"Goodnight," Muhammad said and pecked Maryam. They were standing by the door saying their goodnights. "Goodnight," she muttered with a soft smile.

He looked at her for the last time before walking away. Maryam watched until he disappeared out of the living room before she closed the door and sagged against it. "Oh God!" She whispered clutching her hand over her heart that has been beating uncontrollably. She breathed out a breath she didn't realize she was holding as she recalled everything.

That was intense' she thought, a smile completely enveloping her face.

~~**~~
Muhammad was standing by their door, his hand on the doorknob, only that he wasn't opening it, he was just standing trying to steady his breathing. His stomach was suddenly paining him that's why he had to leave Maryam's room urgently, he didn't want her to see him like that.

He swallowed compulsively and released the tight hold he had on the wall. He blew out a hot breath and plastered a small smile on his face and pushed the door open. He was met with the faces of lots of his friends and family lounging around talking and laughing and arguing about stuff as usual.

He wanted to quickly sneak into his room for some privacy but Mahmoud noticed him. He waved him over with a big smile on his face, "Ango! Come, we were just talking about you."

Muhammad gave him a tight-lipped smile, shook his head and walked to his room locking it as he closed the door. The people looked at one another puzzled by his behavior because Muhammad isn't one to ignore people like that.
"He's probably not feeling fine or something," Mubarak said shrugging the weird feeling off. Abdallah laughed and nodded, "or perhaps he needs to go to the toilet, urgently." They all laughed and nodded in agreement.

Abdallah then looked at the door praying to Allah that it's not his illness.

Once in, Muhammad leaned against the door feeling his stomach weigh hard on him contorting painfully. He shut his eyes and slid down to the floor breathing heavily, and let out a strangled cry. This was all too much, just too much for him to bear. In an attempt to calm himself, he dropped his head between his knees and employed a deep-breathing exercise."Ya Allah," he groaned, sweat forming on his forehead.

He stayed like that for a couple of minutes hoping the pain will reduce, but it only increases with each passing second. Oh, Allah please heal me from this illness.

He propped his hand on the wall and with so much effort, pushed himself off the floor. His body was shaking and his face has turned pale. He heaved himself onto the bed, opened his bedside drawer where all of his drugs were, and took the ones he needed, some painkillers and paracetamol. He popped them in his mouth and washed them down with water. 

With a small sigh which came out as a whimper, he turned and laid on his stomach, his face flat on the pillow praying to Allah to save him from this disease.

~~**~~
Maryam stood before a mirror, blushing at her reflection. She looked very pretty clad in a peach lafaya that matched her skin tone beautifully. She paired it with gold jewelry and a pair of blue Dolce and Gabbana rock stud slingback heels. "You look gorgeous wallah,"siddiqa gushed taking pictures of her. Maryam fluttered her lashes and gave a toothy grin.
"Now she's going to get big-headed and all that," ya amma said eyeing her playfully.

"She can do that, it's her day after all," Aisha said walking towards her. "You look beautiful sister-in-law." She added pulling her in a hug. Maryam smiled and hugged her too. "You look beautiful too sis." Everyone in the room smiled adoring their relationship. They have always been great friends, and now their bond is going to be even stronger.

Jannah clapped her hands getting up from the couch, "Enough of that now, we have to get going. Today is going to be a long day."
They all hummed in agreement.

They were going to go see Maryam's mother, stepmother, and grandparents to receive their blessings before leaving for Abuja.

"Ya Maryam you are to go and greet your father-in-law now," Yasmin said as soon as she came into the room. They were all dressed up and ready to go. Maryam nodded her head feeling a little nervous.

They walked out of the room with Maryam between them in the middle and headed straight to daddy's parlor downstairs where he and some of their uncles were all seated.

"Ya Maryam, ya Muhammad is walking towards us." Asmau whispered as Maryam's head was bowed so she cannot see anything. She blushed and sneaked a look at him, feeling butterflies in her stomach as she recalled their moment yesterday. He was walking towards them with a confident stride looking painstakingly handsome in his kaftan and babban riga. She quickly lowered her head blushing profusely when she met his gaze.

