Chapter 23: Chapter 23

Husnah's Point Of View.

My eyes grew wide open. What could Sadeeq be doing here? My head felt like it was going to split into two. It was throbbing so hard that I felt myself spinning.

"And who the hell do you think you are? You think you have a say in this? She's my wife man! Get the hell out of here before I loose my patience" Nabeel said angrily.

I didn't know what made Sadeeq chuckled, but he did before clearing his throat and, gave Nabeel a answer that shocked both him and I.

"Easy mister. Maybe you've forgotten that she's no more your wife. Or have you forgotten that part?" He asked slowly.

"That's none of your goddamn business!" Nabeel snapped, his hand into a fist.

"Well I'm making it my business now cause she's going to be my wife real soon. Gorrit?".

'Okay, I need to step into this right now. I can't just sit and watch them try to split my head. I have too much to handle than waste my time with these guys'.

"Enough of this Nabeel. You want your daughter right? Then come get her tomorrow. That's if you're able to explain who you are to her. Goodbye. Let's go Sadeeq". I said picking up my bag and walking past him to the door.

I wanted to snap at Sadeeq for sticking his nose into my problems. I hate kinibibi!.

As soon as I reached the parking lot, I turned, anger spread across my face and looked at Sadeeq.

"I really don't like people sticking their nose into my affairs. I can handle my problems, that's why they are called mine!".

Sadeeq only smiled. I wondered what was wrong with him. I thought he would be angry, but no. He smiled and kept looking at me, his lips tucking up in an attempt to smile again.

"Umm Amirah" he called slowly.

By Allah, my heart made double flips. No one, no one had ever tried calling me that name. I never knew that was how its felt to be addressed like that. And then, that deep and husky voice helping in making me feel butterflies at the pit of my stomach.

"I'm not sticking my nose aii. I'm making your problems my problems also. Am I welcome?" He asked, burning me up with his gaze.

"Look mister. I don't know you and I really don't give a damn whoever the hell you are! Just don't try to stick your nose in my problems. Have a nice day". And with that, I drove off leaving him there.

*****

"Ouch! It hurts a lot" I whined holding onto my knee so tight.

"It's okay. I'm right here hussy. Keep quite please".  Hamma Abubakar said.

"But zafi yakemun ai". I whined again, I just loved it when he's with me, I was the 'shagwaba' type and he was the only one who could tolerate it. Hamma Khaleel, Hamma Jabir, and Hamma Naseer don't used to bother wasting their time pampering me when I am in that mood.

"Okay. What do you want me to do right now?" He asked looking worried.

"I want a back ride" I said, pouting.

"But you're too heavy hussy!" Abubakar said.

I broke into tears again, this time around I was screaming at the pitch of my voice, rolling on the floor.

"Fine, I'm sorry" Hamma Abubakar said bending down, "where do you want me to take you?" He asked as soon as I climbed on his back.

"Up. To my room" I replied hugging him by his torso.

We were playing outside our back yard when I fell down. I had only a scratch on my knee which I was making fuss about just because it was Hamma Abubakar who was pampering me.

"Okay lie down and sleep hussy. I'll sing you a lullaby".

"You singing my favorite?" I asked suddenly feeling sleepy at the mention of singing me a lullaby.

"Yeah. Am singing it. Now take a nap while I sing for you kid sis".

*****

"Okay... okay, Lemme get this straight Hamma. You're trying to tell me that your friend loves me and wants to marry me?" I asked through the phone sounding very angry.

"Yes. He asked for my permission to court you and I already gave him my consent" Hamma Khaleel said, sounding very serious.

"But I don't want it!" I snapped at him almost forgetting he was my elder brother, "Why can't you all just let me be! I said I'm not ready to get into any relationship talk_more of getting married anytime soon!" I shouted.

"Will you shut up miss"! Hamma Khaleed yelled through the phone, "You're 27years old now. You think we'll just sit around and watch you without marrying you off? Like it or not... I've already told Abbah about it and he already gave his consent. I know he'll talk to you about it soon, I was only trying to give you a head up. So suit yourself yanxu. Have a nice day!".

And that was it,

He ended the call!

