ABUJA, NIGERIA

As the day wore on, Hauwa found herself growing increasingly anxious about her upcoming date with Sa'eed. She couldn't believe she had agreed to go out with him, especially after everything that had happened between them. But a part of her was curious to see if Sa'eed had truly changed, and if he was genuinely sorry for his past mistakes.

As she got ready for the date, Hauwa couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. She put on a beautiful black abaya, her hair styled perfectly, and her makeup subtle yet elegant. She looked at herself in the mirror, feeling a sense of confidence wash over her.

Just as she was about to leave, Rahma burst into her room, a mischievous glint in her eye. "So, you're really going on a date with him, huh?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Hauwa rolled her eyes. "Don't start, Rahma. I don't even know what I'm doing."

Rahma chuckled. "I'm just making sure you're prepared for whatever Sa'eed has planned. He can be pretty persuasive when he wants to be."

Hauwa felt a flutter in her chest at the thought of Sa'eed's persuasive powers. She pushed the feeling aside, reminding herself that she was only doing this to see if Sa'eed had truly changed.

"I'll be fine, Rahma. Don't worry about me," Hauwa said, smiling reassuringly at her friend.

Rahma nodded, but Hauwa could tell she was still worried. "Just be careful, okay?" Rahma said, before turning and leaving the room.

Hauwa took a deep breath, feeling a sense of trepidation wash over her. What had she gotten herself into?

The doorbell rang, and Hauwa's heart skipped a beat. Sa'eed was here.

She made her way to the living room, her heart pounding in her chest. When she saw Sa'eed standing in the doorway, looking impossibly handsome in his white kaftan and tangaran cap, she felt her breath catch in her throat.

"Assalamu alaikum," Sa'eed said, his eyes locking onto hers. "You look beautiful, Mi Reina."

Hauwa felt a flutter in her chest at the compliment, but she pushed it aside, reminding herself that she was only doing this to see if Sa'eed had truly changed.

"Wa alaikum salam," Hauwa replied, her voice steady. "Let's go."

Sa'eed smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "After you, my queen."

Hauwa felt a shiver run down her spine as Sa'eed offered her his arm. She hesitated for a moment, before taking it, feeling a sense of trepidation wash over her.

What had she gotten herself into?

As they walked towards the main house to bid the family farewell, Hauwa couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She could see the mischievous looks on their faces, and how Safar, Safira, and Safina kept swooning, saying they were the best couple. Hauwa felt a pang of guilt and anger. What was she even doing?! Isn't she supposed to hate Sa'eed for what he did to her mother?

She felt her anger rise, and before she knew it, she yanked her hand away from Sa'eed's. He turned to look at her, his eyes curious, and Hauwa felt a flutter in her chest. She hated to admit it, but Sa'eed looked incredibly dashing in his white kaftan and tangaran cap. His eyes sparkled with amusement, and his lips curled into a gentle smile.

"Mi Reina, is everything okay?" Sa'eed asked, his voice low and husky.

Hauwa felt a shiver run down her spine at the sound of his voice. She quickly composed herself, not wanting to give Sa'eed the satisfaction of knowing he still had an effect on her.

"I'm fine," Hauwa replied curtly, turning away from Sa'eed to hug Rahma.

"You two be careful, and don't stay out too late," Rahma said, her voice laced with concern like a mother hen.

"We will," Hauwa replied, smiling reassuringly at her friend.

"And don't think I didn't notice how handsome Sa'eed looks tonight," Rahma teased, winking at Hauwa.

Hauwa rolled her eyes, laughing. "Shut up, Rahma."

Rahma chuckled. "I'm serious, Hauwa. You two look great together."

Hauwa felt a pang of guilt at Rahma's words. She knew she wasn't supposed to be having these feelings for Sa'eed. She was supposed to hate him, not feel attracted to him.

"Anyway, enough about that," Hauwa said, smiling mischievously. "When are you and Tahir finally getting married?"

Rahma playfully hit Hauwa on the arm. "We're working on it, okay? Now go, have fun, and don't do anything I wouldn't do."

Hauwa grinned, hugging Rahma tightly. "I'll try my best."

As they bid the family farewell and left the house, Hauwa couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation. What was she getting herself into? And why did she still feel this inexplicable pull towards Sa'eed?

As Sa'eed pulled into the parking lot of Coldstone, Hauwa felt a wave of nostalgia wash over her. It was the same place where they had shared their first date in Kaduna, and the memories came flooding back. She remembered how she had been madly in love with Sa'eed, how she had thought he was the perfect man for her. She had loved him to the moon and back, with every fiber of her being.

But now, as she sat in the car, staring at the same Coldstone building, she felt a sense of absurdity wash over her. She was supposed to hate Sa'eed, not still feel this lingering attraction towards him. She was supposed to be angry, hurt, and betrayed, not sitting in a car with him, feeling like she was stuck in some kind of twisted nightmare.

Sa'eed got down from the car, jogging to her side to open the door for her. Hauwa felt a pang of annoyance at the chivalrous gesture, but she said nothing, simply getting down from the car and folding her arms across her torso. Sa'eed tried to hold her hand, but she pulled away, not wanting to be touched by him.

As they walked into Coldstone, Hauwa felt like she was reliving their first date all over again. She ordered chocolate, while Sa'eed ordered mint, and they sat down at a small table, the tension between them palpable.

Sa'eed tried to engage her in conversation, but Hauwa was having none of it. She offered one-word replies or completely ignored him, her anger and hurt simmering just below the surface.

But Sa'eed was not one to give up easily. He reached out, taking her hand in his, his eyes locked on hers. "Hauwa, I'm trying to make our marriage work, but you're being so nonchalant about it. Don't forget, only I can't make this marriage work. We have to work together."

Hauwa scoffed, banging her ice cream cup on the table. "Did I tell you I want this stupid marriage to work? Sa'eed, you know more than anyone that I no longer love you, so stop being delusional. You even have the guts to say that to me after what you did to mama."

Tears welled up in Hauwa's eyes as she spoke, her voice shaking with emotion. Sa'eed's eyes flashed with anger, his jaw clenched in frustration.

"Hauwa, stop being a brat," he said lowly. "I don't know how many times I have to tell you, I had nothing to do with what happened to mama. And if you truly believe I had something to do with it, then why didn't you go ahead and tell Baba?"

Hauwa felt a pang of guilt at Sa'eed's words. Why hadn't she told Baba? She knew the answer, but she didn't want to admit it to herself. She had wanted to protect Sa'eed, to keep Baba from hating him.

Sa'eed nodded his head, as if reading her mind. "I thought as much," he said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "Now, don't ever call this marriage stupid again. And I'll never divorce you, because you're stuck with me."

Hauwa felt a wave of shock wash over her at Sa'eed's words. She was stuck with him? What did he mean by that? She tried to pull her hand away, but Sa'eed held tight, his grip like a vice.

He stood up, pulling her up with him, and Hauwa felt like she was being dragged along, helpless to resist. He paid the bills, then took her hand and handbag, pulling her out of the restaurant and into the car.

As they drove away, Hauwa felt like she was trapped in some kind of twisted game, with Sa'eed holding all the cards. She was stuck with him, and she didn't know how to escape.

Hey guys,
It's been soooooo long since I last updated.

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