They could all tell something was off about the bride. She wasn't ecstatic about the wedding to begin with, but she was indifferent about it either. During the past few days though, something about her has changed.

She emitted this gloomy aura which makes everything so off considering she's always been the jovial type. The weird fact was she became that way after Rafael visited. They simply decided to conclude it as perhaps, she and him had a misunderstanding that they would fix soon or something.

Mama even had to give her a speech on how they should learn to fix things between them and not let it go out of hand. That with the wedding this close, it's better for them to learn how to fix their issues.

Yasmeen simply offered her a small smile that didn't reach her eyes, and then nodded. She was dying to tell her mother the situation, needing someone to tell her all will be well but she was scared. She loves her mother; the woman isn't the strict type but you never know with parents.

The issues you least expect to be scolded about is the one they scold over. The one you worry about, they won't scold.

She didn't want to take the risk-especially not with the chance of her father finding out. If he does, she doubts he would even bother to hear her side of the story before pinning all the blame on her.

So, for her wellbeing, she decided to keep the information and the pictures all to herself and simply wait to see what Rafael would do. Waiting for him is nerve wrecking, not with him refusing to reply any of her message or return her calls. Normally, she's a pretty stubborn being that wouldn't bother to contact people who treat her in such way.

But she is being reasonable.

This goes beyond her pride and wounded image. There's her family and his family all on the line. Besides, the wedding is in a little to a week. If things fall apart now because of a misunderstanding...she doesn't want to imagine what will happen and the shame she will bring to her family.

She didn't know what to feel exactly, or what to think-and as such, found herself lying in bed for the past few days with little interaction with anyone else-not her mother, not Amina, and no one else.

They tried to talk her out of it, but she wouldn't budge. So, they gave her space.

That particular day though, Mama knew soon enough, hell will raise when a group of uninvited guests decided to drop by. The air in the house shifted to something tense, and everyone that knows them had to stop and watch them trudge in.

How could they not? They didn't exactly come in quietly.

No, they were throwing nasty comments and snickering...walking as if they own the place and in a way, they do.

Kulu was the first person to stop them from going further into the house, before her siblings joined them and the chaos got louder than ever. They weren't willing to back down, and neither were Yasmeen's aunts because they wouldn't tolerate them coming into that house and disrespecting them.

It's because of issues like this that they decided to move to the house knowing something like this is bound to arise. It's proving to be impossible to get some peace again.

Knowing the commotion and the cause of it, Mama emerged from the crowd and went to stand in front of her sisters, raising a hand slightly to stop them from further exchanging any insulting words.

Her siblings didn't want to do so, but out of respect, they had to do as she asked.

With them now silent, Mama's eyes met that of the uninvited guests. Releasing a barely visible breath, she questioned. "What are you doing here?"

"Ah ah. Do we need a reason to come to our father's house? Gidan uban mu ne fa" The one standing at the helm, Safara'u, was quick to spat-she has always been the most disrespectful one of all the Khalid children. Being the second child in the household, she deemed herself the eldest and as such, always says what she wants without a care in the world.

Mama took in a deep breath, trying to calm herself and not say a thing that would make the situation worse. She has always deemed herself a patient woman. However, with these children, patience is something that seems to disappear from her library.

"Of course, it's your father's house but you don't stay here, ko ba haka ba?" There's a reason why Alhaji Khalid separated the house in which his two wives live. Living under the same roof has been one drama after another-and at a point, he had to try and put an end to it.

But it seems trouble still follows, because it's a never-ending saga.

"Yo toh korar mu zaki yi?" Safara'u questioned, crossing her arms over her torso as she quirked a brow. It's times like this that makes people wonder whether she's truly and adult or not because someone of her age isn't supposed to act that way.

Not to mention, she has about four kids of her own.

"--gida dai nan ko can, duk gidan uban mu ne don haka dole mu zo!"

"Look, we're not here to create a scene" The eldest in the family, Zainab, cut in, before her sister could make matters worse. Despite being the eldest, and another source of trouble, in people's eyes, she's better than her sister.

Why? Because she won't outright disrespect her step mother. Her area of expertise is talking behind their backs. Anything hypocrisy, she's there. When it comes to violence, her sister is the expert there.

"-We're just here to see our sister, and give her marital advice" That's the excuse they'll cling to, in order to visit and see what is going on in the house as they were sent by their mother-the first wife.

Yasmeen is the last of the girls in the house to get married. And although all others married men capable of catering to their needs, none married into an influential family.

But Yasmeen is about to do that, and they want to nitpick on everything since they can't stop the wedding. If only it's possible to ruin it-they will pray and use whatever means if necessary to make sure the wedding doesn't go through.

And if such happens, they will return and celebrate in that very house. Sai dai ayi bala'i duniya ta tashi.

