The humid, soft air of August blew over Larai's veil, making the thin material impede her view.

Slowly, she shifted the veil to its place and advanced towards Yusuf, who was leaning against his car and waiting for her.

"How was your first day?" Yusuf flashed the trademark smile of his, which Larai was crazy about. 

Larai tucked a loose strand of her hair underneath her veil and gave a curt smile. So many things had happened in one single day—she got to answer two complex questions from two different lecturers, making her known by them and other students as well. Initially, she thought she wouldn't do so well in her studies, because she had abandoned it for a whole year, but when the results of her JAMB examinations were released, she was astonished by how high her aggregate was—293. She could remember how proud Yusuf and the rest of his family were of her. When her WAEC results were released, everyone wasn't surprised by the straight As she got, for they were already aware of her capability.
"It was awesome."

"I knew you'd say that." Yusuf showed her his thumb. "Let's go? Ammi has prepared several delicacies. I can't wait to taste them." He stuck out his tongue and licked the side of his lips to accentuate his words.

Her eyes dilated and she pointed a hand to her chest. "For me?"

"And for the twins as well."

"Yusrah and Yumnah?"

"Which other twins do you know?"

"Really? You're not kidding?" She enthused. "Yusrah and Yumnah are returning from Morocco today?" It had been four long months since they left for school.

Though Larai had been in communication with them, she missed them terribly, especially Yusrah. The four months they had spent together had straightened the bond between the two of them. Literally, all they did all day long, was talk about books and nothing else.

"Yes. Yusrah didn't tell you, because she wants it to be a surprise, but I ended up ruining it. When you see her, you will have to pretend to be surprised, okay?"

Larai laughed. "Alright then, but what will my reward be?"

"Anything you ask for." He winked. "You know I can do absolutely anything for you."

"Hmm..." She placed a hand underneath her chin. "Do you see that man over there?" She pointed to an elderly-looking man donned in a white shirt, tucked into black trousers and a tie hanging around his neck.

"Yes. What about him?" He raised a brow.

"I want you to walk up to him and punch him square on the face." A mischievous grin tugged at her lips.

"What? Are you crazy?" He chuckled.
"How do you expect me to do that."

"By walking up to him and connecting your fist with his jaw." She shrugged. "It's that simple. You can't do that, can you?"

"Of course not." His lips quirked in a scornful manner.

"So much for 'I can do absolutely anything for you' I knew you were all talks when you said that." Larai derided.

"That's a ridiculous thing to ask of me. The man is old enough to be my father and even if he isn't, I just can't walk up to a stranger and punch him. What'd people think of me?"

"You see? Exactly my point. You shouldn't have used these words: 'absolutely anything'. It's cliche." She pointed out.

Yusuf groaned. "When did you become so hard to impress? I know you understand exactly what I'm meant by my words, so I won't bother explaining."

Larai suppressed a chuckle. Of course, she did understand, but because she derived pleasure in pulling his legs, she continued; "Fine then. Now, I know my stand in your life. Let's go home."

The horrified look on Yusuf's face was priceless. He looked cute—almost like a little kid, whose candy was snatched from him.

•

"How was your first day in school?" Mrs. Hadiza inquired.

Larai squirmed in her seat; on a couch the opposite of the bed, a little uncomfortable under the stare of Mr. Kasim and Mrs. Hadiza as well.

Over the months, Mrs. Hadiza had treated her with care and respect, yet she couldn't bring herself to be comfortable in her presence. "It was fine." The word emerged in a subdued voice.

"That's great." Mrs. Hadiza smiled. "And how do you like the school so far?"

"Very well." She responded. So far, she had only had good memories there. She had no reason not to like the school—at least not at the moment.

"As you ready know, we didn't apply for accommodation in the hostel, so automatically, you will have to stay here." Mr. Kasim spoke.

Larai didn't really like the idea of staying in the house, for she didn't want to continue being a burden on them. If she had a choice, she'd most definitely opt for accommodation in the hostel, but because she wouldn't be the one paying the bills, she didn't have the right to voice out her want.

"The university's path is the same as the office's, Yusuf will drop you off every morning and my driver will pick you up when you're done with your lectures. Is that okay?"

Larai nodded, swiftly—of course it was. She had no idea Mr. Kasim was that generous. They had been living in the same house for months and not once had he bother to have a lengthy talk with her and whenever she made attempts to start a conversation with him, his responses were always curt. In fact, he hardly looked her way. To him, she was more or less latent. "Thank you so much, sir."

"There's no need to thank me. Since you now live under my roof, you've become my responsibility."

A small smile donned Mrs. Hadiza's lips. "He is right." She added. "Until the day you leave this house, we will be responsible for you."

By their high level of generosity, Larai was rendered speechless. It was astonishing how strangers turned out to be more considerate of her wants than her own parents. "Tha—"

"No, no." Mrs. Hadiza was quick to cut her off. "You don't listen, do you? You tend to use the word 'thank you' a little too much. We know you're grateful for all the favors we've done for you. And believe me when I say I already consider you a daughter. I thought Yusuf was only bluffing when he said so many good things about you. I thought he was exaggerating, but when I got to know you, from the very first day we had a conversation, I took an instant liking to you. I just don't know what it is about you, but you're special. Your parents should be proud of the morals that they instilled in you. I don't want you to keep thinking we're doing you a great favor, because we're also doing all things to gain the favor of the almighty, for He loves cheerful givers."

