Nasma rolled her eyes dramatically at Rose's attempt to make her feel bad. She wasn't lying when she said she saved the seat for someone else. She had rich friends coming to this wedding, she wasn't about to jeopardize her plan to make better friends because of some skinny fair Fulani girl with long hair for anything, She watched Asma'u in disdain, envy and anger. Asma'u living in the same house as Ahmed bothered her whole lot.  Asma'u and Rose move further into the hall, Asma'u innocently asked Rose what the G stands for.

"Groom's Youth" Rose had answered absentmindedly waving at some guests. Asma'u did the calculation to know B stands for bride. A smile latched to her face as she understood that the bride and groom and shared the hall equally. Everyone would know where they belonged.

"Sit here! I'll be right back" Rose said quickly walking away. Asma'u noticed Rose's dress is unique! None of the groups wore anything like hers. Asma'u admired the thigh high slit. She knew she'd never have the courage to dress like that. Hajiya Ruqayya would have her for breakfast if she dares to try it. She couldn't believe Hajiya Ruqayya had coerced the make up artist into stuffing her braids into the headgear. Being deep in her thoughts, she hadn't noticed she was seated at a table of all guys! There was only one empty seat. She had prayed silently, hoping the next person to join would be a girl. She would faint if anyone attempts to talk to her. She couldn't speak English!!

"Saint?" a voice called out, making her look up as she's been playing with her fingers, praying the event starts soon. The shameless youths were staring. On seeing Vivian, a squeal left her mouth as she engulfed her in a hug. It had been so long, many a time had her thoughts travel to them. She wanted to go see them, especially Hafsat. But a thing or the other always distracts her from asking Hajiya when she can go visit the prison. "You look amazing! I see they're taking care of you. That's refreshing" Vivian said giving her a once over, even twirling her around. Asma'u giggled like a school girl.

"Where is mommy?" Asma'u asked looking around. Vivian pointed back towards the bride's side of the hall.

"You know the bride" Asma'u made a statement instead of a question. She still couldn't get the hang of the English.

"Her mother attends the same church as us. Knowing they're well to do, I followed her. Who knows, my husband might be here" She said stretching her neck, looking around. Asma'u couldn't help but laugh. Vivian is so pretty. She didn't need to try to get people's attention. She's thinking this because even the guys from her table were straining their necks to see Vivian well.

"Let's go so you can say hi. Once the event starts, you won't be able to come over. Rich people can entertain you from morning till night" Vivian said dragging Asma'u who hesitated because of her seat. She didn't want to stand through out the event. "Can you do us a favor please" Vivian said moving close to the guys who eagerly nodded with a smile. "Keep her seat. We'll be back in a minute!" Vivian said seductively earning various nods from the guys.

Meanwhile Hajiya Ruqayya and Madam Mary were by a corner discussing some bizarre events that had happened when they went to pay the bride price, when the wedding planner stole Madam Mary for questioning. Hajiya Ruqayya went to her seat and to her surprise, her husband and his Amarya were nowhere to be found. She read the name tags on the round table. She couldn't help but hiss. Dr Sani and his family would be sitting with them. Now she would have to tolerate more people.

The MC started with pleasantries, and then he asked for everyone to be on their feet for prayer. Once the prayer started, Madam Mary came and tapped Hajiya Ruqayya, she needed assistance, and apparently the cake movers have lost their way. After several minutes of description, they finally got to the venue. When Hajiya Ruqayya got back, she saw people on the table, meaning her husband, his wife and the Sanis. With her chin up, she walked straight to her seat, which is by the right side of her husband. To her surprise, her name tag, and her purse was shifted to the left hand side. She felt a pang of anger, but she masked it away. Who could be so childish to have shifted her name tag, she knew what she saw. When she looked up, she saw Hajiya Aisha by her husband's right hand side, which meant she wasn't hallucinating. Either her husband or Raihana moved it. Her husband did not spare her a look, even though he knew she was the one sitting beside him. Aisha waved casually at her; she did the same with a smile.

"Good afternoon Aunty Ruqayya" Dr Zinatu greeted humbly, seeing no one was willing to greet her.

