Nice update

Epic stuff


Story lovers visit www.donsimonii.com now for your interesting stories

Sokodobo I hope it's an update o

2005

Amaar quietly but nimbly parked Ameena’s belonging into a bag, then lightly tapped her, not wanting to startle her. But she was almost startled.

“Shhhhh” he whispered, “ stand up.”

“ What is wrong?” she asked, fear splashing on her face.

“ We must leave if the need arise. We must be alert. Just get up silently, and put on your shoes.”

“Are they here?”

“Just relax.”

“Please tell me?”

Amaar carried the bag, wore his shoes, made sure everything was set, then nodded.

“Yes. They are here.”

“Innalillahi wa ina ilaihi raji’un!”

“Shhhhhh….”

She was jittery, and shivering. She did not want to go back. Never!

“I need you to calm down. Just keep praying.”

She nodded, the sleep completely off her system. Ameer peeped, he saw them move to the next door. Who gave them the right? This was a hotel for crying out loud. Jib began to knock at the door .

“ Police check.” He said. Damn! They were impersonating. They have told the hotel management there were cops. Such criminals had fake IDs and other swindling documents. There was a wait before someone opened the door.

“ We are from the CID. We are looking for a dangerous criminal” Black said. “We are sorry for the disturbance. You can go back to sleep or…whatever you were doing.”

“Thank you officers.” The man said and gladly went back. They moved to the next door.

“ It is Jib and Black.” Ameena whispered. “ how did they find us?”

“You can never tell with these people.”

Amaar thought of a way out. If he tried to open the door, they would get them, if they waited, they would still get them. He checked the windows, they are burglary proved. What was he going to do? They had about seven doors to get round to them.
He went into the toilet and brought a small piece of metal. He then climbed the reading table and tore a part of the ceiling. He made a space then asked her to climb. He put on her phone flashlight and gave it to her.

“ We will have to use this part. We have no option .”

She nodded.

He grabbed her, lifted her until she grabbed two planks. He pushed her upwards and she slid into the ceiling. She coughed as dust rose.

She got into the ceiling.

“Wait. Don’t move.” He said almost aloud.

He carried the bag and lifted himself up and joined her in there. He also had his flashlight on.

“ You will follow me. Do not match the ceiling boards. You should step on the planks instead. If you step on the board, you will fall down.”

She nodded.

They began to move cautiously inside the ceiling. He would pause, turn and see if she was okay. The care he showed to her kept her strong. Now, she did not just want to be safe for herself, but for him. She knew if anything happened to her, he would be badly affected.
From his calculation, they were now at the back corridor. Using the metal, he tore out a part and jumped down. she could not jump down.

“ Just drop, I will grab you.”

She hesitated.

Then she heard a sound inside the ceiling.

“ It is them. Hurry! ” She heard Jib’s voice and a flashlight shone on her. She dropped at once. Amaar grabbed her but he almost missed her because she had jumped out of fear. They both fell to the ground.

“They are coming after us! ”she said. They got up and broke into a run. But the main gate was locked.

Damn!

Jib dropped from the ceiling and ran after them. But he did not find them. Amaar had ran back, to the back to see if they could vault over the fence. But she could not.

“ Come let me raise you.”

As she moved to him, someone smacked him. He blundered against the wall and hit his head badly. Ameena screamed and that must have terrified the hotel lodgers. It was Jib.

“ I told you!” He said bitterly, “ You claim to be holier than thou but you brought a small girl to hotel.”

Ameena was crying. Jib went for Amaar but that seemed to be a great mistake. Amaar sent a straight punch which hit him on his nose.

Pwak!

He thought his nose has been cut off.

“Ya cire min hanci(he has removed my nose)! He removed my nose!” Jib yelled.

Amaar took advantage and sent his knee into his ribs with a quick follow up with a smack on his jaw. Jib dropped like a mill sack. Amaar searched him and saw a pistol. He carried it and also took his phone.

“ Let’s go.” He held her hand and they ran out.

“ Stop!” Black appeared. It seemed Jib was the only one who followed them through ceiling and Black was left to guard the front door.
Amaar turned and pulled the trigger. Black ducked. Amaar then forced a shot at the gate and broke the lock. He shot at Black one more time before they ran out.

The hotel management had called the police. When Black realised this, he quickly told Jib who was still wriggling in pain that the police was still coming. Jib could not stand up. Black removed all the things in his pocket, put the gun to his head and pulled the trigger. He left Jib’s dead body there and escaped.

“ They escaped.” He said into the phone as he got to where they had parked their car. “ They hit Jib and he could not stand up. The police were on their way…”

“Why did you not kill him?” Jezebel said.

“ I removed everything in his pocket and shot him.”

“ Very good Black. You will have a massage session when you come back. Did you say they escaped?”

“ Yes…..”He explained to her .

Meanwhile, Amaar and Ameena were hiding on a hill top. Before climbing the hill, he saw the remains of fire made by a tea man, he packed some for making fire at the hill top. It was cold.
He spread some of the clothes for her, asked her to lie down while the fire warmed her. He then settled to watch over her against any harmful animal or person. At dawn, they descended from the hill and went took a cab to Farin Gada.

Before they boarded a car, Jezebel called him. “She is calling me.”

“ Who? Queen?”

“ Don’t call her that. Call her Jezebel.”

“Okay. Please don’t pick her call.”

“I must pick it. I got to talk to her.”

He picked it.

“You are dead, Amaar” she said. “You and the girl. I would get you.”

“ Do you think you are the only one who belongs?” Amaar said, “ Remember you asked me which confra I belong to?
I won’t tell you the name but we are all seeing. The Police will find Jib’s body and guess what? I have his phone. All your call log is in there. I did that before Black. So, the Teks stuff should die now and let me tell you, if anything happens to me or Ameena, the phone would be given out. For your own good, back off me for life.”

She could not risk taken it for a bluff. That was how Amaar escaped her troubles. But he did not know that she was after his brother and Fateemah. He thought he was done with her. Yes, she never disturbed him again but she had other ideas.
By 6:35 AM, they were in a car going to Kaduna. Amaar looked at her and smiled. They were alone at the back seat which was meant for four people but he paid for the whole seat.

“ Free at last.” He whispered.

She wished she could lay her head on him. What? Her head on him? What made her thought of that? She needed that comfort. But that was wrong. So she only smiled back.

“Alhamduliilah.

I am sorry to announce that our publishing partners requests that we pause posting updates on Married To A Fink. I will however try and make more postings so as to cover upto chapter 16.

