Edited

Aidah's POV

"Aidah, wake up! Remember you promised Amna you'd be there before we leave," Ya Niimah said gently.

"I'm up, Adda Niimah! Just give me two minutes, to be precise," I replied, dragging the duvet over myself for extra warmth. The soft fabric enveloped me, making it even harder to muster the motivation to get out of bed.

Ya Niimah opened the curtains wide, flooding the room with bright light, which made me instinctively pull the duvet over my head. "Adda Niimah, what the hell?" I groaned, my voice muffled by the soft fabric. The sunlight was relentless, and all I wanted was just a few more minutes of sleep.

Ya Niimah was chuckling, her hands clutching her stomach in amusement. "Sorry, lil sis," she said, a playful grin spreading across her face. Her laughter was infectious, but all I could think about was how cozy my bed felt and how much I wanted to stay wrapped up in it for just a little longer.

With that, Ya Niimah left the room, still chuckling to herself. I couldn't help but smile, despite my grogginess. As much as I loved having her around, I really couldn't wait for her to get married and move out! The thought of having my own space, free from her early morning antics, was surprisingly appealing. But for now, I had to shake off the sleep and get ready to see Amna one last time before heading back to Abuja.

I got up and headed straight to the bathroom for a quick shower, the warm water helping to wake me up. After brushing my teeth and refreshing my face, I stepped out feeling more awake. I slipped into a stylish straight Ankara gown, the vibrant fabric brightening my mood. Tying my head tie neatly, I added a delicate veil to complete the look. I grabbed my handbag and phone, took a deep breath to gather my energy, and headed downstairs, ready to see Amna before we left.

"Could you help me with my bags, please? They're upstairs," I asked one of the maids as I made my way to the living room. She nodded and quickly followed and went up the stairs, ready to assist.

I hurried out to the parking lot, where the driver was already waiting to take me to Amna's house. The anticipation of seeing her one last time before we left made me quicken my pace.

A few minutes later, we pulled up in front of the house. I stepped out of the car, my heart racing with excitement, and walked to the front door. After ringing the bell, it swung open just moments later to reveal the beautiful Amarya herself.

"Amnini," I exclaimed, wrapping her in a warm hug. 

"Aidah, you're leaving today, right?" she asked, returning the embrace with a hint of sadness in her voice.

We strolled into the living room and settled onto the cozy two-seater. "Yes, we're leaving at noon, inshallah," I replied, feeling a mix of excitement and melancholy.

Amna returned with a tray of refreshments, and I happily dug in as we chatted away, reminiscing about the wedding. After a few moments, she excused herself, saying she needed to call her husband.

"If not the Queen of Fierce, then who will it be?" Tahir teased, stepping into the living room with a playful grin. His charm lit up the room, and I couldn't help but laugh. Amna rolled her eyes affectionately, clearly used to his antics.

I laughed and greeted him in Kanuri, and he responded in Hausa with a warm smile. We chatted for a while, sharing stories and laughter, but soon I glanced at the time and turned to Amna. "I think it's time for me to head out," I said reluctantly, knowing I would miss this moment.

"So soon?" Amna asked, her eyebrows raised in surprise. 

"Yeah, Ammi warned me not to stay long, or they'll leave without me," I replied, a hint of urgency in my voice. 

"Kai, Ammi kam," Amna chuckled, shaking her head at the thought of my mom's strictness.

Amna enveloped me in a warm hug, expressing her gratitude for my support during her wedding and the role I played before I headed out.

As soon as we reached the house, I got out of the car and headed straight into the house.

"I'm really sorry, Ammi," I said as I stepped through the door.

I found her instructing the maids on what to do. "Alright, since you're back, we should get going," she said, and I nodded in agreement.

I hurried to the bathroom for a quick pit stop before we set off. Once I finished, I headed to the car where Ammi and the others were already seated, ready to go.

After about 40 minutes, we arrived at the airport and made our way to the private jet hangar. We boarded the plane, leaving in Baba's private jet. Khalifa decided to stay back in Maiduguri for the time being, leaving just Ammi, Adda Niimah, and me to make the trip back.

After the usual announcement by the captain we took off.

