~°°~I have read in books that those people who love each other never get scared and those who get scared never even fell in love with each other~°°~

Wuse 2, Abuja, Nigeria.
24th February, 2022.
11:47am
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Getting ready for the Traditional ritual; kalatul and dilla which was taking place at Sophy's crib, they all were busy going up and down to prepare for everything they would need because it was likely impossible to return to Tauhida's after they left that morning.

Tauhida wanted to go plait her hair so she left as early as 7:00 that morning. She was returning back from the plaiter's home which was by their area, cladded in a lengthy hijab when she saw a person she knew she recognised.

Not to jump into conclusions, she moved closer to where he stood and found that he was on a phone but when she noticed closer, he was trying to reach someone on the phone but couldn't.

"Assalamu Alaikum" Tauhida greeted not sure of how to start a conversation.

"Tauhida?" Shafiq asked surprised that he saw her there. Her face was devoid of any form of makeup, not even her lips held some lip balm, it was dry exactly but wasn't chapped. Even though she looked like she hadn't taken her bath for weeks, he still thought she was looking beautiful.

"What are you doing here?" He asked again. "I should be the one to ask you that because you're practically in my home" Tauhida said giving him the 'what the hell' look.

"This is your house?" Shafiq asked. "It looks like" Tauhida replied still giving him the look. "Quit that look on your face will you? I came here to pass a message to partner I......." Shafiq started but stopped midway. "Why did you stop explaining? I know you wanted to say partner in crime, every sane person would know so just tell me who exactly you came to meet" Tauhida chuckled making him to also do the same.

"Sophy, I came to meet her" Shafiq explained. "Since when?" Tauhida asked in surprise. "Since when what?" Shafiq asked back. "Since when do you know her, ever since I knew her I never heard her talk about you" Tauhida replied.

"That's probably because she doesn't want to, she's my cousin, favourite one to add" Shafiq explained. "Oh okay. I'll just pass on that" Tauhida said. "Help me inform her I was here and hand her this" Shafiq said giving Tauhida a bag and she accepted it.

"Okay, bye" Tauhida replied and made her way to the gate. "Tauhida" Shafiq called back and she turned. "Can I get your number?" He finally asked the one question he had been dying to ask her ever since they met the first time which was when she was paired with him at the entrance during the wedding of his friend.

"Okay" Tauhida replied even though the question was polar (yes or no question). She voiced out her number while he dialled it on his phone before they said their last farewells and parted ways.

"Delivery for the bride" Tauhida announced to Humaira and Xeexee entering her room with the bag in her hands, She kept the bag on her bed because Sophy was inside the toilet taking a bath. "I'll go take my bath, tell her that Shafiq brought it" Tauhida added before exiting the room to Rumaisa's.

Not long after they all were ready and have packed their attire for the day, a call came through and they were informed that cars have been sent to them which will take them to Sophy's crib. Tauhida decided to take her car with her because she doesn't want to be left stranded with no one to take her back home when the time comes even though she knew it was almost impossible, but things happen don't they?

They all picked their bags and loaded them inside Tauhida's car as they knew it would be safer before each one of them entered the three different cars brought for their service. Sophy was wearing an ash Lafaya but her face had no makeup as she was led into the car.

The residence of Alhaji Asif Muhammad was filled with people even though the nikkah was yet to commence.

The bridesmaids and the bride got off the cars and yodelling immediately started from the entrance of the house. Sophy was giving her best smiles to her relatives as she walked through the crowd and made it to the backyard where the rituals will take place.

Reaching there, the yodelling and praises increased as the elderly women prayed for a successful marriage. The DJ played a traditional song of the Maiduguri people and the women started dancing. The bride sat on a mat there and her paternal aunt helped remove her Lafaya and wrapped a plain wrapper around her body.

The kalatul tradition started first whereby the bride's hands, legs and hair were washed. Okra was applied on Sophy's hands and legs before pure water was used to wash it off again.

Her aunts then washed her hair in public with shampoo and some scents. It is a way of purifying the bride as the elders bless her.

She was then sprayed perfume all over her body and money was also sprayed to the bride as the women danced and clapped rounding the bride.

After that, the Dilla tradition started. Sophy was backed by her aunts whilst dancing and clapping, each of them passes her over to another one after a moment of her being on a back. It was easy for the women because Sophy was light weighed.

Dancing and refreshments took place for a while before by 2:00pm, it ended and the bride went to take another bath.

Three makeup artists were hired to come adorn the bride and her bridesmaids. It took everyone long enough before they could finish making up and getting ready for the wushe wushe event.

Whilst the kanga Kura (traditional music) was being played, the bride and the groom accompanied by their friends walked through the aisle into the event hall, each of the bridesmaids with a traditional cauldron spreading out the same scent of incense.

The bride was dressed in a white & touches of gold Lafaya and the bridesmaids were in blue & touches of gold Lafaya while the groom was in white getzner and the groomsmen in black men yards embroidered with gold threads.

They all danced to the couple's seat and each gender sat on a carpet at both sides of the hall.

There was a dance display by the elderly women before every well wisher at the wedding danced to the traditional music, drums were also beaten. Refreshments were present and everyone ate to their satisfaction, pictures were also taken to celebrate the day.

After the event, the bridesmaids were returned back to Tauhida's place. Sophy enjoyed that night because it was her last night of freedom, the last night she would call herself an unmarried lady because she would be tied to a man the very next day.

Shafiq called Tauhida that night and they had a phone call of about 15 minutes until he decided to let her rest because he understood she needed that the most as of that time. Shafiq didn't get to attend the wushe wushe event because according to him, it was an event for women only.

Tauhida didn't waste any time before sleeping off, she was actually tired because she could remember dancing very much during the event which caused every part of her body to ache.

~°°~I have read in books that those people who love each other never get scared and those who get scared never even fell in love with each other~°°~

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Kai duniya, I really don't know how to describe weddings so you have to manage.

I wanted to describe it because it might be the only wedding you get to see in this book but I think I'm skipping any other event.

I will probably land on Sophy's Dinner event because that night is the main reason I'm still writing this book.

Shafiq on the other hand is making moves on Tauhida while Sayf is nowhere to be found, he shouldn't play around oo if not he won't realise when Tauhida will get miles away from his reach.

That's all I have to say for today so please vote, comment and share my book to friends and family.
Lots of love,

Deedi--❤️