What do you do when you hit Rock bottom? Of course there won't be anywhere else to go...except back up.

She have lost someone that meant the world to her, and it isn't the first. But like the last time she did, she is moving on, one step at a time.

She knows it will be a slow process, but like many before her who had been through what she did, or worse, she is moving on. This doesn't mean she is planning on going all sponge Bob happy, but she has decided to kick the murky water of sadness and self pity out of her bucket.

Who knows? The elders might have seen what she couldn't see, that was why they made this decision for her...or maybe like all human beings regardless of age, they too had made a mistake...but only time shall tell.

Eight days feels like eight minutes away as she stared around her room, not sure what to do. Her mom had asked her to pack the things she wants
before next week, but instead, she had been seated for over two hours, trying to put the pieces of her life back together.

The last voice she expected to hear in her room, gave her a start. He walks pass her and stood with his back to the window, the sunlight beam casting long shadows on his face, giving him a sinister look despite his many attributes.

She squeezed the pillow on her lap a little bit tighter as she watched him looking around the room.

"You don't really change much do you? It's exactly as I remembered it." He said.

"Feels like ages since I came in here...I think it was one of those days you used to feign illness when you couldn't have your way...they didn't see it, but not I Darling, I saw right through your lies."

Now he was holding a book she couldn't see because he had his back to her. She had decided to keep mum and watch him have a go on been a loony head.

"Actually now that I think of it, it's to my advantage, since am familiar with all your shenanigans." He laughed.

He stopped laughing and became sober, "I will advice that you leave them right here among these junk, because you know I don't take shit from anybody."

"Do I look like a toilet to you?" She said slowly.

"Excuse me?"

"Yes, I have been taking shit from you since you got here and I said nothing. What do you take me for?" She asked.

"Listen Darling, am not here to fight you okay? Am just trying to be nice by dropping some few advice to help us live happily, lovingly ever after."

What is she getting herself into? She knows he's as bad as they came. But this tacky, cheesy Salman right here, is a stranger to her.

She would have told him to take his advice and shove it up his ass but she decided against it. He is not going to succeeded in getting her all worked up. He's not worth the energy.

"If that's all you have to say, the door's that way." She said

"Ah, thanks for reminding me. I wanted to know what wedding events you have in mind, so I could help with the prep." He winked

"If I knew of an event in a death funeral, I wouldn't have ran out of options." She replied.

This made him smile a bit. "Come on now, I know how you girls always want to show off your husbands to the world...especially if they are 'the full package'. Am giving you a chance Darling." He smirked.

"How about we make money out of it? A friend of mine works at the Zoo, am sure he won't mind making room for you in the primate's section...would be scientifically accurate too." She said with all the sweetness she could muster in her voice.

"You are trying to get on my nerves, but unfortunately for you, am too happy to be affected by your sarcasm. I have other things to do, when your mind is made up, try and fight your inflated ego and give me a call."

He started toward the door, but as an afterthought, he turned around, "I am serious about this junk, don't bring them anywhere near me."

After he left, a  smile slowly crept around the corner of her lips. He had given her an idea of the exact things to pack.

Talking of events, she  remembered Nadia. Poor girl, she must have been miserable by been unable to talk about her wedding plans. She would have been breathing down Ameena's neck about what to wear, what to do and where to do it.

She decided to pay her a surprise visit.
______________________________________

She found her curled up on the sofa with puffy eyes while she watched an Indian movie.

"Hey." She said as she flopped beside her.

"Hello." Nadia answered meekly.

"I can't seem to find my bubbly, funny and annoying cousin, Any idea where she might be?" Ameena said trying hard to suppress her laughter at the sight of a serious looking Nadia.

Nadia burst out laughing and literally jumped on her, telling her how glad she was to see her smiling again. Ameena asked why she was crying and she told her she just finished watching an Indian movie called kal ho na ho. From the story she told, Ameena felt it's sad, but not enough to warrant such puffy eyes.

"You won't get it...if you will be a little more human, not some robot, you will understand what I mean...as if I have not seen you cry when you watched that God forsaken power rangers. I mean seriously." Nadia said.

"Hey, that was just one time, when Lothor turned the green ranger against the rest...it's so sad. If you just saw the look in their eyes..."

"You will put me to a sleep that will put Aurora to shame, if you continue with these power rangers rant, I swear." Nadia warned.

"Okay, okay, I don't know what even brought that up. Am here about something better anyway."

At that, she jumped up and grabbed Ameena's hands leading her to their room, where she locked the door and sat her on the bed. She went off before Ameena could say a word.

"Don't tell me you have decided to elope?...finally! I have been contemplating how to approach you about it, but I was thinking you will be against it...I have been saving some cash since last month, in case it came to this, it's not much, but it will suffice."

"Nadia, hold it. You are making me dizzy with all these crazy idea of yours."

"Wait, if it's not what you have decided,why then are you smiling?" Asked a perplexed Nadia.

"Just like that, I have decided to be my normal self...because being anything otherwise, affects people I love, you included."

"Awwwn...I wish I could be like you, but honestly, I get mad just thinking about what's happening. If they are trying to dump their asshole of a son on someone, why you? Why not Fadila who had spent eternity trying to nail a husband to no avail? It could have been a win win." She fumed.

"Nadia, I really really missed you...Amma ba ruwana with that talk about Fadila." She laughed and hugged her.

They talked on a lot things. Nadia unloaded a truck full of gossips she's been keeping. When Ameena asked her about the wedding events, all the smile vanished from her face. She told her it's only gonna be the wedding fatiha and nothing else.

"Come on, you are getting married to the love of your life, what better reason do you need to celebrate?"

"I don't know...I just..." Her voice trailed off.

"Look here, am doing this for you, you can repay me by doing the same for me. Be happy and celebrate, I can be a bridesmaid you know." She said.

She managed to persuade Nadia in the end and they talked on how they both hated the asoebi that Hajiya Adda has chosen. Seriously, who wears a dark brown asoebi?
______________________________________
Five days later

Maybe people have misinterpreted her change in attitude as a Change of hearts. They were fawning all over her and suggesting she go through the rigorous activity of the traditional pre-wedding bridal treatment.

Deejah even went the distance, by hiring a Sudanese professional. To their disappointment, she vehemently refused. Not even her hair was in place, even a lion's got nothing on her mane.

Deejah had relocated home for the wedding. The house was full with relatives from far and near.

They were acting all happy, not that she mind, but a little reserve from their side would be comforting. She was been led to her doom, so she expected them to show some love. Even her mom was smiling from ear to ear like the typical mother of the bride.

Demi had arrived yesterday and Ameena had been pleasantly surprised. She later learned that Deejah was the one who called and told her about the wedding.

They had spend half the night talking, mainly about issues Demi was facing in her married life. It's eleven months since she got married but she's yet to conceive, her mother in-law had started breathing down her neck for a grandchild. They talk about lot of other things except Ahmad. He was totally zoned out... like he never existed.

They sat on the bed as they shared the tangy agwaluma from the fruit platter.

"One last chance Meenu, if you are gonna have soft, glowy skin, today is the last chance you got." Deejah said as she picked a grape from the plate.

"What will it be? Baby butt soft skin or regrets for the rest of your married life?" She asked.

"She has a point you know?" Demi advised.

"I will pass...will rather stick to my crocodile skin."

"Just don't say nobody warned you." They chorused.

************************************
Hello again lovelies, how is the story going? Two more chaps and we will be done.

Do drop your comments on what u think about the story... Makes writing it more fun.

Vote
Comment
And share