MATA'UL HAYAT

He said, “What should I bring you with?”
Smiling, she replied, “Tomorrow.”
He laughed and said, “Well then, it seems you’ll give birth to a baby the color of tomorrow… alright, I’ll be on my way.”

He ended the call and picked up his car keys. As he was about to leave, Basiru, the messenger, entered the office holding a thick file in his hand. They nearly collided. Basiru bowed slightly and said,
“Sir, here are the engine documents from the bonanza that came from Peter’s office. He said you should sign them.”

He took the file, placed it on the table, picked up a pen and signed, then handed it back to Basiru. As Basiru was leaving, he ran into Alhaji Sammani Sabo. So they both returned into the office and exchanged greetings. Alhaji Sagir, smiling slightly, said,
“Alhaji Sammani, I was thinking of calling you yesterday but didn’t get the chance.”

Alhaji Sammani smiled and replied,
“Don’t worry, I decided to come myself.”

Alhaji Sagir fell silent for a while, then said,
“To be honest, I thought deeply about it and realized it won’t work—especially if I try to push it through the association, it won’t be accepted. So I think we should just let it go…”

Alhaji Sammani struck the table lightly with his hand, smiling, and said,
“Don’t worry, my friend, my trusted one. I know you are fond of me, and even if I’m not around, you can still help my family. Thank you for the explanation. So when will it be carried out?”

Alhaji Sagir replied,
“Yes, just as we have been saying from the beginning.”

Alhaji Sammani stood up and said,
“Alright then, my friend, no problem. But I’ll be traveling to Dubai. I won’t return until everything is concluded. So I ask everyone’s forgiveness, and please ensure that things continue properly.”

Alhaji Sagir said,
“Alright, my friend, thank you very much for your patience and sacrifice.”

He escorted him to the door. Then he returned into the office, picked up his keys which he had set aside, filled with happiness, and walked out toward the parking area.

Just as he was about to reach there, he suddenly stumbled and fell to the ground. By chance, he began vomiting blood.

People around noticed what happened and quickly rushed to assist him. The vomiting of blood was severe, so no time was wasted. He was rushed to the hospital immediately. Even before they reached the hospital, his condition worsened badly, and he was taken straight into the emergency room.

Alhaji Saminu, who led the trip to the hospital, used Alhaji Sagir’s phone to look up Alhaji Ahmad’s number and called him. The call connected at once. When Alhaji Ahmad answered, he said,
“Yes, father of tomorrow? Have you arrived?”

Alhaji Saminu replied,
“No, it’s not him. I’m one of the workers from his farm. Please meet us at NAJNOOR HOSPITAL. Sir collapsed while trying to get into his car and started vomiting blood. That’s why we brought him here.”

In panic, Alhaji Ahmad said,
“Alright, I’m on my way.”

Within fifteen minutes, Alhaji Ahmad arrived at the hospital. By then, they were allowed to see him because the bleeding had temporarily stopped.

When they entered, they found him completely altered—his appearance totally changed, like someone who had been ill for years. Alhaji Ahmad moved closer and saw that his eyes were red like glowing embers. There was a strange, faint light in them, as if aligned with electric light.

With compassion, Alhaji Ahmad said,
“Sorry, Alhaji Sagir.”

He could not respond; he only stared at him, as though this was the first time he had ever seen him face to face.

“Were you already ill, or was it caused by the fall?”
He still could not answer, so Alhaji Saminu spoke instead,
“Honestly, I think he wasn’t well, because he was unusually quiet at the farm today. After he entered his office, he didn’t come out until this incident happened.”

Alhaji Ahmad said,
“May Allah grant him healing.”
They all replied, “Ameen.”

They sat for ten minutes without anyone speaking. Then Alhaji Sagir closed his eyes. Alhaji Saminu said,
“I think he’s asleep.”

Alhaji Ahmad raised his head to look at him and saw that his eyes were open—but the pupils changed color: first bright green, then brown, then black. After that, he closed his eyes again.

Alhaji Ahmad’s heart sank. He didn’t understand what he had seen. He quickly looked at Alhaji Saminu and said,
“Please look—did you see how his pupils were changing color?”

They quickly checked Alhaji Sagir, but his eyes were closed. Alhaji Saminu said,
“He’s just sleeping.”

Alhaji Ahmad kept thinking—could it be that he truly saw something unusual happen to his brother? But hearing their response made him dismiss the thought.

Alhaji Saminu said they should inform his wife. Alhaji Ahmad replied,
“Yes, not only her, but also our parents.”

