This chapter is so not dedicated to Sundera
Cakes, chocolate, ice cream, cottoncandy, marshmallows. Prawns, snails, red wine, vodka.
Yes, it was going to be a day of extreme tummy ache, welcome tummy ache.
It was 5 days to Zahra's wedding and so we were having our last girl's night together before the older women would start the 3 days purification rites. We were all at my place. Our girls night was slated for 8 but Zahra wanted to start earlier around 4, it was her wedding so, yeah that's what we did.
Okay people, yeah I know. My friends were bad people for selling me out to Ali. Its cool, I took care of that. They were going to pay, big time. Trust me.
So we were talking guys. But nah, stop waiting, I'm not giving you details about that.
I was sitting on the bean bag in my room, eating ice cream from a huge tub I couldn't possibly finish. While my friends were lounging around taking up space on my queen sized bed and drowning themselves in wine.
"Do you hear that?"
"What?" Zahra sounded almost drunk.
"That, someone's knocking."
I began standing.
"Yes, I can hear my life wasting." Hauwa said.
I laughed, "Both your lives are wasted."
After ensuring I looked presentable, I opened the door.
It was another soldier, that first one who dropped chocolate the first time.
"Hello sergeant."
"Good evening ma'am "
"Just dropping off a package for my general."
"Sure, come in"
He moved in three baskets into the house, saluted and marched off. I locked the door before Hauwa came in, rushing to look through the stuff
"These from Ali?"
"Yeah"
"Wow , all Tiffany products, he knows you use their line. Bath salts, shower gels, sprays and perfumes, hand creams, sanitizers, softeners." Hauwa had already gone through a basket.
"And toiletries, detergents, soaps, air fresheners,. This is everything you need for your house." Zahra had ransacked a second basket.
And so I texted him
"Shopping for me now?"
Before long, he replied,
"I wish I was, sweetheart. I sent somebody."
"Its the thought that matters. Thanks, babe."
"We're together now. Get ready to be taken care of."
"You're smiling, must be lover boy." Hauwa was always on my matter.
"I want to ask you something, Jamillah"
I turned to Zahra.
"Have you and my brother started sleeping together?"
I turned quickly to Hauwa and back to Zahra.
"Its just been two weeks, tops."
"But do you plan to?"
"Of course, I do." I made a sound that was somewhere between a cough and a laugh.
"We're going to be married, why won't I?"
Zahra sounded frustrated,
"I mean before you get married, do you plan to?"
I didn't know what to say. Why was she asking? I didn't even want to think of that.
"That's against our tradition and our religion."
Hauwa quickly told her.
"I know that, of course. Yet I'm still asking."
"So why do you want to sleep with Khalil 4 days before your wedding?" Hauwa was sounding really strict to her. Zahra just slowly hung her head.
Ohh. So that's what this was about. Zahra and Khalil wanted to get hot and dirty and she was feeling guilty.
I sat close to her and nudged her.
" Do you want to?"
She just nodded.
"Hauwa, what do you think?"
" I have nothing against the action itself. Its not like I'm a virgin."
I giggled, "We all know, Hauwa."
She rolled her eyes.
"What am saying is, its the timing I'm bothered with. Its a few days to your wedding, why now?"
Zahra then asked me what my own opinion was,
"I understand that since it was arranged, maybe you're just knowing each other now and that's the reason you want to do it now."
"If there's any possibility that anything would stop the wedding, its better you wait till afterwards, but if you're really sure nothing will pop up and this is what you want, then why not?"
Zahra nodded to this,
"Just make sure to use protection and an after pill to be 100% certain."
"He's coming today"
"Who?"
"Khalil, I sent him your address. He's already texted that he's on his way."
"You naughty girl, that's why you brought up the time."
"Well, what are you wearing, just in case." I wriggled my brows at her.
She just looked blankly at me.
"Dont worry, I have new packs of lingerie. We'll pack a bag for you."
"Dont forget to add the after pill, Mila. And Zahra, make sure you insist on using protection."
"Ill even add 2 to the bag, just incase. Zahra, when you get to his place, shower, brush your teeth and then put this red or pink piece on. I'm adding this robe, then you chill with him or rest, whatever you guys will do."
" The robe will be easy to take off but remember if you don't want to, don't."
Hauwa continued.
"And if along the line, you change your mind, stop him and call us, okay?"
"Sure, thank you. He's here now." Zahra looked at her phone.
Just that moment, we heard a knock.
Hauwa rushed to the door and I smiled because I knew she was going to drill Khalil.
Zahra hugged me and I hugged her back because I knew I had gotten a new sister.
Then we left the room to see Khalil.
If I had any doubt about both of them before now, their reactions to seeing each other cleared them. Khalil looked so cute and innocent with his glasses. And had eyes only for Zahra who was just staring at the floor, smiling sheepishly.
I noticed Hauwa had been acting a bit strange. I felt we hadn't really talked for a while. After they left, I decided we stay up for movies and gist. This was why I wasn't shocked when she said,
"You're happy, Jamillah. You're getting married and you're happy."
" Now don't get me wrong, I'm deliriously happy that you're happy. And Zahra's happy, and she's getting married. Its just that you know.."
"What?"
"I feel left out." She frowned and pouted.
I had no smart words of wisdom to impart so I just hugged my friend as she dozed off.
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I locked myself up in an unused room for hours. I didn't want to lose my mind or spoil something before it was time. My makeup was already done and I was in my dress.
If Aisha's wedding was rowdy, I don't know what this one was. The wedding planner was looking crazy, running around. I needed to preserve my sanity so here I was with peace and quiet. I had already dropped my gift to the couple, a gift Khalil would enjoy mostly though. *wink *wink. I handed it personally to Zahra.
When I eventually stepped out, it was picture time.
Zahra was looking beautiful and radiant
The president looked proud with his wife in tow
I couldn't see Ali anywhere so I went back to my sanctuary after the first outing,
After dressing for the second outing and dancing in with the bride, I quickly changed to my own outfit so I could enjoy the wedding now that my own duties were seen to.
This was when I saw him, Jamal.
He was walking towards me. I quickly scanned the place for Ali but he was taking a photo with the groom and the rest of the groomsmen.
"Mila, how long it has been. You look ravishing."
His hands went to my elbows.
"Let's take a walk."
"I'd rather not, Jamal." I gently pulled away. "My fiancé s family is here."
"Fiancé ? Last I heard, he was yet to propose. Has he already?"
"No, he hasn't."
"So he's not your fiancé, is he?"
"What do you want, Jamal?"
"I want this to stop, Mila. This bridge between us. Remember how close we were? For old time's sake, let's reconcile."
"How is my love doing?" I turned to see Ali walking towards me.
"Babe, this is Jamal."
As he reached me, he turned to watch Jamal.
"Jamal, yes, you told me he WAS ONCE YOUR FRIEND FROM SCHOOL."
He brought a hand forward to shake him. At that time, numerous photographers for the wedding surrounded us starting to take pictures. Very naturally, Ali returned to my side holding me, his lips coming to my cheek. I wasn't sure if it was for the benefit of the photographers or Jamal. All I knew was Jamal was watching his full of the drama. The position depicted he was totally into me, almost like he was worshipping me
Immediately the photographers left, he turned back to Jamal,
"How are you enjoying the occasion. Hope you've had something to eat?"
As soon as Jamal nodded and before he could speak,
"We'll leave you to it then."
Holding my waist, Ali steered me away.