Burnt Embers

Chapter Twenty Three

Some people often mistake love for lust and lust for love. Love is a pure and unadulterated feeling that comes naturally, not for the sake of beauty, wealth, intelligence, race or status. It is like magic that happens in a blink of an eye, before you even realise it, before you can control it and once you're in then you're in for life, It can waiver, it can fade but will never ever leave the heart.

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Abdullah is fifty years old with a heart of a twenty years old young man. He is full of life and youthfulness. He has four wives and fifteen children. Seven of whom are males and eight females. His fourth and youngest wife died a year ago at child birth. He is a good father and a sweet husband who treat his wives with a rare kind of love and care. The only thing missing in his household is caring wives, none of his wives take care of him the way he want them to, they are not caring neither romantic. They will only use soothing words when they are in need of money, they are only gentle and sweet when they are in need of a favour hence the reason why he wants to Marry Khadijah, the girl who captures his heart from the very first time he set eyes on her, hoping that she will make him happy and fulfill his dreams of having a sweet romantic and modern wife who knows how to take good Care of her husband.

He knew that Khadijah is bound to freak out upon seeing him, admittedly he's zero in looks and youthfulness but he has something to offer her that she can hardly find in young men of today and that is love, care, understanding and peace of mind. If only she knew the kind of love and care he has in store for her.

He knew that she's a divorcee with kids, he has seen her with them countless times and he will agree to take care of the three of them after he married Khadijah. The love of his life.

He has been standing by the door for over an hour waiting for khadijah to come back home . As if reading his mind, he heard the sound of her footsteps coming into the house. She did not even notice him until he cleared his voice.

" Good afternoon " she greeted looking exhausted, she must have had a hectic day in school. He thought to himself.

" Afternoon Princess how was school "he asked feeling on top of the world.

" Alhamdulillah thank you " she curtly replied ambling into the house only to be stopped by him.

" I have waited here for long but it seems like you are tired and what I came to discuss with you is very important and I need you to be in a good mood "

" I am so sorry, not to be rude to you , but I don't think we have anything to discuss, I am betrothed already and it will be nice if you don't contact me or come here again " she apologized and quickly turned to avoid looking at his heartbroken expression afraid it will make her resolve waiver.

He is a very nice man but she can't, she cannot marry him nor Haroun . she's done with men it's her studies she will now give her all to.

She was shocked to meet mommy taking sugar cane in the living room and laughing at something ummie said. When did she come? How comes no one tell her that she will be coming and why did she come? Are the questions she have at the tip of her tongue but did not get to voice them out.

" Welcome school girl, how was school and the sugar daddy out there ? " mommy asked with her signature teasing tone.

" Alhamdulillah old woman, I am not going to ask about your trip because I am unaware of it " retorted Khadijah .