Third person's POV.

Two weeks passed by in a blur and now the wedding is in three days. And those two weeks were hell for Zara. From the endless sessions of torturous gyaran jiki, to eating weird concoctions that were forced down her throat by her mother and Madam Aliyah. Zara wouldn't deny it, though, her skin looks healthier and is glowing and she feels healthier than before too, but that doesn't mean she likes her current predicament.

Zara was in the middle of her room in the guest house where they were staying surrounded by her friends and two of her maternal cousins, Farida and Salma. The only two people she got along with in her family, some she tolerates and others she detests.

"Ashraf's sister came back yesterday and she wants to meet you," Fatoo said while tap-tapping her. She has been doing that and it was kind of suspicious to Zara because Fato isn't one to stay glued to her phone for a long time.

In fact Zara thought they were all acting suspicious. Amina the usually chatty one has been unusually calm and quiet, Nana has been tolerating people too and Fatoo, too much screen time. Zara was worried but she didn't speak as she was also dealing with her own problems.

"Zara'u. Did you even hear me?" Fatoo asked, waving her hands in Zara's face to bring her out of her thoughts.

"I heard. Take me to her." Zara simply said.

Fatoo and Zara stepped into the main building, the heavy front door closing behind them with a soft thud.

"Na ma manta inda dakin yake; I've even forgotten where the room is. So we need to find it. It's around here somewhere." Fatoo said, glancing around.

Zara nodded, her eyes scanning the surroundings. Where they were standing currently was a part of the house Zara had never been to.

As they ventured deeper into the corridor, they bumped into Ashraf. From the looks of it, he came from his sister's room. He was dressed in a finely tailored suit which means he had just arrived from work, his dark eyes locking onto Zara. The tension in the air was palpable.

"Hi," He said softly, his voice tinged with both concern and hesitation. He had not seen Zara ever since her outburst when their wedding was announced and he simply did not know how to act around her. For the first time ever, he was nervous because of a woman and that woman happened to be Zara.

Fatoo smiled and responded politely, "Hi."

Zara's expression on the other hand hardened as she looked at Ashraf. Without saying a word, she raised her hand to her neck and made a cutting gesture, her eyes never leaving his. The message she was sending was clear; stay away or face my wrath.

Ashraf's eyes widened in alarm, "Ma assalam, bye." he said hastily, turning on his heel and walking away from them.

Once Ashraf was out of sight, Fatoo turned her gaze to Zara with a frown on her face. "You wanted to scare him, but I assure you, you failed woefully. I know Ashraf and he was not moved one bit by the threat you passed on earlier. So I'd advise you stop with the threats and warnings and embrace the fact that in three days you guys will be tied to each other, forever!" With that, Fatoo dragged Zara away. Fatoo was in no way trying to be mean but as a good friend, she ought to correct her friend who tends to have no manners sometimes.

Ashraf should not be scared by his soon to be wife, right? He was, but a little bit. All her threats and warnings meant nothing to him but with the glare and subtle gestures that she did earlier, promising he would not have a head soon, the fear went from a one to a three.

On his way to his side of the house, his thoughts consumed by the impending wedding and Zara, he saw Amina. She was angrily talking to her, more like scolding herself, and aggressively stomping on the grass. It was as if the grass was a person and she was stomping on their head. Ashraf wanted to ignore her to avoid any additional stress, but something in her demeanour made him walk to where she was. Ashraf was a very curious man, even cats raised their hats to him.

He hesitated before speaking, "As salam alaikum," he announced his presence. Amina didn't hear him, lost in her tirade, so he raised his voice a little. "As salam alaikum!"

Amina jumped, startled. She turned to him, her brows furrowing his confusion and annoyance. "Kai malam kana da hankali kuwa?; do you even have sense?" she moved closer to him and he instinctively took a step back.

It was then that Ahraf concluded Zara, together with her friends except Fatoo, disliked him.

"Who are you even, huh? Me kake so?; what do you want?" Amina squinted her eyes trying to see who the person was, but the sun was reflecting too much light for her to be able to mask out his features. She had also misplaced her spectacles, just her luck.

"Ashraf ne," he said, making Amina's expression soften as recognition dawned on her.

"Oh," she laughed awkwardly. "Sorry. I didn't know it was you. The sun is too bright for my eyes."

Ashraf nodded, accepting her apology. "Can we talk, please?" He asked.

