10~Amina Aminu Garba?!
"Thanks for opening up to me." Faruk smiled as they walked out of the apartment building toward the parking lot.
Hanan smiled back at him, genuine gratitude shining in her eyes.
"I should be the one thanking you. You've done so much for me."
"It's my pleasure."
"No." She shook her head. "I promise I'll work hard and repay everything you've spent on me."
He laughed softly.
"Consider it a gift."
"I can't. Please let me pay you back."
He raised both hands in surrender.
"Fine, you win. As always."
They stopped beside his car.
"But since you're so determined..." A mischievous smile tugged at his lips. "I don't want money."
She folded her arms.
"Oh? Then what does my boss want?"
"Something special."
He leaned closer.
Instinctively, she took a step back until her back rested against the car door. There was nowhere else to go.
He chuckled at her reaction.
"Relax. I won't hurt you."
He rested both hands lightly on either side of her shoulders, trapping her for a brief moment. Their faces were only inches apart.
Hanan's heartbeat betrayed her composure.
She quickly pushed his hands away and slipped past him.
"Hands off."
She shot him a warning look.
"You're my boss now, not just my friend. We need to maintain some professionalism."
He laughed.
"We're outside the office, Miss Attorney."
"You're still my boss." She folded her arms again.
"So, what exactly do you want?"
He opened the driver's door.
"You'll find out."
"When?"
"Soon."
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"I hope it's something within my power."
"It is."
He smiled reassuringly.
"Anything else you need before I leave?"
She looked around her new apartment building before shaking her head.
"No. You've already done more than enough."
"Good."
He got into the driver's seat.
"Don't forget to resume work on Monday."
"I won't."
"And..."
He grinned.
"I have another surprise waiting for you."
Her brows shot up.
"Another surprise? Faruk!"
She hurried toward the driver's window.
"Tell me now."
"If I do, it won't be a surprise anymore."
He started the engine.
"Goodnight, Hanan."
She sighed dramatically. "You enjoy stressing me."
"I call it building anticipation."
He winked before driving away.
She laughed despite herself.
"Drive safely!"
He waved through the window before disappearing down the road.
The smile on Hanan's face lingered as she walked back into her apartment.
She still couldn't believe everything had happened in a single day.
Faruk didn't only secure her a position as a Legal Research Assistant at his law firm...
He also handed her the keys to a fully furnished studio apartment.
She had expected four empty walls and bare floors.
Instead, she walked into a cozy home furnished with everything she could possibly need.
Her bedroom, kitchen, sitting area, even the smallest necessities had already been thoughtfully arranged.
A comfortable home.
A fresh beginning.
She slowly turned around, taking it all in once again.
"What other surprise could possibly top this?" She murmured to herself.
Locking the door behind her, she unpacked a few essentials before grabbing a change of clothes.
After a refreshing cold shower and her night prayers, she wandered into the kitchen.
The thought of cooking exhausted her.
Instead, she settled for yogurt and the leftover toasted bread Faruk had bought for breakfast.
She arranged them neatly on the table and was just about to eat when her phone began vibrating.
Abdul Calling...
Her smile faded.
She stared at the screen for several seconds before answering only to end the call almost immediately.
"Not yet, Abdul."
She sighed.
"I still need time."
She placed the phone face down on the table.
Just then...
Knock! Knock! Knock!
A loud knock echoed through the apartment, making her freeze in her seat.
"Hanan, it's me! Open up!" A familiar voice called from outside.
Hanan frowned.
"Who's that?" She muttered, walking cautiously toward the door. Instead of opening it immediately, she peered through the peephole.
Her eyes widened.
"Amira?!"
She flung the door open.
"Baby!" Amira squealed, throwing her arms around Hanan.
The two friends embraced tightly, laughing with excitement.
"Amira! You're back already? When did you return?" Hanan asked, still stunned.
"Long story." Amira grinned. "But first... are you going to leave me standing outside?"
Hanan laughed and stepped aside.
"Of course not. Welcome to my humble abode."
"Thank you."
Amira wheeled her suitcase inside, curiously looking around the apartment.
Her gaze landed on the bed, and without hesitation, she threw herself onto it.
"Oh my goodness!" She exclaimed. "This bed is ridiculously soft. I love it already!"
Hanan chuckled as she sat beside her.
"So this was Faruk's surprise?"
