Chapter 42: Wedding!

The realization hit both Jiko and Tito at once. They exchanged wide-eyed glances, fear creeping into their faces. "Okay, okay! We were wrong!" Jiko stammered, trying to get out of the uncomfortable grip Nadia had on his ear.

Tito, feeling the same burn from Nadia's tightening grip, nodded quickly. "Yeah, yeah! You win! We'll be on our best behavior!"

Nadia let go with a triumphant huff, and Julie followed suit, though she still kept that devilish smile on her lips. Both brothers winced, rubbing their ears as they rubbed the sore spots.

Julie glanced at Nadia and gave a mischievous smile. "What do you think? Deal?"

Nadia smirked, her eyes gleaming with a dangerous sparkle. "Oh, it's a deal. These two are going to get an earful every time they forget who they're dealing with."

Jiko and Tito, both now thoroughly intimidated, quickly chimed in unison, "Sorry! We were wrong!"

Nadia and Julie exchanged satisfied looks, and the two future sisters-in-law shared a knowing glance—like they had just formed an unbreakable alliance to torment the two unsuspecting men for the rest of eternity.

"Next time," Julie added with a teasing giggle, "you'll have to remember who's in charge around here."

Both brothers groaned in defeat, their faces falling into exaggerated looks of surrender. "We'll behave! Promise!" Jiko said quickly, patting his chest.

Tito sighed, shaking his head. "Man, they're more ruthless than we thought."

Nadia and Julie both just smirked, pleased with themselves. "Oh, you have no idea."

From that day on, life became a little more interesting for Jiko and Tito. Whether it was through subtle pranks, cleverly worded teasing, or the occasional subtle reminders, Nadia and Julie became a force to be reckoned with. Every morning, when Jiko stepped outside, he could almost feel Julie's gentle nudge toward his side, followed by a cheerful, "Time for our walk!"

And every time Tito made the mistake of venturing into something work-related with Nadia, he'd come home with a sheepish grin, muttering, "I should've seen it coming."

Life with these two was no longer smooth sailing. But at least they knew—now they had someone to share their laughs, their struggles, and their silly moments with.

As they walked home that evening, Jiko leaned into Julie, chuckling. "I should've known this was coming, I am your puppy, huh!."

Julie just smiled, leaning into him in return. "You're lucky I'm the one who loves you." She playfully bumped her shoulder into his.

Jiko laughed. "Yeah, I'm definitely lucky."

And as the sun set, casting a golden glow over the city, the two of them walked side by side, knowing that—no matter what—that mischievous force they now shared would keep life exciting, fun, and full of love.

Five years after Tito's marriage, Jiko and Julie found themselves standing hand in hand in the heart of a beautifully decorated venue, surrounded by family and friends. Soft strings of lights draped from the ceiling, fresh garlands of jasmine and roses adorned every corner, and the soothing sounds of traditional wedding music filled the air.

It was the day they had both dreamed of—their wedding day. In a quiet moment before the ceremony began, Jiko turned to Julie, his eyes soft and full of love. "Are you ready?"

Julie nodded, her smile unwavering. "As ready as I'll ever be."

As the Imam began to recite the sacred verses, the gathering of loved ones fell silent. The words of the Qur'an resonated through the room, filled with reverence and grace. Jiko and Julie stood facing one another, exchanging vows that spoke of patience, trust, and compassion—principles deeply rooted in their faith.

Jiko's voice trembled as he made his promise: "I vow to honor you, to stand by your side through all of life's ups and downs, and to cherish you in both joy and hardship."

Julie's eyes shimmered with tears as she spoke her commitment: "I promise to support you, to grow alongside you, and to seek strength in our prayers together. In every challenge and triumph, I will stand as your partner."

The Imam concluded the ceremony with a prayer, asking for blessings on their union and guidance in their shared life. The crowd erupted in cheers and heartfelt congratulations. Jiko's elder brother, Tito, was among the first to step forward, his face glowing with pride. He clapped Jiko on the back, a wide grin stretching across his face.

"You did good, little brother," Tito said, his voice thick with emotion as he pulled Jiko into a tight hug. "You found someone who makes you truly happy."

Jiko chuckled, pulling back slightly. "And you—look at you, with a family of your own. You're the one who set the example."

Tito grinned, his eyes softening as he glanced over at Nadia, who stood a little ways off, holding their two young children—one in her arms, the other tugging at her hand. "Well, I've had to learn from the best," Tito teased, his voice filled with affection.

As the evening wore on, the celebration continued with laughter, music, and dancing. Guests embraced the joyous atmosphere, their hearts full of happiness for the newlyweds. Jiko and Julie, side by side, were at the center of it all—young, in love, and surrounded by those who cared for them most.

Later in the night, as the festivities began to wind down, Jiko and Julie slipped away from the crowd. They found a quiet spot under the stars, where the only sounds were the distant hum of conversation and the rustling of leaves in the breeze.

Julie leaned her head on Jiko's shoulder, her wedding ring shimmering softly in the moonlight. The night was peaceful, serene—the perfect moment to reflect on what had brought them here.

"You ever think about how things might have been different?" Julie asked softly, breaking the silence.

Jiko's smile softened as he tilted his head to meet her gaze. "Sometimes. I think about the paths we could have taken, about what could have been if we'd listened to the doubts or followed the easy road."

Julie sighed, her voice gentle. "But none of that feels right, does it? The truth is, this... us, it was meant to be. Every choice, every twist and turn—it led us here, to this moment."

Jiko reached for her hand, his fingers entwining with hers. "Exactly. And I don't regret any of it. Not for a second. This—" he gestured around them at the lights, the music, the love-filled faces—"is exactly where I want to be. With you. For the rest of our lives."