Aisha grew up in a village named Ajire with her mother, Mama Aisha. They weren't rich, but they were happy in their little mud hut with palm trees around it.
One sunny afternoon, Aisha’s close friend, Amaka, brought exciting news. “Aisha, you must come to Chief Okoye’s daughter’s wedding! It is going to be the biggest party in all the villages," Amaka exclaimed, with eyes as big as saucers.
Okoye was the richest man in that region, and the wedding of his daughter was the event of the town. Everyone knew it would be a lavish celebration with guests from all over, dressed in the finest clothes and jewelry.
The wedding day drew closer and closer and Aisha started to get scared. She stood in front of a small mirror in her room, holding up her only Ankara dress, wondering if it would be good enough for the occasion. Her mother looked up at her and saw the distressed look on her face and said, "what is it my daughter?
Aisha sighed and looked down at the dress. “I don’t have anything fine to wear, Mama. Everyone will be wearing their finest outfits and jewelry. She said, "I'm going to look so boring.
Mama Aisha smiled softly and walked to her room. She left a few minutes, and came back with a little old wooden box. She handed it to Aisha with a warm smile. “Here, my dear. It's a bead necklace that I wore at your age. It may not be much, but it’s very special to me, she said, her eyes full of love and memories.
Curious, Aisha opened the box. Inside was a beautiful coral bead necklace. The beads weren’t the largest or the most vibrant, but they had a rich, warm color and a unique design that made them stand out. Aisha could see that the necklace had been cherished and cared for over the years.
“Thank you, Mama, Aisha said, feeling a surge of gratitude and love for her mother. She gave her a big hug and then gently put the necklace around her neck. “I will wear it with pride, she added, feeling a bit more confident about attending the wedding.
Well, the night of the wedding came and Aisha went to Chief Okoye's compound. The place was even grander than she had imagined. A large canopy, draped in colorful fabrics, covered the main area, and strings of lights twinkled like stars overhead. The ladies wore beautiful lace, damask, and chiffon, and their gold and diamond jewelry sparkled in the light of the evening.
Aisha felt like such an outsider when she stepped into the compound. She heard people talking about her and noticed people looking at her. Among the guests was Chioma, a girl known for her sharp tongue and haughty demeanor. Chioma sauntered over to Aisha with a sly smile.
“That necklace is quite simple, don’t you think? Chioma said, her voice dripping with mockery. “It doesn’t really match the splendor of this wedding.”
Aisha felt her face grow hot with embarrassment. For a moment, she wanted to turn around and leave, but then she remembered her mother’s words and the special meaning behind the necklace. She took a deep breath and stood up straight and smiled back at Chioma. That's one of my favorites, it's so easy," aisha answered really relaxed and sure of herself.
The wedding festivities continued, and Aisha tried to enjoy herself despite the whispers and glances from the other guests. She loved the decorations and the music and all the colorful clothes. However, she couldn’t fully shake off the feeling of being out of place.
Later in the evening, as the guests were busy with dancing and feasting, a loud commotion suddenly erupted near the food preparation area. A small fire had broken out, sending flames and smoke into the air. Fear soon rippled among the crowd as everyone scrambled out of the path.
In the midst of the chaos, Aisha noticed Chioma struggling with her wrapper, which had gotten caught on a bench. Without hesitation, Aisha ran over to help. She quickly unravelled the cloth and yanked Chioma away from the fire and led her away from it.
“Thank you,” Chioma said, her voice trembling with fear. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.
Aisha just smiled, relieved that everyone was safe. “It’s okay. I’m glad you’re alright, she replied, brushing off the dirt from her dress.
The next day everyone in the village knew of the fire and how Aisha had saved Chioma's life. People began to see Aisha differently.
Chioma saw Aisha a few days later at the market. With a sincere expression, she said, “Aisha, I’m sorry for what I said about your necklace. I apologize for judging you from something so little.
Aisha smiled warmly and replied, “It’s okay, Chioma. I’m not upset. Things are not always what they seem.”
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