Muhammad and Maryam were seated at the dining area alone, he had asked for a private talk with her earlier and she had absolutely no idea what he wanted to talk about.

She didn't know what he wanted to talk about, but was curious. The sound of him clear his voice broke her reverie. "How are you?" He asked reaching for her hand. She placed her hand on his and looked up with a smile. "I'm fine Alhamdulillah, how are you?" She asked.

"Same as always." He held their hands tighter and pulled her closer to him, "just very ecstatic," he added. Maryam raised her eyebrows with a teasing smile, "yeah?" He nodded and pecked her knuckles, "you have made me the happiest man on earth by choosing to marry me Maryam, I promise you won't regret it. This will be the best alliance you've ever signed." He assured pulling her in for a hug. Maryam closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around him, inhaling the sweet smell of his cologne.

They stayed like that for a couple of seconds before he released her with a soft peck on the forehead. Goodness how she loves it when he does that. "Just know that you're going to be stuck with the good old boring me for the rest of your life." He warned chuckling.

"I'd like that," she smiled coyly. He smiled and lowered his voice,"I am a very lucky guy."
"You really are."

She then remembered that he had something to tell her. "Yauwa what did you want to tell me?" She asked with a raised eyebrow. "Oh...I even forgot I had something to say. I'm going to abuja today." He said playing with her ring. Maryam looked at him with confusion, "but why?"

"To look at some apartments that I'm going to buy, for us." He said watching out for her reaction. She made an O with her mouth and smiled. She has been wondering about that ever since they got married, Is she going to stay in kaduna or Abuja."when are you coming back?" She asked.

"Tomorrow Insha Allah,"
"Toh Allah ya dawo dakai lafiya,"
"Amin."

"I pray I get someone that looks at me the way ya Muhammad looks at ya Maryam," Yasmin whispered to jannah as they all sneaked looks of the couple. Jannah nodded, and glanced at them talking and laughing. She was feeding her eyes with the cuteness of the newly married couple. They are so in love, May they never fall out of love, Amin.

Ya amma looked at the couple and smiled, thanking Allah for blessing her younger sister with a good spouse.

Jannah excused herself saying she needed to go to the toilet urgently. She pushed open the door and found Farhan standing on the porch, his back was facing her as he spoke on the phone.

She wore her shoes and turned to walk away when something caught her attention. The man was speaking with a thick British accent that rolled graciously off his tongue, it was so beautiful. She glanced at him and just couldn't help study him. He was tall well over 6ft with broad shoulders, and had a navy blue kaftan on, that hugged his body perfectly. He had one hand in his trouser pocket and the other holding his phone.

Just then he turned and their eyes met. Oh my God! Her insides exploded. Masha Allah. He was such a beautiful creature, just like his voice. She has seen him before but she doesn't remember where exactly.

"Ina wuni," she quickly greeted with a small smile hoping that he didn't catch her staring. He smiled, "Ina gajiya."

His penetrating gaze studied her, absorbing everything he can about her. Goosebumps erupted on her skin as she feels the weight of his gaze upon her. She then quickly masked it up with a smile and walked past him and headed to the main house, rubbing her hands up and down her arms trying to calm her emotions.

He watched her as quickly she walked into the house, with a smirk and knowing glint in his eyes then went on with his call.

Few minutes later, Muhammad got up saying he has to go now because he wants to be there before nighttime. She escorted him to the car where they said their farewells before he, Farhan, Abdallah and Mubarak left, and she headed back to the main house.

Mummy was in Aisha's room instructing the maids as they arranged the room once again because Maryam will be staying there. She wanted everything to be perfect for her even though this was not the first Maryam was staying but it sure was the first time as the first daughter in law of the family.

"Ummi, take that burner to the toilet and put some of that farce' incense." She instructed looking at one of the maids that was busy dusting the mini book shelf in the room. She nodded and quickly got up. "Turn on the heater please, she might need to wash up," she said with a soft smile.

Once she made sure everything was clean, sparkly and everywhere was smelling great, she left the room and headed to the kitchen where she found Mama talatu and two other women busy cooking. They all turned and greeted her. She answered with a strained smile. She was so tired.

She checked to see if everything was done, before she proceeded to make a milk mixture. It is one of the tradition of their family, the daughter in law will take a mixture of milk and honey for purification once she enters the house.

