Chapter 68: Chapter 68

ABUJA, NIGERIA.

"Oh, such joyful news!" Gigi cheered her frail wrinkly hands moving up in front of her in joy. She hasn't heard any great news in a while and this really worth sharing sweets to the less privileged to.

"I know right. I am glad Amani accepted the boy, it would've yawed to something terrible. The love he has for her is irrevocable, Gigi. I feel like even Mika'il didn't love her the way Amir is doing right now, it looks deep just from the way he talks about her. I knew he would've fought with me had I turn down his offer." He shook his head recalling what happened the night before in the dining room. He is proud of his son for taking such step, not everyone his age could do this even for love.

"That is the spirit I want because my Bushra deserves that and more. She stood strong after all Mika'il did, she is worth everything Amir is going to do now and in future. Finally, happiness will knock on her door, the raw love she is entitled to." Gigi's smile is extra large, she couldn't remember the last time she smiled like that.

In utter happiness, she didn't know she's poured some water down on the carpet, her legs soaked inside. She fisted her wrinkly hands in merriment then glance at her grandson who is the next person to go through such happiness. She isn't against what her daughter did, fixing his marriage with his cousin Badriyah, she is a nice girl. The same love Amir has for Bushra is the same one Badriyah buried in her chest, she don't see anything wrong in that. The love she'd shower on him will definitely make him happy, though not enough for him to fall in love again.

Maybe she should get him married before his children, perfect idea.

"She does." He is also unconsciously smiling, glad that his daughter in-law is back after all the terrible things his first son did to her. His second son is straightening and seasoning things up, he is a proud father now. The guilt weighing him down after the incident was vast but now, it vanished like it was never there.

"Off you go, get her hand in marriage officially. Just because we've been related once upon a time does not mean we won't go through the formalities. She is going to get married like all maidens out there, a grand wedding she didn't get last time. Don't make her regret this decision no matter what. I want to make her feel like a princess who deserves everything gracious." Gigi is smiling while she talks like she is building the image in her head which she is. Imagining a dazzling smile gracing Bushra's face on her wedding day.

"Oh, grandma, don't worry about that. I'm going to make sure everything is perfect for her, no inconvenience." With that, he stood up and bid the old woman adieu then glided to his parents quarters intentionally not taking the root that would lead to where Badriyah is.

"Are we going there now?" His mother asked in her usual matriarchy voice earning a dutiful nod from her son. He can't exactly point out why the woman is never soft, he's never seen anyone like her his entire lifetime. His father is just too quite but his mother, she is an entire story on her own for her attitude.

She is wearing fine clothes like always, she always dresses like she's expecting the ministers to come give her a visit every blessed day. An expensive looking hollandaise is what she is wearing, the colours dull but manage to pop out her beautiful dark features. Had the woman being ugly, she would definitely have died a spinster! A woman without soft spot is not an ideal wife talk less about being the perfect mother. He wonder how his father cope with her sometimes, he can't imagine himself being with someone like her. Or is it because his dead wife's bubbly personality that rub off of him?

"Yes, they are waiting for us." He gazed at his watch worriedly only to suspire inwardly seeing they have almost an hour to the given time. He likes leaving good impressions no matter the situation. Yes, they are close to the Danbazau's but this is marriage proposal, it should be dignified.

"Before we go, go talk to Badriyah and come back while I get your father." With that, she turn around leaving a whiff of her expensive oud at her wake.

He sighed, she won't let him live in peace and will delay this meeting if he doesn't do as she ordered. With the thought of his son's proposal, he made his way to the quarters behind the house where they are occupying.

"Aw, look how cute they look together." One of the women inside the quarters whispered to the others as they stare out through the window at Malik and Badriyah standing just a little outside their quarters but far enough that they can't hear a thing.

"They don't look cute, he is the handsome rich one." One enviously commented staring daggers outside at the couple. She has had so many sleepless nights after the declaration that Malik will be marrying Badriyah some days ago.

"Ha, jealousy won't work on this and no one shall cast evil eye on my daughter. If you are so jealous of her, then you should leave and go back to your poor husband." Badriyah's mother retorted hauntingly from where she is sitting at the other end of the room enjoying the attention her daughter is getting. She can't wait for this wedding to take place, she will definitely be rich when she goes back to the village.

