DELUXE MARINA SUITE, BURJ AL ARAB, DUBAI.
"Mummy, how does my face look?" Jalilah asked, lying on Hajiya Khadijah's lap.
"Beautiful as always," Hajiya Khadijah replied with a smile. Jalilah nodded and then answered her call, and Jalal's face appeared on the screen.
"I see, this is the reason you asked," Hajiya Khadijah smiled, and Jalilah chuckled.
"Hello, Ya Jalal!" She grinned.
"Hey, what's up?"
"I'm great, Alhamdulilah! I miss you so much, hubby!" She pouted, making a sad face.
"I kinda miss you too, Wifey, but just a bit," he said, using his fingers to show "a bit," making her gasp.
"So you didn't even miss me much! What a lovely husband you are, Ya Jalal!" She laughed, and he chuckled.
"I'm kidding! How are you all doing there, and how's everything going?"
"We're all fine, and everything's going well, too. Mummy and Ammah go out every day for my shopping! I can't believe I'll be receiving all those gifts as bridal gifts. You didn't see them, Ya Jalal; they're so many!" She squealed while he chuckled.
"You deserve them, Wifey! It's your right. What do they include?"
"A lot, Ya Jalal! Laces, ankara, a closet full of abayas, materials, nightwear, veils, gold jewelry, cosmetics, and boxes for everything!"
"Mashaa Allah. Let me know if you need more money," he said.
"No, Ya Jalal, Daddy already gave Mummy a lot, and you sent me a huge amount the other day, so we're okay."
"You sure?" he asked, and she nodded with a mischievous smile.
"Don't worry, Ya Jalal, I know you don't know what to do with all that money in your account, so when I come back, I'll help you spend it properly!" She teased, and Jalal chuckled.
"Just say you'll render me broke, Jalilah."
"I believe no matter how much I spend, you'll never go broke, hubby! You have too much," she said, and he almost laughed.
"Because my name is Aliko Dangote, right, Wifey?" he teased, and she laughed.
"I didn't say that; I'm just stating the truth," she giggled while he nodded, chuckling.
"Mummy is sending her regards." She winked and turned the screen to show Hajiya Khadijah, making Jalal gasp softly. Jalilah burst into laughter.
"Nice one, Jalilah," he said as she laughed.
"What?! You didn't want her to hear you calling me 'Wifey'?" Jalilah laughed while Jalal chuckled, and the screen went off. Jalilah laughed and set the iPad down, then raised her head.
"Mummy, now he's shy! I don't even know what there is to be shy about." She laughed, and Hajiya Khadijah smiled.
"Jay, I think you should start getting shy of Mummy, too. She's not just your mother now; she's also your mother-in-law, you know," Banina teased, and Jalilah threw a pillow at her.
"Mummy has always and will forever be my mother. There's no 'mother-in-law,' nitwit." Jalilah smiled and hugged Hajiya Khadijah.
"You're right, my baby," Hajiya Khadijah smiled and hugged her back, placing a gentle kiss on her cheek.
"Where are my glasses now?" An elderly woman walked into the room. Jalilah and Banina exchanged glances before bursting into laughter, and Hajiya Khadijah chuckled.
"Ammah! Earlier, you said your eyes were fine and you could see without your glasses, so why are you looking for them now?" Banina teased.
"Silly girl, who told you I was wearing them? I'm just looking for them because I can't afford to lose them; those glasses hold your late grandfather's memories," Ammah replied, and the girls laughed.
"Aww, such a romantic Ammah," Jalilah teased.
"Girls! Stop teasing my mother," Hajiya Khadijah chided.
"Leave them, Khadijah. I'll just snatch Jalal from Jalilah and then see how she teases me," Ammah said, settling on the couch after putting her glasses on.
"Ya Jalal would never choose you, Ammah, when he has me as his wife." Jalilah grinned.
"Look at this girl, Khadijah! When I was their age, I was a slay queen. Boys used to line up at our door for me," Ammah said, and everyone burst into laughter.
"Ammah the slay queen! Well, that was then. Now you're old with wrinkles, so my Ya Jalal won't find you beautiful," Jalilah teased.
"Say whatever you want, silly girl. In the end, I'll be the one to win his heart," Ammah teased back.
"Mummy! Tell Ammah to stop! I'm not going to share him with her," Jalilah whined, and they all laughed.
"Ammah, it seems your granddaughter is jealous; stop teasing her," Hajiya Khadijah laughed.
"Who said I'm teasing? She should get ready to be my co-wife," Ammah said, and Jalilah stomped her feet and left the room.
"Oh, did you see that, Khadijah? Kids these days are shameless," Ammah remarked, and Hajiya Khadijah laughed.
"Ammah, I think we should get going now; we have a lot of shopping to do today," Hajiya Khadijah stood up.
"Mummy, we're also going out with Jay."
"No, I can't leave you two wandering around alone in a foreign country."
"C'mon, Mummy, this isn't our first time in Dubai, please?"
"Take Nabeel and Alaina with you, and don't stay out long."
"In Sha Allah, Mummy."
***
"Bilah, you need to calm down and don't do anything you'll regret later on," Mahiya advised her agitated friend.
"Don't even start, Mahiya! That stupid girl left the country just when I had everything set for her."
"What was your plan, anyway?"
"I was going to have my men kidnap her and gang rape her! That way, Jalal would never accept her." Nabila said with a smirk.
"What?! Are you out of your senses, Bilah? Do you realize the consequences of something like that? I'm advising you to drop this devious plan and find another way," Mahiya warned.
"And why would I? I don't care about the consequences! I just want that girl to be humiliated. If I can't have Jalal, then she won't either."
"And who says Jalal still won't accept her after what you do? Don't forget she's not just anyone; she's his cousin. Plus, the Marshals are powerful—imagine what will happen when they find out you're behind their daughter's misery."
"Mahiya!! Whose side are you on? Mine or hers?" Nabila screeched.
"Yours, of course, Bilah! I'm your best friend, but as a good friend, I won't advise you to do something that could put your life in danger."
"What danger? I'm powerful, too! I have my father and my equally influential connections."
"They won't be able to help you if this goes to court. Even if you escape in this world, what will you say to your Lord on the Day of Judgment? Nabila, don't let worldly desires cloud your vision. Don't sacrifice your hereafter for this fleeting world. This is my advice as your best friend. The decision is yours now. Ma'assalam," Mahiya said, turning to leave.
Nabila, left alone, let out a frustrated screech, dropping to her knees.
"No matter what it costs, I swear I'll have you, Jalal Marshal—all to myself."
---
Written on 19.8.21.
Edited on 5.6.23
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