Amira nodded proudly. "Yes."
"I swear, I'm so happy you're here." Hanan smiled. "But seriously, how did you find this place?"
"Faruk sent me your address. Then I begged Amir to drop me off for a sleepover."
"Amir?" Hanan asked. "Is he still around?"
"Nope. He just left. He's heading over to his fiancee's place."
"Oh..." Hanan smiled. "Only two days until the wedding."
"Exactly! Everything has been so hectic."
"So... how are Mama and Baba? And how did the shopping go?"
"They're both doing well, and the shopping was a success."
Amira paused before glancing around again.
"By the way... where are Abdul and Nanny Ann? I was looking forward to meeting them."
Hanan's smile softened.
"We don't live together anymore."
Amira sat upright. "What? Why? I thought you all lived as one family."
"Not anymore." Hanan sighed. "I got a job today, so I decided to move closer to my workplace."
"Oh."
Amira studied her for a moment before smiling warmly.
"Well... if you're happy with your decision, then I'm happy too."
She looked around the apartment again.
"I have to admit... this place is beautiful. It's classy, cozy, and feels so peaceful."
"Thank you." Hanan smiled. "You must be tired. Let me get you something to eat."
"Nooo! I already had dinner before coming here, so don't stress yourself." Amira waved her off. "Let's just catch up. I've missed you so much."
"I've missed you too." Hanan smiled. "Well... let me update you first. I got a job."
"What?!" Amira gasped.
"Yep. Not exactly through merit though... more like a friendly connection."
"Tell me!"
"Faruk hired me at his law firm, and I start work on Monday."
"That's amazing!" Amira squealed, pulling her into another hug. "Congratulations, babe. You deserve it."
"Thank you."
"So, that's my update." Hanan smiled. "Now tell me about you. How are the wedding preparations going?"
Amira dramatically threw herself back onto the bed.
"Stressful! The wedding is this Saturday, and we still have the wedding and reception to organize."
She pointed at Hanan.
"And thanks again for helping with my fabric. Our outfits are going to look stunning."
"What are best friends for?" Hanan grinned. "I would do it a thousand times."
"Aww... you're too sweet."
Amira suddenly clapped her hands.
"Oh! I almost forgot. I planned a date."
"A date?" Hanan's eyes widened.
"You have a man and didn't tell me?"
She scooted closer. "Who is he? Where did you meet him?"
Amira tried to keep a straight face but burst into uncontrollable laughter.
She laughed until tears gathered in her eyes.
"What's so funny?" Hanan asked, trying not to laugh herself.
"You!" Amira pointed at her.
"Your reaction was priceless."
She wiped the corner of her eyes.
"Don't you know me by now? If I ever got a boyfriend, you will be the first person I would tell."
Hanan frowned.
"Then what date are you talking about?"
"Our date."
She nudged Hanan's shoulder.
"We've finally graduated. We deserve a girls day."
"A spa."
"Pedicures."
"Manicures."
"Hair."
"And total pampering before Amir's wedding."
Hanan laughed.
"That actually sounds nice... but I'm only a guest at the wedding, so I don't really..."
"Stop!"
Amira cut her off immediately.
"There you go again with your excuses."
"I wasn't making excuses."
"You were about to."
She folded her arms. "I refuse to listen this time. You're getting glam up whether you like it or not."
She smirked.
"Who knows? You might even meet your prince charming."
Hanan rolled her eyes. "Forget my prince charming and focus on finding yours."
"I might just find him too." Amira sighed dreamily.
"I can't wait for Amir's wedding."
She smiled brightly.
"And I seriously can't wait to become an aunt. Amir and his fiancee are both cute, Their babies are going to be ridiculously cute too."
"In Sha Allah."
Hanan suddenly paused.
"Speaking of Amir..."
"I just realized I've never actually seen him."
Amira blinked. "Seriously?"
"Not even a picture?"
Hanan shook her head. "Not even once."
"Wow..." Amira unlocked her phone.
"That's surprising. I have loads of his pictures."
She scrolled through her gallery.
"While you do that, let me grab my dinner."
Hanan walked toward the kitchen.
"I'm starving."
Amira looked at the loaf of bread and yogurt on the counter.
"You call bread and yogurt dinner?"
Hanan shrugged.
"I don't really have much of an appetite."
"You're unbelievable."
Amira finally found the picture she wanted.
