Gombe state

Kamu/sa lalle

Today marks the celebration of Maryam's sa lalle and kamu. It is 10 AM, and we are currently seated outside in a beautifully decorated traditional tent, where talented henna artists are applying intricate designs. The *kamu* is set to begin at 4 PM, inshallah. I have just finished having my henna done and am now waiting for it to dry. The design is absolutely stunning!

"Halimatu, your henna looks absolutely gorgeous!" Maryam exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with delight.

"Do you really think so?" I replied. "Yours is even more beautiful!"

Maryam nodded and said, "You should definitely send a photo to Mr. Architect." She winked, causing me to blush. Dressed in a stunning blue traditional Fulani outfit for the occasion, Maryam's makeup was skillfully done by Dazeita.

Suddenly, memories from two weeks ago flooded my mind. Baba had called me upon his return from Lagos and inquired about Sayyid. Ya Ahmad and Ya Ibrahim were present during our conversation, as they are responsible for handling the entire engagement process. My father's joy was palpable when he discovered that Sayyid was the man I had chosen to marry.

He mentioned that the process would be much simpler because Sayyid's father and he are very close friends.

The *sa lalle* event has concluded, and now we are taking a moment to rest before preparing for the *kamu*, which will take place later in the day. Just then, Jiddah, Maryam's cousin, entered carrying a tray filled with a delightful array of food.

"Aidah, what would you like to eat?" Maryam inquired, a warm smile on her face.

"I'll have the fried rice and *moi moi*, please," I replied with a smile. Jiddah then turned to Maryam and asked her what she would like.

"I'll eat with Aidah," Maryam replied.

I settled beside Maryam on the couch, and we eagerly dug into the fried rice and *moi moi*. Once we finished our meal, I called Sayyid. They chatted for a while before he politely excused himself.

Before you could say "Tyler Posey," time had flown by in a blur. We are now preparing for the *kamu* event, which is set to take place in less than two hours.

I dressed in a beautiful Ankara outfit, tied my head wrap, and applied a touch of lip gloss and filled in my brows, opting for a lighter makeup look today. We then headed down to take some pictures.

The amazing BigH was doing an excellent job capturing every moment. We exited the room and made our way downstairs to the living room, where a series of photo sessions were scheduled to take place. Upon arriving, Maryam began by taking photos with Mama and Baba, followed by snapshots with Ayush and Salma, and finally with us, the bridesmaids.

After the photo session, we all headed to the parking lot, where cars awaited to take us to the venue. I climbed into the same car as Maryam, her husband, and his friend. The ride was smooth, with little conversation except for the couple in the back seat, who were being adorably mushy. Bash's friend attempted to engage me in conversation, but I kept giving him straightforward answers, not the friendliest, I know.

We arrived at the venue shortly after and formed two lines, dancing into the grand marquee to the lively tune of "Eko Miami" by Maleek Berry. We escorted the couple to their seats before returning to ours. One of the aunts led the opening prayer, and then the event commenced with children and ladies dancing around. The venue was beautifully decorated, creating a vibrant atmosphere. After a moment, everyone was directed back to their seats, and the couple was called to the dance floor.

Everything was beautifully organized, and soon the bride and her friends were invited to the dance floor. Although I'm not the best dancer, I managed to hold my own—after all, it was my best girl's special day!

Everyone looked so joyful, and I felt genuinely happy for Maryam. Mashallah, she has found her love. Ammi took some pictures with the couple, capturing the special moments. She will be leaving tomorrow morning, inshallah, while I'll be departing on Sunday, inshallah. Sayyid's family is expected to come for the *tambaya* next week, inshallah. Both of our families are aware of our intentions, so in everyone's eyes, we are already engaged.

The *kamu* has concluded, and we are now back home, taking a well-deserved rest. It was such a fun day, Alhamdulillah! Truly a day to remember.

Tomorrow marks the *Wedding Fatiha* and dinner, followed by the *kai Amarya* and *Walima/Budan kai* on Saturday. Sunday will be the day everyone departs. After a week, the bride will be moving to Abuja with her husband.

We are currently sitting in the living room talking about today's event when Salma came in.

"Ya Aidah, someone is looking for you," she said, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

"Who is it?" I asked, my curiosity piqued, as I certainly wasn't expecting anyone.

