We at BMW do not build cars as consumer objects, just to drive from A to B. We build mobile works of art.” ~Chris Bangle

"So what have you decided?" Zainab's father asked her the next morning. 

Zainab looked up from her bowl of cereal.  "Did you leave me any choice?" A scowl marred her face.  

Her father grimaced and shook his head. "I just wanted to make sure you are on the same page with us?"

She shrugged and toyed with her spoon.  "You made it clear there are no other pages." She gripped the spoon as anger and frustration welled within her.  

"I am glad you understand the situation. We can't afford to upset the Yakubus." 

"That's not surprising," she muttered under her breath.  

"Did you say something?" He asked. 

"No," she lied and took a spoonful of food.  

"Okay. There's another thing."

"What again?" Her shoulders slouched as dread filled her.  

"Danladi requested to meet with you this afternoon at 4."

"Oh!" Her stomach flipped. " What for?" 

His eyes darkened. "He didn't specify."

"Hmm," her brows drew together. "Well, I have classes today."

"No problem. Just be back before 4." 

"Okay," she said and turned back to her food. 

The clanking of cutlery engulfed the silence as each family member focused on their meal and thoughts.  Zainab finished her food and stood up with her plate. Following her family's tradition, she thanked her parents before leaving the table.  

"Zainab," her mother called her as she turned to go.  

"Yes, Uwa?" She turned around.  

"When you get ready come downstairs; we have something to show you." 

Her forehead wrinkled and her stomach squeezed. "Okay…I will be back soon."

Her mother smiled slightly before turning away.  

As Zainab walked to the kitchen, she couldn't help but wonder what her parents wanted to show her. 

Oh Lord, please don't let it be something that will turn my life upside down again.  

She hurried into the kitchen to wash her plate and whatever dirty dish was in the sink. After keeping the utensils in their proper places, she went to her room to prepare for school.  

Several minutes later, she was clad in a black A-line dress with a black scarf tied around her head.  An ensemble that matched her sour mood. She looked at the mirror and frowned at the bags under her eyes. A sign of her sleepless night.  

Yesterday, after leaving her mother, she raced to her room and spent the rest of the day in tears. Even when her sister brought her dinner, she refused to eat and her sister finally departed with disappointment. She spent the night tossing and turning with tears dripping down her face.  

She turned away from the mirror and slipped into her black sneakers. After placing her essentials in her backpack, she flung it over her shoulder, left the room and went downstairs.  

Her sister greeted her with a smile as she reached the end of the stairs.

"Kana lafiya?" Her sister touched her arm.  

"Ina lafiya," she murmured. 

Amina looked doubtful but didn't prod for more answers. "Let's go. Uwa and Uba are waiting for us outside."

Zainab's breath caught and unease bubbled within her. "Do you know what they want to show me?" 

"No. They just told me to bring you outside."

Zainab puffed out a breath. "Honestly I can't bear another shock."

"Don't worry. I'm sure it's not so bad." Amina sent her an encouraging smile.  

Amina opened the door and they stepped outside into the morning sun. Their parents turned around and smiled. 

"Come here, dear." Zainab's father pulled her close. "Have a look at this."

Zainab followed the direction her father was pointing and her jaw dropped in shock. 

"You got a new car!" she exclaimed as she stared at the red BMW convertible car parked in front of the house.  

Her father grinned. "Yes, I did. And it's for you." 

"Me?" Her eyes bulged.

"Yes." Her mother drew closer and handed her a file and the car keys.  "It's your birthday present." She smiled. 

"Really?" Zainab gaped.  

Her father wrapped his arm around her. "Happy birthday, dear. We didn't plan for things to get so bad yesterday."

Zainab looked between her father and mother and a smile slowly spread across her lips. For that moment, she pushed away the thoughts of her disastrous birthday and hugged her parents.  

 "Thank you both so much." She grinned.  "You guys got me my dream car. I can't believe it." Her eyes sparkled with happiness. 

"The sooner you believe it the better," Amina said and embraced her. "Congrats, sis. Just know you owe me a long drive." She smirked. 

"Of course, I do, but for now I gotta go," Zainab said and rushed down the steps leading to her new car.  

"Don't forget your meeting with Danladi," her father called after her. "I will send you the details about the venue."

Her expression fell but she tucked her sorrow away.  "Don't worry, Uba, I will be there," she said as she unlocked the car and slid inside.  