As announced earlier, we've completed Married To A Fink, and it will be ready for distribution starting 4th October 2018. Those interested in getting the hard copy and reading the complete story can pre=order for it here now.

Beneath My Heart, The Root Of A cynosure and The Last Insurgent will also be available mid October 2018.

2008

Maryam bought meat pie, steak meat and soft drinks . They sat on the pew and ate.

“ I must have been in prison when this place was established.”

“ Yeah. I think it is just five months old. I used to come and sit here to meditate.” She said.

“ Alone?”

“Yeah, most times but sometimes with a friend.”

“ Friend.”

She chuckled.

“Yes, friend…..like you.”

“ Do you consider me a friend or client?”

“ A friend.”

“ I am glad to have you as a friend.” He said and he realised he talked more with her than he did with anyone else . “ I know your name is Maryam Kankiya. And you are a girl, a lawyer, nice and strong. That is it.”

“ Oh, there is nothing interesting about me to know.”

“ Okay I know where you schooled and all that but tell me, about you, or your plans.”

She could not believe she had got him talking. He had never talked to her freely like this. There was more life in him .Was it working?

“ My plans is to be dedicated to my profession and religion. Friends and family inclusive.”

“You know what I mean and don’t play law on me. When do you plan to get married?

“ Next year insha Allah.” She said.

“He is very lucky.”

“Liman is his name.”

“ A lawyer perhaps.”

“ No. Why do you think our life revolves round law.?”

“Just to make it complete. Your parents are both lawyers. Get married to a lawyer and your children will have both Parents as lawyers, grandparents also lawyers.”

She chuckled.

“What is wrong with you?”

“Excuse me?”

“You said I am your friend. I know something is up. I may have told you all about me because you are a lawyer but let us pretend I did that as a friend. Talk to me.”

“What makes you think something is wrong? I was laughing.”

“ I know. Tell me about Liman .”

Could he see through her? How could he see something like that?

“ I will do that some other time.” She said . “ I am sorry but I don’t want to talk about him now.”

“You are crying.”

“I am not….”

He saw tears in her eyes.

TWELVE

Maryam was determined help Ameer get his life back and she sacrificed a lot for that. She made sure she picked him from work daily, and they would go the garden, talk, eat then get some snacks for Hajiya.
She knew he could be stubborn so she did not rush into telling him to quit his job. Sometimes, he offered to pay for the snacks. That could take up the whole money he earned for the whole day. Instead, she stood by him when he worked, sometimes she offered to help him. He would say no and thank her.

When they were not going to the garden, she took him home and dropped him, they would chat before she drove back. When she was busy and could not make it, she would call him to apologise and promise to make it up to him.
She never mentioned anything about Liman again, but sometimes she received calls from him. Ameer never made any comment.
She traveled for a week for an investigation into a case. When she came back, they met at the garden and before she knew it, Ameer had bought snacks and drinks.

“ Ameer, you are spending a two day wage.”

“ Who said so? “

“You know, you know, when I was in school……”

They both laughed.

What?

What just happened?

Ameer laughed!!!

He felt something different, strange and almost new. It was over two years since he laughed last. Not even a smile or a smirk. The last person he laughed with was Fateema, on the last day they were together, before he left for home, before receiving the inglorious call.
He could tell the date. And that was it. This was his fifth month after release and he laughed….she made him laugh.

She saw how he stiffened. The feeling was strange. He did not know when he did it. Please let it go, Ameer. This was the first time she saw him laugh and it was a remarkable sight. He looked more handsome, and vivacious. She wanted to see that part of him before she executed her plan.

“ This is celebration.” He said, “ who has more right to say that than me? You know, when I was a prefect in the polytechnic, our Vice councillor……’

“ Damn! He said that?”

They laughed again and this time, he let go. His heart felt lighter, and seemed to have more space.

“ He said more. He studied business studies accounting.”

“ What is wrong with that guy?”

“Megalomaniac syndrome and amour propre” He said ,“but he is my mentor. I want to be like him. I just got another job.”

“Really? Alhamdulillah! Tell me about it.”

“ A man met me and said he used to see me working in the block industry. He said he bought a block industry and needed a foreman…..he wanted me to be one. With my few months of experience, I told him I was not qualified but he refused. He said I just did not want to help him. So, when I checked the activities of Mr foreman, I realised it was all about organization.
I accepted and we employed experienced labours to add up to the ones he absorbed from the former owner. And now, I earn three thousand naira a day. And he gave me what he called start up allowance of twenty thousand naira.
I used fifteen thousand naira to buy food stuff and groceries. I am now a foreman. I think it is a stepping stone. To me it is a big leap. No more shovel and pains at night.”

“Pains at night?”

“ Yeah. I was not used to it so each time I got home, I felt pains . I used to take pain relievers but soon realized it may become part of me so I stopped. But most labourers take Tramol and other enhancing drugs. So you work and feel as if it’s not your body.”

“ Hmm..you just discovered a new phase of life.”

“ Yes…I respect people who earn by hard labour…and marvel that they are sometimes not paid.”

“ That is savage. I am happy for you…..now that you gave me the good news, I also have one for you.”

“ I can’t wait to hear it.”

“ You have to wait. I won’t tell you until next week.”

“ No, please…okay tell me and I will ask you to stay back at home so I will advocate on your behalf in court.”

“Case won already.”

They chuckled.

“ I am sorry I never told you about this…..I travelled not just for investigation but for you. I went to Jos and I have been doing that for the past
five months. You have been allowed to join them in the new session to complete your degree program….and when this was done, I also applied for a transcript for you so you can complete it at ABU.
I am sorry I took such a decision on your behalf without your consent. I am truly sorry. And if you don’t like it, we could start something about it.”

Ameer was silent for a while, and he stopped eating. After the silence, without looking at her, he said, “ I am dumbfounded and overwhelmed. Sometimes I feel you can see through my heart. You see through and know where my pains lie, and the potential joy lies. You know how to push the button which suppress my pain and trigger my bliss and fancy.
What idea could have been better? I thought my education was crashed, but you still risked your life ,expended your time and resources to go through the rigmarole of doing this for me. And the decision for a transcript was the best. Going back to that school would just trigger my pain, and everything would remind me of her.
I want a new environment…..:” he gave her a look, “and a new life. And that is what you just gave me. I can save two thousand Naira daily and would have saved enough to go back to school. I now know how to hustle, not the wait-and-collect-rent-fee guy.”

