Abuja, Nigeria.
"As you all know, your sister Maheera undergoes medical treatment every six months due to her health issues... so..."
"You guys will be traveling," Jalilah completed with a pout.
"Yes, dear, but we won't take long as usual... just two weeks, In Sha Allah," Hajiya Khadijah said.
"If it wasn't for your holidays, we would've taken you along."
"You could still take an excuse from school, Daddy," Banina said eagerly.
"No, I won't do that. You're only a few weeks away from writing your JAMB exams—you need to focus on your studies." He said, and they both pouted.
"So who's coming to stay with us?" Jalilah asked, hoping it wouldn't be their grandmother.
"Sadly, Hajiya can't make it..." Alhaji Abdurrahman began, but the girls squealed before he could finish.
"Oh, I see... you're happy my mother won't be coming, ko?" He feigned hurt, making them all laugh.
"No, Daddy... it's not like that," they both replied, trying to hold back their laughter.
"Toh, how is it, then?" He raised a brow.
"Daddy... Hajiya can be a little strict sometimes," Banina explained, and the other kids nodded in agreement.
"And isn't that for your own good, huh?" Hajiya Khadijah raised her brows at them.
"Since Hajiya can't make it, we've decided you'll stay by yourselves... Jalal is here, after all, and Inna Mairo is here too." Hajiya Khadijah said, referring to their maid, an old woman who had worked with the family for years.
"This is perfect," Jalilah whispered to Nabeel.
"I heard you, Jalilah, and believe me... all your actions will be monitored," Hajiya Khadijah said, making them all burst into laughter.
"We won't disappoint you, In Sha Allah, Mummy."
***
The next morning, after countless reminders and warnings, the parents left for the airport while the kids went to school.
"Banina, it's been a while since we went on a lunch date... why don't we go tomorrow since it's Saturday?" Jalilah suggested.
"You're right, Jalilah! But will Ya Jalal agree?"
"Don't worry about that... I'll persuade him." Jalilah winked, making Banina laugh.
"Ahn ahn... how could I forget? You're a whole wifey!"
"Stop it!" Jalilah pouted, playfully glaring at her.
"You've been here for almost five minutes without saying a word?" Jalal raised a brow at her.
"Um... Ya Jalal." She sat beside him on the couch, gently taking his hand, catching him off guard.
"Ya Jalal, Banina and I want to go on a lunch date tomorrow, and we need your permission, pretty please." She pouted.
He looked at her, amused, then cleared his throat. "Under one condition."
"I'm all ears and will agree to whatever condition you say, Ya Jalal!" She squealed, moving closer.
"You will not stay late, and you'll take Alaina with you."
"Yes... we agree, Ya Jalal. Thank you!" She smiled happily and gave him a side hug without even realizing it.
YOU ARE READING
Affairs Of The Hearts |✅
RomanceCOMPLETED ~JALILAH~ Jalilah, a sweet, lively, and beautiful sixteen-year-old girl, knows no care in the world. An orphan since her parents passed away when she was just a year old, she has lived her enti...
