Chapter 28: Chapter 28

QUEENSTOWN, NEW ZEALAND.

"That's the energy I want, sweetheart. Don't let her feel like you are jealous or insecure about your husband. Fashi them, enjoy the day and send us lots of pictures! Don't talk in front of her to him till you come back then show her who the house belongs to." Kauthar whooped then suddenly yawed serious like someone just past by her office and stared at her. Everyone thinks she is serious and seeing her whooping will ruin her image.

"Yeah, that's what I will do. Now tell me, what is going on over there? How's Belle Mére?" She plopped on the bed herself, finally comfortable with them than she was before.

"I just came to check up on you. Why do you look upset?" Mika'il's voice yanked her away from her reverie and she stared at him in question. Does she really look upset or is he just looking for a reason to closer to her?

"I don't look upset, I got off with Anaan now." She lied, not understanding how he left the clutches of Zara and came into her room even sitting on her bed where she is currently lying on. The man is going to make it hard for her to go through with her words, she can already say it now.

"You are lying." She gave him a look of incredulous even though her heart just soared at the sound of him declaring her a liar, she lied, "I was on phone with Anaan just before I came in." Hr explained, his eyes pinning her down but she must explain now.

"Well, Kauthar just told me about something and I think that got me upset. Don't ask what, I promise not to tell you so you can ask her yourself." She knew Kauthar is going to close it up for her even if he asks so she won't bother herself. All she needs to do now is send him away to his wife before she thinks she is trying to be with her husband.

"Okay... How are you though?" He still questioned, she wants to yell at him to leave her room but that will definitely look suspicious from her side. Oh, dear Lord!

"I'm fine but I need to tell you something, please don't interrupt me. This is your honeymoon with Zara, not me. I strongly believe that I'm being a third wheeler with you guys here but I also want to do something else. I am not going to tag along with you guys ever again, not even to breakfast table. If we get back home safely, I will take my role as the second wife but for now, please spend sometime with her. I trust you." She held his hands in hers, letting her eyes show all the emotions inside. He looks like he is ready to argue and take over the world for what she said but the plea smeared in her eyes made him swallow them back.

"Okay, I agree with your decision but I get to see you everyday right?" His thumbs are drawing little circles around the soft skin of her knuckles and she smiled heartily.

"Of course, you gotta see me everyday and even kiss me. Innocent one!" She added the last two words when he gave her a naughty grin, the guy is always beyond her.

"No, I get to say which one I want to give you since I'm the one who asked for it." He shrugged and draw her into him with a simple jerk, she fell on him. She smiled, can she even go through with what she has said when the man is all over her like this? Well, she is going to try for this is about her dignity and the matter of being the mature one. She can't always follow Zara's stupid competition, she has known to surpass people like Zara since in highschool which is exactly what she is going to do.

Living with a co-wife is never amazing, she hates to hear anyone's husband getting married to another woman! Not even her foes.

****

Bushra yawned the next morning hearing no sound coming from the room next to hers nor around the whole suite which means the couple left the house, good for them. She don't want to waste another day self wallowing, she shall see what is out there for her and get her daughter a lot more things. Oops, she totally forgot about buying souvenirs for the people back at home. Ya Allah, how could she be so centered in getting between Zara and Mika'il to think about the loving people back at home, so with that thought in mind, she stood up to write down what she wants.

Taking her sketchpad, she was about to write their names and what she thinks is the best for them when an idea of a gown came to her mind, she couldn't hold back when her pencil hit the white canvas. She drew the beautiful wedding ball gown she is sure to design for someone she loves, maybe Fayha or Kauthar. But Kauthar has already given her the contract of her own and the type she wants so this is definitely Fahya's for the girl likes extravagance and that gown is meant for someone who is as Fayha with great fashion sense.

A smile took over her face when she finished and kept her pencil aside staring at the now covered white canvas in dark pencil. Her eyes twinkle for she don't even know where the motivation came from, she just drew and thirty minutes later, she's made a wedding dress for her best friend. She meandered her eyes to the window next to the desk she is sitting on where a vast of land stretch acres forward with trees surrounding it. Maybe she should stroll around there later in the evening after going to the market? Hmm, she should definitely do that to avoid Mika'il and his wife.

She made her way to the en-suite and took a hot bath to sooth her slothful bones and give her new energy to go with the day. Just few more days, they will be out of there and she is so looking forward to going back to Nigeria. She never thought her time in New Zealand would turn out to be like that. What did Mika'il tell Zara about her not joining them? Did he lie to save her the humiliation or decided to be holy and told her the whole truth? She don't mind any, the girl has slipped from her mind so does the idea of fighting her. Her energy shall be put to something better from then henceforth.

