Maryam prayed, rested for a while before Fatima; her sister came and called her, that the lady has arrived. She asked her to call her in. The lady came in and they exchanged pleasantries before she asked to change into something that'll make her work easier. She went and changed into a vest and shorts.

Soon they began the treatment. In 45 minutes' time, the lady had finished pampering her skin for the day, though it was very painful. She gave her some liquids(tsumi) and some other traditional stuff to be taking.

"Maryam please don't skip even a day, take them every single day okay? Kodayake we shall meet tomorrow Insha Allah." The lady who is called Mairo said. Maryam smiled and nodded, "Insha Allah I will, thank you." Mairo also thanked her before she packed her stuff and left.

Maryam let out an exhausting sigh and sat on the edge of the bed, "who knew getting married would be so exhausting?" Just then she remembered her husband. She blushed at that. Oh Allah, is she ever going to get used to saying that? My husband, it sounds so weird.

"Oh, Allah he must have called and couldn't get through to me." She frowned as she held her now dead phone. "I hate this stupid phone." She grunted irritably and got up in search of her charger. "That stupid girl must have taken it." She was pissed now. She searched her side drawers, her wardrobe, and even underneath her bed. "Ohhhh...God!" She closed her eyes and slowly inhaled and exhaled in an attempt to calm herself.

Just as she was about to give up, she saw it hanging on the bag rack. "Alhamdulillah." She whispered and quickly took it and plugged the phone.

She went straight to the toilet to take a bath. She washed her hair with a perfumed shampoo that Mairo gave her and also used her strawberry gel to wash off her body. She spent almost like 15mins in the bathroom, before coming out, wrapped in a beige terry cloth bathrobe, and found Aisha laying on her bed.

"Aisha!" She called with a smile as she walked into the room. "Maryam!" Aisha also had a big smile, she was just so happy and excited that Muhammad has gotten married to her. "Or should I say, sister-in-law?" She teased raising her brows. Maryam tossed a pillow at her. "Koba sister-in-law ba."

They both laughed. "How were the exams?" Maryam asked as she opened her side drawer and took out all of her creams. Her normal cream dove, and the perfumed lotions that Mairo gave her. She kept them all on the bed and also sat on there. Aisha sat upright, "it was fine Alhamdulillah. Allah, I hate that I missed everything." She pouted.

Maryam smiled and rubbed the lotion as she watched her vent. "I mean now I'm not even in your wedding pictures, who would have ever imagined that happening." -"Allah this school, Allah dai ya bamu sa'a."

"Amin. But at least you're here now, that's all that matters." Maryam said. Aisha nodded and smiled looking at Maryam. She is still wondering if Maryam got married to Muhammad because of what she had told her, she had been pondering on that.

"Maryam, are marrying ya Muhammad for that reason?" Her then tone had turned to a more serious one. Maryam looked at her, her smile faltered and then faded. "What reason?"
"You know the one I told that day at our house, I hope not."

Maryam shook her head and rubbed her palms together, "of course not Aisha. I love him."

"It's just that the marriage thing was so sudden that the only thing I could think of was that. Of course, I know you and ya Muhammad got along so well, but I didn't know when you started dating talk less of marriage, it's just so confusing." She spoke carefully but clearly. She just wanted to know even though there's nothing she can do about it.

Maryam didn't want to lie to her, because after all, that is what initiated the marriage talk in the first place. But she doesn't want Muhammad to find out. "Trust me, Aisha, we've low-key being kinda seeing each other for the past few months." She said looking down, she prays Aisha will accept her lie and not say anything about it.

Aisha's face lit up with a smile, "oh my God, and you guys didn't even tell us." -"I'm just so happy for you Maryam, I'm so glad that ya Muhammad chose you." She hugged her. Maryam breathed a sigh of relief and hugged her back.

"I am so hungry." Aisha groaned as she pulled out of the hug. Maryam nodded, "Wallahi Nima I haven't eaten anything."
"Let me go and find food." She got up. "Find some with me please," Maryam said.

Right on cue, ya Fatima knocked and came in with a tray of food and water. "Amarya I know you must be hungry, so I brought some food." She raised her brows teasingly. "Thank you, thank you my love," Maryam said collecting the tray.

