two – surprise!
Hajar began to back away from the door on shaking legs. She started to chant every du’a that she knew. She didn’t get far before the front door was flung open and a sea of smiling faces burst forth. Hajar’s thumping heart almost flew out of her mouth. She screamed: “AHHHH!” at the same time the intruders also shouted:
“SURPRISE!
”WELCOME!”
“CONGRATULATIONS!”
“Wait, I thought we all agreed to say ‘surprise’? How come you all are saying something different?” A slightly irritated voice Hajar instantly recognised, asked.
“Nahla?” Hajar asked hesitantly. The adrenaline high began to fade and her heartbeat slowly started returning to normal as she peered into the faces of the ‘intruders’.
“Maalik, Ibraheem, Haashim? WHAT DO GUYS THINK YOU ARE DOING? You almost killed me!”
Hajar looked from one face to the other, eyes spitting fire mainly because the little rascals had the nerve to start laughing.
“Big sis, you should see your face,” Maalik pointed at Hajar. He was laughing so hard, that tears streamed down his cheeks.
“As in… this one she’s calling us by our full names like this. Means we got her big time. In short sister mi, your expression is so hilarious. You look like…” Khaleel said while also doubled over in laughter.
Before he could finish his sentence, Khaleelah, his twin sister, smacked the back of his head. “That’s a big word, Khaleel. Sure, you know what it means?” Ignoring Khaleel’s scream of pain, Khaleelah faced Hajar with an apologetic smile. “Don’t mind them jare, sister mi. Congratulations. You’ve worked so hard, and you deserve this. There’s cake inside…”
Khaleelah could not finish also because Khaleel jumped her then and they began to fight and argue. The rest joined them and soon it was chaos.
Ibraheem left the others and came to stand by Hajar. He put his arms around her. “Baarakallahu feeki, big sis. You liked our surprise, abi?” He wiggled his eyebrows at her.
Shaking her head at their antics, Hajar couldn’t help but return his smile. “Yes, I am touched by the gesture, but you should have told me!”by Hafsah bint Nurein
Ibraheem gave her an incredulous look. “If we did that, it wouldn’t be a surprise now, would it?”
“Fair enough.” Hajar agreed. She looked around. “Where is mummy? She didn’t come with you?”
Ibraheem shook his head. “No, she’ll join us after she finishes at the restaurant.”
“O-kay. So that’s how you people planned it abi? She gave you the news and told you I’d be going shopping, right?”
Ibraheem chuckled. “Yep,”
Smiling, Hajar turned to her remaining unruly siblings and shouted. “HEY!” Like an engine coming to a stop, the quieted down.
Hajar planted her hands on her hips and faced them with a mock stern expression.
“Oya, all of you, help me with the bags and let’s go inside jor.”
“Ok, you heard her people. Pick a bag and go in!” Ibraheem hurried their siblings up.
Everyone filed inside with the bags, still teasing one another.
******
A few minutes later, Mrs Adeoye arrived, another cake in tow. Immediately she set eyes on Hajar, she rushed forward and pulled her into an embrace.
“I am so, so proud of you, sweetheart.” Her stepmum said, voice heavy with emotion. Her eyes glistened with tears too. “You did it, maa shaa Allah. You really did it!”
Hajar squeezed her stepmother tight. Her head spun with all the emotions she was currently feeling. Pride, joy, hope and a lot more.
“Thank you,” Hajar managed to say. She looked at each and everyone in the room. “Jazaakumullahu khayran for all your support. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Maalik leaned closer and whispered in her ear, “Don’t cry yet o, big sis. We haven’t even given you your presents!”
Hajar laughed, and everyone joined in. She felt lighter than she had in months. maybe years. All those late nights studying, the moments of doubt, the fear of failure — they all seemed worth it now.
Afterwards, they ushered her into a seat and began presenting her with gifts. There was a lot of ooh-ing and aah-ing and laughter as she accepted them.
Ibraheem gifted her a very pretty backpack with a matching laptop case.
Maalik presented her with a digital alarm clock. “Simple and compact. Mi o raye serenre.” He said as he placed it in Hajar’s lap. She smiled and quickly pulled his cheek before he escaped.
Khaleel stepped forward with a travel mug printed with the words ‘Official Fresher: Powered by God and Dreams’.
“Do you like what it says? I wasn’t sure…”
“It is perfect, Lee! I will use it well.” Hajar hugged the mug to her chest and Khaleel beamed, clearly proud of himself.by Hafsah bint Nurein
Khaleelah rolled her eyes at the display and mumbled under her breath but loud enough for her twin (and everyone) to hear. “His head will be swelling like bread that fell inside water now whereas na me give am idea
Shocked, Khaleel opened his mouth to reply and Hajar, already used to their antics, quickly eased the tension by gently tugging at Khaleelah’s sleeve. “Lilah dear, Oya show me what you got for me.”
All the giggling and fuming quieted down and Khaleelah triumphantly presented Hajar with her gift: A personalised stationery set.
Haashim gave her a table lamp that doubled as a pencil holder.
Finally, it was the turn of the baby of the house, Nahla. With an air of importance, she stepped forward then placed a package into Hajar’s outstretched hands.
Inside were a pair of pink flip-flops. Nahla had taken it a step further by scribbling Hajar’s name in bold letters across each foot with black marker.
Everyone started to giggle quietly.
“Mtcheww, so this is what you this small girl have been hiding from us since?” Khaleel asked.
“Abi o, I even thought it was something special,” Haashim added.
“Keep quiet, you two. Agbayas,” Mrs Adeoye admonished her sons, although she had a small smile on her face.
