3~Welcome home
"She is the very definition of epitome of beauty." Mama beamed as she pulled Hanan into a warm embrace.
"Thank you, Mama." Hanan replied with a grateful smile, hugging her back. Sitting with Amira's family filled a small void in her heart, one she had tried so hard to ignore throughout the day.
"I'm truly impressed by your academic achievement." Baba said proudly. "Breaking the university's record and graduating as the overall best student... you've made Nigeria proud."
"Thank you so much, sir."
"I'm sure your parents would be incredibly proud of you too." He smiled kindly. "Where are they? I don't think I've seen them around."
"Baba..." Amira called gently, giving him a look.
"They're late." She explained quietly.
Baba's expression immediately softened.
"Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un." He lowered his head respectfully. "May Allah forgive them and grant them Jannah."
"Ameen. Thank you, sir." Hanan replied, forcing a small smile despite the ache in her chest.
"Any guardian?" Mama asked softly. "Did no one come for you?"
"Her older brother couldn't make it." Amira answered on her behalf.
"Oh, dear." Mama reached across the table and patted Hanan's hand affectionately. "Then consider yourself one of us today. Eat well, okay? I made sure to order proper food instead of all the junk you young people love."
Everyone laughed.
"Thank you, Ma." Hanan smiled warmly. "The food is delicious."
She took another spoonful of her fried rice, savoring the vegetables mixed into it.
Mama's smile widened. "I'm happy you like it."
After a brief silence, she spoke again.
"I heard you're returning to Nigeria too."
"Yes, Ma."
"In that case, I would love to invite you to my son's wedding. It's on the twentieth of this month."
Hanan's face brightened. "It would be my pleasure. I'll definitely be there."
"You have to come." Amira cut in dramatically. "Otherwise, the wedding won't be fun."
Everyone laughed again.
"And..." Mama continued, "If you don't mind travelling with us, we would love for you to join us in Dubai first. We need to shop for a few things before heading back home."
"Dubai?" Hanan repeated, looking at Amira in confusion.
Amira nodded. "Mama suggested we make a quick stop there for wedding shopping. I had to cancel my flight." She smiled apologetically. "Sorry you only found out now."
"It's alright." Hanan smiled gently. "Thank you so much for inviting me, but I don't think I'll be able to join you."
She set down her spoon after finishing the last sip of her fruit juice.
"My brother is expecting me back home, and I still have quite a lot to pack before my flight, so I will be taking my leave now."
"Mama, Baba, I'll escort her." Amira said, already pushing back her chair.
"No, don't worry." Hanan said quickly.
"Are you sure?"
She nodded. "Yes."
Rising to her feet, she turned to Amira's parents with a grateful smile.
"Thank you so much for your kindness and hospitality. Meeting you both has truly made my day. I wish you a safe trip, and I'll see you in Nigeria."
Mama stood and hugged her once more.
"Thank you for being such a wonderful friend to our daughter. We've heard nothing but beautiful things about you."
Baba smiled proudly. "And don't forget our invitation. We'll be expecting you at the wedding."
"I won't forget, sir." She smiled warmly.
"Thank you once again and goodbye for now."
With one last wave, Hanan left the restaurant and made her way back to the dormitory, ready to pack for the journey that would take her home.
The moment Hanan stepped into her room, she headed straight for the bathroom. The cool shower washed away the exhaustion clinging to her body, soothing her aching muscles after the emotionally overwhelming day.
Once she was done, she set an alarm for an hour and collapsed onto her bed.
Sleep claimed her almost instantly.
The echoing sound of her alarm pulled her from her nap.
Hanan stretched lazily before glancing at the clock on the wall.
One hour left.
Just enough time to finish packing and get dressed for her flight.
She slipped into a pair of blue jeans, a plain white shirt, and white sneaker comfortable enough for the long journey home.
She had barely zipped up one of her suitcases when the door burst open.
"Already leaving?!" Lucy and Amira exclaimed together.
Their eyes swept across the room.
The neatly packed suitcases.
The empty bookshelf.
The bare walls that no longer looked like Hanan had ever lived there.
"Oh my God!" Hanan jumped, clutching her chest.
"You nearly gave me a heart attack!" She shot them an exaggerated glare.
Lucy folded her arms. "So you were planning to leave without saying goodbye?"
"What?" Hanan laughed. "Relax! I'm not leaving yet."
She pointed at the clock. "I still have an hour before I head to the airport. I was only packing."
Lucy's lips trembled into a pout. "I honestly feel like crying."
Before Hanan could respond, Lucy wrapped her in a tight hug.
"But first..."
She squeezed her even tighter.