Muhammad shot her a weak smile as he reached her. All of the people around her made way for him until he was standing right in front of her. He lowered his head to her face level smiling and fixed her with that look of his that sends her quivering. "You look beautiful as always baby." He said.

"Aww!"
When Maryam lowered her head trying to hide her smile, Muhammad chuckled lightly with elevated eyebrows and gently took hold of her hands. "I just still can't grasp the fact that you're mine forever." He whispered just loud enough for her ears only. Maryam turned to a blushing mess.

"Alright enough of that okay? You have tortured us enough." Ya Fatima interrupted. He let go off her and looked at ya Fatima smiling.
They all laughed and together hand in hand they walked to the door leading to the parlor. Muhammad slowly untangled their hands and opened the door for her to enter. "You go first," she whispered. She was too shy to just pop in the room in front of everyone like that, she'd rather he go first, and then she'll follow after him, just like it's supposed to be.

He chuckled and salaamed walking into the room. She lowered her head and followed after.

Just as expected, there were like 9 elders in the room. They both greeted them and plopped down on the carpet. Muhammad glanced at her knowing how conscious she must be feeling. And sure enough, he found her seated with her head bowed picking at her nails nervously.

He looked at Daddy and found him glancing between them, a small smile playing on his lips.  He then cleared his throat and sat up.

"Muhammad, Maryam," he called.
They all answered. "Toh Alhamdulillah May Allah bless this union."
"Amin." They then prayed to Allah to bless them with a blissful and successful marriage.

"Allah ya jikan Abubakar, Allah ya gafarta mashi," daddy prayed. "Amin." They answered.

Daddy smiled as he thought of their memories with Baba. "He was a great man Wallahi. He got along with everyone he met." He started. They all hummed in agreement.

At the mention of her beloved, the bruises on her heart bloomed anew and throbbed. Her eyes moistened with tears. "I can remember when I met him for the first time when Aisha brought him as her suitor, he told great jokes." Daddy chuckled. "He made sure he got along with all of our family members before they even got married. Everyone adored him." Muhammad nodded. They were all living witnesses to that. He looked at Maryam and found her crying. He wanted to comfort her so bad.

"I know the wound of losing someone dear to you is one that never fades away but I promise bazakiji rashin sa ba. We are all here for you, we have been here and we'll forever be here Insha Allah." She nodded her head, her heart throbbing with bliss.

They shared a moment of silence in respect for the Alhaji Abubakar. During that period, only the whimpers of Maryam could be heard. Muhammad tried to shut her cries out because hearing her cry is making him want to ignore everyone and hug her and that will be disrespectful.

Instead, he shifted his little closer to her and held her hand. Maryam's eyes widened and she peeked at him through her veil, shaking her head slowly hoping he'll get the hint. How could he hold her hand in front of her father-in-law. She then tried to pull her hand from his but to no avail. He held onto it tighter. Oh Allah what is she going to do with her husband.

Daddy who noticed what was happening cleared his voice and both Maryam and Muhammad unconsciously looked at him. Then she quickly lowered her head.

"Maryam, here is my wedding gift to you." Daddy said bringing out a car key from his pocket. A wedding gift? She thought. She looked up and her eyes widened, gasping involuntarily. He bought her a car?! Oh Allah

She didn't know how to react or what to say or anything, so she cast a glance at her husband flushed. Muhammad gave her a little smile of encouragement happy that his father did that. Daddy chuckled, sensing her hesitation. "Come and collect it."

"I ... I ..."
"What are you talking about? it's a gift from both me and my wife." Daddy encouraged.

She smiled when uncle Abdulsalam told her to hurry and get it before he grabs it for himself. Everyone laughed, Alhaji Abdulsalam was one with a great sense of humor.

She got up, threaded gently to his side and collected it. "Thank you so much," she said. "Thank you, daddy." Muhammad also said. Daddy looked at him, "why are you thanking me, it's not for you oo."

