Lovable Zainab

chapter 30

Chapter 30

Zainab's POV

I am tired, exhausted, worn-out, fagged. Why? Because I just finished pounding yam worth feeding at least seven people and that requires A lot of strength and I barely have enough.

Later they will say I'm lazy.

Yusuf fathte are coming to see my people to discuss marriage. It's Funny that it's the reason why my mother made me pound yam like I was some kind of machine who was designed for something like that. She didn't even pity me wallahi, she didn't even allow any of my sister to help and she didn't help me at all. But when I think of the pounded yam and egusi soup filled with stock fish I'm going eat later I feel it was worth the work.

Why must they even fix wedding date. Did I tell them I'm ready, I'm I ready? Will I ever be ready? Hmm

The only thing calming me and preventing me from panicking is the lack of strength and the thought of the pounded yam and egusi soup I'll fill my stomach with later.

When I heard a knock coming from the front door I finally had strength to panic. It was funny how I sat in the living room looking like a hobo. What if it is Yusuf father? Am a disgrace! I'm sure I stink. I sniffled my armpit to check and and behold I do smell. I wonder if he will perceive it if I try as much as possible to stay far away from him. Why do I even have to be the one to open the door isn't there anyone else in this house.

The knocked continued breaking me from my stupid thoughts. I just grabbed a hijab I saw laying on the couch.

As I opened the door my heart began to pound heavily on my chest. Now I know how the mortar feel when I pound the pestle in it.

I braced myself to meet with Yusuf father and maybe some other person that may have accompanied him but instead to my greatest relief standing in front of me is my neighbor from across with his twin.

I inadvertently let out a sigh of relief.

"Good afternoon sir." I say

"You seem relief to see me. Well I'm relieved to see you too." He said looking amused.

"Sorry sir please come in we are expecting some really important guest and I'm not prepared yet." I explained moving from the door so he could come in.

"So we came at a bad time. Greet your aunty" he told his three year old twin.

"Good yoning ma." They both answered looking up at me.

"How you guys. Mummy really dressed you guys really nice."

The female twin giggled while the male twin looked bored.

"I wanted to drop them here while I go work there's an emergency and now no one is at home."

"Of course Sir. No problem we will watch over them."

"Thank you so much Zee."

"One question sir. Would you marry me." I saw him raise his eyebrows. I wasn't finished. "To your son or brother anybody with the way I look now?"

"Oh no not at all." He laughed looking quite relieved.

"I really need a bath." I Mumble

At that moment Sally strolled in. Her eyes caught the twin and she ran to carry the girl.

"Ah good afternoon sir." She acknowledged their father, carrying the girl Nabila, in her arms. "Oh zamu sha make up yau." She whisked Nabila away.

"Please avoid painting her face." The twins Father yelled after her. "Nabil go and meet your sister."