Mara eventually agreed! And they went deeper into the lives of each other; knowing some things about each other which they never knew before. On different occasions would Mara and Kelvin spend time together. And one of those occasions is that which bechanced in the home of Kelvin. Both of them were in the house! Night came; Kelvin declared his intention to visit the bathroom. He was going to go have a shower before he would sleep. Mara was left alone in the bedroom; left alone to her thoughts! She was now in a relationship; meaning that she has now given the experience she did not like to fall into another chance to repeat itself. This guy could leave her any day! He could do the same like the other guys did. And that would be number three. How would the experience be like? How was she going to feel? What was going to happen? Mara sat there on the bed as different thoughts went through her mind. And Ah! There was a particular one that came; a thought that would cause Mara sorrow whenever she would think about it.
Mara was in her bedroom watching television. Her father came in with two bottles in his hand. Both of them were the only people in the house. Mum had travelled. This was when Mara was still living with her parents.
“Mara, how are you?” said her father.
“I am fine daddy, thank you.” said Mara.
“Actually, I have left the living room and I want to go to my room. I just want to check on you before I go to bed.” said her father.
“Thank you daddy. But daddy, what are those in your hand?” said Mara.
“Oh! This? I have been drinking. The night is cold so I decided I would have a drink. And seriously, I love the experience. Today, I saw a friend and he had introduced something to me. It is called Codeine!” said her father.
“Codeine? Is that not a cough drug?” said Mara.
“That was what I also knew about it. Until I was told there is more to it. And trust me, when I added it to my drink this night, I loved the experience. I am going into my room to go continue with it. In fact, I have subscribed to this. I will be using it from tonight on. I really like it!” said her father.
“Really? But daddy, I am also feeling cold.” said Mara.
“Oh! Why don’t you join me and let us have it together? Have a taste of this. Trust me, you will love it!” said her father.
“Okay, daddy. Thank you!”
Mara and her father sat on the bed to take the drink. Check on them some minutes later, you would find both of them drinking!
Raising and educating children is one of the duties required of parents. Allaah has enjoined that in the Qur’aan, and the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) also enjoined that. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“O you who believe! Ward off yourselves and your families against a Fire (Hell) whose fuel is men and stones, over which are (appointed) angels stern (and) severe, who disobey not, (from
[al-Tahreem 66:6]
(From islamqa.info)
The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) gave the parents the responsibility of raising the children and made that obligatory upon them.
It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar said: I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: “Each of you is a shepherd and each of you is responsible
for his flock. The ruler is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock. A man is the shepherd of his family and is responsible for his flock. A woman is the shepherd of her husband’s
household and is responsible for her flock. A servant is the shepherd of his master’s wealth
and is responsible for his flock.” He said: and I think he said, “A man is the shepherd of his father’s wealth and is responsible for his flock. Each of you is a shepherd and is responsible for
his flock.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 583; Muslim, 1829.
(From islamqa.info)
Mara was crying already! Tears! Tears! What an experience! She wished she never had such in her past. Kelvin was done in the bathroom and he came back. He saw her! Unexpected! Face dry before he left and now it was tears. What could be happening? Kelvin moved closer to her.
“Mara, this is tears rolling from your eyes. You don’t look alright. What is wrong?” said Kelvin.
“Nothing!” said Mara.
“Come on. Mara, don’t do this to me. Don’t tell me nothing. I can never be satisfied with that answer. You don’t look alright. You don’t look like there is nothing. What is wrong? Please tell me.” said Kelvin.
“I was actually thinking about my past.” said Mara.
“Your past? What about your past?” said Kelvin.
“The experiences I had with the previous men. I am afraid. I am afraid history may repeat itself.” said Mara.
“Ahn Ahn, Mara. So you mean by now, you have not still trusted me? Do you still think I will leave you? Don’t you trust me?” said Kelvin.
“I trust you, Kelvin. It is just that it brings me sorrow whenever I remember them and I become afraid that it may happen again.” said Mara.
“Mara, please trust me. The story will be different this time. It will not happen again, okay?” said Kelvin.
