7 chapters to go before we end this story🥹
Oh and I might open an Instagram Group for this book, I'll share the link on my Instagram story. I'll probably delete the group once I'm done writing the book though so it won't be for long.

Anyways, 111k views, thank you all so much! Let's reach 150k at least by the time we end the book yeah?🥹

I'll miss you all here so much!

SA'ADATU'S POV.

KANO, NIGERIA.

Tell me one thing harder than leaving your home once you become a married woman. I will start;

Nothing.

There is nothing more difficult than leaving your home as a married woman, knowing you would wake up to living in that house again as a member of your family, and that you are now someone else's wife. It was hard the first time, I do not know why I thought it would be harder the second time, especially when I know I should not be this worried. It is not like I am joining a family I know nothing of.

This is the Bayero family. I know them. From Baba, Hajiya, Ya Mama and Ya Yusuf. I know them all, I have known them for years. So, you would think it should put my mind at ease, right? It does not. Not even the thought of my brand new car waiting for me at my house is tempting me enough to want to leave my house, but it is not something I can avoid.

One minute, I was teasing my friends and waving at them, screaming the word, "Bye bye, Single Ladies!" at the top of my lungs, and the next, my aunts were struggling to get me out of Anty's hold as I cried into her arms. It was truly a struggle separating us, and before I know it, I was sandwiched in between my aunts in the back of the car as they drove off to my new home as they like to call it.

Anty's words played on my mind in repeat, like a broken cassette that repeats itself without a halt in sight. Her words brought more tears to my eyes.

"Walida," She started, "Sa'adatu na, my daughter. Alhamdullilah, I am so happy to be able to see this day of yours. And I am especially happy to know you are going into a family that you will be loved, and accepted. I know you are already more than aware, but Walida marriage is no child's play. It is beyond that which anyone can tell you. It is not always that the love you begin your marriage on that will lead you throughout the days. There are days that love just will not be enough. Du wannan soyyayyan da ake awaje, it might not continue to be the same after marriage.

You know what will keep your marriage going? Patience. Haquri, Walida. It is not just as if we are all singing patience all over just like that. It has a meaning, and you will understand the meaning of it when the times comes. Another thing that will keep your marriage going is compassion for one another. Be mindful of each other's feelings in whatever it is you do. Remember, you are no longer a single woman, ke matar aure ce yanxu.

Yes, you have known Adnan for years, but the circumstances have changed. He is no longer just Faiza's brother to you, or Hajiya's son. He is your husband, mijin ki ne—your companion in this life, and in the hereafter as well in shaa Allah. He has rights over you, and you have your rights over him as well. But, Walida, be obedient to him. Nasan ki, you are a stubborn person and there will come days where your stubbornness will try to reign over some of his decisions. Amma I have faith he will never make a decision that will be of harm to you. So, ki mishi biyayya.

There will come days where you would need to exercise patience, I have said that earlier but I am repeating it so you will understand the gravity of the situation. He has other responsibilities that might demand his time, and attention. Be understanding, share his burdens as I am sure he will share yours as well.

Walida, ki zama mai haquri, kiyi haquri, kuma ki qara haquri. Living with one person for the rest of your life is not an easy feat, but I am sure you will do well in shaa Allah. As I hope he will take good care of you as always.

Allah ya baku zaman lafiya, kuma Allah ya miki albarka. Allah ya muku albarka gaba ki daya and may Allah Bless your marriage. Allahumma ameen."

I had my head down throughout the drive, only partially aware of the noise in the background as the drive continued. Sooner than I would like, because I had never realized how close my house—my parent's house, is to the Bayero household, I felt the cars coming to a halt and my heart hammered behind my ribcage.

My hands suddenly became clammy, and my feet turned cold. I could swear my heart dropped to the pit of my stomach the minute I felt the door open, and then my aunts stepped out first. One of them reached out to take a hold of my hand underneath the alkyabba I had on, then helped me get down from the car.

