BRING IT ON..an unfinished story

It's been a few years since I actually wrote a STORY...My wife is a little disappointed. I know she ponders ...What happened to her gifted hands lover. I thought by now I would have gotten back on track but then I know that the guy with the gifted hands is still there somewhere...I just have to try to find him.  Nevertheless,  my wife made me promise to share the story below...a story I found in my archives. I know since it is unfinished, posting it would remind me that I owe her a STORY..I hope I get back on track soon enough and FINISH THE STORY... So here it is...

A dark night it was, no stars no moon in the sky, everywhere was pitch black except for the murky light that emanated from the solar rechargeable lamp that was placed on the floor. There had been no power supply power supply in Adenike area for the past one year. Adenike area was a student residential area. It was home to many students of LAUTECH. LAUTECH was a non-residential University. Adenike area was very close to the University, a walking distance so it was fathomable that it was a place where students resided. Well one did not need to ask that the area was named after  Adenike hostel, whether ADENIKE hostel was the first hostel in that area or not nobody cared and nobody seemed to bother but no doubt it was among the foremost hostel in the area.

                Hamza turned to face the congregation behind him. ‘Check if there’s anyone outside’ he said. Someone at the rear stood up and checked the surroundings of Darul-Haqq hostel stealthily. Some moments later he came back and whispered into Hamza’s ear ‘No one’. Darul Haqq was the first and Muslim hostel in Adenike area. It was only befitting that it should be named after Darul-Haqq the very early Muslims met in Makkah when Islam was practiced in secrecy. It had produced two leaders of the Muslim Students’ society in the past and Hamza was the third Ameer but Hamza was different he was the first Ameer that was not in his final year. He was in his penultimate year. He was reluctant to accept the position and he could not deny that him not being in his final year was among the reasons but a member of the Shura committee  who was also a lecturer in the school had emboldened him that  the ‘final year factor’ should not make him decline the position.  He had barely resumed office and his regime was facing challenges he had not imagined in his worst nightmares. It was common knowledge that many Muslims where turning apostate to Christianity. He was frustrated at the fact that people were trading Gold for balderdash. His regime had tried to mobilize students to attend more Islamic gatherings were they could learn more about their deen, gatherings where they could learnt to be Muslims by choice and not because they were born into Muslim households but the turnout was always low. The stereotype effect had taken over the Muslims themselves. The idea that whoever became a practicing Muslim was a potential terrorist or better still a Boko haram member in the making. Publicity and mobilization was of little effect so it was decided that a series of comparative lectures be held. The comparative lecture series was a great success, a lot of people who had turned apostate returned to Islam and also there were some new reverts and not to forget it created a lot of  doubts  in the minds if the non- Muslims about  their religion. Ever since the comparative series lecture events Hamza had received lots of threat, sometimes he thought he had not signed up for this when he decided to become Ameer but being threatened by the enemies of Islam was not a new thing to those who tread the path of a Da’ee. He had decided to brace himself for the challenges. He was still thinking of all those trouble when he had got a call earlier in the day

RECITE!

THE BUTTERFLY HAS LOST ITS WINGS

THE BEE HAS LOST ITS STING….

This is the first time in a long time that I am writing for real not because I have got a deadline to meet or an application or any other reason that may seem official.  Well so Ramadan is here again. Well sometimes in the past I wrote an article about reading the Qur’an in the month of Ramadan.  Therein I did a kind of review of the MOSHAF application. Well NOW I’M BACK and this time it is not the MOSHAF application that I want to review but the… iQuran and trust me you don’t have to have an iPAD or iPHONE any other gadget that starts with the letter ‘i’ to run this great app.  For those of us who really want to enjoy reading the Qur’an this Ramadan I think having the iQuran is a MUST HAVE for this Ramadan.

‘T

Who Developed The iQuran?

The iQuran was designed by GUIDEDWAYS. I believe some of us are familiar with them.  They were the ones who developed the QURAN PRO java application if you want to compare the QURAN pro to the iQuran well there’s just one phrase that comes to my mind…. IMPROVEMENT.

Is the font of the iQuran clear to read?

The iQuran shows the Qur’an in clear Uthmanic font for one to read. One can even zoom if it is not legible enough so you don’t have to strain your eyes.

Are there any Reciters that come along with the iQuran?

