Maiduguri, Nigeria.
Saturday, 12:54 pm.

"Are you sure you aren't tired?"Hisham questioned Amina. They arrived at maiduguri by 11 am but the driver who was supposed to pick them up hasn't showed up yet.

"I told you I'm not tired."Amina replied with an eye roll. Even though she is happy she is finally in Maiduguri, she can't help but feel a little bit of sadness because of Hisham, he won't leave her alone.

But now, she will make sure she doesn't go back to Abuja. No matter what.

"Let me call up Baba and check why the driver isn't here."Hisham said, brought out his phone and dialed his father's number, before his dad could pick up the call, the driver arrived. Amina recognized him immediately.

Amina heaved a sigh of relief and picked up her luggage which contain all her clothes, Hisham couldn't shut his mouth off, he kept on asking why she is using a big bag for only a week.

Well, she isn't staying for a week, but forever.

"You took so long to get here, is there a problem?"Hisham asked, placing the luggage in the boot.

"There was traffic on the way, I'm sorry sir."Hisham gave a slight nod and entered the back seat together with Amina, and they drove off to Fa'iza's house.

Amina focused her blurry eyes on the window side. She have no idea why her eyes is welling up with tears, maybe because she missed Maiduguri and everything attached to it, especially Kaka.

She don't know how to make her uncle understand, no matter how hard she tries to make everyone understand they won't get it. She has been lonely since childhood. Her uncle is more worried about fulfilling his brother's silly wish than her happiness. What's the use of marrying her off without her consent ?

Isn't it their duty to make her happy ? Instead of depriving her of happiness ?

She doesn't want to get married, not to Hisham and not now. She isn't ready for anything as such. If Kaka was here then, none of this would've happened. No one would think of forcing her into marriage.

How could she be so unfortunate ?

Why is it that no matter what she is the one suffering all the time ?

Even if it was her father's wish to get her married to Hisham, if he is still alive he won't force her into it, he won't marry her off if she isn't happy about it, that's for sure.

Then why are they trying to force her as if they own her or she is their possession ?

They took care of her needs and she will say it a thousand times that she is grateful for that. She has always obeyed and followed their instructions; Meema study this, do that, don't do that. She obeyed each and everything but marriage ?

Not possible.

"Meema...."Hisham called out to her, Amina was still stuck in her own thoughts. "Amina..."he snapped.

Amina shrieked, and turned to look at Hisham. He furrowed his eyebrows at her questioningly and asked. "Why are you crying ? Are you okay?"

She had no idea she was crying, she quickly wiped off the tears and fake a smile at him. "Yes."and got out of the car avoiding eye contact with him.

The driver helped her with her luggage and she was quick to start for the door when Hisham blocked her way.

"I asked you a question, answer me."Hisham stated a little bit loud. His hands placed gently against his chest as he stared down at her eyes.

Amina shut her eyes tightly, and tilted her head away. "I said I'm okay."

"Then why are you crying?"He arched his brows at her.

"Something fell into my eyes."Amina lied biting her lower lip.

"What do you take me for ? Don't lie to me Meema, if there is something bothering you tell me."He said calmly, which for a weird reason took Amina by surprise.

"I already told you I'm fine, do I have to repeat myself a hundred times before you leave me alone?"Okay that was a little bit too harsh.

"Well that's your choice."He snapped and entered into the house without waiting for her.

Maybe I shouldn't have said that to him.

But he deserve it, since he can't mind his own business.

Amina followed suit with her luggage. Habiba ran to her quickly and wrapped her arms around her. "Oh my Allah, Ya Meema I missed you so much."

"I missed you too, booboo how have you been?"Amina questioned breaking out of the hug.

"I'm fine Ya Meema, how about you?"

"I'm fine too, where is Aunty Faiza and Salima?"Amina asked looking around the room, her smile dropped suddenly when she met with Hisham's intense gaze on her. Somehow she felt scared due to how he was staring at her as if he is going to strangle her to death.

Ha!

Yeah, right.

What can he possibly do ? Other than bossing people around?

"They went out but they'll be back by evening. Let me take your bag to your room for you and I'll get something to eat for the two of you, please sit."Habiba smiled offering her a sit.

