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1: The Wedding Festivities and the Bride's Secret Distress
From the moment you entered the neighborhood, you would instantly know a wedding was underway, especially since the house holding the gathering happened to be the fifth one at the entrance of the street. The road was packed with children, young girls, and even adult men and women. This was particularly true within the large premises of the mosque adjacent to the massive house, whose gate alone told you its architecture was nothing short of imposing and magnificent.
Three large canopies stood erected, completely filled with white chairs arranged in an orderly fashion. The first canopy was filled with prominent Islamic scholars who held great influence in the country, as well as some from foreign—mostly Muslim—nations. The second canopy was occupied exclusively by females, ranging from young girls to elderly women. The third canopy was occupied by males, both adults and children. The most admirable and captivating aspect was the modest and dignified dressing of the gathering. Despite it being a wedding celebration, everyone covered up properly; there was no offensive or revealing attire being excused under the guise of a wedding party.
Despite how crowded the outside was, it did not stop the house itself from being packed with people as well. It was truly a grand mansion, and at first glance, you could tell it was a family house, as it was far too large to belong to a single individual. From the gate, you could see all the various blocks of the house, which could number at least five to six sections. The buildings looked identical from a distance, and it was only when you went inside that you would realize everyone had customized the layout of their respective section to suit their taste.
Since it wasn't the time to analyze what was inside or how things were arranged, I followed the stream of people moving back and forth toward the second block, which seemed to host the largest crowd. Because most of the people were out in the mosque premises where the wedding lecture (*Walima*) was about to take place, I was able to make my way straight into the room that people were pointing to as the bride's room.
Inside, there were about ten to eleven young girls, each busy getting glammed up according to her taste, all dressed in milk-colored long gowns adorned with golden floral patterns, heavily embellished with rhinestones on the chest and the cuffs of the sleeves. They were chatting and laughing so loudly that you couldn't even hear what anyone was saying.
"Oh my God, marriage really makes everyone sober! See how our loudmouth here has suddenly lost her voice, even before Brother Ab... puts her in her place?" one of the girls, who was wrapping a small golden veil around her head, said as she burst into laughter. Almost simultaneously, they all turned to look at the girl lying on the bed all by herself with her back turned to them. She was lying on her stomach, wrapped in a chest wrapper with a small hijab over her. "Hahaha! Exactly, Iman! You can see her sharp tongue died since yesterday," another girl replied, laughing as she walked over to the bed, while the rest followed suit, laughing. Once they surrounded her, they chimed in unison, *"Tomorrow, she breaks open!"* clapping and bursting into a fit of giggles.
A girl sitting near the mirror applying makeup let out a small hiss, rolled her eyes at them with tears welling up, and in an outburst of anger, dropped her powder puff and stormed out of the room. They didn't even notice her departure, as their attention was entirely fixed on the bride, continuously chanting at her, *"Tomorrow, she breaks open! Tomorrow, she breaks open!"* They shouted loudly, teasing her with the playful malice typical of young friends driven by youthful exuberance, given that they were all young girls who could not be more than 16 or 17 years old.
The tears she had been holding back for so long slowly rolled down her cheeks. She didn't move, nor did she open her eyes to look at her friends who were teasing her so mischievously. She alone knew what she had been feeling in her heart since last night. True, this was the day she and her lover, Brother Abdallah, had long prayed for, even before she fully understood the weight of adulthood. However, she didn't know why, ever since the wedding week began, her body had grown cold and anxious. She knew this feeling was bound to be about the new life she would wake up to tomorrow, God willing. She squeezed out more hot tears, drawing a deep sigh that made the veins in her neck visibly tensed…
### Part 2: Addah Intervenes and Comforts Nu'aymah
"Good heavens! You children, what is wrong with you?!" a slightly stern voice boomed from behind them. The room fell dead silent, and they all turned to look at the speaker. She clapped her hands, holding her chin in disbelief. “Oh, look at you all! Instead of helping her get ready, you're sitting here indulging in the foolishness you're best at?”