''I don't know him, really'' Salma replied

"Describe him, then," Maryam said, her own mischievous smile widening.

"Tall, a bit light-skinned, good-looking, and he wears glasses..."

"That's enough, I know who you're talking about," I cut her off, eliciting laughter from everyone around us.

Salma informed me of his location and then left the room. I grabbed my veil, wrapped it around my head, and picked up her phone. Making my way to the parking lot, I quickly spotted his black Mercedes. I approached the passenger side, opened the door, and slid in with a cheerful greeting. He responded with a smile, "Wa alaikum salam."

"When did you arrive?" I asked after we finished exchanging pleasantries. "And why didn't you just call me?" I added, raising an eyebrow.

"Just after Maghreb, and my phone died," he replied simply. I nodded in understanding.

We discussed a variety of topics, and I mentioned the guy from earlier. As usual, he scolded me for being rude. I also shared how Salma had described him, adding a touch of humor to our conversation.

"So, I'm 'extremely good-looking,' huh?" he smirked, a playful glint in his eyes.

I looked at him and scrunched my face playfully. "Nah, not really," I teased.

He chuckled and asked, "Tell me, Aidah, if I weren't good-looking, would you have fallen for me?"

"Of course I would! I'm not in love with you because of your looks; I love you for who you are," I said, feeling my cheeks heat up.

"And that makes me love you even more, baby," he said, giving my hand a gentle squeeze as he traced the design of my henna.

Our eyes locked, and as I gazed into his, all I could see was love, honesty, and adoration. I love Sayyid so much; I don't think I've ever loved anyone this deeply, Ya Allah.

We kept discussing various topics, including details about our upcoming wedding. He showed me the house he was designing for us and even asked if I would be the interior decorator, which I gladly accepted. After all, it will be the place where we build our family together.

"So, when do you want the wedding to be?" he asked.

"I'm not really sure—maybe June? July?" I replied, uncertain.

"June sounds good to me," he smiled, his eyes softening behind his glasses.

"Baba said that if it's okay with you, they will set the date at the same time as Yassine's," I added.

He looked up from his phone. "Sure, that's fine. I'm sure it will come up next week."

"Okay," I murmured. "Are you really sure about that?" I asked again.

He nodded and smiled. "Of course I am."

We chatted about random things until it was time for him to leave. With the clock striking 10 PM, I bid him farewell, and he promised to talk tomorrow, inshallah.

I headed back inside to join my friends and prepare for bed and the day ahead. First, I checked on Ammi, who was staying in Mama's room. She asked where I had been, and I told her the truth, earning a little teasing from both her and Mama before returning to our side.

I was surprised to find everyone asleep when I walked in—except for Maryam, who claimed she had been waiting for me. "I thought he kidnapped you," she said with a teasing smile.

I laughed. "Seriously, Maryam?" I slumped down on the bed next to her.

We were both quiet for a moment before Maryam finally spoke up. "I can't believe I'm getting married tomorrow."

I turned sideways to face her. "I can't believe it either, and I'm so proud of you, best friend."

"Thank you, Aidah, for being my friend. You're the kind of friend anyone could ask for—more than a friend, you're like a sister, a mother, and even a brother when I miss mine. Thank you for always being there for me. You know, friendship isn't about who you've known the longest; it's about who walks into your life and says, 'I'm here for you,' and truly proves it."

We both had tears in our eyes, her head resting on my shoulder as she sobbed quietly. She continued, "Thank you for accepting me wholly and for being my best friend, Halima Deribe."

I was truly at a loss for words. "Maryam, you don't have to thank me. We should thank the Almighty for bringing us together. How could I ever thank Mama for bringing such an amazing soul into this world? You're a rare gem, Mairo, with a heart of gold. You truly deserve to be the happiest woman, and Bash is the luckiest man to have you."

Maryam sobbed again. "Please stop crying; you're going to make me cry too," I said to her. "In fact, you're marrying the love of your life—what's there to cry about?"

Maryam shot me a playful glare when I said that, which made me laugh, and I quickly muttered a "sorry."

We reminisced about our past, recalling our secondary school days when we first met and other memories, until we both eventually drifted off to sleep. Tomorrow is going to be a long day...

***

Can you believe it? Maryam is a married woman now, Alhamdulillah! The Wedding Fatiha took place earlier today, and now the groom is on his way to see his bride. Maryam is adorned in a stunning brown lace outfit tailored by Hudayya, paired with a brown raw silk turban. Her makeup, done by Dazieta as usual, is absolutely flawless.

