Mrs Mahmud, Mrs Mas'ood

46

June, 2023

With the number of events planned that month, there was barely time to rest. They opened June with Mas'ood's thirty-second birthday and then set plans in motion for the introduction and engagement while also preparing for Jonathan and Busola's wedding, Eid-el-Kabir, and Hauwa and Mahmud's introduction and engagement.

The group chat was always buzzing with messages and they all did their best to catch up especially those with kids; particularly Hussayna who was now expecting a baby boy. Logistics plans were drawn up and double checked alongside accommodation. For Aisha and Muhammad, they had more on their plates with their annual Eid party.

Although he had no reason to get her to stay back, Mahmud did not like the fact that Hauwa wasn't going to be in Abuja for Eid. She and Hanan were returning to Edo with Yarah and Yazan to spend the festive season with Yusuf and Linda.

The plan, therefore, was that they would all go to Osun for the white wedding, return to Abuja for the reception and then Hauwa would leave with her sister, niece and nephew for Auchi where Linda and Yusuf would be waiting. Right after the Eid celebration, the Muhammads would embark on the trip to Edo. To everyone outside the large family circle of Sufyans, Dantatas, Mustaphas and Muhammads, it sounded like a suicide mission. That did not mean they couldn't pull it off.

Saturday June 17th came quicker than they expected. While Asiyah bustled with excitement, Mas'ood was a nervous wreck. Glad he could finally tease his brother, Zayd did not keep his mouth shut.

Mas'ood wanted to cry. "Dan Allah kayi shiru, Zayd. I'm begging you."

Zayd shook his head, grinning. "No, I have more to say. Next time, you won't tease anyone about to get married when you have no idea how they're feeling."

"I have an idea now."

"That's not my business. You're now the whipped idiot so shut up and allow me say everything I have planned out in my head."

"Zayd, please."

"No."

In Lifecamp, Asiyah spoke even as Humaira dragged her upstairs. "Ba wasa nakeyi! You people should not extort money from him! My bride price should be affordable. Okay?!"

She got positive replies. Pleased, she let herself be pulled away. As the women were not to be with the men during the entire process, Asiyah was to stay in her room. The good part was that Humaira was there with Jalal so she had someone to talk with.

They stayed by the window, keeping track of who left and who came in. It wasn't long before the Dantatas arrived. Asiyah was ready to swoon when she sighted Mas'ood who wore an earth brown, perfectly sewn kaftan with its accompanying babanriga draped on his left arm.

Humaira's smile was just as beautiful as Asiyah's. "Ga masoyin ki."

Asiyah grinned and happily nodded. "My man indeed."

Wanting to keep busy so she did not dwell on the fact that her future was being planned right below them, Asiyah pulled Humaira to the room's sitting area. "Gaya mani wani abu da ban sani ba."

"You're getting nervous already, Asiyah?"

"Adda Humee."

Humaira laughed. "Kiyi hakuri, Asiyah." She then sighed. "There's actually talk going round about your ex. You know he got married to a new woman recently, right?"

Asiyah nodded. "Ummita came to the restaurant on my birthday."

Humaira's eyes widened. "Are you serious?"