4~Home
Before the city sky could fully come into view, Hanan rolled down the car window, letting the cool Lagos breeze dance through her long permed hair. She inhaled deeply, her eyes roaming across the streets with unconcealed wonder.
"Is this really Lagos?" She breathed, astonishment written all over her face.
Abdul chuckled from the driver's seat.
"It is. We have a new governor now, so a lot has changed."
"No kidding." She leaned farther toward the window, taking in the cleaner roads and flowing traffic. "It's so much more beautiful... and where are all the traffic jams? This doesn't even feel like the Lagos I remember."
"You've been away for three years." Abdul teased. "What did you expect? That the city would remain frozen in time?"
She laughed softly. "I'm just happy to see good progress."
"And you'll be even happier when you see our new house." Nanny Ann added with a playful grin, gently pinching Hanan's cheek.
Hanan turned to her immediately.
"Our new house?"
"Mhm."
"What happened to the old one?"
"I sold it." Abdul answered casually. "Bought a duplex in Victoria island instead. We moved in just last week."
Her eyes widened. "Seriously? That's amazing!"
Nanny Ann smiled proudly. "And your room has been painted in all your favorite colors."
"You still remember my favorite colors?" Hanan asked in disbelief. "I only mentioned them once."
"I remember much more than that." Nanny Ann smiled fondly. "Your favorite colors, your favorite meals... almost everything about you. How could I possibly forget?"
Hanan's heart melted. "Aww..." She wrapped an arm around the older woman. "You're officially the sweetest person alive. Don't let Amira know I
said that though."
The three burst into laughter.
"Oh, speaking of Amira." Abdul said, glancing at her through the rearview mirror. "I thought you two were returning together."
"We were supposed to." Hanan nodded. "But her family decided to stop in Dubai to shop before heading back to Nigeria. Her older brother is getting married on the twentieth, and I was invited."
Abdul's smile faded ever so slightly.
"The twentieth..."
His face fell, he became unusually quiet.
"I guess it's the season of weddings."
Hanan noticed the strange shift in his expression.
"Who else is getting married?"
He opened his mouth to answer before stopping himself.
"It's... nothing."
Instead, he reached over and lightly nudged her shoulder.
"Congratulations."
She frowned. "For what?"
"For graduating as the overall best student in your department." His smile returned, warmer this time. "We definitely have to celebrate."
"You made all of us proud." Nanny Ann added, her eyes shining with admiration. "You're truly a champion."
A shy smile spread across Hanan's lips.."Thank you."
"You deserve a reward actually." Abdul declared.
"Hmm..." She pretended to think before grinning. "Lunch together. Just like the old days."
"We've already prepared that." Nanny Ann laughed. "I cooked every single one of your favorite dishes."
"And she refused to let me taste even a single bite of the Dan Wake she prepared." Abdul chipped in dramatically.
Hanan gasped. "You made Dan Wake?"
"I certainly did."
Without another word, Hanan leaned over and hugged her tightly.
"Nanny Ann..." She whined happily. "What would I ever do without you? I've been craving Dan Wake more than anything."
"I know." Nanny Ann replied affectionately, stroking her hair.
The rest of the journey slipped by effortlessly as they caught up on everything Hanan had missed during her three years abroad.
Between laughter, old memories, and playful teasing, she realized just how much she had missed them.
For the first time in years, she felt like she was finally home.
Their car slowed to a stop before an elegant glass fronted duplex tucked inside one of Victoria Island quiet estates.
Hanan blinked.
The house looked like something straight out of an architectural magazine.
"Wow..."
Luxury was the only word that came to mind.
She slowly stepped out of the car, admiring every detail while a young girl hurried over to pick her luggage.
Crossing the entrance, Hanan inhaled deeply.
The faint scent of fresh paint and polished wood lingered in the air, giving the house a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Yet despite its beauty...
A painful memory flashed across her mind.
Another mansion.
She quickly pushed the thought away.
"Hanan." Nanny Ann called gently. "Go freshen up first. Lunch is waiting."
"Okay." She smiled. "Which room is mine?"
"Samira." Nanny Ann called the young girl carrying the suitcases. "Please show her upstairs."
"Yes, ma."
Hanan quietly followed behind her, studying the girl.
Something about her reminded her so much of Emma.
The same quiet nature.
The same humble smile.
The resemblance tugged painfully at old memories.
"This is your room, ma'am." Samira announced, stopping before a white wooden door.
Hanan smiled.
"You don't have to call me ma'am, just call me Hanan."
Samira's eyes widened. "I can't do that. You're older than me... and I'm only a house help."
