep okay? She said, still trying to persuade me.

"See I can't sleep I think I an having Insomnia these days." I replied.

" You are so stubborn Ikhlas convincing you is of no use" she scoffed.

"Alright let's continue."

___________________________

Exams starts today by 8:30am. we were all outside the hall, dreading to go in. I finally mustered up some courage before asking Haneefah.

" Hanny are you ready?" And she replied with a simple "Yes"

"Allahumma la sahla

illama

jaaltahu

sahla

wa anta tajaalul hazna iza sh'ita sahla" we recited the supplication together and entered the hall.

HANEEFAH POV

Today is the day we wrote our last exam in Bayero University. I pray to Allah to grant us success, no resit and no repeat Insha Allah.

We have to sign out on our T-shirts, take pictures, and celebrate.

"Ikhlas! Ikhlas!! Where are you we need to take pictures" I called.

I entered the female restroom and heard someone whispering. I moved closer before recognizing ikhlas voice.

"Mummy I need to go as soon as possible. I can't stay here, please mummy just arrange everything for me, I will leave soon" 

Seemed like she was talking to her mom. But why talk in the restroom?

What in this world is going on and Why is she keeping it away from me? I need to find out.

I left and waited for her outside the restroom.

"Hey Hanny! Were you looking for me? I was pressed so I went to the restroom to ease myself." She said looking a bit nervous.

"Ok I haven't signed on your T-shirt yet and we haven't taken any pictures" I replied Alright let's go she said.

We took pictures, signed out, exchanged phone numbers and so on. Remaining our project defense and our RRBN oral exam next week, May Allah Grant us success in all our endeavors.

We were about to leave the department when Ikhlas slumped and passed out. I quickly called the emergency number and we took her to the school clinic.

"She is suffering from both physical and Emotional stress, her blood pressure is very high, she is malnourished and dehydrated. she needs lots of rest and she should take her meds regularly" The doctor instructed.

"Thank you very much Doctor I will make sure she rests. Can she be discharged now?" I asked.

"Sure she can go no problem and whatever is disturbing her mind, I think you should talk about it, it will make her feel better, you know a problem shared is half solved." He added.

I thanked the Doctor once again and we left the clinic.

We prayed Asr and after so much pestering, ikhlas agreed to spend the weekend with me. I followed her to the hostel to help her pack her stuff. I pack the stuffs while ikhlas went to bath.

What should I do with ikhlas, I really feel guilty about this, though it is not my fault but I still feel burdened.

I broke from my thoughts when I heard Ikhlas snapping her fingers in front of me, in a high pitched voice she sang.

"la....la....la.. land someone has gone into the la..la.. land of dreams. What are you thinking about? Haneef on a white horse sweeping you off your feet?" she asked.

"Save the visuals Ikhee, I didn't know you were at the door, quickly dress up and let's go." I answered.

She dressed and we left for my home.

We entered the house and met my grandma picking local rice with her glasses on.

"Kaka why stress yourself with local rice when we have refined one in the store?" I asked.

"You don't know that the Tuwon Shinkafa made from local rice tastes better?" she said.

"Just wait till I finish that Taushe, if you taste it you will ask for more. I need to even teach you, as a bride-to-be you need to learn things like this." She said and continued picking her rice.

" Ok Kaka I will learn,Ikhlas let's go" I said.

"Where are you going? aren't you supposed to learn cooking?" Kaka asked.

"Yeah give me a minute I need to put Ikhee's stuff in my room."  I replied and we both walked off to my room.

"Don't  you think you need to rest?" I ask her.

" Yeah but I like being with Grandma she makes me happy." She replied weakly. Even though I felt guilty for Ikhee's predicament, I still felt obliged to do what she wants.

"Ok if that is what you want but don't stress yourself too much" I said.

We came back and started cooking, Ummah joined us in the kitchen and we made dinner together, with Kaka dishing out orders to everyone.

We prayed Magrib and gathered in the main sitting room to have dinner with my dad. We were eating when Abba said

"Mammana you are done with exams ko"

"yes abba" I answered.

" Since you have free time now I will ask Haneef to come see you tomorrow Inshallah."

"Ok Abba" I silently answered.

I looked at Ikhlas to notice that she didn't really pay attention to what Abba told me.

"Don't be shocked again and faint this time around, if you keep fainting there is no how the marriage will hold. And you Ikhlas please help her look beautiful" Kaka said.

"Ok Kaka" we answered in unison.

After dinner, we were discussing about our project defense with Ikhlas when her phone rang. She looked at me before excusing herself and she entered the bathroom.

"Mum is it ready? Ok you booked that one too, Thank you very much mum I love you" she said.

I quickly left so that she wouldn't know I evesdropped.

"Hey who were you talking to?" I asked.

"My mom" she answered.

" So why can't you talk in my presence?" I asked again, cocking an eyebrow and folding my arms to my chest. 

" I didn't want to disturb you that's why" she said and I decided to drop the issue.

We gisted and watched a movie before sleeping.

                            ~~~~~~~

"What are you going to wear?" Ikhlas asked me.

"I don't know. What do you think? Wear something simple with a simple makeup then maybe some snacks and drinks."

"Ok please will you help me?" I asked.

"Yeah sure, why not. let's go make meatpies."

We finished baking the pies before I went to bath and ikhlas was making Mango juice.

I wore a blue English gown with white veil wrapped around my head and white flat shoes.

"Baby!!!" I heard my mom calling.

"Naam Ummah" I answered.

"Hurry he is here" she said. I wore the shoes. I went back to the kitchen to pick the pie and the juice and headed for the balcony.

HANEEF POV.

She came wearing a very beautiful gown, she looked simple and normal. Ok I pray she doesn't pass out again.

"Assalamualaikum" she said and I answered. "Ina wuni Yaya" she greeted.

"lafiya kalau ya exam"

Alhamdulillah.

"Are you scared of me?" I asked her. "No yaya."

"Then why are you Uncomfortable? I asked her.

"I am not uncomfortable I just still find it weird and hard to believe that I am getting married to you so I am not used to it yet." She answered.

"Haneefah I want to ask you a question and I want you to answer me sincerely, do you have a boyfriend?" I asked her.

"No" she answered.

"A  crush? Someone you like?" And she replied with a firm "No."

"You see before you became My fiance, you are my sister so I wouldn't want you to marry someone you don't like. I know you don't love me but for both of us to find love in this marriage, I have to be sure your heart is not with someone else. Since you have confirmed that you don't have someone you wish to Marry, May Allah bless our Union" I prayed.

"Ameen" she said.

I felt a bit relieved when she said Ameen because at least she is starting to feel comfortable around me.

I ate the pie and it tasted really good, the mango juice was also good. Wow it seems like she is a good cook.

I left around 5:00pm, she bade me goodbye and escorted me to my car. She really is a great person to be with. That's if she is really willing to be with me.