"We are sorry, Addah," one of them said, scratching the back of her neck in embarrassment. Addah shook her head, walking closer to the bed. "Alright, I hear you. Now get out and give me space to get her ready." One by one, they filed out, muttering under their breaths in disappointment, but knowing that Addah was in no mood for games today, none of them dared to speak up. Addah ignored them completely, as she had no time for play. She gently held the beautiful young lady and made her sit up, saying, “Get up, dear. This crying is enough. You are a bride—and a highly valued one at that—marrying a handsome husband like Abdallah. Or do you want the wedding to be called off?”
The young lady pouted, fresh tears spilling over, and she threw herself into Addah’s arms, bursting into loud sobs. For the first time, Addah smiled, rubbing her back. She said, "Oh Lord, today we see Nu'aymah, the leader of sass in this house, completely softened by the weight of marriage." Nu'aymah only intensified her crying, melting into Addah's embrace. They remained like that for about four minutes before Addah lifted her up, her smile widening. She sat her down properly, took the edge of her veil, and wiped the tears from her face, though a few still trickled down slowly.
"Come on, Abbah's Nu'aymah, this crying is enough. Did someone offend you?" She shook her head, drawing short, ragged sighs. "Then is somewhere hurting you?" Again, she shook her head. “Goodness! Then what is making you cry like this? You, of all people, who are having a love marriage, Nu'aymah? Look around; everyone in this family is in absolute bliss over this marriage of yours. Relatives have arrived from everywhere, and we are all just waiting for tomorrow, God willing. Umm, Hajjo, your father, and all of us—everyone is filled with joy over this blessing. Just a while ago, we spoke with the Groom; they are taking the three o'clock flight from Abuja, and they should be on their way now with his friends. I thought today would be a day of unmeasurable joy for you, Nu'aymah. Hmm?”
She wiped her tears with her hand and, with a trembling voice, said, "Addah, by God, I am just scared." Surprised, Addah asked, "Scared of what, Nu'aymah? Scared of what, exactly? Or did something happen to you that we don't know about?" Again, she shook her head, swallowing her grief and catching her breath.
Addah let out a sigh and shook her head, placing her hand under Nu'aymah’s chin to lift her face. "Look at me, Nu'aymah." Slowly, she raised her large eyes, which had turned completely red and swollen from the heavy crying, and fixed them on Addah. “This crying is enough, daughter. Clear your mind; nothing will happen but good things. Cast away any fear you feel in your heart. Be happy because tomorrow is your day, God willing. Our prayer is that God blesses this union, grants you peace and righteous offspring, and makes this marriage a blessing for our family in this world and the hereafter.”
In her heart, she answered *'Amen'*, but outwardly, she lowered her gaze out of shyness. Noticing this, Addah smiled and playfully pinched her long nose. She said, “Exactly! Hajjo's favorite, get up and get ready. Look, the *Walima* lecture has already started out there, and the bride is missing.”
She only managed a forced smile and stood up as Addah instructed. She had already bathed earlier, so she simply washed her face again and returned to where Addah was waiting. Addah applied light makeup that wouldn't make her uncomfortable, before helping her dress in a pitch-colored ankara skirt and blouse patterned with maroon accents. The outfit fitted her perfectly, accentuating her well-toned body, for Nu'aymah was by no means skinny, nor could she be called chubby, but her body was perfectly rounded with no sign of weight loss despite her very young age. Addah then helped her wear a black cape-like cloak decorated with pitch threads and rhinestones, applied a little perfume, and gave her a pair of black flat shoes to wear, which beautifully complemented her fair feet adorned with striking red and black henna patterns. "Masha Allah, the bride of my son, Abdallah!" Addah praised, making an 'excellent' sign 👌🏼 with her hand. She smiled faintly, bowing her head in bashfulness.
The girl who had been hiding by the window earlier, watching them secretly, wiped the tears she had been crying all this while. Everything Addah and Nu'aymah had discussed happened right before her eyes and ears. She bit her lip so hard it looked as though it would pierce, struggling to suppress the heavy sobs that threatened to burst out violently…
### Part 3: Family Tensions and the Groom's Arrival
Without wasting time, Addah helped Nu'aymah out into the courtyard, where they ran into about five elderly women. With a slightly sharp tone, Hajjo rolled her eyes at them and said, "What are you doing with the bride inside the house that you've failed to bring her out to the *Walima* up until now, Fauza?" Respectfully, Addah replied, “We are sorry, Hajjo. We were just getting her ready, that's why.”
