Chapter 2

"Chabb!! daddy Irfan!! Irfan is it the Irfan that I just met that doesn't know how to laugh... Shikenan, Na shiga uku, ai ni gwara naje na fara Shan rubutu in sa a kawo mun gobe, bazan iya ba. I am finished dad, I am in trouble, it is better I go and start drinking rubutu, I'll have them bring it for me tomorrow I can't do this, Please reconsider dad." "If you would tell me one person now that is ready and willing to marry you, I swear I will grant your wish."

Nasreen thought deeply of all the side guys she had and she couldnt come up with one, she called their names in her head

Faisal ( Talks way too much)

Adnan,( Very short, God fearing)

Farouk,( Minister, Flirt)

Alhaji Buba,( Billonaire, three wives, poor grammar)

Farid( Former President's son, Very childish)

Sarki,(So uncouth, wore the same clothe thrice in one week to visit her )

Yusuf (Governor's son, unserious with everything)

Muaz( NFA, No future ambition)

Mufeed(Very handsome but dumb, like fucking dumb)

Zayad( Emir's son, spoilt brat, irritating, burbs anywhere all the time)

Irfan( Tall, Handsome as hell, boring, never laughs, Fashion sense on point, perfect grammar, smart, Hafeez)

"I can't believe I am finding this difficult." And out of all the guys Irfan had the best bet.

"There is a saying that says: What an elder sees sitting down even when a child stands he cannot see it."

"But dad..." "Don't you trust me? I will never hurt you and besides it was Mr Aliko himself that suggested Irfan. I am sure by now Irfan knows."

Nasreen's thoughts drifted back to when Irfan excused himself to pick his father's call, He must be going through the same shock she is in.

How is is possible that the Irfan she just met earlier and had never felt anything or whatsoever for him at all in the slightest way.

She only saw him as her girls brother.. nothing more than that, and apart from him being her in-law.

The thought of marrying Irfan made her cringe. She just wanted to be alone. She left to her room. She needed to process this news.

She sat down on her bed and was starring at nothingness. How did her life become like this. A year ago she was a happy girl in love, six months ago she was jilted, now trying to pick up the pieces of her life

and now she was getting married to her best friend's brother with just a statement. She was thinking of calling Khaddy, just then her phone rang. Lo and behold! It was khaddy...

"Girl you are on fire!!!"

"Please come and pour me water!!"

"I cannot believe it."

"Believe what?"

"Stop playing dumb, dumbass, you and ya Irfan getting boo'd up..."

"Shut up Didi where did you get that from?"

"Dad just announced that there would be a family meeting, that Ya Irfan is getting married to you and as I speak I am on my way to Abuja."

"Seriously Didi are you kidding me!! This is happening so fast I did not give my consent on marrying him."

"Toh ki shirya dai, get ready cause I will make it possible by force by fire...

"Ya Irfan is a really great guy."

"Mhmmm save it for later."

"Inyee.. I should save it for your dinner party speech right?"

"You are mad, you know that is not what I meant you know Ahrg!!" She rolled her eyes skywards

"Not madder than you though see you soon."

*****

A general family meeting was organized, both the Alico's and the Sulyman's had a meeting about the wedding. Nasreen was present in the meeting she said they should decide whatever they wanted, since they had already made her greatest life decision what was there to decide again. Irfan too was absent in the meeting.

They planned to make it the wedding of the year.. They were going to celebrate two people that couldn't stand each other. The both of them argued in front of everybody. That was why Irfan left angrily. And Nasreen too.

Rabu dasu.. zasu zo ma su ishe mu In Suka fara soyyaya. Leave them alone. They will come and disturb us when they start falling in love."

The wedding was fixed for the next two months. Every one was given various tasks they would carry out prior to the wedding. Invitations were sent to various families, and a parcel with the names of the guests indicated on the box that contained an Ankara, and other tchotchkes that were included in the fancy parcel that had the couples name written in a beautiful calligraphy in front of the box.

