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Borno,Maiduguri

Sayyid's POV

I was lounging on the couch in Samad's living room, surrounded by a few friends catching up. Today was Musty's wedding Kamu, or whatever it's officially called. The plan was for the men to take the bride and her bridesmaids to the venue.

When I mentioned to Mami that I was heading to a friend's wedding in Maiduguri, she scolded me, asking when I would finally be getting married myself.

"You all keep attending your friends' weddings, but what about your own?" Ruqaiya chimed in, earning an annoyed glare from me.

"If I punch you, you'll end up as dark as your phone case!" I retorted, and apparently, that struck them as hilarious.

"I hope you'll find your own bride at this wedding," Mami said as we reached the lobby, and I couldn't help but smile, even though she couldn't see my face.

The guys and I decided to head out to pick up the ladies and drop them off at the event venue. We made our way to the parking lot, hopped into Samad's car, and zoomed out of the compound. I turned up the music, blasting "Buglar Bars" by 2 Chainz. Samad and I sang along, the energy high as we cruised through the streets. Soon enough, we arrived at a large house on Damboa Road in GRA, where we met up with the rest of the guys waiting by the parking lot.

"Man, Musty!" I exclaimed, pulling him into a hearty, manly hug. I still couldn't believe he was actually getting married. It felt surreal, but here we were, celebrating this big step in his life.

"Architect Rems! How's it going?" Musty responded, giving me a friendly tap on the shoulder. It was always good to see him in high spirits, especially on a day as momentous as this.

After a short wait, a woman in her early forties approached us and gestured for us to follow her. The house was impressively spacious, and we made our way into a beautifully furnished living room, taking our seats. She left, promising to return with the bride and her bridesmaids. Just a few minutes later, the bridesmaids entered the room, bringing a wave of excitement with them.

The bride made her entrance alongside a young woman who appeared to be in her twenties. She had a rich chocolate complexion and was stunningly beautiful, instantly drawing my gaze. As I looked closer, I realized it was Hammad's little sister, Aidah. I couldn't help but admire how she had blossomed into a gorgeous young woman. Dressed in a peach outfit that complemented her flawless skin, she walked by, flashing a shy smile in my direction before taking her place next to her sister to snap photos.

The same woman who had welcomed us stepped back in and announced it was time to head to the venue. Samad took the wheel while I settled into the passenger seat. In the back, two of the bridesmaids were engaged in a quiet conversation, their soft laughter filling the car as we made our way.

After dropping off the ladies at the venue, we turned back toward Samad's house. Upon entering, we made our way to the main living area to greet Mama, Samad's mother. She was there with Didi and Nina, engaged in lively conversation. We greeted them with a cheerful "Assalam Alaikum" as we stepped into the room.

Samad's mom and sisters were also in town for the holidays and the wedding. They often spend their vacations in Maiduguri, filling the house with warmth and laughter.

"Waalaikumsalam, my boys," Mama greeted warmly, a smile spreading across her face.

"Mama, ina wuni," I greeted, squatting down in respect.

"Lafiya lau, Sayyid. Yaya taron biki?" Mama asked, inquiring about the wedding.

"Lafiya, Alhamdulillah," I replied as I took a seat, glancing over at the girls who were giggling about something.

"What are you laughing about?" I asked, raising an eyebrow at them.

"Nothing!" Nina quickly replied, a chuckle escaping her lips.

"Nina, are you lying to me? Here I thought you were my favorite," I said, putting on a mock expression of disappointment.

"Haba, Ya Sayyid, I'll always be your fave! It was Didi who—" Before she could finish, Didi quickly covered Nina's mouth with her hands, sending them both into fits of laughter. I shook my head, amused by their antics, and couldn't help but smile at their playful banter.

After spending some time with the girls and Mama, we made our way to Samad's side. I took off my cap and sank comfortably into the plush sofa, my mind wandering back to the girl I had seen earlier. I figured I should ask Samad about her, considering he had known the Deribe family for years.

"Yo, Samad!" I called out, drawing his attention from across the room. He turned to face me, curiosity written all over his face.

"What's up?" Samad called back as he stepped into the living room, a slight smile on his face. He plopped down next to me, ready for a chat.

"Was that Aidah who came in with Niimah earlier?" I asked, trying to sound casual, but I could feel my curiosity bubbling beneath the surface.

Samad nodded. "It was Aidah. She's really grown, right? You can barely recognize her now. Why do you ask?"

I massaged his temple and replied casually, "Oh, it's nothing. I just thought she looked familiar, that's all."

