Chapter Three

Abubakar gasped, refusing to think of his eldest daughter, he seems to be focus watching the news on telly but his mind is somewhere else. His wife walk fast him sitting on the sofa in her bedroom with one leg on top of the other. She placed the load of the freshly ironed clothes she was holding on the bed. And start putting them away in the wardrobe.

"You know thinking too much is not good for one's health," she advised as she continue with her action.

He gasps again then begins, "for how long will she continue to be the chef and the laundry girl of this house, uhmm?" Aisha only smiles at the piles of clothes at her front, her husband could only see her back, as she was still in front of the wardrobe trying to label the clothes accordingly. Keeping separate row for ankara, lace and the other article of clothing.

"When she decided to stop." Was her simple reply.

"She does all the work in this house, whether it is sweeping or washing dishes." The exhaustion was clear in his voice. Yet, he have no one to blame for that, not even himself or maybe it has a little bit to do with him. Maybe if he had came earlier that day all this wouldn't have happened.  However, being a good muslim made him accept his fate.

"Your daughter loves doing so, i can't even stop her okay, that's the only way she communicate, it's a relief that she is very active, dear."

"Aisha, it seem like you are the least worried about her being like that." It came out rather harshly and he regretted it instantly. He stare at his wife who stop what she was doing, still facing the wardrobe. She swallowed her husband's unintentional  accusation and try to forced a smile, he always tend to lose control whenever it comes to their daughter's matter. And says things he regrets later.

Aisha turn to the bed and pick the last article of clothing there and placed it where it belongs. From her already pale face, Abubakar can see how much he hurts his wife by his mere words as she wasn't even looking his way.

"Sorry, i didn't mean it that way," Aisha walk fast him again. Perhaps existing the room? "I am worried about Yasmin," sadly straightening his posture from the sofa. "The thought whether she will ever get married or live a normal life, is always frightening me." Aisha turn to her husband and sat next to him, flashing him a warm smile.

"I am also worried, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't smile, if we decide to be like Yasi, our entire family will be affected." A small knock comes from the door before Abubakar can say anything. And they all knew who it was.

"Come in, my dear." Yasmin came in with medium tray carrying a bowl of fura and two sachet water. She place the tray on the coffee table in front of her parents. "Well done, my dear. So will you chat with your father? it had been a while since we have done that." She only nodded and find a seat on the carpeted floor next to the sofa. Abubakar mute the telly with remote and turn his attention to his daughter.

"Yasi, my dear, i know this might be sudden to you, but every parent wishes to see their daughters married especially if she have reach the right age. I know you're a bit different from many other girls out there, and i am proud of what you're. However, today i received a proposal from a good friend of mine. He was the same man who visited last two weeks. He visited me today at work and propose an alliance with his son, what do you think about it?" Abubakar knows fully well what he is getting himself into, so he is choosing his words carefully. After all this is not the first time they have received a proposal for Yasmin.

Aisha just gasps and didn't say anything as she already knew what her daughter's answer might be, it may a simple no or a nod. And Abubakar will never press the matter any further. To their surprise Yasmin statement comes out longer than anticipated and left them both in shock and their lips both ajar.

"Anything you decided. If you believe it's okay for me. Then i agreed."

"Are you sure, Yasi. You don't have anyone in mind." She shook her head. He knew she doesn't, yet it was only right that he had to ask.

"Know that marriage is not just for a day or two, it's for a life time. So my dear girl, use the entire week to think about it, do istikhara. Only then we will give them a feedback. Whatever your decision turn out to be. We will always support you, so don't hesitated to tell me or your mother, okay." He reassured her with a smile on his face, while Aisha still hasn't recover from her state of shock until she heard the door open and then close, indicating Yasmin has exists from the room.

"Aisha did you heard her said yes for the first time? Did i perhaps said it harshly that compelled her to say yes?" He asked confused because he, himself had expected to received the same responses from his daughter. 

"No, i don't think so. But it's surprising that she has said yes. I need to talk to her about this matter. You didn't you even know the guy, malam? Why didn't i know about the matter?"

"I was trying to tell you but she came. I will find out about the boy. That too, thoroughly."

"You know Yasmin is not someone that we entrust to any other guy. You have to make sure that not just his father, but even the boy is a good man." They both gasps at once. Each of them lost in their own thought. They have been waiting for a day like this to come, but why are they so anxious?

