Aya

Chapter 9- Her Whispered Surrender

The house was quiet except for the faint sound of the Adhan echoing from the mosque joined to their house. The warm orange glow of the setting sun filtered through the curtains bathing the living room in a calm yet heavy silence

Dada sat on her favorite armchair her tasbeeh rolling slowly between her fingers. Her face was calm but there was an unmistakable firmness in her eyes, the kind that said tonight all things will be made clear

Aya and Aisha were already seated quietly beside each other on the carpet, exchanging nervous glances. Baba had gone to the mosque to pray Maghrib and they both knew once he returned the air in the house will change.

A few minutes later the sound of the main door opening filled the hallway, followed by the soft shuffle of shoes on the marble floor. Baba walked in first, his white kaftan freshly pressed his expression unreadable, behind him was Faisal head slightly bowed looking tenser than he wanted to appear

"Inna wuni Dada" baba greeted settling opposite her

"Lafiya kalau" she replied evenly not breaking the rhythm of her tasbaha, her eyes however were fixed on Faisal.

He bent down respectfully "Dada Jambandu"

"Jam Faisal" she replied softly then her tone shifted "Toh ku zauna because I want to understand what is happening in this house"

The silence that followed was sharp enough to cut through the air

Aya's palm began to sweat, she looked from her brother to her father, both men sitting upright neither daring to speak first. Aisha's fingers gently found hers a silent show of support

"When I came today I saw tension written on everyone's face" Dada began her voice low but powerful "Faisal your father speaks with anger, your sister looks frightened. What is going on this is not the house I left"

Baba sighed deeply adjusting his sitting position, clearing his throat as if weighing his words "Dada Wallahi I don't want to speak about this matter now—"

"Har ka ma Issa; how dare you" Dada cut in sharply. "This house is as much mine as you think it is yours and I will not sit and watch it break apart. So Usman speak"

Faisal's jaw tightened, Aya held her breath. For the first time in years even Baba seemed small before his mother's voice

Baba exhaled heavily rubbing his palms together as if the words were too heavy to speak. For a long moment the only sound in the room was the soft clicking of Dada's tasbaha

Finally he said "Dada I am only trying to do what is right for this family"

Dada's brows furrowed "Right?" Her tone softened slightly "Usman talk to me as your mother, what is this about?"

Baba's eyes flickered briefly toward Aya then away again "It is about Aya" he said quietly

The room fell even more silent Aya's heart dropped. Aisha straightened in her seat.

"What about Aya?" Dada asked her eyes narrowing

Baba leaned back his voice now firm "Anzo neman aurenta daga waje na kuma na bada; Someone come to ask for her hand in marriage from me and I have given"

he continued "She's still young Dada, too young to spend the rest of her life alone. It's been two years since that unfortunate day and she's been raising her daughter all by herself, it is time she starts over with someone who can take care of her and Humairah"

Dada remained silent for a moment her gaze shifting to Aya, who sat frozen in her seat eyes downcast
"So what is the problem here" Dada finally asked her tone unreadable shocking them with her reply

"Ita Ayar bata so ne?; Does the Aya not want?" She added, Aya's breath hitched and Faisal lowered his gaze his fists tightening on his knees

Dada turned slowly to face Aya, her expression softening "My daughter talk to me. Tell me the truth do you want this marriage?"

The room fell into an uncomfortable silence the only sound was the faint ticking of the clock

Baba hesitated before replying "I haven't spoken to her about it yet, baban ta Faisal has chosen to say no in her stead"

Dada's eyes shifted sharply to Faisal, who sat opposite Aya on the carpet his posture rigid, he kept his gaze low hands clasped in front of him fighting the frustration rising inside him

"He did what?" Dada asked her tone calm but commanding the kind that even made baba straighten up

Faisal lifted his head "Yes Dada I said no" his voice low but firm "Aya is not getting married not like this"

Baba sighed rubbing his temple "Kin gani Dada? This was how he stood up to me last night in front of his sisters dan ya nuna min ban issa ba; to show me I have no say"

Dada's eyes flashed, her voice cut through the room like a blade "Lallai Faisal ka cika karamin marar kunya; Ah Faisal you've shown how disrespectful you are" she snapped "Har kayi girman that your Father will say something and you will open you mouth and say no who do you think you are"

Aya flinched where she sat the tension thick enough to choke her

Faisal lowered his gaze, his jaw tight he knew better than to answer Dada back, he could feel the weight of her words pressing down on him, even though his heart burned with frustration for Aya he stayed silent. Respect for Dada, for Baba ran deeper than his anger

Baba watched him sighing "Faisal.... I understand your feelings I know I am the one who always seeked your advice when it came to matters concerning your sisters but you must learn when to speak and when to hold your tongue. This matter is not yours to decide"

Dada leaned forward resting her frail hands on her knees, her eyes softened slightly as they landed on Aya, who sat quietly her hands fidgeting on her lap "Aya my dear talk to me if you don't want this marriage no one in this house will dare marry you off"

Aya's throat tightened and she swallowed hard unsure of what to say, her heart thumped loudly in her chest, relief washed over her knowing that Dada was on her side but the knot of anxiety in her stomach refused to loosen,

Humairah's words from last night echoed in Aya's mind, leaving her torn between what she truly wanted and what will bring happiness to her daughter. In the end her love for Humairah won

In a barely audibly whisper she murmured "I'll do it Dada"

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A/n
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