Maryam stared at her mother bewilderedly, waiting for her to burst into laughter and tell her she was joking but her mother's stoic face did not light up, infact it remained apathetic for those seconds she was hoping it would change. She felt her knees giving up so she flopped on the sofa. She remained quiet for some minutes, still hoping for a change, but nothing happened. Maryam sat up and placed both her hands on her thighs.

"Mommy, what about Noorie?"

Maryam's mother raised her head abruptly upon hearing her statement about Noorie. She scoffed and moved around the sofa looking for a comfortable position to be in before she answers her, and when she found it, she dropped her phone beside her slowly before taking her attention back to Maryam.

"What about Noorie?" She asked, knowing fully well what Maryam had meant by bringing up Noorie.

"Mommy, you and everyone else knows I have a boyfriend. You know I have had Khalid years ago. I am asking because no one seems to have seen Noorie's boyfriend. Why don't you take this request to Noorie whose boyfriends change monthly because of reasons best known to her. I am just a little older than Noorie, but she has come of age for marriage too" Maryam concluded wiping her sweaty palms on her dress.

Her mother laughed humorlessly for a whole minute. And then she moved closer to where Maryam was seated with a look of disbelief on her face.

"So, this is how wicked you are Maryam. You would subject your own younger sister into a loveless marriage! Haba¹ I expected more from you" she stated making Maryam go rigid. What was her mother saying? She sounded insane.

"Mama, you're doing the same thing to me, you're subjecting me to a life of loveless marriage"

"I am actually doing you a favor Maryam. I am saving you, but you brought up your own sister because you want to punish her" her mother gritted much to her dismay.

"What are you saying?" Maryam squeaked in disbelief.

"Listen young girl. I do not have the time to banter words with you. Go and tell that good for nothing Khalid you're marrying someone else" her mother stated making Maryam's heart beat accelerate. She placed her hand on her chest because it felt like it would jump out anytime soon. It felt like it would rip into pieces because her mother was making series of accusations she could not even understand.

"I do not love whoever it is you're planning on arranging for me. I have some one, I already had some one and you've always known. What are you doing this to me?" Maryam squealed before bursting into loud sobs. If Maryam's mother was affected by Maryam's sob, she did not show it. Infact she had on a bored expression.

"You know nothing child. I am doing you a favor. Maryam, unlike your sister Noorie, you're not that pretty. She is fairer, taller, prettier and ofcourse more social. She goes in and out of the elites lives. Her exs' are all sons of politicians, governors and even senators! Finding a rich boy would not be hard for Noorie because she knows her way. But you........" She let out a very mean laugh, and even wiped the invisible tears on her face.
"The only boy who has ever shown interest in you is a good for nothing boy from Zaria. Son of a pauper. Do you think I will fold my arms and watch you throw yourself away to these mongers, leeches and hungry people? Ha! Never"

Maryam was already crying loudly by now. Her mother had never ever cared for her feelings, but today had shown her how unappreciated she was. Noorie might be more attractive, but Maryam knew she is prettier than Noorie hands down. Noorie is the kind whom you'd sight from afar and you would think she's all perfect. Her nose isn't even as long as Maryam's. Her lips were big, which is a trait no one has been able to pin point where she had gotten it from. With the excessive make up and rich friends, Noorie could still never be half the woman Maryam is.

"Mommy, do you even love me? I've done everything you've ever asked of me. I've always been subservient towards you so you would love me. But nothing I do ever pleases you. Mommy, Khalid and I have planned our lives together. He would be a graduate soon, he's going to be a doctor and he's a good person mommy. I beg you please to look at the fact that I have no father and allow me marry the person I like" Maryam concluded crying louder.

Mommy's expression changed from stoic to fury upon mentioning her late husband. She stood up with so much force making Maryam move back.

"You dare speak of your father to me! You dare open your mouth and talk about that.........." She laughed humorlessly, her eyes becoming red. She looked raving mad and Maryam was so scared because she had never ever seen her mother this way before.
"Your miserable boyfriend is just graduating and you're hoping he would work in a hospital. Maryam, the person I have for you would own your so called boyfriend's work place in the nearest future and if you had not been so stupid to change your course, you would have been working in the hospital with him! But I won't even divulge on that subject"

"You said you've planned your lives! What miserable life Maryam? The life of chicken change koh²? You're wasting your time. That boy will come visit you at your grandmother's house next week Friday. Dress well and be nice to him. And wallahy ³ if it comes to my notice that you disrespect him in any way, just know that I will seize to be your mother!" She screamed the last part before she stormed into her own part of the house leaving Maryam in the main living room crying as loudly as she could.

