Dedicated to ma_esma

He groaned and stretched out his hand to take the ringing phone from the other side of the bed. Without bothering to look at the screen, he silenced it and tucked it under his pillow. He let out a hiss and laid on his back when the phone started to ring again.

Ding ding dong ding!

He groaned louder this time and grabbed the ringing phone. "Daddy?!" he muttered sleepily. He sat up wondering why his father would be calling by this time. Isn't he meant to be at work? It's already past eleven for goodness sake.

"Where did you keep your phone? I've been calling for over 24 hours" his father spat angrily. 24 hours? He thought scratching his head. We met few hours ago fa.

"Sorry Daddy. I was sleeping. "

"You're sleeping dangerously son. Meet me in my room now. " he said and ended the call.

He stared at the phone wondering what has suddenly gotten over his father. He forced him to take a break from work. Not a one week break but three months and now he's complaining of him sleeping. Man needs rest and by the way, Nigeria is a living hell.

He walked briskly to the toilet, brushed his teeth and then washed his face. He wore a polo shirt on his sweatpants and then rushed to his father's room.

"Good morning Hamma" a young girl of about 18 greeted. He nodded without even glancing at her. She shrugged and continued eating her breakfast.

He knocked softly on the door and quickly muttered a silent prayer when he was asked to come in.

"Jam banduna Daddy. (Good morning Daddy) he sat on the floor at the edge of the bed.

His father dropped the newspaper he was reading on the bed and removed his reading glasses.

"This is the second time you're greeting me sleepy head. "

He smiled boyishly "Daddy I find Nigeria boring" he said with his eyes fixed on the cup if coffee beside him. It was half empty and all he could think of is draining it.

"That's interesting to hear. Maybe we'll just have to get you a job in Nigeria so you would find it less boring "

No. This would never happen. Not even in his dream. "I'm sorry Daddy. Nigeria is a fun" he said earning himself a knock on his head.

"Daddy why don't we hang out. Basketball? "

"You should have asked me earlier Tahir. We have some where to go soon"

"Where are we going? " he asked.

"You'll find out only after draining the cup of coffee you've been eyeing since and then make some more for me. "

He nodded and after draining the cup of coffee. He stood up to leave for the kitchen. "You're getting older daddy. Too much sugar isn't good for your health" he said at the door.

"I'm glad you enjoyed my coffee " Alhaji Barkindo said focussing on his newspaper once again.

He got to the kitchen and started to make coffee for both him and his father. Hassanatu the house maid came into the kitchen with some food stuffs when she stopped halfway seeing him in the kitchen. She quickly dropped the nylon bags on the counter and left unnoticed.

"Why are you panting like one who ran all the way from the market? " Zahra his step sister asked.

"I didn't know Hamma was in the kitchen when I went in"

Zahra covered her mouth with both hands. "Hope he didn't see you? " she asked with wide eyes.

Hassanatu shook her head. "Thank God he's getting married today. We can have some peace in this house. "

"Married? " Hassanatu asked with her right hand on her chest.

"Shh! Don't let anyone hear you. I over heard Mummy and daddy yesterday. " she said in a low tone.

"Innalillahi WA Inna ilaihi rajiu. This is surprising. Hamma of all people"

They quickly changed the topic when the heard footsteps approaching them.

"He doesn't know about it" Zahra whispered.

"I'm already feeling pity for his wife" Hassanatu said shaking her head.

"I hope we just don't wake up someday and find her lifeless body "

*

They talked about so many things. Politics, business, sports, food and lot more over a cup of coffee. Alhaji Barkindo was thinking of how to break the news to his son behind the smiles and laughs.

"I told you we are going somewhere after Jummat prayer right? "

"Yes Daddy."

Alhaji Barkindo stood up and walked to his closet while Tahir waited patiently.

He came back and sat on the floor with his son holding a white big nylon in his hand.

"Here! Wear this son. I want you to look your best OK?! We are going to a very important place . Don't disappoint me please."

He looked at his father and then the nylon. "In Sha Allah Daddy. You'll drool when you see me. What time are we leaving? " He asked.

