Her conditions were, nothing about their marriage would be said online. It's going to be nothing more than a court wedding. When the date of the court wedding is fixed, she would appear, sign and leave. No pictures. No public announcement. She wants it as low as possible. There would be no celebration. Those present for at the registry would be his parents and her parents. Rebecca had eagerly accepted.

Cynthia had been displeased and annoyed. A day to the court wedding, she had met her daughter.

"Why did you accept to marry that man?"

"Mommy, do you trust me?" She held her mother's hand.

"No I don't! I do not understand this madness, Lola. What's happening? Why did you agree to marry someone you do not like? Do you know the meaning of what you are doing to yourself? You can't enjoy this marriage"

"Mommy, please" She begged.

"I am disappointed" Cynthia broke into tears.

Lola had left work around twelve, met her father and grandparents with Joshua and his mother at the registry, signed and left but deep inside, despite she told herself it does not change anything, the reality was she was a married woman. When she told her friends, they were speechless. Osas had asked her why she was signing off her happiness.

Broken, broken from within, that was how she felt. Inside, she had fallen in pieces, pieces she was not sure might come together again. What has she done to herself? Never in her entire life did she see herself married at the age of twenty-four. Her mother was not helpful. She had not come to the registry and had barely looked at her way when Joshua had come to pick her up from her parents' house.

She was seated in the passenger seat of the new red 2017 BMW X4 M40i, a wedding gift from her happy grandfather, her eyes fixed outside. Her eyes were wet but the accumulated water won't fall. She could not spare the man who had become her husband a glance. The images outside the car, which felt suffocated for her, interested her more than the man whose ring was in her finger. She was trapped, arrested in something sacred forever. She has a solution. A divorce would be the best. She does not care about what the repercussion would be. She was opting out of this marriage. This marriage would torture. Her mother was right. She would suffer in the marriage. She needs to contact a lawyer who would get divorce papers ready the following week.

Joshua stole a glance at her. The strong wind from outside cooled the interior of the SUV. Despite the air conditioner that was switched on, she had rolled down the window. A word had not been exchanged with her nor had she spared him a look. She was lost in thoughts he wished to know. Maybe she was sad for leaving home. It was an emotional farewell from home. He was not ready to believe it was because she was married to him.

Inside, he felt giddy. He was a happy man. He had the woman of his dreams with him, a woman he was ready to go through this new journey with. Now she was his and no man out there would own her. He let out a roaring laughter inwardly. His sweet Lola will learn to love him. He halted the car in front of a black gate, in a neighbourhood in Victoria Island. When he hooted, the gate opened. He greeted the gateman as he drove in. Lola had still not moved even when he drove into the lush compound.

The bungalow he halted in front rose high in the night. The light green paint of the house was luminous as the stream of artificial light beats around it. A stone path lined with clipped green bushes and a lush meadow on both sides led to the entrance of their new home, the home she will learn to love. The roof was deep green, inclining down at a juncture. The window panels were cream with glimmering glass.

He bought the house with his hard earned money. He furnished it to his wife's taste. He knew she would love something of good quality and class and he had not failed to tell that to the interior designer who was a friend to his elder brother.

"We are home" he said removing his seat belt.

Home? It took her everything not to sneer. This place was hell where she was trapped with a man. She sat up and in a silent way, got down. Lola glanced up at the house and her surroundings. It was the least she expected so also the nice neighbourhood. Her eyes flickered with surprise. There were three bungalows on both sides, each the same design. They were going to have neighbours. The surrounding was serene. Flowers sprouted near the fence with trimmed green grasses beneath them. White bright light beamed and illuminated the compound. Under her shoes were interlocks. Where did he get the money to rent such a house? He does not seem like the one to have such money. Or did he borrow money? Oh God! She can't begin her marriage with a bankrupt husband who can't satisfy her steep needs.

"Orekelewa" he called.

Inside, she sparked like an electric circuit. She closed her fist, a turmoil rising in her. She wanted to scream out that he should not call her that. She hated it. Lola took in a very deep breath before spinning around to look at him.