Shortly after, the groom arrived with his friends. Unfortunately, my Sayyid wasn't there, but he is friends with both Bashir and his brother, Umar. They all run in the same circle.

Flashes went off everywhere, capturing the beautiful couple. They congratulated each other with a heartfelt bear hug. The bride took pictures with her sisters, Salma and Ayush, as well as with her dad and mom, then gathered with the bridesmaids for more snapshots.

After the groom and his men left, we headed upstairs to prepare for the dinner later that night. Everyone was bustling around, searching for their things and getting ready, as the event was less than two hours away! I was sitting on a stool, having my makeup done by Glam Deck, when my phone rang. "Aisha, could you please pass me my phone?" I asked one of my friends, Aisha.

Aisha smiled mischievously and wiggled her brows. "Sayyid," she sang teasingly.

I rolled my eyes at her teasing and took the phone from her before answering it.

"Hey, babe," he said when I picked up.

"Hey there, what's up?" I asked, closing my eyes for the eyeshadow application.

"Nothing much, just missing you," he replied.

I blushed and replied, "I'm missing you too." My words drew curious glances and raised brows from everyone around, so I simply rolled my eyes at them.

"Are you almost ready?" he asked.

"Yeah, almost. I'm getting my makeup done now," I replied.

"Okay, look pretty. And call me when you're ready. Love you!"

"Yeah, sure, love you too." With that, I hung up the phone.

Before long, my makeup was done, and I had to admit, I looked pretty stunning. I slipped into my navy blue lace outfit, paired with a matching head wrap tied in a turban and coordinating pearl jewelry. The other bridesmaids also wore navy blue lace with matching head wraps, while the bride dazzled in a lilac French lace outfit and a matching turban.

Adda Mami came in and told us to hurry up because we were running late. I had called Sayyid about ten minutes ago, and he said he was on his way.

The photographer captured a stunning portrait of Maryam that looked absolutely beautiful! We moved downstairs, where Maryam insisted on taking pictures with her husband before dinner, claiming she wouldn't look as good afterward and would be too tired. Adda Mami agreed to just one picture, but it ended up being four! They turned out to be beautiful shots.

We all stepped outside to where the cars were parked. I was searching for Sayyid when I spotted him standing by his car, talking with some girl. They seemed to be enjoying their conversation, but what I was seeing ignited a feeling of jealousy inside me.

The girl was leaning against him, taking pictures, and they were acting as if they were a couple. When his eyes met mine, I quickly looked away, directing my attention back to my best friend. What a nerve! He didn't even bother to come over to me.

"Aidah," I heard someone call from behind me. It was Maryam. I turned and smiled, though my lips were tight. "Who is that?" I asked her, noticing the girl was wearing the bridesmaids' asheobi.

"Layla, she's our family friend, but I've never liked her," Maryam replied.

I just nodded in response. Maryam excused herself to return to her husband just as Sayyid walked over to me. They exchanged pleasantries, and he teased her a bit before she left.

"Hey," he said, stopping in front of me.

"Hi," I replied, pretending to be busy on my phone. In reality, I was chatting with Kami, telling her how she was missing the wedding.

"You look beautiful"

"Thank you..." Before I could even finish my sentence, someone interrupted.

"Sayyid, come on, let's go! We're going to be late," said a perky voice.

I looked up to see the girl he had been talking to earlier clinging to his arm. I studied her closely.

"Who are you?" Layla asked rudely. Oh boy, she doesn't know who she's messing with.

I simply gave her a look that said, "I don't have time for childishness."

"Aidah, let's go," Sayyid said, drawing my attention back to him.

"No, don't worry; I'll just ride with Maryam," I said, and with that, I left the duo and walked over to the couple's car. I opened the passenger side and hopped in.

The ride was quiet, with the lovebirds in the back seat being all mushy while I logged into my Instagram. I scrolled through recent posts from the wedding and suddenly realized I hadn't snapped a single picture. I mentally noted that I would definitely take some at the event venue.

We soon arrived at the event venue, where we lined up and entered the hall to a song I didn't recognize. The couple took their seats, and we found ours—unfortunately, Layla was sitting there too.

