Walima Stories

He was always stoic and serious, but no one could deny his kindness and sensibility that can only be seen through his actions. It was the little things. How he came to pick me up when I texted him. How he asked me what kind of wedding ring I wanted. How he looked into my eyes when every time he had something important to say. How he gave me the opportunity to get out of this marriage if I wanted out... How was it possible that I admired this man so much already? I knew nothing about him other than what I heard from his mother. What have I gotten myself into. I didn't have the time to dwell on any of these matters because his hand was now intertwined with mine. His other hand wiping the tears off my cheeks. It felt like a movie scene, except there were 20 soggy wet Kleenex tissues in between us. "Zahrah... why are you crying?" He repeated softly. His thumb stroking circles in my hand and his other hand caressing my neck. I guess this is why people get married, I thought to myself. I get it now. My reply to his question was dumb, as usual... "I just... am..." I moaned incomprehensively. The doctor part of him that has to understand what mumbling drunk patients are saying must have heard what I said, because he had cracked a smile. "Are you regretting this?" He asked pointedly, reading my bloodshot eyes. How did he know what I was thinking? "No" I gurgled out this half-lie, half-truth. There was a part of me that was relieved and elated by his hands and wanted to shut out the part of me that was regretting my marriage decision. His touch was a drug whose effects I never wanted to wear out.

Meet Jameela Ahmed, nineteen year old soon-to-be-bride. Now meet her cousin, twenty year old Abbas Mohammed. With the wedding all planned out by her two best friends, what could possibly go wrong? Forgetting the bridesmaid of course! Her relatives aren't fit to be a bridesmaid and there's no way she's making her fifty-eight year old mum go on stage, struggling in a dress. Worst of all, Nasirah and Aisha are both in California on a holiday trip, missing her big day. The wedding seems completely ruined now, and there's nothing anyone can do to help her. Jameela is desperate, and she'll do anything, even if it means making Abbas wear a veil and pretend to be a girl! The family have less than two weeks to make him look and act like a bridesmaid; the teenage girl's dream. What will happen? Will they be able to pull it off, or will the whole thing be a complete disaster at the walima, not to mention Abbas's reputation on the line? Will the family manage with project bridesmaid?