It was the conveyance of Bride (kai Amarya). The bride was clad in a royal blue with a touch of purple lace which was beautifully sewn into a blouse and skirt. A big white veil was draped over her head.

They were all in Alhaji Abduljabbar's living room downstairs, the elders were advising Munira about marriage life.

"In yace bari ki bari,kiyi mishi biyayya Munira I repeat kiyi mishi biyayya. Ko abu bakine yace fari be toh ki barshi a fari (if he asks you to stop then stop, respect him Munira I repeat respect him. if something is black and he says it's white then so be it.) Munira don't argue him, don't raise your voice at him." Hajiya Mama crooned, putting an arm around her.

"No marriage is perfect in this world, whoever says his marriage life is perfect then wallahi he's lying. We all have ups and downs in life but if you put your trust in Allah (SWA) then you can overcome anything." Aunty Hauwa added.

And it kept going on and on until it was finally time for her to be taken to her in-laws.

They all went out to the house compound, "Oya put her in the car so we can go, as it is we are about an hour late." Munira's maternal aunt; Aunty Samira said opening the door for her to enter.

"You have to go now." Aunty Nafisa said in a low voice. Munira clutched onto her as she cried. "No..no mama I don't want to leave you. Mama please."

Maryam couldn't hold the tears that were threatened to fall. She felt for Munira, she doesn't even know what she would do if it was her in her place.

Aunty Nafisa who was also crying tried to peel Munira off her chest and when she finally did, she handed her over to mummy and went back to the house crying.

Mummy held her to her chest as walked them to the car. "Allah ya bada zaman lafiya Munira," she said as she helps arrange her dress so she can sit comfortably.

Munira quietly nods trying her best to stop crying. Mummy gave her a smile and a hug then closed the door.

The Bride was in a black Audi with some of her Aunts, Anisa, and best friend. While the girls Maryam, Aisha, Yasmin, Jannah, Ya amma, and Nabila got into the Mercedes behind the bride's car. Then the bride's other friends got into a Venza.

They left the house in convoy to the groom's family house.

Abubakar's family welcomed them with open arms, they presented the Gara(foodstuff given by the bride's family to the groom), the budan kai was also conducted then finally after everything she was taken to her house in which was in Unguwan sarki. It was a beautiful duplex.

The aunts left while the girls stayed chatting and having fun until Abubakar and his friends arrived.

"They are here!!" Yasmin squealed drawing close the curtains when she saw three cars drive into the compound. "Let's go Munira." Zubaida; one of Munira's best friends said taking a hold of her. Anisa and Jannah also got up and made their way to the bedroom. Munira chuckled as they pull her into the room too.

Maryam and Aisha stood by the door, while ya amma, Yasmin, and two of Munira's maternal cousins and friends sat up properly waiting for the groom and friends to make their appearance.

"Assalam Alaikum." Each of them greeted as they opened the door and walked into the house. "Waalaikum Assalam." They replied each looking at one another.

Abubakar looked at each one of their faces which carried a mischievous grin. "Oh come on, don't tell I have to pay to see my wife too." He groaned making all of them laugh. "Of course, that's a must," Ya amma said looking past Abubakar to musty, who was also looking at her.

Yes, Mustapha; adda amma's boyfriend also happens to be one of Abubakar's best friends. The newlywed couple introduced them to each other.

"But she is my wife." He tried to explain which earned some laughs. Maryam chuckled. "But she is our sister first before your wife and you know Ties of kinship before anything else."

"Fine, how much do you need?" He asked taking off his cap. "2 mil." Aisha suggested casually looking at the girls, they all nod their heads and look over at the groomsmen whose eyes widen.

"Haba reduce the price mana, it's too much. Pity us nah." Yasir; one of the groomsmen laughed placing his hand on the groom's shoulder.

"Okay 1.5." Chloe; one of Munira's friends replied. Rabiu who was the flirt among the groomsmen started, "Fine girl, let's not do this . . ."

"Half a million and that's it." Maryam interrupted looking at them. Khalifa; the last groomsman who didn't say anything so far looked her and said, "Fine, let me get my Cheque book." He exited the house.

"I always knew that man had something in him." Rakiya sighed looking after him dreamily, Maryam broke into a fit of giggles "wai you always knew he had something in him, I mean you just met this man today," she said clutching her stomach. All except rakiya also started laughing.

"Rakiya Kenan," She said trying to control her laughter. "Maryam bakida mutumchi." She pouted. "I'm sorry," Maryam said wiping the tears that streamed out while she was laughing.

Just that moment Khalifa returned holding a cheque note. "What did I miss?" He asked amused. "It's nothing," Maryam said with notes of laughter in her voice.

"Doesn't seem like nothing to me." He muttered but passed the cheque to them anyway. Aisha opened the door, "Anisa, you can bring her out now."

"I'm so excited," Abubakar muttered looking directly at the door. Right on the cue, Aisha, Jannah, and Zubaida walked out with Munira following closely behind them clad in a peach lafayya. She had light makeup on.

"Ya Munira, you look Masha Allah," Maryam commented draping her hand around munira's arm.

Munira lowered her head even more blushing, and slowly made her way towards him screaming grace and elegance. "Ya rabb, I still cannot believe that you are my wife. Now you are mine and mine alone," he said pulling her into a hug.

"Masha Allah."
"Aww"
"Couple crush!!"
"May Allah bless you, and shower his blessings upon you, and join you in goodness."