"Good afternoon. You look pretty" Hajiya Ruqayya found herself replying nicely.  Dr Zinat did look nice. She wasn't wearing her medicated glasses. It baffled her that someone with big eyes would have eyesight problem. She took notice of Dr Zinat's eyeballs. They looked grey. It meant she was using contact lenses. Her head gear is extra big, she was sure people behind her would find it offensive. Hajiya Aisha eyed Hajiya Ruqayya menacingly. Hajiya Ruqayya ignored her, turned her attention to the MC, who was cracking a joke.

"I can see it's no longer in your manual to greet people!" Alhaji Nasiru countered in an attempt to embarrass Hajiya Ruqayya. The table grew still after his statement.

"I had no idea I was some machine! Nasiru allow me to enjoy this wedding in peace, koh ranka ya bace" she retorted without sparing him a glance. Everyone was shocked, other times he attempts to embarrass her like this. She would apologize and do what he asks of her. Not anymore. He was about to say something when the MC announced the coming in of the bride and the groom, the groomsmen and the bridesmaids dancing uniformly with the bride and groom in front. The coming in has been so amazing because there were bouncers stopping those set of human beings who will not allow others see everything because of their phones and of course their presence. The most frustrating part was, they would delete the feed just a few days after the wedding.

"We call on Hajiya Ruqayya, a mother to the groom for the opening speech" the MC announced. She smiled at the camera, before walking to the designated meter high stage. The moment she started talking, everywhere became quiet. She gave a short enlightening speech before going back to her seat. Alhaji Nasiru was lost in a trance, the very moment she stood up. He watched her in aww and adoration the moment she started her speech.  She looked so young and exactly how he had fallen in love with her. She didn't age at all. Same Ruqayya who had captured his heart, he wondered how things became so sour between them. His demeanor changed to sadness as applause filled the air. She majestically walked back to her seat in joy. She felt fulfilled and loved. She couldn't remember the last time she was acknowledged. She silently sank into her seat with a wide grin.

"You were amazing up there!" Dr Zinat commented making Hajiya Ruqayya blush. She mumbled a thank you, being doubtful about Zinat's niceness. She's never actually had a one to one conversation with her. Hajiya Aisha had already painted her black, so she never bothered to get to know her! Besides, if Sani hadn't married her, her husband would never have married Raihana. It's easier to blame someone even if it's not entirely their fault. The programs of event were entertaining and educational as well especially a small drama some little kids had acted so well. There was lots of howling and screaming as they acted. A projector was placed at the right hand side of the hall to enable people at the back who wouldn't be able to see. Alhaji Nasiru and Sani chit chatted about God know what, Hajiya Aisha and Raihana chirped into the conversation a few times, even Hajiya Zinat commented on a topic or two. Hajiya Ruqayya on the other hand ignored them all; she was determined to enjoy the event.

"You are not saying anything" Alhaji Nasiru whispered to her making her cringe in irritation. One would assume she was having a heartfelt talk with her husband. Not even once had he ever invites her into a conversation before, there were times he actually shuts her up claiming she might embarrass him. As if she hadn't graduated from a university with a second class upper honors! What could she possibly do or say that would ever embarrass him?

"Nasiru I don't want to take part in whatever lousy discussion you're having. I didn't come here for your conversations, I came here for a wedding and I am determined to enjoy it. So please, stop talking to me" she whispered into his ears. He stiffened! She's never talk to him that way ever before. Hajiya Raihana on the other hand grew jealous, she couldn't believe her husband was leaning towards her co-wife, he always leans towards her. What changed all of a sudden? She had no idea the amount of disrespect her husband was chugging down from his first wife.

"Dr Fredrick told me about Asma'u" Dr Zinat murmured to Hajiya Ruqayya's hearing alone. Hajiya Ruqayya eyed her wearily before asking what she knew. "I am not a bad person, I don't know why you don't trust me, I could have blabbed it out to your husband but I haven't. Isn't that supposed to count for something?" Dr Zinat grumbled much to Hajiya Ruqayya's surprise.

"What exactly do you want?" Hajiya Ruqayya asked staring at the woman whose presence ruined her own life.

"Bring her to me let me help. She might be moving around, talking and acting all okay. Deep down she's withering away, it's just a matter of.....”

"Why the heck did Fredrick blab his mouth, someone cannot have a secret in peace nowadays! I will deal with him later"  Hajiya Ruqayya countered interrupting Dr Zinat's speech.