"...let me congratulate the smartest girl I know."
Hanan smiled, hugging her back.
"You have no idea how badly I wanted to run onto that stage and hug you after your name was announced."
Lucy chuckled.
"But unlike Amira..."
She glanced at their friend.
"...I was too shy to embarrass myself in front of everyone."
They all laughed.
"Thank you, Lucy."
Hanan smiled warmly.
"And congratulations to you too."
After they pulled apart, Amira looked at her seriously.
"What about the scholarship?"
Hanan paused.
"I'm not taking it."
Silence.
"What?!" Lucy and Amira exclaimed together again.
Amira stared at her as if she lost her mind.
"You're giving it up?"
Lucy looked equally horrified. "Hanan... that's a once in a lifetime opportunity."
"I know."
"You graduated with a perfect record!"
Amira frowned.
"They're offering you a fully funded Master's degree!"
"I know."
"So why would you throw that away?"
Hanan lowered her gaze for a brief moment.
"I would love to accept it."
She smiled sadly.
"I really would."
"But I can't."
"I have to go home."
Lucy sighed. "Are you really that homesick?"
She stepped closer.
"You can always visit Nigeria later."
"But scholarships like this..."
She shook her head.
"...don't come twice."
Hanan looked at both of them before speaking gently. "Lucy... Amira..."
She smiled softly.
"Please respect my decision."
"I've made up my mind."
"No matter how amazing this opportunity is..."
"My place is back home."
Neither of them argued again.
They could see it in her eyes.
Her decision had already been made.
Lucy sighed dramatically. "I hate this."
She pouted. "I'm going to miss you so much."
Hanan chuckled. "I'll miss you even more."
She reached over and pinched Lucy's cheek playfully.
"And you have to visit us in Nigeria someday."
Lucy nodded. "I will."
"You'll love it." Hanan grinned.
"And by then, your Hausa will be perfect."
Lucy laughed proudly.
"It better be after all the lessons you two forced me through."
The three of them burst into laughter.
Then Lucy suddenly became emotional again.
Without warning, she pulled both girls into one big hug.
"I'll visit."
She sniffled.
"I promise."
For the next hour, they sat together reminiscing about the last three years.
The sleepless nights before exams.
Their endless movie marathons.
The parties.
The laughter.
The arguments.
The memories they had created together.
Time, however, refused to slow down.
Before long... It was time.
Time for Hanan to say goodbye to the city that had become her second home.
The city where she had discovered new friendships.
Where she had rebuilt herself.
Where Habiba had disappeared...
...and Hanan had been born.
Outside the dormitory, her Uber pulled up right on time.
Amira hugged her tightly.
"Keep your phone on."
She smiled through watery eyes.
"We're going to call you every single day."
Lucy joined the hug. "And call us the moment you land."
She smiled. "Allah sauke ki lafiya."
Hanan blinked before laughing.
"Wow."
She looked at Lucy proudly.
"Your Hausa is almost perfect, just the accent feels off."
She placed a hand over her heart dramatically.
"I'm so emotional. Our lessons finally paid off."
Lucy grinned from ear to ear.
"Nagode!"
They laughed together one last time.
Hanan looked at the two women who had become sisters to her.
Emotion tightened in her throat.
"I love you both."
Her smile trembled ever so slightly.
"And as much as I would love to stay longer..."
She picked up her suitcase.
"...it's time to go."
She climbed into the waiting Uber and rolled down the window.
"Bye!"
"We'll miss you!" Amira shouted.
"Have a safe flight!" Lucy added, waving until the car disappeared from sight.
Before the plane could leave the terminal, Hanan arrived at the airport, dragging her suitcases behind her as she hurried through the departure gates.
"Thank goodness." She breathed out glancing at the boarding screen. "I almost missed my flight."
Her phone vibrated in her hand.
It was Abdul's call, she quickly answered.
"Are you on board already?" Abdul asked.
"Not yet, but I'm about to be. I just got to the plane."
"Call me once you land."
"I will."
"Safe trip."
"Bye, Abdul."
Ending the call, she slipped her phone into her pocket and hurried through the jet bridge.
The cabin was already filling up. She quickly checked her boarding pass before making her way down the aisle.
When she reached her row, she frowned.
Someone was sitting in her window seat.
The stranger wore a black face cap pulled so low it completely hid his face. Across the front of it were the words:
Hanan blinked.
Cal U?
A student from her school.
Her curiosity was instantly replaced with annoyance.
"Excuse me."
No response.
"Hello?"
Still nothing.
With a sigh, she lightly tapped his shoulder.
"You're sitting in my seat. The window seat belongs to me."