49~Fixing a date & Preparations #3
By the fifth, Nanny Ann threw both hands over her head dramatically.
"Ahh! How many suitcases are these?!" She exclaimed, her expression so priceless that Hanan and Abdul burst into laughter.
"Nanny Ann." Hanan laughed, wiping the tears gathering in her eyes. "You reacted like this at Najib's mansion too. I tried so hard not to laugh then."
"Can you blame me?" Nanny Ann replied, staring helplessly at the mountain of luggage. "I knew they were wealthy, but I didn't know they were this wealthy. I don't even want to imagine how much all these things cost."
Abdul folded his arms with a grin.
"Nanny Ann, just be grateful your daughter is marrying a billionaire. Whenever our foodstuff finishes, just call Hanan."
Hanan raised an eyebrow.
"What does that mean?"
"It means." Abdul replied with a mischievous smile, "You're officially our family ATM."
She laughed.
"You don't mean that."
"I do. In fact, my first withdrawal will be a Rolex."
"Well..." She chuckled. "Anything for you, bro."
Abdul laughed before shaking his head.
"I'm joking."
He looked at the gifts one last time before saying softly,
"May Allah let us witness the wedding in good health."
"Ameen."
"Good night."
"Good night."
After Abdul retired upstairs, Hanan and Nanny Ann continued unpacking the suitcases.
There were ten different designer luxury suitcases, each packed to the brim with designer shoes, handbags, elegant dresses, abayas, jewellery, perfumes, nightwear, hijabs, cosmetics and countless accessories.
It felt less like receiving gifts and more like walking into an entire bridal boutique prepared just for her.
Yet, among all the luxurious gifts, one box captured her heart the most.
Inside lay a beautiful Qur'an, a white prayer mat, a tasbih, and an elegant kettle for ablution.
Each item carried the same inscription;
Mrs Habiba Najib Aminu Garba.
Hanan traced the letters with trembling fingers before hugging the box tightly to her chest.
Somehow, that simple gift meant more to her than every designer item combined.
***
The following week disappeared in a blink of an eye.
Spa appointments.
Bridal fittings.
Endless shopping.
Jewellery selections.
Makeup trials.
Henna bookings.
Hair consultations.
Meetings with decorators and photographers.
Every day came with another schedule, another appointment, another checklist.
Before Hanan knew it, less than a week remained few days to the wedding.
Among everything, her favorite day was the wedding gown fitting.
Standing before the full length mirror, she forgot to breathe.
"I love it." She whispered.
The gown was breathtaking.
Layers of soft tulle floated elegantly from her waist, while delicate Chantilly lace hugged her figure. Thousands of tiny gemstones shimmered across the bodice, sparkling each time she moved.
She looked... Like a bride.
For several long seconds, she simply stared.
Amira suddenly wrapped her arms around her from behind.
"You are the prettiest bride ever."
"Aww..." Hanan pouted. "Don't make me cry."
"I seriously want to bubble wrap you. You look so beautiful."
"Oh, enough with the cuddles." Amina interrupted, walking into the fitting room with a clipboard in hand.
"We've only got two days left."
Amira sighed dramatically.
"Yes, ma'am."
The three of them laughed.
Unable to resist, Hanan snapped a mirror selfie and sent it to Najib.
Habibti: What do you think? ????
His reply arrived almost instantly.
Najib: You look absolutely breathtaking, Habibti. I love what you're wearing.
Her cheeks warmed.
Habibti: Thank you.?? Have you picked your outfits?
Najib: Yes. Abdul and Mr Charles are helping me with that.
Habibti: And what are you doing now?
Najib: Getting my beard trimmed... and making sure my hairstyle is perfect for my bride.
She smiled.
Habibti: Can I see?
Najib: Only if I get to see your henna.
Her gaze drifted to the red floral patterns decorating her hands.
Hidden carefully within the design... was his name.
Not Najib weds Habiba, as Amina had suggested.
Instead, she had asked the artist for only one word.
Na'Habiba.
Their names together.
Her heart fluttered.
Another message appeared.
Najib: Habibti... come on. Send me a picture.
She laughed softly.
Habibti: Not yet.
Najib: Why? ??
Habibti: Because you'll see it tomorrow.
She had barely finished typing when her phone began ringing.
Video call.
Najib.
A smile spread across her lips as she reached to answer...
Only for Amina to snatch the phone away.
"Ya Najib." She said without missing a beat. "Habiba will be yours in two days. Until then, kindly let us do our work."
She ended the call immediately.
Turning to Hanan, she folded her arms.
"Amarya..."
She pointed toward the fitting room.
"Your Ango isn't running away."
Hanan couldn't stop laughing.
"Yes, ma'am."
The following day was going to be busier.
Fifteen different outfits.
One full day of pre wedding photographs.
Just thinking about it made Hanan feel exhausted.
Yet seeing everyone's excitement... made every bit of it worthwhile.
Absolutely. Here's a rewritten version that keeps your plot intact while improving the pacing, dialogue, emotional beats, and prose.
***
The morning of the pre wedding photoshoot arrived far sooner than Hanan wished.
It felt as though she had only just closed her eyes when Nanny Ann gently shook her awake.
"Wake up, dear." she said with a smile. "It's another busy day."
Hanan let out a sleepy groan before sitting upright.
"Can't the wedding preparation slow down for just one day?" She mumbled.
Nanny Ann laughed. "Not when you're the bride."
An hour later, both women were dressed and ready to leave for the mansion when the sound of a car pulling into the compound caught Hanan's attention.
She walked to the window and peeked outside.
Najib.
Alongside Amina and Amira.
"What are they doing here?" She murmured in surprise. "I thought we were meeting at the mansion."
Before she could leave the window, a gentle knock sounded at the door.
The door opened.
"Hey."
Najib stepped inside wearing a warm smile.
His smile lasted only a second before Hanan's eyes widened.
"Your hair..." She gasped taking a few steps toward him.
"You cut it?"
He scratched the back of his neck.
"Yeah."
"You once said you preferred me without braids."
"So... I cut them."
Hanan stared at him in disbelief "Najib..."
"Do you like it?" He sighed.
She smiled before running her fingers through his short curls."I never imagined you would actually do it."
"So?" He smiled nervously.
"How do I look?"
She laughed. "I love it."
"You somehow managed to become even more handsome."
His grin widened. "I'll take that."
Closing the distance between them, he gently wrapped an arm around her waist. "I've missed you."
"You saw me two days ago." Hanan chuckled.
"I know. But I miss you every day."
Her cheeks warmed.
He gently turned one of her palms over.
The intricate henna patterns immediately caught his attention.
Then he found it.
Na'Habiba.
A soft chuckle escaped him.
"So that's why you refused to send me the picture."
She shrugged playfully.
"I wanted your first reaction to be in person."
"Mission accomplished."
He lifted her hand and kissed the back of it.
"It's beautiful like you."
She smiled shyly. "And don't tell me you came all the way here just to see my henna."
"No, I came to see you."
"I haven't properly seen my bride in days."
"And I know we won't get quality time together again until after the wedding."