TALES OF THE HEART (EDITING)

Chapter 3

Edited

Aidah's POV

Today is Amna's Wushe-Wushe and Kai Amarya, a day filled with joy and celebration. I can hardly believe it! Tomorrow, I'll head back to Abuja, but I'll be returning next week for another wedding—my sister Niimah's! Gosh, I'm so excited for that one, especially since I get to be the assistant bride. The thought of all the festivities and the beautiful moments to come has me buzzing with anticipation!

At 5:30 PM, we began getting ready for the event. I slipped into a vibrant red traditional attire called dongashau, which is the Asheobi for the bridesmaids. The others were dressed in the same beautiful fabric, creating a cohesive look. The adults, meanwhile, wore a different style of laffaya, adding variety to the celebration.

Amna, the stunning bride, was adorned in a gorgeous gold laffaya, complete with a matching gold jewelry set that sparkled beautifully against her skin. She looked like a radiant queen, ready to embrace her special day. The excitement in the air was palpable as we all prepared for the festivities ahead.

I picked up my phone and logged into Snapchat to snap some pictures, posting them to my story. Once I finished, I called Maryam, my best friend in the whole world. She picked up on the second ring, her voice bright and cheerful.

"Hey, Aidah! How's it going?" she asked, her enthusiasm instantly lifting my spirits.

"Mairo! You won't believe how beautiful everything looks. I wish you were here!" I replied, trying to convey all the excitement of the moment.

"Oh, I miss you! Send me lots of pictures!" she urged, and we chatted for a while, sharing laughter and anticipation for the night ahead.

Maryam Malik is my best friend, alongside Damilola Olaruwanju. We've been inseparable since childhood, sharing countless memories from school days. Maryam is from Gombe State and comes from a Fulani background. Although we ended up at separate universities, our bond remained strong. I finished my studies first, having pursued Architecture, while Maryam is currently studying Medicine at the University of Roehampton in London. We often reminisce about our childhood adventures, and no matter the distance, we always find time to catch up.

"The guys are here to take you to the venue, girls," Amna's maternal aunt announced, her voice breaking through the excitement in the room.

"Mairo, I've got to go. Love you!" I said quickly, glancing at the others as we gathered our things.

"Okay, love you! Bye!" Maryam replied, her voice warm and reassuring as she hung up. I felt a flutter of excitement as I prepared to join the festivities.

Hajju, Falmata, and I hopped into Farouk's car, laughter bubbling between us as we chatted about everything and nothing. The anticipation was palpable, and soon enough, we pulled up to the venue. It was stunningly decorated, with vibrant colors and elegant floral arrangements that set the perfect backdrop for the celebration. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement, and I could hardly wait to step inside.

We danced to Gangakura and even though I wasn't the best dancer, I found myself swept up in the joy of it all. The infectious energy made it impossible not to smile and enjoy the moment. After the event wrapped up, we headed back home, buzzing with excitement to prepare for the Kai Amarya. The next celebration awaited, and I couldn't help but feel a thrill of anticipation as it was the last event.

I changed into a simple yet elegant blue Ankara off-shoulder dress with a peplum design that accentuated my figure. After tying my head tie, I gathered all my belongings and placed them in a light pink Prada handbag. Slipping into my nude slippers, I grabbed a matching veil to complete the look before heading out, feeling both excited and tired from the events.