ORNAMENTS ✅

Chapter Six

Dasuki State, Nigeria

2021.

Yakudima contacted Hajja and Baba Alhaji, and they were all on board with the idea. Why wouldn't they be? However, Hajja couldn’t hide her jealousy that Umaimah ended up with a man from a rich family while Fadimatu was married to the village head's son. It seemed that Baba Alhaji’s house was hosting a double wedding.

Baba Alhaji requested that Umaimah return home so they could prepare her for the wedding, though Alhaji Yabo insisted they didn’t need any help. He had already paid the bride price for his son, and everything was going smoothly.

Baba Alhaji had never seen so much money in his life—three hundred thousand Naira. He’d never even held that much, even though Alhaji Yabo had paid less for Umaimah, given her status as a maid. However, she was beautiful, and Baba Alhaji had pocketed the bride price money. As per the Islamic religion, he was supposed to hand over the bride price to her unless she chose to gift him the money, but everyone knew what was happening—he pocketed the money for his daughter's wedding.

Hajiya refused Baba Alhaji’s offer and suggested that when it was closer to the wedding, she’d arrange for Umaimah's family and guests to come to the city to prepare their accommodations.

Umaimah remained silent throughout, as the wedding was only two weeks away.

"Why?" Umaimah asked Asad, who was sipping his tea without a care in the world.

He raised an eyebrow, awaiting more clarification.

"Why me? What happened to your mistress?"

His look sent a shiver down her spine, but she forced herself to stand her ground, masking her fear. She had been quiet all her life but that didn't make misfortune refuse her, So this time she needed to speak.

"I don’t think I need to answer that. But if you mention 'mistress' again, you'll regret it." He roared.

"Then what should I call her, your... Whore?" Umaimah replied, and that was the last straw. He slapped her across the face, her cheek instantly turning red.

"Just because I said I wanted to marry you, do you think we're equals now?" He moved closer, his voice cold. "You’re just a village girl who got lucky. Do you know how many girls want Asad Yabo, and I chose you?"

"I don’t care," Umaimah replied, struggling to mask her emotions. "Why did you call my name? Do you think I’m interested in this marriage?"

He smirked. She wanted to challenge him, huh? Well, he'd show her how much more he could hurt her.

He grabbed her by the neck, squeezing tightly. She struggled, but his strength was overpowering—his built physique not just for show. After a minute or two, he released her.

"Sit down," he ordered in a tone that left no room for defiance.

"My father pushed me into this marriage. If I hadn’t agreed, he would have arranged for me to marry someone else. I realized you’re not bad-looking, and it will raise my status to be seen with a beautiful wife. You’ve got curves, even in a maxi dress. So I settled for you—not out of love, just because you’re beneath me and a Way out of a stupid marriage I've been forced to partake in."

"So I’m just a way out for you?" Umaimah’s voice wavered with emotion.

"Exactly. You have no choice but to obey me."

He was right. She truly had no choice.

"I hate you," she whispered, and she knew he heard it.

"The feeling’s mutual. Now go get ready. Learn how to behave in the city so you don't disgrace me im front of my friends. I’ll send Asma to help you."