People were attacking me to update. Here we go....

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Zarah rolled to the other side of the bed as she heard the door clicked close.

"Did they wake you?" Afaf whispered as she peered down at her face. She'd just sent her three kids out of the room after they came in shouting their Mama's name and jumping on the bed due to excitement.

They were at their paternal Uncle's house the day before because she didn't want her attention to be divided while she was at the dinner last night. And now that they're back, they were so excited to see her and didn't even notice their Aunt Zarah sleeping on the other side of the bed when they pounced on their mom.

Zarah yawned and shook her head. "I'm supposed to be awake anyway"

"How are you feeling?"

Zarah had thrown up earlier when she woke up to pray subh. "Much better. It must be that chicken soup from last night. I was greedy to eat mine and yours" she said with a chuckle.

Fifi waved her off with a smile.

"You should shower. I'll go get us something to eat"

Zarah nodded and set her feet down on the carpet in an effort to get up. She stayed like that for a while, trying to recharge herself. Just as she was about to lift herself up the bed,Fifi walked up to her and took both her hands in hers.

"Zarah, I know this is not my business but I'm worried about you" she gently placed something in her palms "just give it a try, but if you think I'm overstepping my boundaries please don't let this take a toll on you and just ignore me. You can throw it in the trash"

She didn't wait for her reply before she dashed out of the room.

Zarah's heart hammered wildly against her chest as she stared at the object in her hands. A home pregnancy test kit.

She shut her eyes as she tried to calm her erratic heart.

No. She can't do this.

No.

No.

This was actually the last thing on her mind. She absolutely won't let herself go through the torture all over again. She is going to throw it in the trash, have a shower and enjoy the rest of the wedding. Today is the Fatiha, she cannot have a bad day when her sisters-in-law are going to be wed to the loves of their life.

But who was she kidding? Now that Fifi was suspecting something, she was curious to know if she was really carrying a child again. Or not.

Shutting the bathroom door behind her, she did the needful and kept the tube by the sink. She showered, her heart filled with trepidation. She tried to  avoid looking at the results even as she brushed her teeth. She carried it, face down and headed out.

There was a tray laden with breakfast on the nightstand and a flask which she suspected contained Kunun Gyada. It was all she had been drinking in the morning for the past three days and this hadn't skipped Fifi's scrutinizing eyes.

She let her mind wander off to other things concerning the wedding as she dressed up in a pink and gold swiss lace Boubou. She combed her messed up hair and did a nice French braid then tied her headtie in a fashionable way. She grabbed her phone in order to take a selfie and send to Ahmad only for her to find 3 missed calls from his number. He must've called her while she was in the bathroom.

She quickly dialled him back.

There was a bit of noise and the voices of people talking when he answered the phone.

"Hey Babe" his voice finally came through "Where were you?"

"Sorry I was in the shower when you called. Ina Kwana?"

"Lafiya....ehm daman I was looking for my Babban riga that I was going to wear today. The new one with the golden embroidery. I think I left it in the suitcase and forgot to take it out when I brought your things. Help me check abeg"

Since the duo thought they were staying together for the rest of the wedding, they'd packed all their clothes in one suitcase and had been sharing it until Umma decided to 'abduct' Zarah. Ahmad had no choice but to take out his clothes from the suitcase and bring it to Zarah.

Shuffling around her clothes, she spotted the Babban Riga neatly ironed on the bottom of the suitcase. She hadn't even noticed it all these while.

"Gashinan I just saw it"

"Great. Haseeb and I are on our way to collect it yanzu. Please meet me outside we're kinda late for the Fatiha"

"Okay sai kunzo" she said and hung up.

She quickly applied some kohl and lip gloss, put on a matching veil then filled her mug with the steaming creamy kunun gyada before she stepped out of the room with her husband's Babban Riga in her hands.

The house was bustling with so much energy. Guests keep trooping in for the Yini. The bridesmaids were out in the green area taking pictures and posing for the vediographers. Everyone was happy and jolly.

