A Month Earlier. (Narrator)

Kemi Adebayo, is a typical 25-year-old Yoruba woman that has been trained and infused with respect. She breaths respect, good conduct and was very hardworking. You could say she's going to be a good wife since she's getting married in a few weeks.

Filled with bliss, she turned on the shower as she sang joyfully to herself feeling like she was the only one on earth but, how wrong she was because just a few miles away was Adama.

Chizom Adama, popularly known as Ada. A 27-year-old woman from the eastern tribe, she is light skin and very beautiful. On seeing her, you would know immediately she was an Ibo girl.

On this particular morning though, she was more concerned about the project she had to present at work. Dressed in work slacks, a slip-on shoe and moderate makeup. She slid into her car and drove off. "Today was going to be a good day."

Aisha Mohammed, the girl with the Fulani beauty. Sad, was how she was feeling this morning. Baba had drop on her a big news that had shocked her more than she could imagine the night before.

Baba had informed her she was getting married, she should be happy because she was twenty-two and had finished her university education unlike the other girls that get married at ages of 15,16...

Her husband to be was a bachelor, a young man like baba said and not an old man looking for the fifth wife. She felt sad about breaking up with Usman, her boyfriend that she had been courting for over a year and although, they hadnt been thought of marriage yet. She was happy and contented with him. His acceptance, understanding for her respecting baba's wish and hurt was one she will never be able to forget. "A new beginning awaits."

Funnily, this three might seem to have a different story and be in different worlds but they are friends, closest of friend and Aisha might have been the youngest but it doesn't in any way affect their friendship and closeness.

*****

Ada knew she couldnt have asked for more at this particular point of her life as she rounded up her presentation. "And a product will never be sold out until a customer sees it's use." A smug look settled atop her face as she read the satisfied look on the face of her boss and the investors.

"That was such a wonderful presentation. Nice work." Mr Chibube, one of the investors said as he shook her hand complimenting her on a work well done, she smiled in return as everyone left the board room.

"That was so fantastic. I'm sure we got the deal." Mr Agbaje, her boss for over four years commented as he strolled back into the board room after seeing off the investors.

"We dont know that yet but thank you sir. Let's just hope for the best." Ada said.

"Of course, you can take the rest of the day off." he said still smiling.

"Ooh really, thank you so much sir." She packed up her belongings and walked out with Mr Agbaje behind her as he walked to the direction of his office and she, her car.

"Babes, how far?" She called one of her best friends, Kemi as she got behind the wheel and cooled her heels.

"I'm very well, what about you?" Kemi asked.

"I'm doing good, the presentation went very well."

"Yes!! Told you, you could do it. Are you coming over later?" Kemi asked.

"No, I'm coming over now. Boss said I could take the rest of the day off so I wanted to know if you are at the hotel or home.

"Yay!! We have to celebrate. I'm at the hotel and you can branch by Aishas to bring her along or just call her to come join us." Kemi said.

"Why won't you call her yourself? I don't have airtime." Ada replied her, knowing her friend would find a way to tease her about it.

"See working class lady ooh and later you will be doing big woman. They laughed. Anyways, just make sure you contact her however you will. I do not care." Kemi added.

"Na you Sabi, I'm already on my way." Ada replied, ending the call. She maneuvered her car to her second bestie; Aishas house as she wondered which series she would be watching at the moment. She hadnt seen her in a week because of the presentation she had been working on but the last time she had been watching a Mexican soap opera which Ada had thought was quite ridiculous and a time waster. Why watch a movie that you can foresee the end?

"Good afternoon madam." Ali, the gateman at Aisha's parent house greeted her as she drove in.

"Good afternoon." She waved as she drove past him into the big compound with a single mansion, framed with a garden around the corner of the house and a water fall at the front. The house was breathtaking and even after almost ten years of visiting, Ada had never gotten enough of its view.

"Good afternoon Sir." She knelt down to greet baba, who was perched on a reclining seat at the front of the house listening to the radio.

"My daughter, how are you? I hope work wasn't stressful today." He asked as Ada took note of his outfit. He was dressed in a dashiki top and bottom, his palm slipper was placed side by side with both legs crossed on it. The popular Hausa cap was on his head and he was chewing something that Ada was positive is kola.

"It wasn't sir, Thank God." She replied.

"Alhamdulillah, go and see your friend inside." He said as Ada walked in to see mama and Abdul Kareem whom was Aisha's brothers first son.

"Mama!! Good afternoon ma." She said, almost kneeling down to greet her but mama grabbed her mid way and hugged her.

"My daughter, how are you?" She asked, as Abdul kept jumping up and down in happiness to see Ada.

"I'm very well ma." She said as mama released her.

"Thank God my dear." She said, turning her attention to Abdul.

"Abdul, when did you arrive. You didn't tell me you were coming huh." She said, playfully as she placed him on her lap.