The noise in the background grew as the ladies from the other cars alighted as well, and then the yodels started. I could not pinpoint whether the yodels came from the ladies on my side, or those that stepped out from the Bayero building so as to welcome us. Nonetheless, they were loud, that is for sure.

My other aunt grabbed my other hand, and then they started to lead me into the house, our steps slow as the yodels accompanied us. With each step that we take, my heart rate did not cease to spike up, especially once we stepped into the actual building, and the scent of Hajiya's familiar bakhoor welcomed us, it eased some of my worries down.

The noise grew even more once we stepped into the living room where I would assume the Bayero family are waiting, and that was when the praises and even more yodels came. My aunts came to a halt, and so did I before they helped me sit down on the carpeted floor. The moment my aunts left my side, another arms wrapped around me, pulling me into a warm embrace.

"My Sa'adatu," Hajiya's warm voice, and her homey scent welcomed me as she tightened her hold around me. Then, she whispered, so only I could hear. "Welcome home, my daughter."

Her words, and her mere presence alone warmed my heart immensely, toning down my entire worries down a notch. That simple statement that may not seem like much, felt like the entire world to me. I could not exactly reply, but I appreciated it immensely.

There was a moment of advice and prayers that followed, making the entire place quietened down as Hajiya gave her advice first, followed by a few other women that chirped in. I listened attentively, though admittedly I kept zoning out every once in a while but still. My senses returned when someone was asked to unveil me—and you could all guess who took the liberty of doing so.

"Who else would unveil Yaya's bride if not me?" Faiza's voice came, closer to me than I had expected really. I had forgotten the girl somewhere in between bidding Anty farewell and the drive here.

She has successfully managed to transit in between being the bride's best friend, and the groom's sister, doing her job in both places well enough. I feel like she reaps the benefit of this the most really—and let us not go back to the share she managed to get out of the Kamu money. I still stand by my earlier motion, Faiza is an unarmed thief. She cannot refute that title no matter what she does at this point.

Before Faiza could attempt to unveil me, another familiar voice came, stopping her. "Shift, abeg," Ya Mama's feigned stern voice was impossible to miss. "Matsa, I will be the one to unveil our bride. You have done more than enough." That I cannot help but agree with Ya Mama, because Faiza did in fact take most of the credits—rightfully so I believe though.

I guess she must have known that as well, or she just caved in to Ya Mama, but Faiza was not the one that unveiled me. I had my head down, fiddling with my fingers as I felt the hood of the alkyabba being lifted, followed by the veil I had dragged down to cover my head, and then Ya Mama's voice came.

"Masha Allah, Tabarakallah. You should all see my brother's wife, Allahumma bareek, Sa'adatu." The warmth in her tone was impossible to miss as she leaned down and gave me a quick hug as well, and when my eyes met hers, she had the widest smiles on her face.

I looked down once again, my own lips slanted into a small grin as my cheeks heated—the compliments coming from all angles, as well as the flash of cameras that followed our entire exchange. Once again, I could only keep my head down and smile as the round of compliments came, before I was introduced to some of the women from the family. There were too many of them really, reminding me of just how big the family is beyond the four Bayero siblings that I have known all this while.

By the time the exchange came to an end, they decided to let me rest for a short while before I am then accompanied to my house as Magrib is soon approaching as well. Faiza led me to the room I would wait, while our other friends were given a place to rest as well. Considering it was just she and I, the moment we stepped into the room, the familiar scent that welcomed me had me turning my head around, my eyes narrowed at her slightly.

"Faiza..." I called out warningly.

She chuckled, raising her hands in mock surrender. "What? You are his wife now. There is no problem bringing you here." She tried to defend herself, but I could only roll my eyes in response, not saying because I just want to find a place and settle down.

I made my way towards a chaise lounge there, and then settled down on it before she had any crazier ideas, and I know she does. "I am tired," I complained, leaning my back against the chaise lounge as I flicked my eyes close, feeling a head ache begin to form.