"Here."
She handed over her phone.
"This is his latest pre wedding shoot."
Hanan smiled as she collected the phone.
"Let's finally meet the groom of the month."
But her smile disappeared almost instantly.
Her breathing hitched.
"Amir..."
She zoomed in on the photo.
Her hands trembled slightly.
It couldn't be...
"He's handsome, isn't he?" Amira grinned, completely unaware of Hanan's reaction.
"Y...Yeah..."
Hanan could barely hear her own voice.
"I... excuse me."
"I need to use the bathroom."
"Sure." Amira watched her disappear, a faint frown forming on her face.
Inside the bathroom, Hanan stood frozen before the mirror.
Her reflection stared back at her, but her mind had already traveled three years into the past.
"It's really him..."
She whispered.
"Amir..."
Her heart pounded.
"So... he's Amira's brother?"
She squeezed her eyes shut.
"No..."
"Maybe I'm mistaken."
She opened them again.
"I couldn't have seen him properly..."
But deep down, she already knew.
She wasn't mistaken.
It was the same Amir.
Amina's Amir.
The Amir she had known years ago.
Everything suddenly began falling into place.
"If Amir is Amira's brother..."
Her eyes widened.
"Then... his fiancee... could she be Amina?"
She remembered them secretly dating years ago.
No...
It couldn't be...
Could the wedding she had been excited to attend all this time... actually be Amina and Amir's wedding?
Only one person could answer that.
She hurried back into the room.
"Amira!"
"Yes, babe?"
"What's your sister in law's name?"
"Amina."
Hanan swallowed hard. "Amina... Aminu Garba?"
Amira frowned.
"Wait..."
"How did you know her full name?"
Hanan forced a laugh. "I just guessed."
"You guessed?"
Amira narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"That accurately?"
"Yep."
"I don't believe you."
She tilted her head. "It sounds like you know her."
"There you go overthinking again." Hanan sighed.
"Can you blame me?" Amira laughed.
"You guessed her full name correctly on the first try."
Hanan simply shrugged.
"It's just a lucky guess."
Amira looked unconvinced but decided to let it go.
"Fine."
She stretched.
"By the way, I searched your kitchen for coffee earlier."
"I couldn't find any."
"I only moved in a few hours ago." Hanan replied.
"I haven't had time to shop yet."
Amira looked around the apartment again.
"Still... You managed to furnish it so well."
"I didn't furnish it, It's part of the staff accommodation the company provided."
"I was lucky enough to get both the job and the apartment."
Amira's eyes widened. "Just how rich is Faruk?"
She laughed.
"I always knew he came from money. He never worked a part time job throughout university, yet he was always spending like a billionaire."
Hanan laughed. "You've really been observing him."
"I don't know exactly how wealthy he is..."
"But I can tell you he's rich enough to own this entire residence."
"That's seriously rich." Amira gasped and stood up.
"I'm going to shower and change into something more comfortable."
"Go ahead."
Hanan smiled.
"I still have some coffee left in my bag. I'll make us a cup."
"Perfect."
Amira smiled before disappearing into the bathroom.
Hanan absentmindedly stirred her coffee, but the rich aroma did nothing to revive her appetite. The moment she realized who Amir was, every bit of hunger disappeared.
"The whole family will definitely be at the wedding..." She whispered, gripping the mug a little tighter.
Just the thought of seeing them again made her chest tighten.
Not just Najib.
Every single one of them had played a part in destroying her life.
Even Grandma.
A bitter laugh escaped her lips.
Out of everyone, Grandma and Amina were the last people she expected to abandon her. She was convinced that when they returned from India and found her gone, they would search for her... that they would question the lies they had been told.
But they never did.
Instead, they erased her from their lives as though she had never existed.
Just like Amina had done at the mall.
That look...
The disgust in her eyes.
The way she had pulled her hand away as if Hanan were nothing more than a stranger.
It still stung.
"So that's it..." She murmured. "You've all chosen your side."
A cold smile slowly spread across her face.
Only one day remained.
One more day before the wedding.
One more day before the peace they had enjoyed for three long years would come to an end.
"They forgot me..." She whispered.
"But I never forgot them."
Balancing the two mugs of coffee, she walked back toward the bed, her resolve stronger than ever.
This time...
She wasn't going to spare anyone.
.
.
.
***
A/N