“You were a business man.”

“ The pharmacy, yes.” He now continued eating. “ After all these, after everything, you will leave me.”

She gave him a sharp glance.

“ How?”

“ I will graduate next year, insha Allah. You will get married next year and ….that is it.”

“ Getting married does not mean we can’t be brother and sister again.”

“ Yes, from a distance. The big line is drawn, the red one. No more garden, no more, no more.”

And she saw a little pain in his eyes. Did he feel anything for her? No. it was just compassion.

“ You will get over it. There will be a princess charming to comfort you.”

“ Euphoria.” He smiled. “ I wonder what will become of me when you are gone. You have become an integral part of me. You revivified me literary, and showed me how to smile again, how to laugh, how to walk , and how to live.
I thought life was over, until you showed me that it could be a start. You taught me how to live with the past, the present and the future. But you never taught me how to live without you. You never taught me how to forget you. I don’t know if I would be able to learn that, or have the percipient potential to catch-up.

But you had a life before me and have a life after me. You told me to embrace qadr. And one who may never find ever lasting happiness ought to accept melancholy as a pal…’

“No! You have the right to be happy.” Her eyes was now watery. “ You should never accept melancholy because no one told you that your qadr is pain and unhappiness. We all have problems, have issue burning but we just have to live on.
I know we can’t be together and that is not because of Liman or any man.”

“What do you mean?”

“ I and Liman broke up and the engagement has been cancelled. I am not dating anyone and ….don’t want to be with anyone. I am not getting married next year but somehow…..we have to stop seeing each other. I thought I could handle it, be there to the last but it is hard for me.”

She opened her bag and gave him an envelope.

“ Your letters and documents.” She said. “ I have to go.”

“No! What is wrong? Why are you crying? Why did you cancel your marriage? Okay, save the details but irrespective of what I have said, I want you to be happy and cancelling your engagement will hurt me.
Okay, I will learn to live happily ever after.”

“ You don’t seem to understand. I can’t be with him.”

“ Will you marry me? I know I don’t have money or….”

“Please don’t say that again. Never talk about money. I know you are not impecunious because you are lazy. You have a life ahead but…..I am sorry ,I can’t marry you. We can’t even be together, we can’t have a relationship. I am done with it. I am done with it. I just want to be left alone and let those who feel I don’t want to get married talk. I had been engaged twice and this is the last. I have made a decision.”

“ No. You must not take such a decision in a rash.”

She got on her feet, wiped off her tears and forced a smile.

“ Please forgive me…I need to be home. I cannot drop you off at home today.”

“ What is wrong? I can go home on my own but you are breaking my heart.”

“ I am sorry I did. Bye Ameer.”

She turned and walked away hurriedly. He fought the urge to follow. What was going on?

2005

Amaar and Ameena arrived Kaduna around ten o’clock in the morning. It was her first time in the crocodile city. The trip had been unplanned, and preparations short but one had to be ready to make a way when there seemed to be no way.
He kept racking his brain in the car before an idea dropped into his head. He remembered Mallama Saudat, Yusha’u’s mother.
He called Yusha’u and told him to meet them at Kawo garage. He also called Ameer and told him he would stay out that day and the next. He felt guilty keeping secrets from his brother but knowing some things could be harmful.
It was better kept secret until the right time.

Yusha’u was Amaar’s polo teammate and they had been friends for years. Amaar told him about Ameena. He edited the story: She was an orphan who was being maltreated by her aunt and was sent into prostitution so she ran away.
He told him that she needed to stay hidden for a while before her uncle comes back from Sudan. And she was eighteen years old. Not fifteen but eighteen.
Mallama Saudat felt bad when she was told about Ameena. Being a mother, with daughters, she felt she had to do all she could to protect the girl. Amaar made it clear that reporting to police was not a panacea, because the racket was armed with nepotism.
He said her uncle was studying in Sudan and would finish in two years. Amaar hoped to have graduated and …..and what? What was his plans? That thought seemed to have come from his subconscious mind.

Mallama Saudat had six children. Yusha’u was the only son and he had three elder sisters who were all married. Ameena was accepted with love and joy. Fareeda, the last child, who was in SS2 was most enthusiastic. She loved Ameena from sight and she was glad she would have a new friend at home.
Ameena was to share a room with Fareeda and Amaar told her that he had limited time so she was going to enroll into school the next day.
Fareeda ran after Amaar and begged, “ Uncle Amaar, please enrol her into our school, pleassssse.”
Amaar smiled and asked the name of their school.

“ Future Killers Academy.”

“ What?”

“Just kidding. Best Future Academy.”

Amaar passed the night in a friend’s room. He could not go home since that was tantamount to letting Ameer know he was in Kaduna. The next morning, he took her to the school. When Ameena heard that the Registration fees was one hundred and fifty thousand, she lost hope of attending the school which she fell in love with from the moment she stepped in there.

They demanded for her last term report sheet and entrance test. She passed the entrance test but had no report sheet. Amaar was desperate so he bent the law. He went to a friend who worked in a school and forged a fake report sheet.
Unknown to Ameena and members of his family, Amaar called a man who had been begging him to sell a plot of land he inherited to get the money ready.

The man was exhilarated. He asked Amaar to come for the money at once. One point nine million naira. He was accompanied by Ameena who did not know what was going on. She only knew about the fake result but did not know about the sale of land.
She was registered and they went to market to buy things. The school provided all learning paraphernalia which was paid for as part of registration fees.

But she needed other things like school shoes. He bought three pairs, and two school bags, extra stationeries, and clothes . She had only a few which he bought for her in Jos. The last time anyone took her to shop for school was when her mother was still alive.
She remembered the thrill of such outings and never knew there was anyone left to do this for her again. When he bought a box for her and began buying clothes, shoes, bags ,cosmetics, fairly expensive jewelries, she became speechless.

Was she dreaming?

The shopping was fun, and he would always ask her, “is there anything else you want?”

“No.” she would say. How dare she say yes.

“But you need …..” He would think of a woman’s need and go for it.

Uncle Amaar, you must be an answer to my mother’s prayer, she thought.

When Mallama Saudat saw the things he bought for her, she marvelled. Then Ameena did something that shocked Amaar.
She took some of the items he bought for her and gave it to Fareeda saying Uncle Amaar asked her to give into her.
That was a splendid idea he never thought of. This girl was wise!

