MARRED

CHAPTER NINE - ARE YOU STILL MAD AT ME?

Amanah

"I do not see Ahmad." Mom complained, looking around the Train Station.

"Mom we only just arrived." I reminded as I dialed Ahmad's number while scanning the station. The voice on the other end was a cold one. "Behind you." He truly was, with two other men. The man sure does know how to express his anger.

"Ahmad, Son. You are here." Mom was first to greet as Ahmad arrived with the two strangers.

"Assalaam'alaykum Mom, Sophia." He greeted. How childish! So, now I did not deserve a tasleem?

"Wa'alaykumussalaam Wa RahmatuLlah." Both Mom and Sophie responded with a beam.

"Assalaam'alaykum Ahmad." I greeted. He just mumbled the response and asked the men to pack our luggage to a waiting truck.

Mom Immediately engaged Ahmad in a conversation as Ahmad picked up my hand bag, still not sparing me as much as a glance. Sophie looked at me with a wide smile on her face. Crazy girl already knew what was happening, but she tormented me still.

The drive to Asokoro was an extremely long one. It reminded me of the trip I had when I came for the interview. Ahmad's cold stance made the trip even longer.

Mom and he sat at the front while Sophie and I took the back seat.

Though Ahmad and Mom were talking about the sudden change in whether from rainy to Harmattan, he was totally distant - At least, from me. He even said something that made Mom and Sophie laugh. As for me, I just was not listening.

I kept looking at the rare-view mirror to see if Ahmad would glance my way, even if it were once. Was he going to remain mad at me on my first day in Abuja?

I did not know how long I spent thinking about the journey or Ahmad's silence or cold eyes. I was just too glad when he announced that we had arrived.

No! We couldn't have. The house was massive. The structure was exquisite. It was duplex.

When Ahmad said Mom's place was almost ready, I did not envision this at all. I looked at Mom and Sophie who were both as astonished as I was.

"Ahmad, this is too much!" Mom exclaimed.

Ahmad looked from Mom, obviously embarrassed. Finally, a readable expression.

"It's nothing ma'am. The least I can do, is make you feel at home. Please this way, I had instructed that the documents for the house be sent here over the weekend. Amanah can look it up when she is settled In shaa Allah." He said as he guided us into the house.

Finally, he said my name. It felt like forever since I last heard him say it. Though it was as professional as he addressing one of his employees, it was still a relief.

Was he really going to give mom this house? Even before everyone knew we were married?

I was never one to care about people's opinion... unless it affected my reputation. However, I found that I was caring too much these days. It was all Ahmad's fault. Who said he should be so achieved at such young age? I felt like I had to meet up his standard... To be able to stand beside him.

Ahmad took us round the house and showed us every part of it.

"I learnt that you like growing crops. You could use the corner by the back entrance as cottage. i learnt the former owners did the same. Ahmad said still shy.

"There is also a gym at the extreme balcony. It's not really equipped. But that can be sorted out in no time." He continued.

I was not tired, but I wanted the tour to be over. I needed time alone with him. This ignoring me business had to stop.