“Okay!” said Mara.
“Please wipe your tears. I dislike beholding your face in a countenance like this.” said Kelvin.
Kelvin wiped the tears off his lover’s face. He disliked beholding… wait; do I have to repeat that? I continue! And Mara and Kelvin continued with their relationship. Kelvin truly loved her. He really did not want to leave her. In fact, he could cry if Mara was the one who left him. It seemed to Mara like he was telling the truth about his feeling towards her; that he really loved her. It seemed to Mara that he was not going to leave her like he had said. But Hmmm…. Hmmm Hmmm! What is it? There was something Kelvin had not yet known about her!
One afternoon, Mara visited her friend. Adele was the only close friend that she had. Close friend; she would even share some of her secrets with her. She trusted Adele that much! What a trust! Anyways, Mara arrived at Adele’s house and knocked on the door. There was no response! And it came again! Knock! Knock! Knock! There was still no response! Mara had called her earlier and she had said she was at home. Was she out or was she in? Mara knocked on the door again! Hits after hits! The door was still not opened! If Adele was in, then what was happening with her? Should she go in? Or she should leave and come back? Maybe, she should give her a call. What would Mara decide to do? Mara was going to find out what was going on in the house! Handling the door, pushing it forward, Mara got in. The living room was empty of a human being! Nobody! Was Adele in that house? Mara looked round the house and her attention was caught! White leaf with black ink on it! Mara got interested in the paper that was there on the centre table in the living room. What was on it and who was it for? Mara moved closer. Steps after steps! What was she going to see? Hmm! What was going to happen that day? Mara got the paper and looked at it! Oh! It was a medical report! Mara could understand the report on the paper. In addition to that, she could see Adele’s name written on it! The report was for her friend!
But where was she? Mara was curious. She decided she was going to further her search! Mara dropped the paper on the table and went inside. She got into the bedroom. What did she see? What did Mara see?
Nobody! There was no one in the bedroom. Living room empty of people; bedroom empty of humans. So where next? Where could Adele be? While Mara was thinking, all of a sudden, she could hear some sounds! She heard it; the brain interpreted it; it seemed to Mara like someone was throwing up! It was from the bathroom! Someone was home! And there came another sound! Heard it; brain interpreted it; Mara concluded this sound was different from the previous! What was it? It seemed to her like the sound of rushing water. Mara moved from the spot where she was. She was going to see what was going on! Perhaps, someone need help! Mara moved closer to the scene. And there she was! With who? Adele was alone! But what was wrong with her? As Mara saw her friend doing what she was doing, Mara smiled. There was something that was likely to be the reason why she was throwing up! Mara left the spot where she had been peeping on her friend and went to stand somewhere else away from there in the bedroom. All these while, Adele did not know someone had been around! Adele was eventually done in the bathroom and would go to the bedroom. Adele stepped into the bedroom and she saw her friend. It was somewhat shocking! Surprising!
Unexpectedly, Mara applauded Adele; wearing a smile on her face. “Perhaps, she had become aware.” Adele thought. Adele was afraid! What was going to happen between her and her friend? Were they going to have a fight? Or was it only going to be a verbal confrontation. Anyways, Adele decided whatever it was that Mara would bring or do against her, she would face it! Why was Adele clapping anyways?
“Hmm! Mother – to – be! Congratulations!” said Mara.
“What do you mean?” said Adele.
“Ahn Ahn, what do you mean by what do I mean? Even if I had not seen you throwing up in the bathroom, I had seen your pregnancy reports in the living room. Adele, you are pregnant! Congratulations my friend!” said Mara.
Mara moved closer to Adele and embraced her. Afterwards, she made Adele sit on the bed and she sat as well.
“So Adele, tell me. Who did it? Who got you pregnant?” Mara said.
The answer to that question seemed heavy for Adele, especially because Mara was involved. But she managed to answer it anyways!
“My… My…. My boyfriend!” said Adele.
“Your boyfriend? And which boyfriend of yours is that because it has been long since I saw a guy with you?” said Mara.