"Let's go in" he smiled, a hand held out.

What does he expect her to do? Place her hand in his filthy one. She smoothed her skirt, straightened her spine before heading to the entrance. In an awkward move, he took his hand into his pocket. That was one great attitude. He has so much to deal with.

The spread of white marble floor continued into the living room from the foyer. Lola paused taken back at the sight ahead of her. The clean and sheer drapery was classy and sophisticated. A black and white centre table highlighted the neutral colour of the suede living room set. The chandelier looked causal and elegant matching the colour of the pillows on the living room set. The accented lighting gave a warm feel. Everything about the living room showcased drama and poise.

Lola headed in, her heels clicking softly on the floor. She just realised that her parents' house was never her house. She had never taken that into consideration. But it would soon be hers again when she slams the divorce paper on his face. She does not think she can cope.

Another space had been cut out in the living room. This one was the dining room. A glass top dining table for six with upholster sofas, a candle stand in the centre of the table, an ornate cabinet, and a chest of drawers with wooden framed mirror on the wall and two candle stands at each end. There was a sink at a corner for washing hands. The curtains draped over the windows were the same with those in the living room.

Lola spun around on the spot she was. There was another entrance that led to where she does not know and another at the far end of the room. Her eyes followed a hallway. Her body gave away to tiredness. It had been a hectic day and gazing at that hallway rang one thing in her mind, bed. She needed to sleep. Her body willed her to follow the staircase.

It led her another part of the house. The floor of the hallway that divided rooms apart was a light shade of polished brown that she could see herself in it. The walls were white and the doors were deep brown with a knob she found appealing. Behind her, Joshua watched her as her tired eyes ran around the expanse. He said nothing to her instead he enjoyed the view of the beauty that checked the house he was proud of. In her eyes, he saw the satisfaction she felt. She opened each door and closed until she got to one. There were three bedrooms and a study.

"This will be my room" she said stepping in.

"What?" he got in behind her.

"You heard me" she whirled around. "This will be my room"

"This is the master bedroom"

"I know" she walked further into the area.

She fell in love with the decor. It was her style, classy and elegant. The designer used muted and calming greys and silvers to give an iridescent aura. From the modern chandelier that hung down the moderate size bed to the posh silvery grey floor that beseeches for bare feet, waking up to this bedroom would be give one of the best feeling ever.

She loved the room. This was her room for the time being. He could search for somewhere else to sleep. The reading crook will be a perfect place to work. And the bed, she will like to sleep in it. The blanket seem so thick that she might get lost in it. Those pillows will be her best hugging buddies for a while.

"This is our room"

"Who said I am sharing bedroom with you?"

"We have to share. We are husband and wife"

"You don't have to remind me. Take another room. I love this one"

"I love this one too"

"I chose it first so search somewhere else. You said there are three bedrooms. You can choose one out of the remaining two"

The day before, her possessions had been brought in and arranged by her sisters and friends. She was grateful. That will keep her away from further stress.

"I like this room. You like it. So what should we do?"

"You leave and search somewhere else. You heard me" she gritted out. "I am not sharing a room with you"

"We have no choice but to share" he shrugged.

"I am not sharing a bed with you!"

"Sweet little wife" he called, a smile still on his face. "You have no choice"

"I have many choices and I, Lola Kola-Daisi, is......"

"It's now Lola Erinoso" he corrected with a slight raise of his bushy eyebrow.

Anger swirled inside her. It rumbled wanting to burst forth. She wanted to just charge at him and strangle him to death. Joshua could practically see smoke coming out of her ears. He still does not mind. She was already his wife and there would be ways to tame a spoilt brat like her. She was a woman at heart. There are ways to soften that heart of hers.

"Do not test my patience Joshua!" Lola snapped unable to hold back "I have been trying to hold things back. Do not make me angrier?"

"Did I do anything wrong? You seem so pissed at me" Joshua questioned, his expression changing from happy to confused.

