Some people often mistake love for lust and lust for love. Love is a pure and unadulterated feeling that comes naturally, not for the sake of beauty, wealth, intelligence, race or status. It is like magic that happens in a blink of an eye, before you even realise it, before you can control it and once you're in then you're in for life, It can waiver, it can fade but will never ever leave the heart.

*

Abdullah is fifty years old with a heart of a twenty years old young man. He is full of life and youthfulness. He has four wives and fifteen children. Seven of whom are males and eight females. His fourth and youngest wife died a year ago at child birth. He is a good father and a sweet husband who treat his wives with a rare kind of love and care. The only thing missing in his household is caring wives, none of his wives take care of him the way he want them to, they are not caring neither romantic. They will only use soothing words when they are in need of money, they are only gentle and sweet when they are in need of a favour hence the reason why he wants to Marry Khadijah, the girl who captures his heart from the very first time he set eyes on her, hoping that she will make him happy and fulfill his dreams of having a sweet romantic and modern wife who knows how to take good Care of her husband.

He knew that Khadijah is bound to freak out upon seeing him, admittedly he's zero in looks and youthfulness but he has something to offer her that she can hardly find in young men of today and that is love, care, understanding and peace of mind. If only she knew the kind of love and care he has in store for her.

He knew that she's a divorcee with kids, he has seen her with them countless times and he will agree to take care of the three of them after he married Khadijah. The love of his life.

He has been standing by the door for over an hour waiting for khadijah to come back home . As if reading his mind, he heard the sound of her footsteps coming into the house. She did not even notice him until he cleared his voice.

" Good afternoon " she greeted looking exhausted, she must have had a hectic day in school. He thought to himself.

" Afternoon Princess how was school "he asked feeling on top of the world.

" Alhamdulillah thank you " she curtly replied ambling into the house only to be stopped by him.

" I have waited here for long but it seems like you are tired and what I came to discuss with you is very important and I need you to be in a good mood "

" I am so sorry, not to be rude to you , but I don't think we have anything to discuss, I am betrothed already and it will be nice if you don't contact me or come here again " she apologized and quickly turned to avoid looking at his heartbroken expression afraid it will make her resolve waiver.

He is a very nice man but she can't, she cannot marry him nor Haroun . she's done with men it's her studies she will now give her all to.

She was shocked to meet mommy taking sugar cane in the living room and laughing at something ummie said. When did she come? How comes no one tell her that she will be coming and why did she come? Are the questions she have at the tip of her tongue but did not get to voice them out.

" Welcome school girl, how was school and the sugar daddy out there ? " mommy asked with her signature teasing tone.

" Alhamdulillah old woman, I am not going to ask about your trip because I am unaware of it " retorted Khadijah .

" You lack respect for your mom's elder sister and soon to be mother in law " that statement made khadijah halt in her steps turning with eyes wide like saucers.

"Mother in law kuma? Do you have another son that I don't know of?? "

" maybe, maybe not, go and rest then we will have a talk, Afreen sends her love and gifts " replied mommy shooing her away.

" I hope she accepts this proposal I am so worried about her "said Ummie taking a bite of sugar cane.

" in shaa Allah she will. I have also given up hope on kaybee proposing by himself but then daddy gave me the good news out of the blue " mommy assured.

A week earlier , mommy was telling Aneesa who came to visit them from Zamfara about the kind of chaos going on in Khadijah 's life not knowing that she forgot to hang up kaybee 's call who was on the other end listening to the conversation between his mother and sister about a certain woman who invades his day and night without his permission.

He had spent the next day pacing up and down thinking of a way to make Khadijah his before it's too late for him. He just realised that all the time he wasted trying to deny his feelings for her he is actually falling deeper and now he has reached the point of no return.

He decided to give his dad a call knowing that he might reason with him, he don't want to tell mommy first fearing that she will laugh at him and make a joke out of the whole issue only if he had known that more than anyone mommy wish for nothing than to see them together as man and wife.

He summoned the courage finally and dialled his father.

" Assalamu Alaikum daddy how are you? " he nervously speaks clutching the phone like a shield.

" Wa'alaikassalam kabeer I am fine Alhamdulillah how about you? How is work? " replied daddy cheerily.

"Alhamdulillah all good. Amm daddy it's about the marriage issue I think it will be better if I marry someone from the family " he stammered .

" That is not a bad idea, I was thinking of the same thing too , Who do you have in mind son? " daddy smiled knowingly.

Kaybee's heart beat accelerates praying hard in his mind that daddy will say yes before finally saying

" Khadijah daddy, I think she will be a good mother to Afreen and I to the twins in shaa Allah "

" Mashaa Allah , that's a nice idea, I will consult your mother and Khadijah 's parents myself " Daddy assured and kaybee felt like a weight has been lifted off his shoulders.

