ACCEPTANCE (A Nigerian Love story)

13. DINNER PARTY

Chapter 13: Dinner Party 

HAFSAT'S POV 

"Oh my sister in law is prettier than yours. " Safiya exclaimed. 

" i***t. We have the same sister in law" Sakina scowled 

"You two never keep quiet. You are disturbing the bride" Amrah scolded. 

"I am enjoying their company" I defended them. 

My sisters-in-law were helping me get ready for tonight's dinner. The makeup artist took about an hour and the half doing God knows what on my face while I embarrassingly fell asleep only to be woken by the bickering of Safiya and Sakina. Really, they never shut up.  

I didn't go back to sleep since I woke up earlier and not knowing what to do, I took a long bath then waited for Ammar who woke up 8:30am. He called Zainab to escort me down for breakfast and I haven't seen him since then. 

The guy didn't even thank me for the blanket. 

Anyways, his family is awesome. They treat me like a princess. I know it won't last long but I'm grateful for their love and warm welcome. 

Watching Sakina and Safiya argue all day about who is the prettiest and chatting with Zainab, time flew and it was already time for the dinner party.  

Many relatives came to see me. Some were friendly and nice. Some gave me rude comments and eyed me jealously or meanly and others just didn't seem to care. 

I got into the back seat of the car with Ammar. Ahmad sat on the driver's seat and drove us to the hall where the event would take place. 

I was so excited when I saw my friends and family. It was just a few hours but I missed them so much. Especially Chote. My parents didn't attend the party because tradition wise, the parents of the bride are not supposed to attend any event after the bride has been taken to her husband's house.  Even though that rule has been broken now, my mother still didn't attend. Instead she sent her sisters and sisters-in-law. 

I wore a beautiful green gown with green head gear for the dinner. We entered the hall with our friends while the music played. I couldn't help but notice how beautifully decorated the hall was. 

As the night went on, we danced - mostly our guests danced-, snapped pictures, laughed and cut the huge cake. We did cut the cake together but we didn't feed each other and I was grateful for that. I've always hated that feeding process in wedding dinners. 

Ammar was called to dance with his mother and for the first time since the night began I notice his expression change. Rather than the fake smile he had been flashing to people, he looked happy and pleased while sharing a moment with his mother and stepmother. 

He is tall. So tall that when he hugged his also tall mother her head was barely on his chest. I made a mental note to compare our heights later since I'm a little taller than his mother. Trust me, I am not short, its just that, that family posses an abnormal tall gene. 

Alright back to my husband. Every feature of his long face was smiling handsomely at his family. His not always appearing dimples made an appearance today while he was laughing hard and he looked like a cute baby that descended from heaven with a halo and wings. So innocent. 

He looked breath taking..... Like literally he took my breath away because his eyes met mine from where I was sitting and I quickly turned my gaze away before I lose consciousness due to low oxygen. I finally remembered how to breathe. 

As they began to serve dinner I went into a room to change my gown. Zainab and my friend Sharifa helped me dress in an orange and purple gown. Its my favorite gown. Orange is not my favorite color but I've got to say... I killed this one. 

I went back to the hall and got a chance to dance with my brother, Chote, who later joined me on our table and gave us a private performance which made Ammar laugh. They seem to like each other. Every now and then I would feel tears accumulate in my eyes but I try hard to hold it back. I had a moment with my aunties and friends, they danced a lot and we snapped pictures. 

Finally my prayers where answered and the night came to an end..... At midnight. I bid my family and friends goodbye as they leave. Then we got into Ammar's car and he drove us home with my new family in convoy.

As soon as we got 'home', Ahmad said he had something to say and I mentally groaned because all I wanted was to sleep. He entered his room and came out with an envelop. 

"This is my gift to you, our bride " He said as he passed me the envelope. I giggled and accepted it.

"What's in the envelope?" one of the brothers asked. I'm not sure if he's Adnan or Abubakar Sadiq. Seriously there are too many people in this house.  

"Open it" Ahmad ordered. 

I obeyed as the whole family waited in anticipation to see what's inside. 

"It's...... Its a ticket" I announced 

"To where? " Zainab and the other brother who is either Adnan or Sadiq asked at the same time. 

I read the details and gasped. 

"Seychelles " 

I have always wanted to go to an Island. I've travelled to many countries but Seychelles is one of my honeymoon dream country. I hope he doesn't ruin my perfect fantasy. He is boring. 

"This big bro just got you ticket to honey moon" Ahmad said enthusiastically pointing at himself.  

"That's really nice of you Ahmad. I want a honeymoon again" Amrah pouted. 

"Thanks bro" Ammar gave his brother a brotherly handshake with a smile. 

"When does it leave? " he asked no one in particular but I figured it might be to me since I was the one holding the ticket so I answered

" Tomorrow night" I said and he nodded.  "For three days"  I added after counting the days of the return ticket. 

His parents showered all their blessing on Ahmad then us and the all their kids before they retired to their rooms. 

I was so tired and I wanted to run away but his siblings thought its the perfect time to chat after sending Aisha and Auwal to bed with Ammi.

Thankfully Safiya and Sakina are not just talkatives but they are also very good observes. They noticed how tired and sleepy I was and decided to go to bed too, taking me with them. And apparently Amrah and Zainab too were tired so we all left, leaving Ammar and Ahmad together. 

I took a long shower, wore my long night gown and night cap then drifted to sleep on the comfortable bed.  

I waited for him once. I won't do that twice. 

I have pride too and he can't hurt it twice. 

But I still plan on being patient with him until he's ready to talk. 

In the end, I still waited. Sometimes you just can't help it.