We arrived in Abuja an hour later. We got off the plane and met the drivers,  driver Beatrice and two other cars, including an escort who came to pick us up from the airport. The drivers carried the luggages and put them at the back of the car trunk.

"You're welcome Ma'am." They said, greeting us.

As we pulled into the driveway, the security guards opened the gate, granting us access to the expansive grounds of our family home. The sight of the sprawling mansion with its five distinct buildings—each dedicated to one of Baba's wives—filled me with a sense of belonging. The architecture stood tall, a testament to our family's legacy, and I couldn't help but admire the beauty of it all.

"Welcome back!" the maids chimed in unison as they opened the door to Ammi's wing. Their warm smiles and cheerful greetings made me feel instantly at home. I exchanged pleasantries with them, appreciating their hospitality as I stepped inside, eager to settle back into the familiar surroundings.

I headed straight to my room and flopped onto my super comfortable, cozy bed, letting out a content sigh. Just then, someone knocked on the door, and I welcomed them in. The househelp greeted me with a cheerful "Salam" and began to unpack my luggage, carefully placing everything in my closet. How I had missed this room! The canopy bed was my favorite feature, exuding a sense of elegance and comfort. It reminded me so much of my room back in Maiduguri, which had a similar charm.

***

"Aidah, wake up!" I recognized the familiar voice of Amma, my immediate older sister. Her tone was both gentle and insistent, and it stirred me from my dreamy haze.

"Hey, Amma. When did you get back?" I mumbled, still half-asleep. Amma had been in Kano for a few days visiting our sister, Ummi, and I hadn't expected her return so soon.

"I came back yesterday." She replied.

"How's Ya ummi and my babies? wait..what time is it?" I asked.

"It's almost Maghreb," Amma replied, glancing at the clock. "Ya Ummi and the babies are doing well. They missed you so much! You should see how excited they get whenever I mention you."

I quickly jumped off the bed and rushed to the bathroom to perform wudhu, realizing I hadn't prayed Asr yet. "Ya Allah!" I whispered, feeling a pang of guilt. I needed to focus and make it right before Maghreb.

After praying Asr, I changed into a vibrant yellow boubou. I picked up my phone from the vanity table and flopped onto the bed, while Amma settled comfortably on the couch.

"How was the wedding?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"It was so much fun! You really missed out," I said, sitting up to face her.

"I really wanted to go," she replied, a hint of regret in her voice. "How was Amna? She looked very beautiful"

After chatting a bit longer, we got up and made our way to the living room. There, we found Ammi, Mama—my stepmom—and Ya Niimah deep in conversation about her upcoming wedding, which is just two weeks away. The excitement in the room was unmistakable, and I couldn't help but feel a thrill at the thought of another celebration on the horizon.

"Mama, ina wuni," I greeted my stepmom warmly. She's always been like a second mother to me, her nurturing presence a constant source of comfort.

"Lafiya, Aidah," she replied with a warm smile. I settled down beside her, feeling the familiar comfort of her presence, while Amma took her seat next to Ammi. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, filled with the soft hum of family chatter.

I turned to Adda Niimah. "What about the dresses?" Amma inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"Yes, did you finalize everything for the wedding?" I added, eager to hear about the preparations. Adda Niimah smiled, clearly excited to share the details.

"I'm going there tomorrow, inshallah. You and Aidah will come with me," Ya Niimah announced with a bright smile, her enthusiasm infectious.

I exchanged glances with Amma, who nodded in agreement. "Sounds like a plan! I can't wait to see the dresses," I replied, feeling a surge of excitement about the upcoming wedding preparations.

"Ammi, are we still going with BigH and ObiSomto for the photographer?" Ya Niimah inquired, a note of curiosity in her voice.

Ammi looked thoughtful for a moment before nodding. "Yes, I spoke with them last week, and they're available for the dates we need. Their work is amazing, so I think it's a great choice," she replied, her eyes lighting up with enthusiasm.

"Perfect! I can't wait to see the photos—they always capture the best moments," I added, already imagining the beautiful memories that would be made.