The iQuran comes along with 8 reciters that you can choose from including Al-Ghamidi, Husary, Al-Afasy, Sudais & Shuraim, Abdul- Basit, Abu Bakr Ash-Shatree (my favourite), Minshawy and Malik Al-Muauyqali. You get to feel the joy of reading alongside your favourite reciters and even cry along with them. The only obstacle here is one has to download the audio of these reciters before one can actually hear them recite and this requires a VERY GOOD INTERNET CONNECTION.

Does the iQuran help me recite the Qur’an with Tajweed?

YES of course! The Arabic font in the iQuran is color coded i.e. the rules of Tajweed (Idhgam, Ikfa'a, Iqlab etc.)  are colour coded so you can know when to apply each rule. Also at the bottom of the screen is the name of each Tajweed rule in its corresponding colour. Pressing the rule brings out a menu which briefly explains the rule and even with an audio sample from a verse in the Quran on how it is applied. How splendid.  Moreover you also have the various signs explained so one can know when to pause slightly or when to continue as one recites the Quran.

 

Does The iQuran Have English Translations?

The iQuran doesn’t have only one English translation but many translations of the Qur’an in the English language including Yusuf Ali, Pickthal and Asad. The iQuran doesn’t just stop there it has translations in many languages including French, German, Malay, Urdu, Japanese and a whole lot of others.

 

DOES THE iQuran have transliteration?

Yes the iQuran has transliteration for those of us just learning to read the Quran.

Can I share verses of the Quran on social media using the iQuran?

 YES YOU CAN! The iQuran allows one to share verses on social media including Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. so now you can share verses on your wall such that all your friends can benefit. You never know who might benefit when you share even potential Muslims too. Just click on the share button whenever you highlight any verse.

Can I Bookmark On The iQuran?

You have practically unlimited bookmarks on the iQuran so you can save as many verses as you want. You can also tag some verses if you want to.

Can I search for words in the Quran using the iQuran?

 The iQuran has a search button that allows you to  find words in the whole of the Quran in a jiffy. Just type the word and press search. Instantly you get your results. This can really prove useful when preparing for a lecture or looking for evidence from the Quran.

Are there any other special features in the iQuran?

 Of course there are. The iQuran allows you to set reminder to read Suratul Kahf on Fridays. Also you could choose the number of times you want to hear a verse or even choose the range of verse numbers you want to hear repeatedly when memorizing. There also exists special duas from the Quran which can be recited.  Ramadan is a month of making lots of dua and it's best to make dua from the Qur'an directly.

Must I get an iPhone or iPAD to use the iQuran?

One doesn’t need to have any device that begins with the letter i, whether it is the iPAD or iPHONE. The iQuran is an android application and it is available on Google play store or can be downloaded on the internet as an .APK file and then installed on your device.

Well so that’s my review. I guess you now understand why I said the iQuran is a must have app for this Ramadan. Wishing you a wonderful month of Ramadan filled with acceptable good deeds. Don’t forget to RECITE.

…HOPEFULLY SOON THE BUTTERFLY WOULD GROW NEW WINGS

AND THE BEE WOULD HAVE A NEW STING

CALL OF DUTY

I rarely look forward to the eid-ul-adha celebration popularly called the Ileya festival where I come from with much zest. I haven’t really thought about why it is called the Ileya festival but I know this Id-ul-adha celebration, I must go home just as the name ILEYA implied. After all, this eid was one of the two days I had to celebrate in a year considering the fact that I had cancelled Birthday celebrations from my calendar. But do you blame me for not looking forward to the most popular celebration by Muslims? Well if you had to prepare the night before by setting up canopies, and on the d- day you had to help in  shaving,  ( do you have any idea how hard this is when using a blade and Allah save you that you do not pierce the skin?  and blowing air into the carcass like you were  a trumpeter before you finally dismember the carcass. While  doing all these your Mom is calling you simultaneously to help in carrying those heavy metal pots,  kindle the fire, set up the sound system (while you are thinking of what halal music you can play before your uncle comes to put in any of KSA’s records) and let me not forget that when guests arrive you have to help in serving  them and also deliver food to friends and neighbors and in the midst of all the bustle you tried not to miss any salah  and may Allah help you if you do have some young troublesome cousins who are pests with a capital P. Before you know it the whole day is gone and you are fatigued and you realize that you did not even eat three square meals, not that there was no food (how can there be no food?) but there was no time to eat. This was not my idea of celebrating Eid; all the things I envisaged about Eid  never was just a reverie I had often envisaged going out   to have Halaal fun. Treat myself nice, Maybe visit an amusement park, just eat out with family and friends in a Halaal restaurant or take a stroll on the beach where my eyes see no evil. All that was just a castle in the air(at least for now).Last year’s Eid was different, one of the few things I anticipate during Eid holiday was the Family reunion; it was the only holiday where I got to meet practically all my family members. It’s a common thing particularly if you‘re from South-West Nigeria that some members of your family would be non-Muslims. I had often thought how wonderful it will be if all my family members were all Muslims, after all Allah says:

 ‘O ye who believe! Save yourselves and your families from a Fire whose fuel is Men and Stones over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe who flinch not (from executing) the Commands they receive from Allah but do (precisely) what they are commanded.’ Q 66:6

  I remembered taking a copy of the Qur’an at home and seeing my aunt’s name on it. What must have happened to make her leave the true path, to leave Islam? So Eid came and I decided that I would ask her what happened. My Grandma was worried about how her grandchildren were not that close. I knew that the fact that we were not all Muslims was a factor .She had called me and told me indirectly on keeping and strengthening the family ties, after all I am first born (you have no idea the responsibilities that come with this position except you’re one) but there was no need for  to remind me of m duty since my deen had greatly encouraged keeping family ties.

It was narrated by Abu Huraira:

The Prophet said, "Allah created His creation, and when He had finished it, the womb, got up and caught hold of Allah whereupon Allah said, 'What is the matter?' On that, it said, 'I seek refuge with you from those who sever the ties of kith and kin.' On that Allah said, 'Will you be

Satisfied if I bestow my favors on him who keeps your ties, and withhold my favors from him who sever your ties?' On that it said, 'Yes, O my Lord!' Then Allah said, 'That is for you.' “Abu Huraira added: If you wish, you can recite: "Would you then if you were given the authority, do

Mischief in the land and sever your ties of kinship." (47. 22) (Bukhari)

 My aunt didn’t show up for Ileya, she didn’t come last year, I thought maybe she was told in her church not to eat the meat slaughtered during Eid, I could not tell. I hardly saw my aunt, maybe a couple of times in a year and now she had decided not to celebrate Eid with us well that just kind of increased the distance between us. I had lost hope of seeing her anytime soon until she showed up the third day after Eid. I was glad and I thought of when both of us would be together so I could ask her; ask her a question that had agonized my mind for years. I got my chance when I had to escort her when she was leaving. We walked silently. What was there to talk about, the hiatus between us had increased over the years but nevertheless I had to ask her. It was cogent. Alhamdulillahi there were no means of transportation available yet so we still had some time together. I pondered on how to ask her, I felt nervous it was not like I was asking a girl out but here I was trying to ask my aunt a very important question, a question that was related to the very reason why we existed and I was reticent. I decided to ask about my cousins. We talked about my cousins and the schools they attended and the education system. I had to ask her now and soon, I had to summon the courage to…

‘Why did you leave Islam?’, I think I said. I don’t know how I said it but it came out of my lips. What would happen next, what would she say, would she say I was disrespectful or just tell me to let it pass. My aunt flabbergasted me, she opened up to me. She was an active member in her youthful days in a Muslim organization, in Lagos. She told me she had  tried to find her a spouse in the organization I thought about what she meant by not finding a spouse, did she mean she didn’t find a spouse or she found but things never worked out, well that did not matter now after all she married a Christian and became one. So finding a spouse could take one out of the deen. I felt uncomfortable with the reason she gave. I knew it was reason why many Muslims converted to other religions particularly females (correct me if  I am wrong). I felt sad and yet I felt lighter; like I was relieved of a burden. We continued our journey and so I tried to call her to Islam. We talked about Prophet Issa and I tried to explain that he was a Prophet of Allah; we talked about the trinity and other comparative issues. She did not seem convinced from my explanation but I was glad I had taken one step in the right direction. She gave me my cousins phone numbers. Soon  we found a means of transportation and a few moments later we said our goodbyes. I reflected as I ambled back home. I thought of  my aunt, her children-my cousins, my other family members who were non-Muslims. I thought of how to call them to Islam, how I could strengthen the family ties. Maybe my generation would be better than the one of my aunt and Dad, maybe Grandma would be happy at how close her grandchildren would be, I pondered. I know I might face resistance well I do not think I have any choice cause this is my call,  MY CALL OF DUTY.  I make dua’ very often that Allah makes firm the members of my family who are Muslims and grant them the understanding of the deen (that is another poser on its own) guide those who are non-Muslims to the right path, for Allah is the one who guides and He guides whom He wills.