The next day, he enrolled her into Darul Tauheed Islamic School where Fareeda and Hameeda attended.
She settled. She was pleased with her new home, new schools, new family and new…..brother? or…..no, don’t go there.
Amaar went to see her in the evening because he had to go back to school the next day. They were sitting in the compound.

“ I am very happy, Uncle Amaar. They are so nice. I thought people like these were no more in existence.”

“Na Allah basuqarewa ai (Godly people would always exist) .” He smiled, “they might be few, hard to find but they would always be there.”

“ Like you.”

“ What about me?”

“ Your type is hard to find. A man who will spend the night with a girl and ……”she bowed her face in shame, “and chose to perform salat instead.”

“ There is an hadith that says if you get a chance to acquire something through haram (illegal means) and you leave it for the sake of Allah….you will acquire it through halal (legal means).”

Did she understand him? Okay, he was just explaining an hadith. It had nothing to do with them.

“You are right.”

“ If we go on break insha Allah, I will go to Gombe and see your siblings. I got another idea. There is a friend of mine who is going to serve there. I will use him and claim community service by a youth corpse member.”

“ Thank you. May Allah reward you.”

“ Ameen.”

“ Take this. It is ten thousand naira. You might need something when I am not around. You will need money for brunch break, and just anything.”

She could not say thank you. It was too much. She had never owned a thousand naira if hers. She never even attended a school as expensive as this when her parents were alive.

“ Insha Allah, when you get married, you will have the power to openly take your siblings away from the village.”

Married? She bowed her head.

“ I will be going back to school tomorrow insha Allah.”

She felt her heart sinking. She did not want to stop seeing him. He made her felt safe, and comfortable. She knew he had to go back but the reality was touchy. She had only known him a few months , and only got closer few days ago but he seemed to have always been there and part of her life.
She could not tell him not to go or ask him to take her along. She had to be strong but nothing would make her not miss him.

“ You sound cold about my leaving.”

“I don’t want you to go.”

“ What would you do the day I will collect your dowry and marry you off…you will be gone forever.”

He had intended it to be a joke but the words hit her in an unexpected manner. The idea of having a time when she would have to part with him was disheartening and he said it with all pleasure. He did not care?

She broke into tears, shedding tears profusely.

“Subahallah! What is wrong?”

She cried for more than ten minutes before he succeeded in pacifying her.

“ So you don’t like me. You want to send me away. You want to part with me…”

“Shhhhh…” was she serious? He was in no doubt in love with her…what? Okay, he admitted it to himself today. Yes, it was love. From the first day he saw her but he kept denying it. He did not want to take advantage of her, or make it look as if he was helping her just because he wanted to marry her.
But it seems the feelings was reciprocal or mutual. Whichever word, he was having problem with words now.

“ I am sorry I said that. I thought you would want to go one day, when you are okay to go…”

“ I don’t want to stop seeing you.”

“ You are only a young girl now. You might get tired of seeing me.”

“ I am young but old enough to know what I want. I will not get tired of seeing you.”

“But there is only one way we can do this. I don’t want to stop seeing you too. The thought of you leaving me breaks my heart. But we can’t be together except….if you and I live together and that means we must be permitted by Allah to do that through an institution called…you see….”

She chuckled and used her palms to cover her face.

“ Meena…..would you like to live with me as my wife.”

She still had her face buried in hands.

She nodded without a word.

“ Are you sure you want this?”

“ You tell me first. Are you sure you want it or you just feel …pity..”

“Shhhh…don’t ever think it’s pity. I love you with all my heart. Love could bring compassion, care, whatever but the feelings I have for you is beyond description. Yes, I want this more than anything else.”

“ I want it too. I ….” She chuckled shyly , “ I love you too.”If only she knew what those three words meant to him and what it also meant to

Yusha’u who was eavesdropping with his lips between his teeth.

“This is not love”, Yusha’u thought, “but appreciation. The love will be mine.”

What about soft copy SokoDobo?

Wheezdohm:

he deserves some accolades..watcha think ma'am?

Of course he does

MhizSuccess:
Of course he does

just that..we're still waiting fr updates..

Beautiful piece. Well constructed and good job. Please how do I get the soft copy

How do I get a copy

Interesting piece!!
well done SokoDobo.

wow

On my way

THIRTEEN


2009

Ameer did not see Maryam for three months. She made sure he never did. When she was not having a case, she travelled out of the country, mostly to London. She stopped picking his calls at a point and begged him to stop seeing her.
He was forced to oblige. He had tried all he could in the past, gone to their house, office and she would not let him see her. Why? What went wrong? At least he deserved an explanation. All she said was she could not marry him and they had to stop seeing each other.
Ameer kept on with his foreman job which was just enough to keep them going after saving for school. He was about to resume school.
Then he saw her.

He had gone to the garden to relax and meditate as she called it. Then she appeared, unaware that he was there until it was too late. She came and sat next to him.

" Assalamu alaikum." She greeted as she sat down. Damn! How could she have guessed he would be here?

" Ameen Alaikum salam." He replied without looking at her.

Silence.

" When I was kid," Ameer began, still not looking at her, " my father would by a big ram, and make sure it was well fed, well secured, and show it love, and on a day when we wear our new clothes, and go to the vast field and perform salat, he will come back and ask for his sharp knife, and he will slaughter the ram.
I used to marvel. With all the love, protection and care, only to slaughter it? Then I realised, some things are nurtured to be slayed."

"Your father had a lot to gain by slaughtering it." She replied, without looking at him too. " And he did not slaughter it because he wanted to destroy it. But you failed to ask the reason for his actions."

" What if I had asked him and he decided to shut the door at me?"

" There may also be a reason behind it."

" Just letting me know the crime I committed, or the reason for shutting me out of your life would have helped. Just when you removed the constant image of Teetee from my head, and made me felt there was still air left to breath, and had an obligation to live and pray for her, you left me with the an aching heart."

" It was not about you, Ameer. It was for the best. I can't tell you why but all I was doing is not about any wrong you did. I loved our relationship when it was platonic. When we got closer, and you mentioned marriage, I freaked out."

" Why?"

" I don't want to hurt you."

"Has it crossed your mind that anyone who avoids you because he does not want to hurt you will never hurt you on purpose? And what hurts more than what you did to me? You showed me light and took it away. We could have remained friends at least."

" I am sorry I hurt you so much but we crossed the line of friendship. With that feeling, things would never be normal."

" The feeling was not mutual. I was the one who fell in love with you. You were only helping a depressed young man who just came out of prison."

" Yes, I was doing it to help you get your life back....at first."

At first?

