"Addah, do you think the red gown would suit us both? I think the red color suits you more, rather than me," Khadija blabbed on, as she was busy unboxing the things she had bought from the market. She had no idea why her sister was reeling with anger when she came back, but she didn't intend to ask the obvious. Why else would she be angry if not the idea of getting married again? Her sister is one of the most stubborn humans she had ever came across.
"Do you think I should apply makeup today?" She asked unexpectedly. She had no idea why she did, but she definitely plan on making AbdulRasheed regret what he said. She's going to get dressed. She's going to look beautiful. And he's going to drool over how amazing she looks, and then swallow down those filthy words he had said down his freaking throat.
"Excuse me?" Khadija asked, clearly confused as to what her sister wa
The living room had a natural gleam of its own, mainly because the deep purpled coloured couches adorning the living room, and probably, the man sitting on one of the couches. Abdul-Rasheed was sitting on one of the couches. He was dressed in a white caftan, his hair carefully adorned with a black cap that flatters the dark sideburns by the side of his face and his white caftan.He was tapping away on his phone furiously, mainly because of the anger building up in him because Zeenah had kept him waiting for almost thirty minutes without appearing. He had met Maama and had greeted her, and she had told him that Zeenah would be with him in a few minutes. She had been wrong. It had been twenty-five minutes since she had said that, but Zeenah still hadn't appeared.'Remind me again why I had listened to you when you made me promise to come here, Bashir,' AbdulRasheed typ
Saying she was shocked at his statement was an understatement. Who was she kidding? Had she assumed that everything she had done would forever stay hidden? She must have been very stupid to have thought that way. An unbearable pain pierced through her heart, and she tried so hard to fight the tears welling up in her eyes back. Her chest tightened and she closed her eyes in pain."I don't understand what you are trying to say," she managed to say, her voice gruff with unsaid emotions. "Whatever do you men by that? she asked brusquely though she had every idea of what he was talking about."Oh, that," he shifted to the edge of the couch he was sitting. "I received a mysterious text few hours ago. I have no idea who sent it, but the content was pretty bad, indicating something bad against you.""And you have eve
If life was ever going to be fair to her, Zeenah thought as she arranged her clothes in her closet, then life wouldn't have possibly thrown marraige at her one more time.It was a bright Tuesday morning, two weeks since he had last visited, but the anger and fear at the prospect of marrying him still etched at her. Nothing Maama had said had calmed her down, and nothing she had said had made her visited her therapist. Not even Khadija, had managed to convince her to do so.But she appreciates how her sister doesn't force her into talking about things. Khadija hardly brought up anything regarding her marraige with Abubakar, or the forthcoming marraige with AbdulRasheed anymore. Maybe, she had learned to let her heal at her own pace.'All they do is lie to me," she thought angrily over the days she had spent wrapped up in her room. 'They keep saying I'm not damaged, that I'll be okay. But all were lies, I'm neve
'So, do you have an event in mind? Anything you want to do to excite the wedding more?'She read the message for the hundreth time, and wondered how she had come to have this conversation with AbdulRasheed. Why in the world had she been acting so out of way these days? Last week, when he had come to visit her again, he had come with a friend of his, and had acted as though he was smitten by her in the presence of his friend. He was playing a game, and she played right along with it.Now, they had been exchanging text messages ever since she had woken up, silly messages at first of them betting on who gets to give up first, who fails and finally decides to approach their parents to call the wedding off.She knew she wouldn't be the one, she had vowed not to break down, not to let Abubakar wins once more. Because, wouldn't he be exactly winning if she decides to call off the wedding just because of what he had done
It was a gamble, and he knew it quite alright, but he was still willing to go for it. A contract marriage wouldn't hurt, right? She'll definitely not mind being married to him for a few months, and they can terminate the marriage on the basis that nothing is working for them.That nothing actually makes enough sense for them to remain with each other. Perhaps, their parent's might let go of the notion that they belong to each other, that maybe, just maybe they might compliment each other. He knew they wouldn't, that nothing about them was as simple as their parents had assumed. He for sure would never fall in love with her. If she falls for him, that's her own problem, but he wasn't going to fall for her. Most definitely.He sighed and leaned his head back onto the couch he was sitting. His face was grim with satisfaction because he was sure, so sure that Zeenah was