P.S. I wrote this piece some months ago little did I  know that my aunt will pass away soon. I wish I could say may Allah forgive her. 

JUST LIKE ME

                Zainab closed the notebook in front of her. She felt a little drained. She had been sitting on the hard wooden chair for over an hour. She looked at the defaced picture on the notebook she had borrowed. She felt a little disgusted at the sight. She knew why Fareedah had defaced the picture. Though the picture was defaced with blue ink it was palpable it was a man in the picture because of the Abiola babes’ football club’s jersey that was visible. Fareedah had defaced the picture because that was the right thing to do according to Islamic principles. There were many Ahadith that talked on the prohibitions as regards picture making and images of animate objects in general. Zainab recalled one of the hadith on prohibition of picture making.

Narrated Said bin Abu Al Hasan

While I was with Ibn 'Abbas a man came and said, "O father of 'Abbas! My sustenance is from my manual profession and I make these pictures."Ibn 'Abbas said, "I will tell you only what I heard from Allah's Apostle. I heard him saying, 'Whoever makes a picture will be punished by Allah till he puts life in it, and he will never be able to put life in it.' "Hearing this, that man heaved a sigh and his face turned pale. Ibn 'Abbas said to him, "What a pity! If you insist on making pictures I advise you to make pictures of trees and any other unanimated objects."(Sahih Bukhari)

Zainab particularly liked the hadith amongst all other Ahadith that cited the prohibition of images because of the approach Ibn ‘Abass used in correcting the man. She liked the fact that Ibn Abass understood the plight of the man and he helped him in finding a Halaal substitute. Zainab noticed Fareedah missed a spot in the face so she helped to deface the image completely by shading the spot Fareedah missed. Zainab preferred to buy books that had no images on their front cover. She felt defacing your books did not make you natty.

                Fareedah was in her sophomore year in the notorious department of Chemistry, well by most students’ verdict it was. Zainab was in her penultimate year in the department of Botany. She was retaking a course in Organic Chemistry which students from her department had to borrowed from Fareedah’s department. Zainab could not really understand why she was retaking the course for the second time. It was no news amongst students that there was an invisible conflict between Fareedah and Zainab’s department. Many students in Fareedah’s department often failed the organic chemistry course. There was another course which was also borrowed by Chemistry students from Zainab’s department. It was a course on Taxonomy. In turn many students from Fareedah’s department also had problems with that course. They either failed it or their result was not released, in the end the upshot was the same – the course had to be retaken. Zainab knew her case was one of being the grass in a fight that involved two elephants. She hated being the grass and so did Fareedah. She too was a victim of Zainab’s department. The rift between the two ladies department did not stop them from being roommates and most importantly very good friends. 

                Zainab yawned and stretched her limb on the chair. She liked reading in her Faculty’s mosque. Though it was a make shift mosque. The floors was bare earth but it was fenced with sheets of tarpaulin. It served many purposes apart from its primary purpose of a place observing the obligatory prayers which included being a good reading spot for Zainab. By location it was truly the central mosque since it was at the center of the institution. The mid-semester test was coming up in a few days’ time and Zainab had not really had time to attend classes. It was difficult to attend another class especially when it was from a lower level. Time-tables where not permanently fixed and sometimes it clashed with some courses she was taking at her own level. She had borrowed Fareedah’s note to catch up. She hoped that this time around Fareedah’s department would grant her freedom. Drawing lines and circles and arrows and letters in the name of reaction mechanisms was not her idea of fun.

‘Salaam alaykum, Marie curie’, Fareedah said as she entered the mosque.

‘Walaykum salaam’ came Zainab’s reply indolently.

‘By the way I am no Marie Curie, I’m a Botanist not a Chemist’, Zainab added. This time her voice was crisp.

‘Botanist or herbalist?’, Fareedah said teasingly as she moved towards the desk where her friend sat.

‘Na you sabi,’ came Zainab’s reply.

 Suddenly a lady clad in a stripped tight long sleeve turtle neck top with an orange pair of pants came into the mosque. She had on a small transparent white scarf on her head which only covered half of her head making it look like a convertible.

‘Salaam alaykum please where can I get some water for ablution?, came the tiny voice from the lady, as she looked at Fareedah. Fareedah turned away in disgust and mumbled ‘walaykum salaam’ in a diminutive voice that the lady couldn’t hear. Fareedah snubbed the lady. The lady feeling embarrassed left the mosque in a flash.

‘Ukty Zainab did U see that? ‘

‘Can you imagine someone coming to the mosque dressed  like that….’.