" Then.......?"

" Ameer, you have been through a lot. I don't want to exacerbate things .And I also have a heart to protect."

" Mystery. Did you ever feel anything for me apart from the need to help me?"

She hesitated.

" Yes. I felt something for you so take the idea of the not-mutual thing out of your head. It was not easy staying away from you."

Really?

" Then why can't we make it work? Are you still in love with Ladan? Oops! Liman, sorry. Both names have a lot to do with the masjid."

" No. I actually called the engagement off."

He did not ask her why.

" I guess you think it was for the best."

" I am sure it was for the best."

" But never tell me avoiding me is for the best."

" Are you sure about that?"

" I am, insha Allah."

" When are you going back to school?"

" Until my lawyer gets back into my life."

" Then you are so blind. Can't you see that she is there already?"

He smiled and she opened her heart for him. She was done trying to avoid him. She could not even do it any longer though she was supposed to. She owed him an explanation but she could not. She had tried to do that so many times but failed.

" Jezebel has been sentenced at last." She said.

" Really? I heard there was a serious exchange of fire before she was arrested."

" Yes. And many arrests have been made in connection to that file. Mallam Uthman was a hero. She has been condemned to death by hanging."

"Subahanallah!"

" How many souls did she sentence to death? Life meant nothing to her."

" I hope she realizes her mistakes before she faces justifiable homicide."

" They are going for an appeal. Lawyers must eat. With the pellucid, and undeniable evidence against her, they still cajoled her for an appeal after what she said to the judge."

"What did she say?"

"After the sentence, she showed him her middle finger pointed upwards and said, " we would meet in hell murderfucck**. There are many ways to hell and been a judge is one."

"What?"

"No remorse. But......my dad called me that day after hearing what she said and advised me. He said judges will be subjected to severe divine scrutiny, tied and only truth and justice would set them free. The ethics of judges today is alarming. Even the sharia judges who use fiqh to judge are derailing from the right part. Money and women.
When a woman is pretty and has a case with her husband, he annuls the marriage, gets married to her and send him to jail. Bribery is prevalent and unjustified verdict is given in inheritance cases. Jezebel may have been crazy but a judge is not careful, hell is his abode."

" I will always be around to remind you of what papa said then."

She chuckled.

" Now, let us talk about your school....."

"Today is going to be all about us. Promise never to shut me out of your life again......."

They started a relationship that blossomed, and it was good until it happened that day..........

excelmerry:
What about soft copy SokoDobo?

Will be made available soon

akanji44:
Beautiful piece. Well constructed and good job. Please how do I get the soft copy

I will let you all know soon

rayvelez:
How do I get a copy

hard copy?

2006

Ameena was preparing for WAEC and NECO after one year in the school. She was fed up of living in the house just because of Yusha'u. At first, he had offered to assist her with tutorials. But she became skeptical when Fareeda showed how surprised she was. Yaya yusha'u never bothered to teach them anything.
When they asked him to help them in their assignments, he always complained and grumbled. How come he was inviting Ameena for tutorials and after a second thought invited Fareeda?

"You two are friends so you won't be serious if you learn together, "he had said, "I will start with you, Fareeda then Ameena."

So, Fareeda would get a thirty minute rushed tutorial and Ameena would get two hours because 'she needed to catch up as a new comer. Sometimes he will feign to be making a call to Amaar and say something like, " Haba Amaar, stop deceiving the small girl. That was what you did to Aisha, and Khadijat. Kaji tsoron Allah(fear Allah) ." He made such calls knowing Ameena would hear but he would pretend to be oblivious.
Then he started buying her things: ice-cream, cup-cake, cookies, snacks, then it moved to shoes, clothes.
She would always tell Amaar and he would thank him.

"You don't have to tell him. It is not everything you tell him. I am doing this for the sake of Allah. Don't even let my sisters or mother know. In short, if I want to get something for you, I prefer we go together but secretly. I will call you and tell you where to meet me."

"I am sorry I can't hide anything from him. Since you are not the one saying it out, it does not affect your ikhlas. And about going out secretly, I don't go out without permission and I have enough of everything I need. Uncle Amaar provides for me and I don't want you to bother yourself. I am not rapacious. Did he tell you?"

" Tell me what?"

" He is the one I will get married to, insha Allah."

" Are you sure?"

" Yes, insha Allah."

"Hmmm..I see you like a sister and would protect you like I would protect Fareeda. Don't ever trust a man. Not him, not me, not any man."

She had smiled.

" If you say you and any other man, I heed to that advise but Uncle Amaar, he is out of the league of people I cannot trust. If you tell me not to trust him, then you don't know him after all the years you spent together. Thank you for always warning me with the PHONE CALLS you make reminding him of how he deceived Aisha and who...ko Jamila ne ko Khadija ne oho. But I don't need to be warned because if he is deceiving me, then I will heed to no warning because I will not believe even if he tells me that he is deceiving me.
I trust him with all of my heart and love him. Insha Allah, he will be the first man I will date and marry."

That was the day he began to hate her. He was surprised at her response. He had forgotten that the sixteen year old of this generation were not nippers. It was a digital world. He could not lure her like a toddler.
She knew his guiles, his baits which he called gifts, his boring tutorials. Amaar used to teach when he was around and he always came for weekends every fortnight. She had given him enough respite, respect but he chose to disgorge the respect into the drain.

Now she was about to write her final exams and in two years, they could get married. She was now sixteen years old. Ameer was about getting married. The introduction had been made and arrangement was been made. But Amaar will not get married to her then. He wanted her to finish her secondary school, and probably start university.

They were twins but that did not mean that they shared destiny. Maybe they were not destined to marry at the same time.
Amaar came back home that day and he came to see her. She noticed his mood. He had not told her what happened when Mallama Saudat called him inside her living-room.

" You said her Uncle is studying in Sudan, right?" she said.

"Na'am (Yes)."

" But he had never called her or heard you talk about him. And someone told me that it is a lie. They said she ran away from home because they would not let her date you. Now you brought her here, lodge her and take her out from school. I am well respected here and would not want to taint my reputation.
I also have daughters. I would not be happy if another woman keep my daughter for a man to be taking out. I want to talk to that uncle of hers. If I can't, then I will be forced to ask her to leave. I am a parent and you understand."

" I understand Mama and I will forever be grateful for all the time she spent here and the kindness you showed to her. I am aware that someone had come to say things which are not true and Allah is my witness over this girl. I have never taken her to a place that is not proper and if that was what I wanted, I would never have brought her to a responsible family like this.
However, her uncle cannot be reached now and based on what you said, she would leave at this very moment. May Allah reward you for the help you rendered."

