16| From Miss To Mrs

But among all, one room in the corner seems to have little to no crowd, that room contains Zahra and her cycle of friends and cousin, the makeup artist doing wonders to the bride's face

"Who could have thought Zaza will be the first to get married among us" Hajju blurted all of a sudden

"Nobody did actually, Zaza is not the one to be in a relationship, but 'dan Abuja outdid all of us" Jiddah adds

"Soyayya ta kawo shi har gida" Asmy sang, and immediately adds "and Jiddah, what did I tell you about calling that name" she said sending a hard glare towards Jiddah 

"I told you guys already , I will make sure I injure Jids before leaving Maiduguri, make she no stop calling the name if she likes" Zahra warned, though she could only see them through the mirror 

"Abeg, you guys should spare me, what do you want me to call him then" Jiddah asked pouting 

"It is uncle Ahmad for you" Zahra answered 

"Uncle wetin you say, shey I resemble your niece" Jiddah snickered 

"Okay, guys, the bride's makeup is done" the makeup artist clapped, gaining their attention 

"Masha Allah" different voice from her cousins muttered in awe

"Allahumma bareek Zaza" Hajju and Jiddah said in unison, tears brimming at the corner of Jiddah's eyes

"Oh my Allah, my baby made a beautiful brideee" Asmy said emphasising the word bride, though her eyes are a bit watery

Suddenly Zahra's ringtone got them out of their emotional session, Na'eema her cousin who happened to be closer to where the phone is pick it up saying "The caller's name says 'Mr Me' " 

"Ya rahman, the knot has been tied, it is Ahmad, the groom" Asmy said all giddy as though she is the bride 

Zahra collect the phone, switching the green button to answer 

"Sa a speaker, babe" 

"Yes, speaker, we want to hear your first call as married couples" 

And she comply, she puts the phone on speaker and Ahmads voice came loud and clear

"Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah, Alhamdulillah" he said, his voice coming out raspy as though he was crying 

"Alhamdulillah" Zahra's voice came from the other end though a bit shaky 

"It is official gimbiya, you are legally mine, this is truly a dream come true, I am the most happiest human on earth right now, congratulations Mrs Ahmad Al-Mustapha Shuwa, Allah ya miki albarka, I love you" Ahmad's voice came from the other end his voice revealing raw happiness 

"I love you too" she replied 

The awws association took it upon them to burst her eardrum 

"God when"

"True love please locate me before the world ends" 

"awww" 

"Ya rahman please hear our please, ni kam dankali ce I know definitely" 

"Congratulations babe" 

The girls voice came from different angle of the room

Suddenly, loud yodelling came from the aunties outside, a testament to the news reaching them, some of the aunties barge into the room

"Where is the bride" 

"Barakallahu laki wa baraka alaiki, may yours be among the best of the best daughter" Aunty Zahra prayed hugging Zahra

"Ameen" the bridesmaid answered, and this is how all the aunties kept coming into the room saying their prayers and words of encouragement and wisdom

"The groom and his friends are here, let's all head downstairs" Zainab, aunty Zahra's daughter announced coming into the room

They all head down, Zahra in the mid of Hajju and Jiddah, her silky blue wedding gown flowing, her head covered in a long transparent veil

She was led by her friends to the three seater couch in the parlor, the photographer took their time in capturing each and every moment 

Not long ago, Ahmad and his friends came in, his stride slow and precise, eyes scanning each and every corner across the parlor, and he finally set his eyes on her, the one girl who made him have a sleepless night just thinking about her 

The girl that has him wrapped up around her little pinky finger, he made his way to the place she was seated in, but was halted by none other than Asmy and Jiddah

"What" he asked annoyed by how they stopped him from reaching his halal

"Do you think, we can just unveil our friend free of charge, ehn fine boy" Jiddah said hands akimbo

"Name your price, my friend is eager to see his Mrs" one among Ahmad's friends, Zubair replied 

"Okayy, we are going for 5m, right girls" Asmy said turning to the girls for back up

"Yeah, no discount, no negotiation, because our sister here is priceless" Maryam, Zahra's maternal cousin back her up

"Cash or transfer" Ahmad asked because he is eager to see his wife's beautiful face

"We do both, we even accept cheque" Na'eema answered now 

"Ashraf transfer them 7 million" he said turning to his guys, they gave him Jiddah's account number and Ashraf fulfill by transferring the money

"Awww, he sent it guys" she squeal showing them the alert

"Can I now see my wife" he asked for clarification 

"Go on, please she is all yours now" they said parting way for him to pass

He slowly raised her veil up to reveal her smiling face, he carefully hold her hand in his pulling her gently up hugging her to his chest

Their first ever hug, the halal one

"Alhamdulillah, I don't think I can ever stop thanking Allah for giving me you, I am one hell of a lucky guy" Ahmad muttered close to her ear

"Ahmadu na, words aren't enough to say how I feel today, you are finally mine" 

"Yes, that I am" he replied breaking the hug, kissing her on the forehead 

"Ohh, before I forgot, wait a moment, I am coming" he said leaving the parlor, he came back moment later, a chocolate bouquet in his hands

"Ya rahman, you didn't forget this, did you" she said all smiling 

"Yes, I did, you asked and I deliver, here is your chocolates bouquet mi lady" he handed her the bouquet, and the smile that pops up on her face is worth it 

He sat close to her for pictures and she handed Asmy the bouquet muttering "Careful with it, it is given to me with love" 

"Oppress us all you can, it is your time" one of her cousin who heard what she said replied 

"Let her be Ma'eesha, duniya ce, she choose love over me" Asmy joked, wiping her fake tears 

"Okay guys, it is picture time, get ready" Rafi'ah, Zahra's married cousin said clapping her hands

They all took turns in taking pictures, with her parents, her friends and finally her brothers 

After, the photo session, the groom and his entourage bid farewell to the bride and her friends

On their way out, Abdulkareem met them, they share pleasantries 

"My sister is an amana to you, we married her up to you, not because we don't love her, it's because she shows interest in you" Abdul started

"I know, I will cherish her till my last breath" he answered 

"Make her cry and I will hunt your life" Abdul threatened 

"That will never happen insha Allah, the only tears she will shed is happy tears, mark my word" Ahmad replied wholeheartedly

"Your sister is in safe hands, insha Allah" Ashraf chirped in

Abdulkareem nodded his head and hold Aareef's hand pulling him inside, and Ahmad and his entourage left to his grandparents house