Enjoy❤
"You do know you have to eat something right?" Asmau asked,sitting on my bed.

I didn't say anything. I continue playing game on my phone.

"Noorie! Kaka and Goggo wants nothing but your happiness. I have said this before and I am saying it again. They won't do anything to hurt you."

"You know what Asmau? Spare me this nonsense you are saying." She looks taken aback by my words,but I don't care.

"You don't know what it feels like so just keep that mouth of yours shut." I said eyeing her.

"Please Noorie eat something"

"Get out of my room." I said,pointing at the door.

"I know this is...."

"Getout of my room,Asmau". I yelled. She went out of my room wiping away her tears.

I don't want to be mean to her but I can't help it. She doesn't know how I feel and she comes here telling me to eat. Although I am hungry but whenever I want to go downstairs and eat,I remember what Kaka said to me three days ago and I just loose my appetite. It been three days since Kaka broke the bad news to me and I have been in my room since then.

Whenever I remember Kaka's words that day,I just burst into tears. I can remember vividly when he said....

"So promise me you will listen to me and your Goggo"

"I promise."

"We want to get you married to Mahmud,Modibo's son." He said,staring at me intently.

"What!" I exclaimed looking at my grandparents in shock.

"We asked Asmau if she has a fiancée that is ready for marriage and she said yes. Noorie we know you don't have any serious fiancée because you don't even talk to boys." This time it was Goggo who said that in fulfulde.

I opened my mouth to say something but nothing came out. I was just looking at them in shock. How can they be so sure I don't have any fiancée? Why are they being judgmental

"Hauwa! Me and Modibbo have been friends for a very long time now and we will like to become family. He sent a proposal on behalf of his son for one of my granddaughters and you don't just expect us to say no to it,do you? Look Mamana we are not forcing you into marriage if you don't want it no problem,but I am pleading with you to accept this proposal. I will be very happy if you accept this marriage proposal."  Kaka said holding my hands. I was just crying because I don't even know what to say. I can't say no to Goggo not when he is pleading with me and I can't get married to someone I don't know. I have seen him a couple of times but we just exchange pleasantries that is all,how can I get married to him.

"Noorie! Please accept this proposal. This is the first time we are asking you to do something for us. I will be very hapoy if you agree to get married to Mahmud." Goggo said,pleadingly.

"Okay." I said,wiping away my tears. I will do anything to see my grandparents happy.

"Does that mean you are saying yes?" Goggo asked.

I nod my head because I can't even say anything.

"Then it is settled. Thank you very much. May Allah bless you my dear. Now wipe your tears amarya (bride)." Goggo said and gave me a hug.

I had no choice than to agree because I can never say no to my grandparent. They have been very supportive and this is the first time they are asking me to do something for them so I can't say no. I never thought I will get married like this. An arranged marriage?

Goggo and Kaka travelled to India the next day . I don't know how they derive joy by traveling like that. I don't really like traveling that much,but my grandparents loves traveling. I am surprised Asmau did not tell Goggo I have been in my room since they left because I am sure she would have called me if Asmau had said anything to her.

I can't keep staying in this room while the guy I am getting married to is probably out there having fun. I went to the bathroom and had a nice shower. After rubbing lotion on my body,I wore my cloth. Sprayed my favourite perfume and carried my phone. My phone's battery was dead. I looked for the charger and went downstairs with it.

I charged my phone in the livingroom and went to the kitchen to see what Asmau is cooking.

"Asmau!" I called. She turned and was shocked more like surprised to see me there." I am sorry for shouting at you like that. I was just tired of everything." I said looking at the floor nervously.

"Don't apologise to me Noorie. I understand you." She said and engulf me in a warm hug. I wanted to cry and tell her how I feel about everything. I was tired of everything but I promised myself not to cry again. I am even tired of crying.

"So what will you like to eat?" She asked.

"Anything chef Asmimi makes for me." I replied her.

"Okay. Go and sit in the dinning and just give me fifteen minutes the food will be ready." She said,smiling.

"Thank you for everything." I said and flashed her a genuine smile.