"I have every right to be pissed at you!" Lola took a step closer to him "Why do you have to come into my life? Why? Why? Why? You came and just changed everything! Now, I am stuck in the crazy thing called marriage!" she threw her hand in the air. "You just came and the next thing my grandparents were saying was marry him. He is right and some more nonsense. What a life? You just changed my life and made me a married woman!" her eyes blazed with fire, raw anger, he noted. That's dangerous.

He laughed. Laughed out loud while she stared at him too perplexed to speak. What's funny? She fumed. As he laughed, he loosened his tie and shrugged off his suit jacket.

"So what should I do? Hm? Answer me miss perfect" he demanded, mockery in his voice. "It was your choice to marry me. No one forced you" he was surprisingly calm. This was meant to happen. It would happen for a while then she would come around. He still saw that bright future with her. Every beautiful imagination still there.

"What a stupid man!" she made a fierce gesture with her hand "I had no choice" her voice grew louder, bitter with rage. "I had to marry you because......" she trailed off.

"Because?"

"Just forget it! Can't you see I am not happy? I despise all this!"

"In fact, I knew you were not happy, Lola. But what can I do when all I ever wanted was you. Play along" he sneered. "I am glad dear wife" there was something about his voice that oozed out danger. It was low, calm and not loud but audible. Lola cringed inwardly. Where was that sweet man she knew before marriage? Here before her was a different man who took so much pleasure in being her husband.

"I just hate you. Look at me!" she looked at her ring finger. Her wedding ring winked at her. "I am married! My worst nightmare has come alive! I am married to you!"

"Congrats dear wife. Welcome to our new world"

"You have gone crazy, Joshua!" Infernos of rage and dislike glowered in her pretty narrowed eyes.

"Well, we can say that" he loosened his wrist watch and threw it on the bed. Everything had stopped making sense to Lola. What the hell is happening? What has she put herself into? "Don't worry" he moved around to stand before her. "I won't touch you or come near you until we have a better relationship. Don't worry, I will try to hold back my physical needs for you. We shall work things out. I know that" He chuckled.

She laughed, a laugh of misery. Inside, she rot, her heart constricted with pain and she had never in her life felt so helpless. What is this? This man here is crazy!

"I won't stay in this with you" she said her words one after the other. "I won't stay with a man who has gone crazy, a man who is getting obsessed with me"

"Well, my bad, we are now trapped in it" he stalked closer to her. "Let's deal with this. We would work it out" he raised his eyebrows, hands spread out. "Just a chance sweetheart. That what I need" He won't give her a divorce. Never!

Tears burned the back of her eyes. What the hell was this? He knew. He knew everything and had chosen to still marry her.

"Find your room somewhere else! You are getting on my nerves! I just hate you more than I used to!" she went into a door she considered the bathroom and slammed the door shut.

Lola came out few minutes later. Her black waves fell down her back in elegant curls. The hair extension worth as much as two hundred and fifty thousand. It was real human hair, silky and a hair of good quality. It can be washed and curled or styled the way she wants.

She had not spared him a glance as she walked into the walk in closet. Inside, she got out of her clothes and got ready for a shower. While she took her shower which lasted a very long time, she left a man in the room to enjoy the feeling of being married to her. She changed into her comfortable nightwear, a pair of shorts and camisole, got into bed and willed herself to fall asleep as her heart bled.

-----

Umar loved to be home. School had always been stressful and hard. It's only fun when he had his friends, Esosa and Fred, with him. At home, his uncle or grandmother or aunties, had always have his favourite ready for him. Most times after school, Uncle Jafar takes him to his best spots for delicious snacks and very cold ice-cream. His grandmother always had noodles prepared for him or had another cup of yoghurt in the freezer waiting for him.

He ran as quickly as his little legs could carry him into the house. In the living room, Aunty Atikah, his grandmother's friend's daughter sat in between his grandparents, a veil in hand. She examined the veil with his grandmother who had a smile on her face. On the centre table were piles of expensive lace and atampa, veils, bags and shoes. His aunties, Rahmah and Jamila, friends to Atikah, daughters to the second wife, sat next to the table picking clothes after clothes to examine and laugh at.

"Grandma!" He screeched, getting everyone's attention.

