Nazmeera sat still as the women of her close family hustled around her,readying her for her nikah.Her eyes were lifeless yet aware of everything that took place around her.In the mirror she saw Aamanah smiling gently at her but she also saw the way Aamanah's eyes glistened with unshed tears after all she was going to share her husband with her sister like cousin.

When the women were done Ummi Jameel told them to leave the tent except for Aamanah who stayed where she was.

"Ya Nazmeera,I know what you are going through.The turmoil your heart is facing is great but believe me this what I have done is to save my daughter's home as well as build you a home.I know for a fact that after Abi Jameel and me you love Aamanah the most that is why I have asked for this sacrifice from you.

Do not think that I am doing this because your mother is no more and your father refuses to accept you,no I am doing this in order to give you a chance to build your own home with a man who was able to make Aamanah his despite facing many difficulties.I hope that Allah rewards your sabr and I hope that one day you will be able to forgive me."

Nazmeera stood up and turned to her aunt before grabbing a hold of her hands.

"Ya ammh,there is nothing to forgive you about.Yes,this decision has caused great turmoil in my heart but before thinking about myself I have to think about Aamanah and her heart.Aamanah has always meant the world to me and if doing this saves her home then I am honoured to be making this decision.I have put a rock on my heart and made this decision with Faith in Allah that He will help me."

Nazmeera left her aunts hands and went to Aamanah,taking a hold of both of Aamanah's hands in her own,she looked Aamanah in the eye and then spoke,"Ya ughti,you have entrusted your husband to me and I hope that I will be able to uphold your trust.Never will Hamza be my husband only,he will always be your husband before he is mine.Before I have a right on him,your right on him will come first.My place in his tribe will always come after yours even after I bear him children.If anyone dares to bad mouth you,They will have to face me.I promise to always keep your rights first and foremost."

A few tears fell from Aamanah's eyes and the cousins hugged one another.Aamanah knew that now no matter what Nazmeera would keep her promise.Even though her heart was heavy knowing that Hamza was getting married a second time somewhere in her heart she was relieved that Nazmeera was going to be her sister wife.Aamanah broke the hug and gave Nazmeera a small smile.

"Jazakallah for agreeing to this marriage and I know you will never betray me.You have always sacrificed many things for me and this is one sacrifice that I will never forget."

"This isn't a sacrifice Aamanah,its my duty to all ways protect you and I will do this until I die.I love you ughti."

"I love you too Nazmee."

There was a call from outside the tent and Ummi Jameel told them to enter.It was Abi Jameel,Nazmeera's uncle's and grandfather.

"Ya binti,when I brought you from your father's tribe you were a young child who had no knowledge of right and wrong yet you had to pay for a sin that you had not committed.You were always there for all my children and have always protected them.You took the part of being one of the eldest seriously.You have saved my daughter's house and my honour.May Allah reward you for this sacrifice." Abi Jamee hugged Nazmeera and gave a kiss on her forehead,"She is being harmed and taunted there,protect her."

She nodded her head and he moved back.Her grandfather Abi Abdullah took his place,his eyes were filled with tears.

"Binti Nazmeera,you've faced difficulties from the very beginning of your life and this is another test from the Almighty.You are like your mother strong,stubborn and hard headed.You are also known for your patience and perseverance,stay true to your name.I know its difficult but try and build a home for yourself with Bin Owais even though it will be hard as he is also your sister like cousins husband.May Allah keep you happy."

He kissed her forehead and her uncle's copied him before Abi Jameel stood on her right,Aamanah on her left and Ummi Jameel next to Aamanah.They walked out of the tent to the gathering where the nikah would take place.

Ummi Jameel and Aamanah stayed back as the men and Nazmeera walked foreward but Nazmeera stopped and turned to Aamanah.

"Ya ughti Aamanah,walk with me I don't want to give my answer without you by my side."

Aamanah knew the meaning behind this,Nazmeera was giving her a chance to stop this nikah because she knew Aamanah's heart.Aamanah walked to Nazmeera's side and they walked to the front.

Hamza watched the two sisters walk together and his heart felt as if it was being squeezed in his chest when he saw Aamanah's face.They reached him and Aamanah moved a bit back as Nazmeera stood next to him.They both turned to face the head Mufti of the tribe.

The Mufti begun the khutbah and asked Nazmeera,"Nazmeera Bin Moosa do you accept Hamza Bin Owais as your husband?"

Nazmeera cast a glance at Aamanah who's eyes held unshed tears and her nod told Nazmeera everything,she was to agree and she did,"Yes."

The Mufti then looked at Hamza and asked,"Hamza Bin Owais do you take Nazmeera Bin Moosa to be your wife?"

Hamza looked at Aamanah who's head was lowered and he saw the tears fall before she picked up her head and nodded.He looked at the Mufti and spoke,"Yes I take her as my wife."

