My Mistake Maihow (Born in the Holy Month)

Chapter 6 -We're together

The day has arrived. The day I will officially separate from my family . The love ones of my life, those I knew my whole life. My father has given me away. I feel rejected and abandoned. The day that's supposed to feel like the best day my life is now the worst day of my life. For five days now I've been surrounded by joy, smiles and good vibes but It seems like I'm in a bubble. My family from all over the world  traveled to attend my wedding. I can't even give them a genuine smile when God knows how much I love them. My auntie Aissa that lives in Italy came to Niger just for my wedding. Ever since her being here she's been asking me what's wrong. She spends day and night with me trying to cheer me up but all I can do is give her a faint smile. I really appreciate her doing everything in her possibility to get me to see the light. Tairi hasn't called me since they brought the bride price. Yesterday was the Fatia(Religious wedding) and we didn't get to see each other. Honestly I was avoiding him and plus I was occupied by all this grooming. For a month now my great aunts came from the village with herbal medicine. Basically they spend their day bathing me and feeding me. (tradition: In Niger before the wedding, they are groomed and treated like Queens at least for a week before the wedding. This means bathing, body masks, herbal treatments, facial gommage,and perfuming).

The upside of this torture is that my skin feels amazing and I can be the lazy bum I usually am without getting yelled at). Can you believe they even follow me in the bathroom for "proper cleaning". I've gained like 10 pounds, I'm not complaining though. Ever since I moved down here I've been depressed and starting looking like a skeleton. I now have my shape coming back in.

My aunts Aissa, Maty, Sadia,Rahmatou and 3 other great aunts spent the morning advising me.
"Maihow respect your husband doing anything to make him happy. Don't make him feel less than" Auntie Rahmatou sad caressing my head. All that was going through my head was a mental eye roll. Did they think about my happiness. "Also do not deprive him of his rights. Your his from today on, he has every right over you." Great Aunt said this pulling her ear making implying that I hear what she is saying. I suddenly broke out crying, All the warmth from my body started leaving in form of tears. Auntie Sadia pushed her way and hugged me so hard wiping the rainfall from my eyes. "No Kaiya, no Honey , Listen (picking my head up) I'm here for you remember your rights. His your husband but don't ever hesitate to stop dondacherey(nonsense/disrespect) from happen happening .  Don't feel obligated to be sad over someone else's happiness." She said this with tears in her eyes. Then Tantie Rahmatou said "Sadia what are you telling her ?  No she needs to learn to put her husband's happiness before hers. Habaaa(Come on) This is Niger for goodness sake.. Don't teach her this". She said in all annoyance. "Listen Rama she has the right of happiness. This girl has been crying since the tirhaw. Aissa has done everything but she's still sulking. (She then turned to Maihow) Listen any mishap that happens call me I am here for your. Wallahi (I swear) I will not let you suffer. Billahi!!." She said this and immediately left hiding her face to not show her tears. Everyone went silent when Tantie(Auntie) Aissa stood up and filled Tantie Sadia's spot holding me in her arms. Tantie Maty just stayed put obviously sobbing knowing it was out of her control.  Tantie Rahmatou and the 3 other Great aunts just sat there holding there chins . Not knowing what to say One of the great aunts walked in with my Grandma who seemed happy until she walked in a quiet room . She shrugged it off and brought the Griot who started chanting and singing. Songs of praises. They where followed by my Waihigi kongey (Maid of honor and bride maids) Aline, Chamsia, Nafisa, Joli,Hayat and Inane. They were so beautiful and brightly dressed in blue lace matching my dress.
My dress



The griot started making lip vibration announcing that I'm about to walk. My Grandma took 4 yard(12 feet) lace  veil and put it over my head covering my face. My Grandma stared at me for
5 seconds and started shedding tears. She embraced me  and whispered in my ear "I'm sorry my love" . She kissed  my forehead and covered my head and lead me out the door with the griot in front.  The bridesmaids followed behind screaming and chanting. The drummers started beating their talk drums. Everyone started yelling "Amarya kai kyau"(The bride is beautiful). "Wo higoo"(the bride)