All for what

Humaira I sat down by the window looking at the outside world. It was night and a part of the city was in a peaceful slumber. Daddy's word kept on ringing in my ears, his words had me in complete shambles, occupying my brain. When daddy called me into his room earlier, I knew something was up. Daddy never called me into his room unless he wanted to talk to me about something serious. "Salam Alaykum. Daddy you called for me." I said and he nodded. I sat down on the floor waiting for him to speak. "There is something important I want to discuss with you." Daddy said in a serious manner. 'Oh my he's gonna scold me.' "You know Alhaji Abubakar right?." I nodded in agreement. "Well we talked and we decided it will be better if you and his son Ashad get married." My heart skipped a beat, I turned to look at him in awe. I was baffled, flabbergasted and utterly shocked. 'Is this a joke or something? But daddy is not the kind that makes insane jokes, so that's out of the question.' I thought. "I know its unexpected but I think this will tighten our friendship. I've met his son and he's a really good boy and I hope you won't disappoint me." Daddy said when I didn't reply him. "Daddy, if you think this is good for me then I'll go with it. I know you will never make a decision that will not be good for me. So whatever you say, I'll do it." I said without thinking. "Oh my you don't know how happy you've made me. Allah ya miki albarka kuma ya sa shi yafi alheri. "Ameen ameen." I said and went back to my room. Seeing daddy happy made me happy. Now sitting in the comfort of my room, I couldn't help but think about what I agreed to. But what could I have done? I always did what my father wanted me to do. I'm Humaira Aliyu Maiyaki, the only child of Alhaji Aliyu Maiyaki. Being the only child, I felt it's my responsibility to do whatever daddy wanted me to even if i wasn't happy. I wanted to study engineering but daddy chose Doctor of physiotherapy. I had no choice than to study Doctor of physiotherapy. I now work as a physiotherapist at Schwa Physiotherapy Clinic owned by my Uncle Dr Abubakar Maiyaki. I love my job. I enjoy working with patients especially kids. What I enjoy the most is my appointments with Dad. The proud look in his eyes each time he calls me doctor Everytime he visits the hospital made me feel all the years of studying was worth it. Now that he wants me to get married to his friends son, I have no choice than to obey him. A knock on my door jolted me out of my thoughts."Humaira are you still awake?". "Yes ummi you can come in." I said. Adama Umar; Ummi is the woman who raised me. My mother died when I was two. Two years after her death daddy married Ummi. She doesnt have a child of her own, but she raised me like her own daughter. "Are you okay?" Ummi asked and sat down next to me. "Ummi I'm okay." I said and forced a smile. "I know you are not. Your father told me about what you discussed. If you don't want it, I can tell him to call it off." She said concern evident in her voice. "I know you are worried but it's going to be okay. He's a decent man, so you shouldn't be worried." She said. I blinked my eyes to prevent tears from falling. "Thank you Ummi, I love you so much." I croaked. "I love you too habibty. Now get some rest." she said and stood up. I watched her as she slowly left my room, my heart filled with love for her. My mother might be dead, but in my heart and soul, Ummi will always be my mother. I can never ask for a better mother than Ummi. I made my way to my bed and slumped on it. I drifted of to la land as soon as my pillow touched my bed. ***** "Hummmmyyyyyy!!!" My room filled with the annoying voice of my best friend, Fareedah. I groaned from under the covers annoyed with her for disturbing my beauty sleep. "Humaira you know what I'm capable of doing. So get up!" She said in her annoying high pitched voice. Begrudging I sat down on my bed glaring at her. I knew that If I didn't wake up, she'll end up pouring cold water on my precious face. I'm speaking from experience. "Morning babes!!!" She shouted. "Ughhh!! How can you be so energetic this early in the morning reedah?" I whined. "Well I'm just excited Mrs grumpy." She said grinning. She knew I hated being call Mrs grumpy. "And why the heck are you excited Mrs excited." I said trying my best not to sound