Ramlah

3 - Bridesmaid

Being a bridesmaid was always the most stressful task I had to do. It was easier the more casual my relationship was to the bride. But obviously as we got older it started to become more sad than stressful. The thoughts of when will it be my turn started to really flood my brain.
It didn't help that I was now a bridesmaid at Zainab's wedding. We have most of the same aunties and they were hellbent on asking me when it was going to be my turn.

"You are almost 26, Ramlah, kin kusa yin kwantai mu rasa yanda za mu yi da ke." One auntie told me. I was too taken aback to reply. She basically told me I was about to lose my prime and I wouldn't be able to get married after that. She stood and watched as I struggled to find the words to say back.

"Let's get Zainab's shoes, it's almost time for the dinner." One of our friends - a fellow bridesmaid- said and pulled me away from the woman.
The audacity! It was after I had left her presence that the rage started to seep in.
My friend could feel the tension rising in the air. I could tell because she kept apologizing on the fat old woman's behalf. She had nearly three chins and facial hairs, she's definitely not one to judge.

"The groomsmen will be here any second, we have to be ready." Zainab was saying as we walked into the bedroom with her shoes.

"So Ram, you're with me right?" She asked tapping away at her phone.

"Yes," I replied putting the shoes down.

"Okay guys," She got to her feet to put them on, "let's start going down." All the other girls in their shimmering navy blue asoebi went down and out to find cars to ride to the venue. The groomsmen had offered to give the bridesmaids rides to the dinner venue; I believe it was because most of them just want to meet pretty girls, and it was no secret that Zainab had gorgeous friends.
The ladies had all gone when the last cars pulled up. It was Zainab's husband, but I knew he wouldn't be the one driving . Normally the groom would sit in the back with his bride and two of his friends would drive them (anywhere and everywhere the two would go during the wedding). But since I'll be riding with them I assumed it would be just one friend driving and I'd take the front passenger's seat.

The car parked just by the front entrance. The groom nearly jumped out of the car in his white Babbar-Riga, pulling the sides up to his shoulders so he could move faster towards his bride. He engulfed her in a tight hug. The videographer and photographer were circling them, taking pictures and videos. I held Zainab's phone in my hand and captured the moment for her. He stepped back and held her hands at arms length taking in her burgundy mermaid dress. It sparkled and shimmered in the night light and it had a train that followed many feet behind her. The photographer took a few more pictures as the videographer captured it all in motion.

"Let's go!" She suddenly announced, "I'm sure Mama has been calling me," and she was right. Her mother has left near 5 missed calls and a couple of messages. I held the train as the groom helped her into the car. It wasn't until I was stuffing the train at her feet that I locked eyes with the driver.

You have got to be kidding me.

I heard him snicker and I'm certain it was at my eye-roll. I watched Zainab's face too, she sported a mischievous smile. I rolled my eyes and closed her door. I took a small breath before I sat in the front seat.

"We meet again," Khalid says as he starts the car. I could see the smile spread across his face and I can't lie his eyes do a thing when he smiles and it's starting to kind of get to me.

"Yes, we do," I reply, looking straight ahead.
The drive to the event hall was a mere 10 minutes and in that time Khalid only looked over occasionally and smiled while we made conversation with the bride and groom. I texted Zainab 'I'll kill you for this' not long after we had gotten in the car. I could hear her laugh as soon as my message went through.