ADAMAWA STATE, NIGERIA.

"Ma'am, we are outside the building." The driver startled the woman out of her reverie and she leaned forward to view what is in front of them, just huge black gates concealing the other side.

Knowing that without a tinge of that whoever Fatima married is a wealthy man, she asked the driver to horn until someone comes out or the door opens, she is getting a bit impatient now. She wants to know the details of Fatima's life and this gate is clearly obstructing her view and perhaps the only obstacle standing between herself and her daughter. It's been long, the yearn is there and so is the love she's always felt for the girl she's held so dear to herself. With the world against her, Fatima will have to worry about nothing but continuing to live. She's got her covered from her own end of the world, no one could stop her.

The gates are not opening but two police officers stepped out from the house and came out to inspect the car. She raise a brow at the audacity but then deflated because there is no doubt she is not in her territory and these people are placed there to ensure the safety of her daughter. Whoever it is her daughter married sure as hell loves her a lot and is without an ounce of doubt rich enough to continue taking care of her from where her father had left off. Two police officers are there to guard her from the outside evil what more could she have asked for apart from that safety and then the immense love she is probably getting for her husband?

Or did Musa Babagana got the guards for them as gift? The man could go to any extent to advertise his wealth but if he really did get them the guards then the house itself is from him. She made a sound of distaste at the back of her throat, she cover that is not the case for the man would be of no regard in her eyes. She'd rather Fatima marry someone worthless and penniless than someone who would collect charity from her father and continue to feed her with her father's money even after she's left his wing. This man should be ready for a thorough interview, she is going yo question him till his knees are weak.

This shouldn't worry her at all and she should be happy Fatima is happily married but how would she not be worried when the safety of her daughter is now in another man's hands and no doubt a stranger too? She will go through and dig whatever it is she needs to to make certain her daughter is rather awfully comfortable in the new life she's embarked on. The journey she was not told about by neither her older brother nor her niece whom she's regarded no less as a daughter. She will deal with them, she yawed her attention back to the stern looking officers.

They are currently talking to her driver and in spite of their loud deep voices, she can't fathom what they are talking about. Maybe they are speaking in that pidgin English? That should be it because with a sharp knife or a pistol placed across her neck, she will never be able to understand that language all Nigerians are now talking with. What is wrong with normal English now? They are ruining their children with such accent that will blow their chances in the better world in the next few years.

"What's going on?" She demanded, leaning a bit closer so they can see that someone is sitting right behind in the owner's corner. Not bragging, the sight of her always makes people do the exact opposite of what they are supposed to and she relished on the idea.

The officers bent down a little and view her through their tinted sunglasses before they removed it, she looks from the affluent and could no doubt ruin their work anytime of the day. They regarded her with guarded expressions as if chancing whether or not to let her in without the permission of their boss. Both being very good at their works bowed down and greeted her with respect. "Good morning, ma'am."

"Morning. Is this where Fatima Babagana lives?" Her words are straightforward and the way both of them looked at one another confirmed her daughter really lives here and that brought a flutter to her chest, she cannot wait to meet Fatima no longer.

"Yes, Ma'am but I'm afraid we can't let you in till we hear from our boss." As polite as the statement was verbalized, it didn't stop a pinch of fury from showing on her face. She can't believe she is not allowed in her own daughter's home and all these is Fatima's fault. Had she told her about the marriage, all these wouldn't have happened and she can call her up to get her inside. She is mad at Fatima, furious even and she won't call for help. She goes to places no human should dare of going and that too with her own power.

"Call him up." She relaxed back on her seat, her index finger placed lazily between her lips as she thought of what her next step should be with her older brother. The man has crossed her this time around and she won't rest until she gets back at him.

She heard the men talking on phone before they passed it to the driver but she leaned in and offered him her well manicured hand in silent command which he complied to by placing the cool device on. She held the phone to her ear and said. "It's Adda-mama. Fatima's aunt."

Ahmad heard the coolness in the woman's voice and concluded that this woman shouldn't be messed with not that he cares, he likes them chilled and aloof because they are more fun. If anyone had met his paternal grandmother, they would've known that whenever a cold person is really taking after the ice queen title, they will have to follow right after his grandmother for the woman never smiled. Ahmad knew just what nerve to pull and what charm to use to get the woman giggling like a schoolgirl and she does that only to him, none of her children nor the other grandchildren could elicit something similar from her so this woman surely stand no ground.

"Good morning, Ma'am. Welcome to our home. I will have them open the gates for you now. And also, Fatima is not home currently, she's at the college." He heard the grunt of reply from the other end and a small thank you before passing the phone over to the driver who transported it to the guards.

One of the guards saluted while the other pressed on a remote that got the gates opening. "Our deepest regret for keeping you here longer than necessary, Ma'am."

She waved them off with a dismissal nod, her eyes taking over the beautiful of the great log cabin in front of her. Like every other person seeing a log cabin in Nigeria and that too one that looks cut out from unknown realm, her mouth hang agape at the sight before her. The brown building is exquisite, more than any building she's ever seen in her entire life and she's seen far more than she can count. Her eyes assessed the surrounding, the greenery and the acres of land that probably stretched at the back of the house. Whoever this man is, she cannot wait to meet the husband of her daughter.

Apart from his great taste in women, he's got one in domiciles too and she needs to applaud him with both hands.

The driver opened the door for her after parking at the front entrance. "Check whether the door is open, I don't want to hang outside waiting for anyone." She gestured to the brown front door at her head, back supine of the leather seat.

The door is opened when he turned on the doorknob and she furrowed her brows. It's either they don't lock their front door or Fatima is back from school either way, she got down from the car and sauntered to the front door where she slipped inside wordlessly. She's more curious and drawn towards the beauty of the house that she didn't care to check whether her said daughter is in there or not. She walked around in leisure steps, taking every detail of the house with keen eyes of a criticizer but she found nothing to talk about or something to extricate. Everything inside is settled where it should if not more than perfectly done.

