Dinner party
It is a grand event. Afterall, Hafsat Alkali (Iya) had arranged it all with the help of esteemed high profilers. Islaha was too happy to help. As is Shaheedah. And now, both women waltzed around the venue in mouthwatering shades of orange and red.
Pretty wore a purple gown with lilac edges. She looks like a floating perfection despite the veil that covered the top half of her dress. Hm, when women reach a standard of creativity, there is no stopping their brilliance to shine even if the dress code is drape! Pretty is one of those women. Today, she had proved that she can't be competed with, just watched.
And then there is Maree! A blood red gown that looks like an abaya because of the free way it was tailored, is her pick for the day. Seriously, it brought out no shape whatsoever except the ever contours of the chest area which cannot be hidden unless one wear a really big hijab that must be made of sack or something. Anyway, as usual, Maree did not try much. She simply used what she had to shine ever brighter. Some people are hard to compete against. And Maree had proved just how much.
Iya wasn't left behind in this celebrations. After over twenty years, Iya is attending a dinner celebration! She couldn't miss the event of her beloved grandson and the love of his life right? Admittedly, she is also here to make sure Saif does not run, hide, or display any sort of unseemly behaviors. She wants to make sure Amal shines as well. So, she wore a simple Atamfa, which was even tailored with the bubu style with only stones aiding the patterned decorations. Despite the simplicity of her look, it made her look like her. Regal, bright and sophisticated. Of course her veil is bigger than Pretty's, just that people will still look it over to find out what is underneath because for God's sake its Iya!
Other people packed the venue in bright colors as well but the most vivid of which is the sky blue and red anko which is the dress code of the day. The younger generation tried their best to look uniform in those colors while others went wild. But this is how it is. Dinners in Hausa land almost always go like this. It doesn't matter if it is cocktail or just dinner. There are sets of people who strive to stand out and others who are there simple to take note of that.
Anyway, the atmosphere was good when the mc announced that the bride is here and that everyone should please be seated. Remarkably, the people were ushered to their seats after about thirty minutes. Then the mc put on the song that was specifically made for the couple, their wedding song. It is a song that had an edgy music with a lilting tune and a soft hurried voice to accompany a most beautiful melody. People were surprised and couldn't help but listen to it.
Mostly though, everyone's attention is by the door awaiting the bride's arrival. The question on everyone's mind is, will the groom make an entrance? Will he shame the young bride by refusing to attend when clearly, the dinner was meant for two?
It isn't surprising that they thought that way. Whispers have been going around about how the groom is being forced to go along with the wedding. Who exactly started that rumor is yet to be apprehended. But it already took hold. Now the wait made the gathering even more exciting.
And then the bride's entourage arrived! The first batch are the flower girls consisting of children like Hani and Ju. They all looked adorable in their pink party gowns with a white goggoro.
The second batch consisted of the teenage girls like Anisa, Zahra and Salma among others. They wore a dark pink lace with dark purple goggoro. Wow! They looked like little stars, twinkling in the glittery surrounding.
And then...
The bride.
Who was at her side? It was the groom!
She barely reached his shoulder length and that was even aided by her heels. She wore a gown though, that was gold in color. The upper material is sheer while the inner one is a different shade that brought out the true golden glow. Her hand is decorated with a stupefying henna, making her long slender fingers look like a work of art. Her head, is covered with blood red goggoro which completed the dark makeup on her face, giving her more than just a matured air. The smoky eye her makeup artist gave her brought out her big eyes which for once did not look like they were too big for her face. In fact, they looked so beautiful, people wondered if it was her at all.
Against all odds, Amal looked ravishing!
Saif wore a maroon Shaddah with a gold hula. Oh my God! Do you even imagine how freaking adorable they look today? Everyone was speechless for a few seconds of doubt, shock and every shade of surprise!
What was more? Saif looks happy. Seriously, he is smiling. His dimples were showing for all to see. His eyes twinkled with mirth and a carefree spirit that dumbfounded any person who knew him before shimmered in abundant radiance. Now, the question on everyone's mind is, what the fuck is going on?!
Suddenly, a defeating cheer erupted as the entire place turned into a speaking contest. Everyone was talking, the cameramen were doing their absolute best to capture every dumbfounded moment, the guests tried to snap a few memorable pictures themselves while others even brazenly pointed to the pair with excited whispers.
After a while, everyone has calmed down, Saif and Amal were seated in the bridal chair, the flower girls were arranged neatly around them while the girls arranged themselves at the back of the bridal chair for a memorable wedding picture.
The scene looks like an animation. The picturesque, realistic art was captured on several cameras before the entire entourage dispersed. Suddenly, everyone wanted to take a picture with the bride. Iya sat on the side, at a table surrounded by the old and she could not wipe off the smile on her face.
She won. It was all that mattered. Because if she won, it means Saif had won as well. She could die peacefully any day from now. Her dream has come true. Whatever happens from here on out, is what determines if the decision is truly the right one or if all her reasons, from all intents and purposes were on the right track.
