A Heartfelt Reunion and Wedding Celebration
Hassan was quiet, trying to find a way to persuade her to reason with him.
A Heartfelt Reunion and Wedding Celebration
The Call
“Ola,” he called out softly. “You can’t stay away from your parents. Please go home. Your parents miss you. Don’t discard them, please! I understand you perfectly. I know it might not be comfortable being around them but you just have to endure for the little time remaining.”
“Ohhhh Hassan. Why are you doing this to me?”
“Please my love,” he persuaded her.
“No, I am not going home. Stop begging me. It’s not easy for me to be around them.”
“I understand. But you’ve not really tried to be around them. Maybe if you try, it will be easier to overcome the feeling of restlessness.”
“Hassan! I’m ending this call!” She snapped and ended the call.
Compiling Guidance
He heaved a deep breath, unsure of what to do next when an idea crossed his mind. He would persuade her with the words of Allah and His Prophet. He brought out his Qur’an and book of Hadith and started compiling verses and Hadith on goodness and kindness to parents and kin.
Sending a Message
He sent her a message on WhatsApp with a preceding text: “My love, please ponder over these texts. May Allah brighten your face as you do.”
“And We have enjoined upon man, to his parents, good treatment. His mother carried him with hardship and gave birth to him with hardship, and his gestation and weaning (period) is thirty months. (He grows) until, when he reaches maturity and reaches (the age of) forty years, he says, “My Lord, enable me to be grateful for Your favour which You have bestowed upon me and upon my parents and to work righteousness of which You will approve and make righteous for me my offspring. Indeed, I have repented to You, and indeed, I am of those who submit.” Al-Ahqaf Quran 46: verse 15.
“Anas reported the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) as saying: “Anyone who is pleased that his sustenance is expanded and his age extended should do kindness to his near relatives.”
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “He who believes in Allah and the Last Day, let him maintain good relations with kin.” [Al Bukhari and Muslim]
Encouraging Words
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: The one who severs the ties of kinship will not enter Paradise.” [Agreed upon].
It was reported by Aisha that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings upon him) said: “The bond of relationship is suspending from the Throne, and says: ‘He who keeps good relations with me, Allah will keep connection with him, but whosoever severs relations with me, Allah will sever connection with him.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
“And We have enjoined upon man goodness to parents. But if they endeavor to make you associate with Me that of which you have no knowledge, do not obey them. To Me is your return, and I will inform you about what you used to do.” Al-‘Ankabut : Quran 29 verse 8.
“And We have enjoined upon man (care) for his parents. His mother carried him in weakness upon weakness, and his weaning is in two years. Be grateful to Me and to your parents, to Me is the (final) destination.” Luqman: Quran 31 verse 14.
“Worship Allah and associate nothing with Him, and be good to your parents, and to relatives, orphans, the needy, the near neighbor, the neighbor farther away, the companion at your side, the traveler, and those whom your right hands possess. Indeed, Allah does not like those who are self-deluding and boastful.” An-Nisa : Quran 4 : 36.
“And your Lord has decreed that you not worship any except Him, and to parents, good treatment. Whether one or both of them reach old age (while) with you, say not to them (so much as), “uff”, and do not repel them but speak to them a noble word.” Al-Isra : Quran 17 verse 23.
“And lower to them the wing of humility out of mercy and say, “My Lord, have mercy upon them as they brought me up (when I was) small.” Al-Isra : Quran 17 verse 24.
Tears and Reflection
Olamide read Hassan’s message with tears streaming down her face. She quickly put a call across to him.
“Are you saying that I’m a bad child?” She asked in tears.
“No, you’re not. You’re not a bad child, not in the least. I just want you to ponder over the words of Allah and His Prophet and open your heart towards your parents.”
“Do you think I shut my heart willingly?” She cried out.