" Ameen. But I did not say it has to be today."

" It will be convenient today ma."

He left and called Ameena and told her what Mallama Saudat said.

" It is no one else but Yaya Yusha'u." She said.

"What do you mean?"

She told him what had been happening.

" I never told you because I did not want to cause a rift between you two and I thought I could handle him until I left. But I was forced to tell him that when it was getting out of hand."

He did not want to believe her even when he knew she had no reason to lie. Then facts started agglomerating. Yusha'u once told him to watch her because it seemed she like company of boys.

"Do you see her with boys?" Amaar had asked.

" Small boys. Her school mates but you know, anything can happen." Yusha'u had said.

Amaar forgot the issue because he trusted her and that was most important. You could never watch over a girl, or stop her from cheating on you if she wanted to. She could make you accompany her to her lover without your knowledge if she wished. Fidelity was a thing of choice, loyalty and self- discipline. Trust was the key word in a relationship and he trusted her.

" Go get your things and we are leaving."

She felt tears in her eyes. Why was this happening? She went and packed her things while Fareeda cried. Ameena went and thanked Mallama Saudat who was acting as if she regretted her actions but was forced to do it because she was skeptical.

Yusha'u guessed Ameena would have told Amaar what happened so he decided to avoid him. What a voluptuous girl! He wanted her, like he never wanted any girl. Even if she was not going marry him, she should have at least given him her body before she left.
It was better he stopped seeing her, tickling his fancy, stirring his libido, and making him fantasize.

Amaar got a cab and put the luggage in the booth. They took the back seat.

" Where are we going?" she asked, suddenly wishing they could get married sooner and have their home. He had been in touch with her younger siblings. And the plan was working out. They were in school, a private school and he made sure their welfare was improved.

" I know a woman. She runs an orphanage and less privileged home. She is called Aunty Hauwa. The proprietor of Al- Hisan orphanage home. I love the name. I used to say I would establish a company with that name one day if I make it. She will take care of you."

" There is something else wrong with you?"

"Nothing."

"It is not just about this. Please tell me. I know when you are not happy."

He hesitated, then closed his eyes.

La ilaha ilallah!

Tears? What was wrong?

Before she could speak, she felt tears in her eyes. She did not know what it was, but her feelings was merged with his. His pain, her pain. His joy, her join.

"Uncle Amaar! What is it?"

" Do you remember the girl you saw with my brother?"

"Aunty Fateema."

He felt his head so heavy.

" She was killed today. She and her entire family and Ameer has been arrested."

" Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raji'un!"

She broke down.

This was the beginning of a new phase of life for them. The saga escalated!

2009


Ameer could scarcely believe what Mr Farouq told him that morning.“ I really appreciate your diligence, and ambidexterity. I am sad that you will be leaving but happy that you are going back to school. I have a proposal for you. Zaria is just close-by. If it won’t be a bother, I suggest you should be coming in every weekend to see what is doing on. I can’t run it alone. Your wages would be paid as if you work daily.”

“What? That is too much. I can’t accept that offer.”

“You should accept it, please. If you think it would affect the factory, no. This is two hundred thousand naira. It is my gift to you. Happy studying.”

Ameer like he was dreaming. Who was this man? First he had made him a foreman from a labourer. Then he treated him with respect and frequent ex gratia.
He bought enough food for Hajiya and gave her a substantial amount to keep her comfortable. He also sent Amaar some amount then went to school. He was able to rent a one room self-contained apartment, and gave it a fair furnishing.

But this time, he was more reserved. Unlike the happy-slappy bloke he used to be in UJ. He could not help think of Fateema. When he saw guys walking with their girls, he remembered her. He never forgot to pray for her after every salat.
But Maryam had reduced the pain. What was left was memories and prayers. Maryam visited him at least once in a week. She would come in the morning and leave in the evening get home before crepuscular. When he went home for weekend, she would be with him at the factory, and they will go to the garden.

By this, there bond was intensified and the love proliferated. Ameer told her about the kindness of Mr Farouq and she had thanked him immensely.

They were sitting in his small office, waiting for him to close So they could go to the garden. Her veil clung to her body without her notice and the outline of her curves and edges was accentuated, then the beautiful design on her hands sent an electric impulse through his system.
Ya Allah! Would this girl agree to marry him now? He had a job which could sustain them but if she insisted on waiting until he graduated, he would then increase his rate of fasting. Yes, he needed that fasting as advised by the Holy prophet SAW

He had noticed her lackadaisical approach when the issue of marriage was brought. She loved him but she seemed not to be interested in marriage. Was he not good enough for her? Was there anything like marriage phobia?
Had she ever been married? Irin sakin wawa? Did she go through an experience that left her traumatized? What was it ?

“ Tell me that the devils are back in your head.” She said, “ you are out of here.”

Her voice brought him out of he is thoughts.

“ I want them to know.” He said. “ That is what the devil in my head tells me.”

“ Who are they and what do they need to know?”

“ Parents. They should know I plan to abduct you and take you away for life, from your house but as a kind abductor, I will allow you pay visits.”

She chuckled.

“ How will they let you abduct their daughter? It is not possible.”

“That is the irony. It will be in cahoots with them.”

“They love me so much they would not oblige to the devil in your head.”

“ Funny as it will sound, they will aid and abet me. Yes, they love you, and care for you but they would support me in abducting you. They will grant me permission, and dad would even spend money. He would invite his friends and family members to witness the abduction of his daughter.
He would were special clothes, smiling and be congratulated. ‘Oh, your daughter is gone for life’, he will be like, ‘ yes, thank you very much,. Your mum will be happier, even though she would cry when my gang members are taking you away, she would be waving you goodbye and pray for the car not to develop fault.”

“ God! That is my home and I am not leaving!”

“Who said so? Let me abduct you and see. Now, if you Dad comes back from Maghrib and does not see you, he would be like, why hasn’t she COME BACK? But then, if he comes back and sees you, he would be like, why hasn’t she GONE BACK? You become nothing but a visitor in their home….”

“ My home, dude.”

“ Their home. Your home lies with me. Where you are in control of the kitchen and not a cook under your mum.”

“You are savage!”

