The Arranged Marriage

Chapter 1. Shall we?

I woke up with a start, Khadijah had said she and Yusuf were stopping by today, quickly grabbing my phone to check the time 11am it reads I groaned I was expecting them by 1pm and I have done nothing but caress my eyes with sleep. I quickly stood to go clean up while ordering fast food on my phone, sighed In triumph when the order was accepted and quickly rushed to the bathroom while throwing my phone on the bed.

Lunch with Khadijah and her husband went very well. We were currently at the balcony facing my neighbors beautiful garden. We talked about school days, work and all.Yusuf said he was going fr business trip to Dubai and Khadijah admitted she was tagging along while blushing I laughed at their cuteness "awwn" I drawled, " She can't do a day without me" he said smirking while playfully touching his chest, Khadija laughed while out rightly denying it. Khadija and I attended the same university in the USA, I still remember it like yesterday when she approached me asking about a hall or something she had thought I was an old student probably due to the confidence I exude I explained that I was just a new student like her and she mad an "oh" with her mouth I laughed and our friendship bore wings that day.

I smiled while waving at them and shouted at them to bring their own food next time since Yusuf had out rightly said his wife's food tasted better than my food. I argued my defence even though I only ordered the food , I had to argue in my defence, I can't even cook but the food was good and I couldn't let it go without a fight defending good food is what I do.

I groan on my bed when I remember tomorrow is Monday, work work work is all Monday screams. I sighed while texting Umar back he

Was tiring his very best I had to admit, I'm just not ready for another heart break after catching him in his cheat games multiple times I gave up on him, I realized letting was easy meaning I had stopped loving him during the relationship. 9pm and my eyelids started to gain weight again I made a mental note to call ma tomorrow. Sleep took over me.

MONDAY

Currently at work, I work in my pa's company alongside my brother the CEO who speaking of which barges into my office all business like '' Mah-mah said she told you to call her and you haven't she said its urgent and you should call her right away" he says in a mouthful, I roll my eyes behind my desk "hi to you to Sadiq, hi to you" I say rudely , its his time to roll his eyes and glare " its good morning Zarah, to early to be rude " he says angry I couldn't help but stick my tongue he was rude to me first, he bags my office door shut and I couldn't help but laugh at his childishness. Sadiq says I'm his worst sibling when in fact we have a yin yang relationship I smile at that.

Quickly taking my phone out to cal Mah before she sends the whole office to me I cringe internally when I realize that she could..

Currently at the airport on my way to Abuja Mah had sounded urgent on the phone, said I had to fly back ASAP Mah's a drama queen but I think this is pretty serious cause she skipped asking me questions about my well being. I was able to quickly pack a few things while my assistant booked my flight before I arrived the airport, I was scared Lagos traffic would affect my flight I however made it just in time.

I am currently blinking sitting across from my parents on the Persian sofa , “it will be good hopefully” I blinked back not believing them half expecting this to be a joke, but dad had his stern face on, whenever he sets his face like that nothing can change what he wants to be done , he stood up abruptly” well I hope that was well understood, “ turning to me he says “ Zarah do tell me before you leave” he said and his home nurse who had been waiting behind the door took him upstairs to his room, Mah came to me immediately as the tears rolled down” why did Baba  do that?’ I asked her crying uncontrollably I her arms “ shh ..its for the best” she cooed patting my back softly, I wanted to ask her best for me or you and baba , but I knew better than toa sk I would only end up hurting myself more, so I lay still in her hands crying and egging her to beg baba.

Currently back in Lagos I sat rethinking yesterdays events as Sadiq drove me from the airport, “ Zarah , cheer up, its not as bad as you think it will be” Sadiq says breaking he silence while reaching out to me with his free hand, my face turned in utter disgust and annoyance” You knew about this too? I he cringed but I couldn’t hide the shock and disgust in my voice” yes I knew “ he says quietly, “ ki yi hankuri Zarah, it was not in my place to tell you , you know how Baba is” he says once again trying to get to the soft rational part of me, I sighed there was no escaping this for me, I let him hold my hand in his but I kept thinking about it.

Sadiq took me to  my apartment , well our apartment and made a light meal for me , I was too tired to eat, he kept pleading with me  after a few spoons I left for my room and slept not caring to put on y alarm or remove my clothes or pack my hair or remove my earrings I slept because I wanted to escape this lemons life threw at me, An arranged marriage in two weeks.