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Unknown number- Layla Hussain, you stay away from Muhammad Yerima because he is mine, he is the love of my life, he is just playing you, he doesn't love you, he is just leading you on. I am just telling you that so that when something happens you won't say I didn't warn you. Stay. Away. From . Muhammad.

What?! Is someone threatening me to stay away from Muhammad? Seriously? Whoever this person is, they should know that I wasn't the one who arranged this marriage! I didn't even want it in the first place! And now they're sending me a message like this? I checked the unknown number that had sent the message a few hours ago, and the number was still blocked.

I quickly dialed Ibty's number. She needed to know. She would understand. "Ibty! Someone just sent me a message telling me to stay away from Muhammad! Can you believe that?"

From the other end, Ibty blurted, "It must be that Salima girl from Tulip, or whatever her name is."

I shook my head, even though she couldn't see me. "Don't jump to conclusions, Ibty. It might not be her. Only Allah knows who the person is."

It was past midnight, and everyone else was asleep, but I couldn't let this slide. I ended the call after a few more words with Ibty and promised to meet her in the morning before we leave for Katsina. I performed ablution and prayed two nafils, but my mind kept wandering back to that message.

I decided to call Muhammad. I needed to hear his voice. I didn't know if it would help, but I was desperate to feel reassured. After two rings, he picked up, sounding a bit groggy.

"Hello," his husky voice came through, still heavy with sleep.

"Hey, I'm sorry I woke you up," I said quickly, though my heart was racing.

"No, no, it's okay. How are you?" he asked, his voice soft.

"Lafiya Alhamdulillah, where are you?" I asked, hoping to change the subject quickly.

"Missing me?" He chuckled, and I could feel the smile in his voice.

"Not at all," I replied, my tone light, but deep down, my thoughts were racing. "I went to your house today, and Ni'imah told me you were out of town with your mum."

He laughed again. "Yeah, I'm in Kaduna but coming back tomorrow, Inshallah."

"Allah ya kawo ku lafiya," I said, and he replied with "Ameen."

I felt a little relieved hearing his voice. "Well, I just wanted to say hi and tell you that I will be going to Katsina tomorrow, Inshallah."

He sighed, and his voice was warm. "Katsina again? How long are you going for?"

"Four to five days, I think," I replied. I wasn't sure how I felt about it yet, but it was something I had to do.

"I'm going to miss you," he said. The sincerity in his voice hit me in a way I wasn't expecting.

"Me too," I blurted out before I could stop myself. Immediately, I closed my mouth in surprise. Did I really just say that?

"You do?" he asked, sounding both surprised and pleased.

I quickly changed the subject, trying to cover up my slip. "So, how's everything with you? I hope everything's good."

We talked for a little longer, discussing everything from wedding plans to life in general. It was easy to talk to him now—less shy, more open than I had ever been. Before I knew it, we had said goodnight, and I drifted off to sleep.

The annoying sound of my alarm jolted me awake at 5:30 AM. I went to the bathroom, performed wudu, and prayed Subh. Afterward, I went back to sleep for a few more minutes of rest.

"Layla, wake up and shower," my mom, Mammy, said, tapping my shoulder. It was like she was my second alarm.

I dragged myself out of bed and made my way to the bathroom to shower. Afterward, I picked out an outfit for the trip. I chose a blue Ankara boubou with white patterns, a matching blue turban cap, and veil. It was a simple but comfortable choice.

As I was about to go downstairs, my best friend Ibty walked into my room.

"Hey canım (my love)," I greeted her.

"Hey Leyloş," she said with a pout. "I'll miss you when you're gone."

"I'm only going for five days, but I'll miss you too, best friend," I said, pulling her into a hug.

She pulled away and raised an eyebrow. "So... about that message?"

"I told you, it's probably Salima or someone like her," I said, not wanting to discuss it further just yet.

But before I could continue, Mammy called from downstairs. "You guys should come down now."

"We'll talk later, Inshallah," I said, giving Ibty one last hug before leaving.

Susan, the maid, had already brought my suitcase downstairs and packed it into the car. I went to the dining room where I saw Daddy, Mammy, and Norah eating breakfast.

I sat next to Daddy and served myself pancakes with scrambled eggs and sausages. We finished breakfast quickly, and Daddy reminded everyone that we were running late. We piled into Daddy's shiny black SUV, and I recited my dua before we headed off.

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"Layloş, uyan, geldik (wake up, we have arrived)," Norah said, lightly tapping my shoulder. I could feel the excitement in her voice.

"What? That was fast," I muttered, sitting up properly.

We had arrived at the house in GRA. The security guards were already taking our bags inside. Norah and I went straight to our rooms while Daddy and Mammy settled into the living room.

I took a shower, prayed Zuhr and Asr that I had missed, and then lay down on my bed. I loved sleeping; it was my escape from everything.

Norah woke me up for dinner, and we joined the family. Uncle Bashir, Daddy's younger brother, was there as well. He was the same age as Muhammad. Suwaiba, the maid from Katsina, had cooked white fried rice and beef stew, and we had chilled orange drinks.

"We're going out after dinner for a wedding dinner with your mother," Daddy said after we finished eating.

I nodded, feeling a little distracted by everything going on, but I left the table and headed to my room. I tried calling Muhammad again, but he didn't pick up, so I called Ibty instead.

She picked up after the second ring. "So, did you send me the number?" she asked eagerly.

"Don't do anything stupid, okay?" I warned, feeling like I knew what she was about to do. After some back and forth, I reluctantly sent her the number.

"I knew you'd give in," Ibty said, and I could hear the excitement in her voice as she hung up.

As I was watching Everything, Everything, my phone rang. It was Muhammad.

"Hey, sorry I missed your call. I was with my dad, talking about the wedding," he said.

I smiled a little. "Oh, no problem."

He asked about how Katsina was, and I told him it was fine but a little boring. He said he missed me, and I told him the same, though I hadn't meant to say it out loud.

He sounded pleased. "Really?"

I quickly changed the subject. "So, how's everything with you? What are your wedding plans like?"

We talked for a little while longer, discussing the wedding and what we wanted for it. Two months. I couldn't believe it.

Later, I put on some music and sang along to "Che Che" by Mayorkun, sending snaps to Ibty and Ni'imah. The door knocked again, and it was Mammy.

"Merhaba, Mammy," I greeted her in Turkish.

"Selam, Kuzum," she said with a bright smile. She looked stunning in a silver lace outfit with a black headwrap.

"Hazırsın?" I asked, "Çok güzel görünüyorsun, canım mammy."

"Sağol, canım," she replied, kissing my cheek before leaving.

Just then, Norah came into my room with her laptop, and we chatted briefly. She told me that Ya Meena and she were planning a grand wedding. It made me feel nervous and excited at the same time.

"Hadi git, go," I said, feeling ready to sleep. She left, and I finally found some peace. That night, I fell asleep with the whole wedding and that mysterious message swirling in my mind.

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