" Yah Allah I am freaking out D,  help me out please,  I  can't do this anymore, tell them I am sorry " Zee rambled.

" Hahhahaha you're  getting married best friend,  it's  perfectly  normal for you to freak out but under  no circumstance will you tell us to call the wedding off" D laughed at Zee's misery.

The long awaited  wedding day is finally  here and everyone  is super excited except one  person  who happens to be the bride. She has been freaking  out for the past two weeks and nothing anyone do or say made her calm down but today 's scenario  is the worst of them  all because she will soon be crowned as Taheer's in a few minutes.

" I swear  Khadijah  I cannot do this,  call Baba and tell him not to tie that knot " she warned still pacing up and down breathing heavily,  her make up almost totally ruined with sweat.

" I am tired  of your over dramatic attitude Zainab!  So am gonna go out and leave you here,  if  you like jump off the roof for all I care "  D bellowed super and totally annoyed.

" No,  please come back,  I am sorry and  I promise never to utter a word, just come back " Zee apologized holding  D's hands restraining  her from going out.

" Idiot,  you want to kill me before my time just because you're freaking getting married "

Khadijah  is not actually angry at Zee for freaking out,  but the wedding brought so many bitter memories she buried deep at the recess  of her mind, the wedding preparations  and everything reminds  her of the harsh reality,  taking her back  to the time when she was as happy and giddy as Zee,  when she was eager to be crowned as Ahmad's and the aftermath.

She knows that Taheer  is nothing  like Ahmad and he will not even dream of treating Zee the same way Ahmad had treated  her,  they are not even similar In any aspect of life because Taheer is born with a silver spoon,  has gone to good schools and has a decent job that tally with his lifestyle.

She is very happy  for the couple  and now that she have kaybee whom she talk and chat with everyday  confuse her.  She detest the idea of the twins having a step father and Afreen to have her as a step mother.  She likes kaybee more than she can ever admit but something  is holding  her back and for the life of her she cannot point out what that is.

" Alhamdulillah  I am finally Mrs Zainab Taheer, rightfully  and legally  his!  From now till jannah in shaa Allah " Zee squealed happily,  bringing D back to the present. It was obvious  that Taheer  just texted her after the knot is tied.

If she hadn't  seen Zee for the past weeks and especially  a few moments back  freaking out about the idea of getting married,  she can swear that the super excited lady standing right  in front of her with  eyes glinting with tears of happiness and a wide smile is not Zainab but her doppelganger.

" Mabrook habibty, barakallahu lakuma wa barakah alaikuma wa jama'a bainakuma  fi khair,  I am so happy for you I feel like this is the best day of my life " D hugged Zee with so much excitement .

" Thank you! " and then the flood gates opened.

" Shush Besty,  you are not supposed  to cry but pray that Allah will make your home filled with love and everlasting  happiness,  this is not the time to cry but to pray and thank Allah " D consoled .

Lots of people  especially  Zee's aunts came in yodelling and teasing the bride,  congratulating her for completing half of her deen and wishing her the best in her marital home.

Hey beautiful!  I wish I will be there  to see how pretty you will  look but unfortunately  we are miles away. 
Can't  wait for our day tho,  and Mabrook  to the new couple  in town- the man of your  dreams.

Khadijah  didn't  know when and how she broke into a beautiful smile,  his messages  no matter how cocky  or unromantic always make her smile  and sometimes she used to wonder  whether  what she felt for Ahmad was love,  this feeling is alien to her, how can she feel giddy and excited over things  so normal?  But then it's  Kaybee we are talking about and he can make her feel or do unimaginable  things without  thinking twice.

Zee has been busy with  relatives and friends that came for the nikkah,  the next day will be the walimah day. Yodels were heard from outside indicating  that the groom and his entourage have come for the photoshoot  and the poor bride  is no where  near presentable for the shoot.

" Allahu yahdiki Zee!  What kind of a bride  are you for Allah's sake? See how much you've ruined the earlier  make up  and now we have to do it all over again!  Heck I don't even know how to apply any of these things " D panicked pointing at the make up kit in front of her.

" Calm  down my cousin sis will doll me up  in no time just go and distract the groom "

" Unfortunately for you and fortunately  for me am here,  to see how my dearest wife  will be dolled up " came Taheer's voice that made them almost shriek out.

" what are you doing here? " Zee asked almost inaudibly .

" To see my wife. Isn't  that obvious? " Taheer retorted giving her one of those looks and D took that  as a cue to leave the two lovebirds by themselves.  How Taheer  managed to move past the people going to and fro in the house  is what baffles her more.

" Khadijah  please help me serve the guests" Zee's mom requested and D got to work in no time but  some comments made by some people  made her sad.  Some whispered not so discreetly hence the reason why she heard most of the things they were saying. Some said that they hope Zee  will not follow her footsteps,  some are of the opinion that she is a bad friend  while others are throwing bad looks her way just because  she is a divorcee.