From the chandeliers, to the sofas, carpets sprayed on the floors, throw pillows, lights, air conditioner no so on. Nothing is also not prosperous and in the money. This man surely knows what he is doing with his wealth whether Musa Babagana gave it to him or his own self made mullah. The house is also not dirty even though there is no sight of a housemaid at the vicinity, the place is quiet which means only Fatima and her husband live inside the house apart from the guards outside.

She dropped her Gucci tote bag on the coffee table in the middle and made her way to the kitchen hoping they won't mind her bringing her magic to life in their home while they are absent. She is going to make nice ass food for them to have over dinner so they can discuss what the hell happened in her daughter's life while she was away and the things she needs to do to get back at her older brother for what he's done. Maybe ask some more questions to gouge out more evil details about him so she can exact her revenge without a tinge of remorse. He deserves all the comes his way and more.

The kitchen is not hard to locate and with it's modern interior, she has no doubt that all she needs will be there for her. She opened the fridge first to see what is available and how she could transform it before dinner time -more like before her daughter and son-in-law come back. She never cooks if it's not an occasion but this is an occasion right? Seeing her daughter after three years of only hearing her voice and seeing her through screen, it calls for celebration. And the fact that she is also married, her daughter is all grown now that she can make decisions without telling her anything about it.

Frowning at the maddening thoughts, she viewed lean minced beef, garlic clove squished in a container, zest of untaxed lemon she concluded that first thing she will make is spiced Lebanese kebabs. After that, it will be bring on the carbs carbonara, her mouth watered knowing she makes the best carbonara out there and Fatima loves it immensely. Aubergine and spinach curry is next because they have all the ingredients too -aubergines, dried coriander, large bag of baby leaf spinach, ground cumin. But Fatima isn't a chef, why so much food?

For the drinks, she settled on one, champagne and peach jellies and for dessert, they will have raspberry cheesecake bathing is whipped cream. She beamed at all the ingredients placed separately for each of the courses she's just mentioned then tied an apron around her to get to work. Few hours later without anyone's return, everything is ready on the dining table and the lights in the room dimmed. Oh how she wished it was someone's day so it could be made special for them but sadly, Fatima's birthday is not until four months or five so she will have to settle this as Fatima's wedding gift albeit she deserves none. Adda-mama chuckled to herself because she is being mutinous.

Ahmad came back home before Fatima.

"Why don't you want to go back home? You don't miss you bed tumble with ACP?" Betsy jeered from her position on the worn out carpet trying to select what movie to watch for the night as soon as Fatima departs but the lady isn't moving from her position since they came hours ago.

Fatima grumbled something underneath her breath and because she is lying on her stomach, her words didn't make sense hence she turn around to face the white creamy ceiling that is getting worn out too by water. Betsy needs to leave this cramped apartment but she refused to because she said and Fatima quotes "I ain't leaving this place until I marry, so many memories" and those memories are of no one but her past boyfriends. They cannot be friends and Betsy still be living a poor lifestyle, it will elicit questions and tongues will wag unnecessarily.

"I don't want to go back home only to want to bounce on bed with that man. How can things just turn too complicated in the matter of days? Now that I've bathed, all I could think is tumbling on bed with him and it is seriously not healthy. It needs to stop before it gets out of hand." She complained, using her elbow to shield her eyes away from the orange lights in Betsy's room.

Betsy whistled loudly the type that they use both index fingers inside mouth, the bush girl. "Admitting it is the first step to enjoying many nights on bed, darling. Just let things go and float around with it. Ukiyo, baby."

Fatima gave her a wary glance not sure whether bringing her concerns to Betsy is the best of all. The girl will always ask her to be wild and adventurous and Fatima had always listened but this time around, a man is involved so she is not sure about it. "What's ukiyo?"

"The floating world. Living in the moment and detached from the bothers of the world, a Chinese word actually. But what I was saying is, don't let anything hold you back. Apparently, he's ruined you for any other man and I won't advise you to pick out a lover outside your matrimonial home, that's purely stupid but what I want you to understand is, get the best off this marriage before it ends. You both know that it's not going to last as you'd rather have yourselves killed than to stay married for longer than necessary. You've shoot two birds with a single stone. Got the best fuck of your life and also got rid of that awful disease. I love you so. But tumble on that bed, dearie. Make most out of it!" Betsy is serious, her hands moving in rapid gestures to get her message across and damn well Fatima understands that language.

"The way you are saying I should tumble on bed is making my head ache. With so much tumbling comes a baby and I won't have any baby with me at this age or any age." Fatima harrumphed and lie back on the pillow, closing her face yet again to not see Betsy's exaggerated expression.

"Babe, don't think about pregnancy. I've tumbled on that bed..." she was forced to keep quiet when Fatima shot up from the bed like something had injected her, Betsy laughed. She never brings men to her home and if she does, it's in the living room and never her sacred room. "...chill sweetheart, my bed is pure." Fatima didn't believe her, she gave her an incredulous stare. "I swear on my withering soul it lacks impurity."

Fatima sat back down on the bed a bit too warily. "Stop interrupting me, I tend to forget what I'm talking about but anyway. I've never feared getting pregnant which is why I never missed my period. All you need to do is ask me for pills or ask him to wear protection for doubly safety measures. Don't let the fun of the world pass by without you enjoying it, you will become an old divorcée with many cats around."

Talk about cats. "That reminds me, I need to collect Leo. Can you do that for me tomorrow before you come to school? I miss that guy."

Betsy made a mutinous face. She can't believe upon all she's Fatima only took notice of a word as useless as a cat?