"Mum brought me to mama's place yesterday. We are on mid term break." He said.

"Okay and when are you leaving?" I ask.

"I'm leaving in 2 days time." He replied happily.

"Okay dear, take this and when aunty Aisha is coming back in the evening, she will bring something for you." I said, bringing out my purse and handing him a thousand naira note.

"Thank you, ma." He said as he hugged me.

"Thank you, my daughter." Mama said as I stood up dropping Abdul on the chair.

"It's no problem ma, I will go and see Aisha now." I said, excusing myself.

"What's up baby girl!" I yelled as I walked into Aisha's room but on getting in, my step faltered as I noticed my ever bubbly, cheerful girlfriend seated on the floor by the window instead of watching a movie on her laptop or chatting away on her phone.

"Aisha, what's wrong." I said dropping my bag on her bed, I removed my shoes and knelt down beside her.

"I'm getting married." she said as quietly as she could that I almost had difficulty understanding her.

"What!!!?"

"Get dressed, we are going to Kemi's place right now." I said after I had gotten over my initial shock.

We left Aisha's house some minute later after saying our byes to her mum. Fortunately for us, her dad was no longer in the balcony.

Kemi's reaction was identical to mine when she heard that Aisha was getting married. The only difference was that her voice was louder just like every typical Yoruba woman and I smiled. She was becoming more of her mother lately.

"So, what are we going to do about it?" Kemi ask as Kelechi, the Assistant head cook in the hotel came inside.

"Good afternoon Ma's." She said in a posh fluent English that I have always loved.

"Yes Kelechi." Kemi replied as we all nodded our head in acknowledgement.

"I wanted to ask if you and your friends are ready for the meal you asked me to prepare ma." She replied.

"No, not yet. Just get us a bottle of wine. This is almost finished." I replied pointing to the quarter left wine bottle as Aisha and Kemi nodded and she took her leave.

"There's nothing we can do because baba has already said with authority that I'm getting married to Al ameen Hussein and, mama also claimed I'm lucky to be getting married to a young man instead of an old man. So, I guess I just have to live with it because we all know I can't go against baba and mama's word." Aisha said as we all sighed.

"You know what baby girl, you said he's single right?" Kemi asked.

"I don't know if he has a girlfriend or not but I know he's not married." Aisha replied.

"Well, as long as there's no ring, there's no claim. You are going to get that guy to fall in love with you if Allah wills and you are going to be happily married. Don't worry girl, when's your introduction. We have to get a bride ready!" Kemi said cheerfully.

"I hope so, I really do hope he likes me and..."

"And you love him." I cut in.

"What?!" They asked confused as we burst into laughter at the coincidence of them asking together.

"You said you hope he likes you and I said that you should hope that you also love him." I replied.

"Okay." They nodded as understanding dawned on them.

"When did baba say the introduction will be takin place?" I ask.

"in two weeks time." Aisha replied.

"Guess we will have to start preparing as soon as possible. Let's go." Kemi replied.

"Go where?" Aisha ask even though I already knew she probably meant Vivian's Wedding house.

"Vivian's place." She replied.

"Really! Do you think that's a good idea." Aisha asked, skeptical.

"Yes, if you want to meet your spouse and want him to like you instantly. You have to look the part and besides what's good is there mopping around when you definitely have to look good." I said.

"Okay then, let's move." Kemi said as we all stood up.

Vivian's house is definitely one of the best I have seen, its extravagant, classy and beautiful but, one of the best things about it was that they can plan and also design any wedding clothes. Either you are going the traditional Yoruba, Igbo or Hausa way. Better still, they sew white wedding gowns that are fabulous and perfect. I was overjoyed when Adejoke, my fiancé sister whom I will be getting married to in some few weeks introduced me to the shop. It was just all that I could have dreamed off and it was time to make use of the opportunity.

"Hi lovely, how are you doing?" I greeted the receptionist who received me warmly as we entered.

"Is today your fitting?" She asked as we stood at the counter.

"No, we have a new wedding to plan." I said.

"Ooh really, who's the new bride." She asked, cheerfully as usual.

"I am." Aisha replied as confidently as she could.

"Good, because Vivian's is about to create a new nikkah wedding gown for a beautiful Alhaja." She said all smiles as we burst into laughter.

"Just a minute." She said, nodding us toward the reception seats as she picked up the land-line to call someone."

"Miss Kemi." she called after a few minutes of talking on the phone as we all walked towards her.

"Office 5." She said as I nodded, thanked her and led the way to the office since I didn't need directions to the office. I was also a wife in making after all.

After a stressful day of trying to choose a design for Aisha's gown. I got dropped off by Ada whom was too tired to get down as she drove off with Aisha promising to see me soon. After showering and settling down for bed, I called Segun; my fiancé whose call went into voicemail, I wondered what he was up too as I called again. I fell asleep waiting for Seguns call.