???? AUREN KWANGILA ???? (A Story of Love, Sacrifice & Business)

STORY BY: ASHAANTY LOVE (UMMIN FASIHU)

A Desperate Businessman

Alhaji Shamsu is a powerful businessman, but his empire is on the verge of collapse. "Bankruptcy? Ni? Ba zai yiwu ba!" he mutters angrily, pacing around his luxurious home.

He desperately seeks financial help, and finally, he gets an appointment with A.A Enterprises, a company known for its wealth and strict policies.

Meanwhile, his daughter, Saudart, is a strong-willed, independent woman. She owns a bakery and values her self-reliance. Marriage is not her priority—especially not a temporary one.

But fate has other plans.

An Unexpected Proposal

At A.A Enterprises, Alhaji Shamsu meets Ashraf Auwal, the CEO, a man as cold as he is rich.

After hearing Alhaji Shamsu’s financial crisis, Ashraf offers an unusual deal—he will give the money, but only if Saudart marries him in a contract marriage.

"Za a daura aure, amma har zuwa lokacin da zan gama abinda nake bukata, sai mu rabu," Ashraf states plainly.

Alhaji Shamsu is shocked but also tempted. He realizes this deal could save him.

But how will Saudart react?

Betrayal & Anger

Back home, Alhaji Shamsu struggles to tell Saudart the truth. When he finally does, she is devastated.

"Dad! How could you? A contract marriage? Ni?!" she screams, tears streaming down her face.

She refuses immediately. "I would rather lose everything than enter a fake marriage!"

But her father is desperate. When she stands firm, he begins to ignore her. For the first time in her life, he refuses to speak to her.

"Ki tunani," he says coldly. "Idan baki yarda ba, to ki fita harkata."

Saudart is heartbroken.

A Shocking Meeting

Determined to stop the madness, Saudart goes to A.A Enterprises to confront Ashraf herself.

At the office, she is met by a rude secretary, Helen, who assumes she is just another woman chasing Ashraf for his wealth.

Just as Saudart is about to leave, Ashraf appears.

"You’re here for Mr. A.A?" he asks, amused.

She swallows her anger. "Yes."

Inside his office, she takes a deep breath and speaks. "I am here to tell you that your ridiculous proposal is rejected!"

But instead of anger, Ashraf smirks. "That’s cute. But your father has already agreed."

Saudart is shocked.

"Kayi tunanin zan yarda?" she asks.

Ashraf leans back. "You don’t have a choice."

Then, to her horror, he throws a bundle of money at her feet.

"Take this. This is how much your pride is worth."

Her anger explodes.

"You arrogant fool!" she yells, storming out.

A Forced Choice

Back home, Saudart confronts her father.

"Tell me this is a joke!" she pleads.

But Alhaji Shamsu is unmoved. "Ki amince, Saudart. This is business."

Tears in her eyes, she realizes the painful truth—her father has chosen money over her happiness.

Left with no real choice, she finally agrees.

"Fine," she whispers. "Amma wallahi, Dad, you have broken me."

The Cold Wedding

The wedding is a quiet and emotionless affair.

Ashraf remains distant, treating the entire thing as a business transaction.

At the end of the ceremony, he doesn’t even look at her.

"I will have my room. You will have yours. Babu alaka tsakaninmu."

Saudart nods stiffly. "That’s exactly how I want it."

They may be married, but there is no love—only a contract.

A Tense Living Arrangement

Living under the same roof, Saudart and Ashraf are constantly at war.

He is cold and dismissive, while she refuses to show weakness.

One evening, he catches her looking at the moon through the window.

"You regret this, don’t you?" he asks.

She sighs. "I regret trusting my father. But you? You’re nothing to me."

For the first time, his cold mask slips.

But he says nothing.

The Breaking Point

As the months pass, Saudart begins to notice things about Ashraf.

She sees his loneliness, his hidden pain, and the weight of responsibility he carries.

And he begins to see her strength, her independence, and the way she never truly gives up.

But just when things start to change, Ashraf drops a bombshell.

"It’s almost time," he says one night. "The contract will soon be over."

Saudart feels an unexpected sting in her heart.

Does she really want to leave?

The Final Decision

When the time finally comes, Ashraf hands her the divorce papers.

"It’s over," he says.

Saudart stares at the paper, her heart racing. "And this is what you want?"

For the first time, he hesitates.

Silence.

Then—he rips the papers in half.

"No. I don’t."

Saudart gasps. "Ashraf?"

He steps forward, his eyes softer than ever before. "I was a fool to think I didn’t need you. The contract is over, but I don’t want you to go."

Tears fall from her eyes. "Say it properly."

He smiles for the first time. "I want you, Saudart. Not as a contract. Not as a deal. But as my wife."

With a shaky breath, she finally smiles back.

And just like that—what started as a contract marriage became real love.