Ihsan woke up due to the loud ringing noise coming from the phone line that was installed in her room 2 weeks ago.Groggily, she reaches over to the nightstand and picks up the receiver, hoping the caller will be brief, as the clock displays an ungodly hour of 10:47 AM

Ihsan rubs the sleep from her eyes, trying to shake off the haze. ''Hello?'' she answers, her voice husky with sleep. The security man's voice crackles through the line, ''Good morning, karamar Hajiya. You have a visitor. He's been waiting in the lobby. He said it's urgent''

Ihsan's mind races, wondering who could be visiting at such an ungodly hour.Its just 10am and it was the weekend so of course it's an ungodly hour,she usually wakes up around 1

"Who is it?'' she asks, her curiosity piqued

"He says his name is Abba" The security man replied

"Okay let him in, I would be down in a few seconds" She ordered before cutting the call

Her heart skipped a beat as her thoughts drift back to yesterday's encounter, when ya Abba revealed his true feelings. She remembers the way his eyes locked onto hers, the sincerity in his voice, and the flutter in her chest as she realized her own feelings mirrored his. It was a moment of pure connection, and she knew their relationship had shifted. Now, as she waits for him to arrive, she wonders what could have brought him,has something changed? Did something happen to him? Did his feelings towards me change? Her mind races with possibilities as she hears the knock on the door, and she can't help but smile as she makes her way to open it

"As she descends the stairs, her eyes meet Ya Abba's, and she feels a flutter in her chest. He looks dashing, standing in the foyer, his eyes shining with a warm light. His dark hair is mussed, and his smile is soft, but his presence radiates confidence and charm. He's dressed in a simple white shirt with a black tie and dark pants, and she can't help but notice how handsome he looks.

''As-salamu alaykum, ya Abba" She greeted fidgeting with her knee-length hijab

''Wa alaykum as-salam, Ihsan'' He replied,they exchange a tender glance, and Ihsan's heart races with excitement, wondering what bought him here so early in the morning

''What brings you here so early in the morning, Ya Abba?' Ihsan asks, her curiosity piqued. But instead of answering her question, Ya Abba asks one of his own, ''Are your parents home, Ihsan?'' His eyes dart around the foyer, as if searching for an answer

Ihsan nods, "Yes, they're upstairs. And they're already awake, actually. They're in the living room upstairs, having breakfast'' Ya Abba's expression turns determined, and he nods once, as if preparing himself for something

''Please tell them that I'm here'' he says, his voice firm but polite with a cute smile donning his face

"Tohpaa" ihsan thought but non the less nodded and went upstairs after gesturing for him to take a seat

Ihsan hurries back upstairs and reaches the living room,she muttered a small taslim which they replied

"Ya Abba is here'' she announces, dadaa's face lights up with a warm smile, and he sets his tea aside. 'Ah, wonderful!' he exclaims, his eyes shining with delight. Maami looks up from her book, a hint of surprise giving way to a welcoming expression

"Baby toh ce mi shi ya shigo mana (tell him to come in)"

Dadaa says, gesturing to the stairs. Ihsan nods and heads back downstairs, wondering what's behind her daada's enthusiastic reaction

"Mu je (let's go)"

Ihsan descends the stairs, a curious glance at Ya Abba, who follows her up the stairs with a calm, measured pace. As they reach the living room, Ya Abba squats down in respect and greets them

"Baba ina kwana, Mama ina kwana (good morning)"

"Lafiya qalau Abba" Maami and Dadaa chorused with smiles on their faces

Maami rises from her seat, a gentle smile on her face "Abba, sit down'' she says, gesturing to the couch

''So, Abba, what brings you here today?' Daada asks, his eyes curious

Abba clears his throat, a hint of formality in his tone "Abby (Hanan's dad) sent me to discuss the upcoming meeting on Monday.He wanted me to touch base with you beforehand, to make sure we're on the same page''

Daada nods thoughtfully, his expression turning businesslike

''Ah, yes, the meeting. I've been going over the numbers, and I think we have a good chance of securing the contract. What's your Abby's take on it?'' Abba leans forward and begins to discuss the finer points of the deal

As they delve deeper into the discussion, Ihsan finds herself feeling a bit out of place. She's not privy to the details of her father's business dealings, and Ya Abba's mention of contracts and profit margins goes over her head. She excuses herself, saying she needs to help her mother with something, and slips out of the room

Ihsan enters the kitchen, where she found Maami microwaving something

"Yauwa, Ihsan come help me with this,' she says, nodding towards the counter that consists of a jug filled with cucumber juice

Ihsan picked up the jug and placed in the fridge

''Did you offer Abba something to eat?" Maami asked

Ihsan shakes her head, feeling a bit guilty for not thinking of it earlier "A'a (no), I didn't. I got caught up in their conversation''

Maami's expression darkens, her voice stern ''Ihsan, how many times have I told you to prioritize hospitality? Abba is our guest, and you've left him sitting there without even offering him a glass of water! Go back in there and serve him some dates and coffee, right now!'' Maami said glaring at ihsan

