Ethereal and Nonplussed. . .

"This is marriage dear. I know you're a teacher and you know most of the rights that your spouse have on you but there are things that you're still supposed to know. One of the one which every male hates is hissing. Don't you ever for the love of Allah hiss at your husband and I know you won't but please, they hate it with great passion, I also hate it. And then if you don't reply to them when they're talking to you, this one is not for all the males but try huh. If your spouse is angry, you should be calm. When one is fire, the other should be water. Always be the water my dear, I know you can do it.

"Our prophet (peace be on him) said: 'The woman who prays her five prayers, fasts in the month Ramadhan, protect her chastity and is obedient to her husband; such woman will enter Jannah from any of doors she wishes to enter from.' Stop looking at me like that, I know so many hadiths and most especially the ones about marriage. There is this one too that I very much like, you know it but whatever;

" When Allah's Messenger (SAW) was asked which woman was the best, he replied: The one who pleases her husband whenever he looks at her, obeys him when he gives a command and and does not go against his wishes regarding her person or property by doing anything of which he disapproves.' I want him to tell me that you're the best thing that has ever happen to him in less than a month, and if I don't hear that, you'll hear a lot from me." Her mother narrowed her eyes at Nana who only guffawed. Her eyes are filled with tears but she manage to sputter that out so she won't cry.

"Sure thing, boss. It's just that I'm kind of overwhelmed with everything." She mumbled, looking down at her henna covered hands.

"In life, things happen around us, things happen to us, but the only thing that truly matters is how you choose to react to it and what you make out of it. Life is all about learning, adopting and converting all the struggles that we experience into something positive, my dear."

"Yes, boss." She grinned and kissed her mother's cheek. They hug each other for awhile before her mother screeched and stood up.

"They'll be here in less than an hour. Let's get you dressed." She drag Nana to the mirror so that she can dress her up.

"Who, mom?" Her incredulous look didn't falter.

"Ugh, your groom and his friends." She glare at her, making her keep her mouth shut. She wanted to ask what is he going to do here when she remembered hearing Rukayyah talking about having her own Mr right when his friends come here but why! Uh-uh.

She can see her kayanlefe by the side where her mother tried hiding it but wasn't successful. She said some people can only come here to steal and that is why they'll be taking it to her father's room when everyone went downstairs to see the groom. There are twelve boxes from what she heard, she didn't check a thing but her mother told her that everything is beautiful and that's that. All this traditional stuff that is happening, Nana know nothing about it but try to go with the flow.

Her mother unfold an expensive looking black lace that has soft touches of navy blue around to give Nana. She asked her to get into the beautiful skirt and blouse. It fitted her like a second skin and Nana don't like it, even if there are only girls in the house but the groomsmen will also be here and they can't just see what they're not supposed to. This is one of the reasons why she didn't want to meet Zayn till after the wedding, he's dangerously handsome and they both have weakness.

She said the prayer she always says before looking at the mirror 'Allahumma anta hassanta khalki fa hassin khuluki (O'Allah you've made me beautiful, make my soul beautiful too).'

"Mom, there is a veil right?" She asked, twirling around in front of the mirror. The skirt has open from her knees down but it's very tight from knees to waist and enhanced her wide hips. The blouse has low peplum with three steps with no style whatsoever. She looks very beautiful if she'll say that herself.

"Yes there is. Now let me call the makeup artist to retouch you a little and then tie this asoeke for you." Her mother smiled before stepping out of the room.

Not knowing what to do, she felt the need to check her phone again. Phones can take someone's time without knowing that's why she hid it under her pillow, making sure her itching hands don't go there. She unlock it after seeing notification of twelve messages, who are they? How did they get her number when she didn't give anyone except her new cousins, Zayn's sisters, her sister in-law, brother and parents. Okay, let's see.

There are two messages from Kaadira telling her that the makeup artist is in her way then and congratulations message one from Naazwa congratulating her with longs words, four from Maaysa saying congratulations and then telling her that she can't wait for her to join her in the empty house -she chuckled at that before moving. Taima messaged her also, saying goodnight yesterday and congratulations today, same goes to Rukayyah who has said a lot more than she can read now so she made a mental note to read it later. And then there is one from unknown number saying "Alhamdulillah! It's official and you're mine." It says and there is no one who would say that if not Zayn and that brought a huge smile to her face, this is creepy.