"Sannu, let me get you headache pills. Or you can just check the bedside cabinet, he always has one—doctor's something." She said, gesturing to the bed side cabinet to my side.

I gave her a look, "I cannot just begin to rummage someone's drawer," I stated, as if I am the only sensible one between us, because she is not acting like one.

Faiza released an exaggerated, and dramatic sigh. "Ikon Allah," She exclaimed. Then continued to point out as she made her way over the cabinet herself. "I am telling you, the day you start bragging up and down about your husband, I will remind you of all your little acts now." She pulled the cabinet open, and pulled out the pills almost immediately, before closing it.

"Naji," I extended my hand out to retrieve the pills from her. She dropped it.

"Let me go get you a bottle of water and some food. I am sure you must be famished."

"Not really..." I am not that hungry—I did eat at home. In fact, I was forced to, so I am not that hungry.

"I am still getting you food to eat," She said, regardless of my words. "Hajiya had food prepared specifically for her daughter. At this point, I feel like my brother should be worried really. You have taken his spot of being the favorite child."

I shrugged, "He won't mind." He will. His little acts a few weeks back during Eid proved that much. But I would like to believe he knew what he signed up for when he agreed to marry me after all.

Faiza tutted, shaking her head in the process. "You have picked up on his arrogance, no doubt." She gave me a look like that of a disappointed parent. "I will be back. I will get your change of clothes and bring it to you as well." She turned around and left the room, leaving me all alone.

With her gone, I found myself releasing a breath I did not know I was holding. Leaning back against the chaise lounge, I allowed my eyes the liberty to roam around the room. It honestly looked just as I had anticipated of him. Minimalistic, yet modern. The theme is light, which is a contrast to how most men go for a darker tone. His is somewhere in between the lines of white, and grey—the perfect balance of both. Not to mention, it seemed too neat.

There is a book shelf by the side that seems to be missing some book, my guess is he had packed them to his new room, but there still seems to be more book than I can ever think of reading in my entire life. Well, he is a Professor for a reason.

His room is pretty much simple, very much like him if I am being honest but his scent still lingered evidently, clouding the room with the familiar scent that seems peculiar to him alone.

Faiza soon returned, and everything from there on pretty much passed in a blur. From eating bits of the food she had brought to resting for the short while before Magrib came. After praying, I changed into my next outfit for the day which she had brought as she had earlier promised. Somewhere in between getting dressed once again and the activities in between, Isha time came as well so we decided to pray first before setting off.

The cars were waiting outside, and once again, more yodels came as I entered the car, accompanied by fewer people this time compared to earlier as some had already left. The drive from the Bayero family house to my new house was a bit long, but soon enough the cars pulled up into the house. I dare not raise my heads up, the nervousness from earlier came back all over again, and I had to clutch tight the hand of my aunt that led me into the house.

I stepped in with a salaam and with my right foot, and was instantly welcomed by another scent of bakhoor—and it instantly felt like home to me really. As we stepped further into the house, a light hum of voices came, signifying that the men had already arrived. A chorus of taslim followed as we stepped into the living room, all of which was answered by those that are already there.

I was led further in, before I was guided to settle down on one of the couches. Though my head was still down, I could still see things from the corner of my eyes, and I could feel the presence by my side, his familiar cologne scent making my heart rate spike up as I found myself clutching my hands.

It has only been a couple of hours since I last saw him and we had our pictures taken, but at this very moment, my heart rate truly spiked up. Silence followed as my aunts gave up another quick round of nasiha, which made everyone quietened down. It did not take them long though, before they showered their prayers on us and then stepped out first, leaving my friends to stay for the siyan baki.

Before that though, Ya Mahmous—Ya Mama's husband stepped in for his own session of advice, which was followed by prayers as well. And once the round of prayers came to an end, that was when the bargaining started.

