I walk further into the parlour and sink on to the plush blue rug. It's the softest place to sit in this house.

"Why haven't you asked to see Adeel, I know that you have your own business and you think you have money but don't forget that that man is going to be your Lord very soon. You should have called him by now. " Lord?  Should I tell her I saw him today?,  even though it was just a glimpse?

I look at her in astonishment, my parents are absolutely shameless people. She wants me to contact a man I've never spoken to. Ya Allah take all this torture away. Take it way before it is too late.

"Well, his mother called today, they will be coming here on Saturday to ask for your hand in marriage. See that you disappear that day. "

Should I disappear jn the real sense, so that you'll never find me?  Should I?

"Toh, Allah yayi Albarka." I stood from my position on the rug. I missed it -the rug- immediately I walked up the stairs to my room.

As I sank into my bed, one thing rang in my head.

I'll be an engaged woman in four days. Ya Allah.

Saturday morning came bright and sunny, noise woke me and I watched from my window the sun rise and beat down upon the earth. Another gonna be hot day.

Our house was full of aunties from different places. I have no idea how they've all converged here in three days. Guess this is what happens when they hear you are marrying a billionaire Fulani man.

I rolled over in my queen sized bed and looked around the room I remodelled when I returned here twenty five months ago. I had it decorated in muted tones of grey. The curtains were in abalone grey, while the walls painted harbor grey. The colour matches my mood. All the time.

I hear a knock at my door and I groan, I don't want to go anywhere just yet. I wish I could stay in here and no one would know I'm here. I'll also have to go away when they bring the lefe. I'd gladly lock myself in and watch rerun episodes of Say Yes To The Dress.

The knocking gets consistent and I'm forced to get out of my covers. I throw the door open and plaster a fake smile on my face.

"Aunty Maryam, Barka dai safiya."  I squat slightly and my pink flurry robe rides up. I see a scar from when that brute beat me. My hand on the door handle slips.

She smiles at me and her gold tooth gleams at me. She pats my left cheek lightly and walks into my room and plants herself on my bed. Her legs are short and she doesn't reach the floor. I'm the one with my father's height, 5'9.  I drag my single chair to seat in front of her.

"I know this must be hard for you." My mother sent her, is my mother worried I'll try to run?  Why so worried, I made this decision didn't I?

I place my hands on hers and smile brightly at her.

"I am happy with the choice my parents have made, it will be hard but Insha Allah, it will turn out easy."

She moves to pat my head and I bring my head closer, told you she's short.

She orders me into the bathroom and I take a long refreshing shower. I intend to go to Ajìkè Dikko's house uninvited, I need to see a friendly face or I'll break down soon.

I finally get dressed in a blue Ankara made in a slight off shoulder and flared out skirt. I style my scarf my style, and line my eyes with kohl, I pick out a white veil and walk to my dad's room.

As I near his door, I hear his raised voice and my mother's silent tones. One thing comes clear My father is loosing his business. He has been scammed of nine hundred million Naira.

No wonder he needs my marriage to the Hassan family. If he's gaining his business, what are the Hassans gaining then? Definitely not me. I'm too worthless.

Ya Allah, help me make sense of all of this. Help me. I slowly backed away and walked to the main living room where I greeted aunt after aunt. After a few minutes my cheeks began to hurt from the fake smiles I was giving. I beat a quick retreat to my Range Rover and drove out of my father's house.

As I drove past the Maitama guest house, I parked by the curb and felt the tears I had held in come in full force. I cried hard and when I had cried enough, I wiped my eyes and refined my eyes with kohl, dusted my face with powder and drove into Tana close.

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