"Ya Allah, Umar" Hajia Jummai jerked in her seat, a hand flying over her chest. Her heart slammed against her ribcage.

"Umar" His grandfather, Alhaji Mansur Sanusi, called. The little boy hopped before rushing to his grandfather who accepted him into opened arms.

"You scared me" Hajia Jummai exhaled. "How was school?" She asked the boy who came up to her. Her smile reached her eyes. There was adoration for the little boy.

"Fine" He climbed into his grandmother's laps. "Grandma, see what Uncle Jafar got me" He held out the toy in his hand.

"Wow, it's beautiful"

"Aunt Atikah, Asalamu alaikum" He greeted Atikah who was beaming at him.

"Walaikum salam, young man" Atikah's smile broadened. "How are you?" She shook his little hand.

"Fine" He wiggled in his grandmother's laps. He greeted his aunties who ran kissed over his face before resuming to what they were doing.

"Assalamu alaikum" A masculine voice greeted.

Atikah heart danced in her chest. She watched Jafar's tall build emerge into the living room. In a white kaftan, he was as good-looking as he always looked.

"Walaikum salam" His mother answered in a cheery voice, running her hand over Umar's back.

The corners of Atikah's lips curled up, light came into her eyes. She replied in her heartening voice before jumping to her feet. "Jafar welcome" she giggled, rushing to him. "Alhamdulillah you are here. I was just telling Aunty to get this veil" She pointed at the veil as one of her hands held his arm. "It's silk. The champagne gold is something she can wear to Talatu's upcoming wedding. Come and convince her" She tugged his arm. Jafar stared at her, embarrassed and unable to release words from his lips.

"Atikah, will you calm down? Let the man greet his parents now" Jamilah said with tease that never went unnoticed in her voice.

Atikah smile, heat rising in her cheeks. She slapped a hand against her forehead then said "How can I forget that?" before releasing him.

"Amma" Jafar strolled to his mother, bent down and kissed her forehead.

"My son, how was your day?"

"Fine" Jafar turned to greet his father who pats his back.

"Before I continue. You seem tired. Work should have been stressful" Her bright eyes scanned Jafar's face.

Jafar's mouth curved. "It was extremely tiring but Alhamdulillah"

"Jafar, look at this veil. Your mother does not know if she should take it or not" She took the veil from Hajia Jummai's hand. "It's one of Mummy's new arrivals from Dubai. What do you think of it?" Atikah lifted the veil to his hands. His parents watched her, a gentle smile graced their faces.

Jummai, Jafar's mother, smiled at the sight before her. The two looked beautiful together. Ma Sha Allah. Her choice's not bad after all. Only if Jafar will take some liking in the girl. Atikah has feelings for him. She hoped her son sees it and consider Atikah's feelings for him.

"It's beautiful" Jafar felt the material. "How much is it?"

"Just seventy-five"

"Take it Mama. It would look good on you"

"You see. I told you" Atikah beamed at Jummai.

"Thank you dear" Jummai smiled lovingly at him.

"I will be in my room. I am spending the night here" Jafar said as he turned away.

"Oh really?" His mother's voice stopped him

"It was Umar's idea. He misses you"

"And my son? Does he miss me?" A mischievous glint came into his mother's eyes. It was the look that said if Umar had not suggested then he won't be here.

"Haba Amma" His mother laughed. Jafar chuckled before heading to his room.

In his room, he brought out his phone. There was WhatsApp notification. His eyes scanned through the messages until he saw that one.

"Oh really? You like her songs?" he read, a smile twitching at the corners of his lips.

He dropped into the comfy bed then proceeded to reply Osas's message.

"I do. I listen to them most of the time" he typed. "There is a concert few weeks from now. Will you come?"

He waited a while before she replied, each second longer than the previous. When he heard the little ding from his phone and saw the message from her, his heart hammered. "I will love to. Where and what time?"

"8:00pm. Lekki. Don't come with your car"

She did not reply. Two hours later, her reply did not come in. He thought she would be busy and could wait patiently but he found himself checking his phone from time to time. Disappointment had always clouded his face when a message comes in and it's not from her.