The window basked in the amber tones of morning. It's fractured pattern light cast a mosaic on the floor. Darkness retreated from the room in jagged shapes as the light flittered in. She slowly blinked awake in the warm light of the autumn morning slanting through her bedroom window.

She smiled at the light chirping through her window. It was morning again and she had a big day ahead of her. Today was Saturday -- exactly seven days since her younger sister gave birth. It was the naming ceremony and she knew she had to get up early to start preparing before Aunty or one of her cousins come breaking down her door.

She got off the bed mildly and sauntered into her bathroom to freshen up. Bushra looked around her bathroom -- she always loved the colour combination of it. It was white and red. Roses and vines were painted on the walls around the area near the mirror. Cherubs were decorated on the bath. The mirror light shining on the adjacent wall opens up the room for just one person. The bathroom was warm and inviting.

And she remembered the times she used to have a fight with Yasmin over the mirror, despite the fact that it was big enough for three people to share. They both chose to share the room at the first place but didn't realise it was going to turn into one fight or another. Bushra wanted to get a separate room but aunty denied, showing them how they'd miss it if they both go their separate ways and she was right. Now Yasmin has been married for a year, with a baby now and Bushra missed her everyday despite the fact that they lived in the same town.

She looked at herself in the mirror and beamed, she was happy for so many unknown reasons. She touched her cheeks -- soft as a baby's. Apropos of babies, bushra squealed and picked up her brush. She couldn't wait to go see her baby, Adila. Since the day she was born, bushra visited her sister everyday just to spend time with the baby. She didn't care how tired she was from work, she always stopped by to see the baby. Her baby fever was back and she couldn't be more ready to settle down and have her own.

Bushra giggled at the thought -- since when did she ever thought of having a man in her life? She never does, not even at the moment her father was pressurising her. Not even when... Mahir crossed her mind and her stomach churned. She admits that he was attractive -- every girls dream, but not hers. She wouldn't want to marry someone with daddy's money, narcissist if she may say, and overbearing. He wasn't man enough, she declared. He only knew how to wear a billion dollar suit with well manicured nails and give orders... But he is attractive, it crossed her mind.

And he looked like a husband material. Just that he had some red flags that she knew she could adjust if she married him. And Madina might be right, maybe he was sentimental. Maybe he puts on that face to scare people and make them do what he wants. But then she recalled -- he only did that to her, he was never loud and bossy to her colleagues, just her. And what did she do to deserve that? She admits she has a sharp mouth, but whatever she states was the truth and fact.

For that matter, her thoughts ran on, it was ridiculous how often she'd thought of him the past few days, remembering foolish details... his eyes were almost precisely the shade of honey...

She shrugged it off and enters the bathtub to take her shower. She has wasted so many time creating scenarios that would never happen.

Shortly, she sashayed out of the bathroom and got ready for the day. She got new dresses just to celebrate Adila's naming ceremony. Her heart melts whenever she remembered the baby's face, how adorable and tiny she was. If she could feel so much love for Adila, she couldn't think of how she'd feel when she has her own baby.

An hour later, she was in the kitchen making breakfast with few of her cousins that arrived a day before the naming ceremony from Yola. They didn't sleep much the previous day. They spent the time together, remembering their childhood -- the times they sneak out to play out from morning till they get caught and punished. That still wouldn't stop them from sneaking out the next day.

"I really miss Yola -- I miss playing by the river, pretending that we were grown ups. I always used to be the mother, Musa would be the father, and Yasmin and Safiyah would be our kids. Good times." Bushra said woefully. All her life she wanted to be a grown up, she never knew how stressful and depressing it was, especially when you're the first born.

"And back then eating out was a huge treat. Honestly, it was a thing we were genuinely excited about. So, maybe now the idea of eating fish and chips isn't a big deal... back in 1998 something it was."

Bushra glared at her playfully. "You were barely four-years at that time." She pursed her lips and crossed her arms against her chest. "But at least I remember some things." She protested. "I wasn't arguing," bushra said, raising her hands up to Surender.

**

Kids ran around the house, playing tag while the adults took their sits, chatting with friends and family. Some conversed about how they haven't seen each other in a while at the meantime enjoy the food and refreshments. Mubarak and Yasmin's house was filled with family and friends they joined them to celebrate the arrival of their first child, Hauwa Adila.

The ceremony was very formal. Music was played by the Dj. Scattered flower petals on the ground, adding a beautiful touch to the decor. the colour combinations: lavender and white, adding a beautiful appearance to the large backyard. Over by the place decorated for Adila and her parents, there was a picture of the lucky baby, decorated with balloons and flowers.

Yasmin smiled, pleased to see the exquisite decor all organised by her big sister, Bushra.

Bushra walked around, attending to the guests and making sure everyone was fed and comfy as they enjoyed the event. Her feet were sore and she was already exhausted before the day had gone far. Whenever she gets the chance to rest, she'd be summoned.

"Adda Bushra," Yasmin called out when she spotted her pacing around the place. Bushra smiled as she approached her sister. "The place looks so beautiful. All thanks to you." She pulled her in a nice and tight and wouldn't let go for a long time. "Oh shut up, I did it for my baby, Adila." She teased, breaking the hug when she sensed Yasmin wasn't ready to let go. "Well... I love you too." She baited back and gave Bushra a quick hug before walking into the crowd to attend to more guests.

An hour later, Bushra entered one of Yasmin's rooms to relax. A crowd of middle aged women were seated in the room, conversing. Bushra felt the urge to turn but she knew it would turn to something she'd hate herself for. "Good afternoon, lovely ladies," she greeted, full of smiles. It was her aunties including Sadiq's mother. Can the floor just open and swallow her up? The looks they gave her way enough to torment her for the rest of the day.

