April 17.

Kano, Nigeria.

Khadijah Daihaah's POV

First and second years ended in a blink of an eye—figuratively though. The mental and physical stress were anything but a blink of an eye. It was so hectic that I doubt I'd forget any time soon.

Janan graduated, and since their set left, Deen hasn't been visiting as frequent as before. Apparently, he has graduated from the university he attended too and so has started working. Hence, why he hardly visits.

BUK won't be the same without them but, we move.

Although I'd miss Janan's presence, I won't miss her midnight drills. I'm glad we don't have to go through that anymore since we had to share the same room for two years. How that happened? Allah's plan. God knows I can't stand waking amidst of the night over and over, simply because Janan thinks Jinns are talking outside.

Don't get me started on how creepy that was.

On the good side, I turned 18 last week.

Muhsin had completed his studies too. Our relationship is much better than before. At this stage, if someone addresses him as a boyfriend of mine, I wouldn't argue. The labels still aren't there but, I guess our families think otherwise. I'd say they've started preparing for a wedding, though nothing's official yet.

Umm Sulaym, the most social person in our group, happens to be in a relationship too. No surprise to that. I'd actually expected it'll happen sooner but, it did happen either way. What I didn't expect however is for her partner to be Deen. Trust me, none of us saw that coming.

What matters the most is that they're both happy.

Still on relationships, Jannah is the only one that's single and not ready to mingle. I honestly don't know what got into that girl. For some reason, she decided to fall in love with some guy she only met once. All I know that is that he saved her from Scorpion—and that's all.

Sighing, I rummaged through my closet to look for the most appropriate traditional outfit to wear. I don't want to wear anything that's not traditional knowing full well that Hajiya Kaka will give me an earful and a two hours' lesson about how children these days' dress like ' Yahu dawa'.

Her words, not mine.

"Dijeh! You have two minutes to dress up or we're leaving you here!" Ummi called out. She's downstairs so she had to raise her voice for me to hear her.

I shook my head, groaning as I kept on searching for the right outfit. Eventually, I found a wrapper that I believe is traditional enough. At least with that, I'm sure I won't get a scolding from my grandmother. That woman is just as cranky as her old age when it comes to tradition.

I hastily put it on, knowing that I don't have much time. When I'm done, I headed downstairs.

My entire family is going to Karaye for a week to visit our grandparents. It's a tradition we do annually and everyone's always excited for it.

Getting into one of the three cars we're taking there, I plugged in my earpiece and leaned back on the seat.

Karaye, here we come.

*****

Karaye, Kano.

The car came to a halt in front of the palace where our grandparents live. Abba happens to be the eldest son of the King of Karaye. The second song being our uncle, Lamido.

The Karaye Palace stood in its glory. It's just as I remembered it. The building is still the same except that it had been repainted. The tall old walls are still intact just as it was built in the olden days. The building might be old, and the exterior hasn't been renovated, ever, but it still has character.

The guards quickly opened the gate for us.

Once the driver found a spot to park the car, we all jumped out. I released a sigh of relief the minute my feet touched the ground. God knows I hate sitting in one position for hours, especially when we're travelling.

We exchanged pleasantries with the guards before heading inside the Royal palace. We all went directly to the Hajiya Kaka's side as Baba, our grandfather, is in a meeting with the other heads of the other Kano Emirates.

"Hajiya Kaka!" We, the girls, screamed the minute we spotted our dear old grandmother.

Hajiya Kaka chuckled, returning the embrace we engulfed her in. "Oh Allah!" She exclaimed, "Kaga yen matan zamani koh"

"Zaku karya yar tsohuwan nan fa" Ummi joked making everyone else laugh.

"Ai Shatu inajin nafiki karfi" Hajiya kaka joked back. She and Ummi shared an embrace with grins on their faces.

"Toh daman taya za'a hada?" Umma tsked from the side, eyes narrowed at Ummi. "Duk da ta auri mai kudi ta shigo birni. Anci abunda ba'asaba ci ba. Kuma anajin air conditioner kullun. It won't change the fact that she's still from the streets"

"Larai!" Hajiya Kaka rebuked.

Umma looked away, resting her gaze on one of the older women that had been working in the palace for more than 4o years—the head of household administration. "Uwar Soro, have someone bring my bags to my room please" She walked away, without waiting for a response.

Her earlier statement ruined everyone's mood so they all just went their separate ways leaving us, the youngsters with Hajiya Kaka who was more than willing to bond with her granddaughters.

"Fatsuma! What is this you're wearing?" Hajiya Kaka asked Adda Anee who didn't dress up traditionally like the rest of us.

Adda Anee's mouth hung open slightly. "Haba Hajiya Kaka. What is Fatsuma Kuma? Please, my name is Anee, as in A-N-E-E-S-A" She stressed each letter, as if that will help Hajiya Kaka understand the name more.

"Anasa, Asanee, koh Nasee kike neh? Kinyi shiga kaman na yahudawa. Can't you see your younger siblings dressed in their native attire!" Hajiya Kaka scolded playfully.

