Early morning of the next day, Khadijah woke up with a terrible headache and a feeling of dread embraced her being. She felt like saying no to the wedding, the way she feel is nowhere near wedding jitters, she had thought that she will be able to forget about the terrible things that happened to her when she married Ahmad but she was wrong because the  nightmare she lived through came hunting her on her wedding day .

" Sannu Deejan ! Please take this pain reliever before people start coming, mommy and some of Kaybee's relations from Daddy's side are on their way ."  Ummie offered D with a cup of water passing her the pills which she gulped down knowing that no amount of pills will set right what she's feeling .

" Can you please postpone the wedding Ummie ?" She pleaded with her mother and the woman almost lost her balance .

" Are you out of your mind Khadijah? " she shrieked not wanting to  believe what she just heard from her daughter.

" Allah am in my senses Ummie it is just that I have come to the realisation that I can't do this anymore . He will also rape me , all men are rapists " she sobbed out .

" Inna lillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun!!! Deejan Kaybee is not like Ahmad ,not all men are like Ahmad please don't let your fear come in the way of your happiness . I know that you must have this type of thoughts but that should not stop you from getting married. Pray as you always do and in shaa Allah nothing bad will happen to you my dear " Ummie consoled D , rubbing smooth circles on her back and holding her tears at bay .

Indeed Ahmad had cheated them and now all her optimism against Khadijah's marriage waivers .How can a marriage work where the wife will flinch whenever her husband come close to her ? And for how long will kaybee put off with that attitude ?

" Deejan please don't do this to yourself and us .This will shatter the happiness of a lot of people " Ummie pleaded getting up to open the door .

Khadijah lay on her bed motion less , a whirl of thoughts in her head, thinking of everything and nothing and shedding hot tears. The sound of her ringtone brought her back to the real world and upon seeing the caller ID she rejected the call and switched off the phone at once .

Kaybee got worried and dialled Ummie's number after an hour and still Khadijah's phone is off .

"Assalamu alaikum Ummie good morning, how is everything? " he asked suddenly feeling nervous .

" Wa'alaikassalam Ango how are you? I heard that you're already here,excited Much ?" She tried to tease him in order to hide the edge to her voice .

" Uhm Ummie please if you don't mind I want to speak with D ,her phone is off and it is very important " he stated .

Ummie was at a loss as to what to tell Kaybee, knowing that she can't lie that neither she nor D is at home she decided to hand over the phone to a curled up D whose body is burning with fever .

" Here,it is kaybee and don't try something stupid " Ummie whispered to D and she left the room to give them some privacy .

" Angel are you okay? " Kaybee's voice sounded alarmed

" I am fine "she croaked out her voice sounding hoarse .

" Subhanallah !!! D have you been crying ? Why  ? What happened?? Are you having second thoughts ?" He asked
freaking  out .

" I am fine Ya Kaybee " she deadpanned sounding annoyed .

" Please D don't do this to us, aswear I am not like him, I will never hurt you intentionally please Khadija don't shatter our dreams because of your past, I have a past too and I have taken what happened as a test from Allah and the moment I met you I am certain that you'll be the one that will wipe away my tears and heal my wounds.

I never thought I will ever fall in love ever again but you changed me, you stole my heart without my permission but I am glad that you do. Allah will not let you suffer twice because you've suffered enough D, even if you suffer you should have faith that it is a test and Allah test His servants in order to increase them in faith and make them strong. I know it  is  hard but  please D do this for your happiness  and I promise  you that in  shaa Allah I will make you the happiest "
Kaybee pointed  out.

" I am not going back on my words,  go and attend to your guests, see you later " she cut him off and before  he could reply she cut the call and continued sobbing cursing the day she met Ahmad. Images of their first night trying to compromise  her sanity.

Around 10am mommy and her entourage arrived and yodels were heard  from the entrance of the house. Aneesah ran excitedly  into D's room first and found her curled up like a cat pretending to be asleep.

"What type of bride sleeps two hours to her wedding?" Aneesah shrieked out shaking D's curled form. D refused to budge.

"I know that you're  awake girl and I swear if you don't wake up right this instance I will pour water on you " she threatened  again which made D abruptly  get up and Aneesah  started laughing hard.

" Hello dearest newest  bride in town "

Aneesah gave D a long scrutinizing look and frowned  her face " What happened D have you been crying? " she asked concerned  laced in her voice and D burst into another set of tears hugging Aneesah.

" Yaya Aneesah please  promise me that Ya kaybee will never  force  himself  on me " she sobbed.

Aneesah's heart went out to Khadijah,  she was never  raped before but she knows that what D is feeling is justifiable.

" In shaa Allah I promise  you that Ya kaybee will never  force himself on you. He is too kind to do that and he loves you so much,  " just then Zee came into the room bustling with  excitement  but it died  down the moment she saw D.

