BORNO EMIRATE COUNCIL.

"You were the Ghaydaa he was talking about?" Sa'eed asked, his eyes getting a little bit teary listening to the amazing past his wife had with his brother.

He knew his brother would've loved Suhayr and unknowingly to him, he was the first man she ever fall in love with which rendered her heartless after his death. He don't know exactly what to feel about his wife whom he has come to like loved his dead twin brother. Does this happen in real life or is it only his life that always gets jumbled just when he thought it is starting? This is him trying to give them a chance and he knew that if he does give them a try, their love is going to blossom even though he knows nothing about his so called wife but his brother got to remove her away from her shell in just three days.

Or maybe he is just the unfortunate one that always gets the worst of everything, the leftovers of his siblings. The woman he fell for once proved to be a cheat who cheated on him with someone close to him, isn't that unfortunate enough? And now he has to go through this, the woman he is about to fall for has been in love with his dead older twin brother. Isn't this cheating in the other end? It's just two years but he got married to the woman he's loved and claimed to want to marry.

"Broooo, I have found her! I have found my Ghaydaa, she is everything I want and more." This was two years ago when he called him, the day he met with the accident. Such misfortunate night he won't be able to forget for the rest of his life.

"Really? That soon? I thought you were going to take more than a month to finally get her since you have always been picky towards your women and what the hell and Ghaydaa?" Sa'eed asked lightheartedly while continuing to construct a nice building he don't know what to do with but just had to put it down.

"Yes, that soon. We have been together for three days now and all I can say is, I am irrevocably in love with my Ghaydaa. She is perfect for me, just enough to fit in with my boring life, she is just full of life. She has this fire inside her eyes, man, she is just flawless in my eyes. Her beautiful pecan coloured eyes, so innocent and filled with merriment. And Ghaydaa means young and delicate. She is just seventeen but damn, I have no better choice than her..." Sa'ad kept rambling into the phone while Sa'eed listened attentively, he can't help it.

From the way his brother is describing this Ghaydaa who clearly don't have a real name yet, Sa'eed knew his brother's heart will never be his again. This young and delicate girl like he has said has stolen it and there is nothing out there that could bring it back to him, he is gone and done for. Even though Sa'eed was in love with Najaah then, he knew he won't talk about her like this to anyone, he just let's anyone think whatever. But his brother, he kept going on for a minute before he stopped to sigh out.

The love his brother have for this woman is way different than the one he has for Najaah and from his words he knows it. The passion underneath each word is laced correctly, the ardor, zeal, determination is also glistening through it all. Sa'eed can't help but wish he can think about Najaah like that, he even forced himself to feel that but it wasn't there. This love he is hearing about is way too different than the one he ever will have. This is pure and raw, it happened without force which is what makes it unique.

Just three days, they are hopelessly in love with one another while he has been with Najaah his while life, their love won't stand a chance in front of his older brother's. He start praying for a love like his brother's and his Ghaydaa since that day but it seems like Allah has better plans for him since what he felt for Najaah didn't change one bit. He still loves her but not to that extent where he can't handle his own emotions for her, nope.

And a girl who is just seventeen with a man of twenty eight years old? Shouldn't that be called child abuse not that he minded, they are in love and everything is fair in love and war. He can't believe his brother fell for someone who is good eleven years younger than him, because what can he say? Najaah is only five years younger than him which to him is the best age gap that should be between spouses. He has no say though, he will support his brother through it all.

This is why they are twin, to be there for one another.

"When are we going to get introduced? You know Hajiya Zainab wants to get us married this year, be quick to come back with your wife." Sa'eed joked lightly, the both of them call their mother Hajiya Zainab behind her back while they call her her Highness in front of her.

"Keep Hajiya Zainab aside, she won't approve of this so there's no need. And I will introduce you to her as soon as she introduce me to her mother. She will tell her about us today and then tomorrow, I will go there to see them." The elation is as clear as day in his voice.

"Ha! I never thought I would see this day. I shall wait for the lady to be introduced then." A knock got rapped on his door so he turn back to the phone and said, "I'll call you later. I need to see a client now." And they hung up after little more pleasantries and regards to the Ghaydaa.

Suhayr on the other hand skipped home while biting her lips to keep the blush away from taking over her face but she couldn't. That is the first time she has ever blushed in her life, the guy is so cheesy and mushy but she loves him like that. She gave out a sigh as she stare at the gates that leads to her home where her foster mother would clearly be waiting for her. She always comes back during closing time to check up on her then go back to the company till evening.

"You haven't been to school for three days, Jo! Tell me why?" Suhayr found her foster mother Varisha in their living room her hands in that akimbo style that will make any daughter's heart drop, even Suhayr's did.

"Mo-m." She stuttered, the whole confident she had faltering which only happens in front of her mother. Suhayr is always confident but with her mother, she is entirely different person.

She has rehearsed all she wants to say to her mother when she meets her as soon as she settled inside their home but it flew right out of her mouth seeing the disappointment in her eyes. She started contemplating whether to tell her about her new boyfriend or is he something greater? She can't say but she wants to talk about him as soon as possible or she'd burst through and through, she has been filled to the brim and can't even tell her best friends about it. She first needs to tell her mother first before any friend out there.

"Don't stutter around here and mom me. Tell me why you weren't present in your classes when you always leave to go to school? Where do you go to Johara?!" She reprimanded, her feet tapping on the floor while she pinned her with her gaze which clearly states that she won't let her slide through this.

"Mom, can we sit down first? I have a lot to tell you and with you acting all African mothers is not helping. You know I get really grumpy if I don't get to say my mind." Suhayr beseeched with the best puppy dog eyes she can give, it always works.

