Today is the wedding, and I'm totally freaking out.

I had that weird mixture of emotions swirling inside my head.

I was nervous about the preparations because James insisted on rushing it.

I was happy because our dream was finally coming true.

And I was sad that I was leaving my family house.

I woke up at dawn, and I saw my mother sitting on the prayer mat, making dua' and crying

" Ya Allah bless them, and make their hearts a home for each other.

Ya Allah protect my daughter from the evils of that house.. Ya Allah you know she is a girl, a weak creature, she is going to be alone amongst them. Ya Allah don't remove their love for each other from their hearts...Give them blessed healthy children..make them have mercy on each other even at the time of anger.. Don't break their hearts..Ya Allah give me patience for letting my daughter go... " and here her tears beat her.

" Mum.... don't cry..." I ran to her hugging her, burying my head in her lap.

" It's just the mother's heart... I can't believe you are all grown up " She said, drying her tears.

" Don't worry.. I'll always be you baby daughter " I said.

" Okay... I need to give you some advice... You are going to be a wife, you need to know that marriage is not only about love, it's part of it, but not all of it, marriage is like establishing a new house, an enterprise based on mutual respect and understanding, you need to learn to understand your partner from only looking into his eyes, what he wants?? What is his mood?? you need to learn when to compromise?? And when to just give up?? You need to be his first and biggest supporter, you need to learn when to speak and when to be silent?? What makes him angery?? What makes him happy?? You need to bring him closer to Allah, and help him keep his relationship with his mother even if she hurts you, so that Allah gives you a blessed marriage. Love him more than you love yourself, give until there is nothing left to give. Even if you are a strong and an independant person, let him now that you need him, men always like to feel protective over women. And when he needs your strength, be his last army. Flatter him, his perfume, his good looks, his suits. Don't show him that you are jealous when he speaks to other women, but be the most beautiful one he can ever see. Be his safe house, when he is depressed and doesn't want to speak, do whatever you can to put a smile on his face. Be his best friend, the one he is not ashamed of sharing his deepest secrets with. Be his mother, and protect him from the whole world. Be whatever he wants you to be..these are the secrets of builing a new house... A new life " Mum said.

" I'll try my best Mum... I'm really nervous " I said.

" I can understand your nervousness, but you don't need to worry from the very first beginning, enjoy this time, it won't Come back " she said.

" Thank you mum " I said leaving the room.

I went to pray, and make dua' that Allah blesses my life with James.

I went back to sleep for about four hours, and then Shahd awakened me up.

" Jannah... Jannah wake up, It's your wedding day... Come on.. Wake up lazy doctor " She said.

" Really... I didn't know that valuable piece of information " I said, sarcastically.

" Jannah stop being stubborn..Come on get up.. We have so many things to do " She said.

" No we don't " I said.

" Why are you so stubborn?? " Shahd said.

" Leave me alone... I need to get some sleep.. God only knows when I'll ever have the chance to sleep again " I said.

But the truth was that I wanted to have a proper farewell with my bed.

" Come on.. It's your wedding day.. You need to experience every single moment of it. I have no idea what James saw in you?? " she said, grabbing my hand, forcing me to Leave bed.

I washed my face, brushed my teeth, and put on some facial masks to prepare my face for the makeup.

Everything took longer than usual, not only because I was nervous, but also because it was the last time I'll ever do this in my family house, I was saying goodbye to everything, my bed, my blankets, my room, my bathroom mirror, my brushes.. Ah I was getting very emotional.

The wedding planner already had everything organised, there were flowers and balloons all over the place, they even moved some of the furniture to give a bigger space for the guests.

They had a Table full of different Types of the most delicious and attractive foods I've ever seen.

" Can I have some???" I said to Shahd with puppy dog eyes.

" Yeah sure, Go ahead, but kiss your wedding dress.. Goodbye" She said.

" Buzz killer" I said complaining.

I heard a truck arriving at the gates.

" What was that??" I asked, going to look from the window.

" You are not allowed to look out of the window " Shahd said, standing in my way.

" Why??" I asked.

" Because if you will, James will kill me!!!" Shahd said.

" Okaay" I said confused.

The makeup artist arrived, and some of James' own assistants with the wedding dress we picked Three days ago, the shoes and the accessories.

After- literally- putting me inside the dress, we started putting on the makeup.

I thought the makeup would take an hour or two, but we were done in 30 minute.

" Oh God, I've never seen myself that beautiful before " I said.

complimenting the makeup artist work.

" Oh, don't say that girl, you are very beautiful with or without makeup" she said.

I bet she tells all her prides the same thing.

I put my hijab on, the crown and my shoes.

I looked myself in the mirror after all these changes, and I looked.. Different but in a beautiful way.

