Rayyan's POV

That way- Tate McRae

"If you knew you would get this nervous, you should have told her you won't make it" Binta said as she smoothen down my hair

"I'm not nervous" I replied looking at her through the mirror

She looked down at my hand and snorted "Tell that to your fidgeting hands"

I unclasp my hands and put them by my side then took a deep breath.

"This will be good right. The mom won't hate me?

"Now that she'll know you're a rich man? Definitely not" She answered applying more hair oil unto my hair

I glared at her through the mirror and she rolled her eyes

"You know she would prefer a richer version to someone who's just a sales guy for her child Rayyan"

I nodded reasoning her words then she added "And her reputation" and I send her another glare.

The door opened and Sadiq walked in with Fawaz right behind him.

"Getting ready to meet the in laws"

"Talking as if I'm going for introduction"

He leaned against the bedside "Pretty much that. You're introducing yourself as Ammarah's man"

I fixed him with a look and asked "Are you ready?

He motioned to his outfit "Ready as ever. Do you know anyone in Ammarah's house that would like a painting partner? He grinned then shrugged "Just that I don't know painting"

He walked further into the room "I know science though, if she's interested"

Binta smacked his head "Shut up. We all know how many girls you have"

He rubbed the place she slapped and paused his lips "That's because most of them found out my brothers are rich"

I stood up from the vanity stool and adjusted my cap then look back to them specifically asking Binta "How do I look?

She smiled warmly, at that moment reminding me of our mother. The warmth Binta has is the same as that of our mom's

"You look amazing. I want to cry" She dramatically pulled me into a hug and dragged Sadiq into it as well

Sadiq wriggled his way out and sighed "Just because you're the only female doesn't mean you're our mom Binta"

She glared at him and placed a hand on her waist "Only girl in between five boys. I think I deserve to be the mum"

She took ahold of Fawaz's hand and turned "Come down Rayyan, it's getting late"

I nodded and watched her leave then turned to Sadiq "She's doing the best she can. Give her some credit"

He looked genuinely confused then I explained "Our three brothers are stuck with work and our step siblings are all scattered around. The house in sokoto is now a shell of a home. We two are currently what she has, give her space for caring too much"

Sadiq rolled his eyes and wanted to say something but decided against it then turned and walked out of the room.

I watched his back and knows without him even speaking what he wanted to say.

She only have the two of us but now one is leaving.

^*^*^*^*^*^*^

Sadiq and I pulled in at Ammarah's compound. It was a normal looking terrace that contrast to how I envisioned it. I thought of the house like Ammarah, with flowers and swings and some ridiculous things that explains her fierce personality.

We got out of the car and walked to the front porch with my hand clenching and unclenching. Sadie leaned in to my ears and whispered "Relax"

"Do I look nervous? I whispered back

"So much it's killing me" He said knocking at the door

"What do I do? I asked in a hushed tone

"Not be nervous? He shot back just as the door opened and Rahma smiled

"Rayyan" She said and looked at Sadiq "Welcome, please come in"

She opened the door wider and stepped back in waiting for us to follow suit. I turned to Sadiq to ask him to walk in and saw his jaw literally hanging as he stared at Rahma.

Well this would be interesting.

^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

Ammarah's POV

"They're here" Rahma yelled barging into the room as I pinned my veil around

"You couldn't announce that quietly? I asked grabbing my phone from the side table

"He's here with his very very fine brother or friend. You never told me he has a very fine circle"

I rolled my eyes "That's because I never knew"

She grabbed my arm and hooked it with hers "Come let's get you to your groom"

"Haa! groom indeed" I laughed sarcastically and we walked out of the room, down the stairs and into the living room Rayyan and his partner are.

When I walked in, Rayyan turned to look at me and both our breaths hitched. I gaze at him in his white kaftan and cap. Looking like the typical Arewa man, only finer.

