24/02/2022

ABUJA,NIGERIA.

The cold dry air of the late harmattan breeze blew violently in the compound of the modibbo's mansion, leaves rustled against each other creating a swooshing sound, the roof elegantly laid made creaking sound in response to the aggressive movement of the windy air.

The atmosphere inside was in contrast to that outside, the modibbo's household was dead silent that even if a pin dropped, it will make a clinking sound that will echo throughout the corners of the mansion.

The three eligible daughters of the family ducked their heads downwards in anticipation of whose name would be called by the ever handsome and arrogant Abdallah Ahmad, the son to one of the most powerful politician and also a CEO to a multimillionaire company.

In the elegantly designed living room of the modibbo's, seated side to side on the majestic crafted two seater couch was Alhaji Ahmad Aminu and his beautiful Fulani wife Hajia Maryam Ahmad Aminu, they both had an unwavering smile plastered on their faces because their only son Ahmad is going to choose his bride from the modibbo family which is undeniably a very huge milestone for them.

Alhaji umar modibbo the only surviving son of the great modibbo family sat unfazed by everything happening, he doesn't like the fact that he has to drag his three beautiful daughters into one of his business charades, he silently wished this one will also go smoothly like the others.

Hajia amina Muhammad modibbo, the beautiful hausa Fulani wife of umar modibbo, no one could deny the fact that she is extremely beautiful, that quite explains why her two daughters who are complete replica of her could bring any man to their feet. Though greedy and covetous, everyone and everything comes second to her small family. Her husband practically agrees with everything she says or does except one thing.

Aliyah umar modibbo, the first daughter of Umar and Amina, she cares for no one except herself, she doesn't have any worries as long as she can continue to have her glamorous and fashionable life, her greatest wish was for her to marry her long time crush Abdallah Ahmad, she normally doesn't hold grudge with anyone but the 24 year old can do anything to anyone who crosses her boundaries.

Seated in the living room waiting for who Abdallah is going to call is one of the hardest situation she has been in. she is very confident her name is going to be called because firstly her beauty can't be overlooked and she's also the oldest here.

Basma umar modibbo, a 20 year old that acts like a 15 year old, the life of the modibbo's family, she is loving, caring and funny, she wish she could have a normal life where she won't be stucked up with so many serious people, it takes her only a small period of time to get close with whom she wants to, she's the only one that seems to able to get through her cold elder sister "aliyah".

Sitting in front of the ever arrogant Abdallah as a potential bride is absolutely something she loathes and can't wait to be out of. It's obvious she has been forced because if it was left to her, she would rather watch some lost ant find its way back home than seat here.

Nadia Suleiman Modibbo, the only surviving child of the late Suleiman Modibbo (Umar Modibbo's elder brother), a very quiet and shy beautiful young lady, she radiates cool air wherever she is, there isn't a possible way a human won't like her that's except if they were jealous, living as an orphan is something she thought she couldn't accept but she has gotten so used to. Her Aunt Amina is her greatest nightmare, she loves her as much as she fears her. She seems to be the only reason why her uncle disagrees with her aunt. Her Aunt's maltreatment has molded Nadia into a very respectful, diligent and hardworking woman, she could take up responsibilities more than expected for a 21 year old.

She could feel Abdallah's peering gaze on her, her skin suddenly felt hot like it could burn any moment from now, she didn't know why her uncle insisted she was seated here though his wife was completely against it. She slowly pinched her palm with her thumbnail something she does whenever she's feeling nervous.

Even if she wants to leave the modibbo household badly, falling into the hands of someone like Abdallah ahmad wasn't something she will consider an option.

"Nadia" abdallah said breaking the never ending silence that has been on for sometimes, "I choose her" he said pointing at nadia,

Nadia slowly raised her head up, looking at Abdallah who has his gaze fixed on her she knew she was in a great dilemma.

Aliyah isn't someone who could hide her emotions, seeing that she wasn't the chosen one, she angrily stomped her foot on the floor leaving the area before she strangled someone.

Hajia amina was extremely angry internally but she had to put on a very happy look, she wasn't a quiet type in situations like this but she had to respect her husband's decision of making it known to no one that Nadia wasn't their biological daughter.

"Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah, he has made a wonderful choice" hajia maryam said happily,

"I thought he wasn't going to choose anyone" hajia Amina said faking laughter,

"we just have to close the deal as soon as possible" Alhaji ahmad cut in,

"That would be great" alhaji umar added,

Nadia shut her eyes tightly to prevent tears from falling, she is being treated like a commodity that is sold out without asking for its permission, no one even cared to ask her if she was okay with the arrangement or not, her parent would've never treated her in this way. She opened her eyes when she was sure she has successfully swallowed all the tears.

Basma was the only one that realized Nadia wasn't at all pleased with whatever was going on, she felt sad that the poor girl was always treated badly though she has a very big heart, she gently picked Nadia's hand lying in her laps and gave it a small squeeze to assure her everything was going to be alright.

Nadia looked at her with a sad face, she felt slightly happy that at least Basma was with her.

"my daughter welcome to the family" hajiya maryam said opening her arms widely for Nadia to come.

Nadia stood up reluctantly to hug her future mother in law, she couldn't help but glance at abdallah who had a wicked smirk on his face.

***

Abdallah and his family left after sometimes paving way for hajiya amina's drama. "you've also bewitched him right?" she asked Nadia glaring at her, Nadia knew more than to answer her question, she kept mum not saying anything, "I don't even know what he sees in an ugly girl like you" she spatted with her face morphing in disgust. "you're not worthy-"

"Mum stop" Basma said cutting her mum off,

"Basma don't start with me this afternoon" hajiya Amina said getting angrier that Basma wasn't taking her side once again.

"Enough!" Alhaji umar said to stop the silly tantrums his wife was throwing.

Everywhere went silent as Alhaji umar's voice resonated in the living room, "Basma take Nadia to her room" he ordered, Basma tugged Nadia who stayed glued to her position afraid of what was going to happen next, she gently pulled her to her room.

***

"you know I hate seeing you cry"

Basma said cleaning the tears that was trickling down Nadia's face, "this is all that big headed Abdallah's fault",

"he would have just chose ya aliyah and get done with it, they both seems like a perfect match" she said voicing out her thoughts,

Nadia shed more tears when she remembered how much aliyah loved abdallah, everyone close to aliyah knows that.

"shhh," Basma patted her back lovingly, "it's going to be alright" she said lowly, "if you want I can eliminate him" Basma said winking at Nadia,

Nadia laughed hardly at that statement, Basma was happy that atleast her efforts were working.

"thank you for everything" Nadia said engulfing Basma in a tight hug.

The two girls were silently enjoying the moment when they heard a knock on the door.

"come in" the two girls said in unison,

"ohh baba it's you" basma said standing up,

"yes it's me, were you expecting someone else" he said grinning at her,

Basma shook her head smiling back at him,

"Basma can you excuse us please?" He asked, "I need to talk to Nadia" he said with his gaze turning to the innocent girl fidgeting behind Basma.

Zinat Abdulkadir✍️