33~Funeral #2
"I know she doesn't deserve your forgiveness... I know she caused you nothing but pain... but please... if there's even the smallest place in your heart that can forgive her, then please do it. It's the only thing that gives me hope that she might find peace in her grave."
Her cries pierced Hanan's heart.
Without another word, Hanan gently lowered Amina's clasped hands and pulled her into a warm embrace.
"It's okay..." She whispered, blinking back her own tears. "I've already forgiven her."
Amina froze.
"You... you have?"
Hanan nodded.
"Yes."
More tears escaped Amina's eyes.
"I've wronged you too, Habiba. Since the day we met, I judged you cruelly, I insulted you... especially yesterday at Ya Najib's office. I was mean."
She lowered her head in shame.
"And today... I'm ashamed to even call Hajiya my mother after everything she did."
She wiped her tears.
"I'm sorry... for everything. Ya Najib is sorry too. He never meant to hurt you, Habiba."
"I know." Hanan smiled softly. "And everything that's happened... let's leave it in the past."
She squeezed Amina's hand.
"Let's start over."
Amina smiled through her tears. "I would like that."
"Good." Hanan chuckled faintly. "Now come on. Grandma needs both of us."
"Okay."
Together, they walked back towards the mansion.
As they approached the entrance, they noticed Grandma watching them from a distance.
A gentle smile spread across the old woman's face.
"I'm glad you're home again." Amina said softly.
Hanan paused. "Home?" She whispered.
"I left a letter with Barrister Auwal, did you read it?"
"The envelope?" Hanan asked.
Amina nodded. "Yes, and you know after confronting you and Ya Najib that day at his office, I went straight to Mom cell, she denied it at first, I pleaded, yet she denied until Musa confessed that she had her hands in Zaitun's death, that was when she told me the truth. I crumbled Habiba,
I couldn't face you after learning the truth about my mother..."
"I was too ashamed... so I wrote everything instead. I wanted to apologize, even if you chose never to forgive me."
"I haven't had the chance to read it." Hanan sighed. "And, it's alright, I'm just glad you found out the truth."
"Thanks, Habiba."
Together, they entered the mansion.
Guests still filled every corner of the house, offering condolences and reciting prayers.
While helping Emma attend to the visitors, Hanan's eyes searched for Grandma.
"Emma... where's Grandma? I just saw her."
"She's upstairs in her room."
"I'll go and check on her."
"Alright, ma'am."
Emma smiled warmly before adding,
"It's good to have you back, Ma'am Habiba."
Hanan smiled awkwardly. "I'm only here to pay my last respect, Emma."
Leaving the guests behind, she made her way upstairs.
The familiar staircase stirred memories she had tried so hard to bury.
Every step felt strangely familiar.
Every corner whispered a forgotten memory.
As she reached the hallway, her footsteps slowed outside a particular door.
Her old room.
She stared at the doorknob for several seconds before gently placing her hand on it.
A faint smile touched her lips.
"It doesn't belong to you anymore..."
She withdrew her hand.
"You shouldn't be trespassing."
Shaking her head, she continued towards Grandma's room.
After several knocks, the door slowly opened.
Grandma's eyes were swollen from crying.
"Grandma..."
Hanan quickly held her frail hands.
"Why did you lock yourself inside?"
The moment she heard Hanan's voice, Grandma finally broke down.
"I couldn't cry in front of Najib and Amina." She whispered through tears. "They've already lost too much... I didn't want them to see me breaking down."
Hanan gently hugged her.
"It's alright."
She rubbed Grandma's back.
"May Allah forgive Alhaji's shortcomings and grant him Jannatul Firdaus."
"Ameen."
"It just hurts that Najib never truly reconciled with his father."
"He did." Hanan smiled.
Grandma looked up in surprise.
"He called Alhaji Dad today."
Grandma's eyes widened. "He... did?"
Hanan nodded with a smile. "I saw it myself."
Fresh tears filled Grandma's eyes again. "So... he finally forgave him."
"I'm certain he did."
Grandma smiled through her tears.
"Thank you for telling me."
"Anything for you."
Hanan smiled.
"Now let me make you some porridge. You haven't eaten all day."
"I don't have an appetite."
"You still have to eat."
Before Grandma could protest again, Hanan hurried out.
As she walked back through the hallway...
Her eyes drifted once more to her old room.
She stopped.
Looked around.
No one.
Slowly...
She pushed the door open.
The moment she stepped inside...
She froze.
Nothing had changed.
Everything remained exactly where she had left it three years ago.
But what truly stole her breath...
Were the countless framed photographs covering the room.
They weren't just any random pictures but they were mostly pictures taken from their wedding reception.
"My Cinderella bridal look." She whispered.
Wedding pictures.
Smiling pictures.
The recent beach pictures.
All were pictures of her.
Her eyes slowly travelled across the walls.
"He kept all of them in his room..."
A smile escaped before she could stop it.
"So... it wasn't only his office."
She wandered deeper into the room, gently running her fingertips across the frames.
Every photograph carried a memory.
Their laughter.
Their arguments.
Their happiest days.
Her gaze eventually settled on the bed.
Instantly...
A memory flashed through her mind.
Their first night together.
Heat rushed to her cheeks.
"Oh God..."
She covered her burning face.
"What is wrong with me?"
She laughed softly at herself.
"I'm supposed to be mourning..."
She turned to leave.
Suddenly...
Something fell onto the floor.
She bent to pick it up.
"A ring box?"
Curiosity flickered across her face.
She slowly opened it.
A beautiful diamond ring rested inside.
"Is he..."
Her voice trailed off.
"Planning to marry someone?"
The thought alone left an unfamiliar ache in her chest.
Without realizing it...
She lifted the ring.
Slowly... She slipped it onto her finger.
It fits perfectly.
She stared at it for several long moments.
"What am I doing?"
Startled by herself, she hurriedly removed it.
"I've completely lost my mind."
As she placed it back into the box, something engraved inside the ring caught her attention.
She leaned closer.
"Hmm..."
Before she could read it...
"Habiba?"
She jumped in fright.