"I won't be going anywhere to distribute cards, babe, this is not a wedding I'm looking forward to. Why do you insist I have to go share my wedding card? Besides, this is not my first time being married, so, there's basically nothing to be excited about." Zeenah rambled, as she tied her head gear around her head to cover her soft fluffy hair. She was wearing a blue and black stripped Ankara, and was busy packing her boxes of clothes so they can be sent to Abdul's house. Her new house.She'll be married to AbdulRasheed in two days. Two freaking days! And to say Zeenah wasn't scared was an understatement. She was scared, down to her bones."But that doesn't mean you won't enjoy your wedding and invite your friends," Samirah began, as she moved to the edge of the bed she was sitting, her big bump already visible. "There weren't much events during your first wedding, and I'm so glad we had only one event. But now, I have a very good feeling ab
She was scared, very scared. But that wouldn't stop her from trying to enjoy her day. This was not a wedding she was looking forward to, but she had to prove Abubakar wrong, she was going to prove him wrong even if she had to plaster fake smiles on her small face and laugh at silly jokes. She was going to act like a teenager getting married for the first time to the man of her dreams. She was going to act as happy as possible."In an hour, you'll officially be Mrs AbdulRasheed. OmiGod, it really is happening." Samirah gushed happily as she applied the last touch of makeup to Zeenah's eyes.She was sitting in front of her mum's large mirror, and despite her face not showing it, she was terrified. What would her stay with AbdulRasheed be like? What is he like? Can they cope with each other for the time being? Will things really work out their way?Her face didn't give away the turmoil she felt inside, how she had been able t
She read the message again one last time and found herself smiling at the words he had written. He had just complimented her despite everything, and she had no idea why she flushed despite being all alone in the room. She covered her face with both of her hands that had been decorated with beautiful henna decoration and giggled again. Finally, she decided to reply back to his text.'Oh, thanks for the compliments. Guess you just finally decided to notice, but I've always been beautiful, Mr AbdulRasheed.'Okay, that sounded pretty lame even to her. So she decided to send another text. 'I suggest you look as good as I do, so we can complement each other. See you later, Zeenah's new cold hunk husband.'She giggled, and she knew the text would be funny even to the second party. But this was her trying to be as funny as she could. As happy as she could muster. Yes, this was her big day, and she wasn't going to
2nd May 2006Ten years later, Abuja. Nigeria."Ga Aljanin nan zuwa (the jinn is coming)" Safina whispered into the ears of her sleeping sister sakina "Get up quickly kis kis, you haven't prayed and he's going to take you away" she added.Sakinah yelped and jumped up, it was already past 11 pm and it had rained heavily that day which make it possible for everywhere to be dark.Safina and Nafisa laughed seeing the scared expression on their sister's face."Where is the jinn? Please tell it to go back I'll pray" sakinah said trembling."Well, you're praying isha very late, so it'll come over and punish you," Nafisa said smiling evilly."No!" Sakina shouted in her high pitched voice. Mama rabi quickly rushe
14th August 1996.Kano, Nigeria.9:13 pmThe cold humid air of early august blows around the hospital corridor, sending shivers down the spine of those waiting along the labour ward. Three, out of the four people waiting were seated, while one of them kept pacing to and fro. An unreadable expression on his face."Bello, get yourself seated, please!" His elder brother Alhaji Sa'eed said."I can't, Brother. I can't be at ease without knowing how my wife is doing in there. She's suffering" he replied as if his puppy-like face will save his wife from what she's going through."Sit down and pray for her. That is the only solution right now, this pacing of yours is pissing me off" Alhaji Sa'eed scolded him."Fine!" Alhaji Bello said, heaving a defeated sigh as he sat down "Allah gani gareka. (I'm in your hands, Oh Lord!)" It has bee
The next two days had been busy, and Zeenah spent them smiling all through like a loon. It was something she had never imagined was ever possible, her finding true love was nothing she had ever thought of, but she did, and she was going to relish in the thought. She recalled the teasing smile on Baba's face when she had told him that she would go back to AbdulRasheed in three days time. Baba's face lighted up with sheer joy, and she had recalled him asking her if there was anything she needs.Maama was also not left behind. She had raced to the room when Baba had told her and had asked Zeenah if that was true. Zeenah had ducked her head down and nodded in response."Alhamdulillah (to God be the glory)," Maama had said "I'm so happy that you've finally decided to give your love a chance, Zeenatu. May Allah continue to bless you in folds, and may you always and forever be happy, beautiful."She had wiped the lone