After greeting a few people on the way, Zarah squeezed past all the guests to head outside. She found a spot on one of the empty chairs under a canopy and gingerly sipped her Kunun Gyada. She was almost done when one of Ahmad's cousin came to sit with her. Zarah had forgotten her name but she remembered they got along during the Sakun Lalle. They exchanged pleasantries and she complimented Zarah's dress. They talked for a while and greeted a few guests that came in. Some few minutes later, Haseeb's car pulled over.

She excused herself and walked to where they were parked. Ahmad stepped out of the car while Haseeb remained inside.

"Omo!" She teased as her eyes met with Haseeb's "Ka ganka kamar kaine Angon?"

He gave her a playful glare and she laughed.

"What's wrong with him?" She whispered to Ahmad as she handed him the Babban Riga.

"Shi da Addansa mana" Ahmad replied handing her a bottle of perfume as he struggled to put on his Babban riga.

Zarah chuckled. "They should leave my Uncle alone. He will get married when the time is right. There's no rush"

"Hadda ke wato?" He glared at her as he spread his arms wide.

She smiled and sprayed him with the perfume. "Well I'm just saying. It's not good to pressure a grown ass man"

"Yenyenyenyen" he pinched her cheek and collected his perfume.

"Allah ya kiyaye." She said with laughter in her eyes.

"Ameen. And before I forget, you look really beautiful"

She smiled at him. "You clean up well too"

He eyed her and got into the car. "In na kama ki...."

"Ba bye Uncle Eich. Please don't let Mami ruin  your mood today kaji?"

Haseeb gave her a lopsided smile. "Thank you jareh. Your husband has been supporting her tun dazu. Feels good to have you on my side" he reached out with his hand in a fist, and they fist bumped. Ahmad rolled his eyes and mumbled that they were getting late.

She waved at them as Haseeb reversed the car and drove out of the house.

Walking  back to the canopy, she realised her companion had already left and the seats were now occupied by some girls. She decided to go back to the room and tidy it up a bit.

As she began folding some clothes and clearing the messed up bed, the door was pushed open and Shukrah walked in with Assad strapped to her waist.

"Ahn Ahn! Kyau kenan?"

Zarah smiled warmly as she put the folded clothes aside. "Banason tsokana"

"I'm serious fa. Ya Ahmad will be drooling when he sees you."

Zarah chuckled this time around. Well he has drooled already, she thought.

Shukrah carried Assad to the bathroom where he peed and she cleaned him up. When they came out, Zarah had already made the bed and tidied the whole room.

Assad leaped out of Shukrah's hands and crashed on the comfy bed.

Shukrah gasped and glanced over at Zarah who was laughing at the little boy.

"Assad you just saw her made this bed" she cried "Maza sauko."

Assad shook his head and bounced happily on the bed.

Shukrah glared at him. "I won't give you any more samosas if you don't get down"

The boy paused with his jumping and gave her thought an offer before giving the bed one last jump and reluctantly came down. His feet touched something on the floor and he bent to pick it up. When he raised it up for both the ladies to see, Zarah's eyes were as wide as saucers. In one swift motion, she was standing in front of him.

"Er.....this is going....ummm...to the trash bin" she said awkwardly as she snatched it from Assad's hands and hid it behind her.

Shukrah watched in shock, many thoughts raiding her mind.

Could Zarah be pregnant? Oh Allah that would be the most amazing news she'll ever hear ever since the year started. Her eyes welled up with tears and she quickly grabbed Assad and left the room. If she was going to be so emotional about this, she should atleast not do it in front of Zarah who was now red like a tomato.

She clutched the pregnancy test to her chest, her breaths coming out in shallow successions. She had totally forgotten about it when she left the room earlier on, but now, everything is coming back fresher than ever before.

Ya ilaahil alameen.

She swallowed hard and brought the stick down to her eye level.

Two red lines.

Not one, but two red lines.

Ya Hayyu ya Qayyum.

She dropped on the floor and covered her mouth as loud sobs escaped her throat.

She wasn't even sure what she was feeling at the moment, but whatever it was, it was definitely too much to take in.

The tears were gushing out of her eyes relentlessly. She was happy for sure, but the feeling that had enveloped her once again was fear. Will this baby be able to survive too?

Her tears intensified as the thought of loosing another precious thing dawned on her.

Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi raaji'un

She sat there for God knows how long, bawling her eyes out and thinking of all the things that could go wrong until she heard the cheers of women yodeling and clapping excitedly; a sign that the knot has been tied.