That was how kaybee proposed and the main reason of mommy and daddy coming to kano, daddy went to meet Baba at the office hence the reason why Khadijah did not see him when she came back from school.

**

Since the day he caused a scene at Zee's house and the way Zee and Taheer embarrassed him. He backed off a little and now he's summoned by his father and he hope it's good but the way his father dished out the command doesn't sound good at all.

He hardly say the salam when coming in and the way he came in shows that he's really a bad person.

What he did not expect is to see his father Alhaji Sani, Baba and another man he has never seen in his life sitting on the couch with a disappointed look marring their features.

" Uhmmm Assalamu Alaikum " he greeted awkwardly pretending to be shy.

" Alhaji have you seen what I just finished telling you about Haroun? He's my son but a conniving person, he has deceived countless of people and I am glad that you have come to me before taking a major decision that will ruin your daughter's life " Alhaji sani sadly stated.

Unknown to Haroun he was summoned by his father to answer a query as to why he went to seek for khadijah 's hand in marriage without consulting him and to tell them who the man who posed as his best friend is.

Right there and then, Haroun knows that he has lost his favorite conquest and for the first time in a long time he felt ashamed of himself and the things he has done.

" I am sorry Baba " he apologized

" You're not sorry Haroun, I am glad you decided to honor my invitation and all your deceptive attitudes didn't go unnoticed by your mother and I, Khadijah will not marry you, she's going to marry someone else and I command you never to contact her or bother her again " Alhaji Sani said dismissively.

Baba was astonished upon hearing all the horrible things that Haroun has been doing and once again he realised his mistake of not consulting Alhaji Sani after Haroun's visit to his house. What if it has been too late and his dearest daughter will be married to another monster again. He will never forgive himself if that happens.

" Alhamdulillah , I am so happy that this issue is resolved and I am glad that Malam Aliyu(Baba) have an honest friend like you Alhaji Sani, may Allah guide Haroun aright and may He give you the courage to keep doing good and praying for him " said daddy sipping juice from a tumbler.

" In shaa Allah we will not relent in praying for him. Congratulations and I pray that Allah will bless the union between our children Khadijah and Kabeer " replied Alhaji Sani with a smile and they continued talking about business and politics.

Later that night after dinner the whole family gathered in the living room to discuss the matter that brought mommy and Daddy to kano.

" Khadijah you know that as your father I've always wish the best for you and I will not intentionally ask you to do something which will cause you pain or endanger your life in any way " Baba started while Khadijah nodded in affirmation .

" Alhaji Yousouf and Hajia Khadijah have come with a proposal and your mother and I have already said yes " Khadijah 's heart started thumping in her chest . sweat started dripping down her forehead, she is too scared to move a limb.

" I can only tell you what is right and lead you but I can't force you in this matter my dear, but I honestly think that it will be for the best in shaa Allah if you agree to marry Kabeer.

One he is your brother and you've both known each other all your lives. two, he has gone through a bad marriage same as you. Three he is broken with a child who is in need of a mother figure in her life and same goes to you too " Baba further explained the sitting room eerily quite.

" Deejan, I know that you're scared and no one will blame you for feeling that way, in shaa Allah all will be well and this union will work out. " Ummie chipped in.

" Take Afreen and the twins into consideration D, you will still continue with your studies " Mommy said.

" I know that it will be hard for you to say no considering the fact that we are all in support of this marriage my dear but don't feel shy to say no if you are not okay with the idea " Daddy interjected.

The elders kept on telling khadijah the advantages of getting Married to Kaybee and the khair they foresee in it before finally telling her to think about it before giving her answer.

Kaybee on the other hand is at home, pacing up and down with his phone in hands waiting for a message from Ummie to tell him how things went but none came and he don't want to call her In case they are still in the meeting.

It was already late and he has started dozing off when his phone beeped indicating an incoming message which made him feel awake in an instant.

Am sorry son. She said no!

Kaybee started seeing double and palpitating. He felt like his heart will burst out of his chest right that instant and with shaky hands he dialled Ummie 's number.

" Ummie for Allah 's sake tell me you're joking " he sounded on the verge of tears.

" When did I become your grandmother for me to joke around with you on a serious issue " Ummie managed to sound serious but in reality she's trying so hard not to burst into a fit of laughter.

" Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun, I am doomed Ummie. I've lost her and now I will never find happiness in my life " He didn't try to hide the strain in his voice and the lone tear cascading down his cheeks.

Both of them didn't say a word but are still connected.

" Kabeer calm down and pray, she didn't actually say no but you have to wait for a few days, but promise me that you are not going to get yourself worked up over this, just pray and pray till everything is alright and in shaa Allah D's decision will be for khair " Being a mother Ummie had to tell kaybee the truth afraid that he might break down.

