Chapter three

Sultana awoke to the sound of women laughing and chattering ,children running around the house, her mom and aunties giving orders here and there. Their house was filled with energy and the bestirs of people, who had travelled from far and wide for her wedding. Everybody was astonished when they saw her, they teased her endlessly, she was shy as she greeted aunties, grandma's and old family friends. Who called her amarya! amarya!! Bride to be..her cheeks burned cause of all the smiles.

She was informed that the mai gyaran jiki had arrived, she'd been coming since the past week, applying all sort of mixtures from the crown of her head to the tip of her toes, she always scented amazing, after it, her skin smoothened and glistened and she felt refreshed, her sisters too were also getting glammed up. "Ya Sultana even your breadth is scenting of perfume."  Afrah said. "I feel like a bride too, i should be doing this more often." Nasreen said touching her soft cheeks.

The next day was henna ceremony, two days were left for the wedding, it was a women's only event, and was held in the Sulyman household, all of her friends and cousins, and family were gathered to celebrate the ceremony. The living room sofa's were lined against the walls, the tables were moved out, There was colorful and oriental design, at the center of the the living room henna platters were set and everybody got their hands and legs adorned with henna. But Sultana's was more subtle, the lady designing the henna came with a ring light, and drew refined and delicate patterns on her hands and feet. It was such a fun day filled with love and laughter.

**

Friday around fiveish was when the guests started arriving to their house the bridal shower was held at their backyard in the garden, the synthetic grass was perfectly fixed on the ground, they was a flowery back drop that was filled with different colorful flowers, on it was written Sultana's bridal shower with air filled balloons,  the garden looked exquisite, all her friends were dressed in black colored and well tailored dresses, with flowery tiara's on their heads, while Sultana was dressed in a white colored  straight gown that accentuated svelte figure, all her curves were in requisite proportions, appreciating her long and slender legs.

She wore a beautiful flowery tiara, different from the brides maids, and the tag, bride to be. Afrah did a minimal nude make up for her, she looked so enthralling. The bridal shower was fun, as it was only girls, they were a lot of snacks things to eat, samosas, spring rolls, parfait, glazed donuts, cakesicles, steaks, mojito's, fruit kebabs, chocolate fountain, and what not..They danced and took pictures with Sultana's  digital camera. Sultana watched how Hal and her sisters danced happily, she was happy, she  didn't even know when she started dancing everybody made space for her the way she danced was too good not to be noticed, just in an elegant grace. everybody was shocked they never knew she could dance that much. She danced not because she was happy she was getting married, but danced because that might be the last time she would maybe dance like that, she was dancing into a new life, she hoped she found happiness.

Her aunties teased her, "Ashe  haka kike? muna ganin ki shuru shuru ashe ke A ce. so this is how you are, we to see you so quiet so you are A." She laughed, one would think she was the happiest bride on earth . Sultana smiled as she watched all the videos and pictures, it was the first time she was genuienly happy since the announcement of her wedding.

The wedding day came finally, Sultana was asleep when her mother came into her room. "Sultana wake up, it is almost seven am already, you don't have any time for sleep in this house, you can sleep in your new home." "Mum please five more minutes."  She begged as usual, she could bargain anything for her sleep, she covered her face with the quilt.

But moment she thought of Sultan her eyes widened like saucers, and in no time she was awoken sleep vanished from her eyes. Filled with anxiety, she sat up right leaning on the head board, the quilt fell on her lap, she let out an exhausted sigh, after pondering for a while, she got up quietly not wanting to wake Halima and three of her other friends who were in the room, she slid the glass window pane of her room open and went to the balcony, she wanted to believe it was all a dream, that someone would tell her it was all a joke. She bit her lip trying to control the tears that were imminent, she couldn't control their outpour, shattered sobs racked her slender shoulders. She prayed hard in her mind, after she had cried enough, she went to the bathroom to freshen up, as she was brushing her teeth, she felt it, why did it have to come now, was it because she was tense.

And at least it couldn't have come today of all days, she usually had terible periods, how was she going to deal with it.  When she came out of the bathroom Hal was awake, when she saw Sultana she knew something had happened. "What is it, you look like you were beaten up, have you been crying?" Hal asked. Sultana tried to hide her tears.

"My period Hal." "Aww sorry chabb, but  this your period didn't do justice to your dear Sultan." Hal teased.

