BAUCHI STATE, NIGERIA.

"If I ever give birth again, kill me with rat poison! I won't ever give birth again in my life, never again." Mahnoor wailed to Jameela, pushing her head around her bosom for comfort since her mother is yet to arrive from Niger.

"That's what they all say." Jameela chuckled because she can clearly remember saying that same thing after giving birth to her first daughter because why not? The pain was unbearable and she almost lost her head in process.

Jameela and Haleema chuckled at that while Fadwa rub her palms around Mahnoor's back in an emollient gesture. She gave birth to a bouncing baby boy few hours ago and the whole Ajuji family is with her, Najeeba included. The parents aren't here and she couldn't be more grateful, they'd make things all awkward for them. Asad is by the window staring out with a blank expression but that's alright, he is just overwhelmed with the way things are moving so rapidly.

Haleema mumbled to the small circle around them. "Don't worry, the time you will conceive again you won't even know."

Mahnoor shook her head. "I won't forget this pain. I don't know how you all do it but no, this is a constant reminder that our mothers are incredibly amazing."

That brought sudden quietness in the room and she bit her lip, they are not really that tight with their mother.

"How about you sleep for a few hours then we can pack up tomorrow? It's already so late." Fadwa stood up from the bed so she can lie down which she did gratefully. She couldn't sleep but now, her eyes are so droopy.

Her eyes fell on Najeeba who stood at the baby crib snapping pictures and videos of her baby, her hands playing with him. She almost rolled her eyes and bite her lip so as to not tell her to stay away from her child. She shouldn't love the baby that's just left her womb if she seriously doesn't like her. And the baby too is smiling at his aunt, Mahnoor is not liking his buoyant nature but a loving smile graced her lips at the sight of his unknowing smile, children don't smile some say? Well, her child is smiling.

The connection she's felt with her kid was surreal. That was what she called love at first sight because at the first, she knew she'd do everything in her power to protect him from the evil world. He doesn't look like his father neither does he look like her and for that, she is extremely grateful. She cannot afford looking at her husband's face in her child when the father is not around throughout the journey. There should only be the two of them, cloaked together in warmth and raw adoration.

"We are going for now. Asad will stay back for a few hours then leave so the nurse can take over. Or do you want me to stay with you for the night? Ibrahim will understand." Fadwa suggested, her face joyous but also filled with concern. She clearly likes Mahnoor more than the other sisters, she is always there for her.

Mahnoor grinned in her stupor and mumbled. "Don't worry about me. I can stay the night and my mom should be here in few hours which means, I'm going to get overwhelmed."

The sisters shoulders sagged in relief then they busied themselves clearing up the room. Asad came to the bed and adjusted the hospital cap on her head, pushed all the stubborn hairs inside so she can have a peaceful sleep. Mahnoor smiled gratefully then closed her eyes, allowing sleep and exhaustion to take over her senses and muscles.

Seven days later, the traditional naming ceremony is about to take place. Mahnoor didn't want it at first but after a few words from Haleema about how it happens and how beggars from the street get food for the day for free, she relented. And who would say no to free food, music and extravagant outfits. A seamstress was sent to take her new measurement to sew new clothes for her for the ceremony and after seeing the designs and styles the woman is capable of doing, she got excited to try on her outfit.

And today happens to be the day. The Ajujis agreed to the name she's decided since Aman didn't say a word about what they should name his son, he is not interested in anything that is happening and she likes it like that not that it doesn't hurt. It freaking does. The father of your child, your very own husband not caring about you because of a fight you had months ago that seems like centuries already. He is really being the immature one now between them, she is the one with sense.

That slap was totally deserving! How could he suggest something as dirty as adultery to someone like her who is clearly a maiden and doesn't know her ways with men? Just because she wasn't up to his standards doesn't mean he can ask her to stoop so low. How could a man even think about suggesting such a thing to his own wife? Had he no shame whatsoever? And when he made love to her, he was totally in aphrodisiac mood too but that didn't change his mind about a slap he's gotten few hours prior. He's been through worst, egoistic idiot.

She is carrying on as if that doesn't bother her, it does. Asad is filling up that space but a husband is different since there are myriads of things he cannot do because he is not her mahram. For instance, he cannot kiss her forehead or cuddle her when she is moody or tame down her intense feelings during pregnancy. And then this postpartum thingy, it's making her go nuts for real.

Breastfeeding her baby is the main trouble because she always cries whenever the baby is suckling too hard. No biting of lower lip could stop her mouth from quivering and tears from rushing down. The pain is almost unbearable but then she will stare down at her baby and smile, it is worth it. Then comes the part where everywhere in her body aches from head to toe especially her lower abdomen. Things are just not the way they are anymore, she's lost her usual inverted triangle shape to hourglass with bulge of belly—

"Mahnoor, the makeup artist will be here anytime soon. Wear this gown and wait for her meanwhile, I'm going to the backyard to make sure things are going just fine." Fadwa stated, passing a well pressed atamfah to her with it's head tie ironed to rectangle shape.