********

Hal and Sultana went to ask her what color she would like. After the long meeting and preparations.

"I don't give a damn you guys should just do your thingy." Nasreen huffed in annoyance

"Haba mana Nas Nas it is your wedding we are talking about."

"I know right but I am not feeling the vibe at all his fly just doesn't match my fly, we are two different people he is boring, he doesn't even know how to laugh."

"Okay easy there, at least you know how he is." "Yeah, but that doesn't mean you can show up to my wedding dressed like whatever, if you show up dressed like whatever, you are getting removed out of the premises, airlifted out that muthafker' If you can't come correct don't come at all, my wedding would be the met gala, looks every where! serves everywhere!" Nasreen said with a straight face and she meant what she was saying.

"But Nasreen it is your wedding day, it is not about us, we don't want to compete with you." Her cousin Husnah said. "Compete?!?!, darling you can't compete where you don't compare, I am always going to outdo you, so don't worry about trying to compete with me, worry about trying to keep up." She pat Husner's shoulder and left.

****

"I know why you are finding it difficult to see the good side of Irfan, cause you don't want to allow yourself see it, because you still have not moved on from Habeeb, but Nasreen let me tell you something, no matter how much you wish you could, you can never control how another person feels and loves, so you should never spend your days and nights wondering if you are good for somebody, you are enough, you are more than enough for the right person. Always remember that your happiness comes first, focus on loving yourself, and you will see your value and find the strength to accept that this person was not meant for you, weeks, months and years would pass and you will look back one day and wonder why on earth it took you so long to see that all along you deserved everything you always wished you had.

"Is that really what you think? "Yes I know, I know that it is not easy to move on from someone you really loved, you still have hope that he is going to come, and you don't want to open your heart again so one day when Habeeb comes back hopefully you don't have to be put in the middle."

Nasreen nodded.. "Then you should snap out of it he is not coming back again, life doesn't work that way, when you have made lemonades out of the lemons.

"But he said he loved me." "People change Nasreen, things change, you can change too, because Habbeb failed to see your selfworth, doesn't make him a bad person, and it doesn't mean you are unlovable, it simply means he is not meant for you, and it is okay."

"To be very honest I don't know if I am making the right decision about marrying Irfan, I just pray it is what is best, and is really worth it."

She cleaned the lone tear that escaped her eyes .

Sultana hugged her. "Just be laid back, things are going to flow, you don't know how happy I am that dad got me married to Sultan, I pray for dad everyday."

"Mhmmmm you know I and Afrah always dreamed to have your life." "And you are going to have that Insha Allah, and even better, Just give your heart a chance again."

"Oh my God Yaya it is remaining three weeks already, do you know the only time we spoke, we ended up fighting."

"Get ready for the drama of your life, I know Irfan he might look and may be difficult sometimes and all but he has a soft heart, Just like you, that is how you are... you guys are made for each other. You just have to understand each other and understand that have differences, you'll see that the both of you guys would flow in a good way sooner or later, so are we good to go now and carry on with this wedding?"

"I guess so, thank you," she hugged her. "what would I do without you?"

"Awww this so emotional." Sudais said joining the hug. The both of them smacked his back.. "Eaves dropper." "I am not, I just came to tell you that your mai gyran jiki is here already."

"Okay thanks bro, where is mom?" "Busy, kiyi auren ma mu samu mu huta. get married please so we would all rest with all your never ending errands."

"Aww, bro bro aren't you going to miss me? I am your best sister." "Miss you, why? you don't know how happy I am that Afra is not around and you are leaving I get to have the whole house to my self and throw parties without getting bashed when mom and dad are not around."

"I thought I was your best sister, I never snitched on you." Sultana said feigning pain.

"I will make sure I bash your lame ass party." She dropped her luggage. They all turned around...

"Afra!! They squealed in excitement and hugged their younger sister. How are you here?"

"If I miss your wedding that means your wedding will be whack, my favorite flexing Patner we shall set the stage on fire!!!!"