Had she known this was what her mother would hit her with, she would have informed her about how busy she was in school and she would have stayed back. She has a test in two hours, but when her mother called, a gesture she rarely does, Maryam's joy know no bounds, she had stupidly believed the woman missed her. She should have known better.

It's been two months since she had resumed school after the head incident. Everything had been perfect. Khalid had informed her he would be graduating soon and he could not wait to send his family to ask for her hand in marriage. He had come to terms with her new course, but ofcourse he shows his displeasure in every way possible like not listening to her when she brings up anything relating to psychology. Even after several complaints, he still hasn't change. Infact he had once told her that psychology is a sin and that night had been quite entertaining for her because she had argued and argued until he could not take it anymore so he let her be.

The truth was, Maryam understood Khalid's flaw and she was willing to live with it because he is the only one who has cared enough for her all these years. He's been with her even before she grew, he's always been there and besides, what is there not to like?

Her mother had fed her and they had talked about random things, and for a moment Maryam thought her life was finally on the track. Oh how wrong she had been! Her mother had started by asking if she had any other love interest other than that Khalid! Her exact words!

Maryam had shook her head shyly thinking her mother was finally coming to terms with the boy. But when she had informed her that there is someone who is looking for a wife and she would be his best candidate, Maryam had declined the offer and just like that all hell had broken loose.

Maryam's body raked as she cried, with no care in the world. Her younger ones were all in school and only God knows where Noorie is, and just like that Noorie pushed the front door as if she was listening to Maryam's thoughts. When she saw Maryam crying she groaned loudly, she popped a bubble gum and removed the bag from her shoulders tiredly.

"What is it this time again? It's like the only thing you do is cry whenever I see you. I thought mommy said you should remain at Grandma's house. Why are you visiting and why are you crying loudly as if someone has offended you" Noorie stated poppig the gum in her mouth. Maryam ignored her rude remarks, she wiped her face and sniffed.
"Oh! Is it the marriage thing? I am so sure that is it. Mommy asked me first, bit I declined because I have a new boyfriend who is a prince of somewhere in Kano. And after he graduates from school in Dubai, he'll be coming to ask for my hand in marriage. I was the one who suggested you because as my sister, I do not want you stuck in Nigeria with that miserable khalifa of a guy. You should be able to travel and from what I hear, this guy is loaded. Why not marry him and save us all the stress?" Noorie stated with a pout.

"His name is Khalid" Maryam corrected sniffing but Noorie shrugged nonchalantly.

"Khalid, Khalifa, Khazeem! All the same in my ears" she retorted sashaying away with no care in the world. Maryam sniffed and groaned. Kazeem had no "h". Noorie sucks at being smart and it's annoying having to put up with her.

Maryam tried to breathe in and out, hoping to calm herself down, but she could not because her mother's words about her imperfections rang in her head and she started crying again before she could stop it.

Mama on the other hand had just returned from her friend's house when she heard Maryam's cries even before she opened the front door. She knew what must have happened and she sighed softly before making her presence known. She helped Maryam up and dragged her to her own side of the house. After waiting for Maryam to calm down, Mama offered her a cup of chilled Coca-Cola she has in her  medium sized fridge.

"I know why you're crying Maryam, it's sad that you ended up on the receiving end of what I rejected. If there was anything at all I could do, I would do it for you......"

"I don't understand" Maryam managed successfully after series of hiccups and sniffs.

"Alhaji came to me with the marriage proposal but I declined because I've never ever forced any of my daughters or sons into an arranged marriage. When he suggested your mother, I advised him against it knowing she would put that burden on you to get back at you for switching courses and for remaining in Nigeria. I am sorry he did not heed to my advise" Mama concluded softly.

If Maryam's heart was broken before, this conversation with Mama shattered it completely. She refused to cry though. She nodded and bade Mama farewell for her test is in an hour now. She stood in front of the gate for a while and when absolutely no taxi passed she groaned softly realizing she should have ordered for one even before she left the house. She headed for the estate gate, as she checked for the nearest taxi. On getting to the gate, he had parked in front of her and with a small prayer on her mouth, Maryam got into the taxi and only then did she burst into loud cries scaring the poor driver.

