Safaa's POV..

At dawn I woke up with a terrible headache and Inna attributed it to the jinns,insisting that she's sure they might trouble me today.I prayed Subh and ignored her uninterruptible talk,thinking I won't get bored or pissed because of it.

"Inna will you please stop it,I am having a headache because I slept late and I cried a lot last night" I complained at last.

"Kayya,you're never going to believe me,I know that"

"Whatever,I will be in my room if anyone's looking for me" I mumbled and dragged myself out of my Mama's room.

I stared at my bed and began feeling nostalgic,curling up on it like a foetus, I closed my eyes to sleep once again before the onset of yet another bustling day.My eyelids closed against the dim light of the room,my breathing relaxed,I was totally at peace like a new born.I began dreaming,a beautiful and serene one,my mind blocking out all the dangers of the real world,but a disturbing tap on my arm kept intruding my dream.

"Safaa wake up" Abidah screamed.

"Mtsss" I hissed drawing the quilt to cover my face.

"You really have to wake up" She said calmly.

"Okay am awake Adda Abidah"

"You can call me whatever,here Mommy gave me this humra,you're to bathe with it and that I should tell you to be fast,you have to get ready before people start arriving" She said grumpily.

"Are you okay?" I asked her now fully awake.

"I am" She answered sitting next to me on the bed.

"Pregnancy hormones" I snickered. 

"You're not funny" She rolled her eyes.

I took the humrah,quickly had my bath  and as soon as I dressed up in my all white dashing dress,the make up artist set to work.

"Mashaa Allah Tabarakallah,see how my daughter looks ravishing" Mommy commented upon entering my room when the artist was just adding some finishing touches.

"Thank you Mommy" I blushed.

She went outside and came back with my Mama,who's dressed elegantly too,she had a bit of heavy make up and I can swear Baba will fall in love with her all over again once he sees her.

"My Baby" She sat close to me and took my henna adorned hands in her own.

"Maa" I whispered letting a tear slip from my eyes.

"Safaa don't be a baby and spoil your make up" Abidah reprimanded me.

"Let her cry,I bet they are tears of joy and am 100% sure nothing will happen to her make up" The cheerful artist chirped in.

"Okay,cry all you want,your Nikaah is in 30 minutes" Abidah teased sticking out her tongue at me.

"Maa I don't want to get married anymore" I sniffed ignoring Abidah.

"Don't be silly" my Mama smiled.

"Maa I am afraid" My voice came out muffled with sobs. 

"Ya Allah,this girl is so spoilt" Shatou shrieked.

"Call Ba..ba I don't want to lea....ve ho....me" I hiccuped.

"Our home is also your home,Safaa can you stop all this drama,last night I heard her telling Yaya Ahmad that she can't wait and now she's putting up a show"

"Kai Abidah and Aisha leave this room" Mommy shooed them away and together with Mama,they consoled me until I stopped crying like a baby.

Our wedding Fatiha is just outside our house,so when the knot got tied,it was as if we were all there.Yaya Ahmad sent me a text almost immediately and I replied before some of my friends including Abidah began singing a popular song we do sing at Rigar Dala when it's time for a girl to leave her parent's house.I have no idea where Abida learnt the song but her voice's the most high pitched amongst all of them.

"Yiri Yiri muna guda zamu kai amarya....." They continued until I buried my face inside a quilt and replied my husband's second message.

I didn't know I slept off after replying the message until some of my Mama's relatives came to get me ready for my conveyance.I was rushed to my bathroom,asked to take a bath again with a scented water.

When I stepped foot out of the shower,an indescribable scent of bakhoor welcomed me,several khumra served as my body lotion that I almost thought I'd have a flu because of how strong they were.Ummulkhair,my Mama's niece helped me to wear my lafaya.

"Did you even pray the Nawafil I told you about?" Aunty Laura,my Mama's cousin asked.

"I......" I started but Mama cut me off.

"She didn't,Safaa you're so careless sometimes"

"Maaa you're scolding me today too? I'll pray now" I smiled before taking the praying mat from the wardrobe.