She could already smell their Judgments. "Bushra, I've been look for you. Come, sit." Sadiq's mother, Hajiya Saude motioned her to sit next to her. Her heart skipped a beat and she exhaled. This was nothing to worry about, she mused to herself. It was everything to panic about because she knew what was going to happen.

"Yasmin told me you helped with naming ceremony arrangements. The decoration looks amazing. It's so lovely to see Yasmin happily married and now with a baby -- Isn't it?" She looked at the other ladies for confirmation and they agreed with her.

That was the most unrelated conversation bushra has ever heard. If they wanted to rub it on her face that she wasn't married, they should've gotten to the point instead of beating around the bushes.

"By Allah, they are the most cutest couple I've ever seen. Don't you want to have that, Bushra? Sadiq is dying to have that kind of family with you. I don't know why you keep rejecting his proposal." It was Sadiq's older sister that spoke. Bushra gave her a stern look. It would've been nice if she stayed back in Yola with her huge baby bump. What type of husband allows you to roam around like that when you're expecting a baby in a day or two?

"With all due respect, I would love to have a husband like Yasmin's or even more. And I would love to have my own baby, my own family when the right time and husband comes," she spoke carefully. She needn't to upset anyone in the room. "Then accept your cousin's proposal. You two are perfect for each other, Bushra. He has nothing to say or talk about but you. He's so in love with you, my dear. Accept him and make our family bond even stronger."

Bushra grimaced. Why does she have to be the scapegoat for that? Why can't it be any of her other cousins? She had other cousins they were older than her but they chose to torment her life by sticking that D-Bag to her? Negative -- she'd never approve that. She'd rather bring home a total stranger within the few months her father gave her than to be with Sadiq who was after torturing her life not making her his wife.

"Sadiq... I doubt if he actually loves me. And even if he does, I don't care. Because, with all due respect, I don't love him and he's not my type. He's willing to stop me from working when we get married and I'm not ready to quit my job. I'm not going to sacrifice my career over a man I am not sure wether he loves me or wants to torture my life. I'd do that for someone who actually loves me wholeheartedly. Not... just your air-headed son. Excuse me." She got to her feet and left the room without a back glance. The whole room fell silent with low murmurs from some of the ladies in the room.

Bushra hissed as she made her way out to the backyard where the event was still taking place. On her way, she encountered with Yasmin. Her sister sensed that something was wrong. "Are you all right?" Yasmin asked worriedly. Bushra wouldn't want to ruin the rest of the happy day for her. "Of course, just a little tired but everything is all right. Where's my baby?" A smiled plastered on her face as she spoke. Yasmin returned a smile. "Safiyah took her to Mubarak's friends in his guest house. They just arrived. Could you do me a favour please?" Yasmin asked, holding Bushra's hands. Bushra nodded as she smiled. "Anything for you, Yasmin."

"Great! Mubarak's friends just arrived and I need someone to take food and refreshments to them." She pouted her lips. She knew Bushra might say no because she hated being in a crowd with men. She felt uncomfortable. "You just have to drop it off and leave, that's it. Hafsa will help." Bushra nodded. "I'll be on it right away." She excused herself and headed to where the food and refreshments were.

The caterers have already arranged everything and Hafsa was there also. They took the food first before the refreshments. Bushra dropped the plates on the table and she could sense the eyes on her. She raised her head up same time her eyes caught his'. Her soft brown eyes remained glassy for a moment as his eyes calmly searched hers. She felt her heart sink as she found that she couldn't keep up with the eyes contact.

She briskly sauntered out before any of the men could notice their staring contest. She walks out of the guest house and picked up her pace. If she had known Mahir was going to be there, she would've said no to Yasmin. Bushra paused at the parking lot to catch her breath. She inhaled and exhaled sharply, as though she ran a mile.

"I have a feeling the universe is giving us a sign." Out of nowhere, she heard the familiar voice. He followed her out? She murmured under her breath before slowly turning to look at him. "Are you stalking on me?" She asked him disconcertedly. "I don't know -- are you?" He shot back. She started at him quizzically. "You're leaning against my car." He said, his eyes had her fast, a surprisingly connection.

"It doesn't prove anything." She retorted quietly, breaking eye contact with him. "And you keep showing up everywhere I am. Restaurants, my work place and now my sister's house? You're stalking on me." She folded her arms on her chest, gaining back her confidence.

Mahir smiled his crooked half smile. It was the first time she actually saw him smile and it was contagious - he smiled back unknowingly. Her warm-hearted smile instantly caught his attention. He examined her mouth and her eyes. "That's why I said the universe is giving us a sign." She tilted her head, trying to grasp what he meant by that. "A sign? For what?" She questioned. She couldn't stick a finger on what he meant by that.

He shrugged his shoulders. "Go out to have dinner," he stated heedlessly. Bushra shifted back a bit. Mahir Adam Dan-Musa was asking her out on a date? Where was the arrogance and self-esteem. "If you want to ask me out, you don't have to bring the universe into this." She mouthed, confidently. She lifted a brow, then sent a quick, distrustful look over his face.

"No -- don't mistake going out to have dinner with going on a date. I want to take you out for dinner to show my appreciation for all the help you did for my father's company." The arrogance was back, she could sense.

She scanned him from head to toe and scoffed. "Well, then I'm not interested." Bushra didn't need to wait for any response, she left him without a backward glance.