Five

"Six months, six months, six months." Yasmeen kept repeating as her mother announced to her that the date has been fixed. "Calm down girl." Her best friend Aidah said, trying to calm her down. "I can't! It's too soon! Six months it's.... I can't." She kept walking back and forth, breathing heavily.

"I thought you love this guy!" Aidah said stupefied. "I do, I really do love him. It's just that.... I don't even know. I'm scared. I'm not ready. Go tell mom I don't want to get married anymore. Na fasa." She said her arms in the air. "You must be kidding. How can you say you're not ready when you have 6 months to prepare?" Aidah laughed at how Yasmeen was sweating.

"Yas, get your big ass butt here. Sit down." She did as she was told. "Now take a deep breath." She inhaled and exhaled. "Everything will be fine Insha Allah. You will be fine. I'll always be by your side, no matter what. I mean what's there? You love him and I clearly know he loves you too. It's not some arranged marriage or something."

"Yeah, yeah you're right. I'll be fine. Thank you." She smiled at her best friend. "You're welcome. I have to get going now." Aidah said getting off the bed. "Lemme see you out." They headed to Hajiya Salamatu's room. "Mummy I'm going home now." Aidah announced. "Alright dear. Greet everyone at home" Hajiya Salamatu said and Aidah nodded.

They headed out to see Bashir resting on his car legs crossed. And calmly typing away from his phone. "Ya Bashir," she exclaimed. "You... you're here. You didn't tell me you were coming." She said nervously. He exchanged pleasantries with Aidah. "I'll leave you two love birds now." Aidah said and walked away.

"I just had to come see my wife to be, Insha Allah. Hope I'm not disturbing." She couldn't make eye contact with him. "No you're not. Let's go in." She said. "That won't be necessary. I have to head back to the office now but I'll come back later in the evening Insha Allah." He explained.

He opened the back door of the car and brought out a white leather. "Here, this is for you." He handed it to her. "Thank you." She said collecting it from him. "I'll see you later. Take care please."

"You too. Drive safe." He got into his vehicle and drove away. She sighed and turned on her heels. She went straight to Hajiya Salamatu's room to show her what Bashir bought her. "Mummy! Diamond ring!" Yasmeen exclaimed. "Try it on" Hajiya Salamatu said grinning.

"It fits perfectly." She said looking at the diamond ring on her left hand. She checked the rest of the things he bought. "Designed Abayas." She smiled. "He really knows my taste." She added. "Go try them on lemme see."

xx

      "Two weeks, just two weeks remaining." Ameenah mumbled petrified. "Will you get your Butt here and sit down. I'm getting married next week and you're here disturbing yourself about admission. In shaa Allah you'll get it. You'll be a pharmacist just like you always wanted to be. In shaa Allah." Ameenah felt at ease with Aisha's words.

         Ameenah planted her butt beside her best friend. "I'm still bumped that you won't be staying in kaduna anymore." Ameenah sighed feeling doleful. "But on the bright side you'd visit when you get the chance and I'll come visit too. Now smile please." Aisha said giving her a side hug.

        "I'm so going to miss you Aisha. Do you have to get married please?" Ameenah asked, her eyes getting watery. "I have to idiot. And I'm hoping you get married soon too."

       "No I'm good. I'm not tired of disturbing my mama. Being the only child rocks." She grinned. Aisha rolled her eyes. "Yeah whatever. So I'll be going now. Oh and my fiancé will be coming tomorrow from Abuja. You should come help me cook for him tomorrow please." She said putting on her hijab.

       "I'll tell Aunty about it." Ameenah said getting up from her mattress. She accompanied her outside and went back in.

          "Meeno." Aunty called out. "Aunty my name is Ameenah not meeno." She whined slumping down close to Aunty on the couch. "So I see your best friend is getting married in a week. Can't wait to marry my daughter off too." Aunty grinned and pulled meenah.

"Mamaaa!" Ameenah whined. She quickly rose to her feet and walked out fast. Aunty chuckled and shook her head.

xx

"Be safe dear. And don't stay too long, kinji ko." Aunty said with concern. "Yes Aunty, bye." Ameenah waved before heading out of their two bedroom flat.