"Ah ah! Hajiya kaka ki yadda kin tsufa kin qi. This is fashion. It's what everyone wears nowadays. Su Daihaah kuma it's their choice to either wear this or native attires" Adda Anee retorted. She and Hajiya Kaka are always quarrelling playfully. You know that kind Kaka da Jika quarrels.

"Oh ni Khadijatu. Fatima Allah Shirya" Hajiya Kaka said shaking her dad amusedly.

"Yanxu kike magana. Amin" Adda Anee chuckled.

From then on, we all just chat and bonded. Safe to say, we all enjoy our grandmother's company. She always have the funniest stories to share.

Out of nowhere, Adda Anee yelled "Portrait!"

We nodded agreement including Hajiya Kaka who is determined to prove to Adda Anee that she's not old.

She handed her phone to one of the house help as we all gathered around Hajiya kaka to take the picture.

At the end, we ended up snapping about 30 pictures. Don't get me started on how that happened.

******

Third Person's POV

Abba and his brother, Lamido, sat at the Chambers of Baba's palace. The moment the meeting he had ended, he summoned his two eldest children whom the matter he had to discuss involved.

After a series of pleasantries exchanged, Baba Sarki cleared his throat and spoke.

"Usman, I heard you've started your daughter, Kubra's wedding plan with Alhaji Murad's son, Mubarak Muhsin. Perhaps have you forgotten the promise between this family and the El Khabirs?" Baba spoke in a low tone, calmly, but enough for his eldest son to hear.

Abba felt a wave of guilt wash over him. He gave his daughter false hope when even before she came to earth her future had been dictated. He is to blame for what will happen to his daughter, and how depressed she will feel once she knew what had already been agreed upon.

But it's all for her safety. They had to make the promise. That was the only way.

Abba inhaled deeply before he replied. "No Baba" he spoke in utmost respect.

Baba Sarki sighed "Usman, are you aware that if that family hear about this they wouldn't be happy?"

Abba closed his eyes momentarily immediately regretting not cutting his daughter's ties with Muhsin, knowing full well that she had been betrothed to another man whom she probably doesn't know of his existence. "Yes Baba. I'm well aware that they won't be happy" Abba said after a while.

"Then why do such?" Baba asked.

"With all due respect Baba, what we did is unfair to Kubra. Baba, we're practically forcing her into a marriage with a stranger. I'm sorry Baba, but I can't do that to my daughter. Besides, it's against the teachings of Islam even if we're doing it for her safety" Abba said with finality in his done.

He doesn't care about the promise anymore, all he wants is his daughter to be happy, and he will do anything for that to happen, even if it means breaking the promise made 18 years ago.

But, is he willing to face the consequence of breaking the promise. Without their help, can he protect his daughter?

"Usman I'm very disappointed yet proud of you. I understand that you don't want to force your daughter into anything and I respect that. But, I'm disappointed that you broke the promise that we gave up so much for. Khadijah is your daughter, so, the decision shall be made by you. You only have a year left before the promise will be put in action. Use that one year to decide whether you're going to fulfill the promise or not" Baba said. He doesn't blame his son for not wanting to force his daughter into a marriage for he knew how much Usman love his daughter, Khadijah. Anyone that knows Usman will know that he loves Khadijah over all his children simply because of the love he had for her mother, Aisha.

Lamido couldn't help but to chuckle lightly. Finally! His brother has disappointed their father. Usman had always been the one that Baba is proud of while he is the Black Sheep of the family. But, not anymore. By fire by force he'll make sure that marriage will not take place. Everyone knows that the El Khabirs won't be happy with the news. Hence, it will make Baba more disappointed in Usman.

"Lamido!" Baba Sarki called, snapping Lamido out of his reverie.

Lamido looked up and replaced his smile with an emotionless façade "Yes Baba"

"It has come to my attention that you have been secretly interacting with Sultan Kabir. Do you know that what you're doing might cause a problem in case your brother decides against the marriage?" Baba asked Lamido with a hint of anger in his voice.

Lamido gulped wide eyed. 'How did Baba Sarki know about that?' He wondered. "Baba, it's nothing serious and it's not related to the promise made. It was just simply a matter of business that's all" Lamido lied silently hoping that Baba will drop the matter.

Baba knows his son's carelessness and naivety. He knows that if Lamido is indeed in a business with Sultan Kabir, then it must be something big. But, he also knows that if he presses the matter further, it will be invading of his son's privacy.

"I hope it is just a simple business" Baba said deciding to drop the matter.

Lamido released a silent sigh of relief, elated that Baba didn't ask any further questions. He knows that if Baba ever finds out what he did, that'll be the end of him.

*****

Rewritten 29/06/21.

Complete book is currently and only available in Okadabooks. It will not be completed on this app so head there to read it. If you've bought it before, you don't need to buy it again to reread the rewritten version. It will automatically be updated in your Okadabooks library.