Samad just looked at me with a smirk. "I see that look, man. You're definitely hooked."

I shot him a glare. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"You like her?" Samad asked, a teasing grin spreading across his face—one I seriously considered wiping off.

I sighed. Do I like her? Of course I do—she's stunning. But am I going to do anything about it? Hell nah. She's my friend's little sister, for crying out loud.

"No, I don't," I replied a bit too quickly.

Samad nodded his head. "Alright, if you say so. But just so you know, I noticed how you were looking at her."

I shot him a glare, making it clear that there was no room for any arguments.

"Alright, alright, I get it. You don't like her," he chuckled, shaking his head. I hated that Samad knew me this well.

We played FIFA 18 until Maghrib, then headed to the masjid for prayers. Afterward, we visited Mama's side. After saying goodnight to Mama and the girls, I walked out to the parking lot and got into the car. Tonight, I'm staying at my uncle's house since my aunt has been insisting I come over.

Tomorrow is Mustafa's wedding dinner, and the thought of seeing Aidah again brings a smile to my face. Wait... what did I just say?

As I scrolled through my Instagram feed, I came across the wedding photos from Musty's celebration, shared by the photographer. One particular picture caught my eye: Aidah standing alongside Niimah, the bride, and her bridesmaids. Aidah looked stunning, her light brown complexion radiating in the sunlight. I couldn't help but admire how beautiful she was in the photo.

After a long, soothing shower, I emerged feeling refreshed and got dressed in gray sweatpants and a cozy white sweatshirt. I grabbed my laptop to dive into a project I was currently working on—developing a new site in Lagos. Putting on my glasses (not that I'm a nerd or anything), I settled in and began to focus on the tasks at hand.

Feeling tired from the work, I set my laptop aside and switched off the bedside lamp, sinking into the comforting embrace of my bed and drifting off to sleep.

Aidah's POV

"Aidah, your mom is calling you," someone said.

''Aidah, have you seen Yakolo?"

''Aidah, where is Niimah's food?''

Ya Allah! I'm so tired of everyone and everything. I just want this wedding to come and go—innalillahi. Why can't they just let me rest? All these questions and demands are driving me crazy!

Today is Friday, and it's Adda Niimah's dinner. The makeup artist is waiting for me in my room, but here I am, running up and down this huge house. I dashed back to my room, where my cousins are getting ready, and slipped into a stunning red lace dress. Sitting in front of Jide, he began his magic with the makeup. I glanced at my wristwatch—7:15 PM. The dinner starts at 8, and we're really cutting it close.

After what felt like an eternity, Jide finally asked me to turn around and take a look at my makeup. And oh my, I looked absolutely stunning! The way he blended everything perfectly enhanced my features, and I couldn't help but smile at my reflection.

"Thank you, Jide! You're my absolute favorite makeup artist!" I squealed, excitement bubbling over.

"You're welcome! You look like a fire girl," he replied with a grin as a woman deftly tied my gold headgear.

I gazed at my reflection in the mirror, admiring how the outfit complimented my look. Falmata and Maryam wore the bridesmaids' asheobi, while I stood out in the special asheobi for the bride's sisters. We took countless pictures, capturing the joy of the moment with my sisters and sisters-in-law. It was bittersweet, though, knowing that five of my sisters couldn't be there. Their absence was felt deeply, and we missed them so much.

Maryam, Falmata, and the others finished getting ready, all dressed in beautiful baby blue and gold lace with matching headgear. We headed to the guest chalet where Adda Niimah was, and she was already stunningly ready. The photographer had begun snapping pictures of the bride and her bridesmaids, who looked gorgeous in their elegant blue and gold lace outfits. The atmosphere was filled with excitement as we gathered around to share in the joy of the moment, capturing memories that would last a lifetime.

I hurried back outside only to realize that all the cars had already left. Panic set in for a moment as I looked around, searching for familiar faces. Maryam and the others were nowhere to be seen. I felt a bit overwhelmed, standing there in my beautiful outfit, while everyone else was off to the venue.

What on earth? How could they leave without me? I had told Maryam I was just going to grab my phone. After I picked it up, I dialed her number, and as I did, I heard a honk. I looked up to see a steel gray Mercedes.

Whoever it is better not provoke me with that honking, I thought. The car came to a stop right in front of the building, and the driver was Samad, my brother Hammad's friend and a mutual acquaintance. Essentially, he was a family friend. He was also a few years ahead of me at university and had gone to Lynn as well.

