*The Twins*
*Chapter 3*
As Thursday dawned, the twins' wedding preparations were in full swing. Just one day remained before there wedding day. Zainab's anxiety and unease intensified, her mind racing with unanswered questions. Who was she marrying? And Yaya Yusuf is still angry with her.
Zainab felt trapped, her fate sealed without her consent. Neither she nor Zara dared ask Yusuf about her groom.
In stark contrast, Zara's excitement grew. Having finished their exams six days ago, she was eager to marry Lukman, her soulmate. Their bond had deepened; each passing day strengthened their connection.
Lukman's daily visits to her house, wedding shopping trips, and romantic picnics had her smitten. She couldn't wait to become his wife.
Zara's joy was bittersweet, however, as she witnessed Zainab's distress. Her heart ached for her twin, facing an uncertain future.
At 8 am, Zara's phone buzzed with Lukman's call. She hastily wrapped her gele and stepped outside, grateful Zainab wasn't around to tease her about her Lukman obsession.
In the garden, Lukman awaited, his eyes shining with warmth. "Good morning, my dear. I couldn't wait to see you."
Zara's cheeks flushed as she sat beside him. "Good morning."
Lukman's voice dripped with sincerity. "I can't wait to make you my wife."
Zara's heart skipped a beat, her thoughts racing. If only he knew...
Meanwhile, Lukman's mind concealed a darker truth. Yes, he couldn't wait to marry Zara, but not for love. Revenge fueled his eagerness.
"I'll get you something to eat," Zara offered, rising from her seat.
Lukman's gently stopped her. "No, today I'd like to feed you instead."
He walked to his car and returned with a package. "I know you usually wait for me to have breakfast together, so I brought this."
Zara's eyes widened as Lukman unveiled the package's contents: crispy chips, fluffy egg sauce, and a colorful fruit salad.
"You brought this?" Zara asked, touched by the thoughtful gesture. Zara have become very free with Lukman this few days.
Lukman smiled, opening the containers. "Try it."
Zara savored the first bite. "Mmm, it's delicious! Where did you get it?"
Lukman's eyes sparkled. "I cooked it myself. Specially for you."
Zara's surprise turned to admiration. Who knew Lukman, a guy, could cook – and better than her, at that?
"You're an amazing cook," Zara praised, impressed.
Lukman chuckled. "Thanks dear."
As they enjoyed their breakfast together, Zara's heart swelled with affection.
Zara was lost in thought when a familiar voice yelled her name. She turned to see her brother, Yaya Alamin, 31, standing at the door, his expression stern.
"Yaya, you're here!" Zara exclaimed, hurrying towards him.
Alamin's gaze pierced Lukman, his eyes flashing with anger, before he turned back to Zara. "Come, let's go. I need to talk to you."
Zara's curiosity piqued, she followed Alamin into the house, sensing his urgency.
Inside her room, Alamin closed the door behind them, ensuring privacy.
"Zara, I just returned from the city today. I heard Lukman is marrying you tomorrow," Alamin said, his voice laced with disappointment.
Zara's gaze dropped to the floor, her silence confirming the truth.
Alamin's expression turned stern. "I'm not even going to address how no one informed me. You're my sister, Zara. I should've been the first to know."
"I'm sorry, Yaya. I didn't know you weren't informed," Zara apologized, her voice barely above a whisper.
Alamin's jaw clenched. "I want to call off your wedding with Lukman."
Zara's eyes widened in alarm. "No, please, Yaya!" she exclaimed, her words tumbling out in desperation.
Alamin's eyebrows rose, surprised by her defiance. "Are you disobeying me, Zara?"
Zara hastily corrected herself. "No, Yaya, I'm sorry."
Alamin's voice turned cold. "Choose: me or Lukman. You can't have both in your life."
Tears streaming down her face, Zara fell to her knees, pleading. "Please, Yaya, don't do this to me. I'm sorry."
Alamin's expression softened, but his resolve remained firm. He was taken aback by Zara's unwavering dedication to Lukman.
"Lukman has truly won you over, hasn't he?" Alamin thought to himself, a mix of sadness and concern swirling within.
"No, Yaya!" Zara pleaded, tears streaming down her face.
"You'll regret this," Alamin warned, his voice firm but laced with pain.
Zara's sobs intensified as Alamin exited the room, leaving her shattered.
Downstairs, Alamin encountered Yusuf, who grasped his arm. "Alamin, calm down. Nothing bad will happen to Zara."
Alamin's silence was deafening. He shook off Yusuf's grip and walked past him, out of the house.
Yusuf watched his brother's retreating back, concern etched on his face.