The answer to that was heavy too. Was she going to answer it? Perhaps, she would ask Mara to leave her alone! She said something anyways. But what was her answer?
“Actually, I… erm….. We…” said Adele.
“Never mind Adele! Whoever it is, this has happened already! All the same, I am really happy for you, my friend. Congratulations!” said Mara.
Mara embraced Adele again. And that was it. Adele was pregnant!
Adele and Mara went on chatting and doing some other things and eventually, Mara left her friend and headed home. Back at home, Mara received a call! Jimmy! Her friend! You remember Jimmy? You know how he was; what he did? Anyways, Jimmy called. And Mara picked up!
“Hello, Mara!” said Jimmy.
“Hello, Jimmy! How are you?” said Mara.
“I am fine, thank you. And you?” said Jimmy
“I am fine too, thank you. Anyways, why have you called?” said Mara.
“Mara I want to ask you for something and I will be glad if you can give it to me; as your friend. Will you do this for a friend?” said Jimmy.
“I have not even heard it. Tell me what it is, and I will decide if I want to do it or not.” said Mara.
“Okay! Mara, I want to pay you a visit. I just want to visit you – you know – as a friend and we could just have a good time. Do you mind me coming over to your house to pay you a visit?” said Jimmy.
“You want to pay me a visit? If you are going to assure me that you will not try to walk out of the friend zone which I have put you, then you can come.” said Mara.
“I understand you Mara. Trust me, I am not going to go past the limits. Just want to come over and have fun with you; get together as a friend!” said Jimmy.
“Okay! You can come. When are you coming?” said Mara.
“How about tomorrow evening?” said Jimmy.
“It is okay. You can come over.” said Mara.
“Oh! Thank you very much! I will be there tomorrow evening. Goodnight!” said Jimmy.
“Goodnight!” said Mara.
The call ended. Mara was feeling tired. She dropped the phone on the bed; no more social media that night. She was going to sleep! She yawned, grabbed her blanket, set her pillow and laid down to sleep. It was not long that she dozed off!
Mara was still alive until one morning, when Mara was not feeling happy. Something was happening that she did not like. She did not like it; it was causing her to be afraid. Mara stood by the window with such a sad face as she watched some things going on around her. As birds flew across; as vehicles moved past on the road; as different individuals were walking on the road. Mara was missing someone! She was sad! She was afraid! Kelvin had not been picking her calls! And not only that!
Knock! Knock! Knock!
The gate opened; a man had opened it.
“Oh! Madam! You are welcome. So why are you here?” said the gateman.
“What do you mean why am I here? Don’t you recognize me or is this the first time I am coming here? I have come to see Kelvin!” said Mara.
“Ah! Madam, Mr. Kelvin is not around!” said the gateman.
“Really?” said Mara.
“Yes. He is not around. He has out.” said the gateman.
Mara peeped into the compound and saw something. She was curious!
“But are these not his two cars still in the compound? Or did he trek to where he went to?” said asked Mara.
“Madam, Mr. Kelvin is not around. That is what I can say. So you cannot see him.” said the gateman.
“Okay! Let me come in. I will wait for him.” said Mara.
“No!” said the gateman.
“No? What do you mean by no? Why can I not go in?” said Mara.
“Mr. Kelvin has said I should not let anyone in. No one should enter into this house except whoever he orders me to give chance to. So, madam, you cannot come in.” said the gateman.
“No one including me?” asked Mara.
“Yes! He said no one, whosoever it is, must not enter this house unless with his permission. May be you should call him to tell him you are here. If he gives me the order to let you in, then I will.” said the gateman.
“Call him? But I have been calling his number and he has not been picking up?” said Mara.
“I am sorry there is nothing else I can do. I cannot let you in madam. Have a nice day and take care!” said the gateman.
SLAM!!! The gateman slammed the door! Mara was not let into Kelvin’s house. Kelvin’s house! She felt something was wrong.
Mara thought about what she was going to do. Kelvin was not picking up and she was not let in into his house. How could she reach him? She was going to try again. And she went; she was going to Kelvin’s house.