Ahmad....

We are always advised to respect and honour the decision of our parents since birth but I just can't agree with my mother about moving on without Safaa.What baffles me is that,both my father and mother were not born wealthy but here they are busy loathing on the less privileged.

Should I just move on and please my Mama?

But what if she keeps doing that to me?

Stopping me from having what my heart desires?

I paced my room in profound reverie trying to figure out what I can do about our relationship because even if Safaa is letting go of our love,I can't let go.

I changed my casual Tshirt and pants and wore an off-white Kaftan complementing it with a cap.I took my shades because my eyes looks like some sorta ghetto before taking my car keys with the intention of visiting my grandfather.I have no idea which road will lead me to Rigar Dala but I got there with the help of my google map some hours later.

"Assalamu Alaikum" I greeted the first group of men I met sitting near a tree.

"Wa alaikassalam" They answered in unison.

"Sannun mu dai(Good day), please am asking of Alhaji Abdulfatah's house?"

"Ohh Malam Habu's father?" The one who seems nice asked.

"Baban shegen nan dai(Oh the father of that arrogant man)" An arrogant dude among them added.

"Moudu are you nuts? Just shut up and let Isma'il talk if you will keep making rude comments" Another one chirped in.

"Sorry please,I will show you his house,I'm Isma'il" The nice one offered.

"Thank you so much,we can go in my car,I am Ahmad" I smiled walking to the car.

"I've never been here you know,Safaa is right,it's not really a village" I laughed starting the car.

"Safaa as in Safara'u? You know her?" He asked a bit suprised.

"Yes we're cousins"

"You're Alhaji Sunusi's son then? Your grandparents came back from town some hours ago though,didn't you meet them?"

"Yes I am his son,You know Safaa?" I asked ignoring his last question.

"Ofcourse I do,but she has not been around since when that issue with Moudu happened" He answered.

"Oh so that one acting rude is the Moudu?" I asked cocking a brow.

"Yes He is"

And then we continued talking about random stuff and getting to know each other before we reached my grandfather's house.

"There's the house" He announced.

"Thank you so much Isma'il" I smiled parking my car.

He smiled and left.

"Assalamu Alaikum" I said going inside the house.

"Ahmadu? Is that you am seeing? Don't tell me you're already missing me" My granny said when she saw me.

"I wasn't missing you old woman,You know who am missing" I smiled sitting on the carpeted floor.

"Useh,You're not even ashamed" She chortled.

"Ina yini?" I greeted her with a smile.

"Lafiya lau (fine) Ahmadu,mutumiyar naka tasan kazo ne? (Does the one you came to see know you're here?)"

"No granny"

"Let me send someone to call her for you then"

"Nooo don't please,I just want to see grandpa and leave"

"He's inside his room,come on let's go and meet him" She said standing up and I followed her in a tow.

My grandfather AbdulFatah is a man of authority.When he makes a decision in our family even my father doesn't go against it.I came to him because I know he will stand up for me and Safaa and if he approves of our relationship,Mama can do nothing about it.

"Ahmadu" He called my name,adjusting his spectacles to see if am really the one.

"Na'am Baban Dala" I called him with the name we are used to calling him with.

"I had no idea you drove us here"

"Haba Old man,I didn't drive you back here" I chuckled.

"Oh really? Don't mind me" He grinned.

"Grandpa I actually came because of something" I began.

"Go ahead and tell me"

I told him everything and he listened to me,nodding occasionally like a student learning something and when I finished telling him,we fell silent for some minutes before he spoke.

"Ahmadu you really love her don't you?"

"I do" I answered determined.

"Alright then,In shaa Allah you will marry Safaa,now give me some days I will call your parents and we will talk about it"

"Thank you grandpa,Thank you so much" I grinned.

"You're welcome Ahmadu"

"I think I will be on my way now grandpa,Granny till I call you" I announced.

"Drive safely" They said in unison.

I came back home with a changed mood because my grandpa won't let me down.After having a warm shower and went to my Mama's living room humming a song,acting like I am not the one who was really mad at her some hours ago.

"Hi Mama" I said taking a grape from the plate of fruit on her centre table.

"Ahmad" She said sadly.

"Mama forgive me for acting that way"

"You're forgiven,Let's think it never happened" She beamed.

"Alright Mama,where's Shukrah?" I asked about my favorite sister.

"She went with the driver to the airport to get Rilwan"

"He's coming back today? He didn't tell me"

"Your father is going to see Salman's fiance's father tomorrow" She exclaimed happily.

"Oh really?"

"Yes In shaa Allah,Son why don't you go and see Na'imah,Alhaji Labaran's daughter,she's a nice girl"

"Mama please don't start,where's Baba?" I asked changing the topic.

"He called from the office,He's going to Rigar Dala,Your grandfather sent for him"

"He did?" I asked almost jumping on my seat.

"Why are you so excited?"

"Uhh it's nothing"

"You're acting suspicious"

"Trust me Mama,It's nothing,Did you go with a car or chopper?"

"With the chopper,He will be back today"

"I can't wait" I shrieked.

"What did you say?"

"I said I can't wait for Salman's wedding"

"Me too Son" She smiled and we continue chit chatting until the Adhaan for Magrib brought it to an end.

I prayed Magrib at the mosque and waited for Isha,I read the holy Qur'an to wheel away time.After praying Isha I went inside Mama's living room,hoping to hear from her Baba's arrival.

"Ahmad your father asked of you,Go and meet him" Mama said not even glancing at me.