"Stop it Hal it is not funny, i don't know what is wrong, i feel like running away, i don't know of i can do this, it is really hard.." Hal engulfed her in a warm hug, by then her other friends were awake, and surrounded her, giving her words of hope and affirmation. She nodded agreeably, and decided to give it a try and think positively. "Don't fret at least you won't have to do it  today."  "What the hell, you guys don't  expect me to do it with somebody i am marrying with just a statement on the first night do you?" Sultana said.

"Oh yeah what if he wants to do it i mean it is his right you know?" "You mean  both our rights, and even if he wants to there is no way.." "I almost forgot you are crushing on him yeah...." "So!! that doesn't give enough reason why i won't keep my knees together." She  rolled her eyes heavenwards. "So you finally admit you are crushing on him.." "Shut up Hal." Sultana replied and started getting ready for her big day, the make up artist would be arriving soon.

Her heart was beating so loud as she heard children shouting An daura An daura!! Her friends were  the only people keeping her sane at that moment.

She was dressed in an impeccable white flowing gown, she wore a white turban, and the veil was pinned to the turban, letting it flow behind her as the gown did, she wore a simple make up, she looked like a queen, she was elegant to her finger tips. Every body's reaction when they saw her was out of this world, they couldn't stop commenting about her looks. She was in her mom's room when Sudais came to inform her that Sultan was here, and he pleaded that he wanted to see her before he left.

"Ok i'll be downstairs soon Sudais." She got up and peeked from her mom's window, she saw a lot of guys but the one guy that caught her eye was Sultan. Sultan! Sultan.... He looked like a male model from a far, as she looked deeply at him, scrutinizing his features and the first thing she noticed were his eyes. His eyes were acute and had the same startling clarity as a crystal, he had long  thick eyelashes that sat well on his oval shaped face, the lineaments of his face were in perfect proportion to each other, his beards were slight and trimmed neatly, his  crescent moon of eyebrows were thin and narrow, he carried an imperious nose well that was carved perfectly and stood out proudly, his lips appeared well chiseled, and a well defined mountain peaked cheekbones, his hands were slender and his finger nails were perfectly manicured. He seemed moulded from a different cast, lacquered and enameled by the sun in a molten brown flawless caramel skin tone. He radiated energy and brio, his shoulders spoke of strength, the way he walked with purpose and talked with an aura of confidence, made her wonder if he was as tensed as she was.

He was dressed also in an unmistakable white caftan and its baban riga, his hair was black and coifed in perfection and his cap was perched perfectly on his head. She couldn't stop admiring the absolute satisfaction of masculine contentment she beheld, she wondered how good his genes were, and how he defied all odds and looked so handsome. Soon her mother's voice brought her out of her reverie. "Sultana leave that place your husband wants to see you face to face, not from the window. Halima please take her downstairs."

"Okay mom." Halima said sniffling her laughter. "Hal just tell him i am sick i can't do this." Sultana said breathing heavily. "Nifa bana son munafunci, you couldn't take your eyes off of him seconds ago, now you don't want to see him, please lets go already, i know you are scared and tensed, chill, nothing is going to happen okay, just try not to freak out the moment he comes close to you."

"Yeah right, here goes nothing."  Sultana said.

Halima, and Imsa'al walked her downstairs, it was like as if she was walking down the aisle, with her head bowed in modesty, and she bit her lower lip nervously.

Time stood stock still  when they alighted down stairs where Sultan and his friends were, Sultana could swear that Sultan's gaze was all on her, As she caught a quick glance at him, but she couldn't lift her head up. She wondered what he was thinking, was she beautiful? did he like her?"

Finally the moment had arrived when he was going

to see his wife, he waited anxiously to see her, she was the girl in the middle who bowed her head, she was definitely the bride, and when his eyes jammed with hers..   Lo and behold! she was the window girl, He couldn't hide his smile, his heart was beating so loud that he thought one could hear it, she was the most beautiful girl he'd  ever seen in his entirety. Finally she was face to face with him, and she felt all her wellbeing crumble and disintegrate at that instant as Sultan's gaze roamed over her, Her head was lowered, she fidgeted with her fingers out of nervousness, she stood rooted to a spot. She only lifted her head up when felt his presence close to her, It was the rakish scent of his perfume that made her raise her head up to him, their eyes met,  but she quickly averted her gaze.  His voice came as a whisper and he said to her "You are beautiful, Masha Allah, Fatabarakallahu ahsanul khaliqeen. Allah has willed, and he is the greatest of creators.." Sultana almost melted when she heard him say that, something stirred in her heart.

