Dedicated to Aseeya1234

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-Ahmed-

As I jogged down the road my mind slowly drifted to yesterday evening.

Kareem had begged me to come along to Reuben's after work because he wanted to meet his fiancee. Seeing that the place is close to my house I agreed. besides, Reuben's have the best gbegiri soup and pounded yam.

We sat for a couple of minutes before my phone rang I glanced at the phone and saw that it's Alaja (my mom). while I was on the call, demi walked in with a striking young lady whom I assume must be Ameena ( the girl who was responsible for demi's transformation). She had delicate features, a pinched nose, an oval shaped face and a caramel complexion indicating her fulani ancestry and was of average height. Her face was devoid of any form of make-up.

I asked if they would like to order anything and demi answered that she's okay as long as she's with Kareem she doesn't need anything."

" Are they always like this?" Ameena laughed as she directed the question to me.

Her smile was captivating and for a moment our eyes met and I held her gaze for a second before she broke away.
I ordered my food and asked if she will have something and she ordered an ice cream sundae. Both Kareem and demi declined.
Her phone rang and she answered after a while she handed the phone to demi saying "mama wants to talk to you".

Demi: Salam aunty

Demi: alhamdulillah

Demi: her boyfriend?

Demi: oh he um...

At that Ameena made a cutting sign across her neck and mouthed the word "dead".demi looked shocked.

Demi: um... he passed away

Demi: he uh...was in a car crash

Demi: amin

Both me and Kareem were dumbfounded.

" what was that about?" Kareem asked

"You ask her". Demi answered glaring at Ameena who sat with a smug look on her face.

" I am never lying to aunty about your imaginary boyfriend again. You better look for a live one next time." Demi fumed.

"And better keep him alive!" She added.

We all burst out laughing except for Demi.

Despite her easy going nature, I could sense something mysterious about her and I plan to find out.

Later that night, I had a talk with my mom and clearly she is pissed at the way I am treating Lola.

" I am trying mom...I am...I just need time." I said.

"Trying my foot! You avoid her like a plaque."
She then held my hand and added in a soothing voice. " give her a chance, talk to her, she's not as bad as you think her to be and she loves you and son, when a woman is in love she changes for the man she loves. You are almost thirty you need a wife. And Lola will make you happy I can feel it in my bones".

"Okay mom. I 'll talk to her."
"That's my son! Take her out someplace romantic. You 'll thank me for this in the future."

Lola had been moms choice all the way. sometimes I wish saudah was a boy, maybe I would have been off the hook. Lola's mom, aunty khudirat is moms step sister. Aunty khudy is a social climber and it amazes me how mom fails to see it. She's been after me about Lola for sometime now but I have been avoiding her until she decided to use my mom to get to me (it's no hidden secret that I would do anything for my mom). Ever since mom told me, I was honest about how I felt about the whole affair. But mom brushed it off and said most marriages start this way and love eventually grows between couples and for the hundredth time she told me the story of how she married my dad.

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As I neared the house I stopped to catch my breath and suddenly I heard a faint sound of voices coming from the gate and one of it is... a girl's.
I checked the time, it's still early who could be up this early?

I came in and saw Ameena sitting on the bench beside malam musa's (gatemans) room. Not that any of it is my cup of tea but... it's my cup of tea she's holding.

She was wearing a Mickey mouse pyjamas and her unruly hair (which is long by the way) peeking through the veil she's wearing. The rising Sun cast a golden shadow on her translucent skin and her face seem to glow.

" Oga ahmadu Wallahi tallahi I tellam cuf na my own, but hajiya I tell me I drink quickly before Oga I come. Malam musa said apologetically in a very broken English.

Translation
"Oga Ahmed wallahi I told her the cup is yours but she said she will drink quickly before you come."

I had to laugh the way she looked at me with those puppy eyes.

Who could refuse those eyes.

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-Ameena-

It's very early in the morning and there is dead silence about the house. Demi had gone back to sleep after fajr so I went and opened the window for a whiff of fresh air.
The window faced the gate and immediately I opened it, it brought along with it the tantalizing aroma of tea and herbs. And I close my eyes and inhaled the blissful smell.

A thought crossed my mind, since the house is still asleep I could just run down and ask whoever it is that is making the brew for one cup. And without second thought I grabbed a veil and draped it clumsily on my head and ran down stairs towards the gate.

The gateman seemed startled by my presence but after I said Salam and asked if I could sit he smiled.

"Ina Kwana? (Good morning). I said

"Hajiya good morning. what I want?" he beamed.

Apparently, he felt proud of his English and wants to show off, so I engaged him.

"I smelled your wonderful shayi and I was wondering if I can have some."

"Hajiya I like my tea?" He asked.

"It's Ameena."

"Oh me is Malam Musa. But cuf na one, za oda na Oga ahmadu I drink with it." He said scratching his neck.

I laughed realizing he meant he has only one cup and the other belongs to one Oga Ahmadu.

"No problem, I 'll be quick."

Malam musa went into his room and came back with a black mug in which he poured the tea and handed it to me which I collected gratefully.

It had been just a day but I miss you mama . I hate it that I left you alone.

I was almost done drinking while malam musa chatted away telling me of his village in katsina. I heard foot steps approaching when I looked up my heart skipped a beat.

He was wearing a black cutoff shirt and black shorts, with the only color coming from his neon Nike trainers. He was drenched in sweat and when our eyes met at first he seemed puzzled, but then he smiled after Malam Musa was done with his explanation.

"It's okay," he said. "you can make me another cup when she's done."

"So you are Oga ahmadu?"

"Don't mind Malam Musa. No matter how hard I tried, his mind is made up, he won't stop with the name but as long as I get a cup every morning I take it as my compensation." he said with a smile showing a perfect set of teeth.

"So this is your first time coming to Lagos?"

"Yes."

"Since tomorrow is the traditional wedding what do you plan on doing today?"

"Uh... demi is taking me to the spa..."

"You don't sound excited about it."

"Well...it's the spa."

"Come on, I thought all ladies love a day at the spa"

"Apparently, there is an exception to your concept of all ladies and the spa."

"Interesting" he mused.

With that, I continued to sip my tea and he turned to Malam Musa.

The way he and Malam Musa chatted showed me a different side to the guy I met yesterday. This endearing personality made him even more handsome.

But aren't they all?

Suddenly, we heard a voice coming towards us from the house and I got up to go. it's morning already.

"Ah ah not so fast." he said blocking my way. "Who do we have here?" The guy who came out of the house asked in a mocking tone.

"Don't mind him he's my crazy cousin Jimoh" Ahmad added.

"Jim. The name is Jim, you know people think just because you are kin they have the right to desecrate your name" he groaned.

"Hi Jim, I am Ameena."

"You don't say! Demi's Ameena? I have heard so much about you. And finally we meet." He said only stopping to catch his breath.

"Its nice meeting you Jim. I 've got to run, see you around." I said while handing the cup to malam musa and thanking him for the tea.

"And Ahmad, thanks for letting me use your cup...even though I took it without your permission." I added.

I heard Jim whistle as I hurried back to the house. He's really a handful I thought.

It's gonna be a long day