For the next two months, Zeenah had avoided everything that might possibly link her to AbdulRasheed. Not even when he calls does she picks, nor does she replies his endless text messages. But what annoyed her the most was that, despite what she thought that if she avoids AbdulRasheed, she would be able to forget everything and be happy, that didn't happen. Each time she lay back on the bed to sleep, she kept remembering their happy moments and wondered what would happen if they were still together.She remembered the constant nagging, begging and all from Samirah not to let go of AbdulRasheed, but nothing Samirah had said then had made her changed her mind. And even now, as she remembered everything, she would've still chosen for AbdulRasheed to set her free from all.AbdulRasheed, as strong-headed as she had always known him to be had refused to let her go. He promised to hold onto her for as long as she needs, he'll be waiting, with open
For the next two months, Zeenah had avoided everything that might possibly link her to AbdulRasheed. Not even when he calls does she picks, nor does she replies his endless text messages. But what annoyed her the most was that, despite what she thought that if she avoids AbdulRasheed, she would be able to forget everything and be happy, that didn't happen. Each time she lay back on the bed to sleep, she kept remembering their happy moments and wondered what would happen if they were still together.She remembered the constant nagging, begging and all from Samirah not to let go of AbdulRasheed, but nothing Samirah had said then had made her changed her mind. And even now, as she remembered everything, she would've still chosen for AbdulRasheed to set her free from all.AbdulRasheed, as strong-headed as she had always known him to be had refused to let her go. He promised to hold onto her for as long as she needs, he'll be waiting, with open
Two days laterShe tried to open her eyes, but it felt as though they've been glued by something. She tried again but quickly shut them back as soon as she had opened them because of the blinding lights from the light bulbs in the room. The next time she tried, she was able to squint her eyes a little to adjust to the blinding lights. However, the first thing that caught her attention was the white Celine and the white walls surrounding her. Was she dead already? Perhaps, she might already be in heaven. God, what a life she had had to live to have died that way.She turned her head a little, and that was when she saw someone sitting right beside her. From all indications, it was a man, because the curly hair was bent right towards her, enough to want to make her move her hand and run them through the hair. A sigh escaped her lips when she finally realized who was sitting there.At the sound of her sigh, AbdulRashe
AbdulRasheed surveyed the house once more before he moved toward it slowly. This was the house he had met Aliyah the night Zeenah had been kidnapped. He had called her number and was lucky that it went through and she picked up, telling him to come to meet her there if he wants to get his wife back.AbdulRasheed didn't waver, however, he had told Bashir to come along but stay hidden. He hooped out of the car and turned discreetly to check up on Bashir, who had parked some few meters away from the house. He had no idea why Aliya had told him to come over, but whatever it is, he was going to see the end of it today.He thumped on the door and waited for some minutes before the door was yanked open. Aliya stood by the door, dressed in a mint green fitted gown. Even her breasts were showing, despite knowing the consequences of her actions, it seemed as though all that didn't bother Aliya one bit. "Hello, handsome. Look, I'm wearing your favour
The room was dark, and there was an unbearable stench to it. She moved a little, and the rope which held her hands tightly behind the chair squeezed more tightly. She groaned and yelled angrily and felt like yanking so hard at her hands, maybe, just maybe she'll set them free and remove the blindfold from her eyes. The only time she wasn't blindfolded or tied to a chair was when she was being fed. The first day she had been brought, Zeenah refused to eat everything she was given. But by the second day, when she realized that she needed to eat to survive, she began eating, while the large hulk man stands beside her, his hands folded across his chest.She was still yet to see any face apart from his. She tried so hard to think of any reason why someone will decide to kidnap her but couldn't. Nothing actually makes any sense to her no matter how hard she tried. The only other time she had felt a presence, was when she was snapped. She knew she had been snapped beca
Three days later.Three days and six hours later, Zeenah was still yet to be found, and nothing has been heard from her. Despite how hard AbdulRasheed had tried, he couldn't hold it in anymore. So, he did the only reasonable thing that came to his mind. He went home and told his parents about the situation. His father had been furious that he took that long to tell them what had been happening. Worse of all was Maama's reaction after telling that Zeenah was missing.If Bashir hadn't forced him to, AbdulRasheed wouldn't have told his parents or Zeenah's parents about her disappearance. He had had a firm belief that Zeenah had run off away from him, not that something happened like they were all insisting.But, what if something had really happened to her?"Let's go to the police station," AbdulRasheed's father had announced the second day they couldn't get a hold of Zeenah. "We can't wait here when we