Aamanah and Nazmeera stood opposite one another in the circle that their friends had formed around them.One thing that you would still find rampant around the numerous tribes who had found the use of technology was that they each still had the culture of sword fighting.Aamanah and Nazmeera had both been taught by Abi Jameel.All the women knew when they had a bout,it was bound to get interesting.

"Ready to lose,Naz?"

Nazmeera chuckled under the parda covering that left only her forehead exposed as she swung the sword,"You know what they say,don't count your eggs before they hatch."

"Three.Two.One.Go." Sawleha said and the two women begun circling one another.

Aamanah was the first to make a move only to be pushed back by Nazmeera's footwork.They went back and forth for the next five or ten minutes before Nazmeera saw her opening.She thrust her sword forward causing it to slid through the open handle of Aamanah's and she gave a twist.The sword jumped out of Aamanah's hand and into the air when Nazmeera caught it.

"Told you,you shouldn't count your eggs before they hatch." Nazmeera taunted as she held out Aamanah's sword which she took with a smile from the way her eyes crinkled,Nazmeera could tell.

"MashaAllah,it seems like you've been practicing."

"What can I say?I need to always be on my toes around you." Nazmeera joked back causing Sawleha to speak.

"Literally with how messy Manah is we all have to be on our toes."

"Hey.That's mean." She complained causing a round of chuckles to go around before they fell silent at the sound of cars pulling up.They each turned their heads to look at the cars as they came to a stop,Nazmeera and Aamanah stepped forward as they were amongst the tribe's leaders family.

Aamanah gazed at Nazmeera when Hamza Bin Abeed got off the first car with a couple more lads followed him.His father Abi Hamza had already arrived in the morning and here Hamza had decided only to come after zuhur.The women immediately lowered their gazes as the men turned to face them.

"How do we get to the tribal grounds?"

Aamanah refused to say a word to the man who had spoken so Nazmeera spoke in a low tone,"Straight down the way you were going."

"Jazakallah." Hamza said,she mumbled an ameen as he turned around only to turn back with a raised eyebrow,"Binti Abdullah,are you present?"

Aamanah stepped forwardl,her head raised as she looked him in the eye,"Nam,I am."

Hamza narrowed his eyes at her arrogant tone and he took a step forward,"I hope you know why I agreed to marrying you."

Aamanah scoffed at the tone of disgust he used on the word you and she rolled her eyes,"Well I hope you know that I'm marrying you because of my tribe and if they weren't my priority,I wouldn't even look at your ugly face."

The girls held back laughter but Hamza's brothers did not.They outrightly laughed,ignoring the glare he graced them.

"You little..."

"Ibn Abeed,watch your words." Nazmeera warned from where she stood next to Aamanah and Hamza looked at her.

"Who are you?"

"Aamanah's cousin,Nazmeera Binti Moosa."

Hamza recognized her as one of those who had visited his tribe along with Abi Jameel.She had been nothing but respectful towards everyone there when she had visited.He had noticed that she was well respected amongst Abi Jameel's tribe and he also had heard a lot about her.Hamza lowered his head,a hand on his heart,"I apologise,I will watch my actions."

"You better." Aamanah said as she turned to walk away and Nazmeera gave a warning.

"Manah,enough.Ibn Abeed,please proceed towards the tribal grounds.My uncle is expecting you,he does not like tardiness."

Hamza only turned towards the car,his brothers and him got in and off they went.Nazmeera turned to Aamanah who was looking like a puppy who had been scolded,"Manah,I know you don't like him but you can be cordial with him.Remember you are representing our tribe to him and his tribe,be on your best behaviour.Understand?"

Aamanah nodded her head,"Nam ughti."

"I mean it,Manah.Come on,girls.Let's head back,we need to change for tonight."

All the women begun making their way back to the tribal grounds.Aamanah knew that she had to be representing her tribe but the temptation to speak out against Hamza was strong.She knew that tonight was going to be a war and boy,was she ready for it.

Aamanah stood behind the curtain that had been pulled up,her eyes on the man she would be marrying in just a couple weeks.She kept her eyes on him,her eyes narrowed and she opened them only to look at Nazmeera who had nudged her.

"Stop glaring at him as if you want him to catch on fire and turn into ash." She whispered to Aamanah and Aamanah snorted lowly.

"If only he would catch on fire.I would be so relieved."

Nazmeera only shook her head as they begun eating,she noticed how Aamanah kept on looking at Hamza,"For someone who claims to hate that man's living guts,you surely do like looking at him."

Aamanah's eyes went wide at Nazmeera's words and she shook her head,making a disgusted expression,"I'm looking to see if he has a wandering eye.I refuse to marry such a man."