Aisha was sitting to my right, and the seat to my left was empty. Layla and another girl were sitting opposite us, along with three other girls.

"Saulee, please snap a picture of me," I said, passing my phone to Aisha. I struck a pose, and she snapped the photo before showing it to me. "It's not bad," I said, and then we engaged in our own conversation.

I felt the chair beside me move and turned to see Sayyid trying to sit down. I glanced at him briefly before turning back to Aisha.

"Belle," I heard him call.

I looked at him over my shoulder. "Yeah?"

"Why are you ignoring me?" he asked, furrowing his brows. God, he was so handsome it made my heart ache.

Before I could reply, the girl with the annoyingly high-pitched voice chimed in, "Sayyid, I saved you a seat. Come!"

I simply looked at him, shrugged, and gestured for him to go sit with her. He shook his head and smiled at me, taking my hands in his large ones. "Baby, are we jealous?"

I didn't answer. Of course we are!

"Baby, you know you're the only one I love. Mi Yidi ma," he said, drawing soothing circles in my palm.

"Who is she to you?" I finally asked.

"Who? Layla?" he asked, looking a bit perplexed.

I shrugged. "The one who was glued to you earlier... with bad manners. You know exactly who I'm talking about."

"She's just a family friend," he replied.

"Good, then tell your family friend that I don't deal with teenagers and she should learn some manners. She needs to stop clinging to other people's fiancés," I said, muttering the last part.

He tried not to smile, biting his lower lip. "There's nothing between us, trust me." he said, "And she's actually nice," he added.

"Seriously, Sayyid?" I raised an eyebrow and shook my head before leaving the table. I decided to snap pictures of the couple, clearly seeking an escape route before I did something I would regret.

"Seriously, Maryam, Sayyid is getting on my nerves," I said as I reached her side and filled her in on what had just happened.

"Just let him be and have your fun, babe," she said, dragging me to the dance floor where "Issa Goal" was playing. Everyone was dancing the "shaku shaku," but I hesitated—I didn't know how to dance it at all.

We danced and danced until we were exhausted and finally returned to our seats, where some finger food was served. I noticed Samad sitting next to Aisha, deep in conversation, while Sayyid was nowhere to be seen at the moment.

I was chatting with Ruqaiya when someone tapped my shoulder. I looked up to see Layla, her face flushed with anger. I just glanced at her before turning my attention back to Ruqaiya.

"Hey, I'm talking to you," she said, tapping my shoulder again. How dare she touch me.

"How may I help you?" I asked her, raising an eyebrow.

"What is between you and Sayyid?" she asked sharply.

"Why don't you ask him yourself?" I said, giving her a sweet—well, more like a bitter—smile.

She hissed, "Listen to me carefully. Sayyid and I are in love and will soon be getting married."

I laughed bitterly. "Yeah, good luck with that. Look, I don't deal with kids."

For God's sake, she's Nadia's friend, and Nadia is my youngest sister. If I fought back, it would be like fighting with my sister over a guy.

Sayyid's POV

I was chatting and laughing with some friends when I spotted Aidah being pulled by Maryam to the dance floor. I focused my attention on her completely and watched as she danced. She looked so beautiful, mashallah, though her dance steps were amusing, I thought.

I felt a tap on my shoulder and looked up to see Layla smiling at me. "Sayyid, come dance with me," she said.

I honestly didn't understand why this girl kept bothering me. She was the reason Aidah was ignoring me all night. I'd been trying to shoo her away, but she kept coming back. She was like a fly stuck to something unpleasant—except I definitely wasn't that!

If you're wondering how I knew her, it's because our moms have been friends for as long as I can remember. "No, Layla, I don't dance," I said with a straight face.

She kept bugging me, and I kept saying no. "I said I don't want to," I said coldly, and finally, she backed down and left.

I watched Layla walk up to Aidah. If she was there to cause trouble, I knew my girl would set her straight. Knowing Aidah, she doesn't take nonsense from anyone, so I wouldn't be surprised by how she handled it.

After a few minutes, I saw Aidah stand up and leave the hall, with Layla trailing behind her. I hesitated for a moment before deciding to follow them out. I made a few stops along the way to greet some people, which meant I didn't make it in time to see what happened.

