"Idris, yesterday you said something about us getting married to each other, can you explain please?" Manal uttered fidgeting her fingers as soon as I pulled over in front of their house.

"Oh, yeah!" I gulped and continued. "Manal, I... I love you, and I really want you to be my wife"

"Hmmm!" She heaved a sigh. "I don't really know what to say, I think I should be going"

"Wait, please!" I said holding her hand.

"Okey" She said not looking at me.

"I love you, Manal" I repeated my words again.

"Okey, thank you" She said and before I could speak again she alighted from the car and ran into their house with her bag. You know, she might just be coy or perhaps not interested.

I huffed about igniting the engine of my car into action with the thought of Manal allover my mind. She really seemed like someone who despised love. Maybe she was betrayed in the past or maybe... my thought was intercepted.

"Wow, look who's here!" It was Salim, he was holding something in a black leather. There was no need for me to ask him what it was after all Akara (beans cake) doesn't need a formal introduction - It smelled good.

"Good morning, friend" I alighted from the car.

"Morning, Idris" We shook hands. "How was the trip with my sister, I hope it was great?"

"Yeah, she bounced in recently" I gulped.

"Alright, and you?" He asked.

"I... I am about driving back home" I said.

"No, not when breakfast is here" He winked.

"Hmm" I gulped as I glanced at the leather. Heaven knows I loved Akara more than...

"Come on, lets go inside!" Salim exclaimed.

"Okey" I gulped again and trailed him into the house. This was my first time being into their house, it was very big with many indoor trees.

Salim walked me into their flat hence I was welcomed warmly by his mother and his heavily pregnant wife in the dining area whom I learnt were waiting for Manal to finish the pap the latter already started in the kitchen. Actually, the tablewares were also waiting.

"When Manal came in, I asked her why you didn't come in with her and she told me you were in a hurry" Salim's wife said smiling.

"Yeah, I was in a hurry but Salim here" I gave him a friendly punch. "Forced me to come in"

"Och! Well then you can go" Salim said.

"No, I'm no more in a hurry" I gulped staring at the leather of the Akara on the dining table.

"See him mouth!" Salim teased.

And just then, we heard some footsteps. It was Manal and she was so surprised on seeing me.

"Look who's here, Manal. It's your husband" Salim's wife said wearing a smile on her face.

"Ya Hauwa ki bari dan Allah" Manal protested as she kept the pap's bowl on the centre of the table and began serving us together with the Akara Salim bought. "He's not my husband"

"Look who's denying?" Salim's wife teased.

"She's just shy" Salim's mother chimed in.

"Shy? I don't think so! She's just forming or maybe her mother inlaw told her something about her hair, she doesn't like plaiting it..." Salim said busting into a scornful laughter.

"Ina jin kunyanka, Ya Salim" Manal said.

"Are you serious?" Salim huffed.

They kept talking while I watched Manal with every move she made. She was hot in sweats. I mean, she looked tempting when perspiring.

As soon as she was done serving, she sat close to me and began eating without a word. That was how we ate until we were done. Thus, I helped her cleared the table against her wish and as soon as we went into the kitchen she asked me to drop what I was holding and go.

"Have I done something wrong?" I asked.

"Try asking yourself" She uttered as she unhesitatingly began washing the dishes.

"Myself?" I puzzled. Actually, I didn't know what I did so I kept thinking hard. "Oh, was it about the stress I put you into yesterday?"

"Not that!" She squealed.

"Okey, tell me" I gulped drawing closer to her.

"I just don't think you truly love me, Idris. All you want is a good mother for your daughter, you think I don't know? Please just leave me alone, I already know everything" She said.

"Who told you that?" I said smiling. She was right but that doesn't mean I didn't love her.

"My conscience" She said.

Thus I huffed and knelt in front of her. She wanted me to prove my love for her and I would do just that. I removed my late wife's ring from my finger and rose my head to her. "Before my wife died, she returned this ring to me. She said I should give it to the woman that deserves it, and now I'm giving it to you. Manal, please will you marry me?" I uttered.

"I... I don't know what to say but yes, you can put the ring in my ringfinger" She said as she hastily rinsed her soapy hands and stretched the right one to me. She seemed very excited.

"Okey, my love" I held the hand and put the ring in her ringfinger. "I love you, Manal..."

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Thank you for reading #InsideArewa

AsSalama Alaykum everyone, I would be off for some time but In Shaa Allah I would come back soon, perhaps with lots of chapters...