WHISPERS OF ENCHANTÉ

58: whispers of love

Kaduna State, Nigeria.

Yasmin stared at her sister as though she'd grown a second head then glanced back at their mother, who shrugged her shoulders in amusement. Siyama had been restless the entire day and everyone seemed to know what was going on —well except for Siyama herself. She refused to acknowledge it. 

The Wambais had come the night before and Yasmin could swear that Siyama hadn't slept a wink, scrolling through her chats with Mahmud instead. Everyone had urged her to pick up the phone and talk to him since he'd called her at least a dozen times. 

"Why would he even divorce a woman just like that? To prove what exactly? Who even brought him up? That's cruel!" She had asked mid-breakfast, then didn't wait for an answer before continuing to eat. 

Yasmin had wanted to say your future mother-in-law brought him up and this cruel man you're talking about is the man you'll marry but she glued her mouth shut when her father shook his head. They should allow her to rant all she wants and get it off her chest.

"And he has the nerve to send his people here without my consent? To do what exactly? Damage control? Lol." She had grumbled a few minutes later as she helped pack the dishes outside. 

While washing the plates —it was her turn that day— she sighed over a spoon, rolling her eyes. "He wants to play me for a fool. He thinks I don't know how wicked men are. He thinks he is different as he desperately likes to prove. Jokes on him!" 

Everyone sitting on the compound froze, their attention shifting to Siyama. Even their neighbor, Maman Ihsan, paused on her way to the bathroom and decided to abandon her mission, finding Siyama's outburst more entertaining than her errand. Thankfully, she didn't say anything and quietly left after a while. 

Everyone is just as confused to find Siyama and not Yasmin rambling on and on to herself. When Yasmin does that, it's okay cause everyone is used to her antics but Seema? That is a whole new blockbuster right here and it is better than the series she was watching on Arewa24.

"Does he think I'm stupid?" Siyama continued, her voice rising. "That I don't know he wanted this Zainab girl? He told his father that and now he suddenly wants me first, and then he'll take her back later? Hmm." She let out a sympathetic smile, though she was clearly the one receiving the pity. 

"Nonsense." She had hissed after finishing the dishes, grabbing her phone. 

Everyone knew exactly what she was doing again... scrolling through the endless apology messages Mahmud had sent her overnight. From what Yasmin could tell, the man hadn't slept. He'd messaged and called repeatedly and Yasmin had even told him she'd talk to Siyama.

But her sister didn't want to listen to anyone. 

Siyama was dead set on turning down the Wambais when they came for the complete sa rana the next day. She wasn't going to let Mahmud toy with her heart twice. She wasn't that foolish, or at least not anymore. The game has to stop now. She will arrange an arranged marriage at this point.

"Seema, just answer the call and break up with him already. That would save us a lot of trouble." Yasmin suggested, biting her lip to hide her chuckle when their mother pinched her. 

"But she can't do that. She's clearly as in love with him now as she was when she went to see him in that chimney hijab." Fatima murmured to Yasmin, side-eyeing Siyama, who scowled at her phone. 

"You're right, Maa," Yasmin agreed. "But she's been brooding all day about it. I'd think she'd want to end it once and for all." She tsked, pulling out her rough book to sketch something aimlessly.