"Now let's go to your Baba,your husband's people are almost here" One of my numerous Aunts said after I prayed the Nawafil.

Baba and most of his friends are all seated outside the veranda just outside the gate and we are to meet him there.My heart began racing as soon as I step foot out of our small living room.My palm and scalp became sweaty,Mama always call this kind of feeling an anxiety attack.

Baba asked me with a proud smile marring his caring face to come and sit right next to him.I sat with a heavy heart and gave way for my waterfalls.I can't imagine leaving home and I never thought it would be this painful.

"Safaa" He called my name softly.
"Na...am" I hiccuped.

"Why are you crying? You're going home,ai duk daya ne" He said.

"Baba...." I cried.

"You can't act spoilt anymore Safaa,you're now a wife and you have to be responsible,respect your husband and his family,honour his decisions,always be prayerful.Avoid enraging your husband and keep your marriage life a secret,Don't come back running home because of a little problem,marriage is not something you walk in and out from,I repeat don't come back running to us because of a minor problem,sort it out and most importantly avoid the problems... "

"Don't cause suffering to your husband,there's a hadith which Curse On Women Who Cause Suffering To Husband "It has been narrated by Muaaz Ibn Jabal. He relates that the Prophet Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam had instructed, "When a woman causes her husband suffering his wife, amongst his celestial brides (Hooray-Ayn), curses, ‘May Allah also inflict pain on you. Don’t cause your husband suffering.’ And Oh my beloved Fatimah, reproach awaits the woman who disobeys her husband."(Ibn Maajah and Tirmidhi),so be mindful Safara'u... "

"I believe I have taught you enough all your life,May Allah bless you and bless this union" He finished and by then I was sobbing like a lost puppy shaking frantically.

"You're crying like this because I wasn't stern huh?" He said trying his best to sound harsh but I hugged him in return,praying to Allah to make it all a dream.

"It's not a forced marriage is it?" A friend of his asked.

"Don't mind her" Aunty Laure answered.

"Now go back inside and be a good girl to Ahmadu kinji ko?" Baba said  slowly freeing himself from my embrace.

"I love you Baba" I sniffed.

"I love you too,Allah yayi miki albarka" And with that my Aunts dragged me back to my Mama's room where I lied on her bed and resume crying my heart out.

"Safara'u wai ni anya lafiyanki kuwa irin wannan kuka? No one said you're going to die at Ahmad's house" My annoying granny sat on the bed reprimanding me.

"Ayya Inna leave my baby alone,she's not 19 yet,you know she's really going to miss home" My Mama said making me lie on her laps.

"You're the one who spoiled her,it's all your fault,I can't watch this and get ready,you leave this house in 15 minutes" Granny hissed and left the room.

"It's okay now,We won't like it if you get a headache will we? Safaa you're going to make people think we forced you into this marriage" Mama began after Inna left the room.

"Yes Mama,She's making me think like that too" Shatou said.

"You guys shouldn't bother about her,silly girl" Abidah also chirped in.

"Am sorry Mama,I don't know why am acting this way too" I said hoarsely.

"Don't worry,I'm not blaming you,just reduce it okay? Now stand up and go wash your face,let's get ready to hand you over to your husband's family"

"I don't even know how to tie this thing" I complained while standing up from the bed.

"I'll be right here to tie it for you" Mama smiled.

Exactly fifteen minutes after Inna left the room we heard yodelling and honking of cars.Some ladies who I believe are all my mother inlaw's relatives or friends trooped in and after some pleasantries they asked of their bride.Inna seperated me from Mama after much effort and before I knew it,we are on our way out of Rigar Dala.

I leaned on one of my Aunt's shoulder and sobbed uncontrollably.

"Didn't I say it's enough? You're going to your husband's house for God's sake,not hell" She said trying to calm me down.

"I'm even suprised,young girls this days are eager to get married,they don't shed a tear when it's time for them to leave their Papa's home" A lady whose voice I couldn't recognise said.

I don't know all the women in the car except my two Aunts and Abidah,the rest are all from Ahmad's side and I can't see their face because my own is covered with my lappaya.

"That's what I was just thinking" Another lady joined her.