She stood up, wiped her tears and proceeded to the bathroom to perform wudu. If she was going to get over this trauma and enjoy this wedding, she needed Allah's utmost guidance. Like right now.

Azeezah stared at her sister, who was unabashedly talking to her newly wedded husband on vedio call. Her group of friends surrounded her, aww-ing and taking pictures. The knot had just being tied and the guy had called her two minutes later to tell her how excited he was to start a new life with her. It was so romantic to the highest level even Azeezah was awed. And she was not a sucker for romance. And it seemed the guy she married wasn't too. She'd known that for a while, he is a shy man and finds it hard to express his feelings. And she was okay with that. She wasn't much of a verbal person too. But right now, watching her sister swooning and looking at the love of her life with so much adoration in her eyes made something turn in her stomach.

Was it not in the same Masjid that they did hers and her sister's Fatiha? Why is her own husband not calling her or atleast sending her a message confessing his undying happiness?

Why is this worrying her now?

I mean she was fine with him being shy and all. Why now ?

She decided to just blame it on her hormones. It was her time of the month, on her wedding day. How exciting can that be? Hmph!.

One of her Aunts came in and told them to get ready for the photo session. The grooms and their groomsmen will soon be arriving too.

The makeup artist touched up their makeup and they all proceeded to the main living room together with their friends.

Lubnah smiled all through the pictures, looking so happy and giddy with excitement. And as usual, Azeezah was just super chill and reserved. She mainly kept a straight face through out the session and when her friends asked her what was wrong, she blamed it on the cramps.

Half an hour later, there was a chatter of excited crowd as the grooms made their way into the house. They were led to Abba's chambers were they waited for their brides. A prayer session was done as Abba and his brothers congratulated them and prayed for them. They offered their blessings and a few words of wisdom to the newly weds.

All through, Azeezah was staring at Faisal through her veil. She and her sister were seated on the carpet at the other side of the living room, facing the men they've just been married off to. Faisal and Ibrahim too, sat side by side on the carpet facing Abba and Uncle Bature who were seated on the three seater.

Faisal sensed that someone was looking at him and when he looked up, he caught Azeezah's eyes through her veil. Something shifted between his ribs and he couldn't help but smile at her.

Azeezah was shocked.

This man right here, was smiling at her in front of all these people. Is this even real? She smiled back at him and was glad he was the only one who saw that.

When the prayers and speeches ended, the elders excused themselves and the photographers and bridesmaids were ushered in. The room was a total chaos of cheers and merry laughter as the groomsmen and bridesmaids were all excited for the newly weds.

Amidst all that excitement and rush, Faisal gingerly crawled to the other side of the room and sat beside his bride. Azeezah's heart hammered loudly against her chest as she felt his presence. She wanted to look up and stare at his warm and kind face, but she was too shy to do that. How many people were watching them right now? She wondered. When she looked up, everyone was looking at Lubna and Ibrahim as they were now hugging and posing for the camera. Great, just great.

"Salam Alaikum Wifey" Faisal's voice brought her back to her reality. He was so close now she could smell his perfume. It was ethereal.

As soon as his hand slipped into hers, Azeezah couldn't hide her shock. She gasped loudly. It was the first time a man, who was not her Muharram had held her hand. And it sent little fires up and down her spine. Ya Rabbi!.

Faisal chuckled, and she couldn't help but laugh along with him. Their laughter was drowned by all the noise around them, but she was glad she got to share this precious moment with him, without anyone even noticing.

"I'm going to hold this hand forever" he whispered softly, his fingers stroking hers. He didn't give her a chance to absorb his words and even attempt a reply. He simply stood up and passed down his hand. "Come let's take some good pictures to show our children"

She grab hold of his hand and stood up.

Who is this man and what has he done with the one I fell in love with? She thought.

Lubna thought it was not gonna end, the pictures. But eventually, they did. She was tired of baring out her 32 and smiling at the camera with enthusiasm. How can Azeezah be so cool about this? She wondered.