"Stop smiling like a Cheshire cat and let's get this over with. I can't wait for the groomsmen!" Nana almost drop her phone when she heard Rukayyah's voice, she send her a glare before standing up to sit down on the vanity stool so the makeup artist can tie her head tie and retouch her a little.

"I'm really going to miss you." Nana heard Hannatu's voice arbitrarily coming from the door, Nana's head to whip to the mirror to look at her, she looks sad.

"Hanna, please don't be like mom. We've talked about crying today, didn't we?" She sternly look at her from the mirror, they spent yesterday night together.

"I'm not going to cry." She rolled her eyes before ambling into the room completely.

All the bridesmaid decide to wear the same outfit in their words 'we want everyone to know that we are related' Nana just chuckled at that. They are very weird but having family is beautiful. They are all dressed in a navy blue material lace and black raw silk on their heads. They look beautiful and it matches her outfit, they're both wearing the same style which is flay. It's tight around the bosom then opened from there down. Her mother choose the colour for them saying she's not going to show them the bride's outfit but gave the colour and it looks very beautiful.

So marriage feels this beautiful? Nana thought, thinking about Zayn's message. What in heaven is wrong with her?

"Stop blushing." Rukayyah laughed.

"I'm not!" Nana immediately defend herself.

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, girl." She moseyed closer to take pictures of her as the photographer ask her to. She's also a photographer and caterer, so she took the picture beautifully. The wedding photographer is a male and Nana don't want him to come into the room as she is not wearing a veil yet.

"You look beautiful, amarya(bride)." Her Aunty, Maimuna whispered to Nana. She's Taima and Batul's mother. She's her father's elder sister from what her mother told her.

Taima is 24 years old and is engaged to be married in two months, and Batul is 22 years old, Rukayyah is 24 also and Zahira is 23 years is also engaged to be married in four months time. She is really happy for them, they all are getting married to their lovers whilst she's arranged but she isn't complaining. Sometimes, arranged marriages are better than love marriages, the love has already expired sometimes. Why wait for four months when you're both ready to get married? 'Hypocrite' her subconscious mocks.

"They are here! Damn, they're so hot!" Batul yelled, barging into the room.

"I know right." Zahira and Taima both said in sync and laughed at each other before facing Nana who is already dressed.

"Girls, wait outside and I'll come down with her. Stay at the foyer so you can walk with her down the stairs. You should stay at the front." Nana's mother instructed when she walked in.

The five girls walk out of the room to stay at the foyer all the while peeping their heads to see the groomsmen but could only see their shoes which are very shiny and looks expensive. Nana, her mother and her Aunty, Maimuna walk out of the room and give the key to Hannatu's mother to lock the room till they get back.

"Let's go girls." Nana's mother ordered when they also step into the foyer.

They walk slowly downstairs, Nana looking at her shiny navy blue shoes that has white beads shining around it, same goes to the navy blue clutch. Her veil also have the same beads matching the whole outfit with her navy blue asoeke perched on her head. Maybe they bought it in set, she doesn't know. All in all, she loves the colour combination of black and navy blue.

As soon as she step her foot in the main living room -where everyone is, even the ones outside moseyed in to see the groom and the bride- she smelled his strong cologne but this time around, she welcomed it instead of being nervous about it. She's really acting weird today.

She raise her head up to look straight into his eyes and she couldn't look away. It's like he's holding her captive, caressing her with his eyes, molding her body with it, causing beautiful goosebumps to appear -soothing them with tingling kisses, burning her and rooting her confined. She felt ethereal, at the same time nonplussed.

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Salam!
How are you all doing? Hope good.
I couldn't write what I wanted to but have to go through details, without details, it'll look very plain and boring. So I have a confession to male, my heart is breaking, really! I'm not seeing many comment and I'm not seeing votes which is heartbreaking. Just a little thank you and update soon will make my whole day, please. Don't forget to VOTE COMMENT and SHARE please. . .
QOTD: Do you like how I'm explaining everything? How is the chapter? And Nana's weirdness? Her creepy blush and smile? What do you think?!

Bye!
Aishatu.⭐