"Ka ga ko, malam. Let me go and talk with Yasi, she have to know that we are not rushing her. I don't want her to fall into the wrong hands, we are okay having her like this." Aisha added anxiously losing her ankara scarf, all of the sudden she was feeling heat. She gets off from the sofa.

But her husband pulls her back.

"Yasmin is not a baby, let her think and decide, till then i will do a background check on this guy. Yasmin is so precious to me, so i won't let her marry just anyone, trust me."

Back to her room, Yasmin believed it was only right to make her parents happy. She knew how much they wishes to see her married, since most of her age mate cousins are engaged if not married from both her paternal and maternal family. She has rejected three proposal already; one from her cousin from her father's side, one from a family friend and last but not the least from a neighbor who used to be her old time good friend from childhood. Now that said she had yes to this proposal she knew there's no going back, even though she knew her parents will always support her.

It was yet another sleepless night for Yasmin, it's already after 2am. She has long forgotten what it's to sleep. She slept for ten minutes to highest and five minutes to the least. Laying down flat on her back and staring at the running ceiling fan.

Peace echoes through the silent night and loneliness embraced her. Her family are all sleeping happily in the comfort of their beds. Whilst she can only wonder if marriage life is really for someone like her. She knew she can't give happiness to anyone, then why is she agreeing to marriage then? From what she have heard about marriage, it have everything to do with sacrifice and patience and love. And she has neither to offer, maybe patience but love is out of question. She also believe she have nothing to sacrifice.

Perhap, it's only her greed to at least do that to her beloved parents. What if i became terrified of the man i married? But she put that thought behind her mind and refuse to believe that she is that weak. Denial? No, maybe?  Yet she already knew she was broken.

It had been a week since Yasmin accepted the proposal and nothing has change from her side. Even though marriage is not just another recipe to a delicious meal, she decided to give a try. The thought, what can she really offer to the marriage, still lingers in her pretty head. Maybe offer the best meal everyday. Was what she always came up with. As for the istikhara, she didn't even try.

Through the whole week she have find millions of reasons to stay unmarried and very few reasons to marry. Now that her father called for her in his room. She knew it's the final day to back out or be in for it. Her father too had done his own background check on the guy, and to his contentment he didn't find anything out of place.

"Yasmin, as we have agreed last week, today i want to hear your final answer. Whatever you decide is final, no pressure, okay." She only nodded and her mother quietly listen. "Do you still accept the proposal or not?" After a while of complete silence comes Yasmin's small voices.

"I do." She had said and a bright smile overtake her father's face. And her mom still can't get a grip of that. Yet, she borrow same cheerful smile as her husband.

"Masha Allah, my dear, may Allah continue to bless you for us, you have really brighten our day." Maybe that's really what she wanted to hear, a small smile formed at the corner of her lips as she feels her father's gentle pats on her head.

"If you're really sure of your decision, Yasmin. You make your mother really proud, my strong girl." And Aisha suddenly become emotional as she wiped the small moist from her eyes. "We will really have a long discussion on this topic and i am already excited."

Abubakar couldn't wait any longer before he gives a call to his acquaintance and tell the good news. And that was it.

Yusuf was surprised to have received a call from his father that very evening. It had been ages. He couldn't say he wasn't excited being called by his father as he never does so. He didn't even know that his father has his contact number. And his instinct told him not to be too excited. Upon his arrival to his father's house, and for first time in so many years. He wasn't greeted by his hateful stepmom's taunts. Right then and there he confirmed his suspicion that nothing was alright.

"I have chosen a wife for you. And your opinion doesn't matter. Maybe then, after you got married you can be reliable and responsible. If you like, you can go further and disappoint me more than you have already done all your life. This is the address to the girl's house, they will be expecting you this friday. Remember you're  representing me there, so be careful." His father had coldly stated just like that. As if marriage was just another patient for him to see off, the big grin on Luba's face that evening still pumps in his head. He wandered, why so much hatred?

By now Yusuf believed his father does nothing, but messed up his life. And to think that some girl is waiting for him on friday which is only two days away, is making him hates whoever she was. Which he knew the hate should be directed somewhere else, to his father probably.

He thought forcing one into marriage was a thing of the past. But it is obvious to him that it wasn't. That's why he believe he have every right to hate this certain girl. He still haven't told Saif about the whole arrange marriage issue. And that reminds him of Marwa, what will he do about her? Now that he is put in a tied spot, he have only one option left, which is to convince his chosen bride to reject him.

Yeah, that's it...