V

THE KNOT HAd BEEN TIED.

That was the word my mom said as she came into the room and sat beside me. I started to cry on her shoulder , I can't believe I went through with the plans.

I'm now a married woman, I can't believe this.

Oh Allah, have I just signed my own death? Please guide me through all this. I don't know that I'd feel this terrible, I have never thought of myself ,before going through with the plans. Now I'm starting to have doubt.

What if my husband is a psychopath or maybe a drug addict.... I thought but quickly shake my head in a God forbid way. I just pray he is someone I can tolerate.

I can't believe that I still don't know who this husband of mine his. When I met his mother this morning, she was so beautiful and kind hearted. I couldn't even look her in the eyes, I was so ashamed of what Aisha and I did.

What if they later come to know that we both plan for this to happen...... I thought.

Please forgive me ya Allah, I've sinned against you, please forgive this servant of yours......i prayed.

Mama kept rubbing my back as I kept having this thoughts,how will I face mama when she comes to know that all this was a plan. Mama wasn't really happy about this turn of event,she and baba where against it but I tried all possible way and convinced them. Still yet they weren't happy that their only daughter decided to marry in this way.

" my child, now that you're a married woman please take care of your home. Always stand by your husband, don't disrespect him even if he is at fault" she continued preaching to me on how I should behave as a married woman. The only answer she got from me was my quiet sob.

After the little speech, mama left and I was alone. She told me that I would be taken to my husband house later in the evening and I still can't come to terms that I'm married.

I'm now someone else amana ..... I'm doomed.

I just pray that, the cause of doing this isn't in vain. I pray that Aisha would find the happiness she seek in my brother. The plan was that....

" Do you remember your father's lost relations you told me about, the one living in Abuja" I asked Aisha and she nodded her head at me.

" Do you still have her number" she nodded. The lady we were talking about was the junior sister of Aisha's father. She too has been in this kind of situation before ,she was to marry a man betrothed to her by her father and then she already had someone who she love dearly. That person she love is Alhaji Dani's friend . This brought a rift between two best friends, Aisha's father never agreed to the marriage but Aisha's grandfather was a kind man so he allows her to marry the friend . But Aisha father had been against the marriage ,even till now, the two friend are not on speaking terms.

Alhaji Dabo never asked of his sister not even his friend for the past fifteen years. I can't believe that Aisha father can be so strong headed.

The only time they meet is when there is a family gathering, like when there is a wedding or naming ceremony. Aisha aunt is already used to this behavior, she always try her best to patch things up with her brother but he never give her a listening ear.

You might be wondering how I knew all this, well Aisha told me all about it.

" OK, you'd give her a call and tell her that you're coming to spend sometime with her. " I said. Her aunt wasn't invited to the wedding ,she was afraid that If she comes here uninvited, her brother might drive her out of the house like a dog. Which was why she decided not to come.

" but she would ask for reasons " Aisha said with a frown on her forehead.

" you'd tell her the whole truth ,I know she would understand the situation you are in. I know she might not agree at your idea of running but explain to her how desperate you are, she will understand " I moved forward and took her phone from her bed,i give the phone to Aisha so that she can give her aunt a call.

She took the phone from my hand and call her aunt. Aisha put the call on loud speaker so that I can her their conversation.

She greeted her aunt as she picked the call, she started by telling her aunt about the situation she is right now and the aunt felt bad but didn't agree to her idea of fleeing. when she told her aunt about killing herself if she marry Amir,the aunt felt pity and later agreed with her to come.

Aisha end the call with a small sigh.

" I can't believe I'm about to go against my father, I'm a bad child Aisha. But he need to understand that I will not be happy if I marry Amir. It's ya kabiru I love, he is sweet with me Ameera, he is the only one that can makes me happy. "

" Ameera I love your brother with all my heart, he is the first man I can vouch my life on that he is a good man. Whenever he talks, I always admire his dimples which makes him more handsome. His beautiful fair skin like yours but his is just so beautiful " she kept going on an on talking about my brother. She really loves him, I can see that. Which is why I want to do this for the both of them,that is the only way out.

" OK, now enough about my brother. Let finish with the plan first. "

" now that your aunt is on our side, let see how you can go out of the house. First we need to pack some of your clothes and then use the back door. " I said

We quickly packed some of her things she may need. After doing that , we decide to wait .

" Ameera, now that I've somewhere to run to don't you think you should not go ahead in marrying Amir. " she asked

" yeah you're right, but by the time your dad find out that you have run. That would put the family to shame, there will be big men coming for the wedding and if they find out that the marriage is cancelled because the bride to be, flee, they will be disappointed and it's such a disgrace to your dad. So I'd stand as the only option to try and save the situation by marrying Amir to prevent the situation from disgrace" I explained to Aisha to which she nodded thoughtfully.

