1. Happy Married life

Halima looks at herself one last time in the mirror. She is dressed in a blue french lace sewn into a straight skirt with a closed slit at the back and a paplon top with white nets at the edge of each hand. 

Her head gear is tied into a tight but beautiful design which can't seem to be explained. It has almost twelve pleats then some designs at the top that look like rumples.

She is wearing blue heels with silver touches. A gold necklace jewelry set adorns her neck, ear, head, wrists, index fingers and left ankle. 

A white viel with blue designs at the edges of the veil is wrapped around Halima's body in the traditional lafayya way. Her make up is done flawlessly beautiful by one of the famous makeup artists in Abuja.

At first when Halima saw the makeup artist she was like Ya Allah please don't let this girl spoil my beautiful face for me. But now looking at herself she regrets her thoughts. She will have to ask for her forgiveness for thinking ill of her capability. 

Halima remembers the torture Fatuma, UmmuKalthum and her mother made her go through all in the name of gyaran jiki. But now looking at herself in the mirror she appreciates every bit of the torture. 

The whole look is just Mashaa Allah. 

The wedding has been hectic but it's worth it. Today is the daurin aure {tying of the wedding knot}, wuni and budan kai {unveiling}. Tomorrow Halima and her husband to be, Sa'eed will take their wedding pics and then Halima will be taken to her husband's house. 

Halima never thought she'll ever get married to Sa'eed Abba Sulayman. Some years ago she took him as nothing but her best friend's elder brother - even though at some point she had a mild crush on him which went away after she was threatened by her classmate - but now here she is grinning from ear to ear as she looks at herself in the mirror. Mrs Sa'eed, she blushes st the thought of the name. 

"Laaaa, jibeta {take a look at her} she's blushing fah. Bakida kunya koh? {Aren't you shy?} Don't you know that you're seated in front of your inlaw? Oh yaran yanxu bah kunya bah Tsoron idon nagaba {children of nowadays are not shy and they don't fear their elders}." Fatima says while laughing. 

Fatima is dressed in a black ankara sewn into a six piece skirt and blowse with golden flowers around the neck and paplon hands. Her headgear is tied in the ture Kaga tsiya style. She refuses to apply any makeup saying it'll only attract illegible men to her. 

Halima smacks her saying, "jimin yarinya fah.Ai yanxu {see this girl. Now} you'll have to respect me saboda {because} I'll be marrying your elder brother which technically makes me your elder sister."

UmmuKalthum looks at them and says, "ai nima da badan badan bah dah {if not for circumstances} Teemah would've been my sister in law and I'd have to respect her fah."

Halima watches as Fatima gulps but suddenly smiles again. She knows very well how the memory of what happened affects her. Fatima is probably still very much in love with Amir. 

They all keep on making jokes till they hear a beep which seems to come from UmmuKalthum's phone. She checks it and beams as she says, "congratumatur hajiya Mrs Sa'eed." 

Halima's aunt, Asma'u opens the door and says "toh koh kin fasa ne? Ai koh kin fasa an daura kam shikenan ai. {have you forfeited? Even if you have it has been tied}. So get yourselves up and come down for the khutbah {sermon}." 

Fatima just looks at her and shakes her head. If it was the former Fatima she would've eyed her, hissed then insulted her. But Halima's best friend is all grown up and matured now and she's proud of her. 

Fatima adjusts Halima's lafayya for her till its covering her face half way. She puts on her stilettos and they walk down the stairs as the old women Halima never knew existed till now start guda {yodeling} 

The first person Halima goes to is Hajjo, her mother. Halima tries to sit on the ground but Hajjo motions her to sit beside her on the couch. Halima would surely miss that couch. Stupid yes, but she's a sentimental person. 

Hajjo adjusts Halima's lafayya a bit to the back and looks into her eyes. Halima can see her fighting back her tears. She starts with the khutbah and Halima listens to her attentively. 

"da farko dai {firstly} I'd like you to know that marriage is not a bed of roses despite the fact that it's the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam {peace be unto him}. Or, we can actually call it a bed of roses as roses are beautiful but most times have thorns that prick us. One just has to be careful not to get pricked by these thorns. And being careful means never argue with your husband, no matter what, whether you're in the right or wrong do not argue with him."

They all hear Asma'u scoff but they ignore her. Everyone there knows that she'll talk. She must talk. She always finds a way to annoy Hajjo. 

Hajjo continues talking, "i repeat do not argue with your husband except if he's doing something that is against the teachings of Islam. Even if he's doing something like that there are various ways you can correct him. You can stylishly correct him and he might not even realize that you have corrected him, that's one.

"Two, no matter the circumstances never raise your voice to your husband. Never! It's against the teaching of Islam to raise your voice to your husband. Three, whenever you guys fight or argue to the extent that he gets angry at you, be the first to apologize. Drop your ego, pride and everything and if necessary go on your knees to apologize."They all hear another scoff from Asma'u. 