"Assalamu alaikum" I muttered walking in with a big smile and sitting opposite them. And true to Rahma's words, the man beside Rayyan really is fine. Yet he held candle compared to Rayyan's rays. 

"Hello sister inlaw" The man started saying and Rayyan elbowed him

"What! I can't call her sister in-law when she is?

"Ammarah, hello" Rayyan said turning to look at me

"Hello Rayyan"

"Seriously? You call each other by your names? No pet names at all? Sadiq butted in shaking his head

"Meet my immediate brother, Sadiq" Rayyan dramatically sighed at the end and I chuckled

"Nice to meet you Sadiq"

Sadiq smiled "The pleasure is all mine sister in-law. Although that name is too long. I would have to shorten it"

I stood up from my seat "Let me bring you refreshments"

I walked to the kitchen and met Rahma already placing the cups on the tray

"You have made everything ready? I asked looking down at it

She grinned "I'm also hoping I bag the other guy"

She grabbed one tray and left the other for me and I took it then followed behind her.

Right before I keep it on the table, the cups slide and almost fall out of the tray tilting it in the process. I paused, waiting to hear a shatter when a hand held it in place.  He lift the tray on my hands keeping  it stable. I looked over to him and smiled

"Be careful princess" Rayyan said loudly enough for Sadiq to hear

I flashed him a grin "Why thank you my ray"

"So you do have nicknames for each other after all" Sadiq said behind us and we laughed

I kept the tray and Rayyan walked back to his seat just as the footsteps of my mother tore our gaze away from each other to her as she descended the stairs elegantly. I could hear the silence that enveloped the room as we anxiously waited for her entrance. She walked and sat on one of the chairs then smiled at Rayyan and Sadiq.

"Welcome to our humble abode Rayyan and..." She paused

"Sadiq, Rayyan's brother" Sadiq introduced himself looking at her with a guarded expression that wasn't there when he walked in

"Thank you" Rayyan replied "Good evening"

"Good evening. How's everyone at home?

"They're good"

"You live with your parent?

I wanted to step in and answer that but Rayyan replied her in a smooth tone

"No I live with my sister and her family"

My mom nodded then stared at his face a bit longer "What did you say your full name was again?

"I didn't" Rayyan replied "Rayyan A Annur"

She leaned back into her seat with a grin "I knew that face is familiar. Of course its you, Rayyan Annur owner of A ANNUR farms"

Rayyan nodded and smiled stiffly

"You do keep a low profile Mr Rayyan. We only get to see you on interviews and that too has stopped"

"Well I prefer privacy"

My mom nodded as if understanding "All rich people do. But sometimes we also want to come into the light"

I cringed inwards at my mom's choice of words and how shallow she's coming out. That I thought after our talk, she was going to change is just a sign of my naivety.

"Right" Rayyan nodded politely

"Well Rayyan is all privacy and greatness" Sadiq replied crossing his legs. She looked at him briefly then back at Rayyan

"It is an honour having you in our home Mr Rayyan"

"Thank you" Rayyan replied and she stood up

She walked pass me and gave me a satisfied look. A look that screamed "I'm proud of you" and at that moment, I muster every strength in me to not throw up because of how disgusted I was.

That however vanish when Sadiq cleared his throat and said "Well that was weird. Anyways I have come to the conclusion that Rayyan is absolutely whipped by Ammarah"

"Have you seen Ammarah? Rahma started and I panicked sending her a glare which she completely ignored and continued talking "She smiles like a mumu whenever she sees his message or phone call.

I wanted to melt into my seat but looked over to Rayyan and saw him smiling. And that was worth the embarrassment.

Then my thoughts ventured into a place I never reflected on. I know I won't stand a day waking up without having Rayyan to talk to or run to and I'm pretty sure I have earned a soft place in his heart as well. Yet that nameless rule is starting to disturb me. Did Rayyan also have a nameless rule? Or did he have a definition for our relationship?

Because if Rayyan and I aren't friends, then what are we?