Cigaban Kurkukun Kaddara Takun Karshe

Turai’s Departure and the Ladies’ Emotions

Baiwar Allah, Hajiya Turai, responded in a trembling voice, saying yes.

“Come, sit close to me,” she said, gesturing to her side.

Laurat and Muhibbat stood up respectfully, wishing God would protect them, as they lightly brushed shoulders with her. “If Turai wants to sit, then we should leave,” they thought, but Mujeedat didn’t even glance at them.

In a trembling voice mixed with tears, Turai said, “I can’t sit, Aunty Mujeedat. I don’t want to come between you all; I’ll just leave. Brother Mubarak even said I should come to you to express my gratitude for how you handled your journey, so I will leave now that I’ve seen you…” She finished speaking and quickly turned toward the garden exit.

Princess Mujeedat’s heart sank; she was hurt by Laurat’s words to Turai. She made an effort to stand, adjusting her dress.

While they were whispering among themselves about where Turai was going, she calmly said, “I’ll go inside. Thank you for the visit; see you tomorrow, God willing.” Looking at Princess Malikat, she said, “Let’s go inside.” Hajiya Malika rose, they held hands, and together they went into the house.

After they left, Hajiya Laurat clicked her tongue in frustration, saying, “That hypocritical woman ruined everything. We were peacefully enjoying ourselves, and she shattered our happiness.”

Hajiya Jamila said, “That’s just how the common folk are. Now she has upset Princess Mujeedat’s mood.”

Hajiya Saratu said, “I’m not pleased at all, but I know how I’ll take revenge. God willing, tomorrow, if that woman dares show up at the dinner, Hateem’s son will warn her—I’ll do something she never expected.” They spent some time in the garden, and then each got into their car to return home.

Meanwhile, Hajiya Turai sat in Sir Mubarak’s car, crying as if her heart would break. The words they said had wounded her deeply, especially when Hajiya Saratu mentioned Jazz and that boy Shegene. She promised herself she wouldn’t tell Sir Mubarak what they had said because if he found out, she knew he would take action.

The Awkward Silence in the Living Room

Silence filled the living room, as if there were no people inside, though everyone was seated, preoccupied with their own thoughts. Their shyness prevented them from speaking to one another. Everyone was lost in what occupied their minds.

Dr. Jazz emerged from his bedroom, wrapping himself in a sky-blue shawl that complemented his fair skin. A pleasant fragrance surrounded him. He adjusted his posture, one hand holding his car keys, a smile spreading across his face as he admired his own reflection. Clearly, something had brightened his mood.

Before he fully entered the living room, his eyes caught the young men of the family seated on the sofas. His mouth fell open in surprise at the sight of them. He hadn’t known they were home. “So, we have distinguished guests today,” he thought. “Why didn’t Ibad tell me they arrived?” Overwhelmed by the unexpected gathering, he froze in place.

One by one, he observed them:

Zaki sat on a two-seater sofa, an Apple laptop on the table before him, fully absorbed in its operation. He wore shorts and a denim shirt, carefully maintaining his style.

Sol, a young man with dark brown skin and neatly groomed hair, was dressed in a gray jallabiya. He exuded charm and was none other than Captain Yaseer, son of His Excellency Abdul Razak and Her Excellency Muhibbat.

Justice Nadeem, son of His Excellency Deen, reclined on a long sofa, his eyes closed as if asleep, one hand resting on his forehead.

Ziyad sat cross-legged on the plush carpet at the center of the living room, eating fresh fruit from a wide plate. As a journalist with a love for stories, he often preferred observing people closely, and now, feeling awkward about the silence, he moved onto the carpet to continue eating comfortably.

The mixture of fragrances in the room was pleasant. Jazz, watching them, was clearly impressed by the gathering of Baba Obie’s grandchildren, seeing their unity and interaction. It brought him joy, realizing he too was a grandchild of Baba Obie.

Seeing that they hadn’t noticed him, he quickly exited through the door, relieved, and went to the driveway, opened his car, entered, and started the engine. His heart was full of hope that this time, they would notice him. Driving with a cheerful face, he headed to Baba Obie’s house.

Ziyad Speaks Up

Noticing their continued silence, Ziyad rose and approached Zaki, taking the laptop from him, then Captain Yaseer to check his phone, and finally Justice Nadeem, shaking him until he opened his eyes. Nadeem looked at Ziyad with sleepy eyes.

Ziyad exhaled sharply. “What’s wrong with you all? Every time we meet, it’s like none of us can speak. Everyone is stuck in their own world! Is this how we maintain relationships? I don’t see the point of even calling you all to meet…”

They all stared at him, showing no signs of responding.

Ziyad muttered, “Are you all just going to stare at me like fools?”

Zaki frowned but handed him the laptop. “Here, Ziyad.”

“It’s my turn, I need it,” Ziyad said firmly, meeting Zaki’s eyes.

Zaki smiled faintly. “What’s bothering you?” he asked, eyes half-closed.

“My concern is that we share our thoughts and have a proper discussion about our lives. From tomorrow, each of us will return to our own lives, mostly far away from each other. How will we stay connected? We can’t even be sure we’ll meet again.”

His words struck their hearts.

Calmly, Zaki said, “God willing, we’ll meet again. For now, be patient and let’s talk.”

Ziyad pursed his lips but then sat down, without handing over any other items.

“Bro, I don’t even know how to start this conversation. Can you help us with what we should discuss?” Captain Yaseer asked reluctantly. Justice Nadeem, reclining, straightened and looked at them.

“Why don’t we talk about the women we hope to marry?” Ziyad suggested.

Captain Yaseer glared at him. “We should talk about something important. Otherwise, I’ll stay silent.”

“Marriage is most important because it’s a strong Sunnah of the Prophet (SAW). God will provide for us what we need. Each of us has responsibilities, and marriage is the remaining task. We should plan now for our lives, get married, and build families as our parents did,” Ziyad added.

“Look, I’m not thinking about marriage now. I haven’t even found the woman I love. Since losing her, I’ve felt unmotivated about marriage, and I’ve avoided thinking about other women,” Captain Yaseer replied.

Justice Nadeem smiled. “She’s not the only woman in our family. When I realized the woman with independence and dignity, I gave my heart peace. A man who can’t handle her won’t make her happy in marriage, nor will he be able to navigate her personality.”

Ziyad said, “You’re telling the truth, my friend. She’s not interested in men at all. Why chase after her? Meanwhile, there are other young women in our family…”

Before Ziyad could finish, Zaki interjected, “You mean Nazli?”

Nadeem smiled, “Do you not know her connection with our Chief Owais?” They all whispered among themselves, trying to understand.

After a pause, Nadeem continued, “Uncle Hateem already promised her to him. She has no other husband in this world. Even before she was born, Uncle Sharafudeen and Uncle Hateem arranged that their children would marry…”

Ziyad replied, “But I didn’t see any sign of them showing care for each other in the name of love. Even on Grandfather’s birthday when they met, they didn’t even glance at each other.”