The Arranged Marriage 1

Chapter 1. Back Home

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               Khadija...

              I just came in from the USA yesterday Uncle Ali and his wife did not bother coming to pick me from the airport instead they send a driver which I am grateful for as soon as I see my name on the placard the driver raised in the welcome area at the airport I smiled at him it felt good to be home after 5 long years.

Not that I had much to return to anyways I lost my parents when I was 9 years old.My fathers brother Ali adopted me when my parents died and then I knew how fury hell could be. He and his wife aunt Zainab have never treated me as their daughter maybe that's why Allah has not granted them any child. And only yesterday uncle Ali was talking about marriage saying he wasted his money on me for my school fess and is broke now and that I could only pay him back by getting married to wealth right now. By wealth he meant Alhaji Suleiman's son -Yusuf.

                         ' Khadija' aunt Zainab shouts my name from downstairs , breaking into my thoughts ''na'am''(pronounced as nah-am) , the way she calls my name sounds like I am in big trouble. I run down the stairs my slippers making a pad pad  sound on the staircase. Our house is a duplex , a big one at that but there are other similar houses here too on Banana Island its noted for its accommodation of the rich people.

           I walk up to aunty Zainab who is sitting on the couch watching a film probably romance. I greet her to let her know am here

''Khadija, your uncle said you should dress up specially this evening we having guests , your future husband is coming over with his parents so put on your best smile and your best act'' she tells me while squeezing her face as though I was disgusting

''and comb that dirty thing you call hair'' she says and dismisses me with her hand , something I was used too.

                              I run to my room and the tears break free pouring in falls . The first time they had told me I had thought it was a joke or something   but when did Uncle and aunty ever joke with me? so I am getting married to a guy I don't know for money , money that uncle Ali has in stash I wonder how someone could be this greedy and stingy even his own wife steals from him. But I still love him for taking me to school , not love rather appreciate him...

                   I just pray that this Yusuf guy is all they make him seem like. I mean aunt zainab practically bought me new dresses , uncle Ali bought me expensive perfumes they even bought me gold jewelry!!! Am still in shock

Moments later I hear uncle Alis car drive in and the two other cars drive, they are here I cant help but think-doom has arrived.  I hear aunty Zainab greeting them her voice all too cheerily something she hardly did with me .

Its quiet for bit but I could hear some noise they were still talking. I can't really make out what they are saying then I hear the dinning chairs screech they must be sitted at the table.

aunt Zee will soon call for me so I carefully check my self in the mirror.

'Khadija' aunt Zee calls 

abit nicely I must say it t

catches me by surprise but then she's fake so....

na'am '' I reply and go downstairs .

I can already smell the strangers strong sweet perfume , they smell wealthy already something I am sure has Aunty Zee swooning over. I walk in to the dinning area.

            ''assalama alaikum'' I greet them while bending making no eye contact with them , my eyes glued to the floor.

''walaikum assalam'' the alhaji replies

''lah, she is beautiful Yusuf...' he stops mid-sentence

''Yusuf show some respect drop that phone and acknowledge her presence'', the alhaji replies scolding a handsome olive skinned guy that sat by his side ,

  ''walaikum assalam '' he greets me through gritted teeth. Only then do I dare to lift my eyes off the floor and I found myself staring at the most handsome guy I had ever seen.

                           I sit and watch them plan my own life draw out the wedding dates, engagement and location. Finally uncle Ali clears his throat "so it is settled next tomorrow is the engagement and 2 days after the wedding'' he says beaming with joy I sigh a sigh of sadness.

                       Yusuf didn't seem to concentrate at all he excused himself a couple of times to make phone calls and didn't even look at me once, I on the other hand stole glances from my veil at him.He is handsome. they continue chatting about the wedding arrangements.uncla Ali tells them about my education and boastfuly adds that I finished my studies in the USA ,he also adds that I finished with a first class only then does yusuf look up from his phone to give my uncle a look who cares kinda look.

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