So sa Lalle basically means applying henna, literally, but it's an event during weddings where they design the bride's hands and feet and her friends.

Now that that's settled ,let's get to it, what's our hashtag peoplessssss?

Happy reading

••••••

Shaheed looked at his cousin with increduluty, he simply couldn't wrap his head around-well, everything.

He has been away for a month, a surprise to Fahad and almost everyone but they knew how he liked to leave, he would send a message after he is gone, a bad habit he couldn't stop. Fahad had only known a week after he left, and he just returned, to wedding preparations, he was baffled!

At first he'd wondered what was going on because there was entirely too much activities going on, then he saw Aneesah, Raina and Rahma together, he thought Aneesah came for a visit, but when he went further to greet his mother, ignoring the cousins he didn't really care about, he saw barr. Salima, and he told himself all was normal, maybe they visited as usual.

It wasn't until he saw the invitation card that it clicked, and then he felt light headed. He'd headed to his apartment where he was told the groom to be was, and now as he stared at Fahad looking like he wanted to be anywhere but there, he simply couldn't understand how it happened, or when, a little bit why too should be thrown in there.

"Tomorrow?" He asked, he thought he did because Fahad didn't look like he heard a thing but he did since he nodded a few seconds later.

"And you didn't see it fit to inform me?" Shaheed sounded hurt, he was hurt, for more reasons than one.

When Fahad didn't reply, he continued trying very hard to keep his voice in check, he wanted to vent his frustration somehow but Fahad already looked like he had a lot on his plate.

"You simply could've sent a text if you didn't want to call me Fahad," he ran his hands through his hair, "I knew about your-" he shook his head, deciding not to complete the sentence.

"I'm sorry," Fahad spoke finally, his voice was a bit hoarse, from lack of use probably, he has been in the room since morning.

"Sorry doesn't cut it, because Jawad knows doesn't he?" When he didn't reply, he got his answer, he let out a short mirthless laugh, "thought as much,"

He stood up to leave but Fahad's voice stopped him.

"I didn't know what to say, it all happened so fast and-"

"You had a month to decide, a month to think. I'm not that important, don't worry about it." He left the room with that, leaving Fahad whose mood wasn't all sunny to dim more.

Fahad brushed his hand over his face then massaged his temple, he felt like he hasn't slept in a month, since the date was set and with all the dreams and flashbacks or was it hallucinations, he really couldn't tell, it was probably that. Insomnia was his new best friend.

The thing with HSM, the planning, getting his siblings to not bombard Khadijah was a chore on his own, but the hardest had to be keeping the news underwraps, he couldn't afford to let Khadijah be dragged by the news, she already has a lot going on.

Speaking of which, he picked his discarded phone from the other end of brown leather couch, ready to dial Layla, she has been sort of an intermediate between him and Khadijah.

The latter was in shock, he guess he could call it that. He hadn't expected her father's response half as soon as it came and after his mother's outburst, her husband somehow calmed her down, so a week after that, they did the official formal introduction and set the date immediately, to a month, the month that was already here.

He'd wondered if they did it so he wouldn't back out. That aside, he needed to hear how Khadijah was doing, she has been sick for well, a month now, since 'coincidentally' she'd fallen sick the day they set the date.

He wasn't against marriage and all that but he wasn't a fan either, he'd just looked at it as a chore, but why was she so scared, he undoubtedly knows it had to do with the wedding, she was fine–maybe fine wasn't the right word, he thought remembering how she was and what led to marriage thing, but she was okay, to a point.

His phone rang breaking his train of thoughts.

"Fahad," a feminine voice called.

"Yes?" He removed the phone from his ear and looked at the caller ID, the number wasn't saved.

"Hi, it's erm, Raudah," she waited a beat before adding, "Nai'a's friend." His heart almost skipped a beat, he knew who it was but he couldn't remember the last time he heard that name.

"Raudah," He called softly.

He'd lost contact with her after the whole murder fiasco, he felt something talking to her, he couldn't quite place his hands on it yet.

"How are you? It's been–"

"–Very long, yeah I know," She chuckled for a bit. "Yeah I've been doing good alhamdulillah, I just called to congratulate you, I heard the good news,"

"Oh, thank you," He nodded even though he knew she couldn't see.

"May Allah bless your union, uhh, that's it bye." The line went dead after that, he tried to call back but it wasn't reachable.

