30~Court hearing
"This is my first time visiting a court, and knowing that this is a place where people's fates are decided makes me nervous." Nanny Ann sighed as their car drove into the court premises.
"There's nothing to be scared of, Nanny Ann." Hanan smiled faintly.
"This is where victims like me finally get the justice we deserve... and where devils like Hajiya are held accountable." Her smile disappeared, replaced by a hardened expression.
"Just thinking about seeing her again is making my blood boil. I don't even know if I'll be able to stop myself from strangling her."
"You will do no such thing." Abdul scolded, patting her shoulder.
"I'm serious, Abdul." She swallowed hard. "There's a storm of rage inside me right now."
"I know." He smiled reassuringly. "You're allowed to be angry. You're allowed to hate her. But don't let your emotions decide your actions. Leave that to the court, okay?"
She nodded, blinking away the tears gathering in her eyes.
"Okay."
"Looks like we found a parking spot." Abdul steered into an empty space.
Just then, a sleek black BMW pulled into the spot directly opposite them.
Abdul recognized the owner immediately.
The customized plate number read:
HABIBTI.
Only one person in the entire city drove around with such a shameless plate number.
Najib.
"We're here, everyone." Abdul announced as he stepped out of the car.
Neither Hanan nor Nanny Ann moved.
Their attention had already shifted outside.
Emma was carefully helping Grandma into her wheelchair while Najib walked toward Abdul.
Dressed casually in faded blue jeans, a fitted white T shirt that outlined his athletic muscles, white sneakers, and dark sunglasses, he looked effortlessly handsome.
Hanan found herself staring longer than she intended.
When he reached Abdul, he removed his sunglasses.
Almost instinctively, his eyes searched for hers.
The moment their gazes met, Hanan quickly lowered hers.
A satisfied smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
"Focus, focus, dude." Abdul laughed, catching him stealing another glance at her.
Najib only grinned and lightly punched Abdul's arm.
"We should head inside. Grandma came too."
"I can see that."
The two men turned as Emma wheeled Grandma toward them.
"Take me to Habiba." Grandma instructed softly.
The moment Hanan saw her approaching her, she hurried out of the car.
As soon as they met, Grandma's eyes filled with tears.
"My dear child..." She whispered.
"We're sorry."
The words alone were enough to make Hanan's own eyes sting with tears.
She quickly knelt before Grandma.
"Grandma... It's okay." She forced a smile through her tears. "Please don't cry."
"How can it be okay?" Grandma sobbed. "You lost your child... you suffered all alone."
She clutched Hanan's hands tightly.
"It's all my fault. Had I never entrusted you to Khadija, my great grandchild would still be alive, and you wouldn't have become a victim of her wicked conspiracy."
Hanan could no longer hold back.
Tears streamed freely down her cheeks.
"Grandma..." She said with a trembling smile. "let's call it destiny."
"Nothing can change what Allah has already written."
"I've accepted it."
"I'm no longer living in that pain."
"I'm... happy now."
She smiled through her tears.
Grandma searched her face.
"Are you truly happy?"
"I hope you're not only saying that to comfort me."
"No, Grandma." Hanan laughed softly. "I really am."
Seeing that smile eased Grandma's heart.
Not far away, Najib watched them with warmth in his eyes.
The two people he treasured most were finally together again.
Unable to stay away, he walked over and crouched beside Hanan.
There was barely a space left between them.
Their shoulders brushed lightly.
"Grandma." He said gently, pulling a handkerchief from his pocket.
"You promised me you wouldn't cry today."
"Remember?"
He carefully wiped away her tears before gently patting her cheeks.
"No more tears."
"Just look at your Habiba."
He smiled before turning toward Hanan.
"Doesn't her smile look genuine?"
Caught off guard by how closely he was looking at her, Hanan suddenly became self conscious.
She could feel everyone's eyes on her.
Even Nanny Ann had noticed.
Standing nearby, she quietly observed the two of them.
The longing.
The unspoken affection.
The way their eyes lingered just a little too long.
The tension between them was so thick it almost felt tangible.
"You are overthinking this." She silently reminded herself. "Hanan loves Faruk now."
Grandma smiled warmly.
"You're right, Najib."
"Habiba's smile is just as beautiful and genuine as it has always been."
She sighed.
"I only couldn't help feeling guilty the moment I saw her again."
Then she stretched out both hands.
"Give me your hand, dear."
Hanan immediately placed hers in Grandma's palm.
"And yours too, Najib."
Without hesitation, he did the same.
Grandma smiled lovingly as she enclosed both of their hands within hers.