Nazmeera rolled her eyes this time,"There's a curtain in between the men and ladies.The only thing he can probably see is the outline of bodies that look like a sea of people.Be realistic.Anyway,soon the talks about your mehr will begin.What have you decided that you will ask for,Manah?"

"I've decided on 300 dirhams and a gold chain."

"Shukar alhumdulilah." Nazmeera mumbled causing Aamanah to look at her with a raised eyebrow.

"What's that about?"

"I thought I was going to have to scold you for saying something dumb but I'm glad I get to save my breath."

Aamanah rolled her eyes,"I'm not that dumb to embarrass abi in front of everyone here." She smirked,"To battle it out with Hamza I will have a lifetime but abi's reputation is mine to protect at this moment."

Nazmeera smiled at her as she put a hand on Aamanah's knee,"You are the best daughter in the world."

Aamanah smiled at Nazmeera,"I watched you growing up,Naz and I learnt from you."

"At least you learned something from me." Nazmeera said with a playful smile which caused Aamanah to knock her leg.

"Funny."

"Abi Hamza,the mehr amount is something that is the bride's right so I will request that Aamanah tell her brother what mehr she wants and he will announce her decision." Abi Jameel announced causing Jameel to make his way over to the curtain area where he presumed Aamanah would be sitting.

"Aamanah." He called out once he got close to the curtain,Aamanah stood up moving towards where she could see her brother's shadow and the direction his voice came from.She poked her hand out so that her brother would know she was there.

"Ughi."

"What mehr do you want from Hamza Ibn Abeed?" Jameel questioned,his loud voice ringing through the tent.

"300 Dirhams and a gold chain."

"Are you sure?" He asked but this time his voice was a whisper.

"Nam,I am sure."

"Aamanah has decided that the mehr amount that Hamza Ibn Abeed will give her as is her right,is 300 dirhams and a gold chain."

Aamanah could hear the gasps of wonder from those who had joined Hamza from his tribe to her tribe.Generally the mehr that daughters of tribe leaders requested were higher but Aamanah had requested one of the simplest mehr amounts.

"Do you agree to the mehr amount my sister asks for,Ibn Abeed?" Jameel questioned as he turned to face Hamza who stood up.

"I accept the amount that Binti Abdullah has asked for,but I wish to add on to her mehr." Aamanah's eyes grew wide as she turned her head to look towards the direction from where Hamza's voice came,"In addition to the mehr that binti Abdullah has asked for,I will also be giving her a car and a flat which will be rented out,all the earnings of which will be transferred into her account at the beginning of the month.Along with that I will also be adding on three gold jewellery sets and five gold bangles,all from Madina.Does binti Abdullah have any problem with what I wish to add on?"

Jameel turned his head towards the curtain behind which Aamanah had been left speechless.The mehr amount that Hamza had mentioned was more then what she had asked for,it exceeded her expectations yet here they were.

"Aamanah,do you agree to the mehr amount that Hamza has added onto the amount that you wished for?"

Aamanah turned her head to look at Nazmeera who nodded her head then she looked at her mother who also nodded her head,before she turned her head to speak to her brother,"Nam,I agree to the mehr that Hamza Ibn Abeed has requested to give me."

"Aamanah has agreed to the mehr amount that Hamza has agreed to give her."

Aamanah made her way to Nazmeera and sat down,"What the hell!I did not expect that from him." She whispered to Nazmeera who only smiled at her as Abi Jameel's voice rang out through the tent.

"After discussion with my family and tribe elders,we have come to the conclusion that Aamanah and Hamza will be married on the 23 of October.Is that date okay with you,Abi Hamza?"

There was a bit of whispering before Abi Hamza's gruff voice rang out,"Nam,we are okay with the date that you have chosen."

"It is decided then that Hamza Ibn Abeed and Aamanah Binti Abdullah,with the will and grace of Allah will be married on the 23rd of October after Zuhur salaah.In Sha Allah,we will all be there to see this union on that day.May Allah bring that day to us with no obstacles and barriers." Jameel announced and a chorus of ameen went around.

"Mabrook ughti." Nazmeera congratulated Aamanah as they stood up,hugging her before moving back so that Ummi Jameel could hug her.

"Mabrook,binti.May Allah fill your life with noor and blessings from this moment on." Ummi Jameel hugged her daughter who hugged her back tightly.

"Jazakallah ummi.Ameen."

On this side while she was being congratulated by the women of the tribe,Hamza was being congratulated by the men of the tribe on the other side of the curtain.

Though their beginning was uncertain,were all beginnings not the doorways to something big?Something to anticipate?Something to leave in the hands of the Almighty?And that's just what Aamanah and Hamza did.They left it in His hands and took a step closer to their union.