He heard footsteps and a figure loomed over him, somehow not shaken he looked up to a smiling face, not any smiling face, Jawad's smiling face.

"Well hello there kid, I've come to do the wakil duties," Fahad stood up with a start and pulled him in for a bro hug, he hasn't seen him since he left. It felt like a lifetime ago.

"Are you going to cry now?" He teased when Fahad didn't let him go for a minute.

"Shut up," Said person muttered moving away from him.

They both sat, Jawad on the chair facing his.

"I thought you'd be glowing or something like that," he muttered with mock disappointment.

"Shut up," Fahad replied with a short laugh he wasn't feeling deep down but couldn't help it, there was something calming about Jawad's presence.

"Well don't worry, I'm here now and I'll kiss it away,"

"Ewwww," They both turned to Waleedah, a very pregnant Waleedah who held a basket in her hands, Jawad was quick to take it making her roll her eyes, "I'm not going to break from holding a basket," She commented with a pout, she sat beside her Fahad, her foot on Shaheed's center table knowing well enough it's going to annoy him.

"Oh shush, let me be a good God father, that kid will be named after me," Jawad replied sitting back down.

"For what? You aren't even going to see him at this point if you're not careful with me," He raised his hands up in surrender.

"I take it back your majesty, or is it your highness great princess Waleedah of Bauchi," Fahad found himself smiling besides himself at Jawad's sarcasm, Waleedah didn't seem to care.

"I'll make fadawa beat you,"

Fahad quietly watched their banter and how interested Jawad looked when she told him about the baby, it made his heart ache, Waleedah was in the middle of explaining how she felt the first time the baby kicked when Fahad's phone rang, he knew it was Layla even before he picked.

His eyes involuntarily flickered to Jawad before he stretched and pick it up, the look didn't go missed by the latter but he was a bit too engrossed in the baby topic, he loves children.

"Yes?" Fahad spoke to Layla who sighed tiredly, "how is she?" He asked when she didn't say anything.

"She is fine, currently asleep, ya sadiya wanted her to rest before the henna artist comes," she replied, speaking softly, so as not to wake her up he presumed.

"Alright, I'll drop Huda and the rest off later, they said they wanted to get their henna done there,"

"Yes they told me," he nodded.

"Layla–" he started then caught himself immediately but it was too late because Jawad and Waleedah's attention were on him.

"Yes?"

He coughed, "No, it's nothing, I'll call you when I get there." He hung up with that.

"So, what color did you decide to paint the nursery since blue is too common?" Jawad asked breaking the terse silence.

Fahad left them talking about paint and other baby things he didn't want to hear.

••••••

Layla stared at the phone in her hand taken aback.

"Weird family members," She muttered under her breath.

She heard a soft sigh from Khadijah and turned to her.

Her eyes were still closed but she had a crease on her forehead, she looked at her more with scrutiny and saw the frown etched on her face, not all like someone who was having a peaceful sleep.

The chatter of people was distant as they stayed in the closed air conditioned room. A knock sounded at the door and Layla contemplated opening it, the henna artist wouldn't be there in at least two more hours and she didn't want them to interrupt Khadijah's slumber, she finally got to sleep.

Carefully, she stood up and headed to the door, she unlocked it but only opened it slightly, Kamla's smiling face came into view, she raised a tray.

"Umma said to bring lunch, I know she's sleeping, it's for you," She said everything in one breath.

Layla opened the door wider, took the tray and thanked her before closing it back up.

She walked over to the other end of the room and kept it on the empty bedside drawer, she turned and jumped back a bit when she saw Khadijah propped up against the headboard, she was watching her quietly.

"I'm so sorry, did I wake you up?" She shook her head no then stood up completely, she pulled the duvet off.

"No, I've been awake for a while," Layla nodded then pointed to the tray she kept.

"Should I dish the food for you?"

"No, you should eat, I'm full." Layla sighed and walked to her, she sat beside her on the bed.

"You should be eating, this is the third time this week you're doing this, Dee you'll not be living on coffee, it's bad for your health," Khadijah nodded wordlessly.

Layla's phone rang stopping her from uttering another word, she nodded to Khadijah then reached for it. Huda's name flashed on the screen.

"Huda,"

"Adda Layla I'm so glad you picked, I haven't been able to reach hamma Fahad and the last person that saw him was hamma j-" a voice in the background cut her off.