Muhammad chuckled.
"May Allah bless you all."
"Amin ya rabbi."

                             ~~**~~
They went and greeted Mummy for the last time before Aisha came and told them that the photographer has arrived. They went and took pictures.

Maryam then left for their grandparent's house for the fada. Their grandfather and grandmother prayed for a successful marriage and also cautioned her about married life. After that, they left for Maryam's family house.

Maryam couldn't stop herself from smiling throughout the drive, she hasn't seen her mother in a long time and she misses her so much. All of her friends that were in the car with her could sense her happiness.

They parked inside the household and got in. Maryam was fighting the urge to run Mama's arms. Siddiqa and Aisha stood beside her guiding her into the house as her head was bent down.

"Someone is going to start crying soon," Ya Amma teased bypassing Maryam and heading straight into the house first.

They met Mama in the parlor with some of her aunts, anticipating Maryam's arrival. She has missed her daughter so much, sending your child away is not easy. "Assalam Alaikum," the girls salaamed.

"Waalaikum salam." Maryam looked up and her eyes met Mama's watching her with teary eyes. All her defenses fell apart, and the waterworks began. "Mama," she croaked walking towards her.

Affection gleamed in mama's large eyes as she got up, making her way to her daughter, meeting her halfway. "Maryam," she whispered wrapping her hands around her. Maryam let out a sigh she didn't know she was holding hugging her tightly. She laid her head on her shoulder silently crying, her body shaking from her sobs.

"Shhh," Mama said trying hard to hold back her tears as she gently pats Maryam on the back.

"I've missed you so much," Maryam mumbled. Mama smiled, "Me too." She pecked Maryam's forehead.

Everyone was watching them with a sad smile, some of them even have tears in their eyes. Yasmin, Asmau, and Siddiqa being one of them. "I can't imagine how hard leaving my home will be," Asmau whispered shaking her head sadly.

"Wallahi kuwa."
She pulled Maryam with her as she sat on the couch and Maryam on the floor in front of her. That's when Maryam even noticed her aunties around there. She wiped her tears shyly and ducked her head, "Ina wuni," she greeted.

"Ina gajiya Amarya, ya gajiyan biki?"
"Alhamdulillah."
"Toh muna godiya, Allah ya baku zaman lafiya."
"Ameen ya rabbi." They chorused.

They then did caution her on marriage life also. She spent the whole time crying, just thinking about how her life was going to be. She was going to be transported to a new home, a brand new life, and someone to cater for, for the rest of her life.

~~**~~

"Oh my gosh! So one of these houses is Maryams'?"
"Yes, it's so pretty."
"Are we sure we're stopping here?"
"How I wish it was mine."

Maryam woke up to the full-on chatter of her friends, she slowly opened her eyes and looked around. "Have we arrived?" She asked huskily. She had fallen asleep on their way home after a long train drive to Abuja.

Lola shrieked excitedly, "babe get up and see your house, Omg! It's so freaking beautiful." She exclaimed gushing at the house. All of her bridesmaids hummed in agreement.

Maryam yawned and rubbed her eyes open as she sat up. Rubbing her sore neck, she looked ahead of her and her eyes literally bulged out of their sockets. Lola was not exaggerating, the houses were freaking awesome, it was just like what she has always dreamed of, so chic and well designed. Once they drove into the gate, they came in direct contact with the series of apartments that stood side by side to each other, with only a fence separating them.

Muhammad got this for them, she felt her heart swelling by the mere thought of their life in the house. She found her eyes filling with tears. She cries very easily these days, these past few days have been an unforgettable experience.

"It's so beautiful," Siddiqa said putting her arms around Maryam for some sort of emotional support and comfort. "I know right."

They pulled up in front of one of the houses and got out. Everyone came up to her and gushed about how lucky she was, her head was lowered blushing all the time. She entered the house with bismillah.

"Masha Allah gida yayi kyau." One of her aunties that escorted them said looking around the house. She so badly wanted to look at her house and gush also, so she did. Her jaw almost dropped at the beauty of the living area. Even though Muhammad had shown her a snippet of the house, the picture did not do the house any justice, at all.

