After the death of Larai's father, things took a drastic change for Larai and her mother.

Her mother was completely broken, but fortunately for her, Larai was there to take care of her. Larai tried her best to fill the void in her mother's heart, although it was not easy. She felt so bad for her mother because she had not completely healed from the death of her child and then her husband had to pass away too.

The house was always as quiet as a graveyard. Larai tried all she could to make her mother smile again. It was a mission of hers to make her mother the happiest woman in the world. After what happened, Larai decided never to leave her mother again. She decided to do everything in her power to ensure her mother had a better life and she would stop at nothing to rectify her mistake of abandoning her once before.

Larai also made sure to visit her three older siblings. They were all living happily with their spouses. It baffled Larai how they were forced, yet happy.

Her eldest sister, Inke, whom she fondly called YaInke, had four kids—two boys and girls, and the husband was extremely nice to her. Although he was a lot older than Inke, he was still fit and handsome. Larai was surprised to find out that he was a little educated as well. He gave her a very warm welcome and asked her to visit again.

Witnessing how gentlemanly Inke's husband was, Larai felt at ease. She was rest assured that he would never maltreat her even though he had a second wife.

Before leaving, Larai tried to convince her sister to move to the city with her family, but she vehemently rejected the offer for she knew her husband would never agree as he was the village head.

Not able to convince her sister, Larai gave up. She offered her sister a sum of one hundred thousand naira to start up a small business in the village to be able to send her kids to school. She also promised to keep in touch.

Her next stop was at her second sister,  Asabe's house. Growing up, Larai was closer to her YaAsabe than any of her siblings. They used to do practically everything together until her hand was given to a successful farmer in a faraway village. She was only seventeen then, but she had matured a lot. Nna used to praise her for her maturity. She was also very hard-working and strong-willed. Unlike Inke, she didn't throw even the slightest tantrum at the news of her marriage, and that made Baaba and Nna happy—Baaba especially. Asabe's wedding was the grandest amongst the sisters. It didn't come as a surprise to the sisters for she was Baaba's favorite.

Larai almost couldn't recognize her sister. She had grown darker and skinnier. Asabe was so surprised to see her sister because she had only seen her about only five times since she got married. The sisters sat and bonded. Larai found out Asabe had seven children—five girls and two boys but she was the only wife of her husband. Larai tried to find out if her husband was good to her and she affirmed that he was. For some reason, Larai didn't believe her. She wanted to see it for herself because the last thing she wanted, was for another of her sibling to go through what Azumi suffered...

Larai was finally convinced that the husband was a good man when he returned and brought home a lot of fish and other food items for the family. She also noticed Asabe's husband was soft-spoken and caring. The fact that his children were close to him proved to Larai that he indeed was a good father, and maybe a good husband too. Enough for her was that her sister was living comfortably and didn't have any regrets whatsoever.

It was almost evening when Larai arrived at her immediate older sister, Laruba's house. Unlike Inke and Asabe, Laruba was mad at Larai was eloping. She blamed her for the tragedy that befell their youngest sister. In her words, they all followed their parents wish and were leaving happily with their spouses, but Larai chose to be the black sheep of the family.

Although her words hurt, the way she threw accusations at Larai and all that, she wasn't offended because her sister didn't lie. Had she gone ahead and gotten married to Zakari, then Azumi would probably not have to suffer a lot before giving up the ghost.

They were able to talk things out and makeup. Larai explained how guilty she still felt and Laruba told her it was the will of God.

Laruba had three children—all boys and was expecting her fourth child in a few months. Larai was a bit disappointed to find out that her husband had recently taken a fourth wife, but Laruba assured her that it wasn't a big deal for her as long as he would treat them equally.

Larai was extremely glad to have visited all of her sisters. She took it upon herself to improve their lives in the village, as they had no interest in leaving their villages. It was the little she could do to make up for what happened to Azumi.

Poor Azumi.

•

It was raining.

