11~Maam?!
The night slipped by before Hanan even realized it. Despite waking up close to eleven in the morning, she still felt glued to her pillow.
She let out a series of lazy yawns, completely lacking the motivation to do anything.
Still, she couldn't bring herself to ruin Amira's plans.
With a resigned sigh, she dragged herself out of bed. A steaming mug of coffee rested in her left hand while her right thumb lazily scrolled through her Instagram feed.
One post instantly caught her attention.
At the very top of the list was Amir and Amina.
Amina looked breathtaking in a sophisticated wine colored dress that shimmered elegantly under the lights, hugging her figure perfectly. Beside her stood Amir in a tailored black tuxedo, a confident smile on his face as he held his fiancee close.
The couple had ranked #1.
"They look so beautiful together." Amira beamed as she walked over and gently took the phone from Hanan's hand." Amir definitely made the right choice, don't you think?"
Hanan remained silent for a brief moment.
Did he?
She couldn't help but wonder if Amir had truly made the right decision by marrying into the family that had turned her life into a nightmare.
Then she pushed the thought aside.
Love didn't ask for permission.
If they genuinely loved each other, who was she to judge?
"Yeah." She finally replied, taking another sip of her coffee. "He made the right choice."
Amira smiled brightly.
"Tomorrow you'll finally meet him. He's the only person in my family you haven't met yet."
A faint smile tugged at Hanan's lips.
"Yeah..." She murmured, her eyes lingering on the photo. "I can't wait to see them all again."
The smirk that followed carried a meaning only she understood.
"Enough of that!" Amira clapped her hands excitedly. "Get your lazy ass off the couch. We've got a spa date, and we're going to look fabulous."
Laughing, she grabbed Hanan's hand and pulled her to her feet.
Together, they headed out, unaware that tomorrow their bond would change.
"Your total bill is one hundred thousand naira, ma'am."
"One hundred thousand?!" Hanan blurted, her eyes nearly popping out of their sockets as she stared at both the cashier and Amira in disbelief.
"Amira, we only bought two pairs of heels, are you trying to empty your account?"
Amira rolled her eyes dramatically.
"Duh! We're attending a wedding, not a burial. Look at these heels! Did you see the crystal detailing? Forget the price tag and appreciate the beauty."
Ignoring Hanan's horrified stare, she inserted her card into the POS machine.
"You're doing too much. We haven't even stepped into the salon and we've already spent this much."
"Oh, babe." Amira chuckled. "This is nothing. Come on, we need to look glamorous."
Without waiting for another complaint, she grabbed Hanan's wrist and dragged her into the luxury salon directly opposite the boutique.
The moment they walked in, Hanan collapsed onto the nearest couch with a relieved sigh while Amira enthusiastically began discussing hairstyles with the stylists.
"Where does she get all this energy from?" Hanan muttered to herself.
A moment later, Amira returned carrying two chilled bottles of Chivita.
"Here." She handed one over. "You look dehydrated."
"Thank you." Hanan smiled gratefully. "I desperately needed something cold."
"You're welcome." Amira sat beside her with a mischievous grin. "I have an idea."
Hanan narrowed her eyes. "What now?"
"Come home with me after we're done here."
"Your house? Why?"
"Because tomorrow is the wedding." Amira shrugged. "Your dress, shoes, jewelry, everything you need is already with our stylist. What exactly are you going home to prepare?"
"I don't even have a fresh pair of underwear."
Amira burst into laughter.
"We're literally in a mall. We'll buy you some before we leave."
Hanan shook her head. "No. I'll just meet you at the wedding tomorrow."
Amira's face instantly fell. "Why?"
She clasped Hanan's arm, giving her the most dramatic puppy eyes imaginable.
"I wanted you to come with me to Amina's bridal shower tonight. I even got a plus one invitation."
"Which Amina?" Hanan asked with a teasing smile.
Amira stared at her. "You're joking... right?"
"What?"
"I always heard old age starts at forty." She folded her arms. "I didn't know yours started at twenty one."
Hanan laughed. "Should I take that as an insult?"
"Take it as the truth. Last night you magically guessed Amina's full name, and today you've forgotten who she is?"
"Oh..." Hanan rubbed the back of her neck.
"Well... that's even more reason not to go. I don't want to ruin my plan by showing up at their house before the wedding."
"Your plan?"
Amira frowned.
"What plan?"
Hanan froze realising she almost exposed herself.
"I mean..." She forced a smile, "...Introducing myself properly as your best friend tomorrow."
Amira didn't look convinced.
"Hanan... tell me the truth."
"What truth?"
"Are you hiding something from me?"
Hanan laughed awkwardly. "No. Why would I?"
"Because nothing you said makes sense." Amira replied quietly.
"I'm not hiding anything!" Hanan snapped.
Her defensive tone startled them both.
Amira slowly nodded.
"Okay."
The smile on her face disappeared.
"If you say so."
Unable to bear the guilt, Hanan quickly stood.
"I'll go first."
She hurried toward the stylist.
"Gosh..." She whispered beneath her breath. "I almost blew my cover."
Looking into the mirror, she caught Amira sitting alone, staring blankly at her phone.
The sight twisted something inside her.
Amira had never hidden anything from her.
Yet here she was, burying years of secrets beneath lie after lie.
Not because she didn't trust her...
But because telling the truth would only burden Amira into her past.
"When the time is right." She thought sadly. "I'll tell you everything, Amina."