I slipped down to the floor crying. Why was this happening to me? Why me? Why couldn't they force Hamma Naseer into marriage? Was I the only divorcee in the whole of Nigeria?

No, I wouldn't sit back and watch them ruin my life for the second time!

I'm not going into an arrange marriage again!

I would get married only when I wanted to, and when I felt I love the person.

I wouldn't let history repeat itself!

And that was it!

*****

Later in the night...

"Asmaa'u" Abbah called slowly.

I was sitting beside him on the floor, while Abbah was sitting on a couch, with mom sitting beside him.

"Are you interested in someone?" He asked slowly.

I wanted using body language but I knew that would sound disrespectful, so I answered "No".

"Okay. Sadeeq asked if he can court you. I told him to wait so I can have your opinion first before I give my consent. What do you say?" He asked

I was silent for a while. I couldn't look at Abbah and say 'NO' directly to him. I also wouldn't say 'YES' to something I wasn't ready for.

"I need time to think Abbah. I don't know what to say right now".

"You need time?" Mom asked, sounding irritated.

I felt cold all over me. Why was mom acting that way? She ought to back me up, not that! Wasn't she a lady like me? She ought to know my pain!

"Yes" I answered, my voice trembling.

"Fine" she said standing up, "suit yourself Asmaa'u. I won't bother myself on you getting married anymore!". She uttered angrily before leaving the sitting room.

My eyes grew watery, and I knew I could cry anytime soon. But not in front of Abbah, He had a lot on his plate and he wasn't getting any younger.

"Get going Asmaa'u. Pray real hard, may Allah see you through".

"Amiin Abbah" I said standing up and going straight into my room.

Amrah was the only person who clicked into my mind. The only friend I had till now. She didn't judged me when Nabeel accused me of cheating on him, in fact she stood up for me and threatened to even take the case to court. Oh lord! Amrah was the best_ever friend I've ever had.

"Sweetheart" she chirped in as soon as she picked up the call, "how you doing? How's my baby Amirah doing?" She asked.

"Fine" I answered as I slipped on a couch beside my bed, "she's fast asleep already".

"Hey! Are you okay?" Amrah asked concerned.

I heaved a sigh before rubbing my temple... 'Lord! Am going through a lot these days, I can't even seem to handle it all alone'.

"Someone came to ask for permission to court me. He's Hamma khaleel's friend. I don't even know where those two met. And they're all trying to give him a chance to date me. I don't know ko sun gaji dani that much"

"Whaat!?" Amrah asked surprised, "who's he?" She asked further.

"Something Sadeeq" I replied absent mindly.

"Don't give him a chance if you don't like him" Amrah said as if warning me.

"I won't repeat that mistake again babe. Don't worry". I replied.

"Kinsan me? Tell him to come over and I'll come and see him then we'll discuss about it inya taf".

"But I don't have his number ai"

"We'll figure it out".

"Yeah, I'll try and see" I replied.

"Goodnight"

"Goodnight bae".

*****

I dressed quickly as Sadeeq was already outside waiting for me. I had been waiting for Amrah for the past two hours but she still hadn't arrive.

'God! Sadeeq has been waiting for me for almost thirty minutes!'.

I strolled outside to meet him by the parking lot. I caught a glimpse of Amirah sitting beside him talking; non stop. I wondered where she got that talkative side of hers, because I definitely wasn't a talkative.

"Umm Amirah" his deep voice called out as soon as I reached them. "Ma shaa Allah. You look so wow!" He said looking at me from head to toe.

"Mummy chinyi chau" Amirah said happily, clapping her hands.

"Good afternoon" I greeted him avoiding his gaze.

"As salaamu Alaikoom Umm Amirah" he said smiling. I suddenly felt shy. I should have said that in the first place.

"Wa alaikumus salaam"

"How are you?" He asked.

"I've been trying to be good ever since you invaded my life. Can't you just let me be please?".

He smiled. That smile that send butterflies under the pit of my stomach.

"How can a soul live away from its body?" He asked chuckling.

"What?" I asked a little bit taken back.

"You heard me right Umm Amirah. You're my soul. There's no way i can live without you. Ana uhibbuki Umm Amirah!".

***** ***** *****