The house was filled with only the latest in appliances and pieces of furniture, it reeked of elegance. Her eyes swept over the entirety of the living area and it left her speechless. Black, white, and gold were the colors used that blended so well in the house giving it a chic feel. The apartment was clean and neat with nothing out of place. Her eyes fell on the wall opposite the one that held the tv, where three of their pre-wedding pictures were hung.

It looked beautiful, beyond imagination. Everyone was admiring the house.

They helped her to her bedroom where she sat on the soft plush bed with her head bowed down. Her aunties came and sat beside her, one of them pulled her veil back. "Toh Maryam Alhamdulillah you're in your marital home where you are Insha Allah going to share your life with your husband. I am sure you have been told this over and over again and I am going to emphasize its importance Maryam." She drew a sharp breath before continuing. "... marriage is not child's play. You're going to go through different experiences that you have never imagined in your life. It's not going to be a bed of roses, it's a journey full of love, tears, friendship, laughter, happiness, and sadness. Always say the truth no matter what, because every relationship is built on trust. You'll get tired sometimes and you'll want to quit but Sabr, patience is the key to a happy marriage."

She palmed Maryam's face. "And you're going to always have to be the bigger person. You're going to have to apologize first, love first, talk first because men have this sort of ego and if you don't follow him slowly, he is someday going to exercise his power over you. Ki rike Allah, just pray. Sallan dare ki rike shi." Maryam meekly nodded, the aspect of marriage scaring her now more than ever.

The other Aunty, Aunty Sabeeha cleared her voice, placing her hand on Maryam's shoulder. "I agree with everything Reesla said except one thing. A husband can be the most easygoing person you will ever be with, and of course, they have that infamous ego that makes them so hardheaded, you will have to learn how to control him. You just have to know how to play the cards right." Not only Maryam, Aunty Reesla, and everyone other people in the room turned their attention to her.

She chuckled softly and took Maryam's hand in hers. "Let me let you in on a secret, men are like children, if you do what they want and give them what they need, then I promise they'll succumb to your every wish and desire. But I'm not saying it's not going to be hard, trust me it's going to be so hard but it'll be worthwhile." "Ba Malam ba boka, you'll be able to have a peaceful and successful marriage, Insha Allah. Just pray. Pray, pray."

"Insha Allah." Maryam whispered. Aunty Reesla smiled and hugged her. When they pulled apart, she wiped the tear that slipped out of Maryam's eyes. "You're going to do just fine."

She hugged her again. Aunty Reesla is one of her favorite Aunties, she has been married for 7 years now, she is a marriage counselor. "It's getting late, we're going to leave now."

They said their farewells before they left. Leaving the bride with her friends and family. Some of her friends were exploring the house, leaving Maryam with Ummita. Yasmin walked into Maryam's bedroom smiling as if she had won some sort of lottery. Maryam raised an eyebrow questionably, "what is it?"
Yasmin plopped down next to her, "have you seen your kitchen?"

Maryam shook her head, she wants to explore the house but right now that's the least of her problems. Today she is going to be left alone with a man, her husband, in this big house. It scares her.

"You have this coffee maker that is just amazing, I've seen it before in one of these influencers vlogs, it's so nice. Your kitchen is just perfect, I hope mine will be as great as yours."

Maryam smiled, "it's going to be even better Insha Allah."
Jannah suddenly barged into the room panting heavily. Maryam's heart almost popped out of her chest. "The ...the groom and his friends have arrived."

Yasmin that had her hand over her heart scared got up immediately, "Dan Allah?"
"Yes, y'all should come zaa yi siyan baki."

~~**~~

How was the chapter?
You guys I spent like two weeks alone on this chapter, and I still don't like it, might probably make some changes here and there later on.

I am going back to school in the first week of August, and I'm terrified because I am team school hater. I get so scared just thinking about how my life is going to be again back in that hell hole, goodness!

I'm so sorry for the late update and for the rambling, love you.

WithloveFatima🥂