" Innalillahi wa  inna ilaihi rajiun !  Yaya Aneesah what is wrong with D don't tell me she is thinking  about what that idiot did to her and fearing that Ya Kaybee will do same? " Zee worriedly  exclaimed.

" Something of that nature " replied Aneesah.

Zee dropped  the different  shopping bags she was holding and sat near D. Aneesah and her  putting  her between them and held her shoulders with her hands.

" Khadijah  Aliyu!!!  Don't be so stupid  to think that every  man is like  that animal. Chill my dear all will be well in shaa Allah  and soon you'll be thanking  everyone that makes your marriage to your Abba a success. Oya get up and take a bath the make-up  artiste is on her  way " Zee chided and D shakes her head feeling like it will explode.

" Get me some food first, and a panadol before I can do anything " She demanded and zee mock saluted.

After advising and consoling her more,  Aneesah left to greet Ummie  because she came directly  to D's room upon her arrival.

Kaybee  kept pacing up and down in the hotel room he lodged into. His close friend Abdul kept telling him to Calm  down  but he couldn't even decipher the things his friend  is telling him. His life will come  to an end the moment D says no  to marrying  him. All the sweet moments he had been  conjuring  in his mind after their wedding  are shattered. It is now that he realised  his biggest challenge is to make khadijah  trust him and open  up to him. He forgot  that he already have D's heart but to have a physical  relationship  with her he has to fight for that and be patient  with her. He wish he can meet  that Ahmad and do something drastic to him because  he is the cause of all the things that are  happening. There and then the vowed  to be patient  with  D and never ever force  her to do what she don't  want to even if it will hurt him,  even if it will kill him and even if  it will take the rest of his life to do that he will wait.
  

**

The bride is beautifully dressed in an all white wedding gown,  she looks so pretty it  brought tears to Ummie's eyes but one look at her you will know that she is disturbed and faking all the smiles. Aneesah clicked  some pictures of the bride and sent them to Kaybee whose reply came instantly  saying  that Aneesah  should please spare him his sanity because he might go gaga and instead of saying  he will marry D he might  say no without  realizing  his mistake. Aneesah laughed at that and sent him a wink emoji.

" Mashaa Allah my sweet D is looking so take away I feel like the luckiest  mother in law on earth " mommy cooed which makes D blush.

" See this old woman, I am still your daughter don't in law zone me " D teased while the rest laughed admiring the way mommy and D relate.

" Is that so?  I know what to do with you " mommy said adjusting D's veil and spraying a sweet scented perfume on her.

" Are we having an indoor budan kai? I  am allergic to this type of perfume " D whined which earned her a playful glare from Ummie .

" Call it whatever,  Ohh really??  Allergy my foot!  Even your husband  can't stop me because I am the boss" mommy said with a chuckle.

D's heart started beating  fast feeling like it will burst out of her chest at the exact moment her marriage was solemnized in one of the juma'at mosques in town . A minute later , Aneesah showed her a message from Kaybee .

Tell my wife that I am now all hers for the rest of our lives and plead with  her to switch on  her phone because I am dying to tell  her  something. I am the happiest  man breathing right now.

D suddenly  felt shy at the suggestive look Aneesah was giving her while her majesty Zee came in with D's phone already ringing giving her a look that dared her not to pick the  call. Before she could collect the phone mommy hugged her tight saying Alhamdulillah  it Is official barakallahu  lakuma wa barakah alaikuma wa jama'ana fi khair.  Then some of the relatives start yodelling and it became chaotic. Just then D remembered that she haven't seen the twins neither Afreen whom she is sure  have come along with  mommy and Aneesah but she was told that they are with Afreen's nanny who also came for the wedding .

Kaybee almost cried out in frustration feeling like flying  to carry his wife and shield her against all the people preventing him from talking to her,  just two minutes  is what he asked of but it seems like it is impossible .

"Abdul you people should head to the reception  venue first. I will meet you there " He instructed Abdul and the rest
Fishing out his car keys he opened his car and speedily drove to D's house which is filled with  mostly relatives.

" Ga ango ga ango ( here comes  the groom) " chirped an elderly woman  who  is Ummie and Mommy's paternal cousin.

Scratching his head in shame,  Kaybee exchanged some pleasantries  with the woman and headed straight to Baba's room where Zee assured him she will bring D to meet him. He hadn't thought of how inappropriate  it is for him to meet in her father's  room because his sense of judgement is clouded by the uncontrollable  urge to see his wife and know how she is faring.

" Assalamu alaikum  " his perfume announced his presence before he did.

"Wa'alaikassalam  " she answered his greetings lowly  suddenly feeling suffocated ,  fearing that now that they are one he will try to touch her.

" How are you angel? " he asked with  so much love and care D's heart almost burst  with  happiness and deep within her she knows that the things she told him earlier and her reaction are somewhat rude.

" Congratulations ! " they said at the same time which made Kaybee chuckled his nervousness dissipating into air.