"Ameenah," she heard a familiar voice called her name. She turned to see who it was. "Oh, hey you." She smiled. "I'm guessing you don't know my name." He felt happy to see her again. She nodded, lowering her gaze.

"Well I'm Omar Muhammad, but you can call me Aamir. I'm From Adamawa State. Graduated from Baze university. Uhmm well I'm sorry I suck at introductions." He chucked nervously. "Oh it's okay." She chuckled also.

Then it rang to her; the curly silky hair. His skin complexion. His amazing Brown eyes. The long eyelashes. The perfect plump lips. He's way taller than her. He's just so Masha Allah. Typical Fulani man.

"Well I'm Ameenah Abdulhadee. I... Uhmm I'm from Gombe state. I graduated few months ago from... from Uhmm from a government school. I'm waiting for admission to be released."

He couldn't stop looking at her all the while she was talking. She's so beautiful. Her pretty light brown eyes. Her dark skin kept glowing. Her petite body really fitted her. She looked like a Shuwa Arab.

"So you're Fulani I see." He said. "Yes and half Somali." she nodded. "Awawi volwugo fulfulde nah?" He asked folding his arms on his chest. "Yes but a little." She smiled sheepishly. "I'd like to stay and chit chat a bit with you but I have to head back to work." He said looking at his wrist watch.

"I have to get going too." She said smiling at him. "Alright then. saito minfotti." She nodded and turned to leave. "Oh wait." He stopped her. "Do you have a phone?" He asked and she shook her head no.

"Oh! Can you show me where your house is please?" She nodded and directed him to the house. He thanked her before saying good bye one last time.

"She's the one."

xx

"If you don't get out of my office right now, I'll ask the securities to throw you out." He said calmly trying not to lose it. "Please bashir I'll change for you. I'll stop wearing tight clothes. I'll go apologize to your family. I'll do everything you ask me to. Please cancel that wedding. You know I'm madly in love with you."

"For the last time Malika I'm not canceling my wedding because of you. No! I don't want you. You're not my type. I've already found someone worth my love and affection. So please, close the door behind you."

He stood up from his comfy office chair and sauntered into the ensuite. Malika kept fuming, clenching on her fist. She hit the table, groaning loudly. "You must marry me Bashir!"

She stormed out of the building and hopped into her convertible. She angrily tapped on her phone. "Hello, Zakee I have a work for you. Meet me at my house today by 8pm."

Xx

"So this Omar guy, he sounds nice." Aisha said stirring the peppered chicken in the pot. "Yes" Ameenah nodded in agreement while thinking of him, how he kept smiling at her. So charming.

"So I'm guessing my best friend is starting to fall in love. Oh Alhamdulillah." Aisha squealed. "You're nuts." Ameenah hissed leaving the kitchen.

She went into Aisha's room and kept her bag and hijab. She went back to the kitchen and helped Aisha with cooking. They finished everything after an hour and a half.

"Oh Ya Allah, Ameenah. He's here." Aisha announced nervously. "Calm down girl. Now go bring him in. And I'll be on my way home now." Ameenah said. "No please wait until he leaves." Aisha pleaded. Ameenah was surprised by the way aisha was acting.

"Aisha I'll stay just for few more minutes. Now go, he's waiting for you." Aisha nodded and headed out.

Few minutes later, Aisha sauntered into the room smiling sheepishly. "He wants to meet you." She announced. "Uhmm okay." Ameenah stood up and wore her hijab.

They went to the living room where, Adam was waiting for them. He exchanged pleasantries with Ameenah. "I've heard so much about you." He said smiling at Ameenah. "I've heard very much about you too." Ameenah replied avoiding his gaze. Why is she always shy?

They talked for a while before Ameenah announced she was leaving. Aisha accompanied her outside. "Thank you very much for the help. I love you meenah." Aisha gave her a bone crushing hug. "Oh it's okay dear. Do tell me how it goes when he's gone." Ameenah said and Aisha nodded.

Xx

"I don't care how much it is. You clearly know money is not my problem. I just want that filthy bitch dead." Malika groaned at the thugs in front of her. "How do you want it to be done? Break into their house or attack her when she's out?" One of the thugs asked.

"No, Bashir will suspect me. Cut the brakes of her car or something." She ordered. "An gama Hajiya. We'll get to work right away."