Being his replacement bride.(Completed)✔️

Chapter 3.

NADIA.
After taking my bath, I sat in my room with Addarh Jiddarh, Amal, and Ibtihaj.

Meanwhile, Aunty Maryam, My mum, and Aunty Batul-Munnaya's mother-were with us as well. Aunty Batul looked deeply troubled, and I truly felt sorry for what Munnaya had done.

They were trying to pick out a dress for me from the set of boxes originally brought for Munnaya. I still remembered the day they arrived. Now, they said, the clothes were mine. How strange.

Though Munnaya and I had the same body figure, it still felt so odd.

"Why are you so quiet, Nadia?" Ibtihaj asked, staring straight at me.

I had been completely lost in my thoughts.

"Cheer up, sister," Addarh Jiddarh said, concern evident in her voice.

"Sisters, I'm worried about where Munnaya could be. Didn't she think of everyone in the family? Especially Kaka Indo, Uncle Muhammad, Aunty Batul, and Fu'ad?" I murmured, my heart heavy.

"Nadia," Ibtihaj sighed. "My father, my mother, and I know Munnaya very well. She can hurt anyone just to get what she wants. She's my sister, after all. But calm down, Nadia. Munnaya made her choice, didn't she? Does she think everything will be fine for her? What would Fu'ad even think of her? Ugh!" She scoffed in frustration.

"No, Ibtihaj, she-"

I was about to say more, but Aunty Maryam stepped closer to where we were seated.

"Now, let's get you ready, Yar Albarka," she said, holding up a light blue wedding gown, along with a pink veil and scarf.

She worked on me quickly, as though the world would end if everything wasn't perfect. Before I knew it, my hair was styled, and the dress was being fitted onto me. It felt heavy, both physically and emotionally.

When they finished, I stared at myself in the mirror. Was that really me? The girl in the reflection looked like a stranger, dressed in a blue wedding gown,with gold jewellery glinting in the light. My mind wandered to Fu'ad. What would he think when he saw me? Would he agree to this arrangement, or would he feel as trapped as I did?

Meanwhile, Addarh Jiddarh, Amal, and Ibtihaj were instructed to ensure that my belongings- which I had just finished packing- were taken downstairs. A car had arrived to transport the bride's items.

The wedding Fatiha was already taking place in the large courtyard of our family house. Everyone had gone downstairs to be with the guests, leaving only Maama and me in the room.

Once I was fully dressed, Maama gently wrapped the veil around me. I felt uncomfortable in it. Though the veil was slightly large, it was more like a net veil, making me feel exposed.

I rested my head on Maama's lap.

"Mum, why did this happen to me?" I asked, my eyes brimming with tears.

"Don't say that, my daughter. Everything happens for a reason, and I promise you, this marriage is blessed, okay? Don't worry about Munnaya-your uncle and father have arranged for someone to trace her whereabouts," she reassured me.

Just then, Addarh Jiddarh burst into the room, slamming the door behind her.

"Come on, don't be a baby, Nadia. You're not leaving forever! And remember, you're doing this marriage to protect our family's honour in society. InshaAllah, this marriage will be a blessed one. Don't trouble yourself, little sister," she said, sitting beside me and placing a comforting hand on my back.

Maama remained silent.

The door opened once again, and before I knew it, many of our relatives had entered the room, their voices filling the space. Some held their noses and made celebratory sounds-what they called buda in Hausa.

The crowd erupted in applause, and I realised it was official. I was no longer just Nadia Bello. I was now Fu'ad's wife.

I started hearing phrases like:

"An daura aure!" (The wedding knots have been tied!)

"Allah zai albarkaci gidan ki, Nadia." (May Allah bless your new home, Nadia.)

"Ya dauru kuma Allah ya sanya albarka a ciki." (It has been tied, and may Allah bless the union.)

"Allah ya miki albarka, Nadia." (May Allah bless you, Nadia.)

I felt as though a hammer was striking my head.

I was now a Mrs!

What?!

Married to replace someone else?

Would Fu'ad even accept me?

What was my fate going to be?

What was happening?

Ya Allah, please guide me through.

These were the questions that swirled in my mind.

Alhamdulilah
Thank you for sparing your time to read my book.
See you in the next chapter
© Najaatu Zubairu.