CH10; IN-LAWS.
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HADEWA CALIPHATE,
NIGERIA.
Aria couldn't dare go against her aunt—that was pretty much obvious.
So, with as much grumpiness as she could muster, she dragged herself off the bed and headed to Maya's closet to pick up a 'Hausa traditional' outfit as her aunt requested. She only has about three Hausa outfits in her closet, and even then, she isn't fond of them.
Maya on the other hand has a closet full of them—exaggeration intended. Besides, Aria can wear Maya's outfit despite their difference in height. Aria is a bit taller than Maya, but Maya is prettier. Aria is sure she can find some gown of any sort that would fit her amongst the outfits Maya had never worn before.
Putting on the first A-shape gown she found, she took off the pajamas and hastily put it on. Glancing at herself in the mirror, she took note of how the gown had no style apart from the high neck, long sleeve and the stones that adorned it. Her eyes did not miss the pocket situated at both sides of the gown—though it was discreet but looks helpful.
It's different from the clothes she's used to but...she liked it. It's different, unique, and beautiful.
Tying her shoulder length hair into a tight low bun, she stepped out of the room with the head-tie in her hand. Her mother had scolded her times without number for cutting her hair but she doesn't listen. Unlike Maya, she has this stubborn curls that always gave her a hard time. So, she tends to cut them to reduce the length, then stretch it out.
Sofia was quick to come to her rescue, quickly maneuvering the head-tie into the simplest form she could think of. While doing that, Maya picked up a veil and a shoe that Aria would pair the outfit with. By the time Sofia was done, Aria hastily threw the veil on her shoulder, slipped on the heels, and sprayed quick perfume on her before she slipped her phone in the right pocket.
Ignoring Maya and Sofia who had started teasing her about their aunt showing up any minute, she headed out of the room hastily. Once she reached the stairs, she glanced at the living room right underneath which is filled with women. Their chatters heard the minute she stepped out of the room.
Blowing out a low, shaky breath, she held the rail to steady herself so as to not pass out. She has no problem being around people, but after her last encounter at the mall three days ago, she has been a little hesitant of being around people.
Of course, she didn't tell her family about it not wanting to worry them.
One leg forward, followed by the other. Carefully—she headed down the stairs.
The few people that were close to the stairs heard the sound of her heels clinking on the marbled floor. This made them snap their gaze to stare at her.
Her aunt, who had called her down was amongst the women that noticed her presence. Her lips curled into a wide grin—proud of how stunning her niece looks. Admittedly, amongst the members of the family, Aria stood out a bit having a bit of a darker skin tone compared to theirs, but she is stunning just like that.
After all, black is beautiful.
She isn't black—and nowhere near it, but her tone...that was something she rocks better than anyone.
The woman extended her hand out the minute Aria was down the stairs, taking the girl's hand in hers. Despite the fact that Aria had done well to hide it, she could tell the girl is nervous.
Anyone else couldn't tell though. Aria had a smile plastered right across her face, showcasing her set of pearly teeth. Her shoulders remained squared and her stance looked extremely composed.
Little did they know that composure is because of how nervous she truly feels inside.
So, the woman gave her hand a small, reassuring squeeze before turning around to face the other women who had eventually noticed Aria's presence. Those that didn't, were patted on the arm by the ones who did and gestured Aria.
"This is Aria, Maya's younger sister" Introduced her aunt, a massive grin masking her features.
Aria's lips stretched into a grin. She was sure to let it reach her eyes so as not to be caught faking her enthusiasm to meet them. She would much rather prefer to meet them when the wedding starts but of course, her aunts had a different plan. "Assalamu alaikum" Was all she could say.
She has no idea how to greet them in Hausa. Maya had started teaching her but she threw that knowledge out and left the room. Why would she bother learning the language when she has no intention of staying in the country? The minute the wedding ends, she would pack her stuff up and head back to her country—never to return again.
She would talk to Maya on the phone.
