Sincerely, Aishatu✅

1; Dr. Aisha Nasir Al-Sayed.

THE SOUND of women yodeling filled up Malam Mukhtar's household.

Accompanying the sound was that of women's laughter and cheers—the air thick with the best bakhoor they could afford. Plates filled with rice was being passed around; courtesy of the money given to them by the Badarus. Given, Malam Mukhtar turned the money down but as always, Sakina, his wife; was quick to accept the money with open hands.

A group of ladies in their late teens walked pass the group of old women celebrating and dancing to the masu kidan kwarya. In their hands they held incense burners that had searing red coal in it. They planned on adding the incense when they reach where the others were.

The one in front pushed the door of their destination open, their gaze falling on that of their friends that surrounded the svelte figure on the bed. Her big, sequin covered veil remained on her shoulder, head tilted up to stare at her friends that she grew up with.

Her doe eyes widened; thick lips curling into a wide grin that revealed her teeth that had gaps in between them. Anyone could tell the amount of happiness she held in her from the look on her face.

Admittedly, she has flaws physically in the eyes of some people, everyone does. However, others—herself included—believe that she's perfect for Allah created her that way. And Allah doesn't make mistakes. He wanted to see her that way and for that, she's beautiful just like everyone else.

Her friends reached her in no time, wasting no time to embrace the 17-year-old bride. After the hugs exchanged between the friends, they retrieved the bakhoor and placed it on the hot coal; all the while singing and teasing the new bride who couldn't wipe the grin on her face.

"Tazama tazama tazama! Tazama dakko hula! Tazama miqo wando..." They sang, some messing up the line but they were having fun. Besides, in their defense, it was a remix.

Amidst their conversations, the door knob twisted open and in stepped Sakina, the bride's mother all wrapped up in some Laffaya she bought with the money given to her by the Badarus.

One glance at her face had the smile on the bride's face faltering. Her mother's face didn't hold the same grin it had on thirty minutes ago when she stepped in to see her. At the moment, her face was blank as a canvas.

Sakina reached her hand out and held one of the friends by her arm. She then leaned down and whispered something to the girl. Whatever she said to the girl had her nodding, and the turning to the others. She urged them to follow her out and leave the two alone. Despite not knowing what it's about, the girls all left silently—some throwing curious glances at the mother and daughter.

Once they were out, Malam Mukhtar stepped in.

The bride's eyes followed his movements. When he stopped beside her mother, she noticed the look on his face that was similar to that on her mother's face.

That look...it hunted her for years.

She could never forget that look.

"Aishatu..." He started.

A horn from the car behind had Aishatu snapping away from her trance of memory. She glanced at the rearview mirror, then looked ahead to see the green light on the traffic. Sighing, she shook her head and revved the car back to life, before moving to give the ones behind her space to drive away too.

Taking the lane that would take her to the hospital, she increased the speed of her Mazda SUV. Her eyes spared a quick glance at her Nordgreen Native leather bracelet watch, as she took note of the time before another sigh escaped her parted lips.