AAS AGRO BRANCH OFFICE, KANO STATE
After Ayman had left his father's chamber he couldn't think of a better place to go to that he could vent his anger except his company AAS agro- Ayman Aminu Shugaba. The main office is in Abuja but he has branch offices in almost all the 36 states in Nigeria and in few neighboring countries that were into agriculture. His company is among the best agricultural company in not just Nigeria but in Togo, Uganda, Saudi Arabia and other neighboring African countries. As he stepped into the well structured skyscraper, all his employees gathered to greet him but he completely ignored them and sauntered to his manager's office. He was looking for who to vent his anger on and the unlucky person who would make any tiny mistake would become the scapegoat. He was about to step into his private elevator when he spotted a young man and a young woman chatting with each other, they were so lost in the moment that they didn't realize the CEO had arrived. Ayman stopped in his tracks and watched the young lovers, instead of anger he felt jealous. If only Aisha was still alive. A small smile appeared on his face, just standing there and watching the young lovers he could only pray that they will have the happy ever after he didn't have. The employees by that time had noticed he was staring at the young couple and they could only feel sorry for them because they thought he would lash out on them but to their surprise he even smiled, which was something very rare, when he smiled he became deadly handsome and the female employees couldn't help but drool over him even the men couldn't help but stare at the handsome creature in front of them in awe. Instead of actually going to the manager's office to vent his pent up frustration he decided to leave the office, he was no longer angry. He entered his car and drove back home, immediately he went to his chamber and packed his things in his suitcase and put the suitcase in his car trunk but then he heard a tiny female voice behind him speak in pidgin.
"Ya Ayman, where you dey go?" Taslim asked.
"Running away." He said as he closed the car trunk and turned to face her. He looked at her outfit and then asked,
"Where are you coming from? The club?" He asked still eyeing her outfit, she was wearing a blue jeans with a white Louis Vuitton t-shirt, a trucker jacket and white sneakers. she had rolled a white turban on her head exposing her front hair which was gelled.
"Jeez, Calm down! I just went hiking with my friends."
"Oh." Ayman said, he felt relieved after what she said. He was a protective brother and cared about his sisters well being.
"And if I were you I wouldn't run away from this wedding." Taslim said, somehow Ayman always listened to her advice despite their huge age gap, he is 30 and she is 25 but he still listens to her, after all the one who is born after you tends to be your favorite sibling, though Taslim could be annoying as hell.
"Why?" He asked, he looked at her with obvious disbelief and anger, how could she easily forget about Aisha so soon? They were best of friends when she was still alive. To Ayman 3 years is too soon to forget about someone you love but 3 years is actually a long time.
"Do you know Maha S.A? She is an influencer on Instagram and she is in her final year in medical school." Taslim asked.
"I don't know any influencer on Instagram." Ayman replied, had she asked him this three years ago he would have known. He had stopped using his Instagram account ever since Aisha had died, he felt it was useless. He had shared a lot of memories with Aisha on Instagram and their fans were all looking forward to the day of their wedding but instead they got a dead bride, he had stopped Instagram since that time and he only did whatsapp and twitter.
"Are you kidding me right now ya Ayman? You even read her books and watch the movies she has written." Taslim explained, Maha is a renowned novel writer and movie writer. She wrote about action, comedy, drama, fantasy, horror, mystery and romance you just had to name it and you would find it in the collection of books and movies she had written. Ayman liked her books and movies, even Aisha liked her books when she was still alive. She had been writing books for the past 9 years since when she was just 14 according to her biography, she had only started turning her books into movies 4 years ago. Ayman liked her books and movies, in fact he could even count her in as one of his favorite writer. She is too wise for her age, even when he read her books that she had written when she was 14 he still liked them, the books were childish but her words were wise.
"And did you forget you once admitted she was beautiful?" Taslim asked breaking his train of thought. Of course how could he forget he once said she was beautiful. She was beautiful no doubt about it and he still thought she was beautiful, she is a beauty with brain.
"So? what if I said she is beautiful? Does that change anything?" Ayman asked, he was beginning to get bored, he needed to run away as soon as possible before his father or hajiya babba saw him and he could guess that what Taslim wanted to tell him is important.
"Ya ummita told me she is the one baba chose for you, it turned out that her father was actually baba's old friend. And now that I actually think about it I remember that dad once had this Arab friend when we were still living in Abuja, I think his third son was even your friend though I can't remember what his name is." Taslim kept blabbering and she didn't realize that Ayman's face had darkened the moment she said Maha is the one who is going to be his bride.
"Tessie are you sure?" He asked using her nickname.
"Yes. But wh—" Ayman didn't even wait for her to finish what she was saying, he just walked past her and entered his car and drove away in a maddening speed. He couldn't believe what his ears just heard, seriously why did it have to be her of all people? He didn't know her and he didn't have any personal grudge with her but he knew he is being punished for thinking another woman is more beautiful than his beloved Aisha. He turned his face and his eyes landed on the book she had written just 2 months ago 'last summer' the book is an American book about two high school graduates that wrestle with love and heartbreak during their final summer together, the female lead was diagnosed with cancer and she eventually died during their last summer together. She wrote books about different countries, religion and beliefs and that is what made her stand out. Though he liked the book because the female lead reminded him of Aisha, he was so frustrated that he didn't even know when he took the book and threw it out of the window. At that moment he promised himself that even if he ended up marrying her, he would never looked at her face. No woman is as beautiful as his Aisha!
