Third person's POV.

Ama café exuded a warm, cosy charm, with its rustic wooden tables and soft, ambient lighting. Zara sat with her friends, Fatoo, Nana, and Amina, feeling a sense of calm despite the whirlwind of chaotic emotions churning inside her. Zara had slept over at Nana's house the previous night, seeking peace and a brief escape from the chaos of her life. Now, gathered together at the café, the women exchanged silent glances as they waited for their orders to arrive.

The silence stretched on until Nana, always the most perceptive of the group, leaned forward. "You can talk, Zara. Say whatever is on your mind."

Zara heaved a sigh, her shoulders slumping slightly as she prepared to share the news she had received just the day before and news that had been weighing heavily on her. "I'm getting married," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

The words hung in the air, and her friends stared at her in shock. She could see the questions forming in their minds, the concern etched on their faces.

"Again," Zara added, clarifying with a bitter edge. "I'm getting married again."

Amina was the first to break the stunned silence. "Who is the groom?" she asked, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Zara glanced at her friends, her expression unreadable. "The ugly toes boy," she said, a hint of sarcasm and disgust in her tone.

Confusion spread across Amina and Nana's faces, but Fatoo's eyes widened in realisation. "Ashraf!!" she exclaimed, the name echoing loudly through the café.

Heads turned in their direction, and Fatoo quickly covered her mouth, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. She leaned in closer and whispered, "Ashraf?"

Zara nodded, taking a sip of her orange juice as if to steady herself. Just as she was about to explain further, Nana let out an unexpected squeal, her eyes glued to her phone.

"What happened?" Amina asked, her curiosity piqued.

Nana looked up, her eyes wide with shock. "Check the Instagram group chat. I sent something there."

Fatoo and Amina quickly pulled out their phones, their gasps echoing each other as they saw what Nana had sent. Zara, however, felt all color drain from her face. It was an Instagram post of her wedding invitation, something she didn't even know was out. The date was set for two weeks from now.

She turned off her phone and placed it on the table, her mind racing and her hands trembling. Her friends were all watching her, expecting an outburst, but she remained eerily calm.

"Are you okay?" Fatoo asked softly, her eyes filled with concern.

Zara forced a tight-lipped smile. "I'm fine," she said, her voice strained. "Yay, I'm getting married."

The mood in the café shifted, a heavy silence settling over them as they finished their food in subdued quiet. Once they were done, they headed straight to the guest house where Zara and her mother were living.

"Umma," Zara called out, her voice trembling. The sight of her mother brought the dam of her emotions crashing down, and she broke into sobs.

Umma hurried over, wrapping her arms around Zara. "Haba, Zara. Don't cry. Everything will be fine," she whispered, trying to soothe her daughter.

"Why did you let them do this to me?" Zara cried, her voice breaking. "Why?"

Umma's face was filled with sorrow. "I tried, Zara. I tried to reason with your grandfather, but he is a stubborn man. I'm helpless."

"He is not my grandfather. He is a monster!" Zara cried. Once again her point was proven that men are nothing but moneters and they would do anything to get what they want.

Umma's words offered little comfort, and Zara continued to cry, her friends watching with a mix of empathy and helplessness. Umma rubbed circles on Zara's back, murmuring softly until her daughter's sobs began to subside.

"This is the will of Allah," Umma said gently. "Whatever has happened, is happening, and will happen is all Qaddara. It is fate, and we must accept it."

The resignation in her mother's voice struck a chord in Zara. She wiped her tears, taking a deep breath as she tried to come to terms with the reality of her situation. There was nothing she could do, for now. She forced a smile at her friends, who were watching her with worried eyes.

"I want to be distracted," Zara said, her voice steadier. "For the next two weeks, I don't want to think about the wedding."

Amina nodded, taking charge. "Come with me to court tomorrow. I have a case, and you can see me in action. I'm one of the greatest lawyers in Abuja, you know."

Zara managed a genuine smile. "I'd like that."

Nana chimed in, her eyes brightening. "Let's spend a few days at the spa. We deserve to be pampered."

"Agreed," Zara said, feeling a small spark of excitement.

Fatoo leaned in, her voice filled with excitement. "And let's go shopping and try out different restaurants next week."

Zara nodded, grateful for her friends' support. "Sounds perfect."

As they made their plans, the weight of her wedding was looming over her and the reality that the next two weeks were going to pass by in a blur terrified her.

Qaddara. She should just accept this as her fate. Her mothers words which were nothing but facts made her realise that her fate was to be doomed and worst of all by living under a man. She had done it before and she had learnt lessons, hopefully things aren't going to be the same in husband number two's house.