"How are you?" On the other side, Alhaji Malik Masari questioned the woman he is supposed to marry. He finds conversations with older women awkward, especially single ones and worst, the one he is to marry very soon.

"I'm fine, how are you?" She shyly answered, inclining her head to the side to see the man she will be marrying. Her eyes are all lovey dovey and her stomach is so mushy, making a blush coat her face.

"I'm fine too. I came to say hi, I will be on my way." He was about to escape when she called his name, stopping him on his track. He plastered a real smile and turn to listen to her concern, he heard the worry in her voice.

"Uh, if you don't want to get married now, I understand. I-I will talk to Aunt and see what we can do about it." She whispered in her innocent voice, her hand fiddling with the edge of her worn out hijab due to nervousness and anxiousness.

She's known him for so many years but it doesn't mean she knows who he is after many years of being apart and he also became a doctor. They weren't exactly best friends back there but they talked from time to time as friends and also family, cousins. From his reactions and all the things he is doing, she knew he is not really fond of getting married to her just now. She understands, he lost his wife months ago and then he was dropped the bomb of getting married to her. That is justified and totally cool by her.

"No, don't worry about it. Whatever y'all decide is good by me, I-I don't mind. Don't think about it." With a reassuring smile and also Islamic adieu, he turned around and hastily made his way to his parent's place where he found them standing in front of his car meaning they are ready and waiting for him.

His father is also looking so rich and wealthy, not at all like the impoverished man he brought to the city years ago. He is wearing expensive alabaster getzner that shone from a great distance, a Zannah Bukar cap on his bald head. It looks like he's shaven most of his moustache from the last time he's seen him, he looks a bit more human like that. He never liked moustaches, he couldn't demand that his father shave it, he has no right.

His spirit was uplifted, he rushed and opened the door for them, they sat at the back making him look like a driver, he didn't mind. Settling inside the vehicle, he drove down to the Danbazau's in normal speed like every child in the presence of their parents. He is really excited like he is the one going to ask for his beloveds hand in marriage. He can't wait to bring back Amani to the family tree again though she's always been there. But officially and legally, he wants her to have their family name like her daughter does. He loves her like his daughter, that is why.

"Welcome to our humble home." Doctor Mariyah welcomed her guests from the foyer upon their arrival, her arms wide open as if to hug them. She's become softer and more jovial after what has happened with her daughter, she loves being like that too.

"Thank you." Alhaji Malik was awestruck when he saw his mother smiling at the woman. He can count with his one hand how many times he's seen her smile, they won't fill up his fingers anyway. Whoa, this is definitely a sight to behold!

"I also never thought this was going to happen! I mean, Amir is a year younger than her and still is very young but he was one determined young man, I'm proud of his step. Only someone brave could sprout out such proposal, we cannot deny him even if we want to. He is the perfect person for our daughter so we accept your proposal." Alhaji Sadiq's deep voice took over the room containing five occupants all featuring smiles filled with joy.

"We don't have to discuss the date right?" Alhaji Malik's father was the one who threw the question, relaxing back on the soft leather sofa in the living room.

"No, it is in two months but if you have any objections, we can adjust." Doctor Mariyah chirped in, she was all smiles enjoying the process going on. She didn't get to enjoy it last time and she only have one daughter. She is going to be fully into it this time around, she wasn't in her right state of mind last time because a really dear patient of hers died.

"If we can, we are going to bring it closer." Alhaji Malik laughed eliciting same reaction from the others inside the room.

And the conversation ended with everyone smiling and congratulating one another for binding another beautiful marriage. No one talked about Mika'il or what happened some months ago with Bushra, it was like a closed page that won't be talked about. All of them felt it in their bones that that topic should be closed for good, it is not important. They are going to wipe out that memory from the face of earth if they could, if only.

-

"Congratulations, ducky! I can't believe you will be getting married along with us. Hahaha, this is something that should be written in history. Three best friends getting married in the same family, same day, same mosque, same imam. It sounds crazy, doesn't it?" Fayha bounced on Bushra's bed like an excited kid, she seems extra buoyant. Bushra saw the change of glow in her friend but didn't talk about it, she don't want to tease her just yet.