Kulu scoffed, not bothering to hide it. "Sai yau kuka san qanwar ku ce?" She never liked her sister's step children-they are consistent headaches as if they are the ones she's marrying their husband and not their mother. "She doesn't need your advice. Kindly leave while I'm still being nice don wallahi idan ranku yayi dubu sai ya baci!"

"Sai ki kore mu ai" Dared Safara'u, not willing to back down. She is the one in the family that inherited most of her mother's attitude-if not, is an exact replica. She will stop at nothing to get what she wants even if it means turning the house upside down. "Nace ki kore me, koh? Mu zuba mu gani."

It's times like this that makes Kulu pity her sister having lived with such nuisance for twenty-five years. How was she able to survive even living in the same house with them? Because from the minute Alhaji Khalid brought her into the family, it has been one headache after another.

At first, it was discreet shades, and then it became outright to the point that her patience wore off. Well, not completely because she still holds herself back unlike her sister who doesn't have the patient bone in her.

"If you think--"

"Kulu" Mama cut her off calmly, turning her head around to give her sister a look. "Let them"

Taken aback, Kulu's eyes narrowed slightly. "What?"

"Let them" Mama repeated, sounding a bit sterner before she turned to the group of imbeciles. "Fine, you can talk to Yasmeen here if you want. But, that's all. If you don't see her, you'll leave else I won't stop my siblings from dragging you out. You hear me?"

Safara'u wanted to give out a snarky remark, but Zainab beat her to it.

"Ok" With that word alone, the group of four left the living room and headed to Yasmeen's room, all the while exchanging hisses and glares with the people around.

Kulu then turned to look at her sister, lips set into a deep frown. "Haba, Adda. How can you let them in like that? Kinsan bata ma Yasmeen rai kawai zasuyi"

"That's not going to happen" Mama answered calmly, eyes fixed on the direction where they disappeared.

"What do you mean?"

"Yasmeen's not in the house"

~*~

It took Yasmeen by surprise when her mother gave her car keys and asked her to take some time away alone. After the last incident of her leaving the house, they made sure someone is with her all the time so she had zero chance of running away.

But Mama asked her to leave, of all people, without any qualm whatsoever.

That came as a shock to Yasmeen indeed. But, what she failed to realize is, Mama is her mother-she knows her better than anyone and her daughter's worries are hers.

Simply because Yasmeen hasn't told her what's bothering her doesn't mean she's unaware of something troubling her daughter. She just wished the girl would talk to her but she understands the time for that will come eventually.

Until then, she didn't want the girl to feel suffocated so she gave her a chance to leave and get a much needed breather. She promised to be back before sunset so it's alright.

So far, Yasmeen had simply been driving around trying to clear her mind. When she got sick of that, she decided to stop by the mall and get something, and that's where she currently is, trying to park the car.

Even then though, her mind wasn't on the action but rather, on her current predicament. Why is Rafael taking too long to come to a decision? Will he really call off the wedding? How will her father react when he finds out? What will become of her?

Subhan Allahi there were too many things that could go wrong.

Because of a misunderstanding, everything is about to flip and turn for the worse.

An instant jerk forward and a crashing sound reached her ears, plunging her right out of the little trance of worries. She stopped the car, eyes wide as ever as she slowly allowed everything to reign in.

Swallowing thickly, she hesitantly moved the car forward a bit before turning it off completely. Her hands were slightly shaky, and to stop it, she dug her nails into her palms after stepping out of the car.

She took cautious steps to see whose car she bumped into from behind. A slight squeal escaped her lips as she saw the huge dent right in front of the car. Her hand came to cover her mouth to hold back the scream of frustration.

This is not supposed to happen!

How is she going to explain the situation?

"Stupid, stupid, stupid" She mumbled, burying her face in between her palms as she shook her head. Now looking like she's two seconds away from crying, she took a couple of steps towards the car and looked around to see whether the owner is in.

Luckily, the person isn't there so that's something.

There's still a huge dent though that she can't make go away. Or can she?

Just like any other time her dumb brain brings up an idea that she gets along with, she looked at the dent again and then extended her hand out, trying to clean the spot as if that would magically make the dent disappear.

A few seconds into incessantly rubbing the spot, she came to a conclusion that she has started to lose her mind. How could rubbing make the dent disappear?

Hissing under her breath, she cursed herself out before thinking of a way to get out of this trouble. For one, it's not like she can pay for the dent-the car looks really expensive and she doubts she has the money to compensate the person.

On another hand, she can always go for her solution to everything...and that is to run.

That would make more sense here since it's not like she can sit there and wait for the owner to come. For one, the car is empty and who knows where the person went to. Or more like, who knows how the person would react? What if he or she causes trouble?

The last thing she needs right now is an addition to her worries. She already has a pile of them.

So yes, she should run away because that's her best option.