‘She could not even cover her hair properly….’

‘and is it the right time to observe Solatul-Asr….’

‘… in less than hour the sun would soon set’.

‘Ehnnn,  it is truly the end of time. People don’t have taqwa. Can you imagine….’

‘Fareedah!’ Zainab said in a husky voice. She breathed in and out and mumbled some words as she shook her head.  Fareedah could read Zainab’s lips. She had made the dua to be said when one was getting irate. Zainab had sought refuge in Allah from Shaytan the accursed one.

‘Fareedah Olaide’ Zainab said calmly this time around. Fareedah looked surprised. It was only on very bizarre for Zainab to call her full name.

‘Fareedah, how soon you forget. Don’t you know that lady was just like you’. Zainab said turning her position in the hard chair in such a way that she could look at Fareedah properly straight in the eye.

‘Just like me?...’

‘How?.... in what way…?’, Zainab asked looking befuddled.

‘Yes, just like you’ Zainab said even more confidently corroborating her statement.

‘Don’t you remember when we first met. Then, you were in the pre-degree science program. It was at the Sisters’ seminar event and you came in looking like you were a contestant for MBGN. There was no available space to sit and you were feeling awkward already because of the way people stared at you. Even though it was a female only event. You still got that look that you were not welcomed…’ Zainab said

‘I was not welcomed, didn’t you see their eyes? I was petrified. It was as if they wanted to devour me. I had never felt so scared in my life. It felt like I was an outcast. I wished the floor would open and swallow me that day. I felt I was in the wrong place.’ Fareedah added

‘I know, roomie. I really understood how you felt but then do you remember I came to you, held you by your shoulders which if my memory doesn’t fail me was bare and guided you to a seat at the back.’, Zainab continued as she zipped  up the sleeves  on the left hand of her Jilbaab.

‘I was so surprised that anyone there could be so kind to me and that is why I am so glad that you’re my roomie. You’re so bea-you-tiful...’ Fareedah interrupted.

‘Bea-you-tiful? What does that mean?’, Zainab queried.

‘It means you’ve got a beautiful character.’ Fareedah riposted.

‘May Allah make me better than you say I am and forgive me for what you don’t know about me,’ Zainab said as she blushed. She had tried to conceal it but it was apparent.

‘Fareedah, if you remember that day, I didn’t condemn your dressing contrary I praised you for attending the event. Most pre-degree science students hardly attend religious events. The excitement of being in a higher institution gets into their head. They have forgotten that their names are only written in pencil and it could be erased easily, they are  not fully fledged students of the University yet. But there you were that day attending an Islamic event. I really admired that about you.’ , Zainab said as she rested her chin on her hands. Her elbows rested on her laps and her hands where in a lock. Her posture provided a good support for her chin to rest comfortably on of the back her hands.

‘I was so surprised you treated me that way, you’re different….’,Fareedah said as she rolled out a  mat on the bare earth.

‘I’m not different, I was just practicing what Islam taught me’, Zainab interrupted.

‘Do you remember the hadith, in Sahih Bukhari that the Rasul said…’

‘Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam’, the two ladies said in unison.

‘The best among you are the best in character ' , Zainab concluded.

‘Now, Fareedah I want you to reflect on what happened some moments ago. Look at that lady that came into the mosque and also look at yourself a few years ago when you came into that hall during the Sisters’ seminar. Is there any nexus? ’ Zainab catechized.

‘Yes, I was just like her’, Fareedah replied soberly,  as she looked down, staring at the design on the mat she sat. She could not look at  Zainab in the eyes.

‘Fareedah, do you remember how you whined so much about the way you were treated that day by most of the sisters at the event and now look at what you did to that lady who wanted to come and observe Solah’ , Zainab  continued.

‘Do you know the verse that scares me most in the Qur’an?’ Zainab asked. It was a rhetoric question but then someone had to break the silence.

‘What verse is that?’, Fareedah asked raising up her face to look at Zainab.

‘The first verse of Suratul Muhammad…’

‘Allah says: ‘Those who reject Allah and hinder (men) from the Path of Allah. He will render their deeds vain’

‘I don’t want to be the one to hinder people from Allah’s path, I don’t want to be the one to stop people from becoming better Muslims because of the way I treat them. I don’t want my deeds to be lost, or to be in vain. Look at the Seerah, a lot of people accepted Islam because of Rasul’s character. He did not have to convince them in believing in Allah. His character was enough.’ Zainab said with so much verve.