" Oh... My older sister is the pride.." Shahd said, pretending to cry.

" So now you are crying??" I said.

" Yeah, I can't believe it too" Shahd said.

" Why you can't believe it???" I asked.

" Because with that attitude of yours I genuinely thought that I'll be the one getting married first " she giggled.

" Very funny Shahd" I said.

" Jannah.. The guests started arriving" My mum said as she entered the room.

" Okay.. Okay.. I'm ready, did James arrive??" I said.

" No.. Not yet" Mum said.

I went downstairs, and the first guests I made eye contact with, were Richard and sophia.

" Oh God, I haven't seen you in ages" I said, as memories kept coming to my mind.

" You look absolutely mesmirising" Sophia said.

" James is my best friend, I wouldn't miss his big day for the world" Richard said.

" It's crazy right" I said.

" Yeah.. I know.. I started the bet.. And you guys got married " Richard said.

" It's God's way to bring people together " I said.

" You should name your first boy after me, after all I was your matchmaker" Richard smirked.

We all lauged.

I welcome all the other guests then I went to Sit at the place that was prepared for me and James, he hasn't showed up yet.

" Hassan can you call him?? It has been 30 minute he hasn't showed up yet??" I said.

" Maybe he is packing out??" Hassan said smirking.

" Thank you for giving me a heart attack " I said, narrowing my eyes.

" Yep, and the groom is here" Hassan said, looking at the door.

" Sorry for being late for the most important event in my life " he whispered in my ear, taking my hand.

" It's okay " I whispered back.

" Well now that's the groom is here, let's start the celebration " Hassan said.

" I'm taking you home tonight, Mrs Wayne" James whispered.

" I know... But I'm still keeping my name " I said.

" Okay.. As you wish " He said.

" Where is your mother??" I asked.

" I tried to convince her to Come, but I couldn't" he said.

" It's okay.. I just wanted her to be here for you to be happy " I said.

" I'm over the moon with you" He said.

" So a stupid bet got us married " I said, looking into the same eyes I have first known ten years ago.

" No... A blessed fate got us married " James corrected me.

" Jannah.. Can I have a word with you??" Shahd said.

" Okay.." I said getting up.

" Can't you just let her with me today?? She has been your sister for 16 years??" James said to Shahd.

" It's okay.. I'll see what they want " I said.

We went to a room, and closed the door behind us.

Shahd just raised my dress, and pinched me in my right knee.

" Ouchhh.. Shahd what was that for???" I shouted in pain.

" Grandma said that if I pinch the pride in her knee, I'll be married by next week " Shahd explained.

" Ah stupid traditions.. You are even 16!!" I said.

I got out of the room, thanking God that I made it out alive.

" James wants to leave now, It's time to go I guess" Hassan said.

" Okay" I said.

James just held my hand, and guests splited in two halves, half on each side.

" Time to begin a new chapter in our lives.. I guess" James whispered.

" Yeah.. Time to say goodbye to my family" I said.

We all kissed and hugged, there were tears and laughs.

Even Shahd cries.

" So you are capable of crying, that's new, I never knew that" I said.

" You are my sister" she said through the tears.

As we made our way through the garden, I discoverd the rose gate James made for us.

" Oh my God, It's so beautiful, that's why Shahd didn't want me to look out of the window!??" I said.

" I got it custome made for us.. For you" he said.

" Thank you " I said.

As we were exiting our house, and getting ready to get into the car, James stopped and kept starring at the horrizon.

I couldn't see anything, so I asked him.

" Is everything okay??" I asked.

He didn't say a word, he kept starring in the same direction.

" James...." I said louder to get his attention.

He just took my hand, and hugged me.

" James..." I said, before he cut me off.

" I'm sorry " he whispered.

Suddenly I felt a sudden jolt in his body, that was transmitted to mine.

" James...." I said freaking out.

Suddenly His body became heavier, and I couldn't keep him in my arms anymore.

I felt a hot fluid running over my hand that was on his back.

" James... What's wrong??? I beg you.. Answer me" I said.

Hassan helped me put him on the ground, I kept my hand under his head, and I looked at my other hand.

" Oh.. No... No... No" I said freaking out.

My other hand was covered in blood.

I noticed that a small pool of blood started to form under his back.

" Oh my God.. You were shot " I said.

" You are fine?? " he said.

I could see the pain in his eyes, as he was going in and out of consciousness.

" James... James.. No.. Don't close your eyes.. Not today.. Not in my lifetime " I said.

" It was supposed to be our happy ending I'm sorry " he said.

" No, you will be okay, everything will be okay, I promise " I said trying to reassure him.

" Jannah, I need you to know that my mother..." He said, before losing his consciousness.