grumpy. "No reason. just feeling happy and your sour mood won't do anything to dampen my mood." She replied. I rolled my eyes and got of my bed. "I'll just go and get ready. Thank you for ruining my beauty sleep." I said sarcastically and entered my bathroom before she could say a word. I took a quick bath and got dressed into my favorite black abaya in less than 30minutes, which is in record time. "I know something is wrong. Now spill." Fareedah said, more like ordered. Trust my best friend to know when something is wrong with me. "I'm not a jug of milk, how can I spill." I said rolling my eyes. That earned me a smack from my violent friend. "You know what I mean." She said seriously. "I'm getting married." I said. I found it difficult to get the words out of my mouth. Me? getting married! Absurd. "Omg!" Fareedah bounced up my bed screaming. "I can't believe my best friend is getting married!!" She shouted jumping up and down excitedly on my bed. "Will you calm down! Daddy chose the guy and I don't even know him, how can I be happy." I said frustrated. "Hey its ok. Everything will be okay. You know your father won't choose a man that will hurt you." She said softly. I nodded knowing that she's right. "That aside, when are you getting married?" I asked and her mood changed. "I Uhm there is something I want to tell you." She said on the verge of tears. "Okay tell me!" I urged. "I'm married." She said slowly. "Yeah and I have two kids." I said sarcastically. "Humaira I am not joking." She said slowly. I looked into her eyes and knew she was telling the truth. But how? "Holy patatas! Wait are you serious right now? When? And you didn't even tell me." I said all in one breath. "I'm sorry okay! My parents don't even know I'm married." She said crying. I hugged her tightly. I couldn't bear seeing my best friend crying. "Why?" I managed to ask. "Do you remember the guy I wanted to marry and my parents said no?" She asked and I nodded. Of course I remembered. It felt like yesterday when Faridah barged into my room crying. She ended up spending the night at my house. Although I remembered the story, I couldn't remember the guys name. I had never seen him not even in pictures. Faridah is someone that likes to keep things to herself. Even thou we are best friends, there are so many things I don't know about her. "His parents didn't approve of our relationship neither did mine. So we decided to get married in secret. We've being married for five months now and we still don't know how to tell them." She said. "Shhhh its going to be okay." That was all I could say. We sat there hugging each other without saying a word. "Ahhhh Ahhhh. Who I'm I seeing? Fareedah?" Ummi asked dramatically. "Ummi Ina wuni." Fareedah greeted shyly. "Dole kiji kunya. you dumped your own Ummi." Ummi said feigning hurt. "I'm really sorry Ummi I've been really busy, but you know I can never dump you." Fareedah said. "I'm still here ooo." i said rolling my eyes. "No one cares about you." Ummi said and I placed my hand on my chest feigning hurt. "Your Father said to tell you that your in laws are coming today." She said and my mood changed. "Wear something presentable Humaira." I nodded grumpily. "Don't worry Ummi I'll take care of her." Fareedah said grinning. Oh no! "You are in charge." Ummi said and left us. "Oya lets get started!!" Fareedah screamed and walked into my closest. I groaned in annoyance and followed her. "Wear this." She said and gave me the peach gown she picked. I looked and the gown and shook my head. Too curvy. "Wear this." "No wear this." "nah this one will look good on you." "I like this one." I sighed irritatedly. I was tired and Fareedah wasn't helping. I sat down on my bed ignoring Fareedah. "Wowwwww baby you are definitely wearing this!!" Fareedah screamed and showed me an emerald gown. I grinned and nodded my head. Anything green is my favorite. "Thanks reedah." I said and kept the gown on my bed. "Its my duty. Too bad I won't get to meet your hubby today." she said. "Huh what no! You have to be there. I can't face them on my own." I whined. "Sorry baby gurl but I gotcha go. I have a lot to do" She said and I sighed. "Fine!" I said grumpily. "See yah!!" She shouted and ran out of my room before I could stop her. She knew I would try to manipulate her into staying. I sat down on my bed angrily. Now what??