"It's better to cross the line and suffer the consequences than to just stare at the line for the rest of your life"

•••••
Adda sajeedah looked on cloud nine, as she walked  into the large hall, with her would-be-husband beside her. Soft music playing as they walked to the stage, where a twin throne was set up for them.

I would congratulate the decorator, for the magnificent theme he set up. Everything screamed royalty. Even though I'm not a fan of extravagance, I love the setting.

After what happened a day before yesterday, I thought I wouldn't be able to make it to my favorite senior's wedding. A lot was on my mind, but I brushed everything off and wore my heavy purple dress, and came.

Mama insisted Sa'ad came with me, but I didn't want to trouble him. I also wanted to become independent for once.

The cake was wonderful, and it also complements the royal theme. Anty Luba did a great job and also delivered in time. Who would meet the deadline of two days and make a eight layer cake. Only a true magician.

"Adda sajeedah's  makeup is so lovely. Did you manage to patch up with the makeup artist?" I asked Affiyah

"That arrogant woman! never in a million years" she grunted.

I laughed before asking "Then who did her makeup".

"I did" she said grinning.

"Really? Wow". I asked surprised, looking up at the beautiful bride in mint green.

"Yes" she replied blushing. "I took makeup classes before me moved to Nigeria" she added

The weather was a little bizarre, but the event was indoors, so it wasn't a problem. The rains would have ruined everything.

The loud music playing, people walking around, chatting, eating, dancing, snapping pictures, children playing around, I could get used to this beautiful ambiance.

A type of environment that was good for my mental health, I could forget my trials for a few hours and just live.

Affiyah looked so beautiful, she didn't put on any makeup on her face, making her fair skin stand out. Her eyes were round and big, and were lined with minimal amount of kohl.

She's the absolute opposite of me. She's tall and a little bit fat. She looks fat compared to my skinny self. She has long straight hair, whereas mine is curly, like really really curly.

We snapped lots of pictures and I couldn't help but forward some to Sa'ad.

"Me: try not to fall in love with my bestie:)"

"Sa'ad: where are you noorey, what's going on? It's like you're in a party, Noor, are you fine? Send me the address I'll come right away."

I called him right away knowing he won't rest until he knows I'm alright.

"Noora! Are you fine? Where are you? And where aunt? Noor! Talk to me please" he spoke and I could imagine him pacing around his room, running his hand through his hair nervously.

"Sa'ad, I'm fine. It's Adda sajeedah's wedding dinner, I couldn't miss it. It's noisy over here, I'll call you when I get home, okay?" I said and ended the call.

"It's Sa'ad" I said to affiyah. I noticed the pink tink of blush on her cheeks on the mention of him.

Oh wow! I think I should play cupid.

"Oh, that annoying cousin of yours?" She said and I laughed.

"Oh don't speak about him like that, he's your future husband" I exclaimed.

Her eyes bulged open as she playfully hit my left arm and I flinched a little, covering my pain with a laugh.

It's not supposed to hurt, it's been long. The doctors said it'd heal but it's been over a year. I hope it's nothing serious.

Nobody knows about my once broken left hand.

I felt some movement under the table I was sitting on, and I bent a little, lifting the table cloth. A very cute girl was hiding underneath.

"Hi" I waved at the little girl and she smiled, showing her small teeth. "What are you doing under the table" I asked.

"I am playing hide and seek with my sisters, they are supposed to find me" she said with a cute baby accent.

I took her small hands in mine and led her out from under the table, then placed her small frame on my laps. "What's your name" I asked her as she played with her ponytail.

"Momma said we shouldn't speak to strangers"she said cutely, making me smile widely.

"I want to be your friend then, Will you be my friend?" She nodded. "My name is Noor,  what's your name?"

"Iman" she replied playing with my bracelet.

"How old are you Iman?"

"I am five years old" she said engrossed on the silver jewelry on my wrist . "My friends are waiting for me. Can I go now?" She asked and I placed her tender feet on the floor and watched her retreating figure, she turned occasionally to wave at me.

