39~Give us a chance
Hanan rehearsed her smile as she made her way toward the staircase when someone suddenly grabbed her by the arm and pulled her into the hallway.
"Ahh!"
Her back hit the wall as Faruk leaned in.
"Relax... it's me." He whispered.
"Faruk?" She frowned, pressing a hand against her chest. "Why would you grab me like that? You scared the shit out of me!"
Ignoring her complaint, his expression darkened.
"Why was Amina here? What did she say to you? She came to stop our wedding, didn't she?"
Hanan looked at him calmly before lifting her left hand.
"She only came to return this."
His eyes fell on the ring.
"How did it end up with her?"
"She found it for me."
He studied the ring for a moment before nodding.
"Good." His voice softened slightly. "Just be a good girl and don't lose it again."
Hanan resisted the urge to sigh.
"I won't."
"Satisfied now?" She asked. "Can we go downstairs? We've already kept everyone waiting."
She turned to leave, but his fingers wrapped around her wrist again.
She shut her eyes for a brief second.
"Now what?"
A smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
"I'll be leaving soon. I've got an urgent meeting with my designer."
"Okay."
"So before I go..." He stepped closer, his gaze dropping to her lips.
Realizing what he wanted, Hanan quickly placed a hand against his chest and gently pushed him back.
"No. We can't kiss."
He let out a small laugh.
"Fine... but after we're married, you won't be able to stop me."
The mere thought made her stomach twist, though none of it showed on her face.
"Yeah... Whatever." She forced a smile. "Now let's go. Your family has been waiting long enough."
Without giving him another chance to stop her, Hanan walked away.
The moment she stepped into the living room, her eyes immediately landed on...
"Meet Aunty Hauwa, my mom's younger sister. Aunty Hauwa, meet my fiancee, Hanan." Faruk introduced.
Aunty Hauwa looked like someone who escaped albinism. Her skin was strikingly pale with a reddish tone, her hair dyed a rich golden shade.
There was something intimidating about the way her sharp eyes swept over Hanan from head to toe, silently assessing every inch of her.
"Good afternoon, ma. You're welcome. It's a pleasure to meet you, Aunty Hauwa." Hanan greeted politely.
Faruk's mother smiled warmly.
"Good afternoon, dear. From today onward, you will call me Mom, and I will call you my daughter. Is that alright?"
"Yes, Mo..."
"Hmm." Aunty Hauwa cut in before she could finish.
"Faruk, you didn't disappoint me. She's beautiful... and from the look of things, she's well behaved too."
She paused, glancing meaningfully at Hanan.
"Well... except for keeping her guests waiting."
"Oh... I'm sorry I kept you waiting."
"You don't have to apologize." Faruk said quickly. "I was the one who delayed her."
"It's alright, Faruk." Hanan said with a small smile before turning back to Aunty Hauwa.
"I'll be more mindful next time. I'm sorry."
"It's fine, dear."
Her lips curved into a smile that barely reached her eyes.
"But you're already spoiling her, Faruk. Once she becomes your wife, she won't belong to only you. She becomes part of this entire family too. There's nothing wrong with correcting her."
Faruk inhaled quietly.
He knew his Aunt too well. She had a sharp tongue, loved stirring trouble, and arguing with her would only make things worse.
"Mom, I'll get going now."
He turned to Hanan.
"Bye. I'll see you later."
"I'll be waiting."
After he left, Faruk's mother patted the seat beside her.
"Hanan, come sit with me. And don't mind everything Hauwa says."
Hanan smiled softly and took the seat.
"It's alright, ma. She wasn't entirely wrong. I did keep everyone waiting."
"I'm simply happy you agreed to marry Faruk." His mother said warmly.
"I promise you won't regret it. He truly loves you."
"A lot." Aunty Hauwa added before anyone else could speak.
Then she turned toward Nanny Ann, who just walked in with Samira carrying trays of food.
"And where's your brother? Faruk talks about him all the time."
"Abdul stepped out." Nanny Ann replied.
She arranged the dishes neatly across the table before smiling.
"Please eat first. I know my cooking can't compare to yours, you have quite the reputation as a chef but I hope you'll still manage mine."
Faruk's mother laughed gently.
"Thank you, but don't trouble yourself. We won't be staying long."
"We only came to discuss the wedding arrangements. Everything happened so suddenly."
"No problem." Nanny Ann smiled.
"We're family now. We can always have lunch together another day."
"Thank you for understanding."
She glanced around.
"Can we discuss everything without Abdul?"
"Yes, ma." Hanan answered. "Go ahead."
"Faruk's father and I have decided to sponsor the entire wedding."
She handed Hanan a beautifully wrapped invitation box.
"We've also purchased a house for both of you in America. After the wedding, you will relocate within a month. Faruk already informed you?"
"Yes, ma."