As tired as she was today, she knows she's going to be even more tired tomorrow, because from tomorrow there were going to be a lot of activities and traditions that was going to take place. Being KanuriXShuwa Arab they sure do have lots of customs.

However the activities were supposed to take place at her parents house but being that they got married over such short notice, they said they should just honor their traditions and customs and do it here. Since they were also her parents.

The brides sisters were asked to bring her in. A lot of people gathered around the entrance including the grooms mother and her family. Maryam's veil was pulled down covering her face again, as she walked slowly amidst her sisters and cousins. They stopped in front of the main door.

Some women by the side were yodeling and ya amma and co followed suit, trying hard to mimic the action, but they just can't seem to get it.

Maryam chuckled and shook her head at their actions, they sure do know how to embarrass themselves. "Take this kettle and perform ablution," one of his aunties instructed pointing at a kettle by the side. Maryam nodded and Yasmin helped her pull back the veil, and collect her clutch. She then squatted and performed the ablution by the side.

They were all watching her. After she was done, she got up and retied her scarf or at least tried to. Mummy smiled and handed her the cup of milk. Maryam collected it, said bismillah and gulped it down in one go as she was supposed to do. They all cheered and said their word of congrats.

She handed the cup back to mummy who gave it to her sister. "Now come in with your right foot," Mummy said taking a hold of Maryam's hand. Maryam smiled and entered the house with her right foot as per instructed.

Aisha, ya Munira and Anisa took mummy's place and held her hand as they walked her to the living room downstairs. They sat her down on a white carpet, and everyone else came and sat around. Aunty yelwa; Their Aunty sat in front of her. "Where is the bowl?" She asked reaching out her hand. Mummy collected it from ummi and passed it to her. It was a hot bowl of brabisco with a soup made from the digestive organs of ram.

Maryam tilted her head and saw the bowl, they were doing the kulawa; it is also a tradition that usually takes place on the wedding day. She felt her eyes fill with tears. They were doing it for her, she is so thankful.

Aunty yelwa mixed the food and told Maryam to hold out her hand which she did. She filled Maryam's hands with the hot food and was told to pour it back in the bowl. It was repeated for two more round. While doing so, the elders kept chanting, 'wande kuttu yind3mi' which means 'don't keep your pain to yourself'

As much as the burning sensation was hurting her, she was enjoying the moment and plans to cherish it forever. Aisha and the rest were just laughing and joking around. After all that, she washed her hand and was asked to turn and face them, as the other ritual was to follow. The kaulu.

Her friends and relatives surrounded her and a bowl of moringa was placed in front of her. One of her aunties came and rubbed the paste on her palm then Aisha and that was how it was continuously done. As people do so, they drop some token in another bowl which was going to be given to the bride at the end of the event.

When mummy came, she looked at Maryam and smiled. Maryam also smiled and ducked her head. She fetched the paste and rubbed it in her palm, "Allah ya bada zaman Lafiya," she prayed. "Amin," Maryam answered meekly. The girls danced around to the traditional song that was playing, their aunties also joined them. They were just laughing and having fun.

After that was done, her sister-in-laws escorted her to Aisha's room, where she will staying for a while. "Allah ya bada zaman Lafiya," they prayed as they placed her down on the bed. "Amin."

"Today was so much fun," Asmau said falling on the bed after all the elders left. It was only her friends, and relatives that remained. "Wallahi kuwa," Aisha said also smiling. Maryam nodded as she rubbed her hand, it was still sour from the hot food. "I danced so much that all my bones are hurting," Jannah groaned massaging her laps.

Maryam removed her veil and kept it on the bed, "God!" She exclaimed, "that was hot,"
"Ba dole ba, you have been wearing a veil ever since we got here, and it's almost magrib now, how many hours ma kenan?" Siddiqa said laughing. "Almost 5 hours fa," Asmau said. "Kai I have to freshen up," she said looking around the room. It was smelling very good.

"There's hot water in the tub," Aisha said. Maryam smiled and thanked her. "Alright let's go and settle down also," ya amma said getting up. Maryam looked at them confused, "what? Where are you going?"

"Aww, don't worry we're not leaving you just yet, we'll be in the guest rooms downstairs." She teased pulling her cheeks. Maryam rolled her eyes trying to hide her smile. It was tough already leaving her mom, now she doesn't want them to leave her.

