Wedding preparations had started -
shopping, decorations, bookings, gifts, invites.
My house was no less than a zoo, where all animals had been left to run wild.
I prayed every day, not a single moment passed where I wasn't thanking Allah for all these blessings. Admist all, I couldn't help but worry about the happiness I was getting all at once.
Surely the rainbow will lose colour. Right?
I shook the thoughts out of my head as I sat and watched the ladies put mehendi on my hands. It was the night before my Sanchak (haldi) and the bride was getting ready!
My mum sat next to me, a bowl of ice cream in one hand and my shoulder under her other.
I looked at her face - several emotions were racing to release first. Worry, Excitement, Happiness, Proudness. But the one to win the race - Sadness.
"My daughter has grown up. You were so tiny when we brought you into this house. You took your first steps here, your first falls, your first day at school emotions, your certificates, your sports day medals. In all this, we didn't even realise how big you grew.
Today we're preparing for the send off of our own daughter, our big girl going into her proper house. A family of her own, her husband.
Marriage isn't just about making love and cuddles all the time. It's a commitment, emotionally, mentally and physically.
The most important advice I can give you, is this -
No relationship can survive without trust and patience. No matter what, never lose your patience.
If you both are arguing, you go quiet and let him rant on. Then once he's done, calmly talk it out. He'll realise his mistake and he won't lash out again. Make this your thing when you're both upset, it will do wonders to your relationship!
Though I have no worries, Hisham is a lovely man who can manage his emotions very well, he'll take very good care of you. But then again, don't take any injustice, I'm warning you. If he does something, or hits you Allah forbid, you know where to come.
We're just marrying you off, we're not disowning you".
She fed me a huge spoonful of ice-cream, while she gathered her emotions and thoughts.
Looking me in the eye again, she took a deep breath and my eyes went blurry.
"My dear Hadiyah, tomorrow is your sanchak, it's all gonna be a rush from then. If I don't get a chance, I want to tell you now. I love you so much, and I wish you all the happiness and a bright future with Hisham" she said, sniffing through tears.
Swallowing the ice cream as well as the lump of sadness in my throat, I wrapped my arms (still being careful of my mehendi) around her, and we both cried.
We cried for our memories, and we cried for this time. We cried for each other and we cried for our love.
"I'm gonna miss you Mama" I whispered.
Sniffing her tears away, she let go and fed me the last spoonful of ice cream. "Enough tears now, hurry up and go with your husband so you can make me my dozen grand children, I'm not getting any day younger you know!"
"A dozen!" I said in disbelief, heat creeping on my cheeks.
She winked at me with a knowing smile and walked back into the kitchen.
I sighed, knowing that maybe the last heart to heart I have with my mum for a while. I'll definitely take her advice on board!
2 more days to go!
@silencereveals