He took out his phone, about to make a call, when Alhaji Sagir suddenly jerked up in fright, clutching his head with the hand that hadn’t been connected to IV fluids. Alhaji Ahmad put the phone back in his pocket and rushed to his brother, asking,
“How are you feeling?”

There was silence. He didn’t respond. Finally, he collapsed flat on the bed.

They all began invoking prayers. One of them quickly called the doctor. After examining him, the doctor confirmed that his soul had departed.

Tears streamed down Alhaji Ahmad’s face. With strength, he called their father and informed him of what had happened. Then he called Alhaji Sada and explained the situation to him as well.

Within a short time, they all gathered at the hospital in great distress. Everything necessary was done, and they were provided with an ambulance to transport the body home.

They left, each of them burdened with the grief of this great loss, because losing someone like Alhaji Sagir deeply wounds the heart.

A brave hero, a champion who stood firmly for goodness—rarely would a poor person bring a complaint to Alhaji Sagir without having their tears wiped away. Yet all of this could not prevent him from answering the call of our Creator.

Indeed, Allah does not leave one person so that another may enjoy forever! And no matter the bravery or intelligence of the soul, it must taste death.

(The bitterness of death deeply affects those left behind; patience and bravery are not enough to stop the soul from tasting death when one dear is lost.)

Especially Alhaji Sagir, who was like a leader among his peers, because he surpassed them all in wealth.

(May Allah have mercy on the author of this book, forgive her and all Muslims entirely. Ameen.)

Continuation of the story…

DESTINY HAS ALREADY BEEN WRITTEN

Hajiya Karimatu was sitting in the living room when Hajiya Asmo entered carrying plates, her face full of cheer. She said,
“Today I am fulfilling the duty that rests on my neck.”

Hajiya Karima smiled and said,
“Hmm, so you’ve heard I was informed, and that’s why you came? Well, you already spared yourself the effort, because I won’t eat it—just leave it until your brother returns and eats.”

Hajiya Asmo sat beside her and said,
“Are you sure? I won’t stress myself for nothing.”

Hajiya Karima replied,
“You didn’t stress yourself for nothing, since your brother is returning. At least you’ve relieved me.”

She added,
“Honestly, since morning my heart has felt heavy. Nothing pleases me; even saliva tastes bitter. And the baby in my womb keeps twisting my intestines.”

Hajiya Asmo smiled slightly and said,
“Could it be that labor is approaching? I noticed your belly has dropped a lot.”

Hajiya Karima smiled too and said,
“So is it that a woman with an old pregnancy has no problem except labor? Honestly, I’m even afraid I might die in childbirth.”

Hajiya Asmo said,
“Childbirth isn’t death. May Allah deliver you safely. But please try to eat—hunger tortures a pregnant woman.”

Hajiya Karima replied,
“You won’t understand what I mean. I don’t feel hungry at all, and I can’t put anything in my mouth. You just eat—I’m not forcing myself.”

Hajiya Asmo glanced at her sideways and said,
“So are you trying to trick me, go into the room, give birth, and let me only hear a baby’s cry?”

Hajiya Karima laughed and said,
“No, honestly. You see, I’ve changed my mind about entering the room, right?”

As she was about to speak, they heard the sound of a car stopping. Hajiya Karima said,
“I think he has arrived.”

Hajiya Asmo replied,
“It might not be only him—I heard the sound of more than one car.”

She said,
“Maybe he came with his friends.”

Before they could finish guessing, Alhaji Sada entered the living room, his face without brightness. They returned his greeting. Hajiya Asmo added,
“I went to your house and didn’t meet you, so I passed by here before going back later.”

Briefly he replied,
“It’s good you came here.”

He looked at Hajiya Karima and asked,
“Where is the store-room key?”

Before she could answer, she exchanged looks with Hajiya Asmo, then said,
“It’s in the room.”

He said,
“Bring it to me.”

She was about to ask why when he raised his hand and said,
“Hurry up, they’re waiting for me outside.”

Hajiya Asmo felt cold all over. She looked at Hajiya Karima and said,
“Just tell me where it is, I’ll fetch it.”

She replied,
“It’s on the dressing mirror.”

Hajiya Asmo hurried into the room, brought the store-room key, and gave it to him. He took it and left without explaining anything.

It was only after Alhaji Sagir’s body was brought in that Alhaji Rabi’u entered the living room. The moment they saw him, their hearts sank—they knew something serious had happened, though they didn’t yet know what.

They both knelt down and greeted him. After he settled into a chair and returned the greeting, he looked at Hajiya Karima, his voice heavy with sorrow, and said