ABOUT THIS BOOK
Description
Yuseef and His Restless World
He was lying down, wearing only a short, his body sprawled on a chair in the parlour. He was a young man not more than thirty-five years old, dark-skinned, well-built, with a chest like that of a lion. All he did was press his phone, and not just one woman—there were many of them chatting with him on it.
Completely focused on the phone, a young woman entered the parlour. She was light-skinned, curvy, and tall. She had only a towel wrapped around her body. She found a seat, sat down, stared at him for a while, and softly said, “Dear.”
He raised his head, looked at her, saw her staring intensely, put the phone aside and said, “What is it now?”
With worry in her voice, she said, “I haven’t been able to sleep since you came back. I’ve even taken my bath, but sleep won’t come. That’s why I said you should come so we can lie down together; maybe if you’re close to me, I’ll be able to sleep.”
He glared at her, hissed, picked up his phone and continued pressing it.
She pouted and said, “That’s how you always are. If it’s night, you’ll starve someone of attention and still oppress them.”
He shot her a dangerous look that made her quickly stand up and leave, knowing YUSEEF’s temper—he could turn her into a punching bag.
He hissed again, stood up, headed to the bedroom, dropped his phone on the bed, went into the toilet, bathed, and dressed in fine clothes. Without wearing his cap, he picked up his keys and phone and left the house straight to their family house. On arrival, he went into their section and met Mami sitting on a carpet. She looked startled, scanning around. He sat close to her like a beggar and began greeting her.
“Mami, how are you? Are you well?”
She didn’t even look at where he was, not to talk of replying.
Tears welled in his eyes as he moved closer, held her feet and said, “Please, Mami, stop being angry with me like this.”
She raised her hand to slap him, but he held her hand, pleading softly. She lifted her head, looked at him and said angrily, “I’m tired, tired, tired of your behaviour, Yuseef. Every day it’s the same issue—marriage, marriage. If you don’t know the pain of childlessness, I do. If you won’t marry again, then you must quit this film business. It’s not possible to keep counting years of marriage without a child.”
Respectfully, he replied, “Mami, I already told you about Nuratu, the one I act with. She’s the one I want to marry…”
The glare she gave him made him fall silent. In anger she said, “How many times will I tell you that you will not marry that girl? You’d rather marry someone with wide, innocent eyes like Saudat. Even though she’s not in films, her eyes are open enough, she’s close to you in age. As for Nuratu, she’s wayward. You prefer leaving yourself with women stronger than you, like Saudat, right?”
He bowed his head, rubbing his neck, and said, “Mami, you know nowadays there’s hardly any girl I can marry who will endure living with me…”
“By God, shut your mouth. Even if you bring strength or sex from the whole world, you must marry a decent girl, not a spoilt one. I won’t have my grandchildren raised with the habits of a film actress.”
“Honestly, Mami, that’s not what I meant. You know I’m hot-tempered…”
“That’s enough. I don’t want to hear anything. Get up and go. I know the step I will take.”
He stood up weakly, even left some money for her. As he reached the door, she called his name, “Yuseef, come and take your money. My salary is enough for me.”
In a broken voice, he said, “Give it to Munirat.”
She replied quickly, “She doesn’t need it either.”
Tears filled his eyes as he said, “Just leave it,” and without allowing her to speak again, he left their section.
Fate on the Road
At exactly 5:40 p.m., Yuseera was returning from Islamiyya. Because their school was by the roadside, they had to cross before entering their area. As she was crossing, a black car with dark tinted glass sped toward her. She wasn’t paying attention. Suddenly—screeeech!—the brakes screamed.
She screamed, covered her ears, completely confused. Seeing that she couldn’t move, and knowing he couldn’t just drive away, the driver opened the bonnet, stepped out slowly, and people’s attention turned to him. They recognized him—it was Yuseef YJ, the film star. Seeing people staring and knowing he had done something, he hurried to Yuseera, grabbed her hand, helped her cross, and calmly said, “Please, learn to be careful. You behave like animals.”
After saying that, he crossed back and entered his car. People began praying for him and congratulating him.
Yuseera stood frozen. Today, of all days, she met Yuseef YJ, and he even helped her cross the road. But despite all that sweetness, the word “animals” hurt her deeply. Slowly, she dragged her feet and left the place.
Inside the car, Nuratu was staring at her. He laughed and said, “What are you looking at?”
She sighed and said, “Honestly, sweety, that girl is fine.”
He smiled and said, “Hmm, isn’t that so?”
She looked at him and said, “When I look at a woman, I look at two things—her chest and her hips. That girl, despite her young age, has water, honestly.”
He shook his head in amazement at Nuratu’s audacity. She looked at him and said, “Honestly, just seeing that girl made my heart skip. I don’t even know why.”
He said nothing, only increased the volume of the music.
The next day, Yuseera was late. She hurriedly prepared for school and didn’t even bother to wear socks before leaving the house. As she entered the school compound, she met the Principal at the gate punishing latecomers. Her heart sank—nothing terrified her more than flogging. Trembling, she approached. As the teacher raised his hand toward her, she screamed and stepped back. Everyone stared. Crying, she said, “Please sir, I’m really scared.”
The Principal, who had been watching her closely, said, “Isn’t this Yuseera Sa’id?”
Through tears she answered, “Yes.”
The Principal smiled and said, “Sir, let her go. She’s not late. She’s a hardworking, well-behaved girl.”
Respectfully, the teacher said, “Alright, Hajiya. Go, Yuseera, proceed to your class.”
Joyfully, Yuseera said, “Thank you, Mama. May Allah reward you with Aljannatul Firdaus, preserve your children, protect you from the evil of enemies.”
She then walked calmly toward her class.
The Principal watched her go, thinking to herself that a girl like that was the perfect match for Yuseef—patient, disciplined, never seen misbehaving with any teacher, well-mannered and religious. Even though she was young, she had the bearing of a princess. She is the kind of girl suitable to marry Yuseef, she thought. Relieved, she stood up and went to her office.
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