Chapter 72: Chapter 72

It was the day to their wedding nikkah. She wasn't feeling an iota of remorse because she's getting married without the realm of her family. Today was the Kamu day, for Laith promised to arrange for a nigerian wedding, and she couldn't be more ecstatic.

Inas entered Laila's room, for she's now rented a house off campus. She sat comfortably on her bed and looked at Laila that was busy trying to fit her gown; yet again.

"Ameriya, that's how it's said in Hausa right?" Inas said and chuckled at how her voice sounded strained.

Laila laughed and took off her gown before she sat beside Inas and took her hand in hers. "No, you're close to being right thou. It's said, Amarya, that's bride in hausa." Laila corrected and they laughed at the same time.

Inas sobered up her expression and looked at Laila. Seeing the look on her face, Laila squirmed and waited for her to talk, for she knew there has to be something important Inas wants to tell her.

"Do you think you're ready for this? I've never been to Nigeria, but I have quite a number of friends there. From them, I've learnt the little I can about your culture, and they're all hausa. Getting yourself married without your family knowing, is it okay with you?" She spoke with utmost genuineness. She couldn't imagine herself getting married without anyone from her family knowing. She can't rebel to their likes and get married, but it doesn't just feel alright.

Laila was silent for some minutes before she heaved a sigh. She knew what she's doing isn't right, but what can she do?When all she can feel is Laith's love trying to rip her world apart.

She smiled warmly and nodded her head, "I know it's not right, but I'm ready to do anything for Laith, be it my life included."

Inas stared deeply at her and smiled, a smile that Laila doesn't get ti understand it's meaning. For it's filled with nebulous emotions only the painter of the smile could fathom.

"It's okay then, I wish you all the best in life. May this marriage bring you peace, love and tranquility." And she hugged her so tight as if her life depends on her.

Laila hugged her back but got a bit puzzled, she became slightly puzzled. Inas that doesn't like hugs, is now hugging her as if her life depend on her. What Laila didn't know was this hug was meant to be a thanks giving, an apology and her expression of love.

They broke the hug and Inas looked at Laila, "You need to take your bath; it's already 4pm now, we have to go to the make up artist." And she stood up and walked to her room, leaving Laila stiffed in sentiment.

They had their baths, took all the necessary items they would need and walked out of the house together. They met a friend of Laith he sent to take them to the makeup saloon; named-Will.

They exchanged pleasantries before they drove off. Will and Inas had been having eye conversations since when they got to the car. Laila have caught them numerous times but she choose to ignore it, thinking it might be they have a crush or probably a rolling ball of love over each other.

They got to the saloon, Laila thanked Will and they walked inside together with Inas.

"I forgot my phone at home, I'll go and get it before you're done." Inas excused herself and walked out of the saloon before Laila called her back.

"Inas! I need you to bring my shoes please, I've forgotten them in my shoe rack!" She yelled, knowing how a fast walker Inas is.

"Don't worry, baby. I'll get them all!" Inas yelled back and ran out of the saloon completely.

The makeup was done. She looked decked up that she have never looked before. Her svelte figure fits in perfectly in the curves of the gown. The softness of her skin dances together with the foundation and powders applied on her face. She felt like a queen, not even a princess.

Laith's call came in, she looked at it and smiled. She couldn't wait to be his wife. Though her family's thought cross her mind at times, she couldn't help being ecstatic getting married to the love of her life.

She knew there was time she've felt that she couldn't live without Al-amin, but now_she feels like all she did was childishness, she've never loved before, it was merely an obsession.

A wide beautiful and exquisite grin graced her lips as she slid the answer button of her phone. "Assalamu Alaikum, dear. L, tomorrow is the day; what are you feeling?" She couldn't help sounding respectful, for she's already seeing him as her husband_and she knows what a husband stands for in Islam.

"I love you, L. And I just called to let you know I'm the must luckiest person on earth! Alhamdulillah for having you in my life!" She heard his husky voice graced the ossicles of her ears. She closed her ears to let the timbre of his voice to seep into the saloon of her heart.

"I love you too, L. May we be able to witness tomorrow so I could finally call myself Mrs. Laith." And they both heaved a sigh, trying to envisage themselves under the shade of Halal love and marriage.

"Ameen Ameen. Here, Mom wants to speak to you, asking for something." And he passed the phone to Miss Eliza, smiling at her brightly.

Miss Eliza smacked his shoulders and collected the phone. "Hello Leylah," she spoke, and sticker out her tongue at Laith that grimaced at how she uttered the name 'Leylah'.

"Good evening, Mom. How are you doing?" Laila answered with a smile on her lips.

"I'm doing fine Leylah, I wanted to ask you about the timing of this event. We usually have dinner or cocktails here; this was new, I don't know wether we can have it same time as we're used to."