Meanwhile in Iman's house, his mother was pacing for close to thirty minutes.  Iman was supposed to be back any minutes from now. There has been absolute peace ever since she visited her parents. That was because she refrained from talking about marriage to Iman. She allowed him work peacefully and they  co-existed in Harmony.

She knew things would be taking another turn this night because a match had been made. He was expected to visit the girl in a week's time. When Islam heard the news, he packed up his things and headed to his grandparents home. He did not want to be around for Iman's feedback for the latest development.

The truth is, after the meeting with the shareholders, Alhaji Matazu had explained things to Alhaji Junaid, he told him no one was willing to step up. After two weeks, Janan was asked if at all Iman looked like someone making an attempt to get a woman and her answer had been a gigantic no.

Apparently, after keeping himself extremely busy at the hospital, Iman would announce his presence to his mother and brother whenever his shift ends when they're around and after that he would jump on his bed and sleep off, not waking up until it is time to leave again.

She's listened from his door to hear if he was even making phone calls but nothing, just silence and soft snores when his sleeping position is wrong.

She even went ahead to host some luncheons on days he would be at home after knowing his schedule, even after asking her guests to come with their daughters for some bonding time, Iman would walk right beside them and not even spare a single one of them a glance. There was a day he actually participated with the guests and made small talks and after they had left, his mother excitedly asked which caught his attention. Iman stared at her in a puzzled manner and told her he wasn't even looking at the girls. This event had been a month ago.

When Alhaji Matazu noticed they weren't getting anywhere, he suggested to look from his family. Maryam thrown under the bus by her mother even after he had explained the boy's character could not be vouched for.

When it was confirmed that Maryam would be the one, it was left for Janan to tell her son. So, she waited until today because she knows he would be going to the hospital later at night, that he had the whole morning and afternoon with her.

Iman pushed the door with a loud Salaam and his mother knew she had to do it today. She beamed at him from where she was standing. He moved closer to her and hugged her.

"Life is hard Mom, I am so tired" he grumbled squeezing her a little. He stayed like that for some seconds before kissing her cheeks. She smiled at him and cupped his cheeks.

"If it is easy, then it is a counterfeit" she said heading to the kitchen.

Iman trailed behind her inhaling the goodness she was baking before he came. "Good morning Mom" he greeted but she chuckled a little and ignored him. Soon, she had inserted her hands into the baking gloves and was fishing out a tray of chubby creamy muffins. He inhaled loudly and exhaled with an ahhhh.
"The aroma of these cute food is Devine" he said poking the first one she had successfully removed from it's baking pan.

"Go and wash up and let it cool down. You smell like disinfectants Iman" she advised hitting the buttom of the second muffin. He nodded and ran to his room to take his bath while she arranged a cup of Arabian tea for him. She drizzled some condensed milk on it just as he likes it and set it on the kitchen island, directly in front of the stool he had been sitting on.

Iman came back smelling fresh and clean. She watched as he ate and told her about how a certain patient at the hospital is after his life. The patient apparently refuses every doctor and demands he sees Iman instead. The old man liked Iman and therefore only Iman is allowed to check him.

"Maybe you look like his son or something" his mother suggested sipping tea. Iman shook his head contradictory.

"We look nothing alike. He just likes me and it's bothersome. I have to smile or he would pick offense. It's weird because it feels like he's in love with me" Iman complained shuddering at the thought. His mother burst into laughter. She dropped her cup of tea and rolled her eyes.

"Iman, that man sees something in you. Quit getting ideas in your head. This is not London. Such relationships  are prohibited please" She stated picking up her cup again. They talked about little things and when he asked about his brother, his mother informed him he had gone to the family house, Iman knew something was up and he dreaded whatever it is.

He finished up and tried slipping away but she stopped him and asked him to sit back down. Iman stared at his mother blankly knowing she was either going to talk about some girl she thinks would be good for him or some party she would love him to attend. It's always a conversation about a wife.

"Iman, a match has been made for you" she stated slowly and just like that a deafening sound pierced his ears making him feel light headed.

*************************
Glossary

Haba! : An exclamation popularly
made by northerners.

Koh! : Another exclamation that
could come in the form of a
question or statement.

Wallah : By Allah! (Swearing)