"You and who?" Nasreen asked.

"Shift abeg if you don't dance who will?"

"I will, and I thought I was you guys favorite big sister what ever happened guys to our bond." Sultana said.

"You were, until Ya Sultan came, and you forgot about me, I had no option but to bond with this," She gestured her hand towards Nasreen. "But you are the best dancing Patner nothing can change that, we are going to set the stage on fire.!!!!

"This party is going to be lit." Sudais said. They hi- fived each other.

"Ya Irfan can dance too, remember Ya Imran's wedding so if you like be dulling yourself." Afra said to Nasreen.

"Please abeg, that boring guy, I swear he will not dance at all."

"Whatever You know they are bringing your lefe next week right?"

"How is it possible that you are  in school and you know this, you just got back?"

"Don't worry I am the insider, I've got this, Amal and I are in charge of the lefe. Ya Sultan called me and said we are traveling with Ya Irfan, I won't tell you where. But we leave Nigeria in the next two days, for your shopping spree."

"Zan miki burauba if you buy rubbish." Nasreen said in a cold manner.

"Trust me now, I have sense." " I don't trust you, but thank God Amal has sense ooo." 

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The D day came, It was filled with hustle bustle. Every one in the household was bustling with energy, people moving to and fro, Aunties Shouting orders here and there. The house was filled with family and friends, love and laughter, and happiness.

The Men had just come back from the wedding Fatiah. Held in An Noor masjid.

The young children were shouting An daura!! An daura!!!

Nasreen's heart was beating a thousand times. Her palm was moist. As she rubbed her hands on lap.

She sat in front of the large dressing mirror in her room as the make up artist did the finishing touches. She looked at herself in the mirror. Just as she wanted a minimal nude makeup.

She was dressed in a white bridal flowery dress, bombarded with with glittery stones. She wore a simple gold accessory.

The gown was designed specially for her by .

She looked exceptionally breath taking



It was what she dreamed of wearing on her wedding with Habeeb, with each passing day her rancor toward him increased. The celebrity makeup artiste noticed her demeanor "What is wrong? You don't like the makeup." "I do it is really nice am just not really in the mood."

"Please you look to magnetizing not to be in the mood."

"Oh my God!!" Afra, Amal, Hanan, Janan. All gasped in surprise as they saw her, she looked alluring. Nasreen was suprised by their reaction. "Seriously guys it's me, and this is not the first time I am doing this ."

"Not to this extent, Please shut up and pose abeg. cause I am sending this to your husband right now." Afrah said.

"Congratulations Nasreen Irfan Bashir Alico." Hanan and Janan said with gusto. "Thanks sis's."  She hugged them. How soon her name had been changed wow.

Amal took a picture of Nasreen and sent it to her elder brother. His reply came in:

Very beautiful and elegant. Amal showed her the reply. "Can I see her?" Irfan asked. "Sure you can she is your wife now."

"Ya Nasreen your husband wants to see you." Her heart skipped a beat. "Okay." She said slowly.

She fixed her turban and draped her white flowery veil on her head. The girls accompanied her downstairs where the guys were. Irfan stilled in his position as he watched her walk down the stairs with grace. He was unable to tear his gaze off her. He scrutinized her appearance her face had a distinguishable glow today, all he could see were her striking features. Her heart shaped light skinned face, High cheekbones, her long eyelashes, her dimpled chin, her nose that stood proudly, her tiny rosy bow shaped lips. She was completely and utterly beautiful.

And the way her dress was tailored emphasized her svelte figure, accentuating long shapely legs, her slim waist. She came close to him, bowing her head down. Her long eyelash swept down the floor concealing her nervousness. "Salam." He said in a crisp tone.

She replied in s soft voice. "Waaliakumsalam."

"Haba Nasreen all this space is for what DanAllah shift jhor!!" Khaddy said.

Nasreen shot her a scornful glare she was not in the mood at all. She stood rooted to where she was, with her head bowed. Only few shots were taken with her head raised up. After multiple pictures had been taken, people shouting Tabarakallah, Masha Allah, directing it on their hashtag.

