Unedited.
•ASLAM.
Abuja, Nigeria.
February, 2020.
The moment she walked into the living room as my wife, right there I felt I would give whatever it takes to love, cherish and protect her until my last breath. I would give up the whole world for her and go to the moon and it's back if it takes to make her happy. She looked so beautiful, like an angel. And hard to believe, she's mine.
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We left her parent's house and headed for the second reception with the guys.
"Who knew you'd settle down this soon, Shettima?" Steve said.
"The girl just came from nowhere and swept his feet," Junaid laughed.
"They look so beautiful together, they make me wanna get married asap" another said.
"Y'all don't even know about it," Alamin laughed.
"Don't worry guys, I am next" Khalifa chimed in, causing an eruption of banter and laughter.
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In the evening, there was the Grand Reception at the International Conference Centre with dignitaries from all over the country gracing the event, Amna and Aslam spoke about how boring it was with too much formal proceedings in hushed tones throughout the event.
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The next day, the bride's aunties said lectures and pep talks to her before her sister Mimi walked her to their father's room.
Amna sat on the carpeted floor close to her father's feet.
"Sit here, Mamana." he pointed next to him, and offered his hand.
"You have no idea how accomplished I feel to have raised someone like you- your Maaa and I, actually." he began.
"Muhammad is a good man, you know I'd never let you marry anything less, you made a great choice, Alhamdulillah." He paused.
"Be good to your husband and exercise patience. You are an ambassador of our family there, don't forget where you're coming from. I trust you and I am so proud of you. May Allah bless your home." he placed the key of a Mercedes in her hand.
"This is my gift to you, Mamana."
"Daddy, Nagode but I love my Lexus." Amna wept and hugged her father, he wrapped his arms around her, blinking back his tears.
"Ammar told me you like the CLA250."
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She received gifts from her siblings, uncles and aunties, friends and family friends all day and in the evening, she was helped into another outfit, a laffaya.
After Isha, a convoy of cars were sent by the Shettimas for the conveyance of their bride.
"Ohh Myyy, they sent a Rolls Royce to pick their bride." Hafsy gasped.
"You've got no chills." Khalthum laughed.
Amna said her final goodbyes- crying her eyes out then was conveyed to her new family with her mother's sister Asiyaa and her father's sister by her sides and others in the other cars, and in less than 10 minutes, they arrived at the Shettima's family house.
All the gates were wide open, awaiting the convoy and in a few minutes, the entrance was congested with ladies yodeling, maroqa beating their drums and blowing algaita, photographers and videographers, family members, etc.