She would die if she had to look bored in her wedding photos. Chances are they'll probably end up on the internet and she wanted to look absolutely good and disgustingly happy in each one of them. And she was thankful Ibrahim was giving her all the ginger she needed. He was showcasing all his romantic sides today and she couldn't be more happier.

When the photo sessions were over, the guys left to have lunch and prepare for the conveyance of the bride, Aziza. She will be taken to Faisal's family house in Sabuwar Kofa where she'll stay for a few days before they'll both fly to Switzerland for their honeymoon.

Feeling rather lightheaded and scared at the same time, Aziza took a shower and prepped herself. She changed into a loose fitting Atampa blouse and skirt. Fifi helped her tie her orange and gold Lufayya. She was perfumed, bejewelled and ready to go.

She was taken to Umma's room where several of Umma and Abba's sisters were there. Everyone gave her a piece of advise and blessed her. She was already crying by the time they were done. She hugged her mother and asked for her forgiveness.

"Na yafe miki Zeezee. Allah ya baku zaman lafiya. Allah ya miki albarka "

With tears in her eyes, Umma walked her daughter out of her room and saw her disappear into the crowd as they led her out to where an opened BMW was waiting to take her to her husband's family.

Lubnah was standing beside the car with a teary smile on her face. She hugged her and they both bursted into tears.

"It's a pleasure starting this journey with you Zeezee. I hope this is the beginning  of amazing things for you and me"

Azizah couldn't reply as she was overwhelmed with so many emotions. So she hugged her sister tightly and they cried for good three minutes before they were pried away.

She was helped into the car, two of her oldest Aunts sitting on each side. Faisal's sister Raudha was in the front and his youngest brother Marzuq was driving the car. Shukrah, Zarah, Fifi and Badriyah followed closely in Yusuf's car. They were six cars in total, as Abba didn't want too many people to 'deliver' her.

The house felt kind of empty as those who weren't part of the entourage had left. The wedding was finally over and Umma can finally have a rest. Well at least till tomorrow,  when her troublesome daughter finally leaves for her husband's house.

As she came out of the bathroom ready to pray Zuhr, Bintu came in with Assad strapped to her back.

"Umma I've been looking for you tun dazu"

Umma wiped her wet face with her headtie as she had just performed ablution.

"Meya faru?" She queried.

Bintu replied simply. "Abba is calling you."

Without further ado, she grabbed her veil and followed Bintu out.

She stopped to greet the remaining guests in her living room before proceeding to his chambers. There, she found him in the sitting room having a late lunch.

"Is it Lubna that I just saw right now?" He fired the question at her before she could say anything.

"Yes. Is something wrong?"

He glared at her . "Your'e asking me if something is wrong? What is she still doing here?"

Umma sighed "I thought she was not leaving until tomorrow?"

"And when was that decided?"

Umma kept quiet. She was so emotionally drained at the moment and the last thing she wanted to do was argue with him.

Upon realizing that she wasn't ready to talk, Abba decided to declare his verdict.

"Tell her to get ready right now. I'll have two cars arranged to take her to Kaduna today"

Umma gasped.

"Abba?"

He stared back at her, daring her to say anything.

"She can't get ready in such short notice. And we've already told Ibrahim's family that she wouldn't be coming until tomorrow. Su ma sai sun shirya"

"Ni wannan be shafe ni ba. I've already talked to the boys father and that's final.You women like complicating things. The girl is married already, I don't understand what she's still doing in my house."

He grabbed his glass of zobo and sipped it, focusing his attention back on the TV.

And that was it, she was dismissed.

With a  heavy heart, Umma left the living room. She wasn't even sure what to do at the moment. When she reached the room were Lubnah and her friends were, she gently knocked and pushed the door open. Three of Lubnah's friends were eating while one was on the phone. On the bed, Lubnah lay curled up, tired and spent.

They all turned towards the door when Umma entered. They exchanged greetings, the usual 'ya gajiyan biki' and all.

"Is she asleep?" Umma asked one of them as she sighted Lubnah on the bed.

"I don't think so. She just laid down like five minutes ago" the girl replied as she proceeded to the bed to check if Lubnah was sleeping. Ofcourse she wasn't.

"Lubnah" umma called softly. "Abba yace ki tashi ki shirya, two cars are waiting to take you to Kaduna right now"

The girls didn't allow her to reply Umma because they all started squealing and pounced on her on the bed. Umma closed the door behind her and walked back to her room to observe her Zuhr salah.