She excused her self and went upstairs. Irfan gave her a small smile.

So he can smile. she said in her mind. As she walked upstairs  to her room, and some of her favorite places in the house, that she was going to miss.

She couldn't believe she was actually leaving her father's house to her own house, a house she never imagined to be hers. She cried as she thought of Habeeb and all the dreams they shared, was it all a lie? She cried as she bade her parents farewell. Mr. Sulyman had been very emotional the whole time,a liquid luster filled his eyes even watered a little.

******

Her sisters were getting ready to convey her to her new home. Nasreen had been a crying mess. After all the advice and lectures. She was finally going. Going to start a new life as a wife, as his wife.

She was waiting in the car all ready to zoom of when she was told to wait that they forgot something.

"Kuna Ina kuyi sauri mu tafi danAllah, where are you guys, hurry up let's leave in the name of God.

Nasreen yelled.

Her cousin Husnah who sat beside her was like "munafuka, keda kike kuka, you that you are crying so you are in hurry to go."

"Ya imran let's move I can't wait to get this heavy dress out from my body." "But you are going to be wearing a much heavier one later tonight, you want met gala ba, you will see met gala."

When they arrived at the house. Nasreen herself couldn't stop her exclamation at the exquisite scenic beauty she beheld spread out before her, Sunlight glinted on the large panes of glass that marched across its front, terraced brick steps led them to the massive front door, with stone urns, containing clipped shrubs on both sides of every step. And then the door was opened, everything in the house was combined with the precise positioning of furniture, every single attribute made it overwhelming and utterly breathtaking. Her aunties and grannies instructed that she entered with her right leg. She did as she was told. When they were seated in the large living room. They prayed for her and Irfan's marriage.

Nasreen couldn't raise her head up she kept fidgeting with her fingers. They took her to her heavily furnished room. Sat her down and another round of advice again. The younger cousins and friends were busy taking a video of the new exquisite, and enthralling  house the house was mad!! with every modern furniture equipment, and luxury one could think of.

The girls were not just going to give Irfan to a very beautiful wife empty handed. They were in the living room as they bargained with irfan and his friends to drop money.

After all the bids. Irfan sent to her cousin's account three million naira. " Yauwa you can have her now."

Nasreen was in her room glammed up for the night's event. She was supposed to be the happiest bride today. The day she had been dreaming of had finally come, it was meant to be the happiest day of her life but instead it was a very unhappy day for her.

She looked breathtakingly beautiful, her beautiful mesmerising eyes that shimmered all the time had lost It's shimmer, today it was empty and devoid of any emotion.

♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾♾

The hall was decorated in ivory white and light pinks, and emerald that matched both their outfits, ivory curtains were draped on the large windows. There were fresh roses and flowers of multiples colors that were arranged in order in crystal vases on the round table set up for guests, fine China's and cutleries were arranged in order, every where and everything screamed splendid, by the best event planners in Abuja. Colorful lights were glowing on each table. Ivory clothes were laid on the table and ivory and emerald  frills were attached to the chairs. The hall looked splendid and exquisite. The podium was decorated with the Same designs as the hall. The large fancy sofa was draped with ivory flowers and roses too. Giving the audience a view of the couples as they were seated elegantly on the sofa.

Receiving greetings and well wishes from guests.

Through out the whole time Nasreen's head was bowed down. Irfan held his head high. They had not spoken one word to each other.

Until now he asked her if she was alright. She nodded as their gazes met. Khaddy was giving a speech about her best friend, formerly sister in-law and newly sister in-law. That made her raise her head up. The beautiful speech.

"If there was anything I can say more than she is the most incredible person I have ever met in my life, words can't describe who Nasreen is until you stay with her, she is the most selfless person I know, the very most intelligent girl you will ever meet, very no dull moment with her, funny, daring, and very strong headed. Yeah I promised that I will say that on your wedding Nas." Khaddy chuckled. Nasreen's eyes were filled with emotions in them.