Larai was seated in their outdoor kitchen, about to make dinner for her mother, when she felt a figure hovering over hers.

"Larai."

Yusuf.

Yusuf was the last person Larai expected to see in front of her. She had lost all hopes that he would return because ever since he left on the day she pushed him away, he hadn't returned. And sincerely, Larai was worried—worried that he would never return.

Because Yusuf didn't have an umbrella and was completely drenched in the rain, Larai decided to invite him into the kitchen.

Without hesitating, Yusuf stepped in and sat on a stool across from her. 

Larai offered him a cup of hot beverage which he accepted with a small smile. 

"I really need that. Thank you." He mumbled, bringing the cup to his lips. "Ah!" He let out a shrieked and puffed out air from his mouth.

Larai rushed to his side. "What's wrong?"

"Too hot." He responded, sticking out his tongue.

"Sorry." Larai apologized. "I didn't know it was that hot. You should have checked before drinking it."

Yusuf hummed in response.

"I'm sorry." Larai apologized again; this time, it was obviously not because of the tea.

Larai lowered her head, not knowing where to start from.

Yusuf hummed again.

Larai swallowed, before mustering the courage to continue speaking. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said all those things to you. I was...I was shocked by the news. You should understand I felt betrayed because you decided to keep such a big secret from me."

"It's okay," Yusuf sipped his tea. "I understand."

His words made Larai feel even more remorseful than she already felt. Despite the harsh words and disrespect, he was still so understanding towards her. "I thought you left." She voiced.

"I didn't." He replied, taking another sip of his tea.

Larai furrowed her brows. "Where have you been staying?"

"I went to Agaie. I have been staying at an inn."

"It must have been really stressful for you." Larai thinned her lips in a line. "I thought you went back to the city."

"It wasn't," he shook his head in denial. "I couldn't leave even though you threw me out."

"Thanks for not leaving."

"How could I leave, when our aim of coming here hasn't even been achieved."

A lone tear escaped Larai's eyes, but she was quick to wipe it. "Baaba is gone."

"Innalillahi wa Inna ilaihi raji'un! I'm so sorry for your loss. When did this happen?"

"He died two days ago," She responded. "He was very sick."

"May Allah forgive and grant him Paradise."

"Ameen. Before he died, he gave us his blessings. He is in support of our marriage."

Larai watched as a smile curled up his lips. "Really? He said so himself?"

Larai gave a smile and nodded.

"Perfect!" Yusuf dropped the mug and joined his palms together. "Ammi called. She wants to know when they can come for the introduction. How's tomorrow?"

Larai shrugged. "Fine by me."

"Alright," Yusuf spoke. "It's decided then. I will call and inform them right away."

•

"Hey, Larai! Aren't you done for the day? You've been in front of that computer for more than five hours now." Safiya whined.

For a moment, Larai took her eyes off the screen and adjusted her spectacles. "I haven't reached my word count for the day."

"Ten thousand words in a day is too much, Larai. You're over-stressing yourself. And besides your wedding is in two weeks. You're supposed to be preparing for that instead."

Larai flashed her friend a smile. "I don't think so. I want to be able to finish this book within this week. Yes, my wedding is in two weeks, that's even a better reason I want to finish this book very soon."

After Baaba passed away and Yusuf's family had come and carried out all of the rites for the introduction, Larai came up with the decision to write her first book—a true-life book, motivated by the death of Azumi.

Larai wanted to be able to spread awareness and to stop the forcing of minors into marriages. She had only begun writing two months ago, yet she was almost done. It was her goal to complete the book before her wedding, which was only two weeks away.

"I know." Safiya sighed. "You've told me before, but I just can't imagine writing ten thousand words in a day. That's too much. How you think of  these ideas baffles me."

"I don't have to think hard. Once I'm in front of my laptop, the ideas keep flowing like a river. It's so natural." Larai smiled.

"Oh! Wow! What is your story even about?" Safiya inquired, trying to steal a glance at her work.

Larai quickly shut the laptop. "It's a secret. When the book is completed, I will send you a copy."