"Such a cute little girl" I mumbled to myself. She reminds me so much of my childhood. When we would play hide and seek for hours. I'm always the one finding Sa'ad because I'm not good at hiding. I smiled at the sudden rush of memories.

Even though Sa'ad was older than me, he'd always bunk playing football with his mates, just for me. We'd play tea parties and doll dress up. I knew he never liked any of the games, but he'd play with me anyways. There are times he would hide under my bed when it's time or for him to go home, and how Auntie Luba would drag him by his ear.

I had a very lively childhood, just the thought of how happy I was as a child made me smile.

Affiyah waddled back to her seat. "I'll be right back. I need to find someone" She said grabbing her small purse.

My eyes kept wandering the whole ambiance and I smiled spotting the cute blush on the brides face as she posed for a picture with her fiancé. That was when I noticed her standing with the brides friends', wearing the matching anko. She was laughing heartily, and chatting with her group of friends.

She went to the same college with Adda sajeedah.

Why is my step sister everywhere!

The night was going smoothly until she decided to showed up and ruin my day.

I needed some fresh air, so I squeezed passed the dancing guests. The weather was threatening rain fall but I didn't care a bit. I can't stay in the same environment as her. I might get into a fight with her. I don't want to act like a madwoman and get admitted into the mental hospital.

Again.

I sat somewhere quiet. I sat on the bare grass with so many thoughts over flooding my mind. Rain was slowly drizzling on me but I didn't care. I just wanted to be far away from her, that's it.

The place was a little dark, not the type of darkness that make it impossible to see. I hated the dark, but I didn't seem to mind it today, I just want to be alone, for a while and dwell in my thoughts.

I need to move on. She's happy, so why can't I be? I can be the same old jovial Noor, who talks nonstop. The same girl whose second name is trouble. I can right?

"No you cannot" a voice sounded from my head

It's sad to know that the Noor that brings light into people's lives, lost her own light, without even realizing it.

The waterfall started, cascading down my cheeks like rain sliding down a glass window.  Why am I even crying. It's like my eyes are used to it. I rubbed my nose, sniffling loudly.

I felt some movement beside me, and because the place was dark, I couldn't see who it was.

"It's raining, you'll get drenched and catch a cold". A husky voice spoke, handing me an umbrella I flashed his face with my phone's flashlight and he winced, shutting his eyes tightly.

He was an averagely young man, his complexion was not very fair, and also not dark. His eyes were black and he had long lashes. His eyebrows looked very neat, like they had been trimmed and his nose was very long and straight. His lips were rosy pink, complementing his dark skin. His black hair had smooth waves, and he had a very curly short beard. Even more curly than my hair. There was little hair between his nose and mouth. His mustache wasn't very visible though.

Every feature about him was perfect

I had been looking, oh sorry, ogling at the handsome young man for quite a minute or so, when he called his throat. He looked familiar.

Uhm..the Gas delivery boy? No! I think it's the Google maps man. The one that saved me that day.

Yes It's him. He was dressed in a white babban riga, which had a sky blue handmade embroidery stitched to it, the Zanna Bukar cap looking fantastic on him. 

"He's so handsome" I mumbled in my mind, hoping he can't read minds, because really, it'd be awkward to stand with a man I just called handsome.

"Are you alright? You seem upset" he said, and I nodded, declaring I'm okay.

"Thank you...for the umbrella, and also for taking me home safely...sorry I didn't get a chance to thank you the other night and Thank you, again" I spoke stuttered, my mind absolutely frozen. He smiled sweetly. "Oh and also for returning my bracelet" I added, holding up my right wrist showing my bracelet.

He smiled benevolently, showing his jaw dimple. I should stop ogling at the nice handsome young man. I turned my eyes to the effect of the drizzling rain on small gutter, where it made beautiful dimpling.

I could feel the heat of his gaze as the thunder flashed.

*** *** ***

What do you think of her encounter with Rayhaan, will it lead to something.

Vote and comment.