Mahnoor collected the clothes from her, her eyes shifting back to where her son is when she saw a movement. A smile broke out on her face when she saw him turning his back at them, snoring away. Fadwa saw that and shook her head, new mother in town, she giggled in her head.

"Must I go through all that poking? The last time I did makeup myself, I looked like a wraith and almost scared the living hell out of your younger brother." She grimaced at the remembrance of their first meeting. It was not pleasant at all, the exact opposite of how she's imagined their first encounter.

She wanted to wait for him to come back so they can have dinner or lunch or maybe even breakfast with her makeup to perfection. Her whole self from head to toe should look to pretty to pass up and she will lure him immediately without even saying a word. She'd wanted him to fall in love with her at first sight since she's been waiting for him for a whole year and started falling in love with his imaginations in her head. But he came back to meet the exact opposite, saying words she should never have thought about but that is in the past now. She's ruined their chances.

Oh, no, she didn't, he did.

She went to the closet to change, leaving her baby with her mother. They arrived that same day she gave birth by plane courtesy of Zubairu Ajuji. She was so happy seeing her parents again after a long time. Hugging them and kissing all over their faces, crying amidst their excited faces over flying in an airplane for the first time in their lives just like she had. The Ajujis did the passport for them all and paid the tickets, she will forever be grateful for that because coming in a car means more suffering for them than joy.

Changing into the new outfit that's sewn into a flat gown, she admired herself in the mirror. The atamfah has golden touches here and there, the style like that of models. Taking the head tie with her, she left the closet and went back to the room where a woman is waiting for her with a large box beside her. She concluded that that person is the makeup artist that will adorn her face so she let out a pleasant welcoming smile and gestured for her to come closer and set her things so they won't disturb the baby in his crib and she did.

Exhibiting a plum palazzo pants and lilac tank top, the woman looks younger than her age. She's a little bit lean, her legs really long and dark skin complexion that wouldn't have looked good on any other person. Her brows are arched artificially and her open hair is tied in a long braid with her natural black hair not too long. She looks ambitious and really professional from her stern expression to friendly smile to accommodate clients.

"Do you want it neutral or bridal?" The makeup artist, Joanne questioned with furrowed brows as she looked at her face with plain admiration to her beauty like every other person she's encountered.

"Which one do you think will be better on me? You lots know better in that field." She beamed, turning her face from side to side so she can see every pore and acne —the ones she's gotten during her pregnancy and refuse to go— to decide what will look good on her. She doesn't know about any bridal or neutral. All she knows is that, your face will be painted with pencils and brushes.

Joanne chuckled at her show then clicked her middle finger and thumb. "Neutral will look better on you since you're naturally more beautiful. Let's try my magic and see whether I can surpass nature with you." The both of them chuckled and she began the magic.

In thirty minutes, they were done and Mahnoor excitedly move to the mirror to look at herself. She gasped, earning a chiding glance from her mother who's rocking the baby inside his crib. She looks so beautiful, so unlike herself. It makes her look bolder, daring, unreachable and... more like Aman's standards. She frowned at her thought then smiled again to see more of her beauty. If he doesn't appreciate her natural beauty, then this won't move him too.

Done with admiring herself, she went back to Joanne with an apologetic smile and waited for her to tie her head tie for her. She did so with effortless perfection, pins getting tucked here and there with few twists and combs then she's done. This time around when Mahnoor stood before the mirror, she let out a squeak that awaken her son but she is too into herself to notice. Her face, each and every angle is brought out and the way Joanne tied the head tie too, she deserves five stars and a huge golden medal or diamond, it's all worth it.

"Since you don't have sense till date, come and feed him now so I can dress him. You've awaken him with your ugly squeaks." Her mother scolded, taking the baby off his crib and bringing him to her.

Mahnoor groaned at the inconvenience then glance down at her gown to find out it has a zip at the front, oh, how fortunate. She sat down, held the baby across her laps and remove her much heavier and fuller breast from the confines of her new clothes then began feeding him. She brushed her fingers through his hair while smiling, he is such a cute baby slowly taking over her features. She is more than grateful for that. Aman doesn't deserve an ounce of mole against his face, it should all be her doing.

After the baby suckled some more, she passed him to her mother who bathed him and dress him in new and no doubt, expensive clothes brought by Hajiya Hadiza herself. They are wearing matching outfit too with same shades of green and yellow. How thoughtful of them.