I heard a loud sound that echoed through the hallway, like a slap that silenced the chatter around us. As I rounded the corner, my eyes widened at the sight of Layla, her hand pressed against her right cheek, disbelief etched on her face. Ya Allah, Aidah had actually slapped her! The tension in the air was thick, and I could feel my heart racing, unsure of what would happen next.

"You should learn how to respect your elders, and that was for calling me a prostitute!" Aidah shot back, her words laced with bitterness and indignation. The fire in her eyes was unmistakable, and I could sense the tension thickening even more in the air.

"Layla, you did what?" I interjected, finally making my presence known. The surprise in my voice hung in the air as I took in the scene before me, ready to step in and defuse the escalating drama.

Aidah's POV

My phone rang just as I stepped outside the hall to take the call. It was Ammi. I heard footsteps behind me but didn't pay them any mind as I answered the phone. "Hey Ammi, nda dubdo," I greeted, trying to keep my voice light despite the tension still lingering from what had just happened.

"How was your journey?" I asked, my tone brightening as I spoke with her. She responded warmly, sharing details about her trip, and I felt a sense of comfort wash over me.

After I ended the call, I turned to head back into the hall, but someone suddenly stopped me. My heart raced as I recognized the familiar presence.

"I heard you follow men, and now that you're after Sayyid, you won't succeed," Layla spat, her voice dripping with disdain. Her words hung in the air, challenging me and igniting the simmering tension once again.

"Excuse me?" I asked, arching an eyebrow in surprise, taken aback by her accusations.

"Don't act like you don't know what I'm talking about. You're just out here for attention, but this time, you won't succeed in getting Sayyid into your bed," she shot back, her words laced with venom.

I didn't even register the moment my hand connected with her cheek, leaving her shocked and her palm pressed against the spot. "You need to learn to respect your elders, and that slap was for calling me such a thing," I stated, my voice steady and resolute.

"Layla, you did what?" I heard a familiar voice from behind us. I didn't need to turn around to know it was Sayyid, his tone a mix of disbelief and anger. I could feel the tension in the air thickening as he stepped closer, ready to defend me.

"Sayyid, she's lying!" Layla exclaimed, trying to conjure up tears that only made her look more ridiculous. I could see her eyes darting between us, searching for sympathy that wasn't coming.

Sayyid's expression darkened. "Layla, you know better than this. She's not your mate, and you have no right to speak to her that way."

Layla's expression shifted from faux innocence to disbelief. "But—" she started, only for Sayyid to cut her off. "No 'buts,' Layla. You crossed a line. Aidah is not someone you can disrespect." His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. I could feel the tension crackling between us, and it felt strangely satisfying to have his support in this moment.

Sayyid firmly warned Layla never to come near me again, threatening that next time, she'd face consequences far worse than a slap. With that, she stormed off, re-entering the hall with tears in her eyes, clearly humiliated.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his tone soft and concerned.

"I'm fine, just take me home, please," I replied, avoiding his gaze.

"Okay, let's go," he said, taking my hand as we walked to his car. Once inside, he started driving back to Maryam's house. I quickly texted Aisha to let her know that I had left with Sayyid.

"I'm sorry for what Layla did, baby," he said, handing me a box of tissues. I just nodded, feeling the anger begin to dissipate. Why is it so hard to stay mad at him for long? His kindness always seems to break through my frustration.

"It's okay, it's not your fault," I said as I took the box from him. The warmth of his hand lingered on mine, and I couldn't help but feel a little better. Despite everything, his presence was comforting.

"What time are we leaving for the airport tomorrow?" I asked, eager to shift the focus from the earlier drama. It felt better to talk about something else, especially since our flight to Abuja was at the same time.

"Around 12, inshallah. Just make sure to get ready early," he replied. I nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. We soon arrived at the house, and he turned to me with a gentle expression. "Please don't worry yourself," he said, offering comfort.

"Oh, Sayyid, you know I'm okay, right?" I said, twirling my Cartier ring between my fingers. "I'll be fine," I added with a reassuring smile, hoping to ease his concern.

"Nya rakuna, baby, I love you," he said softly in Kanuri, his eyes warm. With a small smile, I stepped out of the car and walked into the almost empty house, the echoes of the day still lingering in my mind.

After a refreshing shower, I put on my pajamas and prayed Isha. Slipping under the duvet, I felt a wave of comfort wash over me, the day's events slowly fading as I settled into a peaceful quiet.

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Love, chiickadee💕