She inhaled the smell of the leather seats and marvelled at the sleekness of the interior. The engine roared to life as she turned on the ignition. Her hand gripped the wheel and she pressed on the right gears to get the car moving. The car zoomed out of the compound and down the highway. And she let out an excited whoop. 

The wind blew on her face and a smile graced her lips.  For that moment, she forgot all her pains.  She turned on the music player and jived to the pulsing beats of Abba's Dancing Queen.  

Forty-five minutes later, she sped passed the gates of her University and manoeuvred into the student's parking lot.  She alighted and pranced into the tall yellow building with eyes and a grin. A cold gust of wind from the AC slapped her but she barely noticed.   

After taking two right turns, she arrived at the hall for the first class of the day. She grinned as she sported her best friend, Mariam, towards the back of the class.  Mariam sighted her and waved her over. Zainab sauntered to her and plopped down on the empty seat beside her.  

"Hey, gurl. Happy birthday," Mariam said as they shared a hug.  

"Thanks." Zainab grinned and stretched out her palm. "Where's my present?" Mischief shimmered in her eyes. 

"It's in my car. I will give you after the class."

Zainab's smile widened. "No problem."

The two friends turned to the front of the class as their creative writing lecturer stepped inside. 

Hours blended into each other as Zainab went from one class to the other. Finally, she stumbled into a classroom for the last class of the day.  She dropped into a seat at the front and opened her books.  Her phone vibrated, indicating the arrival of a new message.  

She peeked at her screen and saw a message from her dad, containing all the information about the venue for her meeting with Danladi. It gladened her that the venue was a few minutes away from the university. 

An hour later, the class ended and she rushed out alongside the other students. Mariam groaned behind her.   

"Why are you in such a hurry?"

"I have a meeting at 4 and it's already 3:45." 

"Hmm, it must be someone very important."

"You could say that," she murmured and increased her pace.  

The friends reached the parking lot and headed to Mariam's car where she handed Zainab her birthday present.  

"Happy birthday again," she said through a smile. 

"Thanks." Zainab grinned and collected the box.  "I gotta go. See you later."

"See you," Marian called out. 

Zainab hopped into the car after keeping her bag and present in the backseat.  She sped out of the university's compound and onto the highway.   Several minutes later, she eased into the driveway of Spinx's cafe. After locking the car, she ambled inside and the scent of coffee tickled her nose.  She moved to a table in the left corner and sat down.  

A waitress wandered over. "Good afternoon, ma'am. May I take your order?" 

"I would like a chicken burger and some french fries, please. And a bottle of 7UP. Thanks."

The waitress scribbled on her notepad and smiled. "Your meal will be served in a few minutes," she said and left.  

True to the waitress's words, a steaming plate of chicken burger and fries was placed before her.  Zainab's stomach growled at the sight and she 
bit into her burger. 

A frown marred her face when ten minutes passed but Danladi hadn't shown up. Ten minutes turned to thirty minutes but he was nowhere in sight.  

Zainab drummed on the table her legs and bounced in irritation. How can he be so tardy? She wondered with slight anger. 

An hour later, the bell on the door chimed and Zainab's eyes travelled to the cafe's entrance where Danladi stood, decked in an expensive navy blue suit.  Their eyes connected from across the room and he approached her table. 

"Good afternoon," he said and dropped into the chair opposite her. 

"You are late," Zainab declared in an angry voice.  

"Pardon?" He arched a brow.  "I believe I am right on time."

Her anger increased and her lips thinned. "That's a blatant lie. You are an hour late."

He rolled his eyes.  "That doesn't matter.  You are the one who needed to meet me  not the other way around so you had to wait a little." 

Zainab gritted her teeth and glared at him. "That doesn't make sense one bit."

"I didn't expect you to understand." He beaconed a waiter over and placed his order.  

Zainab's rage intensified and her hand curled into a fist. 

How dare he?

"So why did you want to meet me?" 

"To inform you about the rules you have to follow as my wife."

"Rules?" Her brows wrinkled.  "What rules?"

He took a bite of his chicken and leaned back in his seat with his eyes on her.  

"You will find out in due time. The most important thing you need to know is that the women in my family don't work or go to school after high school."

Her stomach churned and her breath caught. "What does that have to do with me?"

"Well, you are my wife now so…your schooling has to stop."

                            ★★★★

Dun dun...

Zainab must be in shock😢

Poor thing!

Anyway, we got to see more of Danladi.

What are your thoughts about him?

Also, what are your opinions on other parts of the chapter or story?

I look forward to seeing your comments. 

Clicking on the little star in the corner will make my day😉

Until next time, keep learning. XD