Daringly she looked at Sultan who was unable to look a way, it was tough for him to look away, and not to feel something, something greater than an instant infatuation, something akin to respect and absolute wonder at the work of her genes. He let out a happy giggle, and her cheeks flushed in embarrassment, she wasn't able to utter a single word at that very moment it was like as if someone removed her vocal cords. "Thanks."  she said with a shaky voice. The crowd oohed' and ahhed' directing tabarakallah, masha Allah at the new couples, taking pictures of them, and storming it on different social media platforms.They looked magnificently stunning together.

"Ermmm... Hal cleared her throat, enough of the home training, oya pose, come close to your bride, Sultan hold Sultana's  hand you guys are halal for crying out loud." 

Sultana  rolled her eyes at Hal, and kept her hands to hands to herself, and Sultan did also, i dont know you so keep your hands to yourself.  Sultan only moved closer to her, as they took pictures. After all the pictures  Sultana gave Sultan a placating smile and escaped to her room. Sultan was lingered in her thoughts, She blushed gorgeously. "You that didn't want to marry before, and now you can't stop blushing don't worry we will take you to his house soon so you can blush away..."

************

It was around five thirty in the evening, everybody was getting ready to take Sultana to her new home. She was a bundle of nerves, she went round the house quietly, reminiscing every moment she had spent in the house, she was thinking of the kind of life that awaited her, she tried to control her frenzy heart when she was told it was time to go, that the groom's family had come to take her to her home.

She went to  bid farewell to her dad. Sulyman was sober and emotional, advising, and praying for her, "My little princess," He called like he always did. He apologised for everything had put her through. "It is ok dad." She said trying to control her own tears. And then hugged she as if it was the last time she was going to hug him, she went to her mom, who was in the sitting room, she knelt down in front of her and rested her head on her lap, and again another round of tears. They couldn't control their tears it just flowed freely and naturally.

She hugged her younger brother Sudais. "I am going to miss you ya Sultana, and my wish for you is that your smile never fades away." "Ameen thank you Sudais take care of mom." Sultana said tearily, she never knew her little brother was emotional. "Yaya who is going to cook all those delicious meals for us, you know Afrah can't cook like you." Sudais said almost in tears Afrah smacked his back. You will see who would cook for you." Afrah retorted.

They were all in heart warming hug. Until Imran came in and announced; "Okay Sulti its time to go, cheer up, everything is going to be alright, Okay." Imran squeezed his hands on her shoulder. She sighed heavily, and took one last glance at the house and walked out of the house on wooden legs. She got into the car and sat at the back seat with Her two of her friends and Sakinah, Sultan's elder sister. It was a convoy, all the fleet of cars were alinged on a row, as they cars all zoomed off to Sultan's family house first .

She couldn't get herself to stop crying, she used the edge of her alkayba  to clean her eyes. "If he does anything to you do not hesitate to tell me, i have had some good talk with him." Sakinah his elder sister said, and she felt a relief wash over her. Hal and maria were trying to cheer her up but it wasn't working, her period made it even worse. After about 25 minutes we were in the Bashir Alico's resisdence. Her grannies  instructed that she entered the house majestic house with her right leg, she did as she was told.

*********

She was walked into the large luxurious living room, his family sat waiting to receive her. They prayed for their union. Sultana was given advices, awkward ones also; "Allah yasa mu hadu a sunnah, may God make us meet in the naming ceremony." Thank God the Alkayba was covering her face, She couldn't be more embarrassed than she already was.

After all the long talks, and prayers, and advices. Sultan's family presented her with gifts, and Sultan's friends too got some amazing gifts for her. After then, she was taken to a room in the house. Her grannies and aunties had  left already to check her own home if everything was in order, before Sultan would take her to the house. It was only her friends, sisters and few of her cousins that were  left in the house with her, until she was taken to her own home that evening, would they go back home.

What if he is this what if he is that.. She thought of everything Sultan could be and not be, but she kept her cool, trying to be optimistic. Sultan's sisters and cousins  were in the room. They were all very nice and very pretty, she knew all of his sisters, they were all friends with her sisters so it was easier for her. They presented her different varieties of food and drinks and snacks, which Sultana only ate a little as she didn't have any appetite to eat.