Removing a spice slacks from her luggage which she hasn't unpacked and is not thinking about doing, she wrestled her legs inside then button the hook at the top just below her bellybutton. She searched inside for her neatly folded sandstone button up shirt with long sleeves and standing puritan collar. Seeing the clothes she is wearing are loose and comfortable for a married woman to roam around in, she took a silky veil and wrap in a classic style around her making sure her bosom is closed modestly. For a small woman, she has bountiful of those so closing them is always her priority.

For her feet, she removed a brown new pair of American made version New balance 990 series Murad bought for her recently and wore them. For her bag, since she only needs their money, New Zealand dollars, that Mika'il changed and gave her, she took Hilde Palladino belt bag that she strapped around her waist, she is going to shopping which means her hands are going to be too busy to hold money, besides, that is the reason she brought a belt bag. She sprayed a bit of Mika'il's love is in the air limited edition then left her room. Just like she heard, they are not there but they left her note.

'I don't like going without you but take care, I know you want to be alone so we are going to another beach on Queen's garden. Your breakfast is in the oven. I love you. Your Maan!' She felt a pang hit her chest but a smile took over too making her confused. Her husband is considerate, she can't say how lucky she is to have him as a husband even with stupid decisions a times.

She removed the breakfast from the oven and ate heartily fully knowing her husband cooked breakfast that day which consist of fried yam, omelette and kidney sauce. She won't ask where he got kidney so late last night or early in the morning, she can't begin to imagine how much trouble he went to get that for them. After eating to her hearts content, she closed the remains and return it back where she got it before leaving the house right after taking a club master style sunglasses to keep from the unknown weather in New Zealand.

The weather changes more than a pregnant woman's mood swings because earlier in the morning when she woke up, it was really chilly and she thought the comforter wasn't thick to secure her from the cold. And now, the sun is blazing and could make anybody skin tan, even her not so light one.

She weave into a cab and made her way to the market, her eyes shining at the foreign place and foreign people. A smile took over her face, she disliked shopping only in Nigeria but if she leaves Nigeria, she loves to roam around each market. And since she has a lost of what to buy for everyone, she started with her day by going to the first shop her eyes landed on. She bought new pairs of shoes for Anaan, a pendant she will give her in a month during her birthday. Mika'il's birthday is also coming up, just few days after Anaan's.

She bought a new beautiful expensive lace for her mother and mother in-law so they can match during Anaan's birthday, she is going to make it grand. She also bought gowns for Fayha, Kauthar and Afrah just for them to match in different colours but same gown that day. She wanted to buy matching outfit for the men too, Mujahid, Mujaddad, Murad and Amir but she changed her mind for they will look like clowns. She decided against it and bought either pants for the men or shirts, just something out of ordinary.

Wanting to make everything look much more fun, she bought jean jackets for her father and father in-law, she will make them get into that no matter what. Her eyes twinkle in mischief, she might as well change her mother and mother in-law's clothes for them to match. Oh, she will make a theme for this birthday party, why didn't she think about it earlier on? It shall be more fun with theme and she will make sure all her family members attend it no matter how busy they will be, besides, it's going to be weekend.

"Hey, can I help?" She heard a manly voice behind her making her jump for she never expected anyone to talk to her in a foreign place. She smiled at the thoughtfulness of the good man for she has her hands filled with shopping bags, she was about to hail a cab so she can drop them in their suite then go have some good lunch.

"No, it's no problem." She forced a smile knowing she can't look too excited about him talking to her and not to forget, he is drop dead handsome. The handsomest man she's ever met in her life though she could add because he is foreign, just close to Falak's husband.

"Nay, this is a problem. A lady walking around with shopping bags more than her own weight? Nay, it's actually an enormous problem." He has the country's accent which means he is from there and she can trust him. His smile is enough to calm her down, she could feel it in her bones that she could trust this man.

His skin is slightly tanned but still very much porcelain, his eyes are the lightest shade of blue she's ever seen her whole life, not that she's seen many. His nose is effortlessly drawn long as if it wants to touch her or mock her small button one while his lips are thin, really thin that you can't even see it except for it's peach colour that differentiated it from the colour of his face. He is not as tall as Mika'il but he could roughly be standing five feet nine or six, taller than her own self. Clad in white cotton shirt, black shorts and white plimsolls adorned his feet.

"You are funny." She pass him half the shopping bags feeling utterly relieved at the lost of so many heavy bags digging into her palms. A small sigh escaped her lips then she remembered to tell him her name but he beat her to it.

"I'm Vicky, I live around here too but you look foreign." He gave her a once over not in an offensive way though neither was he checking her out.

"Nice meeting you, Vicky. I'm Bushra but you can call me Amani. And yes, I'm not from here. I came with my husband and his second wife here from Nigeria." She shrugged when his eyes widened, why does he look so surprise anyway? Surely he's heard about some cultures, religions and countries that get married to more than one woman without a divorce.

"Second wife? This doesn't sound right." He made a sour look while giving her face another look that says this man must be crazy to take another wife after having such beautiful one.

