Between The Heavens And The Embers

NINE

BE TRUE TO YOURSELF

      There was silence,absolute silence that lingered in the atmosphere that if a pin was dropped,the sound will echo and will be heard,loud and clear.

     Durrah sat down at the foot of the sofa,her knees folded and her head head bent in a sign of respect while her in-laws,Mami and Baba sat on the longest brown sofa trying to decipher how to start this conversation in a such a way that Durrah wont be scared.

  "Durrah" Baba called, his voice calm and approaching.

  "Na'am Baba"

    "You know that, your mother and i will never do anything to hurt you. Since the day you married Labeeb, we have considered you our own and vowed to do anything that will protect you. Durrah you should know that you don't owe us anything and the decision is solely in your hands, whatever decision you take, we will respect it" Baba paused to look at his wife he nodded at her,a sign for her to continue.

    Mami sighed  " You are trying Durrah,we know you are and we see every effort you put in raising Junior we are really proud of you. But Durrah,you can't do this alone even for the fact that your aunties are not letting you breathe and they will never let you,you need someone by your side...."Mami trailed

    "We all want to be there for Junior and we will be, but Durrah we can only go so far. We will not force you to do anything you are not ready to and is all up to you Durrah,as your father said,we will accept any decision you make"

    With her head still down, Durrah could hear the thumping of her heart against her ribcage, she knew what her in-laws are hinting at but if she was to be true to herself ,she knew she wasn't ready, just not yet.

   "Nadir is a very good man-" Baba started causing Durrah to abruptly look up with furrowed brows, the question on her mind, what is bringing Nadir to this?

    "Yes Durrah,Nadir. We know he doesn't have any problem we should be worried about and Alhamdulillah, he practices Islam to the best of his ability, we will never hand you over to a man that will hurt you,like i said Durrah,you are our daughter" Baba finished

  "Nadir said yes. You should take your time and think about this Durrah, remember, we will respect your decision. Allah ya miki albarka" Mami prayed with a smile

  "Amin Amin" Baba and Durrah said simultaneously.

  "Mami,we will be going to get Damla's dress with Damy"

  "Ok,a dawo lafiya"

   ◇◇◇

  " Is it me or is Damla acting more like the event planner than the bride" Damy commented when they stepped out of the car.
 
    "Is Damla, you complain,you die" Durrah chuckled

   "Or worse, get starved on her wedding day" Damy added and they both laughed. They both walked into the building and were welcomed with the heavenly scent of air conditioner and bakhoor. The reception was  fairly large with a receptionist desk just by the corner, behind  had a large circular black and golden logo was hung, with yours sincerely, Eni written in calligraphy.

  Durrah and Damy walked to the desk and greeted one of the women seated there.

  "Hello good afternoon madam, what can i help you with?" The woman asked

  "We are here to pick up Damla Lamido's dresses" Durrah replied the woman with a small smile.

  "Ok Ma'am please have a sit, i'll place a call now" she gestured to the waiting seats that were occupied by other customers. Durrah and Damy settled on the seats at the far end of the room,Durrah's mind completely in jeopardy while the latter just typed away her phone.