ABUJA, NIGERIA

"Mama wata shida fa muka San Juna Kawai; we have only known each other for 6 months." Hauwa whined to her mother through the phone and Aisha who was sitting beside her rolled her eyes and hissed and Hauwa discreetly pinched her making her winch. Though Aisha had stopped trying to persuade Hauwa into leaving Sa'eed because she believes he is a bad person, she still doesn't like talking about Sa'eed.

"Mama, I'm telling you, we've only known each other for six months," Hauwa repeated, exasperated.

"Six months is enough, Kulu," her mother replied firmly. "Tell Sa'eed to send his elders, let's start the marriage preparations."

Hauwa sighed, glancing at Aisha, who raised an eyebrow. "Mama, I don't think that's a good idea. We're still getting to know each other."

"Getting to know each other? You're already living in the same city, what's there to know?" her mother asked, her tone teasing.

Hauwa's face flushed, and Aisha chuckled. "Mama, stop teasing her," Aisha said, trying to stifle her grin.

"Okay, okay, but seriously, Kulu, do you love him?" her mother asked, her tone softening.

Hauwa's expression changed, her eyes sparkling. "Mama, I love him so much, I can't even explain it. I feel like I've known him my whole life. I wish I could marry him tomorrow, but I don't know if he's ready."

Aisha rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Mai-Jidda, you're so shameless," she teased.

Their mother laughed. "Kulu, you're indeed shameless, but I'm glad you're in love. Just tell him to come and see us, we'll take it from there."

Just then, the doorbell rang, and Mama got up to answer it. "That must be Jannah, I'll be right back," she said, exiting the room.

A few minutes later, Mama returned with their younger sister, Jannah, who was grinning from ear to ear. "Yane? Meke fa ruwa?: How Far? What's going on?"

"We're discussing Mai-Jidda's love life," Aisha said, winking at Hauwa.

Jannah's eyes widened. "Ooh, tell me everything!"

Their mother laughed. "Kulu, tell your sister what we were discussing."

Hauwa filled Jannah in on the conversation, and Jannah listened with wide eyes. "Wow, Ya Mai-Jidda, you're so in love!" Jannah exclaimed.

Hauwa blushed, and Aisha teased, "Yeah, she's totally gone."

Their mother chuckled. "Okay, okay, let's not tease her too much. Hauwa, just tell Sa'eed to come and see us, and we'll take it from there."

Hauwa nodded, smiling. "Okay, Mama, I'll talk to him."

As they continued their video call, the conversation turned to Jannah's school and her upcoming exams. Hauwa and Aisha offered words of encouragement, and their mother reminded Jannah to stay focused.

As the call came to an end, Hauwa smiled, feeling grateful for her family's love and support. She knew she still had to convince Sa'eed to take their relationship to the next level, but with her family behind her, she felt more confident than ever.

Hauwa turned to look at Aisha, her expression nervous. Aisha noticed the change and nudged her. "Hey, what's wrong?"

Hauwa hesitated, her voice barely above a whisper. "I've noticed Sa'eed acting weird these past two days."

Aisha raised an eyebrow, her tone dripping with scepticism. "Weird? That's his normal behaviour, Mai-Jidda. He's just losing interest in you, trust me."

Hauwa's face fell, and she felt a surge of defensiveness. "No, Ya  Aisha, that's not true. He loves me, I know it."

Aisha snorted. "Love? Please, Mai-Jidda. He's just playing games with you. You deserve better than someone like him."

Hauwa's eyes flashed, and she felt herself getting angry. "Ya Aisha, stop it! You don't know anything about him."

Just then, Hauwa's phone rang, and she saw Sa'eed's name flash on the screen. She had saved his number as 'Mine🔐🤍'. Aisha hissed and rolled her eyes when she saw it.

Hauwa answered the call, and Sa'eed's soft voice immediately calmed her nerves. "Hey, Mi Reina. How are you?"

Hauwa smiled, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. "I'm good, Sa'eed. Just missed you."

Sa'eed chuckled. "I missed you too. I'm coming to meet you later this evening, okay?"

Hauwa's heart skipped a beat. "Okay, I'll be waiting."

As they talked, Aisha watched Hauwa's face, her expression disapproving. When Hauwa hung up, Aisha spoke up.

"See Mai-Jidda , he's just playing games with you. He's not serious about you."

Hauwa shook her head, feeling frustrated. "Ya Aisha, stop it. You don't know what you're talking about."

But Aisha continued, her voice relentless. "I know exactly what I'm talking about, Mai-Jidda. He's using you for his own pleasure. You deserve better than that."

Hauwa felt herself getting angry again, but Sa'eed's calm voice echoed in her mind, making her brush away Aisha's words. She could sense the nervousness in his voice, but she pushed the thought away, focusing on the warmth she felt when they talked.

As the evening drew near, Hauwa's excitement grew. She had spent hours preparing Sa'eed's favourite dishes, and the aroma of delicious food filled the air. She bathed and got dressed in a stunning maroon and purple golden atampa gown, wrapping a purple chantilly veil around her body. She sprayed her expensive perfume, feeling like a queen.

Sa'eed arrived, looking gorgeous as always in a milk kaftan and a zanna bukar on his curly hair. He exchanged pleasantries with Aisha and her husband Mubarak, who both struggled to hide their dislike for him. Sa'eed sat down with Hauwa, and Aisha's kids, Hanan and Muhammad, came to hug him, having grown fond of him since Hauwa's arrival. The youngest child, Haidar stared at him with wide eyes, and Sa'eed chuckled, pinching his cute chubby cheeks.

Once they were alone, Hauwa served Sa'eed, and he complimented her cooking, making her blush. But as they sat together, an awkward silence fell between them, unusual for their relationship. Sa'eed finally gathered courage and began to speak, his voice trembling.

"Hauwa, I need to tell you something. Something I've been hiding from you."

Hauwa's heart skipped a beat, sensing the gravity of the moment because he only called her real name when it was something serious.

"I used to lead a bad life, Mi Reina. I used drugs, went to clubs... I was lost. But I'm willing to change for you. I love you, and I want to be a better person for you."

Hauwa felt a mix of emotions: upset, sad, but also love and compassion. She forgave him, and they shared a tender moment.

But then Sa'eed dropped another bombshell.

"I did it all with Bilal Maigoro. He was my best friend."

Hauwa's expression changed, her eyes welling up with tears. Bilal Maigoro's name was a sore topic for her and her entire family.

"Why are you telling me this, Sa'eed?" she asked, her voice shaking.

Sa'eed looked at her, confused. "I thought you should know the truth about me."

Hauwa's tears spilled over, and she sobbed uncontrollably.

"Get out, Sa'eed. Just leave me alone."

Sa'eed tried to pacify her, but Hauwa pushed him away.

"If you have any ounce of love for me, you'll leave me alone now. I need a break."

Sa'eed reluctantly got up, his face dejected, and left the house. Hauwa broke down crying, feeling like her world had shattered into pieces.

Please manage this chapter, it's kinda boring and short buh I have a splitting headache.

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