50~Gimbiya Jamila #6
The old man stared at it in disbelief.
"Subhanallah... this is too much."
Hanan smiled. "Please accept it as sadaqah on behalf of my mother."
"And remember her in your prayers."
The Malam raised both hands.
"May Allah forgive her sins, widen her grave, illuminate it with His mercy, and reunite all of you in Jannah."
"Ameen." They answered together.
After bidding him goodbye, they continued their journey.
The late afternoon breeze swept gently across the village.
Najib glanced sideways at Hanan.
"So... where to now, Habibti?"
"Back to the palace." She smiled. "It's getting late."
He groaned dramatically. "Do we have to?"
She laughed. "Why? What's wrong?"
"Once we return, everyone will keep us apart until tomorrow."
He looked genuinely disappointed.
"The King's chamber and the Queen's chamber are practically in different worlds."
She laughed again. "My love... after tomorrow we'll have a lifetime together."
"A few hours won't kill you."
He leaned closer. "You underestimate how much I'll miss my wife."
She nudged him playfully. "I'm not your wife yet."
"In less than twenty four hours, you will be.
He grinned.
"And tomorrow evening we're flying straight to Paris."
Her eyes brightened. "I'm very excited about that."
"You should be." He smiled proudly. "I have great plans for us, I've booked us a private resort for a month."
Her footsteps stopped. "A month?"
"Mmhmm. I can work remotely, so I figured... why rush home?"
She couldn't help but laugh. "I thought honeymoon trips lasted a week."
"Not ours." He winked. "In fact..."
He lowered his voice dramatically. "We won't be returning to Nigeria until next year."
Her eyebrows shot up. "Next year?! Doing what exactly?"
He answered without the slightest hesitation. "Making babies."
Hanan froze.
Then her eyes widened in horror. "Najib!"
She immediately looked over her shoulder.
The royal guards were only a few steps behind them.
She slapped his arm lightly.
"Can you please don't be shameless?" She whispered anxiously.
He looked completely innocent. "Shameless? Grandma said she wants many great grandbabies... I'm simply trying to fulfill her wish, you know."
She buried her embarrassed face in her palms. "You absolutely have no filter."
He laughed so hard he almost tripped over his leg. "What's wrong with talking about my future babies, huh?"
She shot him another embarrassed look. "Not when we are in public!"
He glanced at the guards.
They were doing an excellent job pretending they weren't hearing them.
Najib leaned close enough for only her to hear... "Please tell me why I can't proudly speak about making babies? They're allowed to make babies too, aren't they?"
Hanan covered her burning face with one hand and groaned. "Oh God... Just keep your voice down."
"Fine." His grin grew even wider. "I'll save the rest of this conversation till our wedding night."
Hanan face Palmed her face, unable to resist not smiling and feeling more embarrassed. "You're impossible."
"And yet..." He reached for her hand once more. "You're marrying me tomorrow."
She intertwined their fingers, smiling despite herself.
"I can't wait..."
A few minutes later, chatting and laughing along the way, they arrived back at the palace.
As the guards went their separate ways, Najib glanced around to make sure no one was paying attention before gently pulling Hanan into a quiet corner of the palace corridor.
"What are you doing?" She laughed softly, trying to wriggle free from his embrace. "Let me go."
"Not yet."
He tightened his arms around her, resting his forehead against hers briefly.
"Read my lips, Miss Habiba Aliyu." A smile tugged at the corners of his lips. "By this time tomorrow... you'll officially become Mrs Habiba Najib Aminu Garba."
Her heart fluttered.
"And you." She whispered, poking his chest playfully. "Will become mine forever, Mr Najib."
He chuckled.
"No..." He shook his head. "I'll become Na Habiba."
She burst into laughter.
"In Sha Allah."
"In Sha Allah." He echoed warmly before wrapping her in one last hug.
She reluctantly pulled away.
"Now let me go before someone catches us."
"I'll let you go..." He sighed dramatically. "...only because tomorrow no one will stop me from holding my wife whenever I want."
She rolled her eyes with a smile.
"We'll see about that."
They exchanged one last lingering look before parting ways.
"Goodnight, Habibti."
"Goodnight, Love."
Hanan watched him disappear down the corridor before making her way toward the guest chamber.
The moment she stepped inside, her footsteps halted.
Jamila was standing in the middle of the room, waiting for her.
Their eyes met.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke.
Then, without a word,tears streamed down Jamila's face.
She covered her mouth, trying to stop herself from crying out but it was too late.
Hanan's heart clenched.
"Jamila..."
Her voice came out barely above a whisper.
She hurried toward her.
"Why are you crying?"
.
.
.
***
A/N
Thank you for reading.