Firdausi, Halima's maternal uncle's wife looks at her and says, "wai ke can't you behave like a sensible adult for once in your life, khutbah fah akeyi anan {sermon is being said here} for crying out loud. Toh ki kiyaye ni. Wallahi ki kiyaye ni.{be careful with me. I swear by Allah be careful with me}. If not I'll drop a very sound slap on your face if i hear anything from you again that is not khutbah. You know my husband is your older brother so I'm technically your elder sister saboda haka {so} be careful."

Asma'u hisses at this and stands up to leave the room. Hajjo shakes her head and continues, "fourthly, even if you're right about something and he's wrong and you guys probably end up arguing, give up the argument for him except if what you're arguing about is against and for the teachings of Islam. Whenever he asks for something make sure you give it to him, when he asks you to do something make sure you do it."

The whole room erupt in laughter and then the realization hit Halima. She blushes so much that her lafayya would've probably also turned red from all of the blushing. 

The laughter dies down as Hajjo continues, "and lastly make use of your culinary skills. I know you can cook so don't forget to wow him with your food. Bless his taste buds such that when he sees another food he wouldn't want to eat it. He'd want to wait till he gets back home. 

"And also always dress up for him. Let me tell you something, men have a tendency of falling in love with any woman that takes her time to dress up and look nicely just to please them. So make use of the clothes you have and wow him. Make him lost in your beauty such that when he sees another woman he'll be like this woman's dressing can't even reach upto half of my wife's dressing skills. See, even if you won't make up make sure you dress nicely and use khumrah. Whenever your face, hair or anything is in a bad condition you have all you need at home. Fati made sure of that."

Fatima nudges Halima's back and says "thank me with a bucket of popcorn."

"and lastly, listen to this attentively because this was what caused the ruckus i and your dad had a few years back. Whenever your husband says he wants to get married again. Support him. Suppress your jealousy and support him as he follows the sunnah of marrying more than one wife. Please, don't argue with him on it because that might cost you your marriage or even worse, make him commit a sin by cheating on you or committing adultery. So please adhere to all these and make use of all what i and your dad have taught you. Don't shame us. I love you." she completes crying. 

Halima knows she had said she wouldn't cry on her wedding day but the thought of leaving her mother and going somewhere else for the rest of her life hurts. 

Hajjo hugs Halima passionately and she hugs her back. Thank God Halima's make up is waterproof and her headgear is pinned to my head. If not she would have been a mess now. 

After several sobs Halima feels someone drag her away from her mother. Asma'u. She's the only one that can do that. She is taken to her dad, Audu by Fatima and Fatima leaves her in front of the door. She enters with a salam which he reciprocates. 

She kneels at the edge of his king size bed as she greets him. After exchanging pleasantries he starts by saying, "oh, ikon Allah {miraculous God}. A few years ago you were my baby. My darling baby Leema. Now here you are, all grown up trying to leave me and your mum all alone here in this house."

Halima unknowingly starts crying all over as his words hit her. She starts to shake her head. He continues "my baby stop crying, do you want your daddy to cry too?"

Anyone can tell that he is also crying but doesn't want to show it. She looks into his eyes and notices a sad smile on his face as tears roll down his cheeks. 

Immediately their eyes meet, he wipes his tears. He opens his bed side drawer and brings out a Samsung s20 and a car key. He stands up to where Halima is kneeling and lifts her up with her shoulders. 

Audu picks up Halima's right hand and opens it in front of her. He places the car key and phone in her hand and hugs her saying "i know your mum has said it all but i need to say more. Dan Allah kibi mijin ki sau da kafa. Don't let any third party come between your marriage. Don't tell anyone about your married life. Keep to yourself. Whenever you feel something is not right, talk to him. Sit down and talk. Communicate with him. Communication is important for a steady relationship. If he tells you he doesn't want something, leave it. If he tells you he likes something, hold on to that thing. 

"I read an article on the internet yesterday about women who scavenge through their husband's phones. Please, don't be one of them. Whatever he does on his phone is not your business. If he wants he'll tell you, if he doesn't want, then he won't. He's marrying you not the other way round so beware. Don't let any of your friends tell you akwai wani malami. {there is one malam}. No! Malami ai bawan Allah ne {malam is a servant of Allah} so make Allah your own malami. 

"Whenever you're having problems in your marriage wake up in the night and pray, tell Allah your problems. Allah is the Al-Basir {the all seeing} and the Al-'Alim {the all knowing} He'll listen to your cries and answer you when the time is right. Don't force your husband to do anything. Don't chat or call any man. Not even your stepbrother. Please don't disgrace us. Ki tabbata kinbi dukkan dokokin da zai saka miki {make sure you adhere to all the rules he's going to put in place for you}".

He looks at his phone as it beeps then switches it off before saying, "muje. Maigidanki yana jiranki {let's go. Your husband is waiting for you}". 

At the mention of the word Maigidanki {your husband} Halima covers my face with her henna designed palms as she blushes. Audu laughs and holds her hand as he leads them down the stairs. 