The mc started the items on the list and so far, three important members of the Alkali house hold have said a few advices to the bride and groom. A person from the Dankano house said a piece as well. Imam was called to give a brief speech about the groom and he said it in three sentences.
'Saif is a survivor, a success and a person who thousands agreed to call a proud brother, friend and subordinate. Amina Nasir Dankano would soon proudly call him a friend, brother, companion and a great husband. Though he should probably stop once in a while and examine the steps he has taken through their marriage walk and a great walk, that will be insha Allah"
Amal loves his speech. Why? He said 'a great walk that will be...' Like he was sure her marriage will be a success. But for Saif, he probably loved the part where Imam said that he is a survivor. He doesn't know about all the other flowery compliments, but he especially loved that one.
For the bride, Iya was asked to say something. She accepted gladly. And walked towards the front of the crowd.
"Amina is a survivor as well. I dare say she is a success too. Not many are lucky enough to know her personally, but the few that do say this with moving emotions. 'She is a great sister, mother and confidante'. For Amina, age is just a number. One of these days, Saif will also proudly call her a great individual and he will be proud to call her his wife, his friend, companion and confidante. I pray that the similar traits in these two remarkable couple will mesh and glow and sour all the way to jannah"
Her words were interwoven with wisdom and hidden meanings. Some of which are caught by the people it was directed at. Others will need time to come to light.
Saif maintained a carefree expression. But it was hard. Her speech touched him in a weird way. Like she had just reminded him what they have in common, what they needed to do for each other...
Amal was touched as well. But it's just because she never thought Iya saw her in this manner. She felt pride and a sense of belonging that brought tears to her eyes. '...will mesh and glow and sour all the way to jannah!' Amal continued to recite the words in her mind. Ameen Yaa Allah! She prayed. Iya Ameen! It resounded with every fiber in her being in perfect agreement.
Then the mc asked the couple to come down to the dance floor and have their moment. Amal looked over at him with wide fearful eyes. He returned her the look with a warm smily one.
"It's just dance" he reminded her gently. As if it was nothing. He stood up ahead of her and then gave her a serious look. "It's your day. Shine for me" he uttered lowly so no one will hear. But she did. Her eyes widened further as she stared blankly at him.
"I've never danced before. I can't dance" she whispered fearfully.
He dragged her into a standing position. "You never did. But today you will" he promised.
As they come down the little steps, she shrank into him, once more exposed to the sheer number of the crowd as they all trained their eyes on them.
As they stood ramrod straight in the middle of the dance floor, Saif eyed her warily. She truly looks scared. "Do you trust me?" He asked in a soft voice. But she saw the mischief dancing in his eyes and she wondered what he would do next.
"Yes" she replied against her better judgement.
"Then imagine how it is done and just try it on yourself" he lectured.
"What?!" She whispered in a chocked voice.
"If you don't, I will dance shocky right here. I promise you I will embarrass you so thoroughly you will never remember this day without feeling like just disappearing from Mother Earth" he threatened.
Sweat trickled from her back as a dark shiver ran down her spine. She had seen Saif dance shocky once. It was one of the early days when she worked for Iya. She was sent to call him from his room and she saw him and two of his friends dancing and laughing as if they were crazy or something. She was thoroughly embarrassed on their behalf. Her face must be as red as a tomatoe from the eternal embarrassment. She hadn't looked at Saif for the entire week that he spent in Kano. In fact, whenever she must talk to him, she acted like a total stranger. She couldn't wait to leave! It was the extent of her embarrassment.
It cannot happen here. Saif is capable of doing it, she is very sure.
She felt like a puppet with strings when she tried to move with the music. Her shoulders started to move before her tiny waist followed suit. It was totally robotic and weird. But Amal feared his embarrass more than she did her own.
Saif burst out laughing so hard, he had to bend over to relieve himself of the pain that sprang from his mirth.
People looked over at them which totally froze Amal. It was a different kind of look that made sure everyone monopolized judgement for the both of them. She couldn't help but glare at him. She decided to ignore him and continued with her personal robotic style of dance. It was better than nothing. He can't complain anyway. He put her to it!
The moment passed quickly. Batch by batch, family and friends, everyone came to the dance floor to keep it alive for the couple. Later, they went back to their seats. Amal nearly fell down because her heels were still wobbly from lack of experience in using them. Saif caught her in time before whispering "this is the second time you are hugging me tonight. People will think you are too eager for your wedding night.."
Amal sat so quickly, he never knew she was so agile. She refused to look at him for the better part of the evening as pictures were taken with all kinds of people. The moment food was eaten, the dinner almost came to a close.
Maree finally saw it fit to make a comeback. She dragged Saif for a photo and monopolized him for thirty minutes. Pretty used her family connections to monopolize him for another thirty minutes. Well, Amal didn't meet the groom until way later when everyone was going home.
But she still had a smile on her face.
He did too.
A/N
I knew he would do it for Iya! Personally, I don't think he realized he can't fake all that happiness. Oh well, we will find out his reactions in the next chapter right? Thanks for reading! Don't forget to comment!
I realized that not everyone knows Shoky. BUT YOU HAVE TO BE SOMEWHERE NOT IN NIGERIA!