All for what

chapter two

Ashad

As usual, work was very hectic. My energy was depleted. Even thou I was tired, all I could think of while driving home, was the love of my life...

I sighed, getting rid of her thoughts. Just thinking about her made my heart twist in pain. I wanted to tell the whole world that she's mine. But how I'm I supposed to do that when my parents are against her.

Incessantly I kept on honking until the gates eventually opened. I drove into my parents compound and pulled over in the parking space.

I entered through the back door and the aroma of jollof rice filled my nostrils. I didn't realize that I was very hungry. I smiled at my mother's affections, even without saying it, she knew what I wanted. I loosened the tie around my neck before ambling to the kitchen.

"Mommah!" I shouted hugging her from behind.

"Oh my Ashad, you scared me." Mummy said and smacked me.

"I really miss you mommah." I said.

"Well it's your fault, you don't visit often. I was surprised when you called to say that you'll come home today." She said and I looked away. She's right. Lately I've been busy with a certain someone that I hardly ever visited.

"I'm hungry!" I said changing the topic.

"Glutton! Oya go and freshen up, then you'll eat. And oh your Father wants to talk to you." I nodded and headed to my room to freshen up.

•

After freshening up and eating my mommah's special jollof rice, I headed to my dad's living room. I met him sitting on one of the sofas, the 3sitter facing the big flat screen TV which was showing news.

Mommah was sitting on the sofa adjacent to his. When I came in, they both looked at me. The look on their faces told me that they were about to discuss something serious. I sat down beside my mum.

"Good evening Baba." I greeted and he nodded.

"Its been long since you last visited." Baba said and I nodded not knowing what to say.

" I want to talk to you about something important and I want you to calmly think about it." He said.

"Ok baba."

"Your mum and I have decided that its time for you to get married." My heart missed a beat. Mar what???

"Baba i really don't have anyone in mind apart from...."

"If you utter that shameless girl's name Zan bata ma rai." Mommah said angrily.

"Fatima calm down please." Abba said and I quickly apologized. I hate it when my mum and I argue, cause I love and adore her.

" you know we do not like that girl and we will never accept her. Her parent are vicious people and she's a spoilt brat. I've send a proposal to Alhaji Aliyu, my best friend and they've accepted. So it's settled. You are marrying his daughter Humaira." Abba said authoritatively. Abba had made his decision, and when he makes decision he doesn't change his mind.

The news came to me like a thunder in the night. My world was crashing for the second time and there was nothing I could do because I can't disobey my parents. I thanked them for looking out for me and even faked being excited, but deep down my heart was breaking. I bid them goodnight and blindly went to my room. As I entered my room, I banged the door angrily and slumped down on my bed.

I felt so depressed. I've been with Hilwa for five years and we made it official few months ago. For me to tell her that I'm getting married will be huge blow for her. How can I marry another woman when I promised her that she'll be the only woman in my life? A knock on my door jolted me out of my thoughts. Without been told, I knew it was Mommy. I opened the door for her and she sat down on my bed. I sat down beside her.

"We are doing this not because we don't want you to be happy, we are doing this because we want what's best for you. I know you are a man but as your parents, I think we have the right to make this kind of decision for you." Mommy said softly.

"I understand and I'm really sorry for the way I behaved earlier." I said and she nodded.

"We are going to see her tomorrow." Mommy said and left my room before I could reply.

Talking to mommy made me felt a bit better. But that didn't change the fact that I was marrying someone I have never seen.

Ya Allah!!

****

" Ya Ashad wake up or I swear I'll beat your ass out of that bed." An angry voice spoke. I opened my eyes only for me to see Abida's annoying face.

"What is it now?" I grumbled and covered my face with my blanket. It was a Saturday morning and the morning was cold. I guessed I overslept and missed breakfast.

When she didn't reply, I figured out she left the room. I closed my eyes hoping I'll be able to go back to sleep.

"Ahhhhh!" I shouted and quickly threw my blankets off me. I was deranged in cold water. "I'll kill you!!"

Before I could get out of bed, she'd already ran out of my room. I groaned angrily and stomped inside the bathroom to take a hot bath. Abida! She'll pay for this. Abida is my sister, I hate her as much as I love her. She's a pain in the ass. I'm not your typical northern brother probably because I grew up in Germany.

Knock! Knock! Knock!

Someone knocked on my bathroom door. I knew it was Abida so I ignored her.

"Mom said you should be ready you are going out together." She said in her annoying high pitched voice.

Oh right! We are going to see my so called wife to be. I took my bath and wore a dark blue kaftan with a matching cap. I wanted to wear T-shirt and jeans but I decided against it. Mommah will skin me alive!

I picked up the clothes I dumped on the floor last night and tried to tidy up my messed up room. My room was always a mess. I hurriedly rushed downstairs, I didn't want to get in trouble with my mom early in the morning. Oh what a morning!

I slowed my pace when I walked into the dining area. Mommah, Baba and Abida had already started eating. They were all quiet which was unusual.

I took a seat next to my annoying sister. I glared at her and she grinned. I ignored her and focused my attention on the food that was placed in front of me. Fried yam and egg sauce.

"Good morning baba. An tashi lafia?" I greeted my old man.

"Lafia." he said more like grumbled. I wondered why he was in a bad mood.

"Good morning mommah." she smiled warmly and gestured for me to just eat my food. I ate my food in silence. Well breakfast went well. I think.

•

After breakfast, Baba sat me down and started preaching about marriage. He started with praises and then long nasihas. I pretended to listen even thou I wasn't paying attention. Occasionally, I nodded my head as If I was understanding what he was saying, whereas, I could only grab few words.

After the boring talk, we headed to my in laws house. The drive was really boring. Abida kept on squealing and gushing about how she couldn't wait to meet her in law. I ignored her and kept on thinking about my life. How could baba do this to me? Oh my hilwa. I'm really sorry but I really can't say no to baba.

I decided to make the girl's life a living hell. She would regret knowing me. I kept on thinking of ways to make her life a living hell that I didn't even noticed we've arrived at her house.

•

Abida and my parents went in first while I stayed outside for bit. After a while, I followed them in. Humaira's mom welcomed us warmly.

Baba and Humaira's father talked about their lives and family, while Mum and Humaira's mum tried to get to know each other. After all the chit chatting, they finally talked about the wedding. My wedding! I didn't pay attention but I knew that the wedding was set to be in two months.

After making the decision, Humaira's mum send a maid to call her and we all sat there waiting for the princess to arrive. {note the sarcasm}.

"Salam Alaykum " a soft melodious voice said. I raised my head to see where that soft melodious voice was coming from, I saw a very beautiful lady with brown eyes, I couldn't get my eyes off her. She settled close to her mother's feet and greeted my parents in a voice that I could listen to all day.