"Okay, sure."Amina faked a smile and sat down, Habiba left leaving only Her and Hisham.

And you know Hisham, he isn't the type that keeps quiet all the time.

"I'll try and talk to baba."Hisham said out of the blue typing away on his phone not even sparing her a glance.

Like she care.

"About?"

"Our alliance."He replied and looked up at her. "I know I'm the cause for your worries."

"You knew it all along but you kept asking me."Amina rolled her eyes, and immediately she realized what she said she was quick to apologize. "Sorry, I didn't mean that."

"No need for that, you've always been like this since you heard about our marriage so of course I've to be the only one behind your pain. We don't love each other, hence we don't wish to get married to each other. But do you've anyone ? I mean..."

Amina felt the urge to roll her eyes. If he wants to know that why won't he just ask her directly. "I don't."

Hisham nodded and took his attention back to his phone.

"And what about you do you've anyone ?"Amina asked, she was curious to find out. Don't mind her, he started it.

"Give me a reason why I should answer you."He simply said.

What the actual f-

"I want to know the reason why you're against this marriage and nothing else. You can answer me if you want I don't care."Amina huffed with an eye roll.

"Did I ask you the reason why you're against our marriage?"She shook her head. "Then don't even try it."

"You know what if it was someone else I wouldn't have a problem marrying him, it's YOU that's the problem."

Sometimes she doesn't think we'll before speaking.

Hisham shot her a quick look and shook his head. "I won't mind you, you're just immature."He ended with a hiss.

Immature?

So now I'm immature ?

Wow.

"I won't mind you, you're just ignorant about people's feelings."Amina said, her voice breaking as if she was about to cry.

Hisham shot her that look once again, this time around her stomach screamed Help! But her face was as if she wasn't sacred, she masked it up with confidence that she is sure won't last for long if she utter another word.

"I thought I was grumpy."Hisham smiled lightly.

"You're still grumpy."Amina retorted.

"And you're still childish, you're just like I've known you, you haven't changed a bit."

Amina's mouth went wide with her eyes. Did he just call her childish ?

Oh yes he did.

"You've also changed a lot Ya Hisham."Amina replied him. She wasn't trying to retort back at him but it was the truth. This was not how she knew Ya Hisham, he was arrogant even as a child but not ignorant.

"What makes you say so?"

"Nothing, I mean you were never nice to me so...that didn't change about you."

"I'm I being rude to you? Answer me sincerely."

"You're like that to everyone."She mumbled under her breath.

"I just asked you a question earlier if you've anyone in your life but you were rude to me, what's my fault if I want to know?"

Now Hisham felt bad. He had no intention of being rude to her but the question she asked him, he doesn't have any answer to it.

"I don't like talking about it."

Amina smiled weakly at him. "Did she dump you because of your attitude?"

Hisham laughed a little shaking his head. "When I first met her, I didn't how it was going to end. I had no idea that almost all my life revolves around her."

"Awwwwnnn, so cute."Amina beamed with a wide smile. "Tell me more about her."

Hisham took in deep breath, he needs to take it off his chest maybe the pain will subside. "Her name is Mufida, my best employee. She is everything I've ever wished for. The first thing I noticed about her is her strong dedication towards her work and how she handles her patient with so much care. I've never given any of my employees the kind of attention I gave to her. And eventually without even knowing it, I was already in love."Hisham paused, and again Amina 'awned' at him.

"So did you propose to her?"Amina asked, curiously.

"I did."

"Then what happened?"

"She was already taken, if I knew that since from the beginning I wouldn't have let my heart fall for her. It was my mistake and now I'm paying for it."Hisham replied with a small smile, and behind it was pain Amina could see it clearly.

"It's okay Ya Hisham Allah will bless with a much better one that will love you and stay by your side always. Just forget about her."

"It's not easy Meema, she is getting married to Haidar."

Assalamu Alaikum guys!!!!

Anyi sallah lfy ? I hope y'all are doing fine, Alhamdulillah.

The chapter is not much but I hope you've enjoyed it.

Bye!!!!

Ria ❤️