"I know right, it's crazy." Bushra also shook her head wondering how destiny always plays it's card beautiful with graceful glides. Who would've thought that she will get divorced, remarry her dead ex-husband's younger brother the same day as Fayha, Kauthar and her brothers.

"This wedding is going to hit the best wedding in Nigeria and the most talked one too. I mean, Kauthar Masari is getting married, the best businesswoman and then thee Bushra Amani, best tailor to grace earth and then Fayha, well, what are you known for?" Kauthar teased Fayha whose ears are already sprouting out smoke in irritation, she is featuring a hard scowl glowering at her.

Fayha is famously known for her amazing short quotes, she is the best one out there with deeper meanings given to small quotes which made her lovable especially amongst the youth. Even her Instagram account is verified, fayhaspeaks is also her hashtag.

"Go to hell and rot there you cold hearted businesswoman!" Fayha swerved to the end of the bed and sulked like a kid, the others didn't bother cajoling her knowing she won't be able to keep up with the façade for long.

"What is the plan now? Are you guys having any event or just plain simple wedding?" Bushra lie back down on her favorite pillow relishing the quietness of not having Anaan with her, the girl is fussy lately. Amir came to take her for ice cream earlier, she appreciated it a lot.

And when he came, they weren't that awkward around one another like she thought they would be. They talked like they normally do all the time and with more enthusiasm and understanding. It is as if there is something deeper that got raw after that proposal of his the day before. They didn't talk about marriage or anything as such, just went on with their activity filling each other on what happened during their night. He even called her but she was sleeping then, he sent her a goodnight and good morning message which she found cute.

He also came with her favorite breakfast earlier, macaroni salad.

"What do you mean 'you guys' now? What about you?" And the famous dramatic Fayha came back to the woman she was before. Bushra knew just what to say to get that from her best friend, it is not hard to do so.

"I am not getting married for the first time and I refuse to feed people who will do nothing but gossip about me, nope." She shook her head in disgust because that thought has been on her mind since she got married to Mika'il. She didn't want it grand and it wasn't grand, it took so many people by surprise too like she had wanted.

"And you know what? You are really right about this. Let's go with normal wedding and just rock beautiful white wedding dresses, that is better." Kauthar agreed because of two reasons.

First, what Bushra said is entirely true from everyone's point of view. People are going to gossip about your marriage no matter what you do and to avoid that, you should make minimal arrangement of close friends and relatives only though that won't stop them from talking about it behind your back. The family members are going to talk too, it shouldn't be a bother. And second, because she is not in love with her so called husband and don't want to feel guilty looking all happy when she is not.

Yeah, some might think she can back out of the marriage but she didn't and why isn't she doing so? She wanted to back out at first but things happen and she accepted it that evening to her father. She don't have right suitor for the next two months, that is too short for her and she is also not going to do the hunting. This man brought himself to her lair and she wants to teach him a lesson, it is among the reasons too. He betrayed her, she can take everything and anything except for betrayal, never!

It is a life changing decision meant for lifetime, she shouldn't play with such opportunity and look for righteous spouse to spend the rest of her life with but why does she feel like there is no one out there for her other than Mujaheed? He did nothing but betray her but after istikharah, it didn't change the fact that she will marry him. Which means this is what Allah has planned and whatever it is that happens in future, is naught but what has been written for them. She is done playing the card with fate, she will let it lead her wherever.

"Are you done with our dresses, B?" Fayha's attention was immediately yanked to her dress as soon as Kauthar closed her mouth. She's given Bushra the contract of sewing her wedding gown and the woman won't collect anything that that is her wedding gift to them both. Normally, they all pay for it and she collects, it is her right after all.

"Almost done, impatient lass." Bushra rolled her eyes knowing she is lying to the woman but what can she do? She wants to surprise her with it through her brother, they are merging into one lately as she's noticed ever since his return, he was always on his way to Aunt's, Fayha's mother.

"I can't wait to see myself wearing white wedding gown!" She clapped her hands excitedly earning teasing looks from the girls and that is how they made her face burn with so much teasing, they wouldn't just let her be.

But what, she liked her soon to be husband.