Nodding curtly to herself, as if in agreement with the plan, she took in a deep breath and was about to turn around when a voice came from behind her.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Startled, she jumped slightly before hastily turning around to look at the owner of the voice. Instantly, her knees shook and she was so close to falling on the ground but she placed her hand where the dent is, and held herself up not to embarrass herself even more.

He's the owner of the car?

Ya Rahman...

Of all the people in the world, it has to be him?

Is this fate? She wondered, but was quick to chase the thought away with slippers. Nah. This is a bad omen. No such thing as fate here.

Just like all those other times, he had this look on his face that made her want to scram for her life. Not to mention with what she's guilty of, he is more intimidating.

She swallowed thickly, and let out a shaky chuckle. "Hey...bros" She used her free hand and waved at him slightly, all the while concluding today is the day she'll meet her ancestors.

Asad of course recognized her the minute he saw her face, and it took everything in him to not scream in frustration and ask why? Why does she keep showing up where he is? This can't possibly be a coincidence. No. What if it's fate? He wondered for a brief second.

Nah, no way it's fate. He won't accept this as fate. Life can't be that cruel to him. Why is he always coming across the wrong ones?

And besides, whenever this woman is involved, something bad is bound to happen. Speaking of which, the way she's acting is suspicious...he noted.

So, without another word uttered to her, he took a few steps towards her, standing right in front of her, his steel eyes never leaving hers.

Yasmeen swallowed thickly. So this is it? She wondered. This is the point where she goes to greet the old people long gone?

Eyes slightly narrowed, and a slight gesture of his head, she recognized the words he didn't utter. He wanted her to move so he can see what she's hiding. But, she couldn't do so.

That will be signing her death wish.

So, she shook her head impertinently, blinking repeatedly.

If possible, his eyes narrowed even more and this time with no gestures, or words, she found herself moving slowly because else, he would send her to an early grave by the looks of it.

Slower than she has ever been in her entire life, she moved away from the way and behold, the sign of her magnificent work on his car.

The minute Asad's eyes fell on it, his lips fell open as his eyes widened. It was only for a second though, because then closed his eyes and looking away. Reaching his hand, he massaged his temples already feeling the impending headache.

See this...this is why says whenever this woman is involved, something bad is bound to happen.

"What did I do to ever deserve this?" He muttered under his breath, before releasing a deep sigh.

Only about to make the situation worse, Yasmeen blurted out the first words that came to her mind...like always.

"If you think about it, this is not a bad thing..."

He whipped his head around to pin his glare on her, but she continued.

"...the dent kind of looks like your face so..." Realizing that her words are only annoying him more, she swallowed thickly, pulled her lips in and nodded. "Shut up, I got it" He doesn't need to say the words, his glare spoke volumes.

Asad didn't know what to say, he was caught in between wanting and at the same time, just driving away. If it was any other person, he wouldn't make a big deal out of it but she is not any ordinary person.

This woman has been showing up in his life a lot more than he would like and all for the wrong reasons.

He couldn't keep it in. He just couldn't.

Turning around to face her fully, he questioned. "Why is always you though? Why?" He already told himself he would never see her again but look where they are.

Slightly offended by the way he said it, but still knowing she's at fault, she mumbled. "It's not like I do it intentionally"

Asad parted his lips to say something, however, a voice belonging to the last person he wanted to see at the moment reached his ears, and then he was certain his day is about to become a lot worse.

"If it isn't Captain Asad Ahmad Gidado"

Asad sighed, flicking his eyes close for a brief moment before he turned around to look at the person, his expression blank. He didn't say a thing, however, his eyes simply moved from the man, to the lady beside him whose staring at him with slightly wide eyes.

"Ya Asad...." Aalia trailed off. Her eyes flicked from him, to the woman she instantly recognized from their last meetup, and then, her mood turned sour.

The man beside her did the exact same thing, and when his eyes fell on Yasmeen, he simply scoffed in disbelief. "You truly are shameless..." He stated, not so lowly. "So, he's the bastard you've been seeing?" Rafael questioned, jutting his chin in Asad's direction.

Asad ignored him, though his eyes were pinned on the man.

Yasmeen swallowed thickly, her eyes moving between the two before they narrowed. "You're one to speak" She mumbled, her gaze falling on Aalia who glared at her.

"For your information..." Rafael started, lips set into a deep frown. "Aalia is my half-sister. What about you two?"

"Huh?"

~*~

Aalia being Rafael's sister you did not see that coming, did you?

Is it just me or is there bad blood between Asad and Rafael? I could feel the tension even from here.

Wait, akwai aiki a gaba.

Yasmeen and Asad, accept it, na fate o. Tam, nidai I've said my own.

But wait o, Rafa don see Asad and Yasmeen together, how una go explain this? If this wedding falls through akwai rigima since we have family members that like vayolence.

Su Hajja Safarau...sannu.

Toh ni na gaji. Sai anjiman ku.

Oh, and we're at 1k already! Thank youuuuuu.

Gudunite.

Love, Jannah.