Aishah

I WOKE UP stretching and yawning,I rub my eyes with my fingers and took my phone that's on top of the drawer at the side of my bed

I checked the time and it was 4:17am,I yawned once more and went inside the bathroom to ease myself

I came back and sit on the bed because I wasn't feeling sleepy anymore,I wanted to engage myself with something then I went to take my laptop going through my book

I read few chapters correcting few mistakes when my phone started ringing,I reluctantly picked the phone

"Salam Aleikum!"I greeted

"Waleikum Salam"I heard Fareedah's voice and decided to check the phone to be sure she's the one talking

"Fareedah why are you calling me by this time?!"I whisper yelled

"I'm not feeling sleepy and I decided to wake you up too"she said

"Fareedah you are lying,I know you very well so just say the truth"I said

"That's the truth"she said

"Nah you are lying just tell me what's up before I end this call"I warned

"Rauf asked me out on a date again,he wanted you to come along I have been restless about this for three days now and I don't know how to tell you with everything going on at the moment"she said

"And you decided this is the right time to call me?"I asked rolling my eyes,I felt like spanking her

"Well not really,I just dialled your number and I wasn't expecting you to pick it up and you did"she said

"So you want to make me the third wheel of your date making me feel how horrible my life is going to be"

"Don't get me wrong Aishah,you can stay if you don't want to come"she said in a sad tone and I smiled

"When is it?"

"Today,in the evening"

"Woah! I will get back to you later and don't worry I'm coming"I said

"Really?!"I could feel how she's smiling widely by now

"Yeah"I stressed rubbing the back of my neck

"Oh my God!! I love you so much I'm so happy right now whooooo!!"she yelled and I place the phone far away from my ear

"Do you want to destroy my eardrum?"I asked teasingly

"I'm so sorry!,I will be at your place at 2"she said

"Yeah yeah!"I replied her and she hung up

I smiled at how dramatic my friend can be,I couldn't tell her no because I refuse her the first time and since this marriage ordeal she's been the one always trying to cheer me up, coming to my place almost everyday this is the least I can do to show how grateful I am

I groan closing my laptop and dropping it beside me on the bed,I hit my head on my pillow,I started thinking about the date and I knew I wasn't going to feel good if I go there alone

Suddenly an idea pop into my head and I smiled mischievously,I took my phone and dialled Abubakar's number

"Salam Aleikum"I greeted

"Waleikum Salam,I just finish praying so what's up you are calling so early"he said and I hear the bed ruffle like he was trying to get into the bed

"Nothing really,my friend have a date and I was invited I don't want to be their third wheel and decided to call you that if you are less busy you should follow me and be my date"I say

"Wow! You are asking me out on a date"he teased

"Don't get your head up high but yeah I'm asking you out on a double date"

"You hurt my ego"he said and I chuckled and he did thesame"well I'm kinda less busy so yeah I will be there"

"So nice of you,thank you so much"I said smiling widely

"It's fine,so what time is it?"he asked

"I don't know yet but I will let you know before the time,it's evening though"

"Ok ok,so we will see today"

"Yeah"

"Till then"he end the call and I felt like squealing but I decide against the idea I don't want my family members to rush inside my room thinking something is wrong with me

Feeling ecstatic and energised,I stood up and went to the bathroom brushing my teeth and performing ablution

I went back to my room and prayed my morning prayer

*********

The day roll by quickly than expected,I was in my room eating lunch which is pounded yam and okro soup,I was so deep into my food that I didn't hear my door open

"I can see you are really murdering the food"Fareedah said and I look up at her smiling sheepishly

"I have been knocking for gazillion years!"she said exhaustedly bouncing on the bed beside me

"Come and join"I replied her and she nodded in disapproval

"I'm full,I ate beans before coming here and also mummy already asked and I said I'm full"

"And she let you be?"I asked surprised

"Maybe she's busy or Almighty Allah answered my prayer"she said and I started laughing

My mom is the kind of woman that doesn't take no for an answer when it's comes to food,she loves it when people eats her food

"So what are you going to wear?"she asked me

"I don't know,what about you?"I asked

"I'm already dressed"she said and I look at her from the tip of her head to her toe

She was wearing black chinos trouser and a white tucked in round neck top,she matched it up with a multi color kimono and tied her veil uniquely in her head,she also wore a black flat sandal

"You look good!"I commented

"I know"she said and I roll my eyes

She stood up and went to my wardrobe going through my stuffs,she bought out a yellow handless gown and a black kimono wiggling them at me