Ya Fatima nodded and looked at Aisha, "when did you get here?"
"Wallahi dazun."

Maryam went to her closet and picked out a simple Bubu. She got dressed and by the time she was out, both Aisha and Ya Fatima have left the room. She smiled and thanked Allah for giving her such a supportive family.

She opened the plate and found that it was tuwo da miyan taushe( a traditional dish). She grinned and began eating. In less than 10 minutes, she cleared everything. "Let me see if he has called." She quickly rinsed her hand in the toilet and unplugged her phone.

She found one place where she was comfortable and sat down. "Oh, Allah he hasn't called." She sounded disappointed after she checked her call logs, messages, and everything. "Maybe he also fell asleep, but he said he was going to call." This experience was all new to her, she hasn't dated for almost 4 years now and she just got married now.

"Should I call him?" She asked herself then shook her head as if fighting to stop her inner self from doing so, she doesn't want to look desperate. "But how is it desperate if he's my husband?" She asked her, then cocked her head to the side, eyeing his number. "Okay- okay, I'm just going to call and ask if he has reached home safely and nothing else." Or not.

Just as she was about to dial his number, his call came through. Her phone almost fell but she was quick to catch it. She cleared her voice and composed herself before answering the call.

Muhammad from the other side also smiled when he heard her beautiful voice say hello. He instantly felt calm. Ever since he went back home, the only thing he could think of was calling her. He just wanted to talk to her but knew needed rest and he didn't want to disturb her.

"Hey baby, how are you?" He asked. Maryam blushed and said, "I'm good, how are you? Ya gajiya?" She still can't seem to get used to that nickname.

"Akwai fa wannan. Have you rested well enough?"
"Uhmmm."
"Have you eaten?"
"Uhmmm."
"What did you eat?" He asked. He knows she cannot answer his question with Uhmm.

"Sakwara da miyan taushe. Did you have something?"
"Yes, I'm having tea right now." He said. "Tea? Is that the only thing you're having?"
"Yes. This is what I usually have at night." He shrugged nonchalantly.

"Why though? Have you had something this morning?"
"No. I'm okay," he said and took another sip of his tea. She looked at her hand worriedly. "It's not right, is it? You're a medical doctor, so you should know best."

"I do, but I just can't help it. It has already become a habit of mine now."
"Please have something before you go to sleep," She pleaded, he is already sick as it is and now what. "Please?" She added. "Koda bread ne. You are sick as it is, you need to eat now more than anything."

He couldn't hold his smile, "okay I'll eat something."
"Why don't I believe you?" She said doubtfully. He chuckled and shook his head, "Alright alright, I'll cook something and even send a picture of it or even me eating."

"That sounds better."
"Allah sarki ni, Ashe dai my wife cares about me deeply." He joked. "Of course she does." She replied laughing. They chatted some more, he ended up FaceTiming her. She was shy at first but adjusted quickly. He cooked indomie while they were chatting and even ate.

"Toh goodnight, I'm so sleepy right now." She said yawning. "Toh shikenan, take care."
"Are you not going to sleep now, it's late."
"No I have to review some papers, but I'll sleep immediately after that."
"Sure?"
"Yeah don't worry, sleep tight baby. I love you." She blushed and looked down a bit, "I love you." She then disconnected the call. Muhammad shook his head smiling.

Mahmoud came into his room for the fifth time now and breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that he wasn't on the phone. "I thought you were never going to get off that phone Ai."

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Maryam hugged her phone, feeling the feelings she has for her husband grow even stronger. She then got up, prayed isha and some nafila, and sat on the rug.
She was reading her duas when Mama pushed open the door and walked in. Maryam looked up and smiled when she saw her. Mama also smiled and sat on Maryam's bed. "Take your time." She said to her because she knows she might try and finish up quickly.

They haven't had a chance to talk since the wedding, and mama just wants to know that Maryam okay, that this rushed marriage didn't affect her in any way, and if she's ok with it even though there's nothing that can be done if she isn't.

Maryam prayed for her marriage, her new family, her life, and everything she could pray for. After all that, she got up, folded the prayer mat, put it back in its place, and went and sat beside mama. "Mama Ina wuni." She greeted.
"Ina gajiya Maryam, ya gajiyan biki," Mama asked. She just cannot believe that her girl is married now.

