CHAPTER 10: WEDDING

SIX YEARS LATER

The unfriendly hot air of June hit hilwa's face as soon as she stepped out of the nile university building. Putting her hand over her forehead, to cover her eyes from the fiery sun, she took gentle steps to her car, a red Volkswagen beetle.

She had unlocked it and was just about to enter when she heard someone calling her name.

"Rahma!" Hilwa grinned at the pretty woman before they enveloped each other into a hug.

Once they pulled away, rahma asked "How are you? Haven't seen you around since last week"

"Oh yeah, I'm just so so busy lately with my sister's wedding preparations and stuff, today is the henna day and dinner, the first event is starting by 4pm..." She briefly checked her wristwatch "And its 3:46pm already but here i am still in school" She sighed wearily.

"Oh sweetheart, you look so worn out, i pity you. Wedding is no joke."

They both chuckled.

"Well just wanted to say hi, you should get going you're late already" Rahma said, grinning at her.

"Alright, thank you" They hugged again before Hilwa got into her car and zoomed off.

Sliding into the mansion, she let out a heavy sigh seeing how the parking space was almost thronged with cars owned by the wedding guests and relatives.

She parked, got out of the car and locked it before walking into the house through daddy's main parlor to stay away from the guests.

"Hilwa!" Feenah exclaimed, startling her "You're just coming back?"

Hilwa gave her an apologetic look and mouthed a 'sorry'

"Look! My henna is already done everybody is at the backyard, the event has just started. And guess what? The tailor has brought your clothes already. So, you just have to go up, get yourself ready then come down and let the henna lady design your hands"

Hilwa pouted her small lips "I'm so sleepy"

Feenah glared at her "You can sleep later after the dinner event, i know you're really tired but your sleep has to go now"

"Well.. What can i do?" Hilwa faked a sniff.

"Don't be such a baby sis" Feenah reprimanded pushing her slightly towards the staircase.

Hilwa helplessly went up into their room, which was entirely changed, now more exquisite with a sense of maturity.

She dropped her bag on the beanbag, removed her head tie and jumped on the bed, releasing a weary sigh. Suddenly, her phone ringtone made her jerk up and she suddenly realized that she'd begun to doze off on the bed and it was pass asr time. Thank God she was off salah.

"Oh cheeses! Feenah is going to kill me" She muttered and grabbed her phone in a hurry. But seeing the caller made her stop as her eyes suddenly brightened up.

"Amirooo" She called through the phone enthusiastically.

"Fine girl, Whats up?" Amir's matured voice filled her ears

"Nothing much, how are you? How's Istanbul and school?" She asked with a wide grin.

"All good Alhamdulillah, and yourself?"

"I'm good just that I'm still so busy with Ya Basma's wedding. Sorry I haven't returned your calls yesterday" Her hand reached up to her head and felt the multitude of her tiny braids that cascaded down her shoulders.

"No no its okay, just wanted to tell you something but I'm going to leave it as a surprise now"

"Aw! But you know i hate surprises, is it a mind blowing one?" She asked, biting her lower lip.

"Yap! It is, so you better brace yourself darling" He chuckled softly.

"Arghhh! I hate you" She cried "Amiroo i have to go, have to get my hands designed"

"Ahh alright then, bye don't forget to send pictures"

"I won't" She said and hung up before he'd the chance to utter a word.

She laughed and shoved the phone on the bed. Amir had somehow become a part of her. The strong friendship bond between them was something she would always cherish. It was special, unique in its own way. He'd always be there for her when her spirits need a little lift. He was literally like her best friend or better still, her brother with a fun filled personality. And she prayed that, with each passing day, in shaa Allah, that bond will continue to grow.

She stripped off her clothes, wrapped a towel around her petite frame and jumped into shower.

Once she got out, she rubbed her body with a lotion and some oils which gave light touch of fragrance all over her. Makeup was not her thing so she simply rubbed a powder over her face, lined her eyes with kohl and smeared a lip gloss across her lips. She effortlessly looked prettier with the little makeup she applied.

She brought out her atamfa/aseobi which was stylishly sewn into a straight gown, decorated with the atamfa patterns and black stones.

Even though, she knew men weren't allowed in the event, she still didn't like how the dress fitted her ample bosom and curves. She quickly took a veil that matched her gown and sauntered out.

Descending down the stairs trying to put on her dangling earring, her foot almost missed a step but thankfully she was quick to grip on the rail.

She sighed thanking God for saving her from breaking her bones. Standing straight, she let out gasp as she quickly placed a hand on her chest.

He always appears unexpectedly.

Major. Na'im bunza stood at the foot of the stairs, wearing his uniform that fitted his body so well that instantly made hilwa wonder if she'd ever seen a Nigerian soldier in all her 20years that looked this dashing. It was a sight to behold. His body had boarded and his full beard was shaved. It was now a stubble that balanced his face. Perfectly perfect, hilwa thought to herself.

"Why are you staring at me like you've seen a ghost?" He said, jolting her out of her reverie.

