My face was covered, I couldn't see anything. As we drove to my matrimonial home, I shed tears, not tears of happiness, but sorrow because I would be taken to my husband’s house, the husband I know nothing about to consider loving him.

　　"I'm not ready. I don't love him. Take me back home. I miss my mother, I miss my baba

father

. I miss my siblings." I thought to myself. I take this as pure wickedness and not an arranged marriage.

　　Why will my own father do this to me? Why will he marry me off to a man I don't even know? This doesn't even make sense. I've never seen him before. All I know is his name, Aasim.

　　The car stopped and we sorted out of the car. We walked into the house and strolled upstairs. I couldn't see anything, but my henna designed feet. I could hear a lot of different voices of women praying for my marriage.

　　My aunties took me to my room. They did their last nasiha and left. "Ya Hafsa I'm going to miss you" Layla hugged me before leaving.

　　I was left with my two of friends, Anisa and Amira. "Hafsa you have to stop crying please. Calm down." Amira tried to console me. "No, no I won't. Worst day of my life" I wailed.

　　"Sabr my sister, sabr

patience

" anisa muttered. "Hafsa it's time for us to go. Your husband will be here anytime soon." Amira stood up. "No please, please I'm begging. Stay with me." I pleaded. "Hafsa let go of my hand" Amira tried to free her hand but I was holding it tight.

　　She finally escaped from my hold and they ran out. "Oh My Allah, I'm alone." I muttered, shaking my head. What will I do now? How will I look at him?

　　••

　　I finally gave up and went to the bathroom to wash my face. I came out shortly and plumped down on the bed. I sighed as I remembered what happened before.

　　Why will baba get me married at this early age, I'm just 19 for crying out loud. I really felt bad for breaking up with my boyfriend, Ismail. I hope he's fine....

　　This man that baba married me off to, I don't even know him. All I know is his name. I've never even seen him before. He never showed up at my house talk more of getting to know each other. Ya Rabb help me.....

　　"Salamu alaikum." The door got opened and a tall Man came in. I turned to see who it was. What?! Is this my husband? No! I can't believe this! I came across with the most handsome creature ever. His well built body. His face! His mesmerizing eyes made me to shiver. He kept staring at me while I did the same.

　　        I looked deep into his eyes and sighed. "Alhamdulillah.

I thank Allah

" I mused to myself.

　　Aasim's POV

　　    I said my final good bye to my family before getting into the car and headed to my new house at maitama district. As I drive around the quiet street of Abuja, I kept thinking of how baba kinda forced me into marrying a girl I don't even know. A nineteen for crying out loud.

　　      It's even too late to do anything. Everything has been done, I can't do anything about it. I'll just try and cope with her; that's the only thing I can do.

　　      I finally arrived at the house. I parked my car at the parking spot and hopped out. I went into the house straight to the dinning area and kept the food I bought. I sat there for a minute before heading to Hafsa's room; just to check on her. I took a deep breath before I opened the door. I'm ready to see the worse.

　　     "Salamu alaikum" I said.This is the girl I got married to? This will work out fine!

　　     I saw a beautiful innocent creature waiting for me. She was dressed in a purple fitted gown that fitted her body perfectly. Her head was open. I can see her silky black hair. She quickly covered it with her scarf when she caught me looking at it.

　　      Her beautiful face captured my heart already. The way she looked at me with her stunning dark brown eyes, it made me go over the moon. Her skin kept glowing. It looked soft!

　　    "Wa'alaikumus Salam.

Peace be upon you too

" She answered with her soothing voice bringing me back from my reverie.

　　     I cleared my throat. "I hope you're fine." I voiced out. "Yes Alhamdulillah." She answered. "Okay, let's go and eat cause I know you must be hungry" I smiled at her, she smiled back and nodded.

　　     "Can you excuse me for a minute, I need to change into something comfy." She said politely and I nodded.

　　Hafsa's POV

　　     The more I played Aasim's voice in my head the more I feel blithe. He made me smile the minute I saw his handsome face. The way he looked into my eyes, I could feel the butterflies in my stomach going wild.

　　     He was wearing a white kaftan which made him look handsome and attractive. He had his hands in his pocket throughout our little conversation. I'm still depressed about how baba forced me into marrying Aasim. That's not even right in Islam, to force someone into marrying someone they don't love. I'm still a teenager for Allah's sake.

　　A month ago...

　　    I just got back from school. I was so tired and hungry. "Ya Hafsa, baba wants to speak to you." Layla came into my room. "Oh, Okay!" That was the only thing I could say.

　　    I wore my hijab and went to his room. "Salamu Alaykum." I muttered

　　"Wa'alaikums salam, come in" he answered. I sat down on the carpet while he was on his bed.

　　"Hafsa how was lectures today?" He asked. "Alhamdulillah baba." I answered. "MashaAllah. Hafsa you know my best friend Alhaji Mukhtar Galadima, right?" He queried. "Yes baba I know him." I nodded. "Good. Do you know his son, Aasim?" He asked. "No, I only know ruqayyah and nafeesah" I replied.

　　      "Alhaji Mukhtar came up with a great idea to make our friendship stronger and I agreed on the idea." Baba grinned which made me curious. I wasn't liking where it was going. Something is wrong. "You'll be Aasim's wife in a month In Shaa Allah

If Allah wills

"

　　      I gasped loudly. "No! Baba!"

　　     "What? Do you have a problem with it?" He asked. "Yes baba I do, I can't marry him. I'm not even ready, baba I'm too young to get married. I don't even-----"

　　      "Will you shut up? Who do you think you're talking to? Am I your mate?! I wasn't asking for your opinion, I was just informing you because you are the bride!" He bayed at me which made me to startle. Baba has never yelled at me like that! He sometimes is strict but he never yelled like that.

　　     "But baba I don't even know him." I tried to reason with him. "You'll get to know him after the wedding. Now get out!" He said, coldly. I stood up and left the room wiping my warm tears.

　　      I ran to my room and jumped on my bed. Why will baba do this to me. Why me? One minute he's being a loving and caring father and the next he's all grumpy and annoying.

　　Knock knock!