Chapter 53: No KPop Please!

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"Weddings. 

Dressing up, 

Styling your hair/hijab,

Flowers blooming everywhere. 

Vibrant colors in the light. 

That is how,

weddings bring happiness"

-2am-

*

The blue sky and bright sun became the highlight of the morning, where everyone was getting ready for Aanabia's henna ceremony at Yazdan's large backyard. The place was decorated with flowers and white and yellow steamers. Children ran around the front yard, supervised by the older sisters, while no men were at sight. The henna ceremony was exclusively for females which also excluded the groom.

Aanabia was almost ready. She set by the dresser, letting Nahal, Amyrah and Kulthum put flower hairpins in her braided hair updo. She smiled at herself in the mirror as she watched them do that. Qaidah had bought a silk sari for her henna ceremony (which was originally planned for the night but the girls suggested it be done during the day so they have time to rest before Walima)

The sari was bright yellow with green and golden borders at the bottom and the ends of the falls. The borders were thick and had a diagrammatic pattern to it. The blouse was dark green and golden, the same as the thick borders.

"Perfect" Amyrah finished placing the last flower hairpin on her hair with a grin. Aanabia turned to the side and observed her long hair. The hair was placed up in a messy low bun, with a few lose tendrils. There were two braids that started from the side of her head and met at the bun itself. Small white and yellow rose hairpins (that had green leaves) were placed around the top of the bun, giving it a nest look. There were a lose tendrils on her face too, the ones she hastily pushed aside.

"You look absolutely gorgeous" Kulthum told her and Aanabia let out a small smile. Nahal had done her makeup lightly and Qaidah had helped her wear the Sari (because she cannot do so herself. She did try but she tripped and fell multiple times) while Kulthum and Amyrah had helped her in doing her hair. She wore her wedding ring and no other accessory in her hands for she would eventually have to take them off for the henna. She did wear an Anklet, a gift from Amyrah. The sari that Qaidah bought came with matching earrings and necklace, which were very simple much to her happiness.

She was finally dressed, Nahal noted with a small smile. Nahal had a hard time donning on the Sari she had, but nonetheless, with Kulthum's help she was done in no time. Amyrah, Kulthum and Nahal were wearing a bright yellow chiffon sari with different colored blouses. Amyrah had her hair up in a bun with a few flowers at it while Kulthum had braided it to the back with flowers at the end. Nahal had a messy bun with literally no flowers until Amyrah placed a miniature yellow sunflower at the side of the messy bun. 

The girls walked out of the house to the backyard, with smiles and laughter. A few pictures were clicked along the way and music flowed in the air from somewhere outside. Laughter rang through the yard as the ladies gathered around the front to see the beautiful bride-to-be. Aanabia grinned at them, having known them for a while now as she took her seat at the throne of hers which happened to be decorated beautifully. She had to sit on the small chair though, which had a height of barely 40cm. There were flowers all around the place while the henna artist set beside the chair, on the rugged floor. Hifzah was also seated beside her daughter, smiling up at her through glassy eyes. 

Nahal had asked Yahyah to make a square using four poles so that they could place it at the backyard and decorate it as the stage and Yahyah did so. He also added a roof over the four pine posts which happened to be hay pieces stuck together. Nahal was proud of him and he was satisfied. Of course. 

The girls took their seats at the chairs in front while waiting for the henna artist to begin. Amyrah was at the small sound system with her phone to play songs while Kulthum was with Qaidah, giving the customary gifts to Aanabia. Again. While they were giving out gifts, the song changed to that of a korean one causing Kulthum to grin and Qaidah to groan. Aanabia watched them with fascination. 

"Amyrah! No KPop please!" called out Qaidah to her oldest daughter-in-law who laughed and changed the song to that of a hindi one. Kulthum let out a small laugh along with Aanabia who had no idea what exactly happened. 