"How about this, I'll call him for you yeah?" Huda hummed and thanked her before she hung up.

Layla watched quietly as Khadijah got off the bed and went to bathroom to freshen up. She came out a few minutes afterwards wearing a beige colored free gown with regular sleeves, even though it was plain, she looked exquisite and layla told her that earning a half smile

She looked okay, that was it but they all knew she wasn't fine, she hasn't been sleeping or eating and it was showing because she looked pale, that and she has been sick for a month, since the wedding date was finalized, but she didn't want to talk about with anyone and it killed Layla to watch her withering like that.

Khadijah walked to her vanity and sat on the chair, ignoring the mirror above, she reached into the drawer and pulled out a jewelry box.

She wore silver studs and closed the lid then kept it on the top of the dresser.

"Where's your ring?" Layla asked noticing her bare fingers, both rings were missing.

Khadijah stared blankly ahead at first then pointed to the bedside drawer, "I kept it there last," Her face contorted with a thoughtful frown, "I don't know where it is."

"I'll help you look for it," Layla offered knowing how attached to the ring she was.

A knock sounded from the door making Khadijah's frown to deepen, she stood and up and opened the door.

Layla who was still seated on the bed looked up to find hajiya Ladidi and a slightly younger version of her standing at the door.

"Wai Khadijah menana kikeyi haka? Zaki hito yanzu ko se baki sun cika gida, wallahi baki kyautawa," (Khadijah what is it you're doing like this? Aren't you going to come out or until the guest full the house, what you're doing isn't right.)Layla almost rolled her eyes at hajiya Ladidi's younger sister, she had a sneer on her face.

Khadijah didn't reply, resting her back against the open door.

Hajiya Ladidi gave her a once over and pushed into the room, she turned to Layla with a dirty look then back to her daughter.

"Ina kayan da ya kamata ki sa?" (Where is the outfit you're supposed to wear?)She was already making her way to the closest when Sadiya entered with a wailing Adeel perched on her hip.

"Umma the people have brought the snacks," she gave Layla a small smile and side hugged her sister.

Hajiya Ladidi turned sternly to her second daughter, "make sure she is ready in ten minutes, we are not children and she can't turn us to that." With that she left the room, her sister hot on her trail.

"I'm so sorry, I had no idea she headed here, it was Kamla that told me," Khadijah muttered a small thank you then went back to her bed and sat.

Sadiya sat beside her which gave Adeel the space to crawl over to his aunt who picked him up readily.

"He is heavy fa," Sadiya chided but Khadijah didn't mind.

"Where's Farhana?"

"Outside with Manal and Afnan," Layla nodded playing with Adeel's chubby fingers.

"Rest more if you want before the henna artist comes okay, I'll keep umma from disturbing you,"

"Thank you," Khadijah croaked.

"Here," She turned to Layla who was handing her a plate with steamy jollof rice and grilled fish, a smaller bowl with coleslaw was kept on a stool Khadijah was sure didn't belong to her room.

She accepted the plate gratefully, even though she didn't haven't appetite, but they were doing so much she didn't want to let their efforts go to waste.

"How is your body?"

"Fine alhamdulillah,"

"Do you still feel nauseous?" She shook her head. Sadiya nodded with satisfaction.

Khadijah pushed spoon after spoon of the rice, it tasted bland to her but she pushed it through, Layla poured her a cup of orange juice that Kamla brought over. The former was also forced to eat, that or she got force fed by Sadiya who looked like she would make good on the threat.

•••••••

"Look," Huda cheerfully twirled, showing her brother the gown she was wearing to the sa lalle.

Mamie suggested they had a henna artist brought over for the groom's side but they all refused, saying it would be fun to do it at their new Sister in law's. Seeing she couldn't win the argument, she forfietted and instead got one for the rest that decided to stay over, which was just the adults a few distant cousins.

"You look beautiful," he smiled at her even though he wasn't feeling it.

"Just beautiful?" The teasing note in her voice made him smile, for real.

"Exquisite, amazing, you'll be there prettiest girl there," he finished hugging her to him, she wound her arms around him giddily.

It was just a hug to her but it meant the world to him. He needed to feel a human near him and who was better than his Noor.

"Hamma?" She called, her voice muffled by the hug.

"Yeah," he pulled back a bit so he was looking at her face.

"You're holding me a little too tight," he chuckled then released her completely.

