ZAFIN KAI COMPELET BOOK BY Mamuhgee.txt
<p> </p><p> </p><p>—</p><p>She remained silent, kneeling before Baffah, with tears streaming down her face. Inna looked at her and asked,</p><p>“What’s wrong, Dije? Why did you come in like this, with tears all over your face?”</p><p>Dije looked at Baffah, then turned her gaze to Inna. Her voice trembled as she struggled to speak.</p><p>“Ha… Habu told me… that they are planning to marry me off… to the prince, Ammar.”</p><p>She broke down in tears, burying her face in her knees.</p><p>Inna turned to Baffah, about to speak, but he stopped her.</p><p>“Don’t say anything. What you heard is true. Dije is going to marry the prince—Ammar, the grandson of the village chief and the son of Alhaji Kabeer.”</p><p>Dije burst into louder cries. She crawled closer to Baffah and knelt before him, sobbing.</p><p>“Please, Baffah, don’t force me into this marriage.”</p><p>“Be patient, Dije. Just as you have always been obedient to your parents, I need you to be strong and obey me in this matter too. You will find happiness in it. Two years ago, we made this promise to Alhaji Kabeer, and you know how serious a promise is.”</p><p>*"It was two years ago, when they built the mosque and renovated the school, adding Islamic schools as well. Alhaji Kabeer was the one who gave me the contract to manage the construction workers’ salaries. Even before that, he was my close friend. When he moved to the city for his studies, we lost touch, but whenever he visited the village, we spent time together. He saw how sincerely I managed the project, without corruption, and how the people respected my integrity.</p><p>After everything was completed, we sat down, just the two of us, and he asked me for a favor. He begged me not to refuse. I told him that as long as it didn’t go against Islamic teachings, I would consider it.</p><p>That’s when he told me he wanted to merge our families through marriage. He begged me not to say no.</p><p>I hesitated because I knew a little about Ammar's character—how much he despised this village whenever they visited, and how he looked down on the people, treating them as mere villagers. But then I thought about his father, the way he pleaded with me with such humility and respect. I couldn’t refuse him.</p><p>So, I agreed. He was overjoyed, thanking me as if I had given him a priceless gift.</p><p>Even when Ammar got married, Alhaji Kabeer came to inform me, reminding me that our agreement was still in place. He said we should wait until you finished school before bringing it up. If it was destined, you would complete your education in your husband's house.</p><p>That’s why I stopped you from getting close to anyone else. Alhaji Kabeer would not have been happy if the wedding had already happened.</p><p>So, I need you to fulfill this promise, Dije. I know you won't disappoint me."*</p><p>Dije wiped her tears and said, “Baffah, I accept this decision. May Allah make it a blessing. I will never bring you shame or disappoint you.”</p><p>Baffah smiled. “May Allah bless you, Dije.”</p><p>“Ameen, Baffah.”</p><p>She got up and walked into her room, lying down on the mat. She closed her eyes and started recalling her first encounter with Ammar and his wife.</p><p>It was on a day when she had gone to fetch firewood at Inna's request. Since her friend Laure was sick, she had gone alone.</p><p>She was rushing home, singing quietly to herself, unaware of a car approaching behind her. She only realized it when she heard the loud honk, nearly deafening her ears. The car was speeding straight toward her.</p><p>Panicking, she threw the firewood aside and jumped to the side of the road, barely escaping.</p><p>She felt a sharp sting on her face—it was a hard slap!</p><p>Shocked, she opened her eyes and found herself staring into the furious face of a fair-skinned woman.</p><p> </p><p> </p>
