Aishah

THE DAY FOR my henna design came,Fareedah and my sister were present with baby Faiza

I wore a wash blue jeans with an armless white top and a white cap to cover my newly plaited hair,I was dishing out food in the kitchen when I heard my sister's voice

I rush out from the kitchen with my food giving my sister a bear hug,we went straight to my room and I dropped the plate of rice beside my bed carrying baby Faiza from my sister's hand

"I miss you my princess,how are you my baby"I cooed while baby Faiza giggled

"Where's the Henna designer"my sister asked

"She's coming with Fareedah,they will be here anytime soon"I said while my sister look at me warily

"What's it?"I asked her

"I can't believe my baby sister is going to be a Mrs very soon,I'm just remembering the old days"she said emotionally while I roll my eyes placing baby Faiza in the bed and also taking my food

"Is that how you react when your sister is remembering the old days"she asked annoyingly

"What's there to be happy about when this marriage is not made out of love,I'm not happy Qadirah and I don't think I will ever be"I said while my sister looks at me with worries clearly written on her face

"I want you to be happy Aishah,just because you don't love him now doesn't mean you won't love him later same goes for him so cheer up and enjoy this once in a lifetime thing"

"I understand,I will try"I said faking a smile

"Stop faking when I'm around"she warned and I erupted in laughter

"Yes ma'am"I replied while she eyed me

I took my food and decided to devour it while the door suddenly swung open

"Amariya!!"Fareedah yelled jumping on me

"When will you stop being childish"

"I love you more sweetie"she said,I couldn't help but smile while she giggles

"The henna designer is here"she said while baby Faiza was struggling with her to take her phone from her

"No baby I don't want you to damage my baby for me"Fareedah said shooing baby Faiza away

"Be nice with babies Fareedah you will be a mother someday"my sister said

"I don't want to even think about it"she deadpanned while I only smiled scooting baby Faiza closer to myself

"Just tell the henna designer I will be there as soon as I'm through with my food"I said raising the plate of my food

"Ok ok,I will join mummy in the sitting room"she said and hugged my sister standing up,she adjusted her black designer top,she also wore a white chinos trouser matching it up with a white sneakers

"Ah Fareedah why didn't you remove your sneakers before entering my room"I asked frowning

"Get use to it babe because soon enough you will be missing me because I won't be there for you to yell on"she said smirking while I shook my head

"Fareedah is something else"my sister said when she left

"Walahi"I replied shaking my head before eating my food

As soon as I was done with my food,I helped my sister to put baby Faiza to bed before leaving the room,I met my mom Abdul and Fareedah watching the television with an unknown lady I assumed she must be henna designer

"Salam Aleikum"I greeted everyone and they all replied with

"Waleikum salam"

The henna designer stood up immediately smiling at me,I sat down across her while my mom suggested we should do it in my room to avoid visitors seeing the henna before the d day,I roll my eyes at this and went back inside my room with the henna designer and Fareedah

The henna designer started her profession decorating my hands and legs with beautiful and breathtaking designs,Fareedah couldn't shut up throughout the duration telling the henna designer to makes hers as beautiful as mine,I roll my eyes smiling at my best friend at her childish behaviour

Suddenly my phone started ringing and I asked my sister to pick the call up placing it on my right ear

"My beauty"Abubakar said while I chuckled

"How are you?"I asked

"I'm fine and what are you doing right now?"he asked me

"Designing my legs and hands,I'm so tired"I replied

"You ladies are quite funny some times,must you do all that,we men just take our bath apply oud and perfume then we are ready to go"he says jokingly

"That's the big difference between a man and a woman,we have to look our best always anyways what are you doing?"I asked

"In the mall trying to get your wedding gift"he said and I roll my eyes

"Don't even bother"

"Why won't I,you deserve the best anyways I'm hanging up now so that you can concentrate on the henna,I will call you in the evening"he said

"Ok bye"the call came to an end

"Who is that?"my sister asked as she kept my phone in the night stand

"A friend"I replied

"More like a lover,see the way you were smiling like a kid gifted candy, becareful Aishah"

"Are we actually doing this!"I said a bit pissed while she raise up her hands in surrender