"Ma'am?"
The stylist's voice pulled her back.
"What services would you like?"
"A manicure and pedicure. I will also like my hair washed and stretched."
Several hours later, Hanan admired her freshly done nails.
They looked so elegant that several customers asked the stylists to recreate the exact design.
Normally, she would have been flattered.
Today... She couldn't care less.
Every few seconds, her eyes drifted toward Amira, who sat silently while another stylist worked on her hair.
She looked distant.
Upset.
And Hanan knew exactly why.
"Ma'am, we're done."
The stylist smiled.
"You can proceed to the spa room."
"Thank you."
Hanan walked over to Amira.
"You look beautiful."
Amira smiled faintly. "So do you."
"It's all thanks to you." Hanan replied.
There was a brief silence.
"I think I'll head home." Amira sighed.
"What?"
Hanan blinked.
"But you haven't done your manicure yet."
"I'll do it another time." Amira lifted her hands. "Besides, my graduation manicure still looks good anyway."
"You sure?"
"Yeah."
Hanan searched her face.
Was she leaving because of earlier?
If she was...
Hanan couldn't blame her.
"Alright." She said softly. "Let's go."
After paying, they walked toward the exit.
The moment they stepped outside,
Hanan froze.
Her blood ran cold.
No...
Not now.
Not here.
She immediately turned, hoping to avoid the lady.
Too late.
"Ma'am Habiba?!" Emma gasped, both hands flying to her mouth.
Tears instantly filled her eyes.
"You're in Lagos?!"
She rushed forward.
Before she could get close, Amira stepped between them.
"Excuse me?"
Her voice was sharp.
"Who are you? And why are you calling her Habiba?"
"Hanan, let's go."
Without sparing Emma another glance, Hanan grabbed Amira's hand and hurried away.
Emma chased after them.
"Ma'am Habiba, please wait!"
Her voice echoed through the mall.
"I'm Emma... your maid!"
Amira looked increasingly alarmed.
"What is she talking about?"
She glanced between them.
"Why is she following us? Is she some kind of lunatic?"
Emma finally caught up, panting heavily.
"Please..." She gasped. "After you left... everything changed. Everyone suffered. Please don't pretend you don't know me. Just hear me out."
Hanan stopped.
Slowly.
Her expression turned cold.
"What do you want?"
Emma's eyes brimmed with tears.
"You know me. Even if you don't recognize me... I could never forget you."
She swallowed.
"Grandma... Amina... Sir Najib... the whole family..."
"Amina... Najib..."
Amira whispered.
The names clicked instantly.
She turned sharply toward Hanan.
"Hanan..."
Her voice trembled.
"What is she talking about?"
"I'll explain, miss..." Emma said.
She barely finished the sentence before Hanan grabbed her arm.
"You'll say nothing."
Her voice was icy.
Without another word, she dragged Emma away until they disappeared from sight, leaving Amira rooted where she stood.
Confused.
Hurt.
And more convinced than ever that Hanan had been hiding a life she knew nothing about.
"But what exactly are you hiding...?" she whispered before storming off.
"Ma'am!" Emma who couldn't contain her excitement to see Hanan after so long exclaimed.
"I'm so glad I finally found you." Her eyes welled with tears as she smiled. "I've been looking for you for so long."
"Finished?" Hanan asked coldly.
Emma's smile faltered.
"You can leave now."
"Ma'am..." Emma whispered, stunned by the icy tone. "Don't you really recognize me?"
"I don't."
Hanan's expression remained unreadable.
"So stop blocking my way."
Emma shook her head desperately.
"I refuse to believe that. Even if you've forgotten me, I'm sure you still remember Grandma... and Amina."
The mention of their names made Hanan's jaw tighten.
"Why bring up people who are already dead to me?" She said bitterly.
A heavy silence followed.
"Forget we ever met."
She turned to leave.
Emma hurried in front of her, spreading her arms to block her path.
"I know you were wronged." She pleaded. "But please... just give me a chance to explain everything. I'll do anything if you'll only listen."
Hanan slowly raised an eyebrow. "Anything?"
Emma nodded without hesitation. "Anything."
A faint smile curled on Hanan's lips.
"Amina's wedding is tomorrow, right?"
"Yes..."
"I want the reception dress."
Emma blinked.
"What?"
"The dress she'll wear to the reception."
Emma stared at her in disbelief.
"Ma'am... that's impossible. I can't steal my madam's wedding dress."
Hanan shrugged indifferently. "Then pretend you never saw me."
She stepped around Emma.
Panic flashed across Emma's face.
"Wait!"
Hanan paused without turning around.
"I... I can't steal the dress." Emma admitted. "But... I can try to get you the designer's contact. They custom made it and I heard they have the replica look in store, they plan to release the design only after Ma'am Amina's wedding, I wonder if they will give it to you."
A slow smile spread across Hanan's face.
"Now we're talking."
Relief washed over Emma.
"So... you'll hear me out?"
"If you get me the designer's contact."
Emma nodded eagerly. "I'll do my best."
"Good." Hanan finally turned to face her.
"Meet me here by seven o'clock tonight."
Emma smiled through her tears of joy. "I will."
As Hanan walked away, Emma called after her.
"Can I at least have your phone number?"
Without looking back, Hanan lifted a hand in the air.
"You'll get my number when I get the contact."
A mischievous smile played on her lips as she disappeared into the crowd.
.
.
.
***
A/N