Abba will not be the death of her. Nope.

Lubnah bursted into tears. Hot sweaty tears.

Yes she was excited about starting a new life with Ibrahim but right now, she just wants to spend one last night in her father's house, sleep on her bed and listen to her mother rant about so many things. She wasn't ready to face Ibrahim's family and their fake welcome gestures. She wasn't ready to start being married.

Who was she kidding?

Abba will literally come into the room in the next 30 minutes if she's not yet ready.

She pushed her excited friends out of the way and made it to the bathroom. She washed her face and came out to change into something lightweight.

She was leaving this house. E don happen.

Shukrah and Fifi were shocked to find out Lubnah had left when they came back from Sabuwar Kofa. It was something they didn't see coming.

They had spent the whole evening at Zeezee's in-law's house. Faisal's cousins and sisters have organized an intimate Walimah for her. They had nice conversations with the bride's side of the family in between eating delicious locally made food and taking pictures. Gifts were also presented to the bride ranging from clothes, gold set and a brand new Toyota Avalon from her Father-in-law. It was an amazing day.

The brides family made sure she was well rested in her apartment at the family house before they finally came back home, which was around Maghreb. That was when they found out Lubnah had been gone for almost four hours.

"We didn't even say our goodbyes" Shukrah cried.

Umma hugged her to her side. "Don't worry. Next week InshaAllah you'll go see her"

Shukrah nodded reluctantly, her face drenched with tears. She wasn't even sure why she was crying. Probably because she wasn't ready to part with her sisters all in one day.

Afaf and Zarah were just too sad to even talk. They were all in Umma's bedroom, a look of melancholy on all their faces.

It was later on when Ahmad came in bearing red velvet cupcakes and lemonade that they all cheered up. The box was passed around as everyone grabbed a cupcake and Ahmad handed out the bottles of cold lemonade.

Umma looked around the room, her heart filling up with love. She's married two daughters today, and InshaAllah they're both going to lead peaceful lives with their partners. She is now surrounded by her oldest and youngest child, her one and only son and his amazing wife. And these people loved her fiercely. She couldn't ask for anything more than this.

They stayed together until 9pm, talking and laughing, reminiscing on all the good moments during Ahmad and Zarahs wedding. They kept teasing Zarah until Umma intervened.

When it was about 9:15, Ahmad got up and announced that he was leaving. With his wife ofcourse.

"Ko kunyan Umma baka ji wato?" Fifi asked with a mischievous smile on her face.

He scratched his nape with the key fob of his car. "Umma sai da safe" was his reply before he turned to Zarah and gave her 'the look'

It was when he left that she finally got the courage to stand up. She hugged Shukrah and Fifi goodbye and bade Umma goodnight.

She found him wating by his car, Bintu following her closely with her suitcase and a basket of fruits and some snacks which Umma had her prepare in a rush. He opened the boot and Bintu placed all the items inside. He handed her three 1000 naira notes and thanked her for her service. She was elated she couldn't stop smiling and thanking him.

In the car, Zarah placed her handbag on the foot mat and put on her seatbelt. Ahmad slipped in beside her and before anything, he pulled her close and kissed the life out of her she nearly passed out.

When they both came up for air, Zarah's eyes were glazed with unshed tears.

"Hey hey hey...." Ahmad cooed as he cupped her face in his hands. "What's wrong? Are you okay?"

She smiled and held his hands against her face.

"I've never been more okay in my life"

All through the Walimah some few hours ago, Zarah have analyzed and calculated all the things that could go wrong with this pregnancy but at the end, she realised that worrying and stressing over it will not help matters. Time was not on her side, and if loving this baby more than how she'd loved the previous one was all that's left to do in this world, she'll do it a thousand times. And more.

She pulled Ahmad closer and snuggled into him. "I love you Saheeb. And I can't wait to go down on this rollercoaster with you again."

Ahmad was confused. What was she saying?

She picked up her head from his chest and looked into his hazel eyes. "There's a little you growing inside of me, Babe".

The air rushed out of his lungs the moment his brain registered the words she just uttered.

....