Dasuki State, Nigeria
2021
Nabeel threw his shirt onto the bed before taking a bath, relaxing as the water droplets touched his skin. He knew Nini would be worried, given that he hadn't shown up for dinner or greeted her, but he was in no mood to deal with it. He lay down on the bed instead after taking his bath and relaxed with his mind swirling with thoughts.
He despised Asad Yabo; his father—Alh. Shamaki felt the same for Alh. Yabo. As for Zainab—how foolish could she be to think something could work out between them, when she was so careless with her body? Actually even if she wasn't, he would never consider. She's not his type.
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The event of the day was happening at the Yabo residence. The garden was beautifully decorated by one of the best event planners in Dasuki. This wasn't a large gathering; it was an intimate event, for close friends and women only.
Umaimah wore a lavish lafayya, and the same makeup artist from yesterday worked on her face once again. Zayyanah's face was similarly done, and though the event was already running late, Asma came to escort Umaimah to the garden.
Fadimatu and Hajja were burning with jealousy.
"Hajja, look at her—this expensive wedding. Look at how Asma treats her like she's precious."
"Calm down, Fadimatu. Let me tell you something interesting. Your father has already saved five hundred thousand from Umaimah's wedding."
Fadimatu’s eyes widened. "Five hundred thousand? That's half a million!"
"Three hundred thousand from her dowry and two hundred thousand for all the preparations we didn’t have to make. My dear, you’ll have a lavish wedding, one the people of Marari have never seen," Hajja added.
And they both laughed and smiled.
The girls' event went off without a hitch. Everyone had fun. But Umaimah was beyond terrified—she was going to Asad's today.
She was told to take another bath and wear a different lafayya. Hajja and Yakudima lectured her on the dos and don’ts of marriage before she was sent to Asad’s apartment with Naja, A'i, Zayyanah, and Fadimatu.
Fadimatu's only reason for going was to see where Umaimah would be living.
When Asad and his friends arrived, her friends and his left, leaving only the two of them.
"This place reeks of villagers," Asad scoffed. "Clean it up and spray air freshener."
Did she hear him correctly? He wanted her—the bride—to clean a place that wasn’t even dirty?
"I’m your wife, Asad."
"And?" he responded coldly, waiting for more.
"And I’m also a villager. You want me to clean on my wedding night?"
"Umaimah, I gave you the title of my wife. Didn’t I?"
"Yes."
"Then stand up and clean before I change."
She begrudgingly cleaned the room and sprayed air freshener, before locking the door behind her.
"Hey! Open the door, Umaimah."
She didn't answer. She was tired and already frustrated. She undressed, put on her pajamas, and lay down on the bed.
"Umaimah, you’ll regret this," he warned.
She pulled her pillow over her head and fell asleep.
Asad Yabo was furious. How dare she? He was Asad Yabo, and he would teach her a lesson.
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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...