"Be ready by one. Allah wanne barka Tahir (May Allah bless you Tahir) "

"Ameen Daddy. Thank you "

Tahir dropped the nylon bag on his king sized bed and and started to do some work out when Habib his friend came in.

"You came at the right time. I was considering trimming my hair and beard."

"There's a salon just some buildings away." Habib said opening the nylon bag. "Wow!" This is so Wow! "

"Thank you. Daddy said we are going somewhere really important and I have to look my best. I guess he didn't trust what I have in my wardrobe that's why he got me this. "

After trimming his hair, he had a quick bath and took his time to dress. His not a fan of wearing Baban Riga but this was given to him by someone special and he really liked it. It fitted him perfectly and he fell in love with the colour.

"Wow! You look like a groom" Habib teased. Tahir let out a hiss and continued to dress. He's already running out of time and he wouldn't want to disappoint his father.

He wore the new matching cap and shoe his father got him. In the nylon bag included a wrist watch, cuff links and two perfumes. "More babies in the house." Tahir said happily as he stared down at the perfumes on his bed.

He got to his father room at exactly 12:40 and like he said, he father drooled. But playfully of course.

"You look beautiful Tahir" he said pulling him into a hug. Daddy was also dressed and he looked younger than his age. Tahir started to wish he had his father's dressing sense.

"I'm a man daddy and not a girl" he said pulling out if the hug.

"OK Son! You look handsome. Can we? "

Tahir was surprised to find a photographer downstairs. His father doesn't take pictures and he hates them. Why the sudden change?

After minutes of smiling at the camera , father and son where finally on their way to the mosque.

After the sermon and prayer, Tahir thought they would immediately. "Why the hurry, let's be a witness to this Nikkah. It's my friend's"

Tahir watched with no interest as the Imam proceeded with the wedding. Why should some one get married? Marriage is something he finds ridiculous and promised he would never do. He'll just adopt a boy when he's forty and save himself from women and marriage.

" ..and Tahir Ahmad Barkindo" he heard his name being called and he suddenly looked up. What's going on? He thought and scanned everywhere with his eyes for his father. He was stunned when he saw four of his paternal uncles.

His heart suddenly began to beat very fast and he was already sweating. Why did the Imam mention his name and why are his uncles present.

"Let's go" he heard his father say as he wondered if his father knew them all.

"Congratulations Tahir. You are now a  married man!" He couldn't believe his ears as he continued to stare at his father.

Married?

Him?

Never!

This is impossible. He suddenly began to feel dizzy and nauseous.

"I've respected your decision all this while Tahir. I've always been doing what you wanted and never for once did something without asking for my permission. This is the first time I'm asking you for something Tahir and remember the promise you made since you were a kid. My happiness is you  living peacefully with your wife Tahir. Forget about the past and move on. Promise me this. Please Tahir"

Have you ever been in a situation where making a decision becomes difficult. Tahir knew he couldn't stand any woman beside him but here is his father,begging him and reminding him of the promise he made years back.

They drove back home in silence. Tahir's head was pounding and Daddy's heart was beating so fast. His hands trembled as he held the steering wheel. On getting home, he watched his son get down from the car and walk slowly to the boys quarters.

"Ya Allah! Make this easy for everyone "

His siblings couldn't believe their tyrant of a brother is married. "Hamma is married to who" Ilham asked their mother who broke the news.

"I also don't know who she is. You'll get to know her soon but her name is Azizah" she replied

"Is she beautiful mummy" Mairam the youngest asked.

"I haven't seen her Mairam but your father said she's very beautiful"

"Mummy do you think this marriage is going to work. Hamma hates girls. Even his sister aren't excluded." Ilham chipped in.

"Do I care?" she asked. "Tahir never treated me like a mother and he never respected me. Do I have a reason to care about him? He has his life to live and no one should ask me any thing again"

They all kept mute and stared at the TV but their mind was wandering somewhere else. He hates them and never for once showed any affection to them but whatever it is, he's their brother and they have every reason to be disturbed.

So tell me. Is anyone crushing already. Someone should please warn Azizah not to expect a Happily ever after. Her love story is different 😂