They reach the front porch and there stands Sa'eed in all his glory. He is dressed in a blue kaftan with a matching blue babban riga and a cap with white half covers. He looks handsome.

Audu lifts Halima's right hand up and place it in Ya Sa'eed's right hand then says, "ga 'yata nabaka amana. Ka rike min ita amana. Amana ce Allah ya bani ita gashi yau na baka ita {here's my daughter i am entrusting her to you. Take care of this trust. Allah has entrusted her to me and today I'm entrusting her to you}."

Turning to Halima he says, "na bashi amanarki. Kiyi masa biyayya kiji Tsoron Allah. Aljannar ki na karkashin tafin Kafar sa saboda haka ki bisa sau da kafa kuje Allah ya baku zaman lafiya {I've entrusted him to you. Obey him and fear Allah. Your paradise is under his feet so obey him you can go may Allah grant you matrimonial peace}."

He releases Halima's hand and walks a little bit away from them, "kai where is Amir ne? Has he taken the car?"

Halima knows he's trying to hide his tears from her. Halima and Sa'eed enter the car with Amir, Halima's stepbrother and Fatima's cousin and Fatima at the front seat. Amir is driving while Fatima is sitting by the passengers seat. Halima can see that there is tension in the air as neither Fatima nor Amir want to talk. 

She nudges Sa'eed and he beams then scoots closer to her before whispering, "you know we're going different ways right? So stop touching me, wait till you're taken to my house then I'm all yours baby."

Halima can see him smirking as she tries so hard to hide her blush by widening her eyes to show that I'm surprised. They are distracted by a coughing Fatima. Amir quickly hands her a bottle of water which she refuses immediately. 

Sa'eed sends her a glare through the rear view mirror to which she replies with a chuckle then says, "at least you guys can stop being all lovey dovey to each other until after the kamu". 

"There's kamu?" Halima asks almost immediately. She was only told of walima, budan kai and wuni. She didn't know there is going to be kamu. 

Fatima laughs then says, "ayyaa, she's pitying her hubby. Ai we've not finished extorting money from him. Dama he refused to buy that phone pouch for me. Kinga shikenan. Koh my one and only Yaya?" 

If looks could kill Teemah would've decayed underground by now. The way Sa'eed is glaring at her right now. They drop Halima and Fatima off at Afrah's house, Fatima's cousin. Aneesah, Nana, Afrah and many of Halima and Fatima's cousins, friends and colleagues are already there together with the make up artist. 

Halima has atleast two hours to rest while they all attend the wuni. She removes the cloth and drops them on the bed and puts on a pink jumpsuit that belongs to Afrah. It's too big for Halima but she just has to make do with it since all her clothes are in her matrimonial home.

Halima lays down on the bed trying to sleep but it seems impossible so she ponders on all the khutbah she received today. She promises to make her parents proud and In Shaa Allah she will make use of every single word they told her.

By 4pm Fatima barges into the room but Halima pretends to be asleep. Fatima looks at Halima then enters the toilet, just when Halima heaves a sigh of relief she feels cold water splashing on her face.

She is wet as she stands up. Halima glares at Fatima flaring with anger but all Fatima does is laugh. Fatima is freaking laughing at Halima. Halima picks the bucket and splashes the remaining water on her body. 

Fatima gasps and says, "oh it is on." They chase each other around the room and pour baby powder on each other. 

"Lahaulafisha atillah, shikenan you guys have turned my room to your playground koh? Sekace wasu kananan yara dan Allah kuga abun da kukayi a dakin nan {as if you're small children for Allah's sake see what you've done in this room}. God just saved both of you that jiya nasaka Ledar kwanciya {yesterday i put sleeping bag}, if not Allah you'd have taken out the mattress and laid it out to dry, or better still, dama yau aka daura auren {afterall Halima's wedding knot was tied today} so she'll give me her mattress and take this one to her house. As for you Fatima sai anzo tambayan hannun aurenki {when someone comes to ask for your hand in marriage} I'll say that your husband should buy me a mattress as your sadaki {bride price}". 

Fatima just looks at her and whines "haba Adda Afrah I'm not that cheap ai haba, katifa fah {mattress}, God forbid."

After cleaning up the room Halima takes her bath and gets dressed in a pink and white ankara sewn into a skirt and a paplon top. Her head gear is tied into series of V-pleats. This time around she's wearing flats and simple beaded jewelries. 

She puts on a white alkyabba over her clothes and apply casual make up done by her dear make up artist. She uses the opportunity to apologize for underestimating her capabilities but the makeup artist just smiles and says it happens so no problem. 

They go through the whole wedding events and Halima is finally in her husband's bedroom. She's dressed in a white and coffee ankara sewn into a straight gown with a slit at the back. There's another part of the ankara which covers the lower part of the gown like a waist cape. 

Her ankara headgear is tied in the bridal style. Her make up is to die for. Everything is just beautifully done. 

Now to just wait for the groom to arrive. Fatima, UmmuKalthum and the rest of them are sitting beside Halima chatting and waiting for Sa'eed to arrive so that they can extort as much as they can from him.