~*~
ABUJA, NIGERIA
Maha's phone rang for the sixth time that evening and when it rang again Zayn finally lost it.
"hal satatawaqaf ean altajawul wakhtiar dhalik alhatif allaeayni?; will you stop walking around and pick up that damn phone?" Zayn said angrily, he was watching an interesting movie and Maha's phone kept ringing and distracting him from the movie. Farouk had been calling her but she refused to pick the call saying she didn't know what to tell him that he would feel betrayed, Farouk had even call Zayn to confirm if she was alright and Zayn said she was alright. When Farouk asked Zayn to pass the phone to Maha, Maha told him to say she had gone out.
"madha yajib 'an 'aqul lah? sawf yasheur bialkhiana; what should I tell him? He will feel betrayed." Maha said worriedly. Zayn glanced at her and when he saw she is really worried he turned off the tv and turned his attention to her, she is the only one that could make him stop watching a movie when it is getting so interesting because he cared about her. With a loud sigh he turned to face her.
"He will fell more betrayed if you don't tell him the truth little one, I have already told you."
"But I—"
"But I..." Zayn said imitating her small voice.
"That is not how my voice sounds!" Maha said, obviously displeased at the way he made her voice sound like a cat's meow.
"Of course that's how it sounds. Now as I was saying before the cockroach interrupted me—"
"I am not a cockroach!" Maha said cutting him off.
"Do you want to hear the advice or not?" Zayn asked as he rolled his eyes, he was in a hurry so he could go back to his movie.
"Sorry, I want to hear it."
"Alright then admit you are a cockroach."
"But I am not a cockroach!"
"Alright then you can go and find another advisor."
"Alright am sorry I am a cockroach." Maha said pouting her lips, faking to be sad.
"Good girl. Alright so you have to tell Farouk or do you plan to have extramarital relationship?" Zayn asked as a matter of fact.
"Ewww! No!"
"Now that's good, so now carry the phone and call Farouk and let me watch my movie peace." Zayn said as he picked up her phone and threw it at her. Timidly Maha, took the phone that had fallen on her lap and dialed Farouk's number which she had saved as 'ya amar' meaning 'my moon'.
"You might as well change his name on your contact list now." Zayn said when he peeked at her phone and saw the name she used to save Farouk's number.
"Shut up! You are not helping matters." Before Zayn could reply Farouk's voice boomed through Maha's phone.
"Babe? Are you okay? I have been calling you since morning." Farouk asked worriedly as soon as the phone got connected.
"I—I f-f-fine." Maha stuttered because of how nervous she felt. How could she break the heart of a man who had done nothing but love her for the past 2 years they have been together. She knew she had to do this, it is for her own good and his own good also!
"Baby, are you okay? Don't worry am coming to your house right now."
"No Farouk, please don't come." Of course Farouk knew she would decline but he was more than ready to argue until she finally gave in but hearing her call his name was what shattered him. She always called him 'ya amar or baby' so what is happening right now?
"W—why?" He managed to ask.
"F—Farouk I am really sorry but we can't be t—together anymore!" Maha said as she finally broke down.
"Are you fucking kidding me right now?!" Farouk shouted through the phone, she had to move the phone away from her ears so he wouldn't damage her ears.
"Am so so sorry Farouk, you should just move on. You will find someone better than me, I am really sorry."
"You are joking Maha!" He said and before Maha could answer he had already hung up. She threw the phone on the couch next to her and she slumped back on her chair.
"See that wasn't very hard." Zayn said. Maha glared at him before she answered.
"It was very hard." Maha said emphasizing on the 'very'.
Maha lay on her bed on a video call with her 3 best friends, after her phone call with Farouk she had decided to call them and update them about all that is happening in her life more especially the part that she is getting married in a month. Layla and Lana were shocked when they heard it but Aya wasn't even surprised so Maha guessed that Hussein must have already told her. The four have been best of friends for a very long time and what made them even close was the fact that they were all cousins. The four of them were all popular influencers on Instagram and the four of them were known as the 'slay sisters', they knew all about the latest fashion trends and the things they used were always very expensive considering the fact that they all came from affluent families.
"Well I'm really happy that you are no longer marrying that douchebag sweetheart, Uncle made the right decision." Layla said as she blew air on her painted nails. Maha knew she is on her period since she had painted her nails. It was general knowledge to all Muslims that your prayer is never accepted if you have nail polish on your finger, so the four of them only used nail polish when they were on their period. Layla is the bratty and haughty one among them but she is nice but is madly into the fashion world, she is more close to Maha because she likes Maha's sense of style. Lana and Aya on the other hand were quite timid and not as confidence as Maha and Layla though they also fit perfectly into the fashion world.