"And you better stop giving me those puppy dog eyes. Sit down and tell me." And they sat down on the u shaped set of sofa in their medium sized living room.

"So, I met this guy.." She blushed when her mother's eyes raise immediately, her brows hanging in her hairlines while her eyes try to understand where Suhayr is going with meeting a new guy.

Her daughter has never talked about a guy in her life, not even her best friend Hakim whom is always there to give her those lovestruck eyes which her daughter never noticed. There has never been a guy in her life, and at first, Varisha thought she would never think about those genders in her life. But the way she is blushing now, her ears and neck yawing a deep shade of pink, it means something else. This definitely says that this so called man is dead serious and has sweep her daughter off her feet in no time.

"Hmm, tell me about this guy please. I'm so eager to hear this when just a minute ago I was trying to get someone to propose to you." Suhayr glared at her mother at this but then cleared her throat and decided to not let her mother's teasing words stop her from talking.

"His name is Sa'ad and he is a Nigerian. He came here to look for a bride as per his grandfather's wish and also set up a business. We met two days ago when I was going to school, he proposed that I should bunk school since I was already late and I agreed. We spent all those times together and even spend the whole night on phone calls. Mom, he understands me more than anyone has ever done and I think I am in love." She bit her lower lip, sinking it deep into her mouth while staring at the ground before she goes on

"We confessed our love today, he asked me to tell you about us and them he will formally come to introduce himself. Mom, he said he would marry me whenever I want if you will agree. Though I'm not completely sure about the marriage, I want to be with him forever." Suhayr now raise her head to look at her mother who has a thoughtful look marring her face.

"How old is this lover boy?" Was Varisha's first question, she needs to act all tough but she wants to coo.

"He is twenty eight last month." Her answer was instantaneous making her blush again in embarrassment.

She can't believe this is her, love can make them do the most stupid of things!

"And he is willing to marry a girl eleven years younger than him, why?" Varisha is not willing to keep it down so quick, her consent is very important.

"I can ask him to come so you can meet him?" Suhayr won't be able to answer her mother's question so she will push it to him. And why not, he can prove just much he deserves her or not when he answers them well.

"You should do that." And Varisha beamed, taking her phone from beside her and dialled a number. "I won't be coming back today, close the shop when the time is right." And then she hung up, looking at her daughter who stared right back with wide mouth.

"Mom, he is so handsome! His words are always amazing, he doesn't talk uselessly! He sounds so caring towards his siblings and family, he also looks royal. And mom, he called me his cute little Ghaydaa." She blushed at the last part seeing that Varisha is only staring at her with wide mouth this time around.

"You are really in love this girl. I can't wait to meet him, call him up. I shall go make dinner for, my dear Sire." And she made her way yo the kitchen to make dinner for them and her would be son in law.

"Yes, mom! I am hopelessly in love with him!" She grinned then took her schoolbag, run down the hallway to her room to call Sa'ad and tell him what is going on.

"Uh, she has already missed me huh?" Sa'ad questioned as soon as he picked the call, twirling the button of his shirt.

"You wish, dude! My mom wants you to come have dinner with us later." She dropped the bomb, bouncing on her toes while staring at herself in the mirror, twirling a tendril of her hair.

"Really?! Was she mad at you about the bunking of school?" His voice took a different turn. It is weird hearing a grown up man panicking at the thought of seeing his in-law.

"Nope, she was cool but we are going to get an earful for that. Just get dressed in that kaftan you took picture with, she will definitely drool and be impressed." She laughed when she heard his gasp from the phone, she can't help it.

"Don't say that about my in-law!" He reprimanded, they talked for a little longer before they hung up so he can get dressed.

Suhayr checked her drawer for something presentable to wear, something Sa'ad has never seen her wearing. She wants to look good too, for him, just for her Sa'dan. She can't believe her mother suggested that, she sounds as cool as cucumber while she talked about it. Even though she could feel like this is the calm before the storm, she can't help the excitement brewing inside of her. Who wouldn't like it when their mother approved of their three days crush? She welcomed the idea with open hands which is unlike Varisha's possessive self.

Taking off a merlot and cherry polka dot self belted layered hem dress made from polyester, with bishop long sleeves and the length that only reached above her ankle, she stared at it with admiration. She add her cuff bracelet, English lock earrings, merlot veil to cover her hair up then her nude pink ballerina loafers. Her mother will definitely stare at her weirdly that day, because that Suhayr don't like wearing gowns and instead prefer jeans, pants and so on but never a dress.

It is a dress gifted to her by her mother some months ago, she never touched it but now, she can see it's importance. Feeling a little bit more exhilarated, she added some light red lip gloss, kohl and a bit of powder too. She feels good now, like someone Sa'ad would go out with all the time and make them look perfect. She will dress like that if she is ever to go greet his family in the future.

She took her phone to call him..

"Where are you? I am dressed and mom is probably waiting for is at the dining table." She announced into the phone, not even waiting for him to reply to her hello.

"Al-salâm aleki! The owner of this phone just met up with an accident and he didn't make it." Someone with her motherland's tongue which has her removing the phone from her ear to check out if she called the number or she has mistaken it but no, it is saved in capital letters as Sa'dan with red emoji like he demanded she did since she put so many emojis to hers in his phone.

"Are you sure this is the person I called? Was he the one driving a white car or is there someone else with him?" Her voice is filled with panic and denial, she can't help it.

"No, he is alone and don't look to be around here. Please come to..." She didn't get to hear what he is saying but fell to the floor with a very loud thud. She don't understand what is going on and she is still in denial.