51~I do
"Why are you crying?" Hanan asked softly.
Jamila looked at her with tear filled eyes.
"Answer me first... Why didn't you come back when life became difficult?"
Hanan lowered her gaze. "Jamila... I'm sorry."
"Enough with the apologies. I want the truth."
Hanan inhaled shakily.
"Because my life fell apart. Everything became depressing, and I didn't want to drag you into my pain."
Jamila let out a bitter laugh.
"But that's exactly what you did." Her voice cracked. "Do you know how many nights I cried after reading your letter? Do you know how long I waited for you? Every knock on the door... every unfamiliar face... I hoped it was you."
Hanan bit her trembling lip. "I'm sorry."
Jamila wiped away another tear.
"Little you..." She whispered. "I had already accepted that child as my own. I was supposed to be her godmother. I bought clothes... toys... We both went for your antenatal sessions together because I couldn't wait to hold that baby."
Hanan's tears finally escaped her eyes but she wiped it immediately.
"I remember every single thing you did for us." She smiled sadly. "That's why I couldn't come back. How could I face you after failing to protect her? I lost Little Me... I lost my mother... I lost myself. Everywhere I looked, I saw death. I truly believed my life had become a curse."
Jamila stepped closer.
"You still had me."
Hanan nodded.
"I know... but I didn't want my depressing life to affect yours too."
Jamila sighed deeply before slapping Hanan's arm lightly.
"You foolish girl."
Despite herself, she smiled through her tears.
"I never wanted you to return to the city after your mother's death. Yet I convinced myself it was the right thing. But now... now I finally understand why losing you hurt so much."
Her voice became barely audible.
"It wasn't your disappearance... it was because you were carrying all that pain alone."
Hanan blinked repeatedly, trying to stop herself from crying. "When you pretended not to know me earlier... I thought you hated me."
Jamila shook her head immediately.
"I tried to."
She cupped Hanan's cheeks.
"And it was ridiculous, I could not."
She smiled faintly.
"I was angry, yes. Can you blame me? You disappeared for years without a proper explanation. And honestly..." She chuckled. "I truly didn't recognize you until you called my name. You've changed so much. You look prettier... speak differently... Did America replace my Habiba with someone else?"
That earned a sad laugh from Hanan before she threw herself into Jamila's arms.
"Please forgive me."
Jamila hugged her tightly.
"I forgave you the moment Amina told me everything."
She gently pulled back and wiped Hanan's cheeks.
"You've suffered enough. Especially after losing Little Me."
She smiled softly.
"Tomorrow is your wedding. No more crying. I refuse to let my bride walk around with swollen eyes."
Hanan laughed through her tears.
"I won't cry again."
Then something clicked.
"Wait... Amina spoke to you?"
"She did."
Jamila smiled.
"Is she really your sister in law?"
"Yes."
"She's nothing like I imagined." Jamila admitted. "After everything I heard about your husband's family, I expected monsters. Instead, she came here begging me to forgive you."
Hanan smiled warmly.
"They're good people, Jamila. And Najib..."
She paused.
"He made terrible mistakes in the past, but he changed for me. We both changed."
"Even after he cheated?"
"Even after that." Hanan nodded.
"Our first marriage was forced. This one isn't. This time... we're choosing each other."
Jamila smiled. "I'm happy for you."
She continued... "When Sarki informed me that the palace would host a wedding, I had no idea it was yours until your home address reached me."
Hanan sighed. "I wanted the ceremony to be held in my house... but instead I found an animal shelter."
Jamila looked apologetic.
"We genuinely believed you weren't coming back. With no family left to inherit it, the palace converted it into a sadaqatul jariyah in your parents names."
Hanan smiled gently. "At first it hurt... but after visiting Uma's grave today, I think she would be happy knowing her home is still helping people."
"Alhamdulillah." Jamila smiled. "And look at you now. You even sound different. I love your new accent."
Hanan laughed. "It's just an American accent."
Her eyes travelled over Jamila's royal attire.
"But look at you... Gimbiya Jamila."
She grinned.
"Royalty suits you."
Jamila laughed. "Stop flattering me."
"Where's Yarima? We haven't seen him."
"He travelled with Sarauniya Mama to visit relatives."
"I'm glad your marriage worked out."
Jamila smiled proudly. "He's the best husband I could have asked for."
She rested a hand on her stomach.
"And we're expecting our first child."
Hanan gasped.
"You're pregnant?!"
Only then did she notice the small baby bump beneath Jamila's gown.
She squealed happily before hugging her again.
