Mrs Ahmed Shehu

27

SURAIYA

It's time for Fajr and I've barely slept. Someone made coffee earlier and it's really helping me right now. There's henna on my hands and feet and although it took a lot of time and discomfort, it turned out quite nicely.

It was a struggle keeping my aunts and cousins away from my hair. They said it's too curly and that I should stretch it out so that Ahmed could appreciate it better. I told them, as nicely as I could, to get lost. They listened, thankfully. They weren't pleased but that's not my business. I'll be leaving them in a couple of hours anyways.

I finish making wudhoo and leave the bathroom. There are still a number of people in my room but I ignore them, grab my hijab and head out. I run into Ammar. He smiles at me. "I'm finally seeing you."

Something close to guilt hits me in the chest. "Ammar..."

He gives me an amused look. "Ne soyez pas emotif maintenant (don't get emotional now)." He puts a hand on my shoulder. "I'm sorry it's taking us this long to be able to talk to you and in our own ways, stand up for you."

I pout. I'm going to cry. "Ammar."

"I'm proud of you, Suraiya. I've always been. I'm sorry I was a coward. This family hasn't always been nice and you shouldn't have taken the brunt of it all simply because you didn't want to follow the path we took."

My vision is blurring. "Je ne veux pas pleurer (I don't want to cry)."

He laughs and pulls me to him. Has he always been this tall? He kisses my hair. "I love you, Suraiya."

God, it's years late, but this is beautiful. "I love you too."

Throats are cleared and I pull back to see Zafar and Hamoud. Zafar clears his throat again and looks away, clearly feeling awkward. "Allow me repeat all Ammar said. I want you to know that I love you too. I'm sorry for also being a coward."

Hamoud nods. "Me too."

Ammar hisses, still holding me to him. "Vous devriez sortir tous les deux (both of you should get out)."

We all laugh and I pull away from Ammar to hug them too. God, Zafar is so cuddly. Just look at what we've all been missing out on! We eventually go down to the join the others in the living room for prayers. I catch glimpses of my sisters as they come down and take their places. They're all in town for Hamoud's introduction (and now, my wedding). We haven't spoken much but they've been supportive so far and I'm grateful. In Shaa Allah I'll sort out things with them before I leave.

I'm starting to see now that, like me, they were victims in their own ways. Our family had too many expectations for us and while I'm angry that they were cowards most of the time, I'm seeing things from their perspectives. Our family's mean when we don't follow what's expected and they just didn't want to be on the receiving end of it all the way I was.

It sucks but that's life, I guess.

After the prayer, lots of Duas are made. It's surprising that most of them are for me and for Hamoud too. They pray for a happy marriage for Ahmed and me, and they pray that Hamoud's engagement goes well. Everyone (well, most) enthusiastically says Ameen to the Duas and if someone put me on social media right now, I'm sure my dirty looks will go viral with that sound that says "bombastic side eye". This family has been amazing me since yesterday. I'm sure they'll amaze me until the very minute where I have to leave.

Once everything comes to an end, my sisters reach me before my aunts and cousins can. Yasmina takes my hand, telling an aunt that they're going to help me pick a material to wear since I said I'm going to wear a lafaya. Mum walks in our direction and to my greatest surprise, my sisters pull me away with them before she can get to us. Well, this is nice. Who knew this day would come?