Fareedah looked at Zainab in awe. She did not know which one made her marvel at Zainab, the content of what she was saying to her or the fact that Zainab had the potential to become a great orator, She imagined Zainab giving them a lecture during a Sisters seminar event rather than having a male lecturer after all the sisters’ seminar was a female only event.

‘Walahi, I have never thought of that ayah like that’, Fareedah said looking stupefied.

‘May Allah forgive me, I hope I get a second chance’, Fareedah added.

‘Don’t worry Inshaa Allah you would get a second chance’. Zainab said as she handed over Fareedah’s organic chemistry note.

‘By the way, next time just buy a book with no image on the front cover’ Zainab added.

‘I wanted too it’s just that you can hardly find any books with no images on the front cover,’ Fareedah retorted.

‘I think I know what gift I would get for you for Eid’, Zainab said smiling. The Eid-ul-adha festival was around the corner. Zainab had concluded that she would give Fareedah a copy of the book ENJOY YOUR LIFE by Dr. Muhammad Al-Arifi’. It was an excellent book on good character.

‘What are you going to give me? Please tell me?’ Fareedah implored.

‘That is for me to know and for you to find out’, Zainab replied in a girlish way.

‘Haa Ukty Zainab, even with your Jilbaab you are still fun to be with, you’re truly different’,

‘Is there any place in the Qur’an and Sunnah where one should not be fun to be with as long as one does not exceed the limits…’ Zainab said,

‘I don’t know why people always have the feeling that once you dress in a way that shows you’re a Muslim you’re tantamount to being dreary’ Zainab continued.

‘Abeg, don’t dull me’ Zainab concluded as the two ladies left the mosque.

XXXXXXXXXX

                Fareedah gazed at her reflection in the mirror as she used a pin to hold her hijab. She recalled how she often stood in front of the mirror admiring her body. She would pose in all form of postures and ponder if she had the right statistics for a super model. Back then she was so full of herself but here she was now, all covered. She was grateful that Allah used Zainab’s character to make her become a better person. She felt guilty as the thought of the lady she had snubbed in the mosque some days ago in the mosque came to her. She wished she would have a second chance so she could make it up to her. Zainab squeaked as the pin pricked her thumb. There was no one to ask her what happened. Zainab had an early morning lecture so Fareedah was left all alone. The prick wasn’t deep since no blood came out.  Fareedah looked at the mirror and made the dua when one looked in the mirror. She liked saying the dua because it linked one’s looks to one’s character. She wondered if all the beautiful women in the world said that dua when they looked in the mirror maybe they would both be bea-you-tiful and beautiful. ‘How wonderful that would be?’, Fareedah thought. But she knew better. It was intermittent to see a physically beautiful woman with beautiful character.

‘Salaam alaykum, sister, why don’t you come sit with me’ Fareedah said. She shifted her position on the seat to provide space for a lady standing beside her. The lady was wearing a tank top with a skirt which barely covered her knees. Flabbergasted the lady turned to look at who had said the Teslim to her. She could not believe it when she saw it was the same person who had treated her like she was the most sinful person on earth. Even someone that stood nearby was surprised at the scene. Fareedah had spotted the lady earlier as she came into the lecture hall. She felt hopeful and smiled on seeing her. She didn’t know her second chance would come so soon.  The class was a faculty course. She realized that the lady must be in the same faculty as she was but because of the large class she had not known her before.

‘Salaam alaykum,’ Fareedah repeated this time stretching out her hands towards the lady.

‘Walaykum salaam,’, the lady replied as she slipped into the space Fareedah had provided for her still surprised at the kind gesture she was receiving from Fareedah.

‘I’m really sorry about last time, Please forgive me. my name is Fareedah, What’s yours?’

‘I think I’m about to be punked’, the lady muttered. Hoping Fareedah wouldn’t hear.

‘Memunah but people call me Sade’, came the reply from the lady as Fareedah released her grip. Letting go off Memunah’s hand.

The lecturer came in a few moments later. The din in the hall came to a halt as everybody tried to settle down.

‘By the way you’re not about to get punked, after all this is not M-T-V and I prefer  the name Memunah. It’s a nice name.’ Fareedah whispered in such a way that she was sure Memunah would hear. Memunah turned to look at Fareedah and smiled.

‘Apology accepted’, Memunah said as her smiled widened. No doubt today would be a day she would always remember.

Fareedah felt happy within. She was glad her second chance had a good start. Truly Memunah was just like her.