Like every other girl, Aaliyah dreamt of getting married in a sparkly dress and at a beautiful event center, but not as her vaunting friends would wish.

Hamza only prayed to the see this moment.

They both dressed up in soft hues. Hamza with a snow white Kaftan and babban riga with a colourful zanna bukar to go with it while the bride; Aaliyah waltzed in looking like a princess clad in a satin long sleeved off-shoulder that had tight fitting cuffs, a nipped-in waist and a flowy bottom half, which was peach by the way; Hamza's favourite colour.

Isn't that cute?

They walked in hand in hand as if they were born for this moment.

Just by looking into his teary eyes you could see he really cherished her and with this moment combined, it seemed he had made it to heaven.

She looked the same, maybe a bit emotional too but she was entirely vibrant, her flushed cheeks betraying her whenever he whispered something into her ear. Some she heard, some she didn't but the feeling of his breathe fanning her neck gave her goosebumps.

"Remember when I said I'd make you mine?" Hamza asked Aaliyah.

A grin covered her face.

"I remember and I'm glad I lost the bet."

"I wouldn't say you lost. We both lost because I caved in long before you knew. Time made you break as well and we got to join in holy matrimony today!" He hollered.

"Which one is holy matrimony? Just say marriage aah! That's why I don't like English, it's annoying." She laughed and he nodded his head, laughing too.

A large decorated couch was placed at the center in the south side of the hall for the bride and groom to sit.

If you looked closely you'd think they were just gossiping about their guests because they all but ignored the raging event of their wedding as they conversed comically as if they were the only two in the room.

Some felt that was disrespectful but others just saw it as the couple having a good time. At least they weren't just stoic or silent, watching the guests in a brooding manner.

The scene oozed love from every direction. Her friends cooed, teased and blew kisses from afar, the men just smiled except Bilal the goof ball that enjoyed making funny faces or mouthing out something to get a reaction out of Hamza.

Those who were either acquaintances or extended family relatives just sat in the corners gossiping or designing motives to either steal food or expensive items from those that looked wealthy enough to replace whatever was stolen.

Soon it was time to dance. Aaliyah was nervous this time but the moment she held Hamza's hands and looked into his eyes, she knew that she was safe, alright.

He held both her hands and took elaborate steps to make her feel comfortable. It took a while before she loosened up after the slow songs were changed to the contemporary upbeat, funky music so she was able to move a little to Zlatan and Joeboy.

For the first time, Hamza cried for a woman after his mother. Just as the tears came, he wiped them off before anyone could notice. Even Aaliyah had no clue.

He smiled all the way and she did the same. An outsider would think they had no care in the world. He twirled her around like the royalty she was.

The guests had started to return to their various homes one after the other as midnight approached.

Those that stayed joined the couple on the dance floor, spraying Naira notes on them.

Her friends came to the side with tiny baskets and picked the money up as they danced in sync to the lovely song that was being played.

Later on, everyone went back to their sits to watch a Sudanese band play a lovely song they all had no clue  what the lyrics meant.

It was slow with a steady tempo which was soothing to Aaliyah's beating heart. She feared by the time this ended she'd no longer be entitled to her life of freedom. Now she was moving into a man's house whom she was familiar with but all the same she'd have to ask for his permission to engage in anything as prescribed by Allah S.W.T.

Would she also have to cook when it wasn't at her convinience? She thought because she was an extremely lazy lass.

She was silent now and Hamza noticed.

"What's wrong." He asked.

"I don't know. I just feel some type of way."

He understood her despite the brevity so he tried to soothe her with a small hug from the side.

Before they knew it, the whole room had their eyes set on them with expectant smiles on each viewers face.

"Awww their first hug!" Azeema screamed.

"Another one!" Vivian cooed.

"Kiss her!" Bilal winked.

I'm going to glue his lips after this.

Ignoring them wasn't an option now so they stood up this time and hugged properly. Hamza made quite a show with his PDA, even going further to plant a chaste kiss on her lips.

Her first kiss.

The embarrassment came forth. She didn't know how to evade the stares so she covered her face with the veil and sat back down.

After that episode, all retreated back to engage in their former activities of dancing and conversing until a man barged into the hall with three security guards chasing him from behind.

"Where is the fool?"

Oh that son of a gun, Akhram came to crash a wedding.

He has no idea what's coming his way.

"What are you doing here?!"

Aaliyah stood up and marched up to him, landing him a heavy slap on the cheek.

"How dare you?! After everything I've done for you, you went back to this low life."

What no one saw coming, he pulled out a dagger from the inside of his belt buckle and held it against Aaliyah's neck.

So this was how I was going to die... Aaliyah thought.

She agreed it was right after a few shoves and kicks to the air against his tight hold. She'd meet Hamza in Jannah Insha Allah.

"You imbecile!"