“I know you didn’t shut it at will. I’m only encouraging you to give warming up to them a harder try. I know it’s not easy. But you just have to allow them to make it up to you. That’s the only way your heart can become softened towards them.”
“Okay. I’ll go. But I’ll go just two days before the family introduction,” she accepted at last.
“That’s fine. Thank you so much. May Allah reward you with goodness. He has vindicated you already. Don’t you think so?”
“Hmmmmmmm!!!” She could only hum.
They talked more before the call ended.
Preparing for the Family Introduction
Night rolled into days, and it was the day of the family introduction already. Olamide listened to Hassan’s admonition and traveled to Abuja two days before the meeting. She caught her family unaware, and the scream they gave when they saw her was deafening.
Warm Welcome
Her mother ran to embrace her happily. Her father doted on her like a baby. She told them she needed to rest and never went downstairs until the day of the introduction. Stepping into the house after several months brought back the unpleasant memories she’d been avoiding.
Reconnecting with Family
Her two brothers weren’t home. Kolawole had long returned to the US while Olamiposi had also gained admission into a university in England. Their dad probably gave up on imposing his choice on his children. Olamide couldn’t help being cold. She couldn’t even meet her parents’ eyes. But they didn’t pester her. They understood.
A Mother’s Love
They got food across to her through the maid. Once in a while, her mother would knock on her door to ask if she was fine or if she needed anything. She would ask if she could come in, but Olamide would say no. On the morning of the introduction, her mother begged her to allow her in, which she obliged.
A Heartfelt Gift
The woman hugged her tightly and presented her with many gifts, including expensive clothes, gold jewelry, under-wears, shoes, beauty products, and more. She also prayed heartily for her. Olamide smiled and thanked her, and that was it. She never gave a chance for any conversation.
Gratitude
Her mum smiled and left the room. At least she smiled and expressed gratitude. That alone soothed her heart, and it was enough for her.
Arrival of Hassan’s Family
Hassan’s family boarded the 8 a.m. flight from Lagos and got to Abuja some minutes before 9 a.m. Engineer Okanlawon’s driver was already waiting to pick them up. They thanked him and hopped into the car.
Warm Reception
They completed their journey before 10 a.m., and the Okanlawons welcomed them with open arms. A sumptuous breakfast was already prepared for them, and they were served without wasting time. Before the food, Hakeemah and Anat went upstairs to see Olamide.
Reuniting with Friends
Two of her female cousins were already with her. She jumped up happily when she saw Hakeemah and Anat and ran to embrace them with a greeting of peace. The trio cuddled for a few minutes before leaving one another.
Introduction
“You’re most welcome. I’m so happy to see you!” She grinned.
“We’re so elated to see you too,” they chorused and hugged her again.
She pointed at her cousins. “Those are my cousins, Nike and Adeeza. Nike, Adeeza, meet my would-be sisters-in-law.”
“Awwwwwww,” Hakeemah blushed. “I love the sound of that. ‘My would-be sisters-in-law.’ Nice to meet you, Nike and Adeeza. I am Hakeemah, and this is my older sister, Anat,” Hakeemah completed the introduction.
Warm Embrace
The four ladies had a warm embrace. “Olamide, you’re looking so sweet,” Anat complimented her with a smile. “Thank you,” she replied with a twist of her body.
“How was your journey?” She asked them.
“It was fine, Alhamdulillah Rabil’Alamin.”
“I’m glad to hear that. Have you eaten?” She asked them.
“No, we came upstairs to see you first,” Hakeemah replied.
“Now you’ve seen me. You should go and eat,” she urged them with smiles.
Family Discussion
They nodded their heads and went downstairs to eat. After the meal, the family sat and discussed the reason for the meeting. Hassan’s family came bearing gifts. There were also three sets of boxes in the gifts.
Gratitude and Curiosity
Engineer thanked them for the gifts. “You shouldn’t have bothered bringing gifts. Thank you so much,” he was grateful. “It’s our pleasure,” they replied.
