My Sister My Enemy

Chapter Sixteen

Maryam saw a change of attitude and behaviour from her mother suddenly and she was glad that Haj. Rabi's advice could change her way of thinking so fast.

It is Zarah's wedding week and all the preparations and celebrations are on full swing. All relatives from both sides have arrived and as much as Maryam wants to stay away from their house and everything associated with Zarah's wedding, she has no option because if she stayed away people will start talking, saying all sorts of things that is why she just have to tolerate everyone for the time being. The wedding was a three days events of Kunshi, kamu and dinner and everything was going well for Maryam if not for the small gossips she hears about her when she come to pass her aunties around the house.

"Yes she is the first born but unfortunately her sisters are leaving her behind." One old woman said in a whisper but it didn't escape Maryam's hearing but she just continue stalking water and juice into the standing freezer in their corridor.

"Who knows what she has done that God is punishing her this way, you know children of these days you never can tell about them." Another woman added.

"Or maybe she is waiting for a rich handsome prince charming to come and carry her in his royal horse carriage." And they all burst out laughing and Maryam was loosing her control over her tears, she just turned around to face the ladies who were looking at her disgustingly but she just walked away straight to her father's room because there are visitors everywhere in the house except for her father's side.

Maryam cried till she couldn't cry anymore. She felt a hand on her shoulder and she turned around to see her father. She quickly rose up to her feet and crashed into her father's chest, he hugged her back consoling her. When she has calmed down he made her sit on the couch while he does the same.

"Maryam listen to me carefully, don't listen to what all these people are going to say about you. They are doing it intentionally to get on your nerves but don't let them do that please. Take heart by tomorrow this time Zarah is no more in this house and most of them too have left so it's all coming to an end, just keep praying and being the good person that you are kinji koh Maryam." She nodded wiping away her silent tears.

"Komai lokaci ne so when its your time nobody can stop your marriage. Allah ya baki miji nagari and may God continue to bless you."

"Ameen Baba thank you so much for your calming words." He smiled at her caressing her face with his hand.

"No it's okay, now go and continue with what you are doing and sleep early you know tomorrow is going to be busy and hectic because of the yinin biki and kai amarya kinji koh..."

"Yes inshaa Allah Baba i will, sai da safe (good night)"

"Good night Maryam." She left her father's room feeling very much better. She went back to what she was doing and after finishing her work she went to her room which is now crouded with their cousins to take a shower and from there she went back to their father's living room to sleep there.

Zarah's wedding fatiha took place exactly 12pm the next day and their house is full of guests for the yinin biki and there was also a dj entertaining the guests while the young girls dances at his tunes. The bride also danced along with her sisters, friends, cousins and aunts and Maryam was never happier in her life like at that moment that her worst nightmere is leaving the house for good. She joined in family pictures and had a small dance before she went to change because it is already time for the conveyance of the bride. The bride changed too before she was taken to her parents to bid them farewell. She cried so much and Haj. Binta cried too seeing her daughter leaving her to her matrimonial home.

Almost everybody present there and then went to see the bride off to her house while some stayed back at home including Maryam who was very tired and exhausted. And with that Zarah's wedding came to an end and one by one all the wedding guests left to their various destinations and at least Maryam has less worry now that Zarah has left the house.