"Okay"

"So that's why you're so happy huh? You know why your grandpa called your father,Oh I so much hate that girl,She tricked your grandfather into believing she loves you,She loves nothing but your wealth" Mama said slowly like those villains in movies.

"Uhmm Mama I don't know what you're talking about and please leave Safaa out of it" I said leaving.

"I promise you I will make her life HELL" Mama yelled.

I sprinted to Baba's living room ignoring all her threats.Baba's expression also screams "I don't want this marriage but I can't do anything about it"

But wait,Baba was not against my relationship with her,what happened all of a sudden?

"Your Mama did something..." my subconscious reminded me.

"Sannu Baba" I greeted him crouching down.

"Your wedding with Safaa will be fixed soon,We are to wait for her feedback until then know that I have already asked for her hand in marriage for you" He said.

"Thank you Baba"

"You're welcome" He scoffed.

I half walked and ran back to my brother's room just to inform him about the good news.

"Yoo Niggas" I said in a high pitch going inside his room

"Is he okay?" Rilwan asked.

"I'll pretend I don't know you" I addressed him and sat on the couch.

"I'm so sorry Bro" He apologised.

"You're forgiven because am getting married"

"You're what?" Salman asked excitedly.

"Yes I am getting married to Safaa"

"I thought you guys had a break up this morning and now you're talking about marriage? How is it possible?" He asked again.

"Quit asking questions" I answered him before telling him about my visit to Rigar Dala and what Baba told me minutes ago.

"Well then let's hope she wouldn't say No" Rilwan chided..

"No she won't,In shaa Allah" I said playfully giving him a punch.

💣💣💣💣💣

SAFAA's POV.

I prayed Isha and sat on the spot thinking about what Abidah told me a while ago.Mama brought an end to my thoughts telling me that Baba wants to see me.I met him after some minutes at our medium sized living room quitely watching the Tv with Mama.

"Baba am here" I announced sitting on the floor.

"Safaa,Your grandfather called me some days ago saying Ahmadu has the intention of marrying you,are you aware of it?"

"Uhm...ermm I..." I stammered and both Mama and him chuckled.

"Okay,I want to know your opinion,will you marry him?" He asked the question making my breath come out in pants.

I kept mute because I know it's immoral of me to say a word.I ran back to my room avoiding my parents piercing gaze.I climbed on my bed trying my best to calm my heartbeat.

Yes I am in love with him and I'd love to marry him? But there's a feeling I can't grasp?

Is it fear? Pessimism? Anxiety?

"Well we can take that as a yes?" Mama said coming inside my room with a grin lightening up her ever so beautiful face.

"Mamaaa" I whined face palming myself.

"Safaa" She said playfully and sat right beside me taking my hands in her own.

"I can't believe you're old for marriage,my baby" She said becoming teary eyed.

"Mama please.."

"You do love him right?" She asked looking into my eyes and I lowered my head and nodded faintly.

"Okay then" She smiled and left my room.

For the first time since I came back from my Uncle's house,I slept well and peacefully.

The next day I woke up feeling vibrant and happy.Mama even made teasing comments because I didn't complain of the house chores and I kept singing while sweeping our compound.

"Your phone has been ringing Adda Safaa" Jibrin who collected my phone since morning to play game brought it to me.

"It's an unknown number,I don't want to pick it up" I said tasting the stew I am making.

"Please just answer it" He handed the phone to me pressing the answer button.

"Assalamu Alaiki Babe" He heard his masculine and deep voice.

"Yaya Ahmad?" I asked almost squealing.

"Yeah you are to say Wa alaikassalam sweetheart or something Safaa" He said laughing.

"Wait am mad at you,why did you do that without telling me?"

"I didn't do anything,Grandpa did and I should be 10 times mad at you because you did a lot of things without telling me Safaa"

"I'm so sorry for leaving like that"

"I forgive you,now doll your self up for me,I am on my way"

"Really?" I beamed.

"Yes Safaa,Bye"

"Bye safe trip" I said clutching the phone to my heart like my life depended on it.

I could be so lazy sometimes I didn't unpack my clothes since we came back and I have been at home for five days now.An hour after my phone call with him,I dragged one of the suitcase that's full to the brim with bespoke clothes all thanks to Mommy and Abidah.

After rummaging through it,I opted for a red lace that's sewn into a peplum blouse and a fitted skirt.I applied a little bit of make up.

Yaya Ahmad arrived just in time and I waited in my room until he finished greeting Mama before I went out to the kitchen to bring him some refreshment.

After setting the tray I went back to the living room and found him typing away on his phone dressed in a white Kaftan looking dashing as always.His calmness makes him appear more handsome and when he caught me checking him out he smirked and I hurriedly lowered my gaze.

"Sannu da zuwa Yaya" I said sitting on the sofa opposite the one he's sitting on.

"Thank you" He said giving me his million dollar smile.

"How's Mommy?" I asked smiling back.

"She's fine and really happy about us"

"And Mama?" I whispered skeptically.

"They are all fine,Baba is not around is he?"

"No but he'll be back soon"

"Grandpa said I should talk about the date with him"

"Which date?" I panicked.

"Our wedding date"

"But...I...am.."

"Don't start Safaa,I'm not prolonging it and we're leaving after it"

"Leaving?" I cried out.

"Yeah I think I'll join Ma'aruf at Australia,They too won't leave until after our wedding"

"B..u.. t...."

"Safaa keep quite if you will keep on stuttering" He laughed.

"Okay" I huffed.

"So what do you say about April? Two months from now?" He asked making me panic more.

🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴

Who likes this chapter? 😉😉😉

I was happy while writing it so....

Vote

Comment

And share

Thank you ❤❤