After discussing the wedding details and arrangements, I headed back to my room. Amma had already left to their part of the house. As I settled onto my bed, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. The excitement of the upcoming events mixed with the comfort of being home again made me smile. I took a moment to gather my thoughts, feeling grateful for the family around me and the joyous celebrations ahead.

As I entered the room, I noticed my phone ringing—Fahad's name flashed on the screen. I quickly picked it up, a smile forming on my lips. "Hey, Fahad!" I greeted, my tone brightening at the sound of his voice.

"Hey, Aidah," he said, his voice casual but slightly hesitant.

Ever since that incident in Maiduguri, our conversations had become a bit awkward. To be honest, our relationship felt like it was teetering on shaky ground. I could sense the distance between us, and I wasn't sure how to bridge it.

"Baby, I want to tell you something serious," he said, his voice dropping to a low tone that made my heart race.

"Sure, what's up?" I replied, trying to keep my tone light even though I felt a knot forming in my stomach.

"Don't panic," he said quickly, his voice laced with urgency. "My dad arranged a wedding for me. I'm getting married to my cousin Basma next month. I swear, Aidah, I have no say in this. It's a command, and you know how my dad is... I'm really sorry, babe. I didn't know until today, and I wanted to tell you sooner."

His words hung in the air, and a wave of disbelief washed over me. What? This can't be happening. I am trying to process the sudden shift in our lives. He didn't even have a choice? Could he at least come up with something more original?

"Say something Aidah, please, just say something." He added

Words failed me as I sat in stunned silence, the reality of his announcement sinking in. Shock coursed through me, making it difficult to comprehend what he had just revealed. I felt like I was floating in a surreal haze, trying to grasp the enormity of the situation. Finally, I managed to whisper, "Fahad, are you serious? You really have no say in this?"

"Fahad, I don't know what to say," I choked out, tears brimming in my eyes. My heart felt heavy, a mix of betrayal and sorrow washing over me. It was as if the ground had shifted beneath my feet. I had opened myself up to him, and now I felt foolish for letting myself get so attached. The reality of losing him hit hard, and I couldn't hold back the wave of emotions any longer. "I—I can't believe this is happening."

"But baby, I need you to understand," he said, his voice filled with concern and pain. "This isn't what I wanted. I'm being forced into this, and it's tearing me apart. I didn't choose this, and I wish things were different." His words hung in the air, but they did little to ease the ache in my chest.

I stayed silent for a few moments, letting the weight of his words settle. Then, summoning all my strength, I put on my 'big girl' mask. "I wish you a very happy marriage life, Fahad," I said, my voice steady but my heart heavy. I truly meant it; I wanted him to find happiness, even if it wasn't with me.

Inside, I was hurt, pained, and devastated, but I had to be strong. I couldn't let my emotions unravel in front of him. It felt like a bittersweet farewell, knowing that I would have to let go while still wishing him well.

I picked up my phone and called Maryam, needing to share the weight of what had just happened. As soon as she answered, I could hear the concern in her voice.

"Hey, what's wrong?" she asked.

I took a deep breath and filled her in on the shocking news about Fahad. "He's getting married to his cousin next month," I said, my voice trembling slightly. "His dad arranged it, and he didn't have a choice."

Maryam was silent for a moment, processing the information. "I never really liked him," she admitted, her tone steady. "I just tolerated him because of you. But Aidah, you deserve so much better than someone who can't stand up for himself."

I appreciated her honesty, even as I felt a pang of hurt. "I know," I replied, wiping away a stray tear. "It just hurts to let go."

"Of course it does. But you're strong, and you'll get through this," she reassured me. "Just remember, you have me, and I'm here for you."

Her words warmed my heart, and I felt a bit of the heaviness lift. "Aidah, it's for the best, and you'll find someone who will love you forever, inshallah," Maryam said, her voice steady after consoling me for about an hour.

"Inshallah," I replied, grateful for her support. "We're going out with Adda Nimah tomorrow morning, so I should try to get some sleep."

"Okay, goodnight. Allah ya sa hakan yafi alheri," she said, her tone soothing.

"Amin, Goodnight." I whispered back, feeling a mix of sadness and hope as I hung up. I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, knowing that tomorrow would bring new adventures and perhaps a fresh start.

Vote, comment and share💕