One of the only person that knows how to cook and hates cooking, yeah ya Irfan don't expect food in the morning from your wife.

"Is she right?" Irfan asked. "She is legitimately right about that." Beautiful on the outside and very beautiful on the inside. It is said that a woman is taken to the palace for her beauty but her character keeps her there. Ya irfan I just want you to know that you have gotten all you need and want in a woman. She will take care of you the way you take care of her. She will raise your children properly, she will love and accept you for who you are without judging you, she will fight and quarrel with you a lot, keep that at the back of your mind. I know even if I go on with this speech the words won't be enough to describe who Nasreen is, but I promise you, you will keep falling in love with this beautiful lady every single minute as you discover her unique characters from today onwards. So as you guys start this new chapter of your lives, I wish you the very double best of everything in this life, abundant marital bliss. May Allah grant you children that would be the coolness of your eyes. My dear friend get ready for the best chapter of your life cause it starts now, enjoy the ride. The whole audience cheered at such moving speech. It was time for the best friend of the groom to give his speech. Imran rose.

"I didn't actually prepare any speech, cause I don't have to be prepared to talk about my brother in-law/ best man anywhere. I recall two and half years ago, Irfan stood on this podium giving a speech about me, and he said since I was getting married, he had hope he would get married also. And here we are, Alhamdulillah, Allah let us witness this blessed day. The day where my best friend is getting boo'd up with by baby sis, which you have nothing to worry about sis, you have fallen in the right hands, cause he must take care of you, that I assure you, and if you don't, Irfan you are my best friend you know what I can do. The whole crowd laughed at his threat.

Let me start with his good qualities.. He is very God fearing, kind hearted, trust worthy, I don't know if I can say this but he is handsome also. The ladies laughed especially. he is obsessed with fitness, you should start getting ready to do push ups every morning, know that, he is a good listener at times, and also a trouble maker.

Irfan tilted his head downwards and told Nasreen "That is a lie." Nasreen giggled a little, "Hopefully the  listening part and some other parts are true, and seriously I won't do push ups." Irfan chuckled.

He can be very serious at times, He is a bad dancer. That is also a lie, he is just jealous that I dance better than him."

"He his neat but his wardrobe is always scattered, opposite of your wife bro.. so you gotta get your acts right, or else she will burn your clothes or put spiders in your mouth when you are asleep. Believe me she has them kept waiting to use them. He looked at Nasreen and laughed and she laughed back, he knew she was capable of doing that. Incase you didn't notice this are his bad sides. Not bad though, but not good either.He doesn't really know how to laugh.. Man you gotta learn to laugh more, kar ma ka damu,(don't worry) as long as you live under the same roof with Nasreen you must learn how to laugh.

I could go on forever but it won't stop me from saying that irfan is the best person to be with for a life time, the most loyal, most understanding, straight forward, outstanding, pious, very smart, and hot headed. I wonder how to hot headed people would live together... please make sure you guys have a blast in your marriage.

Once again congratulations on this blessed day, I wish you both all the happiness you deserve and even more, more blessings and many good children."

Thank you very much the mc announced, now it is time for the bride and her friends to dance. Nasreen rolled her eyes she was not up for it. Khaddy came and shoved her from her seat.

"Babes I am wearing heels, they way I dance ehn, but who said I can't dance in my flats." "I am even surprised that you have worn it for almost two hours now." Khaddy knew how Nasreen hated heels she mostly wore sneakers.

"This is why I love you, no dull moment with you, where are the flats?"

"In Irfan's car."

"I'll talk to him to help you get it."

Can you please help your wife get her flat slipper in your car?"

"Okay sure." When Irfan brought the slippers for her she was finding it difficult to unbuckle her Christian Louboutin heels. So he helped her unbuckle it. Thanks she whispered. Just then everybody's attention was on them. His friends were teasing him. "You have started your job already keep it up man."

