3 YEARS LATER
5 DAY TO THE NIKKAH
AUTHOR'S POV

"Arewa" means "beautiful" or "graceful". It's a popular name among the Hausa people, particularly in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa. The name Arewa evokes elegance, refinement, and loveliness.
The sun-drenched living room was abuzz with excitement as Ihsan's aunties and friends gathered around the colorful kayan lefe tray. The air was filled with oohs and aahs as they delicately unwrapped the gifts, admiring the thoughtful selections.

Hanan, pulled out her phone and started recording a video. "I have to send this to Ihsan, she'll love it!" she exclaimed, panning the camera across the array of gifts. Amal, Sadiya, and Khadija cheered her on, eagerly pointing out their favorite items

The girls had aged a bit, gaining weight and being rounder and thicker at the right places. Sadiya became chubbier than she was and it complimented her perfectly

Hanan's eyes sparkled as she gazed at the array of gifts. "I can't wait to show Ihsan all of this! She's going to be thrilled"

Amal nodded, "Yes, and we need to tell her about the car key, this girl has too many cars at her age wallahi"

Sadiya and Khadija chimed in, "And the jewelry! Oh my god, it's stunning."

Anty Fatima smiled (sadiya's mom), "That groom of hers has great taste. Ihsan is one lucky girl"

"She has always been lucky" someone scoffed, but that was the least of their worries

As they continued to admire the gifts, Hanan pulled out her phone. "I'm going to call her now. I can't wait to hear her reaction"

The room fell silent as Hanan dialed Ihsan's number. As they waited for her to answer, the excitement was palpable. But little did they know, Ihsan's nerves were starting to get the better of her...

Hanan's face lit up as Ihsan answered the call. "Hey, girlfriend or should I say future cousin-inlaw! Guess what? My handsome cousin has sent the most amazing gifts with the help of yours truly, mee! Fifteen boxes, and a car key for a BMW!"

Ihsan's voice was hesitant, "That's...wow, that's amazing. But, Hanan, I'm getting a little nervous. What if something goes wrong today?"

Hanan removes the phone from handsfree and walked to a quieter place

Hanan's tone turned reassuring, "Ihsan, don't worry! Everything will be perfect. Ya Abba loves you so much, and we're all here to support you. You're going to be stunning, and the ceremony will be beautiful."

But Ihsan's anxiety only grew, "What if I trip, or I forget how to breath? What if—"

Hanan interrupted, "Ihsan, stop worrying! You've got this. Just breathe, and remember how much Ya Abba adores you. We'll be there with you every step of the way.It has always been the four of us and you know that we have your back......always"

Hanan offering words of encouragement really lifted her mood for a bit. But despite her efforts, Ihsan's nerves continued to fray, her mind racing with worst-case scenarios

4 days to the D-day

The backyard was filled with laughter, soft music and excitement as Ihsan's friends gathered around her,some were eating,dancing,snapping pictures

The space was adorned with balloons and streamers in soft pastel colors, matching the delicate hues of the bride-to-be's favorite flowers. A beautifully decorated cake sat on a nearby table, surrounded by an array of sweet treats and refreshing drinks.

As the girls chatted and giggled, they took turns showering Ihsan with gifts and words of encouragement. Amal presented her with a stunning silver bracelet, while Hanan gave her a beautiful silk hijab. Khadija and Sadiya teamed up to gift her a gorgeous perfume set

As they celebrated, the friends shared stories, memories, and advice, their bond and love for Ihsan shining brighter than the brightest decorations. It was a special moment, one that Ihsan would treasure forever, surrounded by the women who meant the most to her

"Future Mrs.abba ah ahn see as you dey shine" Afreen, her course mate beamed taking a bite of the glazed donut on her plate

"Hehe I can't believe ihsan is getting married wallahi, they grow up so fast" Amal said wiping her fake tears making them chuckle

"Like play like play, the second time you saw him you were like you are ready to get married" Hanan smiled happily

"Yeah" Ihsan replied looking down at her henna stained hands

"Let's play truth or dare" Fadila, her other course mate suggested

"Aren't we too old for that" Sadiya asked putting on her glasses

Amal rolled her eyes "Sadi loosen up abeg, no matter how much you frown your face that lecturer is there flexing his life driving luxurious cars"

"Girman kan shi yayi yawa wallahi (his arrogance is too much I swear)" Sadiya hissed

"Erm erm daga hake ne za'a Kuma soyayya, enemies to lovers y'know" Ihsan winked making them laugh while sadiya scrunched up her nose

"Have any of you heard from Jamal?" Sadiya asked worriedly

''I haven't heard from him since we finished our Jamb and waec" Ihsan sighed tracing the lines of her henna

"I get that he was heartbroken but what did we do to him? Why did he also stop talking to us" Hanan asked frustratedly

"I'm sorry guys I didn't think that he liked me for rea-" She was cut off my khadija

"Stop apologizing ihsan you are not at fault, he didn't confess-"

"He didn't confess to her but we told her ai a-"

"It doesn't matter because she doesn't love him it's ya Abba she loves" Amal said cutting off Hanan

"End of discussion kawaii" Sadiya said sighing

"I miss him" Ihsan whispered quietly but they all heard

"Me too"

"Same"

"So do I"

The four looked at each other before bursting into tears, Jamal is like the glue of the group, Ihsan always carried the burden of breaking his heart, Amal carried the burden of not telling him to stop getting his hopes up, Hanan carried the burden of fighting with him the last day they met while Sadiya she carried the burden of not confessing her feelings for him

"Girls calm down! He did not die" Khadija said trying to console them

"He said that he will definitely attend my wedding" Ihsan sobbed the pain of losing her best friend of 16 years washing over her repeatedly

"He said that I'm his ride or die" Amal whizzed out her eyes already red from crying

"Amal he said that we are like sponge,patrick and squidward why did he leave then?" Ihsan asked shaking her head, the others had stopped crying but the two are still crying as if the end was coming

"Amal Ihsan you guys should calm down please I'm sorry" Sadiya apologised for bringing up a very sensitive topic even though her hearts feels like it has been shattered to pieces

"You guys should cheer up, Ihsan this is your bridal shower we are suppose to be dancing to Burna boy's song" Safiya, their old class mate said nudging her

"Yes that's right, DJ baraka kara mana beat" Afreen said pulling Ihsan up

"If you don't dance and cheer up we won't give you your phone" Hanan threatened waving Ihsan's phone

"And you know that means no more calls with your hubby" Fadila teased making them laugh

"Haba mana Dan Allah he is the oxygen I need survive" Ihsan pouted

"Oya ki bamu assignment" Safiya hyped

"You should show us your dance moves for the kamu that is happening tomorrow" Hadiza, the daughter of the minister of education suggested

"Kina wasa da Ihsan ne if you are going to say that she should drink water from the floor for Ya Abba she would do it" Amal said making them laugh

"Haba dai" Ihsan disagreed laughing with them, nobody noticed Sadiya leaving the room quietly...

"**'**"**""*"'"*'"*"*""*""**'**""*"**"

Toh

Not going to lie, my heart is breaking wallahi tallahi

Deep down I've always been team Jamal😂🤧

I cried with Ihsan and Amal :(

Hum gobe ne kamu faa and @hajiya sistaa ta fito mana anko fa😂😂

35k only🙄😂😂