"Wa alaikissalam" The women answered simultaneously.
"Masha Allah, she is beautiful" Said one of the women. The others nodded in agreement, throwing duas at her up and down. A couple of them noticed a bit of familiarity in the girl, but they discarded it.
Aria could only smile. When one of the women prayed that she would also end up marrying into their family, Aria resisted the urge to scoff knowing it won't ever happen. She stopped herself though before she could say something that would make her—and her family--look bad. She couldn't do that to Maya.
Instead, she opted for looking down to hide her small scowl. Marry someone in their family? As if.
That didn't stop the women though. They kept praying, and asking her aunts to let her marry into the family claiming that they have a lot of bachelors in the family. At a point, one of them mentioned the crowned Prince, but the issue was quickly thrown away knowing the Prince.
He won't ever marry someone out of setup. His mother had tried before; it did not work. And frankly speaking, it doesn't look like it ever will.
After the round of greetings, the women went back to seeing the bridal gifts along with Aria. She has to admit, they were a lot of gifts and as far as her eyes can see, everything there was designer including the boxes.
She made no move to count the boxes though, or the stuff they brought. That was the least of her concerns.
After a while, they left along with the gifts the bride's family prepared for them.
If Aria was being honest, she expected them to be snobby and rude but they weren't. Obviously, there were a few people that she didn't like the energy they gave off but still, that aside, they aren't as bad as she thought.
Maybe she has nothing to worry about. Maya is in safe hands. Hopefully.
~*~
"Your what is coming?"
"My fiancée is visiting to greet Maa and Abu" Maya repeated, though she is sure Aria heard her well the first five time she told her the news. The girl is exaggerating stuff way too much. "You should dress up too. He has been meaning to see my younger sister who had impressed his aunts to the extent of telling his unmarried siblings about her.
The women weren't picky—in certain aspects. They don't care who Aria marries, they just, genuinely hope she marries into the family.
After all, they all know the Princes and their attitude of not wanting to marry someone close to the family, ever. They all speak of going as far as going abroad to marry someone else.
Reason is, they knew whoever they would marry close to the family would only cause them issues at a point in life. Hence, why they opt for marrying someone far from home.
That to say doesn't mean some of them did not end up marrying people close to them. Take Hasnain for instance, he ended up marrying a council member's daughter—Hafsa Umar Shettima.
Admittedly, her being Alhaji Umar Shettima's daughter is one of the reasons Hasnain married her. Her father is the most influential council member. You never know when Hasnain might need help—and knowing Umar, there's nothing he won't do for his only daughter or her husband; given the husband treats her right.
Hasnain knows about Umar's plan to bring down his father, and he sincerely doesn't care. He's the only one amongst the family who doesn't care a bit about the Caliphate or the Royalty, aside from his brother Aslam who avoids the Royal life as a whole. All Hasnain cares about is his wellbeing—anything else comes as he goes.
He doesn't get himself involved in any of the royal affairs—be it whoever is in power.
So, he couldn't care less if Umar overthrows his father—as long as he doesn't go as far as killing him. He doesn't care much about his family, but that doesn't mean you should mess with them. That is one thing he doesn't tolerate.
"Is he coming alone?" Aria asked, looking up from her Macbook—she was looking through a couple of things she has to do when she goes back home. Her annual leave from the law firm is almost up—she can't extend it.
The bridal gift's were brought the day before, and now, Muneer wants to come see the parents. Something in Aria tells her that the guy only wants to see Maya, but she doesn't say a word about it.
Maya shrugged, closing the bride's magazine she's reading. "He's bringing his best friend; I think"
Aria's lips tugged into a frown. "Another royal?" She rose a lone brow.
"I think..."
"Oh lord!" Aria muttered, rolling her eyes. She really wants to stay away from those royal men, especially after what their aunts said to her. The last thing she needs is some royal dude chasing after her.
Other girls would be thrilled, but not her. She doesn't need another problem in her life—she already has enough.
