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Yusuf paced the length of his office, his jaw clenched, hands deep in his pockets. The large windows offered a view of the sprawling city, but his eyes were fixed on the floor, replaying his father’s words from their last conversation.
Marriage. Again.
At twenty-nine, Yusuf was more than aware of the expectations that came with being the eldest son of the family. His father had reminded him often enough—of his duty, of tradition, of the need for an heir. But none of that changed the fact that every woman he had met so far had seen him as nothing more than a ticket to wealth and status. They admired the power that came with his name, the luxury that came with his wealth, but none of them had looked at him—really looked at him.
He had wanted something more, something real. But perhaps that was too much to ask for in a world where his family’s wealth attracted attention from every corner.
And now his father had decided for him. Humayra. A name he knew but a face he couldn’t place. Some family friend’s daughter. She was to be his wife, and the decision was final.
Yusuf had felt the surge of anger rise within him when his father had made the announcement. He had wanted to protest, to refuse outright. But defying his father? That was a line he couldn’t cross. In their family, a father's word was law, and respect for that law was ingrained in him from birth. No matter how much his blood boiled, no matter how much he wanted to rebel against the injustice of it all, he knew he would comply.
Still, it didn’t stop the resentment from festering inside him.
"Why should I be forced into a marriage I don’t want?" he muttered under his breath, though he already knew the answer.
Yusuf sat down heavily at his desk, the weight of duty pressing on his shoulders. He was used to bearing responsibility—running a business, managing family affairs, meeting the expectations of a society that watched his every move. But this… this was different.
Marriage was personal. It wasn’t just a business deal or an obligation he could set aside. It was a life sentence.
He ran a hand over his face, feeling the fatigue settle in. His father had given him no choice, but as much as Yusuf hated the idea of being forced into this union, a part of him wondered—what this Humayra was like? Was she as unwilling as he was? Or had she accepted this arrangement willingly, without question? And if she had, did that mean she, too, was only interested in the wealth and status that came with his name? Yusuf sighed.
His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden ringing of his phone. He glanced at the screen: Suhayl. His best friend.
“What’s up, man?” Suhayl's upbeat voice came through the line. “You’ve been quiet all week. I thought you’d forgotten about me.”
Yusuf let out a low sigh. “I haven’t forgotten. Just… been dealing with some things.”
“Uh-oh, you sound stressed,” Suhayl replied, his tone turning more cautious. “What’s going on?”
Yusuf closed his eyes for a brief moment , rubbing his temples.
He debated how much to say, but with Suhayl, there was no use holding back. They had been friends since childhood, and Suhayl knew him better than anyone.
“My father has decided I’m getting married,” Yusuf finally said, his voice laced with frustration.
There was a pause on the other end of the line before Suhayl responded, “Wait, what? Like, just like that? To who?”
“Wata yarinya, wai Humayra. Our families know each other. It’s arranged, obviously,” Yusuf replied, unable to keep the bitterness out of his tone.
“Humayra?” Suhayl repeated, sounding thoughtful.
“Yeah” Yusuf answered, not in the mood for details.
Suhayl let out a low whistle. “Kace tsohon ka yayi dropping bomb? Man, I know you’ve been dodging this marriage thing for years, but I didn’t think he’d pull the arranged card.”
“I didn’t either,” Yusuf muttered, leaning back in his chair, eyes closed. “I thought I had more time, that maybe he’d let me find someone on my own terms. But I guess his patience ran out.”
“Sounds like it,” Suhayl said, his voice more serious now. “But man, that’s harsh. You’re really going through with it? Just like that?”
Yusuf let out a long breath. “Do I have a choice? My father’s decision is final. You know how it works in my family. What he says, goes. I can’t just refuse him.”
Suhayl was silent for a moment, processing the weight of his friend’s predicament. “I get it, bro. Family pressure is no joke. But still… this is your life. Kai ne fa za kayi zaman wannan auren, not your father.”
“Na sani; I know,” Yusuf said, his voice low, as if the admission took more energy than he had. “But I can’t dishonor him. I’ve never said no to him before. I don’t even know what that would look like.”
Suhayl sighed on the other end. “Look, I know it’s not easy. I wouldn’t know how to handle it either. But it’s just—are you sure there’s no way out? What if...."
Yusuf shook his head, even though Suhayl couldn’t see him. “Ba zai ji bane, I’ve tried. It’s no use. He sees this as my duty to the family. He’s convinced this is the only way forward.”
Suhayl was quiet again, then spoke, a bit more cautiously. “What about this Humayra? Do you know anything about her? Maybe it’s not as bad as it seems.”
Yusuf let out a humorless laugh. “What difference does it make? Whether she’s kind or cruel, rich or poor, none of it matters. I’m not marrying her because I want to. I’m marrying her because I have to. And knowing my luck, she’s probably like the others—more interested in what I have than who I am.”
Yusuf stared out the window, his hand gripping the edge of his desk as if holding on to something solid could steady the storm inside him. The weight of the situation pressed down on him from all sides. His father’s decision, the marriage, the life that lay ahead of him—it all felt like a cage closing in, and there was no escape.
“I just wish things were different,” Yusuf said softly, more to himself than to Suhayl.
“I wish I could marry someone who saw me, not my family’s fortune. Someone who wanted to be with me, not what I represent.
”Suhayl’s voice softened, trying to offer some comfort. “Maybe she’s not like the others. Maybe she's different. I mean, arranged marriages don’t always have to be miserable, right? You might even find something real with her. You never know.”
Yusuf didn’t respond. He wasn’t sure he believed that. His past experiences had left him jaded, and the thought of finding someone who truly cared about him, not his wealth, seemed like a fantasy.“Look,” Suhayl continued, “I know this sucks, but I’m here for you, man. Whatever happens, we’ll figure it out. You’re not alone in this.”
Yusuf managed a small smile at his friend’s words, though the weight of his situation remained heavy. “Thanks, Suhayl. I appreciate it.”
“No problem. And hey, if you ever need to escape for a bit, you know where to find me,” Suhayl said, trying to lighten the mood. “Just don’t disappear on me. I still need my business partner.”
Yusuf chuckled, though the sound lacked warmth. “I won’t vanish just yet. But I might take you up on that escape.”
“Good,” Suhayl said. “Take care of yourself, alright? And don’t let this crush you. You’re stronger than this.”
Yusuf nodded, though the doubt still lingered in his mind. Stronger than this? He wasn’t so sure.
After the call ended, Yusuf sat in the silence, the weight of his father’s decision sinking deeper into his chest. He would marry Humayra, because he had no choice. But whether he would ever find happiness in that marriage… that was something he couldn’t imagine.
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Okay oo, that's it for today's update....
So we've met Yusuf and he seems interesting so far. 🤨🤨🧐🙂
Hmmm... I can smell some sweet spice in the air ooo
Any who, lemme bar ku lahiya...
Till we meet again wani lokacin...
Byee lovelies 🩷✨🩷
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Romance"When Yusuf and Humayra are brought together through an arranged marriage orchestrated by their families, their worlds collide in what feels like a stifling union. But as emotions flare and walls break down, they discover that the line between love...