" Thank you wifey,  won't you show your essence to hubby?  Seeing the picture of you earlier  almost made me die of gratitude to the Almighty for making you mine. You look so beautiful  Mashaa Allah " he complimented hoping that she will raise her head for him to see her glamed up face .

" Thank you!  You don't look bad yourself " she replied and he sat on the carpet giving  her the personal space he knows she craves for even though deep inside all he wanted to do is gather her in his arms and never let go till their heart beats blend  into one and the same thing.

" Are you okay now angel?  Do you trust me enough to go home with  me tonight? I promise you that I won't  touch you until you tell me to and in shaa Allah  I will remove your fear but you have to cooperate with me kinji? " he was cut off by the sound of his phone,  his friends  and everyone  are waiting for him at the reception .

" I have to go angel,  just wanted to make sure you're okay but please think over what  I just told you " he said going closer  to her and offering her his hands.

She almost ran out of the room but the look in his eyes assured her that she is safe with  him and without  wasting time she offered  him hers and he held her up shaking her hands in the process.  If only she knew the things he wants to do to her right that instance .

" Goodbye love,  till  I come  back. I love you " he said and swiftly kissed her forehead. Before she could  comprehend what was going on he left leaving her with  a fast beating heart and a creepy smile.

She touched the exact place he kissed and thought  to herself that it is the sweetest gesture coming from him. Trusting him won't be that hard because as she had promised Zee and Yaya Aneesah  she will try her maximum best to overcome  her fears.

Kaybee on the other hand  is scared that what he did will shatter everything and turn them to square one.

His mind is nowhere near what's happening  in the  reception  and his jaw hurts from smiling too much at both acquaintances  and strangers that graced  the happiest day of his life.  He saw a silhouette  of a man passing through  the crowd looking  dangerous and like someone he had  never seen before.  The type of people that are not supposed to be seen anywhere  near a gentleman's wedding reception.

It was past 4pm when the crowd started to disperse and the huge rugged looking man squeezed his way through the crowd aiming to reach where Kaybee was conversing and laughing with his friends .

" Assalamu alaikum " he greeted

" Wa'alaikassalam " they all chorused back in answer with curiosity as to who the guy is marring their features .

" Congratulations on your wedding, wish you all the best but if you don't mind I will like to speak with you in private " the huge man said while after a lot of contemplation Kaybee excused himself and dragged the man to a less crowdy space away from the earshot of his friends but within their view .

" I was sent here to kidnap you by Nihal but seeing how happy and good you and your people are I just can't do it plus Nihal didn't perform  her end of the bargain of paying me in full which shows that she is not that desperate to kidnap you " he explained to kaybee who was rendered motionless out of shock .

So she meant every word she said when she threatened him and she can stoop this low to see that she spoils everything for him not knowing that the One who Created him will never let anything bad happen to him unless if it was written in his destiny .

With a heavy sigh Kaybee looked at the huge scary man and gulped down something bitter " thank you so much and may Allah guide you aright"

" I work for money dude , when she pay me off I can come back but she's sly and deceptive and I don't  like working with people like her " with that being said the man sauntered off and left leaving a shaken Kaybee staring at his retreating figure thinking of ways to make Nihal suffer .

His only relief is that she didn't go near his angel, but who knows what her next plan of action will be considering what she almost did to him ?

He didn't tell anyone what transpired between him and the huge guy and pretended to be listening to their banter while his mind is somewhere else .Not able to overcome his fear, he dialled D's number and thankfully she picked when it almost went into voicemail.

" Angel  are you okay? Is everything fine ? Is there anyone whom you did not know right there in the house ?" He asked with so much fright in his voice.

" Yahsalam! Ya kaybee I am fine and everything is okay and there is nothing fishy around here I promise .Don't tell me you're already becoming an over protective husband " she chuckled while he sighed in relief .

" Take care , I will come pick you after maghrib in shaa Allah and please be alert "

D shook her head in amusement , wondering what Kaybee is up to while she turned her attention to what she was doing before his call came through .

***

Lying in bed feeling much better, Ahmad stared at the ceiling,thinking of how his life had gone from everything to nothing, what pains him more is the fact that D is now branded as someone else's who is not  him and Taheer even have the guts to tell him he is taking the day off for the wedding .If only he knew what he has planned he won't even have boasted  about going to the wedding and all sorts of crap about D getting happiness in her new home, since she is not his, he will definitely make sure that she is not happy with anyone else.

With a wicked smile he started drafting a text message to a number .

Hauwa haven't seen nor heard about Ahmad upon her arrival two days back and she told herself not to get worked up . He probably went out of town to chill and come back though she knows that he has no money, her only fear is that he is not going to leave her because she has gotten so used to using him in any manner she wanted .

With a huff of air she dialled his number but he didn't pick .She kept dialling his number for the rest of the day but no answer which only indicates one thing : Ahmad has grown horns and she will stop at nothing to cut them off.

°•°

I hope you like it ? BE slowly coming to an end ...five or more chapters to go depending on your votes and comments .