"You don't need to attack him or anything, he only told me you had a relative who is having seizures because of some past memories" she relayed much to Hajiya Ruqayya's relief. It baffled her that Alhaji Sani wasn't hearing everything his wife was saying. She really knew how to whisper cleanly.

"Why don't you share your conversations to the table" Alhaji Nasiru stated staring at both Hajiya Ruqayya and Dr Zinat. It irked all of them on the table that these two women were having a heart to heart conversation. They're not even friends for crying out loud. Both Hajiya Aisha and Raihana found it disturbing and offensive that their two friends were warming up to each other, while the husbands were straight up inquisitive. What could they be talking about?

"It's not any of your business" Dr Zinat replied ignoring everyone. The two men heaved a sigh, for each of their wives were becoming outspoken.

…………………

A popular Nigerian song was played as the groomsmen and the bridesmaids came in, they danced uniformly, though some people's body was stiff, it still didn't matter as the dance was beautiful. Asma'u found herself smiling, what baffled her most was how everyone was made to remain seated so the camera men could do their job. There were a lot of flashlights from far and near. Nigerians and their mentality of disrupting a person's perfect wedding video in the name of snap chats and whatsApp status. The irritating part is those videos wouldn't spend a week in their phones! Asma'u didn't miss Ya Ahmed and his smooth move. He had this sparkle in his eyes and he danced with the group. A part of her wanted to call out his name, but she reframed from doing so. After the bride and groom danced in, only then were the elderly allowed to go spray them. Grown ups have a way of doing things cleanly. If a youth is allowed there, some would dance from the beginning to the ending after spraying money, filling up space and all.

When everyone settled down, she had hoped Ya Ahmed would sit on the empty chair beside her. It was exhausting not having any familiar face around. After she had exchanged pleasantries with the Warden Adunni, she had asked about Hafsat, and even hinted she's wanted to visit, but had no one to take her seeing Ya Ahmed is always at work and Hajiya Ruqayya isn't keen about her going back there. She noticed the hesitation in Warden Adunni's face, there was something going on definitely.

"Tell Ahmed to bring you to my house and we'll talk about it then. Now's neither the time nor the place for such discussion" Asma'u frowned. She stared at warden Adunni hoping she could just explain whatever had gone wrong to her. Did anything happen to Hafsat? She shuddered and prayed silently Hafsat is okay.

"Can I sit here?" A voice said. She nodded along with the other guys on the table. His fresh minty fruit like perfume was the first thing that made her look at him. When their gazes lock, both squints trying to remember where they've seen each other.

"The Pretty girl from the clinic"

"The guy I drenched with his drink" they remembered unanimously.Both eyes widened in realization and they smiled!

"I think destiny is pushing us together" he said making her blush. "My name is Nasiru, you can call me Amir" he added with a charming smile. He was wearing a beautifully designed grey shadda, a big fat watch and a shiny cap. Though he wasn't wearing the asoebi like other people, he still looked far handsome than most wearing it.

"Asma'u" she said placing her hand on her chest indicating, she's telling him her name. She could easily introduce herself with English. It wasn't hard, but she couldn't trust her voice. Never in her mind did she ever think someone like him would ever want to talk to someone like her.

"You really look like an Asma'u. Are you Hausa or fulani?" He asked peering at her like she's the most interesting thing he's ever come across.

"Fulani" she replied shortly. He nodded with keen interest watching her like some puzzle. Asma'u looked away from his persistent gaze with a smile. He was making her have the butterflies.

"But you do understand Hausa yeah?" He asked speaking Hausa. He had noticed how conflicted she looked when he started speaking to her. Asma'u answered affirmatively making them blow into long conversations where he did all the speaking. She answered when necessary, but she wasn't offended by his presence, instead it was pleasant talking to someone who actually seems interested in your kind of person. The event had been so memorable and entertaining. Amir made everything enjoyable. He talks a lot! And talking isn't a stroing suite of his. He is very quiet, especially with people he's never met before with the exception of Asma'u. She managed to make him blow up like some time bomb! He found himself wanting to talk forever. The way her eyes sparkle, how her eyes widen at realization of some jokes, or even Asma'u's beautiful set of teeth. She made him happy! And to Amir, he's met someone who could be his potential partner!