"No,I'm not wearing yellow"I said dismissively

"Okaaaaayyy..."she said dropping it back on my wardrobe

After several minutes searching she brought out a black body hug with a golden skirt that look like a fish body,the skirt was like it is having fins at the edge and it's also slitted at the back

"Perfecto!"I commented giving her a thump up and she laughs

She drops it on my bed and search for my black turban and black sandals

"Bring out one of my gold coloured bags,it's matches"I said and she nodded doing like I said

I round up my food and took my plates to the kitchen,I came back inside and went straight to the bathroom having my bath

I came out wrapping myself with a white towel,I met Fareedah busy with her phone and I ignored her

I rub my cream and started making my face up with minimal make up,I stood up when I was satisfied and slip in my undies grabbing my dress

"I forgot to tell you"I said wearing my body hug and Fareedah look up at me gaining her attention

"What's it?"

"I'm having my date too,so we are going to be four"I said as I wear my skirt and tuck in my shirt

"Who?,your fiancee?"she asked I felt like smacking her but I just roll my eyes

"Not now not ever!"I replied

"Who?"she asked

"Abubakar"I replied smiling

"You are not serious!"she yelled surprised

"What's wrong about him coming with us?"I asked

"Everything is wrong Aishah,inviting him out on a date with you is like indirectly asking him out and also you know you will be getting married in less than three months"

"Oh don't remind me about the marriage and I don't think I'm doing anything wrong by asking him out on a date!"I replied pissed

"And who told you it's not wrong,what if he fall in love with you,what if he ask you out and then you will tell him you are engaged with someone else breaking his heart,you and I know it's very wrong asking him out on a date when you know fully well that you will be getting married soon"she said and I felt like crying

"Can't I have a normal date with someone I like,can't I go out on a date with him,why is the world so cruel?"I said sobbing

Fareedah stood up and hug me,I sob quietly in her arms

"It's ok,you will go out on this date with him but no more date after this, promise?"my face lit up immediately

"Promise Fareedah,I'm so grateful thank you so much!"I said smiling widely

"Gosh! You're acting like a kid"she said and I spank her laughing

"This date is just like a once in a lifetime thing to me,I don't think I'm ever going on a date again"I said slumping on the bed

"It's ok everything will turn out great!"she said

"I hope so"

************

I texted Abubakar the venue and right now we are all gathered at a big eatery waiting for the waitress to bring our order

"So is he the one?"Rauf asked and I coughed awkwardly,Rauf knows about the arrange marriage because Fareedah told him though I was totally cool with it it's not like it will stay hidden forever

"No he isn't the one"I replied

"Yet"Abubakar added, Fareedah look at me and I smiled awkwardly while Rauf look confused

"Wait is he not the one....."Rauf started but Fareeedah cut him off

"Will you just shut your big mouth up!"Fareedah said angrily though she was kinda harsh but I'm so grateful to her

"I'm sorry!"Rauf said quietly

"What's going on?"Abubakar asked looking lost

"Nothing,we should enjoy the date"I said smiling at him,it seems like he believes me and smiled back

Soon after our dish was served and we slowly munch on the food,asking each other random questions though Rauf became quiet throughout the date and I decided to apologise to him later, Fareedah was harsh on him though

The date slowly came to an end with all of us smiling and fully contented,I decided to see Abubakar off because I was going back home with Fareedah

I was sitting in his car after he had greeted the rest goodbye,he joined me in the car

"Thank you"I said smiling and he shook it off

"It's fine,I should be the one thanking you sincerely today was fun-filled"he said smiling

"Though I will still thank you for coming"

"You're a persistent lady"he said chuckling

"I can be some times"i said and he chuckled once more

"So when am I going to take you out on a date?"he asked and I started coughing

"You shouldn't bother paying back the favour"I said praying on my mind he should let it be

"I'm not repaying any favour Aishah,I really want to take you out on a date please give me the chance"he said and I felt awkward and hot immediately

"We will talk later on phone"I said jumping out of the car

"Sure!"he smiled and drove away

I heaved placing my hand on my chest when Fareedah joined me

"I don't need the full detail,I know he asked you out on a date where he will love to be your lover"she said shaking her head walking ahead of me,I joined her immediately

"What should I do?"I asked frustratedly

"Figure it out yourself young woman"she said and I could feel she's kinda pissed

We went back to my house quietly and I was hoping this doesn't get me into any trouble especially from my dad