"Ina wuni?" She quickly greeted, dropping her gaze.

"Lafia lau, how's the wedding going?"

"Good Alhamdulillah, nobody knew you were coming back today" She stated, still avoiding his intense gaze.

He buried his hands into his camo pants, "Oh yeah, actually i have just been transferred here from Lagos"

"Oh nice" She nodded but deep deep down she really wasn't that glad. Well, the pesky guy was back, nobody would be glad.

"Aren't you heading to the backyard?" He scrunched an eyebrow.

"Oh yeah, bye" She got down the stairs and headed out through the backdoor.

The backyard was decorated beautifully with bedouin tents in a traditional setting. Guests, friends and family were all there, either swaying on the dance floor, chatting or getting their hands designed by the many henna ladies.

As she walked further into the open place, she felt like digging a hole and hiding in there, because of all the eyes that pinned on her. First of all, she hated weddings. Secondly, she hated noise and thirdly, she hated to be the center of attention, it makes her feel super edgy.

"Hey girl!" Feenah suddenly appeared like a ghost and hilwa couldn't be more grateful.

"OMG! I'm so nervous" Hilwa uttered through gritted teeth as she hooked her arm with Feenah's.

"Why? You look pretty.. as always" Feenah giggled.

"Can i go back? I feel.... God! Why is everybody staring?"

"Because you look pretty and don't even think about going back, I ain't gonna let you do that." Feenah gave her a pointed look making Hilwa's shoulders to slump in defeat.

"Come, you should greet Yameena and Yamamma (Aunty's younger and elder sister)" Feenah literally dragged her to where Yameena, Ya mamma, aunty, some elders and middle-aged ladies sat under a tent.

"Salam alaikum, ina wunin ku?" She hunkered down, with her head ducked down.

"Lafia lau" Came the answer of the ladies that cared to reply her greeting.

"Kina lafia? Hilwa ko?" Yameena asked, with a sweet smile, placing a hand on her shoulder.

Hilwa nodded.

"Mashaa Allah, beautiful name for a pretty girl, why haven't you done your henna? Oya go and get it done now as you can you see magrib is approaching, and the henna would look so beautiful on your fair skin"

"Okay Yameena" Hilwa smiled and got up from her squatting position.

Before she turned, she heard some of the ladies whispers.

"Tirqashi, sa'adiya why would you let that girl stay in your house?" A voice, which hilwa was very sure belonged to Yamamma, said.

"Hmm ni what bothers me is how she's even prettier than all her daughters ma"

"Now that i want to hook up my daughter, Reema, with that her husband's son, how would he notice her when there's this girl in the house?" Came Yamamma's voice again.

"Allah dai ya kyauta, shine kawai"

Hilwa gulped and briefly glanced at feenah "Did you hear all that?"

"Always turn a deaf ear to silly remarks" Feenah said and grinned "I told you, you're pretty"

Hilwa shook her head at her as they proceeded to the bride's tent.

"Hello hilwa, why are you just coming?" Basma said with a wave of her beautiful henna-ed hand. She looked radiant.

"I came back from school late and was super tired, had to literally drag myself out of the bed" Hilwa smiled apologetically "Mashaa Allah, your henna look so beautiful"

"Awwn! Thanks much, meet my friends"

"Hey"  Some of the friends waved and Hilwa waved back before making herself comfortable on a cushion in front of the henna lady.

Beside her was a girl she knew but couldn't call her name to mind.

"Aunty...?" The lady said with a little smirk.

And then it clicked like a lightbulb, it was the lady from the ice cream shop 6years back.

"Stranger?" Hilwa quickly said.

"Don't call me that" She scowled, and turned to her friends.

Hilwa suppressed a giggle.

The henna lady began to design her hands as the event and all the jollification activities continued.

Xxxx

"Hilwa imma pounce on you if you don't get out of that bed right this minute" Feenah threatened as she walked into their room, decked out in her navy blue lace dress with trim of pearls and sequins. Her makeup was on point.

Hilwa ate up her last cookie and dusted her hand "You know I can't do anything when I'm hungry right?" She groaned, lightly scratching her nose with a finger.

Feenah gasped overly dramatically "Are you crazy? Do you want to ruin your makeup? Stop scratching your nose"

"I won't, come and beat me" Hilwa stuck out her tongue.

"You should thank God I'm already dressed I would've done just that" Feenah narrowed her eyes at her, arms akimbo, "Now please get up and wear your dress, the bride is already down o, the DJ needs me so i have to leave right now, I won't wait for you o"

"Okay Ma" Hilwa rolled her eyes "You look beautiful by the way, make sure you steal a heart and get our in law from there, lets have another wedding in a few months"

"Hilwa!" Feenah gasped "I'm going to kick your a** I'm not getting married now"

"Ha! As big as you are, we shall see dai, you can say that when we see you disturbing daddy to fix the date."

"Your wedding date with amiroo, huh?" Feenah winked.

Now, It was hilwa's turn to gasp, "You are not serious"

"You two can keep deceiving yourselves" Feenah laughed, clapping her hands.