"Alhamdulillah." She muttered and looked down at her hands. "Ya gajiya, you must also be very tired."
"Wallahi I am but we thank Allah." She said staring at Maryam. "Maryam you're married now. You do know all the responsibilities that come with that right?"

Maryam nodded. It always is hard for Mama when it comes to expressing her feelings. "Are you happy? Or do you think it was rushed?" Maryam shook her head. She doesn't want mama to worry herself too much about it.

"Are you sure?"
"Yes Mama, it was meant to happen this way no matter what, nothing can be done about it. And it's fine by me, by Allah." Mama nodded her head convinced, she always knew Maryam was one to accept her destiny no matter what. She has strong faith in Allah.

She hugged her, tears threatening to fall from her eyes. "If your father was here, he would've been so proud of what you have become, May Allah bless you marriage home and keep you happy." She prayed.

"Amin ya rabbi. Thank you, Mama. Baba's not here but you are, and that's what matters the most to me." She said with tears spilling down her cheeks. Mama smiled and pecked her forehead. "I'm so proud of you Maryam. Allah yayi Albarka."
"Amin." She closed her eyes and just enjoyed the moment.

They spoke about things for the next 5 minutes, Mama advised her, and so on. After that, she got up and left.
Maryam composed herself for a couple of seconds before she went and changed into her sleeping dress.

"Where are these guys ne?" She asked herself after realizing that it's already 9 and no one has retired to bed. And she doesn't even know if all of her cousins are still here or not. She grabbed her phone as she sat on the bed, and dialed Ya amma's number.

She picked it up after two rings. "Hello Amarya," she said teasingly. Maryam rolled her eyes, "where are you guys ne wai?" She was worried. Ya amma chucked, "do you miss us that much ne, you couldn't even hold yourself from calling us?" Maryam hissed, "where are you?"
"In baba's parlor downstairs."
"Are our cousins..." before she could even finish, Amma disconnected the call.

Maryam was so annoyed, she grabbed a big veil and wrapped it around her because she knows that there are some guests that she wouldn't like to meet. She grabbed her phone, slipped into a black flat shoe, and switched off the lights. She covered half of her face with the veil and strode to baba's side. It was so quiet that she thought how could her siblings be in a place for so long and have it be so quiet. It's quite surprising.

She then made her way to the parlor. "Assalam Alaikum." She whispered as she pushed open the door. The room was dark for one and it was so quiet that she thought maybe Amma gave her the wrong place. Then where could they be?

"Ya amma! Yasmin!" She called. I guess ya Amma did what she's best at, lying!.
"Surprise!!" Everyone chorused, then the lights went on. There they were, her sisters, all of her maternal cousins and some paternal ones, and her friends. They were all dressed in PJs.

"Oh my God!" Maryam palmed her chest. They almost gave her a heart attack. She looked at each one of their smiley faces. She then looked at the parlor, that has been decorated a little bit, all of the chairs have been pushed back, and the large blanket was laid on the floor with lots of pillows on it, as is the parlor is a big one.

There was a table by the side with lots of desserts and drinks. Her eyes brimmed with tears, "oh my God when did you do all this?" She asked reaching to hug the first person she meets, which happened to be Mahnur and Rukayyah. "Well we thought since you're not going to have any events, we should cheer you up with a sleepover party, you know what I'm talking about," Aisha said as she throws her arms around Maryam.

"I love you guys so much," Maryam said wiping her tears. "Well, we know," Jannah said with a teasing glint in her eyes. "We love you more," Asmau said hugging her. Everyone came saying they want to hug her next and it turned to a mini playful fight. Maryam couldn't stop laughing. They always find a way to cheer her up.

They danced, ate to the fullest, played some games, gisted about certain things, laughed about a lot of things, teased each other, and just had fun. Maryam hadn't had this much fun in over a year now. They ended up passing out at about 3:39 am.

It was the best day ever.
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You guys should congratulate me because I managed to come through again. I mean how good am I?😂😂

Don't mind me, I'm just kidding.
I love you guys so much and I hope you know that your beautiful comments make my day always, so please keep them coming.

Yours, Fatima🦋