"Do not thank me." She said,smiling
........
"What is wrong with you Noorie? I have been calling you for the past three days I hope you are okay?" Hafsah asked,shouting as soon as she picked her call. After eating Asmau's delicious meal,I put on my phone and saw multiple missed calls and text message mostly from my friends,Hafsah and Affan. So I called Hafsah first and she started shouting immediately she picked the call.

"I am fine,Hafsatu. My phone was dead"

"You don't sound okay to me Noorie. Are you sure everything is fine?"

"Hafsah! Nothing is okay."

"What happened Noorie? Is it your mum?"

"It is not my mum." She narrated everything that happened to Hafsah.

"An arranged marriage." She said more like asked.

"Yes Hafsah. How will I get married to someone I barely know?"

"Please do not cry Noor. We all plan but Allah is the best of planners. If you and him are meant to be together then there is nothing you can do. Just pray for the best my dear. Things don't always go like we want them to,Noorie. If kaka and Goggo believes he is the right person for you then you should listen to them because they will never lead you astray. They know better than you. Please just accept it as Qadr (fate)."

"I will pray about it. I will also listen to my grandparent."

"That is good Noorie. Now I want you to get up and wash your face so we can talk properly."

I went to the bathroom and washed my face and went back to the room.

"I am done."

"I can't wait to come back to Nigeria.This place is too boring for me."

"It is just a matter of time. You will be back soon."

"Yes I know. How is Affan?"

"He is fine."

"My regards to him." We continued chatting about other things.

After talking to hafsah for about 1hour and 30 minute. I decided to call Affan. The phone kept ringing and he did not answer so I called him again and he answered.

"Hello spongebob!"

"Noorie where have you been for the past three days? I have been trying your number and it was switched off. I hope you are perfectly fine?"

"Calm down spongebob. My phone's battery was low."

"Your battery was low for three days? How is that even possible?"

"Yes my battery was low. I forgot to charge."

"Are you sure you are okay? I feel like you are lying to me."

"There is nothing to worry about. I am okay."

"Okay."

"Will you be free tomorrow? I want to see you."

"Yes I will be free. I hope everything is fine."

"Yes everything is fine. Can you come to my house?"

"Yes but I don't know where you live."

"I will send the address to you."

"Okay."

We continue chatting and he told me he wants to tell me something tomorrow when we meet. When I heard the adhan for magrib prayer I ended the call.

I wanted to tell Affan on phone that I am getting married but I changed my mind. I will just tell him when he comes tomorrow but the question is,can I?

Well we shall find out tomorrow.
........
"Where is your phone? Goggo said she has been calling you and you are not picking." Asmau said,barging inside my room. Why does she barge into my room all the time?

"It is downstairs and why did you barge inside my room like that?" I asked,slightly annoyed.

"I am so....mtsww. Why am I even apologizing?" She asked.

"Whatever. Please can you get me my phone?" She did not even answer me. She just left the room. I will go and get it myself.

Asmau came back to the room and gave me my phone.

Thank you Asmimi." She gave me a small smile and turned back.

Lying down on the bed,I decided to call Goggo back.

"Assalamu'alaikum"

"Wa'alaikum sallam. How are you?"

"Alhamdulilah I am fine. How are you and how is kaka?"

"We are fine. How is everything."

"Alhamdulilah. When are you coming back? I miss you."

"We will be back in the next two weeks In sha Allah."

"Okay. May Allah spare our lives till then."

"Ameen. Mahmud is coming to see you today. Are you free?"

"I am free,but why?"

"The both of you are getting married. You need to know each other properly before the wedding. They are coming for proper introduction immediately after Fareed's wedding."

"Alright. I will be expecting him."

"Okay"

"I don't want to see anybody. I just want to be alone." I cried out in frustration. I don't want to see the so called mahmud. This is harder than I thought.

Affan is also coming to see me by 4pm today and now this Mahmud guy. This is so frustrating.

Let me just pray before Mahmud comes.
..........
"Noorie! Noorie! Hawwy baby!" I heard Asmau's annoying voice calling me.

"What is it? Why are you screaming my name?"

"You have a visitor?" She replied.

"I am not expecting anyone." I yelled back.

"Your husband to be is here." She said after coming inside my room.

"I totally forgot he is coming. I hope he didn't hear me screaming earlier?" I panicked.

"Of course he did. He was even blushing when he heard your voice." She said,sarcastically.

