Life Without You✔️.

18: Conveyance

Bibi's POV
Abuja, Nigeria.

After praying Maghrib, Mama brought in a white gown, similar to the one I had worn earlier, just that this one was pure white. I slipped it on, and the makeup artist started caking me up.

We finished in less than an hour.
"Finally!" Yaya Aisha groaned, helping me with my head tie and jewelry. The girls were all wearing rose-gold mermaid gowns. They looked beautiful, Masha Allah.

After getting ready, they made me take pictures—loads of pictures.

Once that was done, I was taken to meet Mama and Aunty Shafa in Mama's room. It was just the three of us. Aunty Shafa spoke first.

"I know we had a lengthy conversation yesterday, so I won't say much now so you don't ruin your makeup," she began, and we all laughed.

"I know you never imagined this for yourself. You had your dreams, your aspirations, and you planned your wedding so many times in your head but none of it turned out the way you wanted. Still, as I said, this is the Qadr of Allah for you. What you wish for might be different from what He wills, but His plan is always the best of plans.

You might wonder why this test, or why He hasn't answered all your du'as but Allah is too shy to let the hand of His servant return empty after a sincere du'a. It's just that He chooses to manifest it in the way that is best for you.

So take this as a test that you will pass, if you place your complete trust in Him. Whatever you're set to encounter in that house, think twice before you react. Be patient.

I know you like the back of my hand, Bibi. It's not everything he says that you should respond to. You can't be getting angry anyhow or sulking. You need to be strong, to make wise decisions now.

I wish you all the best on this new journey of yours. Allah ya sa muku son juna a tsakaninku, kuma ya baku zaman lafiya, ya tsareku da bakin mutane. May Allah place love between you both, grant you peace in your marriage, and protect you from the evil of people."

We all replied, "Ameen."

Then Mama held my hand. Her voice was soft but steady.

"Like your best friend here said we never thought things would go this way, but we plan, and Allah plans and His plan is always better. So leave everything to Him, Bibi. Rely completely on Him.

Whatever the problem is, complain to Him. He will make a way for you, He always does.

And we'll always be here for you. You can call us, visit us, even sleep over if Ayman permits—you'll only be a few minutes away. Your uncle made sure of that so you wouldn't feel alone.
For now, just focus on yourself, and finishing school, in sha'Allah everything will be alright, kinji, you hear?"
I nodded, not trusting my voice to speak.

I was still in denial. The moment I left this house, no matter how many times I came back, no matter how many nights I spent over I would still just be a guest. Even in my own life.

I stood up and sat between them, wrapping my arms around each of them.
"You'll come for my graduation?" I croaked. "Wouldn't miss it for the world," they said together.
"You'll visit me when we come back to Nigeria? Every chance you get?" I asked, tears slipping freely down my cheeks. "In sha'Allah," they promised again.