They shared gists and laughs, But she couldn't talk much, she was scared for what awaited her when she met with Sultan. "Khadijah can i sleep here?" Sultana asked Nasreen's best friend who was Sultan's younger sister. "No you can't, you want my brother to kill me?" Khaddy said jokingly. It wasn't up to a minute when Sultan's elder sister Sakina. Came to inform them that Sultan was here. She felt palpably woozy all of a sudden. Hal discerned.

"Relax." Hal said. As soon as Sultan came in, his sisters started teasing him. "Aha ango ka sha mai, ango har kayi haske, ango sai kamshi." They were all laughing and teasing him continuously. Sultana felt warmth creep through her veins and steal up her cheeks as she saw Sultan's handsome face yet again, and the way his smile had glinted and softened his features as he look at her, he looked even more handsome now as she looked shamelessly at him. Sultan couldn't take his eyes off her either. He had seen a thousand girls, but he hadn't seen the one that took his breath away like Sultana, she was flawlessly beautiful, he kept questioning himself, and kept asking himself how someone could defy all odds and look magnificently stunning, what made her beauty so unimaginably attractive  was by far her eyes, they were her most striking feature, beneath delicately winged eyebrows, long curly lashes and fringed eyes that were vividly brown and wonderfully expressive, she had a heart shaped face, and her finely molded cheekbones were slightly high, her skin creamy and glowing with health, her lips were pouted and tiny. Her beauty needed an appreciation, she made him perfectly believe in the possibility of perfection, she caused his heart to skip a few beats... she was the window girl. He thanked his stars...

Soon It was time to go, and Sultana's heart beat increased. She didn't want them to leave her all by herself with a guy she barely knew. With a natural grace she walked toward Sultan, who opened the passenger door for her, and she casted him a puzzled glance, with a smile still on her lips, she started to look away, then froze as her gaze locked with a pair of his dark eyes, there was a smile of frank admiration gleaming in his eyes. Somehow Sultana managed to keep her expression serene, as she sat in the car, but her heart was palpitating a thousand times, her mind was in complete confusion. Had any other man looked at her or behaved to her the way Sultan Bashir Alico did, she would have been been indignant, instead the smile in his eyes had made her feel as if they were sharing some private intimate conversation... She  waved all of them goodbye finally.

"Are you alright, have you eaten, do you need anything Sultana?" Something hit Sultana at once: His voice was richly textured and deep, it sent a peculiar warmth up her spine. The way he called her name, reverberated through her." "I am fine, thank you."  She said mildly. "Okay then, if you need anything please feel free to tell me."

It was a five minute drive from his parent's house to his house. He came down from his car and opened the door for her, she was impressed, so guys still did the opening stuff. The view in front of her was magnificent, the grounds and garden left her enthralled, and when they walked in, the interior of the house was exquisite, lavished with luxurious furnitures. He guided her upstairs and opened a room, it looked masculine and very simple, yet it was exquisite. "This is my room Sultana."  Okay she gave him a puzzled look, and she loved the way he called her name in a slight British accent   "Soltana.." Her heart beat slowed the way he said her name. "Your room is nice." She said in a shaky voice, trying to brush the thought of why he brought her to his room... 'Omg' what if he wanted them to consummate their marriage,  No No... snap out of it Sulti.. He wouldn't do that.. "Sit on the bed please, you must be tired."

Aww so thoughtful of him. And so she sat on the bed quietly like a robot.  Lapsed into different thoughts, until his voice stirred her thoughts  

"Can we pray?" He asked camly.  She had  forgotten she was on her period so she couldn't pray. She felt embarrassed, how was she going to tell him about her period. But there was no easy way to say it, so she said it  "Sultan, i can't pray now." She saw the expression on his face he gave her a puzzled look and then he nodded  "Okay i understand." He tried to keep his expression as normal as possible. But the most embarrassing moment was when Sultana asked:  "Erm, i need to go get sanitary pads, I can't find the bag where mine was kept." At that moment she wanted the ground open up and swallow her up at that instant.  "Okay Sure i'll just call my sister khadija, it is very late, i don't know if any store would be open now." Sultan said mildly Sultana nodded  and continued fidgeting with her fingers.