"You'll are now lawfully husband and wife.May Allah fill your marriage with barakah and make it that the two of you bear children who will carry the flag of Islam forward.Ameen."

And with this they were bounded.

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
Aamanah closed her eyes as tears fell from her closed lids,Hamza was now married to Nazmeera and she had,had a chance to stop the nikah but she didn't.One part of her was happy that her sister wife was Nazmeera but the other side was scared and shaytan made it worst by putting thoughts in her mind that Nazmeera would steal her husband and that Hamza would leave her.

She jumped when all of a sudden a hand was put on her shoulder and she turned around.It was Hamza and he had a worried look on his face but that soon changed to pain when he saw the tears rolling down her face.

"Hamza what are you doing her?Aren't you supposed to be with Nazmeera?"

Hamza said nothing but he embraced her,his arms wrapped around her,comforting her.She wrapped her arms around him and pressed her face into his chest.

"Nazmeera told me to come to you before I go to her.She wanted me to make sure that you were fine but she didn't know that I went there to ask her if I can come to you.She wanted to come herself but the women of the tribe did not want her to leave."

This made Aamanah tear up once again and Hamza tightened his hold on her as she sobbed.

"I love you habib.I love you very much."

"I love you too habiba and I will continue loving you until my last breath.This marriage between me and Nazmeera does not change anything between us.I will be your husband first.Your habib.My love for you will never diminish.It will as stay as it was in the past and as it is now.You will always be my first love,my Rabbat al Bait.The queen of my heart and home."

Aamanah broke the hug and wiped her tears,"Habib promise me something."

"Anything for you."

"Promise me that you will try to love Nazmeera for she will need that from you.From her childhood the one thing that she was always deprived off was true love.Her mother passed away when she was only four and her father threw her out of his tribe.Her father broke her trust in men,the only men she ever trusted after that was my abi,my grandfather and my uncle's.Show her that not all men are like her father.Promise me Hamza."

Hamza was going to refuse but it was the look in her eyes that made him promise,"I promise that I will try to love her and I will protect her.I promise."

"Jazakallah now go to her habib.I will be fine now that you have promised me."

Hamza kissed her forehead and reluctantly left the tent.Aamanah looked up to the heavens and made dua that Allah make this easy for the three of them and grant them sabr.

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
Nazmeera was seated on one of the couches lost in her own thoughts when she heard rustling in the tent and she looked up.It was Hamza and she quickly stood up and questioned him,"How is Aamanah doing Hamza?Is she still crying?Does she need anything?"

"Aamanah is pulling through and yes she was crying but then she calmed down.Don't worry as I left Ummi Jameel went to comfort her so if she needs anything she can ask Ummi Jameel."

Hamza saw Nazmeera close her eyes and mutter,"Shukar."

He made to remove his tawb from on top of his jalbiyah and Nazmeera who had opened her eyes averted her eyes as he took off his jalbiyah.Hamza put on a t-shirt and looked at Nazmeera who realised that his attention was on her so she spoke.

"Hamza I have always known you to be my cousin's husband and whatever I know about you is through what she has told me.I know the main purpose of our marriage is for me to bear you children but I hope that we can delay this until we are comfortable with one another and after we get to know one another.I know that we are married but I want to take this slow.I want when we consummate our marriage there must be more then this pressure for me to bear children,I want it to be based on some emotions as well as us being comfortable being with one another.I hope that you understand where I am coming from."

The silence stretched between them,this made Nazmeera restless and then Hamza spoke,"I understand what you are saying and I completely agree with you.We are basically strangers to one another and consummation of our marriage now would be very awkward.We can't start this marriage while knowing very little about one another.I am glad that this is the first understanding that we have come to."

"We will always understand one another when it comes to Aamanah after all the most common thing that we share at this moment is our love for Aamanah."

For the first time that day,for the first time as a couple,Nazmeera and Hamza smiled at one another.This was the beginning of a marriage,this was the beginning of friendship and understanding,as well as the beginning of trials and tests after all there is no such thing as a perfect story.

¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤
As Salaam Mu Alaykum Wa Rahmatulahi Wa Barakatu.

I hope that everyone is well and that you all liked this chapter.

Translations:

Ya:Oh
Abi:Father (But with a name after e.g Abi Jameel it becomes father of Jameel normally the name of the first son goes after abi).
Ummi:Mother (same as with father when a name is put behind it becomes mother of normally the name of the first son).
Sabr:Patience
Ammh:Aunt.
Ughti:Sister.
Jazakallah:May Allah reward you.
Binti:Daughter.
Bin:Son of.
Nikah:Marriage.
Mufti:Priest.
Khutbah:Sermon.
Barakah:Blessings.
Habib:Beloved
Rabbat al Bait:Queen of the house.
Dua:Prayer.
Shukar:Thanks to Allah.

Jazakallah for reading this chapter..Have a great week since I won't since in writing exams.

Do Amanilah.