The morning sun was hot and unforgiving,Yaccine was very sweaty but she was sure it wasn't because the sun was something else today. Baa has asked to see her in his chambers later in the day and she had the tiniest idea of how it'll go down. Already she felt the burden on her head and on her shoulders.. Interrupting her thoughts Ammunah spoke rather too loud for her state of mind
"Ciney ko waye 'Big bro' oho? Have you thought about it? ni kam can't get to stop thinking about it and it's been a week since we came back to Naij"
"Amna who ever he is yanzu kam ya wuce ba.. we were grateful even though I didn't like the idea of some stranger paying for my meal.. and what sorta nonsense behavior is this? look at how agitated I am kin tsaya talking about one random person" she complained.
"You know we fight about it ba? everytime I tell you the truth,you act out. Told ya it was inevitable,the talk will come, his talk will come and this is one of the many times.. you should actually relax.." Amna said.
"You are no help wallahi.. but kanadi tai( sorry) I know you are right. Speaking of problems Jamal won't stop calling me, I swear that guy is shameless" she laughed
"Fine and shameless you mean?! she laughed
"Ke fa kika san fine and shameless, you know hadda wai I am the woman of his dreams, royalty,beautiful and classy but we all know at the end men will what?" I asked
"Embarass you" she replied and we all started laughing.
I heard my hand-maiden entering my quarters with a Salam and I heard when the ladies in waiting answered. That was four minutes ago, it's unlike Shamsiyya, something is off. I decided to check out for myself and I snuck to the door hoping to scare her but what I found was a puffy red-eyed Shamsiyya not her usual bubbly self.
"Shamsy what is wrong? why are you looking like that?" I asked worriedly
"kanadi Gimbiya, ranki dade has summoned you to her quarters, she said to go back together because it is urgent" she replied without answering my question directly. Indirectly though she did by saying Amma wanted to see me urgently.
"a'ahh iskin( I've heard), let me get my stole" I said. I quickly grabbed my veil and asked Amna to wish me luck. I am frigging nervous,can't lie but like my crazy sis said it's unavoidable.
I walk to Amma's quaters saying Hasbinallahu and nodding my head in greeting to all the workers that were paying their respects. I couldn't talk. I decided the best way to handle this is by being ignorant about it. I said my Salam and asked for permission to enter,it was granted; the push I needed to act a little bit crazy. I ran to Amma and hugged her tightly.
"Amma Ndawatu?" I greeted
"baby Kile wassile? I hope you are good? You didn't come for our late night gists jiya" she asked and winked at me. My mom is playerful and so cool, I literally want to have that sort of relationship with my children in shaa Allah.
"Ammaaa!" I dragged and she laughed.
"You called for me, I hope everything is fine? this one that everyone is starting to get serious, I'm so confused" I acted non-chalant
She stared hard at me, like she was in deep thought and then she suddenly held my hands in hers.
"Fatima listen to me carefully kinji ko?" She requested and I nodded. Amma never calls me Fatima unless it's serious.
" You know you are a king's bethroted ko? Let him re-phrase that you know you are going to marry a king soon right? It's not child's play my love, it requires a lot of patience and perseverance."
" just use me as an example, I have been married to Baa for 23 years now and it's still a tough ride because gidan sarauta"
"Gidan sarauta is a dangerous place baby, you have to pretend to see nothing and hear nothing except it's going to harm your loved ones, then you must fight for the people you love."
"The kingdom( the royal family) you are getting married into is very complicated, you have to be strong kinji ko? I know your mother-inlaw, she's extremely kind and compassionate so you won't have any problems with her in shaa Allah. Fatima you have to pray hard also, qiyamul-layl is very important." she emphasized.
I honestly feel like crying, why am I getting married to someone I don't know or like. I am not even interested in getting married to any King. Ugh and this King whatsoever must be feeling very important I know.
"Amma, in shaa Allah I'll do as you say and I try and adapt all your kind and noble characters. Do you know the man I'm getting married to?" I asked.
"Baby don't worry Baa is going to tell you who later, I assume he asked to see you later ko?" She asked
"Yeah, I was informed." I said
I started gisting with Amma about everything and nothing till it was time to pray Maghrib,my siblings were not around; still on vacation. I missed them especially the twins, very troublesome but handsome boys. I prayed in Amma's room and called Ammuna so we can have dinner here and definitely sleepover.
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In another country thousand of miles away. A very confused Kamal woke up with a start. He keeps having strange dreams of a faceless lady with the scent and his Hadjo together laughing at something and the dream changes course to them crying for help as fire engulfs the room they were sitting together.
Innalillahi wa inna ilayhi rajiun, he kept praying. He can't wait for tomorrow, finally his plane to Fàànilè leaves london by 10:15pm and hopefully everything is and will be fine. In shaa Allah!
Sorry guys, I have been off these past days. Here's an update,hopefully you guys like it. xoxo