***********************

The big day finally arrived,the day I dreaded most. I woke up around 4:30 am and took my bath,the make over artist came around 5:00am as soon as I was done with my salat, almost all member of my family were present and it felt like they didn't sleep throughout the night, arrangements and decorations were going on while some were trying their best to have their bath early

Fareedah and Qadirah spent the night over and slept at my room plus my three other cousins,Kabirah Mariam and Aliya,Fareedah already had her bath and she went with my two other cousins Aliya and Kabirah to help mum prepare breakfast for everyone

The work was much lesser because my mom hired cooks that will be taking care of the occasion meal,I asked my make over artist to give me a second as I went to search for my sister,I met her in my mom's bathroom trying to get baby Faiza ready

"I was looking for you"I say as soon as I set my eyes on her

"Aren't you supposed to start your make over right now"my sister asked while removing baby Faiza diaper

"Yeah,so when will you be through?"I asked

"As soon as Faiza is good as new"her eyes suddenly started scanning me weirdly"don't tell me you're here because of pictures"I smiled sheepishly

"Don't worry Rukkayah and Mariam will take care of that all of us are extra busy"she said while I nod my head leaving the room

I met my mom in the sitting room shouting my name

"I'm here mom"

"Are you seriously still in your night gown"my mom asked angrily frowning her face

"I have taken my bath"I replied trying my best not to roll my eyes

"So the make over artist was paid to come here only to wait for you right,you better go back to your room and let her do her work the time is not on our side,your groom family will not come and meet you like this Ya Allah"she said and walk away

I almost laughed but I controlled myself,my mom have never been this dissatisfied,I know she's trying to make sure everything is perfect so that's why I kicked against getting angry at her

I went back to my room and the make over artist started her work and soon enough Mariam and Rukkayah joined me in my room playing different songs and taking me pictures I couldn't help but smile throughout

As soon as the make over artist was done with my face I wore my wedding fatiya dress

It was a white lacy off shoulder material,the gown was fitted and flayed above my knees having three steps of flays

My make over artist tied my veil for me also,I look at myself in the mirror after applying perfume and I couldn't help but admire myself,I look different and beautiful it was like I wasn't the one reflecting in the mirror

I covered my face up with my white veil while my two cousins admired me singing me songs of praises,Fareedah who had been here when the make over was almost done was busy taking me different kinds of pictures asking me to pose in different styles

Around 8:30am everyone was almost done,the women were hardly recognisable with the difference layers of make up in their faces, everyone's dress was unique in their own way,my best lady who is easy to guess Fareedah was looking magnificent with her beautiful make over,I gaze at her with admires filling my eyes

She was dress in a native dark brown background attire with her head tie beautiful made in her head,we took series of pictures

I took pictures with my mom who was almost crying,she looks happy,sad and contented at thesame time,I took pictures with different people that I lost count of the people I took pictures with

Around 9:30am the men left the house for the wedding fatiya which will be taking place in the mosque,my brother Abdul was handsomely dressed in white which is thesame with my father's,I avoided taking pictures with my dad because I was still angry with him but I couldn't hide any further when Abdul decided to bring it up

I took several pictures with my dad,my dad and Abdul Abdul alone and my both parents

Abdul and dad left the house in a hurry,I went back inside to sit in the bed with Fareedah and Qadirah

"You look tensed"my sister pinpoint

"I'm afraid Qadirah,I don't know if this is a good idea,what if I will never be happy"

"Don't say so Aishah, everything happened for a reason and for a course"Fareedah said and I tried smiling

"It's okay sister, everything will be great Ibrahim will turn out to be a great man Insha Allah"my sister said

"I pray so"I said smiling at them

Thirty minutes later my mom came inside the room happily smiling widely showing all her teeth

"Congratulations Aishah you are now a Mrs,Mrs Ibrahim Aishah"

It seems like the world stopped at that moment and the only thing I could hear is the beating of my heart and the voice of my mom replaying in my mind

You are now a Mrs,Mrs Ibrahim Aishah

Am I ready for this?

Am I ready to start a home without love and commitment?

Should I be happy or sad?

The truth was I had no answer for any of this