The slap brought her back slightly. Crying and shaking, she said:

> “It was Salis… he called me and said he’s canceling the wedding. He said the dowry and gifts are for any man who wants to marry me. He even warned that anyone who speaks to him about me will be humiliated.”

The entire room erupted in gasps and lamentations. Her mother sat down weakly, her face pale as she whispered through tears:

> “What did you do to him, my daughter, that made him decide to disgrace us this way?”

Still crying, Amrah replied:

> “By Allah, Mama, I didn’t do anything! I was even waiting for the car he promised to send for the henna party. He told me last night he couldn’t come because some of his friends were arriving from the U.S. and he needed to pick them up from the airport.”

Shock filled the house. Everyone who knew Salis knew how deeply he loved Amrah — he even built the very house her family now lived in. He had always cared for them generously.

The women began comforting Amrah, reminding her to accept her destiny — maybe this was for the best. In the middle of this, her younger brother rushed in saying:

> “Amrah, Nasir is here. He says he wants to see you.”

Amrah’s body trembled as she hurriedly threw on a large hijab. Her aunt called her back, telling her to wear a proper dress underneath, since she was still wrapped only in a towel. She quickly obeyed, threw on a gown, and rushed outside.

Nasir stood by his car, leaning on it, his face somber. Seeing Amrah’s tear-stained face made his heart ache. Quietly, she greeted him, her tears falling afresh. He also felt his eyes grow wet with pity for her.

In a low voice, Nasir said:

> “Stop crying. I’m ready to marry you — if you’ll accept. The same day, same time, same arrangements. If you agree, call me and let me know.”

Amrah stared at him blankly — she couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Was this real? Or a dream?

When she went back inside and told her family, everyone was speechless for a moment — then the room filled with relief and prayers.

Her mother wept and said:

> “As your mother, I agree to this marriage. I give my full support. May God bless this young man who has saved us from disgrace.”

Everyone chorused “Ameen.”

Her aunt, Aunty Asabe, pulled Amrah aside and comforted her:

> “My dear, life doesn’t always give us what we want. Sometimes what we don’t want is what’s best for us. Accept this marriage sincerely. Try to love him — God will put peace between you.”

Amrah nodded silently, tears glistening in her eyes. Then her aunt advised her to text Salis to accept Nasir’s proposal.

With trembling fingers, she put her SIM card into an old phone and sent the message — accepting the marriage.

That evening, despite her sadness, she dressed up and went with her friends to the henna ceremony. They encouraged her to be strong, to see it as destiny, and to give love a chance again.

Soon, the wedding took place. All the previous arrangements were kept — only the groom had changed. Though both bride and groom were hiding heavy hearts, the ceremony was completed in peace.

Amrah moved into Nasir’s house as his wife. After the guests left, an uneasy silence filled the home. Some of Nasir’s friends disapproved of what he had done — marrying his friend’s fiancée — but others prayed it would bring peace.

Days passed, and there was little warmth between them. Nasir grew distant, cold. Amrah lived quietly, praying and remembering Salis. Then, one night — two weeks after the wedding — she had a terrifying dream:

A strange man appeared to her, saying over and over:

> “Amrah, your marriage will die… your marriage will die… within two weeks!”

She woke up trembling in the middle of the night, crying uncontrollably. She prayed, remembering her lost love, and begged God to rescue her heart from pain.

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