Wherever my heart is

BEGINNING OF FOREVER

The next morning, Mahreen woke up feeling much better and more energetic. She quickly walked into her ensuite and went through her morning routine, dreading the final gyaran jiki torture she would have to endure that day. As she stepped out, she encountered the middle-aged woman setting up for today's session. Mahreen sighed in exasperation.

"Ina kwana," she greeted the woman.

"Lafiya, Amarya. Please come and sit. I came in quite early today since it's our final session," Asmau, the middle-aged woman, replied.

"Okay," Mahreen said, sitting down on the low pillow.

The woman scrubbed and waxed Mahreen's skin, causing her to scream throughout the process. After a month, she was still not used to this. Today's routine felt harder than the previous ones. The woman handed her a perfume to add to her bathwater and urged Mahreen to take a quick shower.

Mahreen loved how soft and smooth her skin felt, especially how she smelled extra, extra good. She took her time in the bathroom and emerged to find the woman setting up the durot chair. The woman helped her carefully into the chair, applying some perfume to Mahreen's long black curls and steaming them.

Umma came into the room with a bowl of aphrodisiac chicken and a cup of whatever concoction she had been forcing Mahreen to drink. Mahreen detested it immensely, but Umma showed no signs of joking, so Mahreen grudgingly accepted it.

"Mahreen, kiyi sauri ki gama da abunnan, I have work to do," Umma said, pushing the plate closer to Mahreen.

"Asmau, are you done with the gyaran jiki?" Umma asked the beautician.

"Eh, Hajiya, we're done. Just the durot shima in the next seven minutes, mungama," the woman answered cheerfully.

"Okay, please watch this girl for me. Make sure she clears the bowl and cup before she continues her business," Umma said as she walked out.

"Anty Asmau, can I please get more of this perfume? If possible, a big bottle that will last me a year," Mahreen asked.

"Sure, I'll deliver it to Hajiya setabaki," she replied, smiling widely.

Fadeela came into the room with a huge bouquet of red roses decorated with baby's breath. Mahreen knew exactly where it came from; this man was making her feel butterflies in her tummy.

"Mahreen, you're awake and glowing! What's the secret?" Fadeela teased, dropping the bouquet onto Mahreen's lap.

"Keee kinawasa da marriage glow kenan," Mahreen replied, admiring the flowers as she read the card attached to it.

"I can't take your pain away, but I'll pray for your pain to go away. Take care of yourself properly, please."

—Asad Baaso

Mahreen read the note, blushing.

"These two, you are already oppressing me! Barin nimo Ahmad, it can't be possible!" Fadeela exclaimed dramatically.

Mahreen ignored Fadeela and walked to her vanity, starting to apply her makeup. She kept it simple, making sure her lipstick was a vibrant red, her favorite shade, which enhanced her beauty to an extraordinary level.

"Fadeela, please help me with my dress," Mahreen pleaded with her best friend, who was now a sister-in-law.

"Okay!" Fadeela jumped out of bed and headed straight to Mahreen's closet.

The dress was a simple fitted Ankara with flared sleeves and a matching laffaya. Mahreen had been anxious since morning, the anticipation settling heavily in her mind.