"I know all of you here are rich men," You can guess who that is, right? The unarmed thief. "And I am sure you know how much we much we got for the Kamu."

"Faiza we are not that rich. No one here is as rich as Hajiya," Ya Mahmoud's voice came, as if pleading for some relent on her side, "Except maybe the groom, but we have to be the ones to pay this time around."

"You can all contribute now. We will tone it down for you people from dollars to Naira. Ku kawo miliyan 5 kawai. Nothing much."

"Faiza sata kika fara?" Ya Mahmoud asked, disbelief masking his tone. I second his question really. "In this economy, you want us to hand you five million Naira just like that?"

"Ah, it is like Yaya they do not want you to unveil your bride like this." She shifted her complaint to her brother, trying to trap him into extorting the money.

"Mahmoud," His voice came for the first time since the whole exchange started, very little amusement in it. "Just give them so that you can all leave my house please. I want to be with my wife."

"Ikon Allah!"

"Adnan Kenan."

"Dr. AB, so this is how you are?"

"I cannot believe I get to live to see the day I will see this side of Prof. AB."

"AB will soon chase us out of his house at this point really."

His friends threw their teasing remarks, and judging from their tones, they have been on it for a while. But, I agree with that last statement—he will in fact chase them out if he has to, I just know he would.

A chuckle came from one of his friends, and the unfamiliar voice then spoke out. "Give account number. We will transfer the money so our friend can finally unveil his bride." Cheers came from both sides as they made the transfer, and the girls finally conceded for my husband to unveil me.

I felt him move beside me as he got on his feet, and then I felt the veil being lifted. I tilted my head up, our gazes meeting and then his lips slowly curled into that ever so familiar smile of his that I love, and I could only offer him a smile back in return. He closed the veil again, making my brows furrowed before his voice came once again, now directed at the others.

"Toh, thank you all for everything. You know the way out. A kwana lafiya. Mun gode."

And that was how he chased the people away, but not before Faiza led me to the room, then embraced me into a quick hug, followed by a whisper in my ears. "I hope you will still remember I exist after being married to my brother now," She teased, as she helped me pull the veil of the laffaya I had on back, so my face now is in view. Her smile widened, "Oh, and Amani would very much accept a cousin. She has been the baby in the family for long."

"Faiza Bayero," I warned, my eyes narrowed slightly.

She chuckled, pulling back before I could swat her, which I was truly planning on doing. She then raised her hands in mock surrender, putting a safe distance between us to protect herself. "I have a gift for you in your room, you are welcome, I am accepting thanks in advance and well, have fun." Then, she blew me a kiss before she turned around and walked out, not before promising to visit the minute I remember her existence and call her.

Her words, not mine.

With her gone, I found myself releasing another shaky breath, suddenly the silence in contrast to the chaos that has been ongoing for the past few days weighed on me, making my heart rate spike faster than before. The silence lingered for a short while, until I heard the door open, and I reached out to bring my veil down.

With the door closing, the sound of his soft footsteps came, followed by the taslim which I answered in a voice I could not recognize as my own. If possible, my heart rate increased really, especially when I felt the bed dip beside me, and I found myself swallowing down a lump, a shaky breath escaping my lips.

Then, I felt him reach out and pull up the veil.

****

And that ladies is when Jannah packed her slippers and left the room🥹 I no know what will happen as well so you won't see me reporting it🫢😂

Anwayssssss my latest couple, my beloved couple in town! Our wedding has come to an end finally! Playing out Aliya Jita remix on repeat 😂😭 we are all too delusional here but I love us as that tbh 🥹

I'll miss y'all once I'm done with this book. I might do one wicked thing before the book ends though, you lots have been happy for too long. We have unresolved cases here😎 someone must die. Maybe Adnan? You'll cry better when he dies tbh.

Prepare your hearts and your tissues, we are attending a funeral. We have to. I have to be wicked I just have to.

Toh I'll let you guys be for now.

Stay safe and in love,

Love, Jannah Mia💕