"What preparation again? It's not like she's being taken to her husband's house today. Come on, bring Zainabu along," she said, taking bride Nu'aymah by the hand. Without any objection, Addah let her go with a smile, watching them until they reached near the gate before letting out a deep sigh. She moved to follow them…
Suddenly, someone grabbed her hand. She turned around quickly, but upon seeing who had held her, she chose to stay silent. She looked left and right, and seeing that people were moving about, she hardened her expression and looked at her…
"Oh! Adawiya, is everything alright? Fauza, what did you do to her?" Addah snapped back to reality, pulling her hand away from Adawiya's grip while glaring at her. Then she turned to the speaker with a distressed face. "Umm, look at this daughter of yours. I don't even know what is wrong with them, from her to Nu'aymah. I found them locked up in the room earlier, crying hysterically instead of getting ready. This deep attachment of theirs is starting to frighten me, honestly, and now the one to separate them has arrived..." She finished her words, wiping her tears while looking at Adawiya, who was clinging to Umm, crying as though her heart would break.
The beautiful woman, who bore a striking resemblance to the bride Nu'aymah, smiled gently as she hugged Adawiya tighter to her body, struggling to hold back her own tears that filled her eyes. “This crying is enough, Daughter. Have patience. I promise you, by God's grace, I will do whatever it takes to ensure you follow your sister so you can study together over there, just as you started together, before God blesses you with your own husband so we can celebrate your wedding too.”
Instead of being happy, Adawiya burst into fresh sobs, clinging tighter to Umm.
"Oh Lord, this is enough, daughter. Or do you want to make us cry too, hmm?" Adawiya lifted her head to speak, but Addah quickly cut her off, giving her a subtle glare. “Tell her, Umm! Since she has been told a solution has been found, shouldn't she just be patient? I don't tolerate foolishness anymore. Is this how you're going to encourage Nu'aymah to be happy? Come on, y...”
"No, Addah, that's enough. Please let her be to deal with her emotions. My daughter, let's go get you ready. We will go out to the *Walima* gathering together right after the Asr prayer." Adawiya stole a quick glance at Addah, and seeing the harsh glare she flashed her beneath her brow, she quickly nodded to Umm in agreement. Umm took her hand, leaving Addah behind. Addah watched them leave, a small, satisfied smile playing on her lips…
"Uhhm Fauza! I have been looking for you all over, and here you are." A woman walking toward her said. Addah turned quickly to look at her, then broke into a smile, saying, "Oh! Good heavens, Sister! By God, I completely forgot I left you waiting for me in the kitchen. The children's drama completely distracted me." They both let out a small laugh and left the spot, continuing their conversation.
Outside, the main events of the lecture had not yet commenced, but a female student about the bride's age was reciting in a beautiful, melodious voice, which brought a complete hush over the crowd as they listened intently.
Suddenly, five luxurious cars drove into the street. Despite the crowd, they drove straight through up to the large gate of the mosque premises. Immediately, the attention of most of the people at the *Walima* shifted to the fleet of cars, which parked in a neat, admirable line. Everyone stared intently, waiting to see who would step out…
I myself drew a breath and muttered *'Masha Allah'* as a group of stylish, blooming young men stepped out of the cars. One look was enough to tell they were the groom's friends along with the groom himself. Before I could single out the groom, the most handsome and charismatic among them, meticulously dressed, stepped out of the middle car with his phone pressed to his ear, smiling. He was dressed in a crisp, high-quality maroon Shadda that gleamed elegantly under the light. He flashed a gentle smile, nodding his head as if responding to the caller on the other end, then lowered his phone, slipped it into his pocket, and joined his friends who stood scanning the *Walima* gathering—most of whom were also staring right back at them. Before he could say a word, one of his friends turned to him and said, "Woah, Ab! I think I've already spotted your bride." He gave him a brief glare and looked away as if he wouldn't reply, but then looked back at him, letting out a breath. "You scholars, drop the staring already. Can't you see Baba Malam and the elders are all looking at us too?" They all turned to him together, laughing. The one who had spoken earlier added, "Haha! Step aside, man! Just admit you're jealous because we said we saw your Angel." "You fool, if I'm jealous, is it a crime?" Abdallah replied as he walked right through them and headed forward.
