Aishah

I WENT BACK home and lay uncomfortably on my bed,I sigh frustratedly as my mind went back to Abubakar

What am I going to do with him?

I took my phone looking at it like it was the most interesting thing in the whole world,I don't know what to do with it when the bathroom door suddenly opened

"What's wrong with the phone?" Fareedah asked looking at me warily

"Nothing"I said sighing once more sitting down at the edge of the bed

"Then why are you looking at the phone like that?"she asked looking at me like I was out of my mind

"I don't know,I was just thinking about Abubakar what should I tell him?"I asked while Fareedah rolls her eyes sitting beside me on the bed

"I already warned you,I already foresee this yet you didn't heed to my warnings telling me nothing is wrong"she said and I felt irritated

"Just tell me what to do and stop talking about things that went wrong or not"I said irritatedly

"Suit yourself"she said standing up and I gave her one of my odd looks" I will be going back to the hostel,I need to prepare for tomorrow's class"she left the room closing the door with a banging sound

I got angry immediately,this is one of Fareedah's characters that irritate and gets me angry

She gets angry unnecessary and act upon it in the worst possible way,I sigh and lay comfortably in my bed when my phone started ringing

I took the phone and the caller ID is Abubakar,I sit up immediately contemplating whether to pick the call or not,the call ended and soon enough it came back with Abubakar still the caller

I heaved trying to clear all the guff in my head,I clear my throat before picking up the call

"Salam Aleikum"I greeted and I heard his soft chuckle

"Waleikum Salam,I should be calling you often"he replied

"Why?"I asked curiously

"Your voice is soft and sweet"he said and I smiled shyly

"So why are you calling?"I asked trying to change the topic

"The date"he said like it was obvious

"You should have waited till tomorrow"I said then I heard a knock on my door

I couldn't have been happier when I heard the knock,it was the perfect opportunity to end the call

"Talk to you later"I said ending the call before he could reply "come in"my mom came in,I sit right on the edge of the bed and she joined me

"How are you feeling now?"she asked looking worried and I tried to smile

"Not as horrible as before"I said and that was the truth,I didn't feel so horrible like before and it felt like I was slowly accepting my fate

"Alhamdullilah, I'm happy atleast"she said

"What brings you in here?"I asked because I knew my mom wouldn't just come inside my room without any reason

"Your dad wants to see you and please be in your best behavior,he is your dad after all and I'm sure he wants the best for you"mom said and I felt like rolling my eyes but I fought the urge

"I will be there as soon as I change my dress"I said and she nodded standing up leaving the room

I haven't change my dress since I came back from the date,I went to my wardrobe and brought out a milk color oversize abaya,I remove my dress wearing it

I took one of my hijab which is green in color wearing it,I left the room after wearing my room slippers that are placed at the door

I met my brother at the sitting room watching his favourite soap opera,I knew immediately that my dad was in his room

I went straight to my dad's room I knocked quietly and I heard his voice telling me to come inside

I opened the door and went inside,my dad was sitting in the single sofa in his room while my mom was sitting on the bed

"My friend and I talked earlier in the day and he suggested that you and Ibrahim should go out on a date so that you can have enough time to get to know each other before the marriage"my dad said and I was confused at first before I realise my soon to be husband name is Ibrahim

How pathetic my life is

I didn't even know the person I'm going to spend the rest of my life with,I don't know anything about him and the worst I don't even know his name

Lump formed on my throat and I swallowed hard,I braced myself up trying to accept my fate it's not like I can do anything to change it except I want to be homeless and that's not what I want right now

"Ok"I replied monotonically

"You can go back that's all I have for you I will let you know the day you will be going out on the date"my dad said and I nodded leaving the room

I was planning to eat dinner before going to bed but I lost my appetite drastically,I went back to my room locking the door I swung my hijab at my wardrobe laying quietly on the bed looking at the ceiling too tired to cry

I felt like I was void of emotion,I couldn't feel anything anymore and right now my best friend is not by my side because of a cheesy anger

I sigh for the hundred time today and retired to bed pushing every thought in the back of my mind