"Lukman has truly won her over," Alamin thought, his heart heavy. "For the first time, my sister has chosen someone over me."
Alamin drove away from the house, the city blurring together as his thoughts consumed him.
_____
Later that same day, Seated on her prayer mat after Asr, Anty Hafsat beckoned Zainab as she entered.
"Come, my dear. What's on your mind?" Anty Hafsat asked, her eyes warm with concern.
Zainab hesitated, but Anty Hafsat's gentle tone put her at ease.
"Please, Anty Hafsat..." Zainab began.
Aunt Hafsat's knowing gaze stopped her. "I already know, Zainab. You're worried about your brother's insistence on this wedding."
Zainab nodded, relief washing over her.
"Regarding your brother," Anty Hafsat continued, "I've spoken to him countless times, but he won't budge. He's always been a man of his word."
Zainab's frustration was palpable. "I just want him to call off the wedding."
Anty Hafsat's expression softened. "I've discussed this with Yusuf daily, but he's unwilling to listen."
Just then, Yusuf entered the room, his face stern.
"I have already made up my mind," Yusuf announced. "Tomorrow, you will marry your cousin, Mubarak."
Zainab's eyes widened in shock. "Mubarak?!"
Anty Hafsat's hands enveloped Zainab's. "Calm down, zainab."
Yusuf's expression remained resolute. "It's for the best, Zainab. Mubarak is a good man."
Zainab's eyes widened in shock as Yusuf's words hung in the air. The realization dawned on her - Mubarak must have reported her to Yusuf, manipulating him into arranging their marriage. A wave of disgust washed over her. Mubarak's cunning plan was now crystal clear.
"I refuse to marry him," Zainab declared, her voice firm and resolute, as she stood up, her eyes locked on Yusuf's. Her heart pounded with determination.
Yusuf's face turned beet red, his eyes bulging in shock and outrage. "Did you just disobey me, Zainab?" his voice thundered.
Aunt Hafsat's concerned gaze darted between the siblings, sensing the escalating tension.
"Fine," Yusuf spat, his words dripping with venom. "If you won't obey me, leave my house. Leave my life. You won't be regarded as my sister any longer." His voice cracked with emotion, but his expression remained unyielding.
Zainab felt as if she'd been slapped. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes as she took a step forward, pleading. "Please, brother..." Her voice trembled.
Yusuf's face twisted, his eyes flashing with anger. He turned away, dismissing her.
Zainab turned to leave, but Anty Hafsat's gentle grasp on her arm halted her. "What are you going to do?" Anty Hafsat asked, concern etched on her face.
"I'm leaving this house," Zainab replied, her voice resolute, her heart heavy with the weight of her brother's words. She knew she would never accept Mubarak's hand in marriage.
Anty Hafsat's eyes flashed with determination. "No, you won't go anywhere," she said, her voice firm.
Turning to face Yusuf, Anty Hafsat pleaded, "Is this what you want, to force your sister into an arranged marriage? I want her to stay with us, and the marriage will still be called off. This is my request to you."
Yusuf's expression darkened, his voice cold. "Stay out of this, Hafsat."
Anty Hafsat's voice trembled. "I can't anymore, I won't. You're tearing our family apart."
Yusuf's words cut deep. "Then maybe you have to follow her also. You can also go back to your parents' house."
Hafsat and Zainab exchanged shocked glances. Yusuf's words were a stark reminder that he had made up his mind, leaving no room for compromise.
Zainab's heart ached for her sister in law, who had always been a pillar of strength.
"Then I would definitely not come back to this house again, once I step out of it," Hafsat declared, her voice firm, her eyes blazing with determination.
Yusuf's indifference stung. "You can do as you please, Hafsat."
Hafsat's face pale, her voice barely above a whisper. "Just say the word, Yusuf, because as long as Zainab is going, I'm going with her. I swear to Allah, I would never come back to this house once I leave."
The air was thick with tension, the weight of Yusuf's decision hanging like a sword over their heads.
Zainab's voice trembled as she intervened, desperate to prevent her brother's destructive decision. "Thank you, Anty Hafsat, for all your support. You didn't have to go anywhere. I accept my marriage to Mubarak."
Hafsat's eyes widened in horror. "You did what, Zainab?" she whispered, her voice laced with despair.
Zainab nodded silently, tears welling up in her eyes. Without another word, she turned and left the room, leaving Hafsat reeling.
Hafsat's gaze locked onto Yusuf, her eyes blazing with disappointment and hurt.
Zainab retreated to her room, closing the door behind her. She lay down on her bed, overcome with emotion, and began to cry. She couldn't help but wonder about the kind of fate that had befallen her. Mubarak had manipulated her brother into forcing her into marriage with him.