Safiya and her mother step aside, creating space for the crowd to see Meka. They hear gasps of awe from the onlookers, who quickly join in singing and clapping along. The beat of the drums picks up pace, resonating through the atmosphere.
Meka dances with graceful swaying of her waist, as her hands move up and down in perfect synchronization. Her feet stamp lightly, matching each step with fluidity.
Her movements exude a captivating energy, drawing the gaze of everyone watching. With each step, Meka's body seems to effortlessly flow with the rhythm.
Her smile was so contagious that even though she was getting married, men still turned their heads.
At last, she danced over to where she met Jelani, who couldn't stop grinning.
How and when did they fall in love?
And does Meka even know him at all?
No, Safiya shouldn't be thinking this way. Meka knows what she is doing, so let her just be happy for her sister.
Safiya went to take her seat, but she soon realized that she was sitting directly across from Malik, who had an intense gaze fixed on her.
She noticed Nia moving closer to him and occasionally touching him, but he remained unfazed, his gaze still fixed on her.
Safiya averted her gaze instantly, realizing that if he wanted to spend more time staring at her instead of his future wife, then so be it.
She was determined not to let him become a distraction; after all, once the wedding was over, she would likely never see him again.
However, this guests were going to be here for three days before they finally depart.
After the main event, there would be a lively dance celebration in the evening. The following day, another joyous gathering awaited, where the guests would have the opportunity to be with the family and enjoy foods and drinks.
On the final day, the bride will say her final goodbyes to her family.
A bittersweet feeling washed over her, as she suddenly realized that it would be quite some time before she would be able to see her sister again.
Her new in-laws were not from Dakar; she could tell by the way they carried themselves and the fact that she had never seen them before.
Safiya's eyes glittered as she watched her sister, Meka, kneeling next to her suitor with a wooden cup filled with palm wine.
She gracefully consumed the contents and then passed the cup to her husband-to-be, who eagerly finished it off. The crowd erupted in cheers, drums beating and women harmonizing in song.
Meka rose to her feet, her hand tightly held by Jelani, and they danced together towards their seats. The air was filled with excitement and anticipation as their loved ones celebrated their union.
Safiya's gaze locked with Meka's, and in that moment, she saw a genuine smile appear on her face. But Safiya's own face remained devoid of a smile; instead, there was a faint glimmer of tears welling up in her eyes. She sniffed, she wouldn't cry, no she wouldn't.
The realization hit her like a wave crashing against a shore - Meka would be leaving her. Her sister would soon be out of her sight. How would she cope without her? Who would she turn to when she needed someone to keep her sane?
Meka was the only one who truly understood her, who could comfort her when she was feeling down or furious.
Only now did it fully sink in that Meka wouldn't be close by anymore, and Safiya knew she would miss her sister deeply.
Meka offered a small smile before turning her attention back to her husband-to-be, who whispered something in her ear. They shared a laugh together, and Safiya quickly averted her gaze.
Was this how marriage worked?
You will need to move to your new family and separate from your parents and siblings?
Not that she was unaware of this, but because it hadn't happened to her, it felt almost like a dream. However, now that it has become a reality, the weight of it has truly sunk in.
Safiya took a deep breath, reminding herself that this wasn't the time to be moody.
It was important for her to be happy for her sister and let her live her life. However, the thought of letting go troubled her.
"And now, the bride and the groom will joyfully dance," the master of ceremony announced.
The crowd erupted into cheers as the drums grew louder, mingling with the excited voices of the women. Meka gracefully stepped out onto the dance floor, hand in hand with Jelani.
Her hips swayed to the rhythm effortlessly, while Jelani moved his body in sync with the music, his attention solely focused on Meka as he watched her dance.
Soon, Safiya's mother joined in, followed by some other girls, as this was the part of the celebration where everyone danced together. The atmosphere was filled with happiness and excitement.
Safiya, although struggling with her own emotions, tried her best to stay happy in this moment. She put on a smile, allowing herself to get lost in the joyous atmosphere surrounding her sister's special day.
She watched the dance and felt the music's energy. Suddenly, she found herself clapping and cheering for her Meka and mama with real excitement.
Even as the years went by, Safiya's mother still had a graceful way of moving, and Meka seemed to have inherited it. Safiya, on the other hand, never felt like dancing; it just wasn't her thing.
As the dance came to an end, the remainder of the ceremony continued as planned.
Before they knew it, Jelani and Meka were declared husband and wife, surrounded by their loved ones, sealing their love.