I wanna know what love is
I want you to show me
I wanna feel what love is. – The Foreigners                  

Two days later, Zainab found herself clad in a gorgeous lacy turquoise mermaid-style dress that flowed to the ground and pooled around her feet. A blue turban with a gleaning gold brooch was wrapped around her head and a thin veil was pinned on it. Her outfit was complemented by matching accessories. 

She turned away from the mirror and her eyes stopped on Danladi who was on the opposite side of the room. She watched as he donned his navy blue babban Riga and placed the traditional Hausa cap on his head. Her stomach flipped as he looked up and their gazes locked for several minutes. 

He gazed at her with an unreadable expression shimmering in his eyes. 

A sudden knock on the door broke the spell and Zainab whirled to the side. 

"Am I interrupting something?" Rakiah asked with a smile playing on her lips. 

"No, you are not," Zainab mumbled with lowered eyes. 

"It didn't look like it." 

Zainab's face warmed and she shuffled on her feet. 

Rekiah chuckled and stood in front of her.   "That aside; you look exquisite in this outfit." 

"Thank you." Zainab looked at her and smiled. "You look beautiful as well." 

She admired Rekiah's teal one-shoulder dress with a matching shawl wrapped around her shoulders. 

Rekiah grinned and said thank you. She pranced across the room to where Danladi stood wearing his wristwatch. "You look dashing, bro."

"That's nothing new," he remarked with a smirk. 

Rekiah laughed and Zainab rolled her eyes.  

"Don't mind him," Rakiah told Zainab. "He's not as conceited as he tries to portray himself." 

Zainab sent her a slight smile but she wasn't convinced.  

Danladi produced an annoyed sigh and slid his hands into his pockets. "Did you only come to make conversation?"

Rakiah shook her head with twinkling eyes. "I came to call you guys down for your grand entrance. The guests are excited to meet the latest couple in town." She beamed.  

Zainab's shoulders dropped and butterflies danced around in her stomach. Meeting a sea of guests was the last thing she was prepared for.  But a bride couldn't be absent from her wedding reception. 

"We better get it over and done with," he said and sauntered towards the door.  

Zainab pulled up her dress and hurried after him. Rakiah fell into step beside her. Their heels clicked against the marble tiles as they ambled down the stairs to the hall where the guests waited.  

The trio stopped in front of a massive door, made from exquisite materials and radiating grandeur. Danladi did the honours and swung the door open.  

Zainab's breath hitched and a shiver coursed through her.  

"Don't be nervous." Rakiah patted her arm and slipped inside.  

"Please welcome our newlyweds, Mr and Mrs Danladi Yakubu." Danladi's father announced. 

Zainab moved to stand beside Danladi and their arms brushed.  He glanced at her with dark eyes. "Let's go." 

This is it!

Raise your head and straighten your back.  The voice of her communication skills teacher drifted to mind. 

She straightened her back,  raised her head and strutted into the hall, being mindful not to walk faster than Danladi.  

The sounds of clapping deafened her and it took a lot of willpower to stop herself from grimacing. Binta led them to a white loveseat positioned in the middle of the room. Danladi and Zainab took their seats and their legs grazed. Zainab jerked away as heat surged through her limbs. 

She spied a look at him and found him spotting tight lips and clenched jaws. His angst brought some comfort to her. At least she wasn't the only one unhappy about their present situation. 

Her eyes drifted from his face and moved around the room. She took in the stunning decor made up of vibrant colours and elegant floral arrangements. Her eyes surveyed the faces of the guests, subconsciously searching for familiar faces. A smile bloomed on her face as she spotted her family in the middle of a conversation with some of the guests. 

Unable to control her glee, she shot up from her seat and headed straight for Amina.  Sensing her approach, Amina turned around and a smile split across her face.  

The sisters pulled each other into a bone-crushing hug.  Tears gathered in Zainab's eyes as she relished the feeling of holding and being held by her dear ones.  

"Kana lafiya?" Zainab asked as they pulled back. 

"Ina lafiya, Amina smiled. "How are you doing? How's married life?" she smirked. 

Zainab pouted and swatted her arm. "Let's not talk about that."

Amina shrugged with a mischievous sparkle in her eyes. 

"One second." Zainab moved to her other siblings. They embraced each other with a smile. She managed to withhold a grimace when they each congratulated her on her marriage.  

Finally, she came to stand in front of her parents and her stomach squeezed. 

She sent them a smile and bent forward as she greeted them.  

Her mother gazed at her with tear-rimmed eyes and cupped her face.  "How are you, my daughter?"

"I am fine, Uwa," she murmured. 

Her mother whimpered and slowly embraced her.  Zainab's body tensed and for some reason,  she couldn't bring herself to return the hug.  Her mother released her and she moved back. 

Zainab suppressed a sob as she watched disappointment and sorrow cloud her mother's eyes.  

"Where is Uba?" she asked.  

"He's conversing with some investors."

She nodded her head. For her father, business came first. "I guess I will meet him later."

Her mother nodded and patted her wet cheeks. "So how's everything?"

Her eyes dimmed. "Everything's fine. I'm making the most of the situation."

 That's what you taught me. 

Her mother's lips lifted and she squeezed her hand. "I am sure everything will turn out for good."

But what if it doesn't? Zainab wanted to ask but held herself. Her mother probably wouldn't have an answer. She looked away and her eyes landed on the empty loveseat in the middle room.  Where was Danladi? 

Her eyes searched for him and she spotted him talking animatedly to some guys.  Amazement coursed through her as a huge grin bloomed across his face. His eyes danced with glee and his face glowed. She found herself unable to look away until something bumped her. 

"Tsk, tsk, I find it amusing you are ogling your husband whom you dislike." Amina's voice jolted her from her trance. "I believe you might be developing a crush on him." she giggled.  

Zainab faced her with a scowl.  "You are mistaken. I was just surprised he could smile." 

Amina scoffed. "Of course, he can smile. I am sure very soon you would be a recipient of one of his dazzling smiles." she winked.  

Zainab let out a snort. "I won't bet on it."

"Well, I do." Amina grinned. "I sense a budding romance."   

"Keep dreaming." Zainab turned to look at Danladi's father who had mounted the stage and was beginning to speak. 

"I don't think a wedding reception is complete without a few dances. So a round of applause for the new couple as they come to the stage for their first dance."

The room erupted into cheers and sounds of excitement. Zainab sucked in a breath and turned to look at Danladi who wore a look of rage.  

"Come on, guys!" Rakiah pumped a fist in the air. 

Zainab held her breath as Danladi marched to her with narrow eyes. He stretched out his hand. A queasy sensation filled her as she placed her hand in his. He pulled her to the middle of the hall and her breath caught as he laid his hand on her waist. She swallowed and gingerly placed her hands on his shoulders. 

The melodious tunes of I Want to know what love is by Mariah Carey filled the atmosphere. The powerful vocals stirred some unknown emotions in Zainab. 

I wanna know what love is…

I wanna feel what love is… 

The words of the song struck a chord within Zainab and tears stung her eyes as she realized the gravity of her situation. 

As a teenager,  she desired to be wooed by the man of her dreams. She anticipated the experience of falling in love.  

However,  as she swayed in the arms of her husband, she couldn't help but wonder if she would ever know what love is. 

                     ★★★★★

Ooh, I wanna know what love is!

That's the dream of many gals.

But poor Zainab, her dream might not come to pass

Or would it? 🤔

I guess we will find out in the chapters to come. 😉

Until next time,  keep smiling! 😁