It seems like the Ajujis had taken a great liking to her newborn baby most especially Najeeba who crossed her words and kept coming to the house to see him. Mahnoor wanted to ask her to stop disturbing her baby but she knew the kind of reply she'd get from her so she kept her mouth shut. This is her looking for trouble when things are going smoothly, the blame will be on her. Now that her mother is here, she will keep scolding her for hours straight without resting.

Soon after, the head of the event left the confines of her home to the backyard that stretched down to a never ending length. Chairs with elegant table clothes are arranged around tables equally sheathed with exquisite tablecloth. There are so many people, hundreds of them and she could count with her fingers how many she knew, the rest are all strangers. All eyes yawed to her as she moseyed with all the gracefulness she can sheaf into her walk because she is usually clumsy and it shows even with her steps. Some gasped and murmur in admiration while others stare with unsheathed envy.

She trudged forward with her baby in hand, her maids trailing behind in their new clothes too given by her. She's never worn the clothes she gave them, that is the reward for their patience throughout her pregnancy. The whole mood swings she's endured together with them, weird cravings and whatnot. They were really extremely patient and she cannot be more grateful. 

The Ajujis quickly surrounded her from the sisters to the mother. Each of them introducing the people they come across. She could remember a few of their names —like three of their cousins that actually look ready to accept her as an addition and also a friend, Mu'mina, Nahla and Amna—her head has started throbbing with buzzes. She excused herself and sat down, her eyes trailing Hajiya Hadiza as she held the grandson with so much love while dancing to 'Sweet mother' song. Her heart throbbed this time around, not believing that detached mother-in-law is so freely showing her affection for her grandson.

"I've never seen Aunty Hadiza so free and all smiley like this." Mu'mina whispered from beside her, she went to sit at their table after getting tired of the attention at the makeshift stage.

Mahnoor smiled distractedly, her eyes fixated on her mother-in-law. "When you say that, I don't even have to talk. I've known her for a few months only."

"She likes Aasim a lot from the looks of it. He is her favorite grandson already. She will definitely spoil him beyond repair. This is the first time she is showing affection to any human being other than her husband. I hope it's not for the public and media." Nahla grunted, shoving a thick gargantuan piece of chicken down her throat and chewed noisily.

Amna rolled her eyes at the statement. "Aunty Hadiza will never show affection for anyone because of public. You've forgotten who she is then?"

"That's true. She cares not about public as long as there is no scandal attached to their family name." Mu'mina nodded her head in agreement and they changed the topic to something entirely different, Nahla's upcoming marriage along with Najeeba's.

"I don't know why she agreed to marry that old sugar daddy. Have you seen his face? He spits all over your face before he gets one message across and all his children are married for god's sake! I feel like he is more than sixty nine they are saying, maybe ten years older because common, a sixty nine year old won't look that sagged and tired." Nahla murmured in distaste, keeping her voice low since the whole family is surrounding them and one word reaching Najeeba will create unnecessary drama.

Najeeba won't see whether this is a naming ceremony with media and whole public eyes on them, she will create drama that will make her mother hate her some more. They will pity her more than they would themselves for talking about her so it's better to be safe than sorry when it comes to the Ajujis. You just never know when one will blow and things won't be the way they were.

Amna made a hand gesture to stop Mu'mina from talking about something so she can do it. After swallowing mouthful of wine, she patted her chest and began. "Do you know Ya Abu is still pinning over her?"

"Don't tell me?" Mu'mina's eyes widened just like Nahla's, their mouths slacking and gaping like fishes.

Amna made a face of pure gossip then delve deeper. "He told me about it yesterday. He said he wants to create problem during the marriage if he cannot turn her mind against the rich sugar daddy. He even said, he will result to seducing her if he has to but I stopped that thought from his head the minute it came. I told him to pray if she is the best woman for him and he promised to do so. See love o. He wants to seduce her? I was shocked and galvanized."

Nahla furrowed her brows in concentration. "I don't think he loves her if he is thinking about seducing her to get married to her. It might just be desire lurking around his cranium and pushing so many evil things in his head. He should pray some more and do Istigfhar because, this is not like him."

"You won't say anything?" Amna prompted Mu'mina who only shrugged her one shoulder nonchalantly.

"What should I say? He threw away my love for him for that spoiled brat so he should continue managing with her. I can only pray for him since I've found my true lover." She gave a sarcastic smile but she is serious about the lover. She is not ready to tell them who the person is until things get more clear. Her cousin, Asad is the person she is thinking about because of the mixed signals he's been sending her way.

Mahnoor could only look at the cousins with open astonishment. So this family is filled with drama and she's been living in a tower her whole time here to know anything about them? Oh, she is so going to join this ride and see how things go. How fictional, she laughed evilly in her head. She loves drama, especially ones she is not included!