" okay Ummie in shaa Allah I will try ".

Sleep evade the two soon to be married heart broken divorcees that night. Kaybee kept tossing and turning while Khadijah was in sujood seeking for Allah 's guidance, praying fervently for Him to choose the best for her.

Not able to calm his fast beating heart kaybee dialled Khadijah's number who at that time is reciting the Quran.

Seeing his name popped up made electric currents jolt in her being and she shivered a little. She didn't pick the call until it cuts and a few seconds later a message came in.

I know that you're awake D please pick the call.

With a sigh she picked the call and said the salam in a calm tone.

" Wa'alaikissalam D how are you? " he inquired.

" Am fine Alhamdulillah how about you? " she replied.

" Fine too" they both kept quite for long agonizing seconds none ready to say a word.

" I am so sorry, please forgive me " kaybee finally rambled off before he could mess things up.

" It's okay, I have forgiven you before you ask for it "

" Thank you! Please think about the proposal in shaa Allah it will be for the best " he assured.

Khadijah felt like kaybee is playing with her, who the hell does he think he is?why didn't he talk to her first before telling his parents? Is he going to stay with her or their parents after marriage?

" Ya kaybee why didn't you tell me first? Are you trying to tell me that my feelings don't matter or what? Am I some kind of a conquest for you? Do you even have feelings for me or you just want to marry me out of pity?am I a charity case for you? The other time you made mommy compel me Into accepting your so called gift of an exorbitant amount of money, was it to buy me off? " she shrilled and kaybee was too stunned to breath.

" D please don't give my actions another meaning that contradicts my intentions, by Allah I have never mean any harm towards you, I have gone through pain and believe me when I tell you that I can relate to what you have gone through. I am so sorry if I ever made you feel cheated, like a charity case or compelled to do anything, I care for you more than you can ever imagine and I hope that you will give me a chance to prove to you that my feelings for you are pure " Kaybee said with a soft apologetic tone.

" It is okay and I am sorry for speaking to you that way "

" Khadijah " the way he called her name send chills down her spine, her name sounds too sweet coming from him.

" na'am " she answered

" Please say yes " he pleaded

" I will " she concurred and that made him the happiest man on earth, and he felt like a teenage boy drunk with love for his soul mate.

" Thank you angel" he did not just call her angel did he?

" You're most welcome ya kaybee " she managed to say blushing hard.

" Goodnight and make sure I am in your dreams because you're always in mine. left to me we should talk all night but you have school and I have work " they bade each other goodnight hearts at ease in anticipation of what is to come. The burnt embers of their former love ebbing away.

The next morning Khadijah woke up around 10 for school like a zombie but she did not mind that, she just can't wait to break the news to Zee whose wedding day is fast approaching .

"Good morning old people " she greeted ummie and mommy cheerily swinging her bag and munching on a toasted bread.

" Morning ! " they chorused back in reply.

After eating her breakfast she bid them goodbye and left for school.

" she looks happy and in a good mood I hope all is well " Observed Ummie.

" I noticed that too, she will be fine just wait and see. "

Khadijah's head is nowhere near the lecture hall and she kept texting Zee reminding her to meet her outside the lecture theater. Her new friend had to nudge her several times before she looked up to the board not comprehending what the lecturer was saying .

After the lecture D hurriedly went out of the lecture hall as if she has been pricked by a needle.

Upon reaching where Zee was casually seated typing away on her phone she cleared her throat seeking for attention.

"Guess what?? " D said over excitedly .

"Lemme guess, only one thing can make you this happy " zee pretended to be deep in thoughts.

" Ehen, zee am dying to tell you please stop wasting time "

" Seriously I have no idea D you tell me " she said trying to hide the smile playing on her lips.

" Allah sai kinyi guessing " D insisted.

" It can't be anything other than Ya kaybee proposed and you are about to say yes or have already done that "

"OmG!!! How did you know that?? " D asked astonished.

"I am your Best friend girl and I know that you love him and he loves you too so the only thing that will make you hyper is his proposal " Zee casually stated smiling widely.

" I don't know whether I love him yet, but I am positive about the proposal ".

" Damn right you're okay with it, don't even dare say you ain't okay with it because I will cease being your best friend " Zee warned and D chuckled.

" Yes ma'am " D mocked saluted.

Zee gave D a side hug " I am so happy for you D, you both deserve all the happiness in this world and only you two can give that to each other Alhamdulillah you're almost there "

D's eyes welled up with tears but she quickly willed them back not wanting to cry.

°•°
Kaybee's supporters I need a box of chocolates & a cup of coffee.

To Haroun and Grandpa Abdullah's fans I am sorry don't slaughter me.

Thanks for reading.