"Yeah, I'm about to go back to our hotel actually." She started looking around for a cab but there is none insight while before he came, there were a lot moving around, she just couldn't keep the bags and ask one of them to stop.

"There are no cabs here, let's go have some coffee and it is not a date! I know you are married now." He smiled when she chuckled, that didn't actually come to her mind at the thought of them having a harmless coffee, with a stranger she will leave in that same place to never see again.

"You brought bad luck upon me, there were cabs before you came." She chuckled when he feigned hurt then add with that same beautiful smile, "But I can help you with a cuppa coffee."

"I don't bring bad lucks, maybe it was destined for you to meet me. Let's go to this coffee shop, they make the best one in the whole world." He shrugged at his first sentence then beamed like a kid at the last one, she can't turn him down like down. Besides, she also needs a cup of coffee to calm down her nerves and keep her thoughts away from Mika'il and his wife.

What they were doing? More sneaky things Zara is plotting.

As soon as they sat down inside the pretty coffeehouse, he called a well known waitress to him and asked her to order which she did. She ordered espresso while he ordered latte saying she will definitely like the latte more but she was hellbent on the espresso.

"So, tell me about this your husband and his second wife. Why are you not all together now?" He folded his arms on the table, he looks to be around twenty six or twenty seven but not anyway higher than that. He could even be younger since most foreigners have huge bodies unlike most Nigerians.

"Well, this is their honeymoon and I tagged along but regretted my decision and decided not to go everywhere with them. We were married for a year and some months now but had some problems after I gave birth to my daughter Anaan. It was totally my fault but he..." She told him all about her marriage, problems she had with Mika'il and she could swear she felt a burden lifted off her chest. He listened intently like a kid listening to bedtime stories when he can't sleep only that her story is no bedtime one.

"Wow, you've been through a lot and you enjoyed his wedding? You are extremely strong, seriously! And can I see this woman's photo? For if she doesn't have a beautiful smile like yours, she is not worth you being insecure and jealous of." That comment made her smile and she knew he did it because he wants her to smile. She took her phone and showed him the picture of Zara through Instagram, she doesn't have one of her photos for she does not have a thing to do with it.

"Ew, she looks hideous. I can't believe men sometimes, seriously. Granted, everything is not about beauty but sometimes, even the beautiful ones have the kindest hearts just like you. From what you've said about this woman, I have no doubt she has a heart like her face and smile but you, you are amazing. Not to forget, drop dead cute." He wiggled his brows earning a giggle from Bushra before she took her phone back and log out of Instagram.

"Thank you. I really needed to hear that." She sighed, tucking her phone out of her pocket when his eyes kept staring at it like he wants to tell her or ask her something so she gave him the ask away look and he eagerly did.

"Can I see your cute baby? I bet she is going to be just like you." His smile is goofy, she removed her phone yet again and entered the place she has countless of Anaan's pictures.

"She is way finer than me, huh? You look like you are about to swallow my phone whole." She laughed, she can't remember ever laughing so cheerfully in a long time. There is no doubt, Vicky is a great company and she might as well enjoy her stay in New Zealand as long as he is there.

"I'm sorry to say but I'm going to marry her when she grows up. I can wait for her, I think the history of my family is werewolf or vampire, I'm not sure but I won't age soon, if that is what you are worried about." He gave her back her phone after requesting she send some to him, he saved his number in her phone.

"Nay, I won't give you my daughter for you'd be chasing your grandchildren by the time she is of age, vampire or not." She laughed again when his face fell, the guy is really something else then she added, "You saved your number as handsome stranger? Not happening!" She laughed then changed his number to Vicky the funny guy from NZ even though it's long.

"I know I'm handsome! And don't say such things about me, I can't be chasing my grandchildren in twenty years to come." He rolled his eyes, making them shine as the waitress brought their orders. He gave her a wink, yawing her face to bright pink and Bushra laughed.

"You are leading ladies on, you are definitely going to be chasing your great grandchildren soon." She bathed in joy of riling the guy that doesn't want to age a bit. She has forgotten when was the last time she enjoyed having conversation with anyone, since before she heard the new about her husband getting married which was more than twenty one days ago.

"Drop that topic please, I won't age. When are you going back to Nigeria?" He questioned after releasing an exaggerated moan from his latte, wanting her to ask for a sip but she won't take something he's started drinking so he might order some later.

"Few days, why?" She inclined her head, sipping her bitter espresso and she wanted to tell him you were right but the guy's head will probably be a mile away after she confessed that so she kept quite. She can easily come back tomorrow and buy some alone, yeah, she will definitely do that.

"Good, we are going to spend those days together. I know you are bored back in your hotel suite all alone without husband or second wife. Let's meet up here tomorrow, same time." He was requesting but he made it sound like a demand, his eyes held this hope she can't tarnish.

"Sure."

She didn't know someone was there looking at her, none other than Mika'il and Zara.