Our Fate

Chapter 6

"I called you all here to inform you about the marriage preparation" Alhaji Muhammad said calmly. And rahma heart skip a beat, she couldn't believe Abba was hellbent on getting her married immediately after her POP. But to who? After all she haven't even present Aliyu to him talk more of proposing.

"Marriage preparation? With who?" She asked swiftly hoping her father has not just give her hand out to someone else.

"With your fiance of course. I already accepted the proposal without needing to asked you again, since you both love each other and the good news is that I like him for you because you're in a better hand. Aliyu's father, Alhaji Ibrahim Rabiu was my old best friend and I trust him to hand over my daughter to them after all it was your choice which make it more easy.

"But Abba, how did you even know he was the one?" Rahma asked curiously.

"Well your mother told me about him, and his father came also and told me about his son proposal" he reply.

She turn to look at her mum for any ckue before fixing her gaze back at her father"But Abba, I'm not ready for marriage," she said while her tears betray her.

"While it been concluded and the date as already been fixed. You will be fleeing to Dubai for your marriage shopping together with your sisters. Have book all your ticket, get ready you're all leaving for Abuja tomorrow, to sleep over in your Aunty house, because your flight will be taken off next tomorrow by 11pm."their father said.

To say rahma and her sisters were shocked was an understatement, she couldn't even believed her own ear. "Is Abba really serious about all this" she asked no other but herself. Everything happen so fast who could she blame after all? if not Aliyu for bringing the proposal even after pleading with him to wait for sometimes.

"Abba so when is the date fixed?" Mardiya now asked after several minute of silent, still trying to swallow the numb that foam in her throat too.

"On the 5th of October next month" he said.

"Abba!" Rahma called in high pitch voice." Are you really tired of seeing me in this house? That you want to get rid of me so fast by marrying me off within just two weeks?" She asked tears streaming down her cheeks.

"Rahma will you just calm down and not talk back at your father that way?" Hajiya Raliya warn.

"Seem you're getting this other way round Rahma, I'm not getting you marry because am tired of you or rather want to get ride of you soon. I'm getting you marry because that is the best, like I said before marriage is half of your deen. It is a reward you will get and also we as your parent will. It is said that when a girl reaches the age of marriage they should get her married. What more did you want to achieved in life that you haven't if not for marriage Rahma. You grow up fine, with a good background, finish your school and even complete your service and yet you think you're not ready to get married? Then what will you be doing? I should allow you to have a job first? Did you think a guy will approach you after all this? Did you think they will continue to rush to you just as they do now? No they won't Rahma everything in this life as it limit time. There is a certain age you will get and you will become a spinster with no suitor. Did you know your limit time on earth? Did you know when your soul would be taken out of your body? Did you know maybe by the time you're ready I will be no more or you will be no more? No, you don't know any of this that why you have to be scared of it Rahma. It will be a great sin on me if I die without getting you all married because you're all of age. For the sake of Allah get married let me have that peace of mind that at least have married one of my daughter out happily." Alhaji Muhammad said the last sentence with a lot sadness.

What could be her reason again? The emotion she felt at the moment was so much she couldn't stop crying, everything her father said got deep within her, it reawaken the fear of losing any of her parent. All she ever wanted is to make her parent happy and see that satisfying smile on their face. She stood up and wrapped her hand on her father, beseeching how sorry she was for not looking at everything from that perspective, and how she talk rudely.

She now accepted the marriage proposal with an open arm, fill with happiness and love. She's going to make her marriage the most memorable one to everyone including her parent.

After a little chit chat with their parent, they bade them goodnight and return back to their apartment.

"I can't believe we are going for shopping next tomorrow in Dubai" Mardiya exclaim immediately they sat down on sofa.

"And to even make it more fun only us are going this time around without Umma" basma said happily.

"So we have wedding in just next two weeks to come? Oh my God! Someone should pinch me please, I'm I dreaming?" Mardiya asked grinning. And she receive a hard knock on her head.

"Ahhh Ya Rahma, I didn't asked for a knock now I only said pinch." She said dramatically. "But wait Ya Rahma, Uncle Aliyu didn't tell you about the proposal he brought why?" She asked, facing her now serious.

"That what I don't know too, and it disappointed me for hiding it away from me" She respond.

"Maybe he wanted to surprise you" Mardiya added.

"While it might be possible he also don't even know anything about it, just like you also don't till now." Basma defend.

"You think? How can it even be possible? When his father said they are both in love. Which means he told his father everything about us and they proceed with the proposal and even have the date fixed

"Just hear his own side of the story first, before concluding, I had this feelings that he also don't know what even going on about all this" Basma said again.

"Sannu miss feelings! I'm off to kitchen to cook noodles who is in?" Mardiya asked and they both turn toward her.

"Am in please, I'm hungry!" Basma pleaded. And Rahma added.

"Will Amarya be able to eat too" Mardiya asked jocularly.

"No Amarya will deprived herself of food and die of hunger even before her marriage" she said sarcastically before throwing pillow at her sister.