"Sorry I didn't realize,"

"No, I liked it," she intertwined their fingers as they walked to the car.

"Hamma," he hummed meaning for her to continue, "adda Khadijah is fine right?"

He was taken aback by the question but he quickly recovered and offered her a smile.

"Yes she'll be fine, she has you now," He joked making her giggle. "But why do you ask?"

She hesisted, that got his attention. He called her name making her sigh.

"It's just that I heard mamie and ammie talking, I promise I wasn't eavesdropping, I was just sent to take something then I overheard them saying she isn't fine and something is taking a toll on her and she might need a doctor and I didn't really get, but she'll be fine right?" He nodded absently.

"Yes insha Allah," he assured his attention back on her.

They managed to avoid the crowd and interruptions.

Aneesah and the twins were going in a different car while Nabila chose to stay and do hers with the rest at home, but all the other female Aliero siblings were going to Khadijah's.

The car ride was filled with Huda's chatter, Fahad couldn't tell what she was talking about but he made the right sounds so she didn't feel ignored.

He parked outside Khadijah's house, seeing how people were filing in and out, he felt bad for her knowing how she didn't want any of that.

"Thank you hamma," Huda said with a bright smile removing the seatbelt.

"You're welcome love, when you go in tell Lee I'm waiting for her hmm," She nodded before getting off, taking the Dior tote bag he hadn't noticed with her.

Layla walks out if the house not up to five minutes later, she opened the door and sat in the passenger seat Huda vacated with a wife smile.

Her bare face save for the lipgloss was glowing with a certain kind of joy, he couldn't place his hands on it but he was glad.

"Groom of the year, you've finally come to see the bride eh, well you're going to have to pay because we're upset with you," Fahad made an effort to not over roll his eyes, if that's even a thing.

"Layla don't start with me, I'm still jet lagged and life lagged for that matter," She rolled her eyes in return.

"I'm not here to see your face Lee, I've been seeing it all my life and it's not impressive," She gasped in fake horror at his nonchalant voice.

"Hamma, how dare–"

"Please don't start, there's something I wanted to tell you–" He squinted his eyes in concentration.

"What is it?" She asked turning so she was facing him.

"I can't remember," He paused then turned to her, her waiting eyes already on him.

"Okay when you remember, is that all?"

"No of course not, how is she?" He asked his voice low.

"She is fine," Layla hesitated before answering.

He searched her face for any sign of—he didn't really know what he was searching for but he was searching for something, any proof that Khadijah was fine.

"Lee I want to see her for myself," Layla sighed.

"You can't go in there right now and they've started her henna, how about this I'll send you a picture, I promise she is fine." He nodded, still not fully convinced.

"Hamma, why are you so scared?" She asked out of the blue, the questioned took him aback.

He wasn't scared, he told himself.

"I'm not, why would you ask that?" She shook her head no but didn't reply.

"You've been acting strangely," He shook his head but sh didn't stop, "hamma it's not going to be like Nai'a, I promise."

They were quiet for a few minutes before he spoke, "you don't know that Layla, we'll talk later, I'm sure you have things to do."

She nodded worldlessly and exited the car.

Fahad sat there for five minutes assuring himself Khadijah was fine before he finally gathered his thoughts and started the car.

He wasn't fully out of the street when what he'd wanted to tell Layla resurfaced in his head, he groaned but didn't turn the car, Huda would most certainly tell her seeing as she couldn't keep her mouth shut to save her life.

His phone ringing broke his train of thoughts and he picked it then connected it to the car's bluetooth, the voice he heard made his blood turn cold.

*****
Assalamu alaikum
Hiiii (waves frantically) it's me tbe queen of late updates.

So how have you all been? Good insha Allah

I know this update took very long but please bear with me, I've mentioned typing with my phone Right.

That aside, thank you to each and everyone of you that checked up on me, I'm fine alhamdulillah, I need your prayers because I'm staring exams real soon, I'm talking about a few weeks, may Allah make it easy for all of us.

You all that wanted my instagram, why aren't y'all following 🥺 I'm trying to be social you know......

So about the contest thing, what should be the prize, let's hear your opinions then we'll decide what to do.

Please vote comment and share, silent readers I promise people won't see your comment or vote, just a few wattpad people, do it for me please, pretty please.

Tell your friends about this book and show some love.

Oh yeah it's a double update, I'm updating insha Allah later tonight.

So very tireddddd

Amyrah