Asiya’s Diary

MARRIAGE TALK

AHMAD’s POV

"Ya Ahamdeee," she barged into my room without knocking, of course, it must be Fatima, my crazy sister. I am not surprised because I am already used to her behaviour.

"Ya Ahmad you promised to take me to Coldstone today, don't tell me you forgot," she pouted.

"Baby sis, I am so sorry I've been so busy with work that's why it slipped my mind" I answered back because I don't want any of her craziness right now.

"Okay, it's not too late. Let me go and get dressed, see you in ten" Before I even got the chance to tell her to leave it till tomorrow, she disappeared which means I have no other choice. I picked up my car keys and headed to the main house, entered Mama's room and found her reading a novel, she likes reading.

"Mama ina wuni[Good afternoon]" I greeted her respectfully while squatting.

"How are you my baby?" she questioned and gave me a heartwarming smile.

"I am fine" I answered and embraced her then pecked both her cheeks.

"Where to?" She asked me.

"I am going to take Fatima to Coldstone, that girl and ice cream" I sighed, shaking my head. Right on cue, Murja entered the room.

"Hey big bro" She spoke.

"How are you?" I asked her.

"I am tired" she retorted and slumped on Mama's bed, I just rolled my eyes, my family won't kill me today.

"Okay, bye Mom" she just waved me off.

"Wait, please where are you going?" Murja asked.

"I am taking that crazy girl to Coldstone" I answered.

"Please wait, let me get dressed" She answered and stood up to go to her room.

I went to the parlour only to find Anwar busy talking on this phone, probably with a girl, I just shook my head. This stupid boy is a player. Many girls are texting him but I don't even think he has a main girlfriend.

"Hey Lil bro," he said after finishing his call.

"So, you are now seeing me after sweet-talking one of your chicks koh?" I questioned.

"No, she's just a classmate from school, that's all" he answered, clearly lying.

"You know I am already used to that silly excuse of yours, don't worry, one day many girls will come looking for you to beat you up. Just you wait and see " I smirked evilly, thinking about girls coming to our house to look for Anwar.

"I swear nobody can touch me, because every girl is rushing, and many girls fight over me" he boasted.

"Just save the bragging for another time please," I said in a bored tone. Just after he finished speaking, Murja and Fatima came down all dressed in their Abayas.

"My sisters look so pretty, where are you two going?"Anwar inquired.

"Ya Ahmad is taking us to Coldstone" answered an enthusiastic Fatima.

"Oh please let's go together, I miss their ice cream" Anwar grinned:

We all piled in my black Maybach and I drove off to Coldstone, the drive was chatty with Fatima and Anwar busy with their banters.

"We are here," I said. We alighted the car and trudged into the place then ordered three boxes of dominos pizza and headed to the ice cream parlour upstairs.

"Ya Ahmad I will get your ice cream because I know your favourite is vanilla and caramel," said Fatima. The trio went ahead to join the queue while I sat down to wait for them. I raised my head, only to see a figure sitting on the other side of the table for two, I don't even know her.

"Omg! Am I seeing the freaking Ahmad Rashad, I can't believe it," She said while fanning herself with her hands dramatically, making everyone turn their heads in our direction to see what's happening, then some group of girls walked towards me.

"Ayy! He's so hot. He is even better looking than in pictures" One of them shouted, I just stood there, surprised and speechless.

Thankfully, Fatima and the rest came back. I was practically dragged out of the place, we came down and quickly collected our pizza then entered the car.

"That was crazy" Fatima shouted and we all laughed out loud.

"Just look at the way girls were drooling over him just by seeing him in real life " said Murja.

"Well, I am used to seeing many girls in my dm but I never knew it would come to this stage" I stated the fact.

"I thought I am the ladies' man but bro, you are just on another level," Anwar said, we just chuckled and I revved the car to life then zoomed off.

We arrived and entered the house, we found Mama and Baba watching a movie while he held her in his arms, I smiled at my parents and just then, I started thinking about Layla. Me, her and our children, I smiled at the thought.

"Earth to ya Ahmad" Fatima snapped her fingers, jolting me out of my reverie.

"I know you are thinking about Ya Layla but sorry bro, it's ice cream time no, you can call her later" Fatima teased. I just rolled my eyes. We entered the parlour and squatted to greet Baba, he answered cheerfully, we then sat down on the carpet to take our ice cream.

"Ahmad if you finish come and meet me in my office," Baba said and stood up.

"Toh Baba[Okay Dad]" I answered.

After we finished, I went to baba's office and took my seat on one of the chairs opposite him, the mahogany table in the middle serving as our interval, Baba cleared his throat, meaning he wants to say something important.

"Ahmad you know you aren't growing any younger right?" Baba asked.

"Yes Dad" I answered him, knowing where this conversation is going.

"Good, I think it's high time you talk to Layla," Baba said.

"Toh Daddy" I answered back but inside I was dancing with joy, I felt like shouting because I am so happy but I just composed myself by giving him the best smile I could muster. I came out of the office, the smile never leaving my face then I bumped into Fatima.

"Ya Ahmad what did he tell you?" questioned Fatima, eager to hear the good news because she saw the way I was smiling earlier.

"That I should tell Layla so that they can go ask for her hand in marriage," I said with so much enthusiasm.

"My people, Ya Ahmad is getting married." She yelled out, leave it to Fatima to start yelling when she is happy. They all ran down the stairs with so much energy, Anwar being the dancer started dancing and we all joined.

"Dan Allah[Please] are you serious?"Murja asked.

"Yes, we just talked about it with Daddy," I said and narrated all that happened at the office, I left them busy planning my wedding and went to Mama's room to speak to her, as I entered she just hugged me, Mama being lachrymose teared up instantly.

"I can't believe my eldest son is getting married, " She sobbed.

"Mama, please stop crying, your eyes will pain you," I said and used my handkerchief to wipe her tears.

"Now you will have a wife and I won't be seeing you every day," she smiled sadly.

"Mama I will always be your baby," I comforted and embraced her again. After I left Mama's room, I moseyed to my section, it's just a small apartment at the back of the main house.

I entered my room and slumped on the bed then remembered that I didn't pray. I made my way to the bathroom and took a refreshing shower, performed ablution and came out. I threw on my t-shirt and sweatpant, spread out the prayer mat and prayed, I also thanked Allah for everything, folded my prayer mat and placed it on the couch in my room before lying down on the bed, I picked up my phone to call Layla who answered on the first ring.

"Hello baby" I heard her melodious voice that sounded like music to my ears.

"Hey sweetheart," I responded with so much happiness.

"How are you?" She asked.

"I feel exhilarated and I don't think I have ever been this happy in my life" I answered enthusiastically.

"And what is the reason behind your happiness?" She popped the question.

"Because Daddy talked to me about us, he said they will come and ask for your hand in marriage and you should discuss with your parents" I happily answered.

"I am so excited, my parents talked to me about that earlier and I planned on telling you, seems to me like our parents have the same thoughts," she delightedly screamed.

"So when should they come?" I asked.

"Maybe I should let daddy know first," She suggested.

"Yes, that's a good idea" I agreed.

We talked about everything and nothing for about two hours before we said our goodbyes and immediately my head hit the pillow, and I slept off.