7. Painful Departure

Ikhlas POV.

We prepared for our project defense poorly because Haneefah made sure I only read 3 hours a day.

The RRBN exam was favourable, I was asked a very simple question and I answered it brilliantly. Hannefah did her project defense today and I am going to do mine tomorrow.

Things have been going normal At Haneefah's, they are really preparing for the wedding and I think the relationship between Hanny and her fiance is getting better.

The most important thing right now is to break the news to haneefah. I don't even know how to tell her, what would her reaction be? how will she feel? I kept having second thoughts about telling her, I just don't know yet.

I left for Ibadan after my defense to get ready for my induction. Hanny saw me off to the airport before I took a 7:00am flight to Lagos.

I visited a friend before I left for Ibadan by road.

I arrived around 10:00am in the morning, I was happily welcomed by the whole of my family. My brothers Fawaz and Abass were very happy to see me, I also missed those two little bundle of joy.

I bathed and ate a heart felt meal, specially prepared by my mother. I called Hanny and spoke to her, I played and watched cartoons with my brothers, so many people came to congratulate me and my parents for the completion of my studies.

I really enjoyed myself and rested for a week before we came back to Kano for my induction.

I talked to Hanny about accommodation and her parents decided to house my family during their stay in Kano, saying it was better than lodging in a hotel, plus we are one big family now .

We arrived at Hanny's at around 6:00pm. They welcomed us warmly, we bathed, ate and chatted before everyone went to sleep.

We woke up the next day, got ready and headed for BUK New Site the event is going to take place in the Convocation Arena.

Hannefah and I went to sit with our colleagues and chatted a bit before the starting of the event.

We were congratulated by the Vice Chancellor, we took our Oaths and received our certificates. We took so many pictures and I think my facial muscles are starting to get tired from too much smiling. Hanny's parents organized a small congratulatory Walimah for Hanny and I, which will hold 5:00pm today.

I think now is the right time to break the news to Hanny.

" Haneefah can you come out for a bit?" I asked.

"Yeah sure" she answered.

We went out and found a less crowded place and sat down.

"You see I don't want you to find fault in me Hanny" I started. "I had no other option than to do it so please forgive me" I said.

"What is up with you ikhee just spill it" she said.

I took a very deep breath before saying"I WILL BE LEAVING FOR NEW YORK TOMORROW"

"WHAT!!!" She asked clearly shocked.

" Hanny am going to study, you know how much I wanted to become a Nuclear Medicine specialist." I replied.

" And you couldn't even tell me? What type of a friend are you? The type that breaks people's hearts and leaves them?" She said with so much hurt evident in her face and voice.

Ya Allah I feel so awful Right now.

"Ikhlas Ajoke Muhammad!!! I thought we were friends, friends do not keep things away from each other. I hate you, you are a heartbreaker and I hate myself for growing so attached to you, you betrayed our friendship and I am so disappointed in you." she broke down and started crying also making me to also start crying.

"Calm down Hanny...."

"Don't touch me"  she screamed drawing the attention of some few people left there.

" Hanny I am sorry....." I tried pleading with her again.

" Don't call my name again, go away I hate you" she said in between sobs. 

I decided to allow her to cry it out a bit so I sat there watching her cry her heart out.

She cried for like 30mins before cleaning her tears.

"Why will I cry because of you? You are not even my friend anymore" she said bitterly and left.

I followed her to where our families were. My family were going back today so we had to escort them to the Airport. The Walimah was cancelled because Hanny wasn't feeling Alright.

We took my family to the airport, Hanny refused to follow us into the airport but bade my family goobye. We said our goodbyes and we also cried cause I am really going to miss all of them.

"Aunty Ikhee please stay and play with us" My brothers Fawaz and Abass cried. I also cried and hugged all of them tightly before we parted.

We went back to the car and met Hanny crying, she refused to talk to anyone and it really broke my heart.

We reached Hanny's home and I tried following her to her room to talk to her but she slammed the door on my face without a word, soon I heard her soft but heart melting sob.

"Damn!! Ikhlas you screwed it all." I muttered. "I have to fix this at all cost, even if it means me missing my flight tomorrow."

"Hanny I know you hate me and I am sorry.  Going to New York was the best option I had. I can't possibly stay and watch your marriage with haneef because that will be the death of me. Hanny I needed to clear my head somewhere far.... Very far.

I can't possibly keep having feelings for my friend's husband.

It's difficult hanny, everyday I wake up thinking the pain will reduce, the emptiness in my heart will fill but nothing happens. It's like the pain has become a part of me, and it follows me everywhere I go. I still haven't gotten used to the fact that you are getting married to the person I love.

Please Hanny forgive me for not telling you sooner, telling you sooner would have discouraged me from going cause I also don't want to part with you.

Hanny I know I am a douchebag, You are a very good friend to me, I know I will never have a friend that loves me the way you do and I really appreciate that. All I could repay you with is betrayal. Hanny forgive me please and I will forever be grateful, you can go ahead and rain insults on me, punish me in anyway you seem fit and I will gladly accept it but please don't shut me out." I said to her, the last part drowning in my sobs.

Our sobbing increased and we cried our hearts out. I waited for 43mins before I noticed that the room was silent. Maybe she slept off I thought and decided to go sleep in the guest room.

I met Ummah In the sitting room and she gave me a sympathetic look.

" Ikhlas come sit." She said. I did as she instructed before she said.

"I know everything that happened between you and haneefah. She isn't angry with you, she is Angry at the fact that she marrying haneef caused everything. Just go sleep then you talk things out tommorow when she's more calm." And I replied with a simple nod.

"Ikhlas believe in Allah's plans, he empties your hand only to give you greater blessings. One day you will find a guy who will make you realize it wasn't meant to work with Haneef, because he will give you the happiness that you deserve.

Ikhlas not all friends stick to each other after being caught up in a love triangle. You sticking to Haneefah means your friendship is genuine. This is not your fault nor her's so please don't worry and go sleep everything will be fine, you can't miss your flight." She said patting my shoulder.

" Ok thank you so much Ma" I answered.

We bade each other goodnight and I went to sleep.

I woke up the next day, prayed and got ready to go to the airport. I went to Hanny's room to find it open. Hanny!! I called and she came out of the bathroom.

" please don't shut me out again Hanny I beg of you" I pleaded and she unexpectedly hugged me before saying

"Friends forgive each other idiot and you should also forgive me for everything. May Allah safeguard you for me peaches" she prayed with a grin.

"Take good care of yourself for me, Study well and eat well. When you become a specialist, I own your first paycheck" she added and we both chuckled and hugged each other again.

We ate breakfast together before I say my goodbyes to Abbah, Grandma and Ummah.

Haneefah saw me off to the airport. when I was about to board the plane, we hugged and cried again before we finally parted.

I will really miss her.