The bad news is nothing lasts forever,
The good news is nothing lasts forever.” — J. Cole
                

Dear, Dairy, 

It's been one week since I found out I was a married woman and five days have passed since I was told to stop my education. 

But how can I do that?

Would I survive losing my identity?

Becoming a journalist is a dream I nurtured since childhood.  

Would I be able to let it go? 

A sob caught Zainab's throat and her hand holding the pen shook. A drop of tear splashed against the page of her diary.  Not wanting to ruin her diary any further, she pushed it away from her.  She buried her face in her palms and let her tears fall without any restrictions. 

She remained in that position until the ringing of her phone broke through her wails. With blurry eyes and trembling hands, she reached for her phone and answered the call. 

"Hello." Her voice came out hoarse.

"Good day. Please, is this Miss Zainab Haruna?" asked a female voice.  

"Yes."

"Great. I called to inform you that you have been selected for our annual summer journalism workshop." 

Zainab's heart lurched. "Are you for real?" 

"Yes.  It's due to your excellent grades in your University."

A smile grazed Zainab's lips. "Thank you very much." 

"You are welcome.  The workshops start at the end of the month.  So please complete the formalities before then."

"I will. Thanks again."

"Bye and have a nice day," the lady said and the call ended.  

Zainab stared at her phone as she processed everything that took place.  

You have been selected for our annual summer journalism workshop.

The words sank into her and she let out a joyous squeal.  She jumped up and twirled around her room with a huge smile on her face.  

Although the lady didn't introduce herself, Zainab knew what she was talking about. She had submitted an enrolment form 

It felt surreal that she was selected for one of the esteemed workshops in the journalism world. A workshop run by a prestigious University in the country. 

Zainab rushed out of her room to share the good news with her family. However, as she drew closer to her parents' room, she stopped in her tracks.  

A traditional Hausa woman should focus on raising children and caring for her husband.  Her father's words drifted into her mind.  

Did her father mean what he said? She wondered. Would he be happy to hear about her selection? 

 
Several questions flooded her head and caused uncertainty to build within her. Nevertheless, she wanted to tell the news to someone. She turned around and headed in the opposite direction of her parents' room. A few moments later, she stood in front of a white door similar to her own. 

She pushed the door open and bounded inside. 

"Amina!" she called in a sing-song voice. 

Her sister looked up from her laptop and a smile immediately appeared on her face. 

"Sis!" She dropped her laptop and came to meet Zainab.  "Why are you so happy? What happened?" 

Zainab beamed and clasped Amina's hands. "I've got good news." 

"Really?" Amina's face lit up. "What's the news?" 

"I got selected for one of the best summer journalism workshops!" she proclaimed with sparkling eyes.  

"Oh my word, are you serious?" Amina squealed. "That's lovely. Congratulations.," Amina hugged her. "You deserve the best."

"Thanks and so do you," Zainab said through a smile and squeezed her.  

They pulled back and grinned at each other. 

"I believe this occasion warrants a celebration." Amina smirked.  

"Of course. We could go out for some ice cream." Zainab's eyes danced with merriment.  

"And we could have the long drive you owe me." Amina winked and Zainab laughed. 

"Alright. Let's go."

"Have you told Uwa and Uba?" 

Zainab's expression fell and she shook her head. "I don't know how they would react and I really don't want to argue with them and ruin the mood." 

"That's understandable. We can tell them when we get back."

Zainab bobbled her head in agreement. "Let me quickly change my clothes. We'll meet downstairs."

"No problem. I also want to change my dress."

Zainab nodded and ambled out. She rushed into her room and changed into a red flared skirt and a short-sleeved shirt and covered her hair with a red turban. After wearing her sandals and taking her purse, she sauntered out of the room and headed downstairs.  

Amina waited beside the stairs, clad in a lilac summer dress and a black scarf wrapped around her head. 

"Shall we?"

"Yes." Amina beamed and hooked their arms.  

They strutted out of the house and headed to Zainab's car parked in the garage with their other cars. Zainab glided into the driver's seat and Amina slid in beside her. The engine roared to life and they zoomed off.  