Hilwa stomped her foot and dragged feenah to the door, "Please you should get going, the DJ needs you there."

Feenah laughed, winked one more time before she sashayed out.

Hilwa smiled as she closed the door shut. Does she really feel something towards Amir? she asked herself.

"No, No, No thats absolutely crazy, we are just friends, he's probably going to get married to someone more beautiful and everything which I don't have immediately he finishes his masters" She said, waving her hands in the air.

Then suddenly she remembered his endless massages begging her to send her makeup picture. She took her phone and took a quick selfie with a pout of her lips before sending it to him.

His message immediately came through.

'Nahhh, is this even legal? 😍😍 definitely the hottest girl in the wedding'

She chuckled softly and shook her head, before dropping the phone on the vanity table. Funny and amazing how everything about herself changed in just a few years. From the way her beauty had enhanced, to the way she was more civilized and how she'd even grown as a person. So many changes and blessings.

She quickly slipped into her dress which was exactly like feenah's, wrapped her headgear, clamped her accessories, wore her pumps, shoved her necessity items into her clutch and tootled out.

When she got downstairs, she saw Layla and a skinny girl, probably around layla's age. Layla was wearing the same lace as theirs but her style was different. Hers was an eggplant dress, she refused to do the same as theirs, claiming that they didn't have a good taste in Fashion. But hilwa knew she just wouldn't do it because of her chunky figure.

"Reema look at her" Layla whispered to the girl, loud enough for hilwa to hear her.

Oh she was Reema, Yamamma's daughter? Hilwa thought.

"Su hilwa manya kenan" Layla said and clapped her hand with reema's in a mockery way.

Oh, How childish!

Taking in a deep breath, she held her head up and continued her way out of the house. And then she suddenly realized that they were the only people in the house, everywhere was utterly silent.

Not a minute later, the girls walked pass her still giggling and got into layla's black Honda hybrid before zooming off.

She sighed. Now, she'd to go up and get her car keys.

Great! Just absolutely great!

She was about to get into the house when she sighted Na'im ambling out of his quarter.

He furrowed his brows when he saw a lady standing outside the front door. He thought he was the only one left.

He walked to where she stood fastening his cufflinks. His subtle, manly and clean cologne immediately invaded her nostrils. And her soft flowery scent did the same to him.

"Oh!" He said, once her face appeared clearly, "You again!"

"Ahh yeah" She said awkwardly.

"Aren't you going there?"

"I am, came down and realized everybody's gone, i have to go up and get my keys now" She explained, low-key checking him out.

He wore a black caftan with a golden embroidery around the neck and a matching zanna bukar cap, which was marvelously perched on his head. For a moment, she started to think of the look that fitted him better between this or the uniform. But then, she concluded that, he slayed both.

"Don't worry, I'm also heading there, let's go"

She reluctantly nodded, "Okay"

He stared at her for a brief second and saw how she changed with the makeup. She still looked beautiful or even more...

Wait! Wait! Whats wrong with him? He barely checks a girl out and why was he doing it now?

He turned and walked to his car, hilwa following behind.

The car ride was totally awkward. Hilwa felt suffocated... she always felt that around him, oh, she simply couldn't wait for them to arrive to the venue.

And when the finally did, she let out a breath she didn't know she was holding and quickly alighted.

He got out too and again, they walked inside the hall side by side. Hilwa fidgeted with her fingers. Okay! She gulped hard, here comes the nervousness. But what confused her was how virtually everyone had the 'Awwwn' look on their faces as they stared at them.

What was cute?

About four photographers stood in front of them, each trying to get the best shoot.

After what seemed like forever, they finally made it to the tables which only belonged to the bride's family.

"Finally! You're here" Feenah sighed, getting up from her seat, "Come and sit here"

Hilwa sighed too and sat on the seat between feenah and layla.

Feenah looked at her with a humungous grin, "We're going to dance like no tomorrow today, you better get rea..." her phone ringtone made her stop and she quickly rose to her feet, "Ha'an people won't let me rest today, i will be right back" And she disappeared like a light.

Hilwa smiled and turned her attention to the bride and groom. They both looked absolutely dashing and obviously happy. She felt really happy for basma.

"Grand entrance, huh? Seems like someone is now an attention seeker" Layla said with a smirk, playing with her well manicured nails.

Hilwa raised her brows at her.

"If not, why would you come late and with yaya Na'im?" She emphasized.

"We were the only ones left at home so he told me to come with him" Hilwa clarified.

"Awwn! Is it? thought you were chasing him"

Hilwa opened her mouth to shoot but quickly decided against it. She wouldn't want them to make a scene and ruin Ya basma's wedding.

And besides, silence is the best answer to a fool.

Salam my darlings,
How are you all doing? Good in shaa Allah?

Didn't see those years coming huh? Hilwa is now all grown up, yarinyar habuja. Layla is still being a bishhh. And what's actually between hilwa and amir?🙊🙊

Lets find out together.

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MUAH!

Lots of love💕💕

Ruru❤️