Affairs Of The Hearts |✅

47| The 'Sisters'

Coventry, United Kingdom.

Jalilah felt a sudden headache forming; what the woman just said felt surreal and utterly impossible. Wait—what did she say again? That she was her sister. Janaan.

She stared at this supposed sister, who seemed to be around 28 or 29. Unlike Jalilah's caramel complexion, Janaan was fair, yet they shared the same doe-like brown eyes, the same pointed nose, and unmistakably similar small, cute lips. Her black, shiny hair fell just above her shoulders, just like Jalilah's! The only difference was that her sister had an oval face, while Jalilah's was round.

Jalilah's mouth remained open, her gaze locked on this near-exact replica with only the smallest differences. They could easily be mistaken for twins if not for their height and age gap.

Janaan stepped further into the room, her wide hips swaying in a thigh-length gown. She sat down next to Jalilah, cupped her face, and then pulled her into a tight hug.

"How have you been, my baby?" Her voice softened with warmth.

But the question running through Jalilah's mind was, Where had she been all these years? The resemblance was too striking to deny that they were sisters.

"I'll give you two some space," Safiyya—no, Manal—said as she exited the room. Her real name was Manal, not Safiyya.

"It's been thirteen years..."

"Thirteen good years, Jalilah! Thirteen years of longing to see you, to touch you, to hold you in my arms..." Janaan's voice trembled. "Alhamdulilah, you're finally here with me...how I wish I could turn back the hands of time. How I wish I could have been there through it all...for your birthdays, for the big moments. I wish we had that sisterly bond, that love, Jalilah...but it's all just wishful thinking."

She sighed. "Fate took a turn, and we were separated by the cruelty of some people. The world can be so cruel to have kept two sisters apart. But I'm grateful you're here with me now." Janaan smiled, hugging her sister once more before releasing her.

"If you truly are my sister, then where have you been all these years? Why has no one ever mentioned you?" Jalilah managed, still in complete shock.

"They never spoke about me because they didn't want to face the injustice they did to me." Jalilah noticed Janaan's gritted teeth and clenched fists.

Was it really that bad?

"Come on, sweetheart, I'll answer all your questions later, but for now, you need to freshen up and have lunch." Janaan smiled and helped Jalilah up.

"You've really grown, my baby." Janaan teared up as she looked at Jalilah wrapped in her towel. She was wronged! It was unfair! Being separated from her younger sister for so many years...she wouldn't let it go unpunished. She had to have her revenge.

Jalilah smiled, heading to the bathroom to process everything. She has a sister, Janaan, and no one had ever told her—not even Ya Jalal. Oh, how she missed her Ya Jalal!

A few minutes later, she emerged, finding that Janaan had already laid out a dress for her—a light, floral summer gown with matching undergarments.