"You idiot! Why didn't you tell me he was the one? You know how to disgrace me a lot." I said,angrily.

"You are sick. Go and meet him. Don't keep him waiting."

"I am going." I said and carried my hijab before going downstairs to meet Mahmud.

"Assalamu'alaikum." I muttered,entering the livingroom.

"Wa'alaikum sallam." He replied. Asmau gave him snacks and drink. I don't have to do that.

"How are you?" He inquired after five minutes.

"I am fine and you?" I asked.

"I am fine." Taking a deep breath he continued. "You don't have to act shy around me. I mean we are getting married soon. I want you to be comfortable with me."

"I am not shy."

"Of course you are." He said smilling

"I am not."

"You are"

"I am not"

"You are"

"I am not"

"You are"

"I am not"

"You are not. He said not backing off

"I am." I said and realised I just admitted that I am shy.

"I lost." I said with a pout.

"And I won. He said proudly.

"So how is everything?" He asked

"Everything is fine alhamdulilah." I replied him.

"Where is the ango(groom)?" He inquired.

"Ango?" I asked confused.

"Sorry I mean Fareed."

"Oh!" I facepalmed. "He went out."

"Okay."

"I hope you are comfortable with the marriage? If you aren't comfortable with it,we can always talk to our parents."

His phone rang before I could reply him. After mumbling some incoherent words,he ended the call.

"I have to get going. So see you some other time." He said and got up from the couch.

"I hope everything is okay?" I asked with a concerned face.

"Yes everything is okay. Something came up." He replied.

"Okay." I said.

I escorted him outside and saw his black Benz parked at the front of the house. I waved at him one last time before going back into the house.

"Oh my God! You both are so cute together." Asmau said and threw her arms around me immediately I entered the livingroom.

"I can't breath."

"Oh sorry." She said. "You guys are so cute. Masha Allah." She said,excitedly.

"What exactly is your problem Asmau?" I asked looking at her.

"I don't get you?" She asked confused.

"You say the same thing whenever I am with Affan." I replied her. Did I just say that?

"Wait. Are you admitting it that you are in love with Affan?" She asked, teasingly.

"Me? When did I admit it?"

"Just now." She replied me.

"I did not."

"Fine." After some minutes she said "To be honest you and Mahmud look more cute together."

"Asmau that is absurd."

"Noorie!" She called.

"What?" I asked.

"Do you love Affan?" She asked with a straight face.

"I don't." I replied,quickly.

"If you love him,tell Goggo and Kaka about it before it gets too late." She said and walked away.

What does she mean?

I went to my room,thinking about what Asmau said. She is right. If I don't want to get married to Mahmud,I should tell them before it gets too late.

But I can't tell them. I will be an ingrate if I tell them that. "What should I do?" I asked no one in particular.
.........
"We have to go there today. I am going out with Na'eem tomorrow." Asmau said munching on her biscuit.

"It's already late. We can always go there when you come back tomorrow." I said.

"It is not late. You know Goggo will get furious if we don't go there today."

"Fine. We will go later." I said and rolled my eyes. Goggo sent me and Asmau to her friend's house regarding Ya fareed's wedding. She wants us to tell her the list of foods that will be prepared for the wedding. The woman is a caterer. Can't they juet finalise everything on phone call. I honestly don't feel like going,but Asmau is hell bent on dragging me there.

My phone's ringing tone interrupted my thoughts. I checked the caller id and saw Affan's name. I guess he is here.

"Hello."

"I am outside."

"Okay. I am coming."

"Alright."

I ended the call and went outside to meet him.

"Assalamu'alaikum spongebob." I muttered after entering the car.

"Wa'alaikum sallam. How are you?" He inquired

"Alhamdulilah I am fine and you?" I asked.

"I am fine. How is everyone?"

"They are all fine." I replied.

"Glad to hear that. You wanted to talk to me about something?" He inquired.

"Yeah. It is nothing serious." I replied him.

"Okay. I have something to say to you." He said nervously.

This is the first time I am seeing  a nervous Affan. "What is it?" I asked him.

"I......"

"You what?" I asked,staring at him.

"I....."

Assallamu'alaikum!

What do you think Affan wants to say?

Please do not forget to vote and comment.

Thank you.

Meena❤