11| Bucket List /Madness

It's been exactly two months since Ahmad's and Zahra's relationship and everything seems to be going by Allah's will

Their love story keeps blooming in this past months, they can't go a day without hearing from each other

Zahra keeps on wondering is this how it feels to be in love she remembered the last time he came to say goodbye as he was returning to Abuja

The whole zoo that erupted in her stomach when he complemented her

Ahh, that's a story for another day

That's when they exchanged numbers, he is the full definition of handsomeness

She remembered how she kept rambling about him to her friends when they met after his departure

Her family members never seize to tease her whenever they got the opportunity, even the tigress herself

It's only her dad who usually came to her rescue whenever he is home

He will be like leave my daughter alone, she is now a grown up lady

She once talk with Ahmad's sister Fareeda, damn that girl is very nice, she is around Aareef's age and they just click

She is in her finally year in Senior secondary school, they are starting their West African Examination Council (WEAC) soon

Like right now she is on a phone call with Ahmad

"Babe" he called

"Na'am" she answered

"Let's switch to Facetime, I want to see that pretty face" he said sweetly

"Awwn, did you miss my face that much, don't be a cheesy boyfriend" she said trying to stifle a laugh

"You wish babe, you wish" he said and add "now if you don't mind let's switch"

"Ok oo, don't be a baby now" she said mockingly

They switched to Facetime, and his face came into view

"Hey there Dan Abuja" she teased with the nickname she gave him

"Yup" he answered popping the 'p', if not for love, nobody will dare call him that without getting a broken nose

She gave him a one time glance and took her eyes off him, she keeps looking at his background not exactly his face

"You there" he asked when she didn't talk

"As you can see I am sound and healthy" she said sassily

"Hmm, savage much, I like that about you" he mumbled

"Did you by any chance said something" she asked

"Yeah, I said how is everyone at home" she gives him a look that says ' I am not convinced' but shrugged it

"They all are doing great, how is my favorite" she asked

"Thought I am your favorite" he joked

"Na, no, never, not at all"

"I am offended" he replied feigning hurt "She is doing great, looking for any opportunity to bankrupt me and give me headache" he replied

She just laughed and reply "why wouldn't she, after all you are her favorite brother i guess"

He kept mute and kept on gazing at her as if he is capturing each and every inch of her face

"Stop looking at me like that" she says

He ignored what she said "Gimbiya" he calls

"Yup" she answered picking at her nails

"Marry me" he said like it's the most simplest thing to say in this world

She gaze at him for a second instead of replying him she asked a question "Will you make me the happiest woman on earth, will you be able to cope with my crazy attitude"

"Yes" he replied immediately

"Do you promise to stick by my side through thick and thin"

"I do"

"But, there is one thing you need to know, I have a very weird bucket lists" she said grinning

"Yes, but___, wait a second, what's that bucket lists were you talking about" he asked because he knows how crazy she can be

"Not much though, it's one or two things__" she trailed grinning sheepishly

"What's that, I am curious"

"First, promise you won't back out when you heard it" she asked to be sure

"No, let me just hear it first, and then I can decide if I should stay or run"

"Number one, is to make sure I hire thugs to beat the hell out of someone" she replied giving no care in the world

"I never knew I have been courting a gang leader all this months, I will keep that in mind, if that someone isn't me though, next" he replied smiling through the side of his mouth

"Now you know, back to business, Number two, on my wedding day, don't you dare bring me flower bouquet, wetin I wan do with flowers, abi I resemble gardener for your eyes" she ramble watching him closely

"I heard that madam, what should I bring then" he asked

"Ehen, anzo gurin, I prefer chocolate bouquet, I repeat chocolates not flowers" she said holding her ears to let it stick

"Angama sarauniya, now answer my question"

"Then, it's a capital yes dan Abuja"she said
" Bye, k3na fayin (I am hungry)"

" When are you not hungry, I am marrying a foodie, but what can I do, I love you, sai tushsha (later)" they waved goodbye and switch off the phone

She kept the phone aside and went directly to their kitchen to start preparing lunch

She was startled by her mother's voice which brought her out of her reverie "baby girl are you okay" her mother asked while touching her forehead to check her temperature

"Auntyy, you scared the hell outta me, and by the way I am perfectly okay, why asking though" she replied pouting

"I am just wondering, like what are you doing in the kitchen" she said scanning her daughter, is she really her daughter, last time she check Zahra hate the mere idea of cooking

"Aunty, what do you mean by what I am doing, obviously cooking"

She scanned her face very well and said "daughter" she smiled look at her mom and said "mother" they burst into fits of laughter before composing theirselves

"Baby why are you happy all of a sudden, tell me"

"Ya ilahiiii, so now in this house i don't have the privilege to be happy, I am hurt" she said her hand on her chest feigning offense

Which earn her a smack on her arm by none other than her mother, she let out a yelp caressing her arm

"Hey, hold on there young lady, don't burst my eardrum"

"I swear it's painful mom"

"I know, it's meant to be, so now back to the story, did you by any chance finish talking to my son-in-law, is he the reason you have been this giddy all of a sudden"

She blush crimson red and continued preparing the meal, ignoring her mother's remark

All of a sudden her mom started clapping her hands saying "I knew it, see how you start blushing by just talking about him" when she didn't get any reply from her she continued "Awwn, my baby is all grown up now, so tell me when will they be coming"

"Coming where, I don't get you mom" she said acting all ignorant about what she said

"Don't play dumb with me here, you know what i meant, so young lady would you mind answering my question" she said acting all bossy putting the 'do not mess with me' face

"Aunty, I really don't get you" Zahra replied 'after all two can play right, so let's see who will back down" she thought smiling sheepishly

The two woman in the kitchen are all strong-headed, after all she is her mother, so the thing is running in their gene

"OK, I see you are not ready to comply, so let's be clear, when are they coming to ask for your hand in marriage, so we can start the preparation"

'Trust African mom with that' she thought

"Aunty, we haven't talk about that yet, give us time to know each other, before coming to that" she tried to reason

"Time, you say Zahra, you have known each other for almost three months if i could remember, so tell me which kind know each other are you implying here" said emphasising on the last part

"It's as if you are tired of me staying in this house aunty" she said pouting

"It's not like that daughter, you see every mother's dream is to see her female child married happily, building her family, not that I am tired of you, and you see in my own case you are the only female child i get, I want to see my grandchildren before i die that's why, but if you are not ready or you think it's not the right time I am always here to support you, okay" she said shedding some stubborn tears

"Oh my dearest mother, you are the best and i love you, I will make sure i do what makes you people happy and you are not dying anytime soon, not until you hold my child" she said embracing her mother

"Hey you" she smack her arm for the second time

"Aunty, you have been smacking me lately, I am listening " she pout

"Not what make us happy but what makes you happy" she said smiling at her daughter lovingly "now let's get back to work"

"Yes ma'am" she saluted

"What are you people doing here all smiling without me, ha'an what did i miss, ya Zee in the kitchen cooking seriously, what's the occasion" Aareef rants in one breath

"You missed alot lil'bro, and what did you mean by ya Zee in the kitchen, it's obvious I am washing clothes can't you see" she replied sarcasm dripping in each word

"Oya Aareef get to work, aunty you are given a day off today, go and relax ok"

"Ok, thank you" she said bowing dramatically and walk out of the kitchen laughing "becareful with the knife, don't injure yourself"

She cook while her bro sat comfortably on the kitchen island munching on an apple and help her with bringing stuffs from the fridge, in the cabinet and cutting some veggies

She prepared rice and liver sauce, after she finished cooking he did the dishes and arrange the dinning while she tidied up the kitchen