"Congratulations! May Allah grant you an easy pregnancy and safe delivery my dear."
"Ameen." Jamila smiled.
They stayed in each other's embrace for a while before Hanan asked quietly.
"How are Mama and Baba?"
Jamila sighed. "They relocated to Bauchi after I got married. Grandma became ill, so they stayed to care for her and eventually decided to settle there."
"I wanted to visit them today..." Hanan admitted. "But I felt ashamed."
Jamila squeezed her hand.
"Don't be. They'll be happier to see you than angry."
She smiled.
"So... are you staying after the wedding?"
Hanan shook her head.
"No. Tomorrow evening we're leaving for Paris."
Jamila groaned dramatically. "You rich people."
They both laughed then Jamila sighed. "You're leaving me again?"
"Only for my honeymoon."
"Promise me something." Jamila's smile faded. "Don't disappear this time again."
Hanan held both her hands. "I promise."
Jamila searched her eyes for a moment before smiling.
"Good."
She poked Hanan's cheek.
"Because I've never seen you smile this genuinely before."
Hanan's smile widened even more.
"Maybe because... for the first time in my life, I finally feel like I'm home."
Jamila pulled her into one last hug. "I'll miss you."
"I'll come back." Hanan laughed while rubbing Jamila's stomach. "And I'll spoil my godson with so many gifts."
Jamila raised an eyebrow. "Who said it's a boy?"
"I don't know." Hanan giggled.
"Maybe I'm just hoping the future king is already on the way."
Both women burst into laughter.
"Let's exchange numbers before you disappear again." Jamila said.
"Gladly."
Just as they turned toward Jamila's room, they found Amina and Amira leaning against the doorway with wide smiles.
"So..." Amira folded her arms.
"Are we turning this friendship into a group of four?"
Jamila smiled without hesitation.
"I would love that."
Hanan looked at Amina with grateful eyes.
"Thank you."
Amina grinned.
"Don't mention it, Amarya."
She then turned to Jamila.
"Congratulations, Gimbiya. I heard you're expecting too, I'm also a month pregnant."
Jamila smiled. "Masha Allah, congratulations to you too."
The four women exchanged warm smiles before disappearing into Jamila's room, where laughter and several discussions echoed long into the night.
By the time sleep finally claimed them, the four ladies had become sisters, and a friendship once broken had been mended stronger than before.
Amina, Amira, and Hanan didn't need an alarm to wake them up.
Even before the Fajr adhan echoed across the village, the palace was already bustling with activity.
Maids hurried through the corridors, cooks prepared breakfast in the royal kitchen, while distant drumbeats signaled that the palace had begun preparing for the day's grand celebration.
A gentle knock sounded on the door before it slowly opened.
"Good morning, ladies."
Jamila stepped inside, dressed elegantly in her royal Alkyabba. A few palace maids followed respectfully behind her.
Amira rubbed her sleepy eyes. "Good morning. What time is it?"
"It's six o'clock."
Her eyes widened.
"Only six? I honestly thought it was already seven. Why is everyone awake so early?"
Jamila smiled.
"Today's Friday, remember? And the wedding is scheduled for ten o'clock. There's still so much to prepare before the guests fully arrive."
Amira suddenly gasped.
"Oh! I almost forgot someone is becoming a wife today."
Everyone's attention shifted to Hanan, who couldn't hide the shy smile spreading across her face.
Jamila chuckled.
"Exactly. Which is why none of you has time to waste. Breakfast has already been served in your room. Eat, freshen up, and get dressed. I invited a makeup artist from the city, and she should be here any minute."
She paused before adding,
"After that, we'll all pay our respects to the king before the ceremony begins."
"Then let's get moving." Amira clapped excitedly, pulling Hanan up from the bed.
The ladies hurried back to their room to begin preparing for the biggest day of Hanan's life.
After breakfast, they took turns bathing and getting ready while waiting for the makeup artist.
Not long after, she finally arrived with her assistant, carrying several makeup cases.
Jamila welcomed them inside.
"Please..." She said, looking directly at the artist. "Make sure my friend, the bride becomes the prettiest woman in Kano today."
The makeup artist smiled confidently while arranging her brushes and cosmetics around the ring light.
"Don't worry, Your Highness. I'll do my very best."
She gestured toward the chair.
"Bride first, please."
As Hanan settled into the chair with her bare face, Amira quickly interrupted.
"Excuse me, don't forget me. It's my best friend's wedding, I have to look beautiful too."
The room erupted into laughter.
"You'll all look beautiful." The makeup artist assured them.
For the next hour, the room transformed into a beauty studio.