Safiya shrugged. "Since you don't have my time, I'm leaving. Tomorrow is Monday. I have a job interview to prepare for. Bye." She picked her bag and dashed out of the room before Larai could reply to her.

Safiya had visited since about seven hours ago. Larai felt bad for ignoring her and focusing on her work instead, but she knew Safiya understood.

She heaved a sigh of fatigue, before picking her ringing phone from the table. "Hello, Yusuf?"

"I think it's about time you stopped calling me by my name." That was the first thing he told her.

"Oh, really?" Larai chuckled, reclining backward in her seat. "What should I call you?"

"My heart, sweetheart, baby...anyone."

Larai couldn't stop herself from bursting into laughter. "Are you serious right now?"

"Of course," he sounded serious indeed. "I wish you were here to see how serious I am."

"But if I remember correctly, you also me by my name. Do you plan to change that as well? Don't you think you should do it first?"

"I have already thought of a special name for a special person. I won't disclose until after our wedding. You have enough time to think of a suitable nickname for me as well. When we get married, I won't allow you to call me Yusuf. I will just ignore you if you do."

"Alright, Sir." Larai laughed. She liked it whenever he acted so cheesy. It made her forget all of her worries.

"Stop laughing. I meant every word I said."

"I have heard you. Noted."

"Good. How's Nna? Is she close by?"

"No. She's sleeping in the room." Larai replied.

Ever since Larai left the village with her mother, Yusuf had insisted they stayed at his house, but Larai refused because Mr. Kasim was there. Though he had apologized and she had forgiven him for what he did to her, she still didn't want to be around him—it would be uncomfortable. As a last resort, he rented a suite—a single room and a parlor for them.

Left with no choice, Larai had to accept. Had it not been because of her mother, she would have stayed with Safiya instead. She didn't want to burden Yusuf with hers and her family's responsibilities. They weren't even married yet.

"I hope you've arranged dinner for my soon-to-be mother-in-law. I don't want her to wake up and not have anything to eat."

"I haven't. I have been busy, but I will do that before she wakes up. I read your message on why you couldn't visit today. How's Ammi's health?"

"She's feeling much better now. It was a migraine, but it's gone now."

"Thank God. I was so worried. I wanted to visit."

"Really? You can still do that."

Larai understood why he sounded so eager for her to visit. Since the incident two months ago, she hadn't stepped a foot in the house. Not that she didn't want to, but because she hadn't had the chance to. With her ongoing book and the wedding preparations, she had been swamped.

"No." She chuckled. "I have decided to give her a call instead."

"But Yusrah and Yumnah miss you a lot."

"Oh! really? Then why did Yusrah call yesterday to inform me that she and Yumnah would be visiting me today?"

Yusuf groaned. "I miss you. It's been two days since I saw you. You won't visit and you won't allow me to visit either. I'm going bananas."

Larai blushed. "What will you do when I tell you that we are not allowed to see each other until the wedding day."

"That's impossible! Who hates me so much?"

"Our mothers." Larai laughed. "It's just two weeks. You don't have to overreact."

"I have all reasons to overreact. That's practically a lifetime. I can't believe you're allowing them to do that to us. Don't you want to see me as well?"

"No." She denied. "I don't. Not at all."

"Good night then." He ended the call before Larai could tell him she was only kidding.

"Don't tell me he is angry. What a big baby." Larai chuckled. "Big baby." She repeated the words. "He wanted a nickname? Well, I think I just found one. Big baby!"

She dialed his number, but he didn't pick up. "Still angry, are we? I should send him a message then. He won't be able to ignore it."

I miss you too, big baby.
—larai.

She sent the message and in less than ten seconds, she got a reply from him.

Big baby? Who's that?
—Yusuf .

Larai chuckled and typed back.
Who else, but one fair-skinned, tall, childlike, stubborn man I know. Bye.
—Larai.

She turned off her phone and kept it aside so she could focus on completing her novel.

•