"Woohoo!" Amina squealed as the breeze whipped their faces. 

Zainab chuckled and relaxed. At that moment, all her worries faded away.  

After a few minutes of driving, they stopped at their favorite ice cream shop and went inside. 

"Good afternoon, what flavors would you like to order?" The attendant looked between the two of them.  

"Cookies and cream for me," Zainab said

"And a raspberry chip for me."

"Noted." The attendant departed with their orders.  

Moments later, the sisters left with the ice cream they ordered.  

"Should we sit here or go on a drive?"  Amina asked. 

"I think we should go somewhere peaceful where we can talk."

"That's a good idea," Amina agreed and they went to the car. 

Zainab drove a few miles until they reached a park. They slipped out and leaned against the car.  

Zainab exhaled and her tensed muscles relaxed. "It's so good to be out here," she remarked with a smile playing on her lips.  

"Yes. It's nice to get away from school work and other worries." 

"Yeah," Zainab breathed out. " So tell me, how's school?" She glanced at Amina.  

Amina let out a groan. "I have a physics test coming up and it is difficult to understand some things."

"I know the feeling. If I could, I would have studied with you. But alas, my knowledge about science is non-existent." 

Amina produced a laugh. "It's okay. Science or not, you are the world's best big sister." She wrapped her free arm around Zainab's shoulders. 

Zainab chuckled and shook her head. "You know, sister Hauwa will have a fit if she hears you say that." 

"Well…now that she is a wife and mother of three children, she doesn't have much time to fulfil her big sister duties." A hint of sadness tainted her voice.  

Zainab nodded as sorrow threatened to fill her.  "That's why I don't want to get married," she blurted.  

"Really?" Amina's brows rose. 

She jerked her head. "I watched Sister Hauwa and Sister Latifah lose their identities because of marriage. I really don't want that for myself." Her eyes filled with tears. 

"Hmm, I understand you. But there's a possibility that your case might be different.  Danladi might not be so bad as a husband."

Zainab scoffed and shook her head. "So far, he doesn't have any redeeming qualities."

"That might be because of the circumstances surrounding your meeting."

"Hmm." Zainab hummed as she pondered on the words of her sister.  Finally, she shrugged her shoulders.  "Whatever the future holds is something I don't wish to think about now. Instead, tell me about your social life?"

Amina immediately sat up straight with a huge smile and dived into all that had been happening in her life.  

Several minutes passed with the sisters catching up on their lives.  As the sun began to pale, they decided to return home with hearts full of happiness and ecstasy.  

After arriving home, they separated and went to their respective rooms.  Zainab had just entered her room when her phone rang.  A frown marred her face as an unknown number flashed across the screen. She shrugged her shoulders and answered the call.  

"Hello."

"Hi, wifey!" 

Zainab's blood chilled and she gasped. However, her shock soon changed to anger. 

"How did you get my number?"

Danladi chuckled. "Which husband doesn't have his wife's number?" 

She ground her teeth and gritted out, "Just say what you have to say."

"Patience, wifey." He produced another chuckle. 

"Don't call me that," she spat. 

"Whether I call you that or not doesn't change the fact that you are my wife. Now keep quiet and listen to me," his voice hardened. "I called you to inform you that we will start living as husband and wife by the end of the month."

"WHAT?!" Zainab shrieked. "That can't be possible." 

"It's possible and it will happen. Until then, goodbye," he said and the line went dead. 

Zainab's body quaked and her heart raced.  

This can't be happening!

The journalism summer workshop is starting at the end of the month.  

Her chest tightened and her vision swam as dizziness washed over her.  Pain poked every part of her body. The walls of her room seemed to close in on her and she staggered backwards until her back hit the wall.

She slumped to the ground as her legs gave way.  Her breaths came in short spans and she clutched her chest.  

Danladi's voice and the voice of the workshop drummed in her head, taunting her and reminding her of her possibly hopeless situation.  

                     ★★★★★

Poor Zainab😢

She got good news and bad news on the same day😩

What do you think about the new development?

I look forward to seeing your thoughts. XD

There's not much to say today

So until next time, be good! ❤️