Saleem:

Sometimes life has a cruel sense of humor, giving you the thing you always wanted at the worst time possible.

And "Fate" is like a strange, unpopular restaurant filled with odd little waiters who bring you things you never asked for and might not even like. But There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be.

I was lost at that moment, I couldn't stop thinking about the poor daughter of a filthy rich man whose wedding is about to be called off. Alhaji Daneji interrupted my line of thoughts with his deep, masculine authoritative voice.

"Thanks for your time and effort, we really appreciate it. If only my daughter had a good taste in men, she wouldn't have ended up like this"

"I wish she had brought someone like you, She could have saved herself from the misery and heartache she is about to experience".

"Let me go and address the crowd waiting for the grooms arrival" He said, heading towards the door leading to the overcrowded hall, but I couldn't let him go any further.

I called out his name, stopping him right in his track. He turned and gave me a questioning look.

I take his earlier complements as an invitation to treat, and All I could think of is the goodies that would come with this arrangement if I say yes.

"You don't have to dismiss the crowd, I understand that all that is needed for the Nikah to take place is a groom" I said, pausing a little for a reaction from him.

"What do you have in mind? Perhaps we could reach an agreement, Tell me" Alhaji commanded me

"I can be the groom, I will marry your daughter "Ameerah" She doesn't have to go through the humiliation" I continued

"The only problem is, I don't have a stable job and I could barely even afford to take care of myself. My lifestyle is not the kind of lifestyle your daughter is going to be able to endure"

"Young man, that's not a problem. Name a price, and so it shall be yours after the wedding"

"We don't have to negotiate right now, let's go through with the wedding first". I replied

"Alright then, May I know your name?" He asked

"Saleem Abdallah" I answered

I guess Today is your lucky day, He said as he made his way to the hall and I quickly followed suit. He cheerfully whispered something to the two men seated at the front row, and they immediately started the wedding Fatiha.

I was absent minded when Alhaji Daneji got me married to his daughter Ameerah. A girl I have never met before, I felt a twinge of sadness at the thought.

Too consumed in my thoughts and own self belittlement, The next thing I heard was congratulations everywhere.

But For the first time in a very along time, I felt so relevant and important. I felt like a hero saving the day.

My brother in law introduced me to different sets of people, Everyone wanted to meet me and a picture with me.

After the introduction and well wishes, I sank down into one of the couches in the living room, resisting the urge to cry and tormented by the thought that I might have gotten myself married to a gorilla.

I couldn't shake off the sick feeling at the pit of my stomach. I was absent minded throughout the reception.

What has happened has happened, there is no going back. Whatever Ameerah might look like, she already possesses half of my heart with her family's name and fortune. Her personality will determine whether she gets the other half or not. I consoled myself

I am a man with a very huge appetite, but I couldn't eat anything. Not until Alhaji himself called me to dine with him, his son and a few other important people in his massive dining area when the crowd was no more.

who am I to say no to Alhaji Daneji? I'm just a young writer struggling to make a living.

I stuffed myself with food while they filled me in with the wedding programmes, events and arrangements. They even picked out clothes for me, I dropped the address to which the clothes are going to be delivered to later during the day.

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