Amina was taken aback, wondering what he could possibly want to discuss, but curiosity got the better of her, so they walked over to the gazebo and sat down. Under the hut, Amina was able to see his face clearly and it was obvious he was going through a crisis. But did she care? Not even a little bit. He was a man, he should be able to handle himself.

"What is it you want? I don't have all day, you know," Amina said, breaking the silence.

"Can you tell me about Zara?" he asked, his voice earnest.

Amina turned to him with a look of disbelief. "Are you serious right now?" she seemed to say but seeing the blank 'do i look like i am joking' face he had, she sighed. "Hmm. lets see...wait!"

She halted suddenly, making Ashraf look at her with concern. "What will I get in exchange for the information you need? The economy is hard, there is no free service here." She said, her eyes narrowing mischievously.

"What do you want?" he asked, dreading the answer.

Amina grinned, a creepy smile masked her features making Ashraf question his decision. "Don't worry, it's nothing much and even if it were, you're rich rich, so you can handle it," she waved off. "I just want twelve plates of shrimp pasta from your sister's restaurant, a huge tub of strawberry ice, and the shoes you're currently wearing. They look comfortable and expensive, so I want them." she said in all seriousness while narrowing her eyes at the shoes.

Ashraf was looking at her, speechless, he was at loss of words. His shoes? Seriously? He officially labelled her the crazy and weird one but even if he said it to her face, she would not deny it for she knew herself and she knew what she was capable of. He searched her face to see any sign of what she said being a joke but found none. Nope, she was serious. He got himself into this; he might as well get it over with. Ashraf pulled out his phone, made a few quick arrangements, then took off his shoes and pushed them towards Amina.

"Done. Your food will arrive in roughly twenty minutes. Now please tell me what I want to know," he said, glancing at his watch.

"Good boy. Ashe kana da sense," she grinned, slipping off her crocs and putting on her brand new oversized shoes. It didn't matter that the shoes were two times the size of her feet, they were comfortable and expensive and she could sell them for good money if she wanted. So a win is a win.

Ashraf though, was just looking at her. One minute she was happy, the next she was vexed and another she was serious. He wondered if she might be bipolar.

"Ashraf Suleiman Abbas. The information you seek you cannot find from me, but what i can tell you is Zara is the strongest and bravest woman i have ever come across, and i've only known her for a few months now. I'm thinking you already know she was married before?"

Ashraf nodded, intently listening.

"Husband number one showed fifty shades of shege, all the things she endured and went through made her a strong yet angry woman. She may seem fine but she has bottled up her anger and frustration throughout the years and I can't guarantee you she won't open that bottle and pour it all on you. Zara is a great woman and she sure as hell would make the greatest wife. You have to be patient with her, be gentle with her, treat her well and love. Show her good men exist and they are all around her." Amina spoke with utmost sincerity. True, she had only known Zara for a few months, but that's enough time for her to conclude how divine a person Zara was.

Amina stood up, her crocs in hand. "Oh and don't ever think about raising your hands to her. See ehn? Don't even raise your voice because we all Zara is someone who won't hesitate to give you a backhand slap that will default you brain settings."

Amina snatched Ashraf's phone and dialled her number, then called it. Once she heard her phone ringing, she ended the call, and handed his phone back to him. "That's my phone number. Save it or not and call me when the food gets here." With that, she left chanting, "soyayya dadi; love is sweet," loudly.

Ashraf sat alone in the gazebo, processing all that Amina had told him. She had been of little help even though he didn't hear what he wanted to hear, he got something. He would have easily asked Fatoo since they got along well, but she would probably just leave him with, "I have nothing to tell you," or "it's not my place to tell you," but now that he saw how easily he could bribe Amina with food and maybe his shoes, he knew he'd come to her if he needed to know anything about Zara. But he doubts he'd ask again.

A call from the delivery guy came in and brought him out reverie. He stood up to leave and realised he had no shoes. He had no choice but to walk barefoot, his mind still reeling from the conversation. He dialled Amina's number, to tell her that the food had arrived.

~*~

Zainab's room was a haven of comfort and warmth. She was married and lived in Qatar with her husband but she made her room a personal sanctuary for whenever she visits. She adorned the room with soft pastels, plush rugs and delicate cotton with a hint of lace curtains that filtered the afternoon sunlight. The centrepiece was a plush pink sofa, where Fatoo and Zara sat, waiting for Zainab to finish in the bathroom.

Fatoo glanced at Zara, who was nervously tapping her fingers on her knees. "You good?" she asked gently.

