14/03/2022.

While seated on her prayer mat, Nadia raised her hands to ask Allah for all the good things in this life, and the hereafter, she prayed for everyone around her including the dead. She hoped her marriage will be a success, even if it looked like there was no hope. She folded her prayer mat neatly and placed it on the shelf, so she could get ready for the sa lalle(henna party).

"You won't believe who I have here" Basma said pushing the door open,

"who oo, Mrs dramatic" Nadia rolled her eyes at basma knowing this may be one of her numerous pranks,

"I'm sure you're not ready for this" Basma exclaimed, "ok, ok close your eyes then I'll tell you when to open it, no cheating o",

Nadia concurred knowing basma won't let her be unless she did as she says,

"tada!!, you can open your eyes now"

Nadia gently flutter her eyes open to see who the anonymous guest is,

"Aaima!!" Nadia threw her arms around her tightly,

"nadeey, I can't bre-at-h" Aaima said in a muffled tone,

"Sorry, sorry ima" nadia released her hold on her, "We were on video call yesterday, you told me you won't be able to make it" Nadia said, "When did you get back?" She asked,

"I just had to surprise you",

"Did you really think I'll miss my best friend's wedding?" Aaima asked smiling widely,

"erhm, erhm, I think you guys are forgetting me!" basma chipped in,

"basma, you haven't changed up uptill now" Aaima used her hands to struggle her laughter,

"she's worst now o" Nadia said,

"Enough of me guys" basma palmed her face playfully, "The guests have started arriving, so Nadia start getting ready" Basma declared in a serious tone,

"Yes ma" Nadia placed her hands on the side of her head to salute her,

"I'll leave you guys for now" Basma smiled before leaving the room.

****

"I can't believe you're actually getting married" Aaima said while picking out dresses for Nadia,

"I can't believe it either" nadia sighed,

"Hope you remembered to offer salatul istikhara" Aaima asked worriedly,

"yes I did, the night when he declared his intention of getting married to me" Nadia felt happy that she has a friend who always looks out for her,

"you miss them right?" Aaima asked,

"yes I do, every single day I wish they were here" Nadia said understanding that she was referring to the deceased,

"will you go there again this year?" Aaima asked Nadia, Nadia sighed before answering,

"I'll insha Allah, I just can'tstop myself".

Aaima is the only person Nadia could talk about her pains to, she perfectly understands Nadia's plight maybe because she saw how it all happened, she knows how everything was from the start.

Nadia and Aaima's parents were tight friends, making Nadia and Aaima childhood friends, they were more like sisters rather. They attended the same school all through their life, during their studies at Nile university Abuja both majoring in Accounting, they were ahead of Basma with a year. They were always together, not until a year ago, when Aaima went for her master's degree in the UK.

"It will all be well insha Allah" Aaima consoled rubbing Nadia's back,

"Ameen" Nadia muttered in a sad tone, "what about mum, dad and ya fahad?",

"they're all fine, they'll be here tomorrow insha Allah"

"so!, enough sadness already, let's get down to the event" Aaima muttered happily trying to lighten up Nadia's mood.

Aaima helped Nadia into her perfectly sewn green fabric (atanpa), she applied little makeup on Nadia's face to complement the colour of the dress she was putting on. Since it was strictly an event for the ladies, the headscarf was tied beautifully into a turban on Nadia's head.

"Masha Allah you look so beautiful" Aaima scanned Nadia to see the beautiful job she has done on her,

"shall we?" Aaima said extending her hands for Nadia to hold,

"we shall" Nadia grinned showing her beautiful set of white teeth.

****

Nadia got down to the garden which was beautiful decorated in a traditional setting, she exchanged pleasantries with all the people seated which were mostly basma's friend and some of her course mates in the university before she sat down on the large pillow placed in the middle.

After some minutes, the ceremony started, the girls sat down happily chattering while the henna artists made beautiful designs on their hands, their talks mainly revolved around how rich the family Nadia was getting married into is.

Basma went on and on, telling her friends the gigantic kayan lefe that was brought in for Nadia. Nadia said nothing but smiled and prayed internally for everything to go well.

****

15/03/2022.

"An daura (the knot has been tied)"

Basma chanted happily after hanging up Baba's call,

"ayiririri" all the girls in the room sang before they offered their congratulations and mabrook.

"May Allah bless the union sweetie" Aaima said drawing Nadia into a hug,

"congrats sisto" Basma said also joining in the hug.

"The men will soon be here, let us all excuse the bride, so she could get ready" Basma instructed everyone in the room,

Murmurings broke out, but they all started to leave one after another with Basma and Aaima being the last to leave after much teasing.

Basma was going to the kitchen to see if things were properly arranged since her mum vowed not to be involved in the marriage procession unless in the presence of the public. She spotted Aaliyah curled up under the stairs, so she proceeded to talk to her,

"ya Aliyah" Basma called out lightly,

Aliyah didn't reply but basma continued, "you know I love you right?" basma asked, "And you know you can tell me whatever is wrong with you" she added,

" I'm already getting old, I still haven't gotten married and look she has taken Abdallah away from me" Aliyah said breaking down,

"shhhhh" basma said hugging her,

"have you forgotten that Allah is watching, he always has the best install for us" basma continued,

"Abdallah isn't yours that's why, whatever is yours will always find its way to you insha Allah, just keep praying, and it will be fine" basma said,

"Are you sure?" Aliyah asked,

"yes I'm if Allah wills".

****

Nadia waited in the room with a veil placed on her head, she has been seated for the past thirty minutes, and he still hasn't shown up. She used her thumb finger to graze her palm to ease her nervousness, she was about to stretch a bit when she heard the door open with someone walking in.

There was about 3 minutes of silence before Abdallah spoke up,

"I know you must be wondering why I'm yet to unveil you" he said in a tone that came off a little bit harsh, "it's because I'm actually not interested in this marriage or seeing your face,

And it will better for you to know your place" his phone started ringing causing him to stop his speech.

Tears trickled down from Nadia's face as his words pierced deep into her heart.

"Don't cancel the deal, I'm coming there right now, I don't care if it's my wedding today!" Abdallah shouted on the phone before he hung it up.

"Enjoy the rest of your peaceful day because it will come to an end soon" he banged the door loudly and left.

*****

It was time for Nadia to be conveyed to her husband's house, since her parent weren't here, she resorted to her uncle and aunt for blessings. Alhaji umar already gave Nadia numerous blessings and prayer, so it was time for Hajiya Amina's own,

"salam alaykum mama"

"walaykum salam" she answered curtly, "I don't have any blessings or prayer for you" Hajiya Amina said,

"Dan Allah (for Allah's sake) Mama" Nadia said trying to persuade because she knew an elder blessing is crucial in situations like this,

"ok now because you're getting married into that family, you think you've made it in life, you don't know anything" she declared grinning evilly, "I can't still understand why somebody will want to enter their death hole willingly" she clapped her hands dramatically, "I hope your eyes will open before you di-" she didn't get to finish talking when her husband cut her off,

"wai dan Allah Amina me wannan? (for goodness' sake Amina what's this?)" he cautioned, "I've told you several times to leave this girl alone" he reprimanded her though he didn't hear all the things she said except the last statement,

"It's not my fault I told her to leave me, but she refused to listen" Hajiya Amina said, He shook his head in disapproval because he didn't have anything to say to her again,

"Nadia the car is here" he lightly pulled her from her crouched position,

Nadia reluctantly stood up thinking about what she just heard, she couldn't even cry because what Abdallah and Hajia Amina said was just too much for her.

Nadia is finally married to the arrogant Abdallah 🥺.

zinat Abdulkadir ✍️