"I'm starting to think you have a thing against my husband's family"
Aria who had went back to reading looked up again, "Your husband?"
"Yes" Maya chuckled, "I'm getting the feeling that you have something against his family"
Aria snorted, shaking her head as she went back to her work. "You're just finding that out now?" She doesn't have much against the family---she just wants to avoid anything that would being her any closer to them than she is already.
A part of her is debating on wearing a facemask when Maya's wedding comes so she can avoid unnecessary interactions. She would look ridiculous, but she never cared about what others think of her back then. Why should she now?
Maya chuckled again, eyes darting over to her wrist watch to check the time. She didn't take what Aria said to heart. She knows her sister better than anyone—or so she thought anyways so, she understood Aria's language. "Come one sissy. They will be here soon, help me dress up. And you, should change too unless you want to meet them in a crop top and sweatpants"
"I won't mind" She mumbled, "Hope you don't mind your husband seeing me this way" Aria held back a laugh. By the time she looked up to see her sister's reaction, the magazine came flying at her.
This made Aria duck down—barely able to avoid her sister's attack.
"That is your warning. Your stupid ass can see his friend like that but not him" Maya got up from the bed, then made her way over to her closet to change, leaving Aria laughing back in the room.
Eventually, Aria rounded up her work and headed over to her room to change. This time around, unlike what she did when she met the family the day before, she didn't bother to change into any traditional outfit. She simply threw on the first abayah she saw and rolled the veil. And that was all.
What? It's not like she's going over to meet her husband.
By the time she headed back to Maya's room, the girl was already dolled up. How Maya manages to dress up hastily in a short period of time still baffles Aria—she can never have that kind of hastiness in her to pull it off adroitly like Maya does.
While Aria made her way back to the beanbag where she was working to pick up her phone, Maya's phone pinged. The girl turned the screen on to see the message that came through. "They're here. Let's go"
Aria bit her lower lip, as her gaze went over the message she had gotten while she was out of the room. "You go first, I'll be down soon" She hopes Maya didn't detect her change of tone, or the shakiness it had at the edge.
How could her voice not be shaky after what she just saw?
Maya did though. Hence, why she looked up; her brows drawn in. "Aria...you okay?"
Aria nodded, a smile masking her features. "Yeah...I'm good. It's just work" It's times like this that she can expertly lie to anyone's face.
As always, Maya fell for the smile as her face mirrored her sister's. "Okay. I'll head down first, be sure to come down soon else I'll come back up and drag you"
Aria could only nod to her sister's threat—not giving any care to it.
The minute Maya's stepped out of the room, Aria's legs gave in on her and she fell on the carpeted floor—shoulders sagged and breathing low, and shaky. She took in deep breaths in and out as her hold on her phone tightened.
She knew she couldn't remain in that position for long but she needed a little bit of time to gather her thoughts first. It took her a couple of minutes, but she did calm herself down and regained her composure.
By the time she walked down the stairs, no one could tell that this woman who walked with confidence in her strides just received the news that changed her life for the worse. Frankly speaking, she had been expecting it since she was La Digue, but it has happened already and nothing can ever change that.
She heard the chatters coming from the living room, but she made no move to glance at them till she stepped in it. As expected, her whole family members—Maa, Abu and Maya—were there along with a man who Aria presumes is Muneer and another familiar face she didn't think she would ever meet again.
She halted in her steps when her eyes met his. She could tell from the way his eyes dilated slightly that he remembers her too. They didn't say a word, they only stared. But, it wasn't long enough for it to become suspicious.
Aria was the first to look away, she didn't want her family to get the wrong assumptions from the simple stare. Making her way towards her Abu, she sat on the carpet beside his legs.
The old man grinned, happy to see his youngest child. He turned to the two men, "This is Aria, Maya's younger sister. And Aria" He moved his gaze to her, "This is Muneer, Maya's fiancé, and his cousin—the Crown Prince, Aali"
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