"As salaam alaikum. I am so so sorry I am late!" Zamaairah said, walking out of the house with a sheepish smile. Qaidah raised an eyebrow at her before pulling her into a hug and placing a kiss on the side of her head. Zamaairah had also worn a saree like the other girls, which was yellow. Her hair was in a bun which had a few decorative pins in it. Behind her followed the one girl everyone had forgotten the face of. 

"URWA!" Amyrah ran over and pulled her cousin in a bear hug. Urwa let out a laugh, holding onto her sister. She was also dressed in a bright yellow sari with bright earrings and a hair updo. 

"Urwa is also here?" Qaidah questioned, glancing at them. Amyrah nodded, pulling her sister with her towards the main stage. Urwa hugged Qaidah and Grandmother Zaeef before Kulthum pulled her into a bear hug. 

"My cutie bear!" she said, almost squashing Urwa. Urwa let out a laugh. 

"Aanabia, this is Urwa. My cousin." Amyrah introduced Aanabia to her. Aanabia grinned at the girl who seemed quite uncomfortable with the attention. Zama let out a small laugh and took a seat beside Aanabia who immediately turned her attention to Zama. 

"Finally" Aanabia told her and she held back a laugh. She touched Aanabia's forehead with a fond smile.

"I am glad I made it. You look absolutely amazing" she told her and Aanabia blushed slightly.

"You missed me getting ready!" she scolded and Zama held her ears in apology.

"Tomorrow, I promise I'll be with you" Zama told her with a smile.

 Before the two could talk anymore, Amyrah and Kulthum were there to take Zama away.

"Let's go eat something" suggested Amyrah, pulling Kulthum away. Aanabia grinned at them.

"Go" she told Zama who nodded before standing up and walking away.

The girls stood by the large table laden with snacks, with empty plates that were soon filling up. They chatted, laughed and got to know each other. Urwa was the youngest amongst them and was glad she made it for this ceremony was beginning to get interesting. 

The over-all atmosphere felt vibrant and lively. The youths were getting their hands designed with henna from the other artists who had come over for the wedding. Nahal, Amyrah and Kulthum along with a very hesitant Urwa were dragged to the dance floor in the middle to dance to the song Tu Laung Main Elachi. The girls had the most amount of fun dancing to that song and a few others following it, showing random moves, laughing and getting their feet dirty on the grassed ground. Qaidah and Grandmother Zaeef stood in the middle of the dancing ladies with laughs and claps, simply watching them until Amyrah and Kulthum dragged Grandmother Zaeef to dance too.

Aanabia watched them laugh and have fun from her seat. The henna on her hands were almost done while the ones on her feet had dried off. They were simple designs and she liked it that way.

"They say if the color of henna is deep on the hands of the bride, the husband loves her as much" one of the ladies told her and Aanabia smiled at them, shaking away the fear of having light henna color. Even if it doesn't retain a deep color on my hands, my man loves me. She told herself repeatedly.

It was soon time for late lunch and the girls stood by the large buffet, waiting for others to finish taking their food. Soft winds rustled the large tree leaves above, lowering the heat at the compound. Ladies lined up with their plates, taking food as they chatted and walked up. 

"How is medical school treating you?" Amyrah asked Urwa, who was busy biting off a cupcake. Urwa let out a small smile, wiping away the icing off her face. 

"Good. Expectations are high though." she muttered and Amyrah nodded with a smile. 

"A few more years and you will be done, baby" she told her and Urwa nodded at her. Amyrah then turned to Nahal with bright, twinkling eyes, one Nahal failed to notice. 

"Nahal. May I ask you something?" she asked and Nahal nodded at her. "So you are finally together with Yahyah?" Nahal raised an eyebrow at Amyrah, her lips turning up into a smile. Amyrah grinned at her. 

"So it's all good! Awh. I am so proud of Yahyah" Amyrah told her and Nahal let out a small laugh. 

"I am too" she muttered to herself. And she was not lying. She made the best decision to fall in love with Yahyah Rashad and she knew she was not going to regret it. At least I hope so. 

*****

Salaam guys. So I have been losing track of time lately. I have no idea why. Anyway. :) 

Update. 

| R - C - V |

xx, 

-aalihha.