WHISPERS OF ENCHANTÉ

60: velvet steps

Kaduna State, Nigeria.

Yasmin quickly slipped into her favorite Ankara skirt and blouse from Amani's collection and hurried to join the photo session happening in their tiny living room. Another wedding had just taken place and the space was brimming with love, happiness and good energy.

Everyone was in high spirits. 

Mahmud's family had brought along a professional photographer who seemed to appear out of nowhere. Yasmin didn't mind, she just wanted to be part of the pictures. Her sister had just gotten married so what could possibly top that kind of joy? Well, her own wedding yesterday, which she is still high from.

She barely recognized most of the people in the room. Alhaji Mukhtar Wambai was present with three of his family members, along with her father's brothers, her father himself and the imam who officiated her marriage the day before.

Siyama, on the other hand, was nowhere to be seen. She was shy and tucked away, busy on a call with Mahmud. 

Apparently, Siyama had finally decided to call him, though not to reveal the marriage just yet. Yasmin, her campaign photos done, posed for pictures with the men and her mother standing off to the side. Once the session wrapped up, she walked over to her father and hugged him tightly. 

"Everything is going to be alright." She murmured softly before pulling back so he could return to his guests. He smiled at her, the kind of smile that reached his eyes and warmed her heart. 

Her father had been radiant with joy since her wedding the day before. And now, with Hajiya Lubabatu and her husband coming for the alfarma —the request for their son's marriage— he seemed both elated and anxious, unsure of what to expect as the day unfolded. 

Yasmin headed to the room she shared with her mother, deliberately ignoring the sound of Siyama's ongoing phone call. She sat down beside her mother, her gaze filled with affection for this courageous and unwavering woman.

"Are you ready to meet your in-laws?" Fatima asked, gently stroking Yasmin's hair, which had finally been loosened and washed. They planned to visit the salon tomorrow with Siyama to have their hair done. 

"I think so." Yasmin replied softly, then groaned. "Actually, I don't know. All of Abdullah's siblings are older than me, except the youngest one. I'm not sure how to feel about that." 

"Everything will be fine," her mother assured her. "There's no need to worry now." 

"I hope so," Yasmin murmured, but her tone was doubtful. She shifted uncomfortably on the mat, fidgeting with the hem of her gown.

"I like people, Maa and I won't mind having a big family. But what if they don't like me? What if I don't fit in? Whisperwind said his siblings are all very close so what if they see me as an outsider?" She mulled anxiously.

She is never really anxious about anything but she has also heard about evil in-laws. Something she'd never be since she doesn't have a brother but who doesn't know how evil in-laws can be? Especially a group of young girls.

Sometimes girls are each other's enemies.

Fatima smiled gently and tilted her head to study her daughter's face. "You've always had a way with people, Baby. You have a good heart and they'll see that. But even if they don't welcome you immediately, you have time to build that connection." 

"But what if it's not enough?" Yasmin whispered, her voice cracking slightly. She looked up at her mother, her eyes filled with uncertainty.

"What if they think I'm too young or too different from them? His family seems so... polished and so wealthy. What if they look down on me because I'm just..." She hesitated, searching for the words. "...me?"