"Oh Mom, you shouldn't have bothered yourself about this. In Nigeria; we do it mostly in the evening and it ends when the time is still young. But here we can start it by 7pm and it'll end whenever time gives."

"Okay, it's good then. We shall meet there; can't wait to see you Leylah. May Allah bless you." She ended the call by a hug from Laith, he always gets happy when she utter a word or two of Islam, it makes him happy.

"I love you so much, Mom. One day Insha Allah."

***

It was a grand traditional even that amazed the invited people of the event. Everything was designed traditionally based on a hausa fulani event. Laith looked sensationally handsome in his sky blue gezna that Laila swooned the moment she sets her eyes on him; it was his first time wearing a hausa attire.

The event took place peacefully, with their friends showing how happy they're for them, and some of Laith's relatives. It ended by 10:30pm, due to Miss Eliza's persistence that a traditional event ends when the night is young. The youths organized an after party, to which they left after the parents and family left.

It was already midnight when the after party finished, Laila looked around from where they had been dancing with their friends to spot Laith but couldn't, and that slightly made her agitated. She looked around to collect her phone from Daisy and spotted her at the end of the hall; having a serious conversation with Walsh.

"Daisy! I need my phone please!" She yelled before she reached where they were seated.

"What happened? You seemed a bit tensed." Daisy held her shoulders and helped her sat beside her.

"I'm looking for Laith, I couldn't sight him anywhere. Can I have my phone? I need to call him please." Laila answered, looking around to see if he was there. They were just dancing before the light took off and she couldn't see him again.

"He's safe, by god's grace, you need not to worry." Daisy cajoled and passed her the phone.

Laila dialed his number numerous times but it got unanswered. She got agitated and dialed Inas' number to ask wether she have seen him, to which she picked after the fifth ring.

"Inas, I haven't seen Laith anywhere. Would you mind checking him for me please?" She asked, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Let me call Will now; I'm sure they're together." And she hummed before ending the call, she just couldn't wait to set her eyes on him. It feels scary.

Two minutes later, Inas called her and told her there was two resting rooms at the end of the compound, and the place was eerily silent and darkness has engulfed its whole. Laith was there together with Will, and he had been crying for over thirty minutes now.

Laila hurriedly stood up and started walking when Daisy held her hand, "Where are you going? Let's drop you off please; it's dangerous going out now all alone. We're the only ones left here."

"Don't worry about me, Daisy. Go home please, there are rooms at the end of this compound, Inas told me he's there crying for over thirty minutes, I have to go."

Daisy hesitated before hugging Laila. "I don't know why, but I don't trust Inas and Will tonight; please don't go."

"Leilah, please we should just drop you off." Walsh suggested too, looking at her meekly.

"Don't worry guys, I'd be fine. Take care!" She patted Daisy's hand and shook hands with Walsh before she sprinted off.

She was already shivering in fear the time she got to the room, and she saw Inas and Will standing by the door of a room; they sobered up their expression the moment they saw her coming.

"Where's he?" She asked briskly, all she needs to see is him.

"He's inside, please try to calm him down_ we've tried but to no avail." Inas said and pushed the door for Laila to enter.

She entered the room and her eyes bulged out, he was only in his inners; his eyes have turned red that they scared her. She turned her back and clenched her eyes shut, she might've hugged Laith numerous times, but this is the first time she've ever seen him like this.

"L, put back your clothes let's talk." She spoke in a raspy breath and placed her hand on her pounding heart. Something is definitely not right.

She felt as he hugged her from behind, and that made her opened her eyes wide awake! She tired shrugging him off but couldn't, feeling as he turned her to face him; trying to merge their lips together.

Successfully, she peeled off her body from his and ran to the door. She tried turning the door knob when it got locked from outside. She banged the door and shouted "Inas! Open the door please! L isn't in his right mind!" She cried, shaking the door.

Inas peeked her head through the window and chuckled and called for Laila's attention. "Hey there newly wedded bride! Don't get your L wrong, we drugged his drink with a desire arousal! Enjoy your first night, and don't forget it's a sin in Islam, and also a shame on you as a hausa girl!"

Laila felt all her knees slackened. She looked at Inas and smiled. "Stop joking please, we need to take him home!" Her voice sounded strained, and she felt tears rolling down her cheeks, how she wished this is a game.

"Don't think I'm joking, and he'll tell you my reasons for doing so after being satisfied. Have a merry night, Amarya." Before Laila could form a word, Inas closed the window and left; Laila couldn't assimilate what she's feeling; before she could let a lone of tear to slid down, she felt herself being taken off the ground and flung in the center of the bed that changed her life forever.