It made him laugh and the forcefully stood him up from his seat to dance. Spraying him money. While he was dancing, Nasreen clandestinely stole a glance at her new husband. She admired him, He was very handsome no doubt about that, and built very well built. He was tall, 6'8ft, and had a flawless skin tone, he wasn't dark or fair in complexion, he had a creamy wheatish skin tone, the tuxedo he wore fited his broad shoulders. He had this very proud nose that stood out pointed. He had black radiant and acute eyes, and long eyelashes, and slight bearded jaw, and well chiseled and tiny lip. Allah was truly the fashioner.At the moment when he was busy laughing and dancing  with his friends as she admired him. Imran lied when he said Irfan was a bad dancer. He danced so well that his friends gave him space as he danced so well in their middle. He had this aura of confidence as he danced and laughed with people around him.

But she did not care about his beauty or confidence, or dance step, Her heart yearned for another man.

The memories of Habeeb flooded back. She shook her head she rather not think about him now. And to take her mind of him she went to join her friends that were dancing. She danced a little bit not the way she planned to dance on her wedding though but it was okay, she did not misrepresent herself.

Irfan watched her awestruck as she danced with her friends. His friends pushed and forced him to go and give joy to his wife. She he went to where she was.

He slid his hands in his pocket and brought out 1000 Naira mint notes, and when the Naira notes finished, she thought he would stop spraying the money, but instead he continued with dollars... Everybody cheered, taking videos as he continuously sprayed the dollars with this aura of confidence that made Nasreen proud and people happy. And his friends too joined in spraying of the Dollars.

She was like well done Irfan in her mind. If there was on thing you should know about the Alico's money was never their problem. And Irfan was an impulsive spender sometimes.

Nasreen had to stop him from spraying the money. She whispered in his ears ; You can keep the rest money for me. She made him laugh already.

Nasreen thought in her mind so you can laugh.

Everyone had mad fun, plus the bride and groom acted as if they were the most happiest couples in front of the world, they dropped all the ego and anger in the car. They acted how everybody expected them to act.It was difficult for people to decide what dish to serve them selves, there was various delicacies both intercontinental and Nigerian. It was the wedding that every body dreamed of and even more, The wedding of the century, The wedding that made the headlines and set trends for weeks. Everybody went back home with reasonable gifts and souvenirs.

Both the fathers were laughing saying kalle su, Allah ya basu zaman lafiya.

See the way they look happy and beautiful with each other.

••••••••

"What is wrong Nasreen?" He asked cause he noticed how her mood had changed suddenly. And there was an eerie silence in the car.

"You don't need to know." "Talk to me." "I said you don't need to know." Nasreen said curtly.

"It is Habbeeb right? you are still thinking about that guy that left you without an explanation, you better snap out of that thought, he ain't coming back and even if he came back you are now my lawfull..."

"Shut the hell up Irfan! Shut up! You have no idea what you are saying! You must be very mistaken if you think I need you or any damn man in my life. Damn all of you guys. This is what I want, mind your own damned business and stay out of my sight if you want peace, cause I have them spiders waiting to be used remember?!!"

"Then you shouldn't have gotten married in that case." He said hotly.

"Just because we had a Thelma and Louise time at the dinner party, doesn't mean we are friends, I just decided to let people see what they wanted to see out there." "As do I too." replied Irfan hotly.

She kept quiet cause she did not want to keep listening to any of the jargons coming out of his mouth. She looked out of the windshield.

Her heart boiling with rage and fury. The rest of the drive to their new home was silent.

How will two hot headed people live together. papers and magazines will make them look like the most happiest couples on earth, which was the biggest lie ever. Don't be blinded, all that glitters isn't gold..

Well well well, we have all seen how this two couples life is going to be, it is not going to be all mushy and blah blah blah... but only time will tell right.. don't think you already know the end of this book it is twisted... and after now don't think you still know how it will end cause Like i said it is twisted. Just keep voting, commenting and sharing. I love you guys so much... 🥰🥰🥰... Kizzez🥰🥰