Chapter 78

After she had prayed two rakaats and made her dua's, she changed into a different dress. "He called when you were praying," Amina told her as she handed the phone to her. Her heart flipped as she tried to restrain herself. With trembling hands, she called him back, few rings he answered the call. She looked away from her friends as they keep giving her teasing looks. "Salamu alaikum," she murmured but loud enough for him to hear. "Wa'alaikumus Salam, how are you today?" He asked and she returned. "I called but you didn't pick. You weren't close to the phone, right?" He cleared his throat, trying to think of a way to announce about the wedding nikkah even though he knew she had been told. "I was praying." She interrupted his thought. He cleared his throat again and breathed out. "I know I'm not a romantic man, but I am deeply in love with you and I want to shout how happy I am to finally be husband. And as from today, I am so proud to call you my wife.... My wife... it feels so right doesn't it?" Dalia's cheeks suddenly kissed pink like a strong rose, the blooming colour so cute against smooth skin. She looks away as if he was there with her. "I have to go now, I'll see you later, okay?" She responded before ending the call. She turned to look at her friends just to find out their attention was not with her. She heaved a sigh of relief and adjusted her veil. Hamida helped her with her head tie after she had finished throwing tantrums about not wanting any makeup on her face. "Masha Allah, my daughter looks so beautiful even without makeup," aunty sabeeha commented the moment she stepped in. "Now come, your husband's family has arrived and they want to see their bride." She held dalia's hand and led the way out. She met his cousins and aunties that she could audibly remember meeting them when they went to yola months ago. They seem very nice, she commented. She smiled at the several camera's till her cheek got tired. Later in the evening, the bride was conveyed to his parents house. Aunty had never been happy, not even when he got married the first time. The girl she had been admiring was now her daughter in law, a dream come true for her. "Muhsin really knows how to choose a wife, she's so beautiful, Masha Allah. May Allah bless their union and bring peace to them," aunty's elder sister, aunty Raliya which happens to be Yusuf's mother commented and the ladies in the room chorused in union. Dalia ducked her head more under her veil as she smiled. She had never felt uncomfortable in her life till that moment she was with her in laws. "Salma, take her to his room to pray before dinner gets ready." Salmah stood to her feet and helped dalia up on her feet before they left the living room. Dalia heaved a sigh when they weren't in contact with any guest anymore. "Now you can unveil your face please. I've been wanting to see you since I couldn't come to kuje and you refuse to allow me to unveil you. Now there's no one here, you can remove the veil unless you want to pray that way." Dalia chuckled softly before she raised the veil and kept it on her head. Salmah squealed and enfold her in a tight embrace. "I'm so sorry," she murmured as she shifted back. "You're just so pretty Masha Allah. No wonder he couldn't stop complaining when aunty told him he can't go see you earlier." Dalia smiled sheepishly and ducked her head. "Thank you," she finally spoke. "Now go pray, I'll be back with hijab and prayer mat." She let's go of dalia's hand before she sauntered out of the room while dalia looked around the captivating room. She beamed a little before she sashayed into the bathroom. She walked out to meet the room filled with his cousins. She paused and smiled at them, fiddling with her fingers. If only they knew how shy she was. "I've spread the mat for you already. You should pray now and then eat. Your husband is already waiting for you in daddy's living room. He looks so eager...." Salmah smacked fauzah on her laps to shut her from speaking. Fauzah glared at her as she massaged the place salmah smacked her. Dalia smiled sheepishly as she walked passed them to where fauzah showed her. She prayed isha, before they urged her to eat and get ready for the moment she has been dreading; to meet him. How was she even going to look at him? The thought of now being his wife made things worse for her. "You'll be okay," salmah soothed when she observed how dalia was nervous. She walked into the living room as she looked back to see his cousins closing the door. She sighed and slowly turned to look at him. He peered at her through soft eyes that always soothed her. He has eyes as open and honest as any child, a warmth and safety. In that moment she found home, her place to find company when the cold winds blew. Even in the night, his eyes lit the way. His eyes was one of happiness growing, much as a spring flower opens. She could see how it came from deep inside to light his eyes and spread into every part of him. A person smiles with more than their mouth, and she heard it in his voice, in the choice of his words and the way he relaxed. It was beautiful.