"You know she's the only child to her parents,she ought to be like this" Aunty Sa'adah said.

"Don't worry my daughter,Ahmad will take extra care of you and will cherish you just like your Mama does" The first lady that spoke the other time consoled me patting my back affectionately.

I dozed off a while later because of the lack of sleep I had last night.Instead of having a beautiful dream just like the one I had in the morning,I had a terrifying nightmare and I woke up sweating profusely regardless of the Ac in the car.

I keep having a feeling unbeknownst to me,it feels like I did a mistake getting married to my cousin and I prayed a lot about it before saying yes,this negative feeling is getting to me just some hours ago.

"Ma'am we are about to enter town,where do we go first?" The driver announced.

"Well It's almost time for Isha prayers,The two brides and their friends have to be at a hotel in order to get ready for the dinner,so let's start with the hotel" Abidah whom the driver was talking to answered.

"Yes Hajiya Turai informed me of the arrangements,drop them at the hotel and then take us home" One of the ladies said.

Within some minutes we reached the hotel and Abidah helped me out of the car.

"Finally" I said uncovering my face when the car drove away.

"You're not allowed to do that" I heard Yaya Ahmad's voice and I look up to see him,looking as handsome as always.

"You...where...okay" I said frowning a bit.

"You cried a lot" He whispered covering the space between us.

"Yes She did,you guys have a lot of time tomorrow and forever,Safaa let's go in" Abidah said and began dragging me away.

"We meet later My love" He said smiled and pecked my cheek leaving me mouth agape.

I quietly followed Abidah straight into our hotel room blushing rosy red.

"Did the kiss make you dumb? Gosh I never knew my brother could be that cheesy" Abidah brought an end to the silence.

"I don't know" was my simple reply before I headed to the ensuite to make Wudu.

"You're shy?" Abidah teased me laughing like she has gone nuts.

"Mtsss" I hissed trying to bring out a hijab from my suitcase.

"I need to go see Shatou in the room opposite ours,I'll send your make up artist in" She said and kept giggling on her way out.

Crazy girl... I thought shaking my head.

I prayed Magrib and Isha altogether because we didn't reach the hotel until some minutes after Isha.

After praying,I took a warm shower before the make up artist began her magic of transforming me into Mrs Ahmad Sanusi.

"This dress looks so heavy" I complained seeing the dress I am to wear for the event.

"You can complain to Mommy later" Abidah said adjusting her head gear.All my friends are ready for the event,looking so pretty in their anko.

"I wish Mama will be there" I said to no one but Abidah gave me an answer.

"In your dreams,you know Mama"

"Yeah I really do know her,she'll never come"

"Okay,hurry up,we're almost late,Yaya Salman's bride is actually waiting for you"

"Beedah I tend to forget her name" I whined.

"Her name is Amal" Abidah said rushing outside.

I finished getting ready within some minutes and met the cheerful and kind bride of Salman.Together,we walked to the parking lot where we will meet our grooms and then go to the venue of the event.

"I'll see you later" She smiled going to her husband who's waiting for her beside their car.

"Alright bye" I smiled back walking to Yaya Ahmad who's waiting for me too.

"You look beautiful" He said after making sure I'm seated comfortably.

"Thank you,You don't look bad either"

"Your husband is handsome you know" He winked and I smiled suddenly feeling nervous around him.

"We're already at the venue,so shall we?" He announced entwining our hands making me shudder because of his touch and the uneasiness seeping through me.

"I can't walk in there,there are a lot of people and..."

"Shhh" He shushed cutting me off.

"You know what? just don't think of anyone out there,have it in my mind that it's only you and I" He assured me.

And with my hand in his we descended from the car and proceed to enter the place filled with hundredths of people.

🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴🌴

Assalamu Alaikum 🙈🙈

I'm so sorry for abandoning Safaa.. 😢

I've been so busy with school.😣

Manage this chapter please.😊☺

And show it some love...

Because I abandoned a much more important book just to update...😂

Ohh I forgot to ask...😀

How's Ramadan and Ibadah?

Do include me in your prayers please.

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