They prayed,
"Ameen." They answered.

"Okay, now let's go. I'm sure Abubakar cannot wait for us to leave," Adda amma said grabbing her bag and veil from the couch.

"That's right fah, have fun." Maryam winked also grabbing her veil and bag and made her way to the stairs. "Wait for me," Aisha said and also made her way to Maryam.

"We would speak tomorrow."

🌙🌙

Maryam and the girls were standing outside the house waiting for the driver. "Maryam ai a gidan aunty sadiya zaki kwana koh? (you are going to sleep at Aunty sadiya's house right?)." Adda amma asked fixing her veil.

Maryam pushed her glasses further up the bridge of her nose, "Yes, aunty already asked mama and she agreed." Adda nods her head and said, "Toh ni Mustapha is going to take I and Yasmin home."

"Alright toh, bye." She hugged her and Yasmin before they climbed in and drove away.

Jannah and Munira's friends followed Yasir, he is going to drop them off at their houses.

Karin wahala waiii

"When is this man going to get here ne?" Anisa complained adjusting her veil which just fell from her shoulder. "Dama mummy said he was going to be late," Aisha said. "I am so hungry."Maryam groaned looking through her texts. "Achichi Kawai."

"Uhmm... I can drop you off ." Khalifa stood next to Maryam and looked at her. He just finished talking over the phone and couldn't help overhearing their conversation.

"No it's fine, you don't have to as it our driver would be here soon." She smiled.

"No really, I don't mind. I will be honored."

Anisa pushed Aisha to say something because they know exactly how Maryam can be when it comes to men that she doesn't know speaking up to her.

"Okay, sure," Aisha said. He smiled at them then pulled out his car key from his pocket and made his way to an Audi. "Maryam please don't refuse, we need this ride. I am so tired." She begged pulling her along with her.

He opened the front door of his car and gestured for Maryam to get in. "Thank you," she smiled and got in. He closed her door, walked to the driver's side, and got in.

In the car

Aisha, Anisa, and khalifa were talking about how great the wedding went, while Maryam leaned her head against the window.

I just want to get out of this car, I feel so suffocated.

"Maryam," khalifa called, breaking her from her train of thoughts. "Uhm..yes."

"I asked about your opinion on the wedding," he said looking at her.

She looked at him then back at her hand, "well it was fine Alhamdulillah, I had fun."

"That's great, I had fun too," he said, she faked a smile and nodded, turning her face back to the window.

"Are you done with university?"

"No, I'm in my final year," she said internally praying for them to reach their destination as soon as possible.

"Masha Allah, what course?"
"Architecture." He nods his head then said, "Wow, now we don't have to worry about finding an architect since we've got an architect in the house."

"Insha Allah," Maryam said not exactly knowing what she was supposed to say. She then looked at Aisha who had her palm to her mouth trying hard to suppress her laughter because she knows exactly how Maryam must be feeling right now, in the rear mirror.

"That's a nice course. I studied software engineering, and now I work at a software industry," he smiled proudly. "Masha Allah, May Allah bless your work."

"Amin, uhmm.." he hesitated, "I don't know why I have been hesitating to say this to you Maryam, but I like you."

Oookkkaaayyyy!!!

"The first time I saw you, I asked Abubakar about you and he told me you were amma's sister, and honestly I haven't stopped thinking about you since then. I figured this may be my last chance, so I just decided to confess my feelings." He confessed and looked at her smiling.

Now what am I supposed to say to this, how do men even manage to do this like it is so. Do they not feel shy or anything, because I feel like sinking right here and now.

"Well.. uhmm.." She started but stopped when he pulled over at their house, the gate was wide open with guests moving about, getting in and out.

Anisa pulled Aisha's hand so they quickly exit the car saying, "thank you so much, Khalifa." While Maryam just sat there.

"No problem, it's my pleasure." He smiled at them then looked back at Maryam who was biting her lips.

"Thank you, but it hasn't been long since my last breakup, and honestly it wasn't a good one. So I don't want to get involved with anyone right now. I'm sorry," she said and let out a long breath.

Khalifa tried to grab hold of her hand but she moved it away. "Ohh, I understand but what I don't understand is which fool would let you go so easily." She faked a smile once again and averted her eyes "So friends?..For now," he asked shifting in his seat. "Sure, friends."

She quickly opened the door saying "So thank you, and Good night," and got out of the car without waiting for his reply.

Walking rather fast, she was halfway towards the gate when she heard him call her. "Maryam,"

"Na'am," she answered turning to look at him but stayed rooted at her spot, he walked over to where she stood.

"You haven't given me your number," he said standing in front of her, he was standing so close, too close that she had to move back feeling rather uncomfortable.

He passed her his phone, and she typed in her digits, said goodbye, and walked into the house.

Muhammad who was seated in his car, looking through some paperwork saw when the car stopped in front of the house, "Isn't that Khalifa Umar's car, what is he doing here?" He thought when the girls got out of the car,

"So they think it's  normal to get into a stranger's car, I am going to talk some sense into them."

And then, later on, Maryam also got out of the car.

!!

                                 🌙🌙
Assalam Alaikum guys

So what do you think about this chapter, I tried fah 2000+ words..wow🤯

So guess who your girl finally got to see,
I finally got to see MUFTI ISMAIL MENK up close.

I am so happy.
💃🏼💃🏼