“ Home is your place that is permanent. A girl has no permanent space in her parents’ house. She has an expiry date of stay where yan baruwana give her notice. She is still at home? Home is where we go to after the garden or where you spend the night with me when you come to visit me in Zaria. Home is where we have the liberty to be together and that veil is not obstructing my sight. Home is where the barrier is broken between us and we turn breeders.

Home is where you and I will be, I would never give you up for any ransom. Home is where Ameer Adam intends to live with Barrister Maryam Kankia. I won’t mind if you still bear your maiden name. That Kankia may spice up your law job. Your father and former landlord has built a name in the law world.”

She was mesmerized by his words, touched and he sparked the love for marriage in her again but that thing was still holding her back. It scared her and felt it would repeat itself. She did not want to go through it again and it seemed it was going to be worst this time because she never felt bonded to a man like she was to him.

“ The Prophet’s (SAW) wives never bore his name. Why do we do it? Is it not bidi’a? Is not haram to bear someone else’s name?”

“ I heard some fatwah about that but the problem with a dalib who just began to understand Arabic is when he reads something, he concludes and establish a theory and promulgate. Fiqh is esoteric, and needs the intensive scrutiny by the mu’alims (Scholars).
The issue of bearing a name apart of your father been haram is misconceived. The case of Zayd and the Prophet SAW was different. A child can inherit his father’s properties but not a child who you take as a child and now feel he has all those rights. You cannot marry the wife your son has married but don’t say it is the same with a child that is not yours biologically. It is based on rules and the name does not matter.
Salman RLA was known as Salman Pharees. That was the name of his hometown. Abu Huraira RLA was called the father of cat and the Holy One named him that himself because he was always carrying a certain cat.

The Arab use the word ibn or bintu. You hear Turai Yar’adu and not Turai bintu Yar’adua. Maryam Ameer and not Maryam bintu Ameer. It is not mandatory to use your husband’s name but it not haram because it is just a name and that does not mean you take him as a father. Remember, you share the same bed…”

“Kai! Stop it there.”

They laughed.

“ The day I will catch you…..”

“ I am as slippery as ice. You won’t catch me.”

“I will trick you.”

“ Now that I know you have an ace up your sleeve, I will be on guard.”

“ I hope you will be like Afnan.’

“Who is Afnan?” Maryam asked.

“My cousin. When she got married and was about to be taken to her REAL home…..”Ameer began before she cut in.

“ Dude, what is your problem? Must you keep reminding us that YOUR home is where we belong?”

He giggled.

“ She began to cry, saying she would not leave her home. There was a lot of drama before she was forced into the car. There were a lot of women in the car. Friends, aunties, gogos, da sauransu. She kept crying in the car, not speaking to anyone, then they got to the area where the house was located
But they missed the description. They asked, and searched but they could not find it. Afnan was still crying. Then Gogo Kumatu said they should go back since it was getting late and there were a lot of married women there.
When the driver reversed, Afnan wipped off her tears and said, ‘ it is the next street. The house with a blue gate! And Gogo Talatu said’yar tusa, ashe kina so(naughty girl, so you are interested) !”

“ Damn!”

They both laughed and she felt tears in her eyes.

It was at that point it happened. She stopped laughing as a sudden heat erupted in her. Oh no! She began to sweat, and shook in pains.
Ameer frowned. What was wrong? She tried to stand up but fell on the ground. She was shaking and her eyes were rolling back, her teeth chattering .

“Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi raji’un!” Ameer rushed and grabbed her. He almost released her as he felt the temperature of her body. He had never seen a human’s body get that hot.

“ Maryam! Maryam!!”

She could not answer. She was dying on him. He had been through this before. Not again. He carried her at once, forgetting the strange heat of her body.
She was shaking vigorously and it took an effort to keep holding her. As he ran out of the office with her in his arms, the labours stopped working and ran to him.

“Please get her car keys!” Ameer shouted! “ Hospital !Hospital!! Please help me, pray for her, pray for her, pray for me!!”

He was trying to stay calm but he could not. He was also shivering, jittery and confused. The car keys was brought and she was rushed into the back seat.
He asked Zakari, the truck driver to drive. He wanted to hold her, he wanted to be by her, he could not stay away.
She was looking worse. Almost dead and he was now crying and praying. She was trying to tell him something but she could not.

“Please stay strong Maryam. Please don’t do this. Please, stay with me, by me, I will do whatever you want. Please.”

Tears now escaped through her eyes as he hugged her tightly feeling that could make her stay. Who could stop the angels?
Zakari put on the headlights and pushed his finger on the horn button constantly as he whipped the car mercilessly on the highway.

Weldon.

But it seem the story lies mostly in the past. I'm more interested in the present though.

nice one dear

Thanks for this update.

So delicious..... So intriguing.... Dis story is like a big onion, so many layers of mystery n suspense

SokoDobo:
I am sorry to announce that our publishing partners requests that we pause posting updates on Married To A Fink. I will however try and make more postings so as to cover upto chapter 16.

As announced earlier, we've completed Married To A Fink, and it will be ready for distribution starting 4th October 2018. Those interested in getting the hard copy and reading the complete story can pre=order for it here now.

Beneath My Heart, The Root Of A cynosure and The Last Insurgent will also be available mid October 2018.

The soft copy nko?

Hello Sokodobo.

Your books are a bit expensive, a lot of people may not be able to afford it. Please consider reducing the price for each of them.


Great updates by the way.

What
Soko pls u might want to consider reducing d prices, its way too expensive even tho ur work is very nice.. you are highly talented n good at wat u do, but people might not b able to afford it..

The price is OK cos its hard copy.

tijehi:
Hello Sokodobo.

Your books are a bit expensive, a lot of people may not be able to afford it. Please consider reducing the price for each of them.


Great updates by the way.

FOURTEEN

2007

" I think it would be for the best." Ameena said as they sat on a long on the corridor. " I have been thinking about it."

" Move back to Gombe?" Amaar asked, his face crinkled.

" Yes. A lot of people come here for donations and charity work and some of them disturb Aunty for my hand in marriage. She tells them that I have a suitor and guess what? They get angry and stop coming......she said they should go for all she cared. I was not for sale and if they would not do it fisabilillah (For the sake of God), then they should go.
But I feel uncomfortable. If I was not here, they would have been coming. My stay is not helping matters."

Amaar sighed. The past year and the present was a period he was not going to forget. The peak of his vicissitudes, the point where the real world was unveiled to him. Since Ameer was arrested, and innocent souls killed, he knew no peace. Ameena was one person who made him move on. She was young but blessed with wisdom, perseverance, tenacity, understanding, doggedness, and resilience.
He was shocked when he learnt that Jezebel was involved. Ameer never told him. Why? The same reason he never told him too. Protection! They should have talked about it. God! Only if he knew.