Nahla paid them no mind. She looked up at Hajar eagerly. “Do you like it, sister mi? I did that so no one would wear your slippers in your hostel.”
Smiling, Hajar carried her baby sister on her lap. She gave her a noisy peck on the cheek. “I love it, jazaakillahu khayran my darling. I will make sure to wear it with pride,” She said the last part with a pointed look at her brothers who were still laughing. Nahla smiled widely and kissed her big sister’s cheek, obviously satisfied with her answer.
“Sebi you have finished? Now let’s go eat, I’m starving!” Mrs Adeoye announced. She was already waiting at the table.
Dinner was a lively affair, with Hajar’s siblings arguing over whose gift was better and how different and fun university life would be.
******
Later, after dinner and delicious cake, Hajar and her stepmum retired to her room, leaving her siblings in the living room watching T.V.
“So, what’s the plan now? Mrs Adeoye began.
Hajar shrugged. “I move to school when we resume. By the way, thank you for allowing me to use this place ma.”
“It’s nothing, Abike. When will you stop thanking me? Abi can’t I do anything for my daughter?”
They laughed and continued discussing plans for the future. Hajar asked her stepmum to help monitor her investments in real estate while she was at school. It would be easy since her stepmum had invested as well.
The women also traded ideas about how Hajar would continue growing ‘Hajar’s Bites’ at school. They settled for her only taking on one-time contracts and making small chops, to leave time for her schoolwork.
Finally, they spoke about her dad and his unwillingness to budge.
“In fact, if I say I understand this stubbornness, I’d be lying.” Mrs Adeoye said sighing. “Don’t let this worry you o, okay. Just keep making du’a and focus on your studies. I won’t stop talking to him and praying.”By Hafsah bint Nurein
“I called him today like you asked. Same thing ni o.”
“He is stressed, I give him that. What with the court case and trying to manage his business. You know I think he is salty because everything happened just when the things were becoming very rosy at the block company.”
“Ehen, I.B mentioned something today. That daddy’s lawyer is optimistic about winning.”
Mrs Adeoye nodded. “The lawyer is hopeful however I am sceptical. You know Siddiq has friends in high places. Who knows what strings he is pulling in the shadows? I’m surprised this case is taking so long, fa.”
“Or I should return the money, and all this will end…”
“I forbid it!” Mrs Adeoye said sternly, wagging a finger at Hajar. “Listen you worked hard and earned that money so use it for what you intend okay?”
Hajar chuckled. “Yes ma,” They had this conversation several times before and each time, her stepmum would vehemently oppose her.
“That reminds me,” Mrs Adeoye continued, seemingly satisfied. “I haven’t given you your gift.” She opened her bag and retrieved a rectangular cardboard box. Hajar was already excited. She couldn’t keep still.
“Mummy, is that what I think it is?”
Mrs Adeoye handed her the box with a smile. “There’s only one way to find out. Here open it.”
Hajar needed no further prompting. She carefully placed the box on the table and opened it. Hajar gasped when she saw what was inside.
“Subhanallah! No wonder you were chasing me with calls while I was shopping.”
“Before nko? I had to know if you had already purchased one or planned on doing so.”
Hajar gingerly removed the laptop from its packaging. It was sleek and lightweight and exactly the brand she had been eyeing for a while. The cherry on top was the engraving of her initials just below the brand logo in tiny cursive letters.
“I had Jimmy Electronics deliver it to the restaurant today. Do you like it? He says it has a touchscreen and the memory is… Oh!”
Mrs Adeoye was cut short by Hajar flinging herself into her arms.
“I don’t like it, I love it! Jazaakumullahu khayran. I am so-so grateful ma.” Hajar was so overwhelmed with emotion that she burst into tears. “I love you so much and I will make you proud in shaa Allah. Thank you so much.” Hajar thanked her mum in between tears.
“Come now, don’t cry, ok? I know you will make me and all of us proud, that’s a given. Shh, it’s alright.” Mrs Adeoye stroked Hajar’s back. She also had tears in her eyes.
“How did you know I wanted this brand? How and when did you even customise it…?”
Her stepmum smiled while wiping Hajar’s tears. “I have my ways, dear. Now rest. It’s getting late and we have to get going. I’ll see you at the restaurant tomorrow?”
Hajar nodded and with one last quick hug, they went outside to prepare for the trip home.
******
Hours later while preparing for bed, Hajar spotted a gift bag in the corner of her room. She hadn’t noticed it before today.
“Maybe mum dropped it earlier.” She said to herself.
Hajar smiled wondering what other surprises her stepmum had up her sleeves.
She opened the gift bag. It contained a beautiful leatherbound journal and an envelope, which held a congratulations card with a handwritten note accompanying it:
Abike mi,
Watching you grow into such a remarkable young woman is a great joy. I’m in awe of how you’ve faced every challenge with such determination and grace. Today, I celebrate your surmounting one such challenge- aceing your post-UTMEs.
As you step into this new chapter, I want you to remember how proud we all are of you. This journal is a small gift to capture your thoughts, dreams, and the beautiful moments you will experience on this journey. May it remind you that every story has its ups and downs, but the courage to keep going is what truly matters. You are an inspiration to all your siblings, and I cannot wait to see the incredible future you make for yourself, by Allah’s will.
I love you so much and I’m so proud of you.
Baarakallahu feeki.
With love,
Your greatest cheerleader. (Mum)
The note warmed Hajar’s heart and she shed happy tears. Clutching the note to her chest, Hajar prayed to Allah to bless her family and assist her in making them proud.
© 2025
Hafsah bint Nurein