"Then call me whatever makes you comfortable."
The girl thought for a second before smiling brightly. "I'll call you Aunty Hanan."
"I like that."
With a shy smile, Samira excused herself.
Hanan slowly pushed the bedroom door open.
She had expected an ordinary room.
Instead...
"Whoa..."
The entire room was decorated with welcome balloons and elegant floral arrangements.
Her eyes sparkled with delight as she admired every carefully arranged detail.
Then something else caught her attention.
A giant framed photograph hung directly above her queen sized bed.
"Oh... my God."
Her jaw dropped as she slowly walked towards it.
It was an old childhood picture of her sitting happily on her mother's lap.
For several seconds she simply stared.
Then she gently lifted the frame from the wall and pressed a tender kiss against the glass.
"Mom..."
"Uma." A peaceful smile settled on her lips.
"I know she would be so proud of you."
Nanny Ann's gentle voice made her turn around.
She stood at the doorway carrying a tray filled with steaming food.
"Nanny Ann..." Hanan whispered emotionally. "Did you do all this?"
She shook her head.
"No."
Then placed the tray beside her.
"Abdul did."
Hanan looked surprised.
"He found the photograph while we were moving and secretly had it enlarged and framed."
Tears stung Hanan's eyes. "How many times will I have to thank him?" She whispered. "This is... beautiful."
"They aren't favors." Nanny Ann said softly as she guided Hanan onto the bed. "He sees you as his little sister. Taking care of you comes naturally to him."
Hanan smiled through watery eyes.
"I still appreciate it."
Her gaze wandered around the room again.
"Everything is exactly how I would decorate it myself."
Nanny Ann laughed. "I worked with an interior designer to make sure every detail matched your taste."
"You both did an amazing job."
"I'm just happy you love it."
"I do." Hanan smiled warmly. "Thank you for everything."
She pulled the tray closer and immediately scooped a generous spoonful of Dan Wake into her mouth.
Her eyes widened.
"Mmm... It's just as delicious as I remembered."
"Slow down before you choke." Nanny Ann laughed.
Hanan only smiled, happily taking another bite while Nanny Ann watched her quietly.
She couldn't help admiring the young woman seated before her.
The first time she met Hanan, she had been a fragile nineteen year old lying helplessly in a hospital bed after a miscarriage.
Frail, pale, and dressed in a hospital gown. She had looked so fragile and heartbroken that Nanny Ann had wondered what kind of monster could bring himself to hurt such an innocent child.
Yet even then, one thing stood out.
Her beauty.
She possessed a rich caramel brown complexion that glowed effortlessly, and delicate features that were impossible to ignore. Three years had only refined that beauty, transforming the timid young girl into a graceful, confident woman.
Nanny Ann found herself staring.
Her eyes...
They were still as bright as ever.
But unlike before, when they had carried nothing but pain and emptiness, today they sparkled with genuine happiness.
"Nanny Ann..." Hanan laughed softly, raising her head from her plate. "Have I suddenly become that pretty? You've been staring at me for ages."
The older woman smiled warmly.
"Too pretty. I can't seem to take my eyes off you."
"Oh, come on." Hanan giggled. "You're flattering me."
"I'm not." Nanny Ann shook her head. "Take a good look at yourself in the mirror someday. You've changed so much. You're even more beautiful than I remember."
Hanan chuckled shyly. "I'll gladly accept that compliment. Thank you."
"It's not just a compliment." Nanny Ann replied. "It's the truth."
She paused before smiling mischievously.
"So tell me... with a face like yours, I'm sure you have countless suitors. Are you seeing anyone?"
Hanan immediately choked on her food.
"Cough... cough..."
She hurriedly grabbed the glass of water beside her, taking several gulps before finally catching her breath.
"No." she managed to say. "I'm not dating anyone."
"No handsome men in America?" Nanny Ann teased.
"There were..." Hanan mumbled. "They just weren't my type."
"So you turned all of them down?"
She nodded.
Memories of the countless blind dates Lucy and Amira had forced her into flashed across her mind.
Some of the men had been decent.
Some were ridiculously older, old enough to be her father.
Thinking about it now made her laugh.
She had been so irritated every single time.
"Nanny Ann." She said gently, "Everything happens at the right time. I'll date when I'm ready."
Nanny Ann smiled knowingly as she picked up the empty tray.
"My dear, twenty one is already the right time. Don't keep us waiting forever. Bring someone home one day, okay?"
Hanan simply smiled. "Okay."
She couldn't tell Nanny Ann the truth.