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

I sat on my bed thinking about my life how everything had changed in a blink of an eye,how did my perfect life become messed up like this

I sigh something that have been part of me for some times now,I took my phone and checked the time it was three thirty and i have to get ready for a date

Abubakar and I agreed to go out on a date today and I had it in my mind to clear the air between us,I wanted to let him know we can't be more than friends

I stood up and went to the bathroom and had a quick shower,I wore a wash blue jeans trouser and a white top matching it up with a white veil and white sandals

I took my black hand bag and hang it on my shoulder before leaving the house,I went to my mom's room and I met her watching the news in the television in her room

"Where to?"she asked after looking at me like a detective

"To meet a friend"I replied and took her body roll from the mirror stand applying it

"You know you will be getting married soon so I advice you stop some things"she said scrutinizing me with her gaze

"Oh come on mummy,just because I'm getting married doesn't mean my life is about to end,at least I should make use of the little time I have before getting married"I said sitting beside her

"Just be careful and you know your dad doesn't take things lightly don't let him know you are going out"she said and I felt emotional,I felt like giving my mom a life time hug

"I heard you"I say standing up when the door suddenly open,my mom and I gaze fell on the door abruptly and it was my dad he has never been this early home from work except there's something important

"You're back"my mom said standing up and my dad gaze fell on me

"Go and wear something proper Ibrahim is coming to take you out"my dad said and my heart sank immediately

"Now?"I asked more like whining

"Yes"my dad replied,I left the room I wasn't ready to hear another word from my parents

I locked my door as soon as I entered my room and started crying once again

"Why me?"I muttered as I sank more into my bed,I hug the pillow thinking about the right lie to tell Abubakar when my phone suddenly rings

My heart raced as I saw the caller ID,it was Abubakar,I braced myself up and silently prayed before picking up the call

"Salam Aleikum"he greeted

"Waleikum Salam"I replied

"I'm so sorry Aishah I got somewhere important to be at I don't think the date can hold today"he said and I sit upright immediately my eyes fully cleared and devoid of tears

"Ok, we will go on another day"I said

"Surely"he replied and the call came to an end

I felt like squealing and jumping but I hold myself back because I wasn't sure I will be able to come up with a better reason for not been present at the date

I went to my wardrobe immediately and change my wear to a red and ashes designed Ankara,I matched it up with a red veil

I took my red bag and went to the sitting room where I met my parents and brother watching the television

"You're ready"my mom said and everyone's attention fell on me

"Yes"I replied sitting beside her

"He will come and pick you up"my dad said and suddenly we heard a knock at the door as if the person was waiting for my dad to end his statement

"I will get it"my brother said and stood up,he went for the door and came back with a tall black young man

I knew it was him,my soon to be husband though I couldn't remember vividly how he looked the last time he was here

"Good evening sir,good evening ma"he greeted respectfully

"Ibrahim how are you?"my dad said glad to see him

"Fine sir"he replied and my parents nodded smiling,I stood up clutching my bag to myself when my dad said

"She should be back by six thirty"Ibrahim nodded and we silently walk out of the sitting room

I followed him slowly as he open the car door for me I sit and he does thesame,soon enough we were fast on the road

We sat awkwardly quiet when he suddenly breaks the silence

"My friend will be joining us"he said not looking at me and I just nodded not minding whether he sees me nodding or not

Twenty minutes later we arrived at an extravagant restaurant,he parked the car at the garage and we stepped down entering the glamorous restaurant

I couldn't help but gawk at the beauty in front of me,I sat at our reservation while he took his phone from his pocket

He dialled a number placing the phone on his right ear and I guess it was his friend

"Where are you now?"he whined

"Ok"he replied whatever the other person said and ended the call placing the phone on his pocket

I felt too awkward to look at him so I kept my gaze on my hands refusing to look up when I heard voices

"You should have sleep at home"Ibrahim said irritatedly

"Instead of you to be thankful I cancelled my date for yours"the other voice says and I recognized it immediately

It was Abubakar,I raised my head up immediately and our eyes met I was shocked to core and I could see thesame expression on his face

"Aishah!"he called unbelievable

"Abubakar!"