"Good. These are the wedding invitations..."
"One moment."
Aunty Hauwa interrupted again.
"If you don't mind, I would like to ask our bride a few questions first."
"Of course, ma."
"How old are you?"
"I'm twenty one."
"Good."
She nodded approvingly.
"Young... healthy... the perfect youthful age to give us plenty of grandchildren." She smiled.
"Faruk is our only son. Our family line depends on him, so prepare to bless us with many babies, male babies."
The words made Hanan uncomfortable.
Still...
She smiled.
"Yes, ma."
"And..." Aunty Hauwa leaned back casually.
"I heard you were once married to Faruk's cousin, Najib."
The room instantly went silent.
"You were also pregnant for him... weren't you?"
Everyone immediately looked toward Aunty Hauwa.
Hanan felt every eye shift onto her.
For a brief moment, old wounds reopened.
But years had taught her how to smile through discomfort.
"Yes, ma."
She answered calmly.
"I was married to Najib."
"And yes... I became pregnant."
"But I lost the baby."
These were memories Hanan was succeeding in burying.
Yet with a few careless questions... Aunty Hauwa dug them all back.
"Hmm."
Aunty Hauwa nodded thoughtfully. "Well... even if you're no longer a virgin, at least we know you're capable of getting pregnant."
Silence.
The room froze.
Nanny Ann's face darkened instantly.
She was about to speak when Faruk's mother slammed her hand on the table.
"Hauwa!"
"Enough!"
"Those questions are inappropriate."
"She doesn't owe anyone an explanation."
"We came here to discuss the wedding not to interrogate her on such stupid things."
For the first time...
A flicker of embarrassment crossed Aunty's Hauwa's face.
She folded her arms.
"Did I lie?"
She shrugged.
"I only stated the truth."
"She's divorced."
"She's no longer a virgin."
"So why is everyone behaving as though I insulted her?"
She waved dismissively.
"Fine."
"I've said my piece."
"Let's continue with the wedding talks."
The room remained heavy with silence.
Although no one else spoke, Hanan felt every truth settling inside her chest.
Divorcee.
Ex wife.
Miscarriage.
Not a virgin.
Titles she had fought so hard to stop defining herself by...
Now laid bare once again.
She lowered her eyes and forced a smile.
"I don't need to be offended."
She told herself quietly.
"It's the truth."
Even so...
For reasons she couldn't explain...
The smile on her lips felt heavier than ever before.
"What are the plans for the wedding, ma?" Hanan asked with a polite smile.
Faruk's mother sighed heavily.
"My dear... I'm truly sorry about my sister. I think she's forgotten her manners."
"It's alright, ma."
She reached over and gently squeezed Hanan's hand.
"You are such a mature young woman. May God bless you."
She picked up a large brown envelope and handed it over.
"Now, about the wedding. These are sample invitation cards. Have a look and tell me if you like them."
"Okay."
Hanan slowly opened the envelope.
The moment her eyes landed on the names printed in gold...
Faruk Auwal Weds Habiba Aliyu.
Her breathing faltered.
For several seconds she simply stared.
Never in her life did she imagine she would be sitting here discussing her own wedding to Faruk.
Yet...
Here she was.
She forced a smile. "I like them."
"I'm glad." Faruk's mother smiled.
"I'll have more printed immediately. Do you have friends or extended family you would like us to send invitations to? I can leave some with you."
"No." The answer came almost instantly.
"There isn't anyone."
Faruk's mother paused before nodding thoughtfully. "Alright."
She continued.
"We've booked an event centre for the reception after the wedding. Faruk wanted lots of events but I cancelled it."
"There isn't enough time for proper preparations."
"So instead, we'll have a grand after party."
"What do you think?"
"It sounds nice." Hanan smiled.
"I'm happy you approve." Faruk's mother smiled back.
"I've also scheduled an appointment today with one of Lagos finest bridal designers... Do you have time?"
"Yes."
"Wonderful."
She stood.
"We should leave now before Lagos traffic traps us."
Everyone rose from their seats.
"Ma..."
Hanan called softly.
"Can Nanny Ann come with us?"
"Of course."
Faruk's mother smiled warmly.
"The more the merrier."
Nearly an hour later...
Their car stopped before a luxurious bridal showroom.
The moment Nanny Ann stepped inside, her eyes widened.
"Oh my goodness..."
She looked around like a child entering a wonderland.
"It's so beautiful."
Hanan merely smiled.
Faruk's mother and Aunty Hauwa disappeared into the designer's office while Hanan and Nanny Ann waited.
Nanny Ann couldn't stop smiling.
"Hanan... I'm so happy."
"I've always dreamed of seeing you wear a wedding dress."
"You'll make such a beautiful bride."
Hanan smiled faintly. "And I'm happy you're here."
She reached for her hand. "Thank you."