She almost cried but willed back the tears,  she knows that Allah knows her situation  and He knows what  actually  happened  between Ahmad and her.  But no matter how much she  tries to forget or not feel hurt,  the pain  is still there like a permanent  part of her being.

" Aunty D Aunty  Zee is calling you " that call made her lighten up a bit and she went in Zee's room to be met with  a beautifully  transformed Zee.

" Mashaa Allah  " was all  D uttered unable to stop  smiling.

" Keep the compliments for later love,  now sit down because I will not step out without  you by my side " Zee said dragging  D by the collar of her dress  to a chair.

Zee was dressed in a royal blue gown which accentuated her features,  her make up is not too  heavy and not too light also,  her earrings are  diamond studs with  some glitters,  her shoes are Jimmy  choo's. She looks perfect  just the way a bride is expected  to look on her big day.

" Subhanallah!!  Gaskia  Aminah wipe off that make up,  how can D look prettier  than me? " Zee   complained  after seeing  D.

" Stop being a drama queen bride!  Now if you'll excuse me I will like to change  into presentable clothes " D said twirling a little  with a smile on her face.

They walked  out hand in hand,  D wearing a red flowing gown with  a sweetheart  neck which accentuated  her features and brought out her beauty  and that of her make up.

Lots of wows and mashaa Allah's were heard when they passed  a lot of people,  they indeed look  so take away.

Upon seeing her Taheer 's jaw slacked  and he has to be nudged by his friend to come out of his stance.

" Indeed the Lord Who created such  a beauty and made her my wife  is Great " Taheer  whispered  in Zee's ears when they were about  to take the first shot and she blushed.

" Don't  flatter me too much,  it's  just the make up " she managed to say.

Ahmad was invited to the wedding fatiha by Taheer himself.  Unknown to him Ahmad was late and only got to  the mosque where the nikkah was solemnized  after everyone  left so he was directed to meet the groom and his entourage at the bride's family  house.

He just arrived when he saw her in red,  looking so beautiful  he almost lost his breath and his balance, at that moment he felt a severe urge to hold her close to him and shield her from all the eyes of men roving over her body.

" D come here,  let's snap " Zee called out to D which  made him to subconsciously  walk towards  her .

As D was walking to pose with  Zee and Taheer,  Ahmad was also walking towards them and they almost bump into each other.  D didn't  notice him neither did Zee but Taheer did and before he could say a word the photographer had already clicked  the picture with Zee and D smiling at the camera,  Ahmad looking  intensely  at D and Taheer scowling at Ahmad.

" Delete  that picture " Taheer barked an order to the photographer  visibly annoyed.

" But it is perfect " The photographer protested.

Just then D turned and the smile on her face was replaced with  a pure look of hatred.

" Do as you were told " she repeated  the order to the photographer who nodded.

The  trio looked angry  and ready to pounce which made a lot  of people  sense  that something  is wrong.

" Sweetheart  go inside,  I will soon come in and take the shots with the family " Taheer  calmy stated stirring Zee towards the door which leads to the inner  house.

" Malam thank you for honoring  my invitation but I invited to you my wedding fatiha not reception " Taheer turned to Ahmad  who  is still looking at the door where  D exited from. Air quoting the 'wedding reception '

" Congratulations  my friend,  I wish you the best in your marital life " with a long sigh,  Ahmad managed  to speak.

" Thank you!  You may leave now " Taheer said turning his attention to his other friends " I am sorry you have to see this,  let's go in "

Ahmad  stood there like a statue trying  to decipher what just happened,  if he did not know Taheer  so well,  he would have sworn that he loves Khadijah  due to the way he always comes to her rescue and shield  her from him.

" I am just going to compliment  how good she looks, she is my wife  and you have no right  over her " he muttered bitterly  before storming out of the house and into his car.

The atmosphere  become tense for the rest of the day.

Loads of pictures were taken with the bride and groom and her  family members including D. Zee refused to take no for an answer whenever  D wanted to bail out of a shot.

Back in Zee's room after much of the guests that are not going  to spend the night in Zee's house dispersed  Khadijah yawned with a tired sigh aching all over.

" sannu qawalli, that's exactly how tired I felt on your wedding, believe  me when I tell you that I feel the same way and worse right  now.  Nobody told me that weddings are this hectic I would have said... " her rant was cut off by the sound of her ringtone, it was Taheer  no doubt and the shameless bride forgot about all her woes and how tired she was by picking the call and snuggling into the blanket clutching a throw pillow at the far end of her bed.

" The only thing  you can do is make mouth  without  any action,  why don't you complete  the sentence?  Shameless  bride" D muttered  throwing a pillow at Zee's direction.

Knowing that she will not  get any answer,  she stripped and went into the bathroom to take a shower. About ten minutes later she came out freshly showered and her limbs  a tad bit  less achy.

" Ya  kaybee "  Zee pantomimed still on phone with  her hubby.

She dressed in her pj's before finally taking her phone from the bedside  drawer  and snuggling  into the blanket  the same way Zee did.