Ihsan quickly nods her head, feeling a flush of embarrassment rise to her cheeks as she hurries to arrange a tray with dates, coffee, and a few sweet pastries

"I wonder who's going to marry you wallahi, I've even started pitying him! You can't even be bothered to serve a guest in your father's house what will you do when you have a household of your own to manage ehn? Look at Maryam she is your age mate but she always serves us something to drink the moment we sit down'' Ihsan feels a pang of hurt and frustration, but she keeps her head down, focusing on the task at hand as she carefully carries the tray back into the living room

'I hate that Maryam girl always trying to be an angel stupid girl kawaii mstww' Ihsan silently thought

She sets the tray down in front of him. Her father nods his head in approval, but her mother's disapproving gaze follows her, making Ihsan feel like she's still somehow failed to meet expectations. Ya Abba, however, smiles warmly and muttered "thank you"

Just as Ihsan is about to take a seat, daada gestures to Maami, his eyes hinting at a private conversation

"Baby why don't you go and have something to eat?'' Ihsan nods reluctantly, feeling a pang of curiosity. She exits the room, but instead of heading to the kitchen, she lingers by the door, her ear pressed against the wood, trying to catch snippets of the conversation.Ya Abba's voice is calm and measured, while she heard Maami gasp at whatever he said but her father's tone is what catches her attention - firm and commanding.She pressed her ears harder against the door in an attempt to get what they were saying

Ihsan's POV

Ya Abba's voice is clear and confident as he speaks, his words sending a thrill through my body finally I've  started hearing what they were saying

"––I've grown very fond of Ihsan, and I was hoping to ask for her hand in marriage––" Wait wait wait!! What da fuck?! Did he just say marriage!? Wow is he fucking serious? I leaned closer to the door and continued hearing what he was saying, it was taking all my self control not to barge into the room and be like "I don't want to get married!! I'm just 17 for gods sake"

"–—I feel a deep connection with her, and I believe we would make a good couple in shaa Allah. I spoke to Abby and he said I should come and meet you first about it, and I wanted to show my respect by asking your blessing first. I know that Ihsan doesn't want to get married at her age I'm sure she wants to reach 20 at least" My heart races as I heard the words that were coming out of his mouth,Ya Allah he knows me so much.My mind started racing with different thoughts of our future together

"—I just want you to know my true intentions towards your daughter" Ya Abba concluded

Maami's response is immediate, as if she is that eager to send me packing.I can literally hear the excitement in her voice ''Abba, we appreciate your honesty, but this is a big decision. We need time to think and discuss it as a family"

"Don't hadiza, my princess is just a small kid 20 fa! She is still too small to get married at 20" I heard daada's voice and it warmed my heart I nearly cooed aww aloud

"Then when do you expect her to get married? At 30 or 35" I heard Maami retort which made roll my eyes

"She is still young at 35" Daada said and I can picture him shaking his head in denial

"Abba thank you for letting us know we truly appreciate it. We will think about it and let you know our decision"  Maami said and with that I sprinted downstairs and went to kitchen

When I heard his footsteps I came out of the kitchen.That is after I've managed to stop heaving

"Ya Abba" I smiled, not the 'i know what is happening smile' the normal smile

"You can stop acting I know you heard everything I said" He said with a teasing smile

"Oh common" I laughed nervously

"So tell me what do you think?" He asked softly, I can clearly remember the second time we met and I told the girls I'm ready to get married

I chuckled remembering the past, I never thought that it will turn into a reality but what can I say I am one sexy ass specimen,I chuckled yet again at my thoughts, I looked up and saw that he had a worried expression, I cleared my throat and said

"Yes I'd love to get married when I reach 20 not 18" I smiled and the grin on his face was priceless, my insides are legit melting

"Thank you. Allah yayi miki albraka, Amin" he praised, I could feel blood rushing up to my cheeks for some weird reason I started feeling shy and I couldn't look at him again

Keh zan cin miki mutunci ihsan you are not going get all mushy mushy just because he is your soon to be fiancee! Where is your confidence!?

I gave my self a good scolding but nope, I still couldn't raise my head

''Haba baza ki kalle ne ba?" I heard his husky voice that made the elephants in my stomach go haywire

"Lemme see those pretty eyes of yours" He pleaded, Ihsan do not use your hands to cover– I covered my face with my hands and quickly ran upstairs i could hear his booming laughter

I abruptly came to a screeching halt as I almost bumped into Maami and Dadaa. I've never been this much mortified till today. Maami had this weird grin on her face and she even winked at me!!!!! While daada looked displeased

I quickly looked down and ran to my room to call the girls

__________************

Ayiriririiriririirrriiiiii

Ah ahn ya Abba wanan announcement haka

Aheyyyy osheeee

Shaa it shows that he is with the relationship

Ah ahn soyyaya I can't wait for the wedding sha

Guys please help me choose the color of the anko

Purple or Red or Blue??????