REGISTRY

The decision to marry in the autumn of 2019 was mostly down to Chaïma's instincts. Mustafa had initially proposed a date in 2020, a suggestion that would later prove disastrous in the wake of a global pandemic. However, Chaïma's preference for an earlier date was ideal for the local climate; temperatures would remain mild across the Provence with reduced chances of rain. But much to their misfortune, it rained heavily on the morning of the ceremony.

Thankfully there were contingencies for heavy downpour and most of the guests arrived at the town hall unscathed. The registrar however wasn't so lucky. He fell victim to the heavy floods that engulfed the roads leading up to the venue. He arrived nonetheless and despite the hour-long delay, his appearance reignited a sense of excitement among all. As the audience took to their seats, the rainfall outside softened and just before commencement, a glimmer of sunlight began to peer through the windows, as though the heavens had anticipated the ceremony that was about to occur.