"It seems like everyone took off without you," Samad said with a playful smirk.

"Don't even go there, Samad," I said, teasingly warning him.

"Well, we were actually hoping to give you a ride to the venue," he chuckled.

I nodded slowly. "Sure, thanks." I opened the back seat and got in. Samad pulled out of the driveway and onto the nearly empty streets of Maiduguri. The person in the passenger seat was Remawa Sayyid.

"Why did they leave you behind?" Samad asked as he took a turn.

I sighed. "I left my phone inside, so I had to go back for it. I mentioned it to Maryam, but you know how she is—she definitely forgot and left without me."

"Yikes, sorry about that!" he said with a chuckle. "By the way, Aidah, have you met Sayyid?"

I had actually met him multiple times, but I wasn't about to say that. He's friends with not one, but two of my sisters. Still, I wasn't sure if he remembered me.

I shook my head and replied, "No." Samad said something to Sayyid, and they both chuckled before he turned to look at me. "Hey, you okay?" he asked with a small smile.

I just replied with a "Yeah, fine" and gave a small smile in return. But of course, Samad, being himself, kept the conversation going.

"Sayyid, did you know that Aidah is also an architect?" Samad said to his friend.

"Which university did you graduate from?" Sayyid asked, sounding genuinely interested.

"Same university as Samad—Lynn University," I replied, while quickly typing a response to a message I had received earlier from my older sister.

"What about your masters?" Sayyid asked again, his curiosity piqued.

"I'm almost done with my master's," I replied, glancing out the window as I spoke.

He nodded. "Mashallah, that's great to hear."

After a few minutes, we arrived at the dinner venue. I got out of the car and thanked the guys for the lift.

As I walked toward the grand marquee, I noticed how beautifully decorated it was. My eyes quickly found Maryam and the other bridesmaids standing at the entrance, ready to enter the hall.

"Kin kyauta!" I playfully smacked Maryam as I reached her. Thank goodness they hadn't entered the hall yet.

"Sorry, I completely forgot you went back inside!" She offered me an apologetic smile.

We arranged ourselves into two lines: one for the sisters in green asoebi and the other for those in red. Meanwhile, the bridesmaids formed a single line, as did the groomsmen, pairing up with a bridesmaid. The bridesmaids and groomsmen danced into the hall first to a popular Afrobeat song. After them, the bride's sisters—us—followed, dancing in to another lively Afro song. The couple began their entrance right after us.

We all made a magical entrance, but it was even more special for the couple, as everyone rose to catch a glimpse of them. We took our seats at the table reserved for the bride's sisters. At my table were Ya Ummi, Ya Aisha, Ya Bebi, Ya Mamma, Yakaka, Yagana, and Amma.

Burna Boy and Mr. Eazi were there, two of Ya Niimah's favorite Nigerian artists. We were having an amazing time that night—it was shaping up to be a night to remember!

The photographer captured countless moments of the bride and groom, as well as shots of the bride with her friends. Once dinner wrapped up, Alhamdulillah, we had a great time—eating, chatting, dancing, and more.

Sayyid and Samad drove me back home, and we chatted a bit during the ride, catching up with Samad. Sayyid was pretty quiet the whole drive, only speaking when Samad directed a question at him.

We reached my house in just a few minutes. I thanked them for bringing me home safely and said goodbye before stepping out of the car. With a sense of relief, I headed straight to Ammi's side—our side—and then made my way to my room, eager to slip out of my fitted dress and wash off my makeup. It felt great to finally unwind after such a lively night.

I entered my room, quickly slipped out of the dress, and wrapped myself in a fluffy towel. After heading into the bathroom, I enjoyed a relaxing shower. When I emerged, I felt completely refreshed. I changed into my pajamas and grabbed my hijab to make up my missed Isha salah. After finishing my prayers, I recited my duas. I lazily folded my hijab and tossed it onto the prayer mat, feeling a sense of calm wash over me.

Sighing, I made my way to my bed and sat down, plugging my phone into the charger. I glanced at the time and saw it was already past 1 a.m. Maryam and the others weren't back yet, but they should arrive any minute. As for me, I decided I wasn't going to wait for them. I needed to prioritize my beauty sleep!

As you should Halimatu! beauty sleep comes before all. periodt. 💁🏾‍♀️

Hi lovelies, how are ya'll doing? hope all is well? How are you liking the book so far? you guys are not making some noise here and it is making me sad...😢

Please don't forgot to be commenting and voting! thank you!❤️