"Ah that so bad for the groom you know?" Mardiya reply her, before walking to the kitchen not forgetting to threaten basma if she didn't trail behind.

She went to her room and check her phone only to see Aliyu 5missed call with a message.

She open the message in box and read.

"I wish I could sleep as I used to, I wish I could dream as I used to. But I can't because I am used to having a chit chat with you everyday long before sleeping, and can't dream also with out hearing from you tonight. I miss you so much my priceless possession, please call me when you can. I love you!"

From your Nur.

After re reading the message for like countless time, she realized that no matter what, she couldn't bear to ignore him for a single day, so she dial his number and he pick just at first rang. That was when the anger of hiding it all from her came back like a pump blood she couldn't stop.

"Aliyu why will you do this to me? Why must you not asked for my permission before going ahead? Didn't I have every right to know about it? Even after breaking the promise?" She asked immediately he pick the call.

"Innalilahi wai ina illahi raji'un! Rahma please calm down and elaborate what you're talking about" he pleaded confuse.

"Are you trying to pretend you don't know what am talking about Aliyu?" She asked gnashing her teeth in anger.

"By Allah, I don't know what you're talking about" he swore. He has never seen Rahma like that before, and it scared him to the core, because he don't even know exactly what he did to make her piss off like that.

And it dawn on her, that Basma might be right he don't know exactly what was going on." Your dad brought a wedding proposal and the marriage has been fixed to hold in next two weeks" she said to him.

"He did what? How? When? Without even letting me know anything about it. I never knew When all that happen, you're the first to even tell me about" he said and ended the call even before she could say anything.

Rahma sighed deeply after keeping the phone aside,

"Basma you're right, he didn't even know anything about it too, in fact he was even shocked more than I was. And even ended the call." Rahma said, immediately Basma and Mardiya came into the room with a bowled of noodle while Mardiya hold a tray containing bottle water and juice.

"I told you, Ya Rahma he didn't look like someone who will hide anything from you."

"Uhm and I just couldn't stop myself and pour my anger at him" She said sincerely regretting her action.

"Even after that long lecture by Abba Ya Rahma, you're still not ready?" Mardiya asked.

"Not that I'm not ready again, it's just that I felt disappointed for him not telling me about it." She said.

"Like I said, you should've head his own side of the story before concluding, anyway the deed as been done try and call him and apologized." Basma suggested.

"You think?" Rahma asked again.

"Yes Ya Rahma is the best thing to do and let peace reign." Mardiya added.

"In sha Allah, I will now let eat please"

"Ya Rahma with food, uhm I pity uncle Aliyu  store." Basma said and earn a knock as usual. Lol!

*   *   *

"Mama I can't believe this, I can't believe Baba went ahead and asked for her hand in marriage. Without even telling me anything about it. For Allah sake can't they let us be for a while?" Aliyu asked his mum over the phone so enraged.

"Well the deed has been done you better take a leave from work and return back home to prepare." Her mum said, adding more salt to his wound.

"Mama this is unfair, you know it. How can i start explaining this to Rahma that I wasn't the one that push the marriage stuff after I promise her I will patiently wait till she's ready for it." He said sadly tears streaming down his cheek.

"Like I said earlier, the date is fixed already, is just two weeks from now so start preparing. And I hope the house you build there in Abuja is complete also." Hajiya Summaya asked.

"Mama you're getting me more pissed off please"

"Okay then, goodbye! My regard to Rahma." She said and before she could even get to end her call Aliyu already ended his.

He brush his hair frustratedly with his hand. And stay still confused of the next move when his phone buzz again this time around it was Rahma and he has not been more frighten just as he did now. He was even scared to pick the call again.

After several ring non stop he pick the call preparing his self for another hurtful word, after all he deserve it. "I'm sorry Rahma" "I'm sorry Aliyu!" They both said at the same time.

"I'm sorry for shouting at you that way honestly, I was just disappointed you didn't tell me, not knowing you also didn't know about it" "she beseech.

"Is okay Rahma, I was actually the one at fault at least it was my father that hit the button. But I will rectify my mistake by cancelling that wedding until you're ready" he said.

"No you're not at fault and even your father only want the best for you. Don't cancel it please, have already accept it. After all it is OUR FATE!" Rahma said.

"Are you sure Rahma? Are you happy about it" he asked again.

"Yes I'm sure, I might not be fully happy about it before, but now I am, knowing I shall be in a safe hand." She respond.

"Masha Allah! I'm glad you're happy and I promise to be the best husband you could ever wish for, I promise you will never regret ever accepting me to be your life partner."

"In sha Allah, and I promise to be the best wife you could ever ask for, A mother to your unborn children and every happiness marriage comes with."

"Ya Allah! Rahma I love you so much, that it hurt I couldn't even express it to you. You seem to capture my mind all the time. There is never a moment when I don't think about you or miss your presence. Your love takes over me all the time. I feel so weak in your love."