The silence.
The secrets.
All not good.

Now that the did was done, his only brother and best friend was lavishing in jail. They had been running helter-skelter, spending millions of naira just to save him but nothing positive was erupting. No one was willing to help.
They began to face financial problems. That was when he started working at the block industry. Ameena stood by him. She propounded an idea, and started making tiger-nut juice and go with him and sell.
Then he would accompany her back home before going home. This was while she was awaiting her result after secondary school. Now, they were out of resource and the last house has just been sold. Ameer had told them not to spend a dime again.

He said it was just a waste. There was no new evidence to extricate him. The lawyers were just after their money and knew there was no way out. He was ready to accept his fate. Ameer made sense but Amaar was not ready to give up. But what could he do? He knew his brother was right.

When Ameena gained admission, Amaar put in some money in her account for her education. She was in her second semester now.

" Why Gombe? Why can't we look for somewhere else?'

" I want to go back home. I was scared because I had no one to turn to then. I have you now. I have a life now. I am not scared of Gogo anymore. I will go to the village. I want to see my younger sisters. I pray this problem gets over so we can get married. Your home is where I will find rest of mind. That is the final goal.
But someone has to give me out in marriage. It has to by my family members. My paternal family members. I don't want to get married in a court. So, the relationship should be established from now.
My grandfather is alive and you know him. They know you. So, when I go back home, you will pretend to be meeting me for the first time. I know this decision is hard on me because it means seeing you less frequently but I think the sacrifice is imperative to make the future work out. But if you feel the decision, rather suggestion is shoddy, then your wish will be my command."

He concurred and the decision was reached. She went back to Gombe one week later. It was hard for them both but they had option .
Her grandparents lived in a small village called Kurmin dada, about one hundred kilometres from Kaltingo LGA. She was a native of Gombe but the grandparents lived in the small remote village for more than forty years.

They could scarcely recognize her the day she arrived. She had grown up, sophisticated and more beautiful. Gogo Uwale told them that she ran away from where she took her to earn scholarship.
But the joy of seeing her again was overwhelming. Sa'adat who was now twelve years old still remembered her sister vividly but Aisha who was now seven had only a vague memory of her elder sister. The reunion was quite emotional with tears, joy and remembrance.

Ameena bought a lot of things for her younger sisters, and grandparents. She also got extra things for relatives and neighbours. And so many people were coming to see her and greet her.

Six days after her arrival, Baba Shehu, her grandfather was sitting under the mango tree in front of his compound when a boy brought a bag of maize. He said it was a gift from his father. What for? He sent the boy back to ask.
The father said it was a gift for an old man. Then Lado sent a bowl of bush meat to the old man and gifts kept coming.

Hmmmm...

The old man smiled at himself. He was remembered all of a sudden.

Ameena was inside her hut ,anxiously waiting for Amaar who promised coming when Aisha said someone wanted to see her. She asked who it was but the little girl said she did not know his name.
She hoped it was not Amaar because that was not the plan. She wore her veil and went out of the compound.
She saw who she guessed was the person. He sat comfortable on a motor bike with various stickers placed on it. From Hausa film actors to Indian actors. He sat on the 'rubber-rubber' like he was sitting on the latest model of Harley- Davidson that would make Charlie-Boy bow.

He was short, stocky and dark. She guessed he was between twenty-four and twenty-six. He wore a shirt which she had to look at twice before she realised it was not a kaftan. A shirt that was knee length, and wide, making him look like a child hiding in his father's clothes trying to dodge Islamiya. He wore a face cap which was turned backwards, a baggy trouser which covered his brogues. It seemed he had much love for side burns and nature did not bless him with it so the few strands of hair that sprouted on his cheeks was tanned with dye in a shape that suited him. Most of the side burns was made of dye.

He sat on the bike with a bottled water, which he sipped with great care, and ostentation. An android phone, Gionee P2 proudly conspicuously displayed in his hand.

What was this?

He produced a smile. The smile he once told his friends made married women quiver so he did not like smiling in public. This same smile made Ameena feel like shutting her eyes. Why did he remind her of Shrek?

" Season greetings." He said . " I am sorry por disturbance you. My name is Lado Auxillary but my prends is kwaling me Auxi Lolo or Auxi America. I am a candy...."

"What?"

" A candy. A candy is a personality who is write am por WAEC and graduant prom school. Me is told you too is a candy. Me I don't like billege girls bekwas they is billege life. So, I am kwam to expression my lof because me is not just lof but marry lof."

He paused to sip water, making sure she saw the brand name. It was Swan. That was not easy.

" I really appreciate you....."

"Auxi Lolo."

"Okay, Auxi Lolo. Thank you for coming. I am not yet a candy. I am still a chocolate. I have not gotten to that level yet. So, I would only start having boyfriends when I become a candy like you."

Chocolate? What level of education was chocolate? But he would not confess to her that he did not know it." No. Eben me is a chocolate bepore I am candy. I can manage am chocolate ai. You see, lof is no matter the lebel of academicating. True lof is roses and flowers. And my lof am pro you is ocean in the canal. You see, I am see the world and trable bery bery par. Please lofing me now."

" Auxi Lolo...'

"Yo."

" I am not interested now. Come back in two years so I can tell you what I decide but don't wait for me."

She turned to go when another small boy ran to her. There was another man waiting for her. He was around fifty six years old. That was Mallam Sarfilu, the man who sent a bag of maize to her grandfather. He looked like a cast for a comedy Hausa movie. He had three wives and he needed a younger and more educated girl.
And the village was hit with the news of the arrival of a very pretty educated girl, he decided it was time. He was sure she could not resist him. Lado was just a small boy. He did not the know old tricks of catching a girl. For instance, he was sure Lado was not wise enough to promise her a trip to Mecca, or a visit to the Emir of Gombe.

He did not see lado give her anything. But he had a new note of two hundred naira and a loaf of bread and coke in a polythene bag for her.
These were some of the tricks he used to marry his wives and no woman could afford to miss such things. He smiled, exposing his cola-nut stained teeth.
Unknown to Ameena and the men there, the king was in a meeting prohibiting anyone to ask for her hand in marriage. She had been chosen to become a queen.

And Amaar was on his way. The prohibition would soon be announced.

Which kind wahala be dis..small girl fa. Both old and young even king wan chop. Na waoo