Dasuki State, Nigeria.
2021.
"Nabeel, why?" Zainab asked as she walked over to where he was sitting.
"Zainab, don't you get it? I'm not interested. I've been showing you, but you just want to hear it. And here it is," he replied, exasperated.
"Nabeel, I love you. What do I lack, please?" she pleaded, her voice softer.
"Please, excuse me, I have a poem to recite," he said, cutting her off.
The spotlight called on him, and he smoothly stepped onto the stage. He recited the poem with perfect rhythm and emotion.
"Wow!" The crowd erupted in applause.
He was the most loved poet in Dasuki and the highest paid one too. Because he was just that good at his craft.
Once the event ended, Zainab, determined, followed him.
"Nabeel, please, I love you. Don't do this to me."
He turned, locking eyes with her. His gaze was enough to make her stop in her tracks.
He walked towards his car and sped off.
When he got home, he found Nini sitting, deep in thought, on the chair.
"Nini, what happened?" he asked, his concern clear.
"Nabeel, there's no news at all. What have I done to deserve this?" she sighed, her voice thick with worry.
"Nini, please, stop worrying. Yazid is doing his best, and I’m trying too. Don’t worry, okay?"
She nodded, appreciating the reassurance, and he hugged her tightly.
"Calm down, Nini. It's just a matter of time."
Meanwhile, Asad had traveled out of Dasuki, and Umaimah was nothing short of thrilled.
She spent her days helping A’i and Naja in the main house.
Three weeks passed, and the day of Alhaji Yabo's return coincided with Asad's.
As they finished setting the table, Umaimah, A’i, and Naja washed the pots and cleaned up in the kitchen.
Alhaji Yabo and his family were seated, enjoying the Masa and miyan taushe.
"So, Asad, tell me, who's the girl?" Alhaji Yabo asked, casually. He was already prepared to help Asad find a wife if he hadn't found one himself.
"Umaimah!!!" Asad shouted, gesturing towards her. He hadn’t known her name, so he asked Asma earlier, who had told him.
Umaimah stepped out from the kitchen, unsure of what was happening.
"Here she is," Asad added, and Alhaji Yabo's eyes widened in shock.
"The maid?" he asked incredulously. He never imagined Asad would choose to marry someone from the servant's quarters.
"Asad, are you alright? What about Zizi?" Hajiya asked, her voice laced with confusion.
"Mum, Zizi and I weren't planning on marrying each other," Asad replied firmly.
"Who’s Zizi?" Alhaji Yabo asked.
"She’s my ex-girlfriend. Trust me, she's bad news. Not wife material," Asad said, dismissing her with a wave.
"So, you want to marry this maid?" Alhaji Yabo asked, still in disbelief.
"Yes. I do," Asad answered confidently.
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ORNAMENTS✅
Mystery / Thriller©2024 COPYRIGHTS. ❝It's you i want not your virginity, literacy or marriage count.❞ Nabeel became her shadow, her protector in a world that had abandoned her. He fought for her, bled for her, and, in the end, claimed her as his own. In his arms, she...