With playful mischief, they followed behind him, laughing softly and teasing, "Look at this eager man! Are you sure you're going to keep the promise you made to Baba Malam to let that little girl finish her studies? Let's hope we don't get a call to the labor room in nine months." Even though he heard them clearly, he didn't fire back; he simply graced his face with a warm, gentle smile that made him look even more handsome…
"Huhm, Nu'aymah! Look at your soulmate approaching like a peacock in the middle of flowers," Iman whispered gently into Nu'aymah's ear, whose head was bowed low, veiled beneath her abaya, completely oblivious to the chatter around her.
She drew a soft sigh and looked up slightly, her eyes landing right on him. She sighed softly, closing her eyes as a wave of serenity washed through her chest. She loved Brother Abdallah deeply, just as she knew he loved her even more than she loved him. Brother Ab was her happiness, her flesh and blood, her peace; he was someone uniquely special to her because he held a threefold position of honor in her life. He was her blood relative—her cousin—her lover since before she even knew herself, and her very first teacher in education. That was why everything about him commanded her utmost respect…
"Hey Baby! That staring is enough, don't eat him up with your eyes," Nanah joked, playfully nudging Nu'aymah's head. For the first time since the day began, Nu'aymah smiled, revealing her bright white teeth. She flashed a playful glare at Nanah and Iman, who were teasing her mischievously. Lowering her head, she muttered, "You troublemakers." They burst into laughter again, while she closed her eyes under the hood of her abaya, feeling immense peace and joy over the safe arrival of her groom after two long years of seeing each other only through phone calls, photos, and video calls.
The arrival of the groom Abdallah and his friends coincided with the call to the Asr prayer, so an announcement was made for the congregation to pray. The men began to stand up, heading to the back of the mosque to perform ablution, while those whose Dhuhr ablution was still valid started filing inside. The women were not left behind; some streamed into the main house, while others went upstairs to the women's section of the mosque.
### Part 4: Adawiya's Ultimatum
The arrival of guests distracted Umm, giving Adawiya the opportunity to slip away quietly toward their block. That section also had a fair number of people, especially now that everyone was coming in to perform the Asr prayer. She slipped into her father's section, where she was certain she wouldn't meet anyone except the immediate family. True to her thoughts, there was no one there, save for a pleasant fragrance that filled the air. She opened the first room in the living area and went inside; it was a large room beautifully furnished with modern amenities. She threw herself onto the bed, letting out a heavy, painful sigh that gave way to violent, bitter sobbing…
Addah, who had just emerged from the bathroom with her face wet from performing ablution, froze at the doorway upon seeing her. Instantly, her eyes flashed with anger, and she snapped, “What kind of foolishness is this that you are displaying before people, Adawiya?!”
Adawiya, who only realized Addah was there just now, rushed forward and threw herself into her arms, bursting into fresh, desperate weeping. “Addah, by God, I love him! If you don't marry him to me, I will die! By God, I will kill myself, Addah! Because I love him more than she does, please help me...”
She broke into hysterical sobbing, slipping down toward the floor, her body shaking violently. Addah stared down at her with a cold, disgusted expression as she collapsed onto the floor. Stepping back, Addah hissed, intending to bypass her and leave. Adawiya quickly sat up and grabbed her leg. “By God, Addah, if you don't marry me to him, I will kill her!!”
Addah recoiled quickly, almost losing her balance, her eyes widening in utter shock as she stared down at Adawiya. With a trembling voice, she asked, “You will kill her, Adawiya?!”
"With these very hands of mine!" Adawiya barked back, her eyes rolling wildly as she lifted her hand, pointing it directly at Addah