" I know you're  tired but  I just have to hear your voice for the sake of my sanity." Is what  came out of kaybee 's mouth the moment  he picked the call.

" Assalamu alaikum to you too " D said sarcastically  trying to tamp down her laugh.

" Wa'alaikissalam  ya masoyiya!  I am sorry for not  saying the Salam,  it is not my fault tho,  it's  the things  your love do to me that makes me go gaga" 

" How was your day?  Have you eaten?? ” D asked her usual questions  whenever  they talk in the evening.

" Alhamdulillah,  but I terribly  missed you during  the day,  I can't wait to have you all to myself,  I will resign  from work,  sit at home and just watch you all day long " Kaybee replied  with a whiny voice like a three year old.

" Abba!! " D chastised.

" Mamie!!! " he mimicked her voice and they all burst out laughing at the same time.

They kept talking  and teasing each other,  with kaybee doing 70% of the talking. D never  knew that he is this carefree and playful. She just pray that their  relationship  will work.

She was so immersed in the new world kaybee introduced  her to that she didn't  know when Zee got off her phone  call,  showered and joined her in bed listening keenly to their conversation.

" Juliet  manja! " Zee exclaimed  the moment D dropped the phone.

" What? " D innocently asked.

" So you can talk and laugh like this?  Lord of mercy,  Khadijah Aliyu!!  What has Kabeer Yousouf Naseer done to my best  friend? " she over dramatically  gesticulated with  her hands.

" Ask Google am Sure you'll get your answer,  shift abeg I want to sleep not listen  to your drama" D said shoving Zee aside and  propping  up her pillow.

" Hmm  whatever is cooking is a delicious  and super duper dish,  so all I can say for now is Allah  kaimu time din wedding so that we will witness one hell of a romantic couple " Zee whispered in D's ears who was pretending to be asleep and she said Amin in her mind before  saying her sleeping azhkars the thought  of a certain  someone in another  continent in her mind until  she drifted into a peaceful slumber.

The walimah  was lit  with lots of people  in attendance. The invited Malam  discussed on the right  of spouses  over each other and their duties,  he urged  the wife to be obedient  to her husband,  to respect  his family members  and raise his children in a manner  dictated in Islam.

He gave her a lot  of tips on how to win the heart of her husband without  resorting  to using charms.

The virtues of reciting  the Quran  and praying on time,  the advantage  of always praying to Allah  for peace and love  in her home.

" some women only pray to Allah  when things  are not going right,  which is  a grievous omission on their part,  you should  ask Allah  for a peaceful home even before  you get married,  after you got married  when things are honky dory and when things have gone  wrong. Pray, pray and  always pray  and be steadfast in your salah,  azhkars and recitation  of  the holy Quran,  make your home an atmosphere  of peace,  make it feel like  home and make your  husband  eager to come home to you " the Malam had said.

He also advised the bride to dress up for her husband  In clothes that he will find alluring,  to be his companion in everything,  to support  him and be his shoulder to cry on. To watch TV  with him,  to cook and do laundry together,  all those, he had said make them closer  and the heart fonder  whenever either is not around.

Some Islamic books,  cin cin,  happy hour drink,  a tasbaha and a jotter and pen were given out as souvenir for the walimah. Everyone  left the place praying for the couple and asking God to put  barakah in their home.

Later that night,  Zainab was taken to her father 's wing where her mother,  father,  aunts and uncles were seated to advice her before she's conveyed to her new home in Sharadah Estate.

Zee cried like she's never going  to see her parents again and she took all their admonishments to heart,  with a firm resolve that she will try her best to never let them down and to make her home a happy  one.

Her paternal grandmother and some older women from the family accompanied her to her husband's house,  left to her she will love  for D to be with her but she had left already.

They made a detour to her in laws house where she was introduced  to Taheer's extended  family. Her mother in law also advised and blessed  her and urge her to be a good daughter in law to the family,  she told her that she considers  her as her biological  daughter and whenever  she have a problem  or in need of something  she should not feel shy to come to her.

Zee assured  her mother in law that in shaa Allah  she will be a doting daughter  in law,and they left to her house.

She met D and the rest of her friends waiting  for her and after the customary siyan baki  it was  time for D and the rest to leave  the bride and groom to themselves.

Zee clung to D like her life depended on D staying behind with her,  D had no intention of crying but her resolve waivers and she cried and hugged Zee with the same fierceness.

" You will be fine dear,  Allah  is with you,  I am a phone call away and your husband is here  too " D said in a soothing manner.

" I  don't  think I can do this  D am so scared " Zee squeaked out.

"I am also scared honey,  but in shaa Allah  we will make us work " Taheer said  breaking their hug and holding  his bride to his chest.

After one final goodbye and some more tears,  D finally left with Taheer's close friend who was tasked with  the duty of taking her safely back home to her babies and parents  whom she missed so much.

°•°

Finally our favorite character got  hitched. HML habibty Zee we love you so much  and wish you the very best in your new home.

No author's  rants today,  now am off to read sources and types of rights😉