***Aaryan's pov***
ONE WEEK TO THEIR WEDDING

"Aaryan I think you should tell her you don't wanna Marry her" my best friend, bilal said as I told him about my dilemma.

"you think I don't wanna tell her, I wanna stay as far away from this marriage drama " I said sweating.

" guy! Marry her and show her shegai( who's boss )"my other friend sani said.

"kai sani she's a poor girl, how can Aaryan do that to her? "bilal said clearly angry.

" guys I'm going home" I said with the thought of what bilal said in my mind ,should I tell her how I feel about this marriage or should I just do what Abba said. all this thought were running through my head as I drove home

"I'll tell her tomorrow, I'll even send it to her on WhatsApp" i thought as I hooped out of my car and went straight to my room avoiding all the eyes that were looking at me, I showered first then came out and got dressed. I picked up my phone and switched on my mobile data and went into WhatsApp where I saw maryams number which I saved earlier so I dropped her a message.

"hey maryam it's me, Aaryan. I wanted to tell you the truth about me, my true feelings concerning this marriage, I don't really want to marry you. At first when my dad told me I protested but he threatened me and I had to agree .I just want to tell you that all the smile you saw last week were all a sham I was only putting on an act and I want to make it clear to you that I won't ever be yoursneither will I ever love you" I wrote it all and I sent it and immediately I got a reply from her.

"our marriage is in a week time and I don't actually want to marry you but I have to, so don't think I'm also in this" she typed back and I hissed.

"OK but please say no to your dad maybe he'll reconsider" I typed back, trying to control my boiling rage.

"I can't its a mater of my brothers life" she" she typed back.

"well get ready for hell on earth, marrying me will be the biggest mistake you have ever made" I typed Angrily.

"trust me, I've got nothing to loss" she typed back, she's got allot of Nerves.

" I promise you'll regret ever agreeing to marry me" I texted her and I got no reply and with that I switched off my phone, maryam get ready for hell on earth . I thought as I switched off my night lamp and dozed off .

Maryams pov

"Damm! "Amal said as I showed her the messages that were texted to me by Aaryan. at first I couldn't believe it but I had to because duh these is an arranged marriage

"maryam please don't marry this him. he's a bad person" amal said with tears in her eyes, emotional amal.

"I'm doing it for hamis, if I don't agree my brother will remain in the custody of the police" I said with tears cascading down my eyes. I won't lie, I'm extremely scared of Aaryan ,most of the messages I texted, I wanted to delete it. But he's fast.

"maryam!, Please tell your Dad, Aaryan isn't good, he'll make you suffer " amal said crying harder this time

"like I said, I can't " I said whilst leaving my room.

FOUR DAYS TO THEIR WEDDING

I sat on my bed along side Amal and my aunty ralia, amals mum.

"maryam your wedding is in four days but you don't seem to act like other brides, you aren't smiling. You aren't happy" my aunty said calmly whilst holding my hands

"I'm happy" I simply said.

" wallahi (I swear) I can't take this. mum, she isn't happy about this marriage, Aaryan is evil and he has even threatened her about it" amal said in tears and I tried to stop her by giving her a warning glare but she ignored me and spoke

"that's it, I'll speak to your dad and this damn wedding will be called off" aunty ralia said clearly angry but I had to stop her. I explained to her my situation and my dilemma, should I chose between my happiness or my brother.

"Aunty please understand"I said and she bursted into tears

"maryama why?" she said Whilst crying and I joined in and so did amal.

"Can I come in" my gyran jiki (spa) lady came inn.

"maryam its time for your gyran jiki treatment" my aunty said clearly looking sad. And we started another session of body treatment.

THREE DAYS TO GO

Today is my henna party stuff and all the family members mostly girls are gathered in my house, they're all getting their designs done. mine is being done by the head of the team.

"Amarya kinyi take away fah (bride you look nice)" the henna artist complimented as she stared at my face.

"thanks"I said with a fake smile.
After a while of henna designs, we were all done with our henna Party and my mum didn't come.

"maryam your henna looks dark " Amal complimented with a sad face and I just let out my famous fake smile which I'm used to.

Now I'm waiting for the most horrible day of life to come, my wedding.

"Maryam get up! Its time for the event "Amal woke me up for the last event of the day which is my wedding fathia and I'm not attending, brides aren't allowed There.

my make-up artist came in and did some simple makeup but I looked nice.

"Wow you look more prettier than all the brides I've ever done Makeup for " the makeup artist said whilst adding the last touch of makeup.

"thank you" I simply said with a sad face.

As time went, my wedding fathia started and I heard it over the phone and the last words were said

"an daura Auren Aaryan Mahmud dah maryam mairaba ah sadaki dubu Dari biyu (the marriage of Aaryan Mahmud and maryam mairaba has been finalised under the Amount of two hundred thousand naira)" the imam said and like most bride I'm supposed to be happy and shy and all this but the only thing I felt was fear, the fear of Aaryan.

I'm now the wife of this monster, I could hear yodeling coming from downstairs, my Aunt came in with her women squad, my other annoying auntie's. they all came in giving me their annoying advice, one was even teaching me how to seduce my husband by wearing skimpy clothing and by throwing my self on him, ewww I'll never do that especially with that MONSTER.

"please give us some space" aunty ralia said as she made everyone leave and they did.

"maryam if he tries hurting you in any way, call me an I'll teach him a lesson" my aunt said in fury

"yes o maryam call us " amal said.

"OK" I simply said with tears cascading down my eyes.

"maryam you will be conveyed in thirty minute" I'm officially dead, I stayed in my room hoping I'll see my mumy but she didn't show, instead an old lady came inn and she talked to me before leaving, that was weird though.

"MARYAM" my dad called my name as he walked inn and then some fresh tears began.

he talked to me on so many what to do and what not to do.

"za kai ta yanzu(she'll be taken now) my aunt said and my dad just placed a light kiss on my forehead and with that, I left for my house. yes the monsters house, our house.

I drove with Amal and I in the same car, I got there and amal and I walked to my room. we didn't even tour around the house like most brides do.

"Maryam take heart" amal said probably because I was sobbing terribly .

"Ok" I simply said

"I know you'll miss us" she said playfully,

miss who?, amal I wished you were in my heart and you'll know how fear Hoover's around it.

"yes I will"I said and my sob became louder.

"I'll leave you now"Amal said getting up but I held her tight while sobbing hard.

"maryam be strong or else he'll think you're weak" amal said trying to hide her face which is probably filled with tears.

"I'll come see you tomorrow" amal said as she twisted the door knob and left, I'm all alone and only god knows what's in stalk for me.