"So who's the lucky guy?" Lana asked excitedly. Maha opened her mouth to speak but then she heard a commotion downstairs.
"What's going on?" Lana and Aya asked, Layla who was too focused on her nails didn't even hear the commotion.
"I don't know. I will go and check, talk to you later." Maha said as she hung up the phone and ran out of her room and went downstairs. What she saw made her to almost stumble back in shock but she managed to keep her ground. Farouk had been the one causing the commotion and despite the fact that the security were holding him he was still shouting asking them to let him go, while the old butler kept trying to explain to him that they would have to let Maha know of his arrival before they let him in.
"This is not the first time I am in this house, now let me in." Farouk barked.
"You are angry mister. We can't risk letting you inside and then you harm the young miss." The old butler calmly explained.
"L—let him in." When the security guards saw Maha, they let him go.
"As you wish young miss." The old butler said and everyone left them alone.
"What was that nonsense that we can't be together?" Farouk asked.
"Am sorry, Abu has chosen a groom for me."
"You are crazy!" Farouk said and with one huge step he was in front of her and he had already curled his fingers around her neck trying to choke her.
"Farouk let me go!"
"Who is the bastard you are going to marry? Tell me and I will wipe him off the face of earth!" Farouk is the son of the governor of Bauchi state, he is a spoiled brat and he is haughty and arrogant. He had already told all his rich friends that he is going to marry an Arab lady and he knew it would be a big slap to his face if he told them they had broke up. But if he knew that the groom he called a bastard is actually Ayman Shugaba, then he would be wetting his trousers right now. His father Alhassan Alkali is a rich man but he is not even half as rich as Ayman Shugaba and Ayman isn't half as rich as his father, Aminu Shugaba even though he is the richest man in Nigeria. His father is insanely rich and starting a fight with the Shugaba's is like digging ones grave.
"Farouk, you are hurting me. Let go." Maha said as she held his wrist with her two hands trying to remove his hand, she could not breath properly because of his grip on her neck.
"Tell. Me!" Farouk shouted again, totally ignoring her pleas. Suddenly a hand landed on his face causing him to instantly release Maha and fall to the floor, it was Zayn who had punched him. Maha took in the air greedily and tried to steady her breathing.
"Get out before I hurt you!" Zayn barked.
"I deserve an explanation." Farouk said getting up from the floor.
"She already said sorry!" Zayn deadpanned.
"Sorry won't fix my broken heart!"
"Acting like a mad man won't fix your broken heart!"
"It's all his fault!" Farouk said suddenly pointing an accusing finger to Sufyan who was holding Maha's shoulder.
"Security." Sufyan called without even paying attention to him, he is not about to fight with a boy who is probably the same age as one of his sons.
"Throw him out! If you ever let him in again then you will lose your jobs." Sufyan said. At once they forcefully grabbed Farouk and took him out of the house.
"hal hadha hu al'ahmaq aladhi 'aradt alzawaj minh?; is that the idiot you wanted to marry?" Mariam asked and when Maha didn't reply she scoffed in disbelief.
"Where did you keep your brain all this time? Inside the trash can? Well I guess you are not as smart as I thought you were." Mariam said as she walked towards the stairs. She didn't care to comfort Maha because she knew her husband would do that but she was upset because of how stupid the man Maha had choose to marry behaved, she thought Maha is at least sensible to choose a responsible man.
"Pathetic!" She muttered under her breath as she entered her room.
Zayn stormed out of the house angrily and Maha left the living room crying. Sufyan just stood there as if he had become a statue. Farouk's outburst reminded him of his parents love story. The story was so thrilling and everyone knew it within Nigeria and Saudi Arabia, some authors even wrote a book about his parents. Even Maha had written about her grandparent's love story but hers was the first that was turned into a movie. A Hausa lady never rebelled she did whatever her parents said, her opinion didn't matter and such was the case of Khadijah but when she met his father Abdullah and they fell in love things changed when her father refused to give her hand in marriage. She did not just rebel but she rebelled for a man! That was the worst kind of rebellion in Hausa land. When her father adamantly refused she eloped with Abdullah with the help of his father since his father was in full support. Khadijah lived in Saudi Arabia for 2 years though she was still not married to Abdullah, Abdullah's father said they would have to wait for her father's consent. Eventually her father agreed because he felt honored that even though she had ran away she still did not get married and was waiting for his consent. Surprisedly the Arabians didn't mind having a Nigerian queen as long as she wasn't the one ruling them. Khadijah had died 3 years ago and Abdullah didn't even shed a single tear, he only smiled and said that the memories they had together would keep him sane until the day he would finally meet her in heaven. Sometimes you would find him staring into space just smiling to himself and when you asked why he was smiling he would say he had remembered a memory he shared with Khadijah. When most people cried over the memory of their dead ones, Abdullah smiled!
Sufyan knew that Maha is water while Farouk is fire but she is not the water destined to extinguish the fire. Farouk had to find another water to extinguish his fire but Maha is not the water that would extinguish his fire, there is another fire that she had to extinguish which is far bigger than Farouk's fire!