She got up and headed to the bathroom, where she took a long relaxing bath, performed her ablution before walking out. She found that no one was in the room except for a tray of water, ointment and a small bowl of kheer on the bed. She smiled and turn to open her small box. She pulled out a black sleeping dress, it was long, it also had a long sleeved jacket over it and a long hijab. She quickly changed into it, and wore the hijab.

She prayed asr prayer that she had missed and magrib. After she was done, she sat on the prayer mat and prayed for herself, her husband, her parents and for her marriage. She thanked Allah for all the blessings in her life. She stayed on the mat for another five minutes just thinking. She was jolted out of her reverie by the sound of her ringtone.

"Oh Allah," she sighed as she got up in search of where the phone was. "Where is this phone?" She pinched the bridge of her nose, groaning in frustration. She then came to the realization that she hasn't held her phone since this morning, she didn't have the time. She bit her bottom lip, "It must be ya Muhammad." After checking around the room, she then remembered that she had kept it in her clutch this morning.

By the time she got to it, it had already disconnected. It was just who she had expected, her husband. A smile found its way to her face. She quickly sat on the bed and called back. He picked it almost immediately. "Baby," he called. Maryam smiled that comforting warmth enveloped her heart instantly at the sound of his voice. "Ya Muhammad, how are you, how was the trip?" She asked playing with the strings of her dress.

"It was fine Alhamdulillah, only that I'm not happy with you," he sighed. Her heart slammed in her chest, "what...w..why?" What could be wrong?

"You didn't even bother to check up on me, you didn't call to ask me if I have reached safely or something." He grumbled. "I'm so sorry, I have been busy ne, I didn't get to rest for a moment."

She heard Muhammad chuckle, "I'm just joking, of course i know you were busy." She let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, and wiped her sweaty palms. "You scared me."

He stifled a smile, "I'm sorry,'- how was the event? I heard mummy organized a few events for you." She quickly nodded as if he can see her, her eyes moistening. "Yes, I was surprised..." Her voice grew bubbly as she narrated all that happened to him, and he listened happily, thanking Mummy in his heart for making his wife happy.

"I bet it was very painful." He sighed, "I'm so, so sorry, that's why I don't like this tradition, ai ta kona yaran mutane." Muhammad said when she told him about the kaluwa. She hummed softly, a sparkle in her eyes. "It was all worth it. Though my hands are still sour."

He chuckled, "you should put ice to it, I wish I was there so I can kiss the pain away." Maryam gasped as heat crept up her neck, "ya...oh...I can't even with you." She chuckled shaking her head.

"What? It's true ai."
"I..."
"And you need to stop calling me Yaya, I'm not your Yaya, I'm your husband."
"Why? What then do you want me to call you? I'm already used to it."
"Anything other than that, just get me a name."
"Alright honey poop," she said trying hard to suppress her laughter but failed when Muhammad said, "wait...what?"

"Honey poop!" She repeated and exploded in laughter. Her shoulder shook so hard she almost peed herself. Muhammad also laughed along with her, "unbelievable baby," he muttered as he wiped the tears that leaked from eyes from laughing.

After the laughter died down, "how's that for a nickname?" She asked with a raised brow.
"It's..Uhmm...," he hesitated trying to find the right word for it. Maryam shook her head grinning, "don't worry I'll find a proper one for you."
"Now that's better."

They were both over the top, excited about their relationship and ravished by their affection for one another. They didn't ever want to stop talking.

"Baby guess what?"
"What? You know I'm a terrible guesser," she said.
"I have found the perfect house for us, it's just the perfect place to start our lives together and also start a family." He said anticipating Maryam's remark. He wanted to do anything he can to keep her happy. Maryam couldn't stop grinning from ear to ear, "Masha Allah, May Allah bless our lives and give us more happiness than we can imagine."
"Amin ya rabbi."
"Words can't explain how happy and excited I am." She hugged her knees to herself blushing.
"I love you baby."
"I love you."

~~**~~
How was the chapter y'all?
Don't mind my kanuri event thing, I have zero idea on what actually happens, I just worked with what I got from google. I hope you still enjoyed it, because I sure did enjoy writing it.

I love you all.
Also one more thing, am I the only person who wants what Maryam has? It's so beautiful🥺

Yours, Fatima🦋