Zara nodded, though, her eyes betrayed her anxiety. "Just...thinking some thoughts."

Before Fatoo could respond, a voice called from the bathroom. "Sorry to keep you guys waiting. Make yourselves comfortable, I'm just finishing up!" Zainab's tone was cheerful, even from behind the closed door.

Fatoo and Zara exchanged a look, then settled more comfortably into the sofa, the silence stretching comfortably between them. They could hear the faint sounds of running water and the rustle of fabric as Zainab moved about in the bathroom.

After what felt like eternity, the bathroom door finally opened, and Zainab emerged, her face lighting up with a beautiful smile. She was a vision of elegance in a simple yet stylish ankara bou-bou, her long, brown hair cascading in soft waves around her shoulders.

"Fatoo!" she exclaimed, launching herself at her. She enveloped Fatoo in a tight hug, her laughter filling the room. "It's been so long! I've missed you terribly."

Fatoo laughed, returning the embrace. "I've missed you too, Ya Zee. it's good to see you, and i can see you glow is still intact."

After a moment, Zainab turned her attention to Zara. Her eyes softened as she approached, and wrapped Zara in a hug that was both firm and tender. Zara felt a wave of warmth and affection that she had rarely experienced.

"Oh, Zara," Zainab said, pulling back just enough to look into her eyes. "I've been so eager to meet you. You're so beautiful, my love." her voice was filled with genuine admiration.

Zara blushed, mumbling a shy, "Thank you."

Zainab led Zara to the edge of her soft bed, sitting down and holding her hands. "I can see why my brother can't keep his mouth shut about you. He just left this room, and he's been pestering me with 'You have to meet her,' and here we are."

Zara listened quietly as Zainab spoke, her mind whirling, she wondered why Ashraf would talk about her enthusiastically to his sister when she had been nothing but cold to him.

From her spot on the sofa, Fatoo interjected gently, "She isn't really excited about this marriage, Ya Zee. you might want to tone it down a notch."

Zainab nodded knowingly, and turned back to Zara. "I know and that's why I am going to tell you that all will be fine. Allah is with you. I am not saying this because Ashraf is my baby brother but because he is truly a good person. He will be a good husband to you too if you give him the chance. He will care for you, love you and show you that good men truly exist."

Zara looked down at her hands, feeling a lump in her throat. Zainab's words were disarming.

"You and I have only just met and know nothing about each other," Zainab continued, her voice soft but firm. "But i want to assure you that this family will treat you as their blood and nothing less. You're family too and from what I've heard from my mother, you've been part of this family since she first met you. I want you to be at ease and leave everything to Almighty Allah as he is the best of planners and He never burdens a soul with what it cannot bear. So leave everything to God, hmm?"

Zara could only nod. Zainab pulled her into another hug, and Zara felt a sense of peace wash over her. Zainab's scent alone calms a person. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Zainab smiled and then turned to Fatoo who was engrossed in her phone. "Fatoo, I brought gifts. Could you get them from the first wardrobe by you left when you enter the closet?"

Fatoo stood up nodding, "Of course," she said, heading towards the closet.

As she retrieved the gifts, Zara and Zainab continued to talk, the conversation flowing more naturally now. Zainab's bubbly personality was infectious, and Zara found herself smiling more and more, something she hasn't done in the past few days—smile.

"You know," Zainab said, her eyes twinkling, "I think you and Ashraf will surprise each other. He's always been a bit of a mystery, even to me, but there's a kindness to him that I think you'll come to appreciate."

Zara just nodded because she didn't know what to say to that. Her mind's a mess of thoughts and she was conflicted between listening to others and actually giving the guy a chance or just doing whatever she wants to do.

 uhmm *clears throat loudly*

We haven't talked in a while. How have you all been? how's school and the holidays? sha sha i hope everybody is fine.

After this and one other I think the exciting chapters will commence. I don't know if you guys will find it exciting but I, the writer, does. I don't know if my turanci is correct oo, but whatever. who cares?

Toh DanAllah you guys should vote and leave comments. if you haven't done that, do it now and go back to the previous chapters and do so. And i love it so much when you people comment with your thoughts, criticism and what not so do feel free but don't be violent because you see me like this, they did not leave me behind in violence 1.0 class. Tohm.

Don't forget to vote, comment and share with friends, family, enemies, frenemies, neighbours, EXs and e.t.c.

Maassalam

With love, Minaarfo🎀