"I hope that after today..." Grandma said softly, her frail hands still wrapped around theirs. "After we cast this evil out of our lives forever... I pray Allah grants my heart's greatest wish."
She smiled through moist eyes.
"I want to see you two together again."
Her voice trembled.
"I miss you at home, Habiba."
"I miss my granddaughter in law."
Silence followed.
Hanan stared at their joined hands, a faint smile resting on her lips.
For a moment, words failed her.
Deep down, she wished she had the right answer, one that would comfort Grandma without giving her false hope.
Memories surfaced one after another.
The laughter.
The family dinners.
The days she proudly beared the Garba name.
Never had she imagined a day would come when someone would beg her to become part of that family again.
She sighed inwardly.
Only Allah knew what the future held.
Lifting her gaze to Grandma, she opened her mouth to respond...
"Mr Najib!"
A man dressed in a black lawyer's robe hurried toward them.
Najib immediately rushed to his feet.
"Good morning, Barrister Auwal."
"Good morning, Mr Najib." He smiled, shaking his hand. "I was just about to call you. The hearing will begin shortly. It's already nine thirty."
"Thank you. We just arrived."
Najib turned toward the others.
"This is my family... and this is Habiba."
Barrister Auwal smiled politely.
"Good morning, everyone. I'm Barrister Auwal, counsel for this case."
His gaze settled on Hanan.
"Miss Habiba, it's a pleasure meeting you. I assure you, we will do everything within the law to get justice for you today."
"I hope so."
Grandma spoke before Hanan could.
"Najib." She pulled him closer before lowering her voice.
"I hope you hired the best lawyer in Lagos?"
Everyone overheard her whisper.
A burst of laughter escaped them.
Najib chuckled.
"I did, Grandma."
He gestured toward Auwal.
"He's one of the top lawyers in Lagos, and among the best in Nigeria."
Barrister Auwal nodded confidently.
"Please don't worry, ma."
"This case is already in our favor."
"Hajiya has confessed to her crimes, and Musa has also given his statement."
"So the proceedings should be straightforward."
"Alhamdulillah." Abdul breathed in relief.
Grandma nodded thankfully.
"Please..."Hanan spoke up.
"Can I meet Hajiya before the hearing begins?"
Everyone turned to look at her.
Barrister Auwal shook his head apologetically.
"I'm afraid that's impossible."
"She's inside the prison transport vehicle under heavy security."
"No visitors are allowed until the hearing begins."
"I understand."
Hanan nodded.
"I'll speak to her afterwards then."
"Why?" Abdul and Najib asked almost at the same time.
She simply smiled without answering.
Grandma tightened her grip around Hanan's hand.
"Don't meet her."
"That woman is dangerous."
"I don't even want her breathing the same air as you."
Hanan laughed softly.
"I'll be okay, Grandma."
"I have all of you here to protect me."
As she said those words, her eyes briefly met Najib's.
He returned a reassuring smile.
"Let's head inside."
Barrister Auwal led the way toward the courtroom.
Najib and Abdul walked beside him while Hanan pushed Grandma's wheelchair, with Emma and Nanny Ann following closely behind.
The moment they reached the courtroom entrance...
Camera flashes exploded.
Reporters swarmed around them from every direction.
Questions flew endlessly.
"Miss Habiba!"
"Why do you believe Hajiya Aminu Garba committed these crimes?"
"Were the accusations made against you three years ago completely false?"
"Was there a personal grudge between both of you?"
Hanan froze.
The flashes...
The microphones...
The crowd...
Everything reminded her of three years ago.
Her birthday.
The divorce.
The humiliation.
The same reporters.
Only today... The story had changed.
Before she could answer...
Another reporter pushed forward.
"Many believe you fled after being accused of fraud against the Garba family."
"If you were truly innocent, why disappear for three years only to return with accusations against Hajiya?"
Another microphone appeared.
"A viral video at Miss Amina's wedding months ago showed you promising to destroy the Garba family."
"Is Hajiya's arrest part of that revenge?"
"My goodness..."
SMASH!
A phone hit the ground.
Everyone gasped.
"Don't you have any shame asking such manipulative questions?"
Faruk stood before the reporter, fury blazing in his eyes.
Without hesitation...
CRACK!
He stomped on the phone again.
And again.
"Faruk!"
Hanan rushed toward him.
"Stop!"
"Why should I?" He scoffed, crushing the broken phone beneath his shoe once more.
"They're only doing their jobs!" Hanan frowned.
"They're only manipulative, they should be ashamed of themselves." He sighed.
The reporter glared at him.
"Sir! This is my job!"
"Why should I be ashamed for doing it?"
Before either of them could continue...
Court security hurried over.
"Enough!"
"This is a court not a marketplace."