" I'm sorry for causing all this to you" she came forward and hugged me . I pat her back and pull away from the hug, I wipe the tears that tried to fall from my face.

" stop saying sorry , I want to do this for both of you so please stop apologising. I gave Aisha a small smile.

I checked the time and saw that it was 1pm , I gave Aisha a look that says ' it's time'. She needs to leave now before others comes in.

"but what would you tell them when I'm gone"she asked with a bothered look.

" just leave that to me" I said with a sad smile and Aisha did same.

"so this is it"

" yeah,now its time to go and don't worry about me please " I said ushering her out of the back door to which she waved at me and went through the small gate because the big gate is filled up with people .

Now is time for action... I walked back to the stairs ,straight to Aisha's mom room. I breathed in to calm my nerves before knocking. when she answered I went in and pull on my acting facade.

" Aisha is not in her room " I said it in a scared voice . she looked at me as if I have too head and left her room to check Aisha's room. When she didn't see her there ,we went to check all other rooms ,people were already gathered in the house and might be wondering why we were searching around the house like two crazy people .

When we checked and didn't find her, her mom decide to tell her husband who was in the sitting room with his visitors. He was furious when he came to know that Aisha is no where to be found. The time for the nikkah is near and they have to make a fast decision about this situation.

After few minutes a text from Aisha came,she text her mom and told her not to worry because she is on her way to Abuja. Her father was furious about it , he angry that she is going to his sisters place of all places and now that Aisha ran away how would he tell Amir father about the problem at hand.

They made a decision to call Amir's father and told him about the situation who then arrived to the Dabo's house ten minutes later with his wife.

They weren't happy about it and both fathers look disturbed about the shame that would occur if the guest were told that the bride ran away.

"Does Ameera have any cousin that is fit to marry " Amir father asked to which Aisha's parents shoke their heads. All her cousins that is fit to marry ,are already married and the others are just like sixteen years upward

He sighed and took notice of me " who is she to you" he asked Aisha's parents while looking at me.

" she is Aisha's friend and also like a daughter to me" Aisha's father said to him .

Amir's father then turn to me again "dear can you do me a favour and be the bride instead " he asked in a desperate voice and Aisha's father was also waiting to hear my answer.

If this wasn't my plan with Aisha ,I would have been furious with him for what he asked. I wouldn't have agreed to it. But the situation now is different and I have to do this,it was part of the plan all along.

So I decided to speak up " I'd do it" they all looked at me in surprise like I was some angel sent from above.

" I will be the bride" I repeated and Aisha mom came forward and gave me a motherly hug .

" Thank you child, I'm so ashamed of myself right now. I know that I shouldn't be happy about this but you need to understand it from my view. How will I tell the guest that the bride ran away ,it'd be a laughing matter and I won't he able to bear such shame . Now that you agreed to marry him , its same as my daughter is getting married. I always sees you as my daughter and I'm happy to have someone like you . You're every mother dream child ,thank you ameera" she finished and pull me in a tight hug.

After we pull from the hug she asked about how to relate it to my parents. That is the main problem now ,my parents would not be happy about it and I don't know how to convince them.

Please God show me the way....I prayed

Aisha's mother went out to call my parents . my mom was in the house already helping in the preparation but my dad had to come from the farm .

We all gathered in the sitting room,my parents on the chair by the left ,Amir's parents by the right ,Aisha's parent were sitting on the chair closer to Amir's parent and I was sitting close to my parents.

Aisha father started the talking,first by explaining the situation to my parent to which they felt bad about it. After he was done explaining , he hand over to Amir parents to continue.

Amir's father started by clearing his throat and asked my parents for my hand in marriage. My parent were shock beyond doubt, they were not expecting something like this .

Dad was not happy about it because he doesn't want gossipers to start talking nonsense. People might say I stole my best friend's husband and lot of things but I don't care what they say as far as they don't know what lead to this problem.

After so many talking and persuading, my parents agreed to the wedding but were not still happy about it. My dad called by brothers and told them what was happening, they were also against it but dad told them that he agreed to it and they should not do anything about it.

Well all in all ,my marriage was set with Amir . Amir's parent went home to tell Amir about the change of plans but before then,I told them that I don't want to talk with amir until after the wedding and they agreed to my request.

The poor guy would be furious,I know that.

That was how my plan with Aisha worked and I'm glad that it went smoothly. That was how I now became Amir's wife.

" Ameera, its time " one of my cousin said as she enter into the room. It was time to go to my husband's house.

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