Journey to 'I do'

38- Dark encounters

I am back from Istanbul, and I'm eagerly awaiting the arrival of my cargo. My dresses from Deola Sagoe are safely in hand, all seemed to be going according to plan. Muhammad had paid me a visit shortly after my return, and as we sat together, he indulged me with a glimpse into of our home. Though I pleaded for more, he playfully refused, leaving me to accept defeat with a roll of my eyes.

"Please just show me all of it!" I begged, unable to contain my curiosity.

"Nope, Sai an kawo ki," he replied with a chuckle, his eyes dancing with amusement.

As much as I longed to explore every detail of our future home, I knew there were some things Muhammad preferred to keep under wraps for now. Resigned to his playful secrecy, I focused on the rest of the wedding planning.

I sat in bed now to finalize the booking for my glam team, the makeup artist, hair/gele stylist, and my bridal stylist. We had been exchanging messages all afternoon and it was lowkey exciting. Just as I was about to send another message, my phone beeped again, this time with a text from an unknown number. With a furrowed brow, I opened the message and felt a chill run down my spine as I read the ominous words.

"I will make your life a living hell, A'isha! Leave my Muhammad or face the consequences! Abuja will not contain us, wallahi."

Fear gripped me as I stared at the screen, my heart pounding in my chest. Who could be behind this sinister threat? Questions swirled in my mind, but answers eluded me.

I remained seated on the edge of my bed, staring at the message for what felt like an eternity. The distant call of the adhan broke through my thoughts, making me to rise and perform my prayers immediately. With each whispered supplication, I begged Allah for protection and guidance, seeking refuge from the unseen dangers that lurked around me.

After completing my prayers, I couldn't bear the weight of the situation alone any longer. I decided to call Lulu and share it with her.

"Ah, that's so crazy!" Lulu exclaimed after reading the message I forwarded to her.

"I know, right? It's terrifying," I replied, my voice tinged with apprehension.

"I think you should tell Muhammad," Lulu suggested firmly.

"But what if it's nothing? I don't want to worry him unnecessarily and I'm afraid he'll hurt the person badly if he finds them," I countered, my mind torn between seeking reassurance and avoiding unnecessary distress.

Lulu paused for a moment before responding, "True as they deserve!"

"Okay, let's see how things unfold over the next few days. Maybe it's just a misguided prank or a jealous ex," I reasoned, attempting to quell the rising panic within me.

Lulu chuckled softly, "Well, your man does have quite a number of crushes. But seriously, be cautious, and if anything else happens, we'll tell him immediately. Agreed?"

"Agreed," I affirmed, feeling a sense of relief wash over me at the thought of having someone to share the burden with.

After dinner, Mamma tasked me with delivering aseobi to one of her friends who lived just on the next street from us. I told Fefe to accompany me on the errand. After exchanging pleasantries and enduring a round of congratulatory speeches and unsolicited marriage advice, we finally managed to take our leave from Hajiya Maro's house.

"Can we make a quick stop for boba tea before heading home?" Fefe suggested as we got into the car.

"Sure, but text Mamma to let her know," I replied.

As we drove to Maitama to satisfy our boba craving, our conversation drifted from one random topic to another. Amidst the chatter, I couldn't shake the feeling of impending separation from my sister. The thought of her being alone at home, reminiscent of the loneliness I felt when Ya Fahd left, weighed heavily on my heart. Moreover, I realized that without Fefe by my side, I would no longer have a partner in crime to accompany me on late-night adventures. I found myself pondering whether Muhammad would be the protective and strict type of husband who enforced curfews, or if he would be more lenient. That was the thing about him – unpredictable, with layers yet to be unraveled.