Tears welled up in Larai's eyes. She would never be able to express her gratitude in words. The best she could do was include the good Samaritans in her prayers. "Okay."

"Good. You can do back to your room and have a rest now." Mrs. Hadiza waved a hand in dismissal.

Larai stood and turned to leave when suddenly, Yusuf's words crossed her mind. "ERM...is it true that Yusrah and Yumnah are returning from Morocco today?" The moment the question left her mouth, she wished she could take it back. It sounded puerile even to her own ears. Yusuf couldn't have possibly lied to her. She bit her lips and took in a breath.

"Yumnah just called to inform us that their flight has been canceled, so they won't be able to return today, but tomorrow." Mrs. Hadiza replied.

"Oh! May God grant them a safe journey." She prayed.

"Ameen." Mr. Kasim and Mrs. Hadiza's replies were simultaneous.

"I will leave now." Larai turned back around. She didn't wait for their response, before sauntering out of the room.

"What did they say?" Yusuf popped out from nowhere, startling Larai in the process.

Larai placed a hand on her racing chest and exhaled. "You scared me."

"It wasn't my intention. Sorry." He apologized. "I was just curious to know what you talked about with your future in-laws."

"Future in-laws." Larai tested the words on her tongue and it didn't sound bad at all, it sounded exquisite. Having such awesome in-laws is every girl's dream. Larai couldn't wait for that to actually come true. She didn't know how their reaction would be, but she had already imagined it.
Mr. Kasim would probably be indifferent since he was a man of few words only.

Mrs. Hadiza would most likely be happy about the news. Larai arrived at the conclusion due to how tender the older woman had been treating her. She even told her once that her parents should be lucky to have her as a daughter. If that was the case, then definitely, she would be happy to have her as a daughter-in-law.

Yusrah would be the happiest. She had absolutely no doubts about that. In all of the years she had lived, she had never met someone as understanding and cool as Yusrah. Even her unexpressed feelings could be interpreted by her. In a way, she reminded her so much of her Azumi. She often saw her sister in Yusrah. The duo wasn't in any way similar, but there was this certain vibe they possess—a vibe Larai couldn't put a finger on.

And Yumnah, Larai couldn't imagine how her reaction would be. Probably, she would be indifferent as well, or...unsupportive of the relationship. Either way, she made up her mind not to feel insecure. In the end, their love would conquer all obstacles. It would have to.

"Yes. Your future in-laws, in shaa Allah." He repeated. "So what did y'all talk about?" He inquired, ad they began to walk towards her room.

"Your father said there's no need for me to stay in a hostel. He wants me to be going to school from here."

"He said that?"

"Yes, but I—" She stopped herself right in time before she could utter the wrong word, at the wrong time.

"But you don't want that?" He cocked a brow.

"I do." She gave a tight-lipped smile. "It doesn't really matter where I stay, as long as I'm able to attend lectures on time." It wasn't entirely a lie. Thinking about it rationally now, she realized staying in the house wouldn't be as uncomfortable as she thought it would be. All she had to do, was give it a try and find out.

"Are you sure?" He probed. "You're really okay with staying here? If you're not, then feel—"

"It's fine by me." She cut him off. She knew he was deeply concerned about her, but she refused to use that as leverage to make him dance to her tunes. He and his family had done more than enough for her. She could give in to that little compromise if that was what they wanted. "...and your mother also mentioned that Yusrah and Yumnah's flight has been canceled, so their journey has been postponed."

"Yeah, that was what I wanted to tell you. Yumnah informed me a few minutes ago. If Allah wills, they will return tomorrow."

Larai could sense the hint of disappointment in Yusuf's voice. He didn't often show his care for his younger siblings, but deep within him, she knew he loved them a whole lot. "I pray they arrive safely."

Tomorrow being a Saturday, Larai didn't have any lectures. The fact that she would be at home when they return gladdened her.

"Ameen." Yusuf opened the door and motioned for her to go in. "See you later?"

Larai's eyes glistened in sheer admiration. She nodded and stepped into the room. "Bye." His dimpled smile was the last thing she saw before she shut the door.

After she had freshened up and changed into much lighter clothes—a silky pink gown, she lay down in her bed, her arms folded underneath her head.

Thoughts of her family surged into her mind. In spite of all the luxuries she was living in, not a single day passed without her thinking of her parents and siblings. She knew the step she took was drastic, but at that time, she didn't really have a choice. When the time is right, she prayed they would understand and forgive her for running away.

Tears ran down the side of her face. "Please forgive me, Nna, I was left with no choice. I really didn't want to get married to that horrible man. Please forgive me, Baaba."

The instant her eyelids met, she drifted to sleep.

•

Assalamualaikum/hello!

Our Larai is now an undergraduate 💃💃🥁

Do you think everything is happening so fast? I mean the storyline and all?

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