Hamza charged at him without a thought and speared him. He released Aaliyah though he still managed to leave a mark that bled profusely.

They wrestled on the ground. Akhram tried to stab him while he assumed a headlock stance and tried to pull the knife out of his preparators arm.

All the guests watched silently from a corner as the fight went on. Bilal, Bolaji and James ran in to help and they managed to beat the evil spirit of of him before snatching the knife out of his deadly palms.

It wasn't as easy as it sounded. He was a lanky man with enough strength to pound at least five men. Surprisingly he was able to put up a good fight with the four titans.

He was forced to kneel before the couple and Aaliyah slapped him again before the useless security guards took him away.

What a wedding...

It was the guests cue to leave once the commotion had died down.

The couple could tell that their wedding was going to be the most talked about for months to come.

It was then they both accepted that their lives would never know peace. An enemy here, an ex lover there. What else? A grieving mother? Hell no!

Looking at it from another perspective, it'd seem funny but it was as a crazy as it got.

Hamza wasn't ready to become a widower and neither was she ready to go back to spinsterhood. That was why they'd chosen to die for one another if the time came. 'Why not die together?', Their very own catch phrase.

Aaliyah escaped with a slit to her throat and Hamza, a cut above his eyes.

Give it up for the real cast of dramaville!

The next day...

Hamza was still sleeping when Aaliyah woke up by 13:00pm to make breakfast/Lunch.

Great impression for a good wife.

They had woken up to pray the Fajr salat but when they went back for another round of sleep, it seemed they'd both been knocked out for good.

The dinner party had taken a toll on them.

She tip-toed across the room to rush downstairs to whip up something quick before waking him up to consume it.

While she was in the kitchen garnishing the French toast with butter Hamza woke up to an empty bed, confused.

He assumed she was in the kitchen nonetheless so he went to the bathroom to take a shower.

By the time she was done preparing the coffee and toast, she brought it back upstairs to their room so they could fill their famished bellies to the brim.

He came out of the bathroom immediately she dropped the food on the coffee table she placed directly in front of the bed and sat at the edge to grab her turban cap that had managed to hide underneath her pillow while she was asleep.

Hamza walked to where she was and sat beside her to give her a good morning kiss.

"Good morning." They'd both said to each other before he held her face in place and kissed her forehead.

She turned pink once she realized he was shirtless. With no where to run, she pulls up the duvet cover and wraps it around her body.

"What's wrong baby?" He teased.

"Go and find clothes my friend!" She yelled.

"You don't like what you're seeing?" He asked, grinning like a child high on sugar.

"I don't! Stop playing model and find clothes so that we can eat. I'm hungrier than you think."

"Oh baby I know you like this." He flexed his muscles, "Please come and help me pick out what to where." He pouted.

I'm supposed to help him pick out his clothes right? She thought out loud, forgetting that he was standing right beside her. She was till trying to remember what Aunt Asmau told her about 'zamantakewar ma'aurata' When Hamza bursted into laughter.

"I didn't know you were this funny. Please help me." He begged, still laughing.

She ignored him and turned to face the other side.

After begging for about five minutes, he picked her up bridal style and dropped her in front of his wardrobe.

"Now that you're here just do it." He plopped down to his knees, hugging her lower half like a child.

She couldn't resist his boyish charms so she begrudgingly agreed to do it, angry that he had her 'mumu' button.

He has a large selection of shadda's, sweat shirts and hoodies. Knowing how indecisive she could be, she asked what colour he'd like to wear so it'd be easier for her to come to a conclusion.

He opted for anything grey so she chose sweat pants and a black vintage T-shirt to compliment the look.

He discarded the towel in the laundry basket that was in the bathroom once he was done wearing his clothes before joining her in the room.

"Oh my he looks spicy!" She smiled, still forgetful of her loud thoughts.

"I know right." He put his hands to his hips and smiled egoistically.

"I need to stop saying my thoughts out loud."

She opened the covers of the food containers and they devoured all the food that was on it.

"Did we eat yesterday?" He asked, laughing.

"I don't remember." Aaliyah shrugged.

They had both eaten but that was hours before everything had started. All they had was the strawberry flavoured sponge cake so they were hungrier than Lions as of now.

"You know." He started, "I still can't believe this worked out."

"It was all preordained babe. Even if we were separated, we'd still meet a hundred years later if Allah will's it. I also couldn't believe it either. We've been through a lot."

"That says a lot for us. If only we were like every other couple out there..." He trailed.

"I've come to terms with everything." He stroked her henna clad hads, "Normal isn't just for us."

"Conventional is the drama that our lives have morphed into."

"Let's give thanks to Allah for sustaining us." She smiled and he kissed her cheeks this time before engulfing her in a warm hug that lasted
seconds, but, for them, a lifetime.
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Hi eesh nation❤️

~Aisha Safiyanu🥀