Affairs Of The Hearts |✅

48| Her Story...

Coventry, United Kingdom.

Janaan stared at Jalilah for a few moments, then nodded with a gentle smile.

"That's what I intended to do ever since you arrived here, sis." Janaan's smile softened, filled with warmth.

They excused themselves from the others and headed inside to Janaan's room.

"Before I start my story, I'd love for us to go through this together." Janaan smiled, pulling out a small album from her bedside drawer. She sat next to Jalllah, wrapping an arm around her, and together they began going through the pictures.

Jalilah's eyes filled with emotion as memories of her late parents and sister emerged from the album's pages. Janaan was, indeed, her sister!
Yet, her brows knitted in confusion when she stumbled upon a picture of her late parents, Mummy and Daddy, Jalal, and Janaan, with her one-year-old self in her late mother's arms. This was the same picture back in Nigeria-the one with a torn part that Hajiya Khadijah always explained was caused by a rat. But now, Jalilah understood: it wasn't a rat that had damaged the picture; they had deliberately cut out the part where Janaan appeared.

But why? she wondered to herself.

They soon finished going through the album, both tearing up as they relived the beautiful memories of their parents. Janaan wiped her sister's tears and hugged her close.

"Maama and Papaa were such loving and caring parents, Jalilah. They were deeply in love with each other, and they adored us. I can still vividly remember when Maama was pregnant with you—l was only twelve then. Her pregnancy was tough on her. Our parents were explorers; we would hardly go a month or two without traveling or exploring other countries. All that stopped when she got pregnant with you."

"Papaa stood by her through everything, showering her with all the love and support a woman could wish for. They were the kind of parents everyone dreams of. When Maama entered her ninth month, she began having unsettling feelings, which she often shared with Papaa. He would always comfort her with encouraging words.

"One afternoon, I came home from school and found Maama in pain. Papaa was not home, but with the help of our maid and driver, Maama was taken to the hospital. I called Papaa, and within twenty minutes, he arrived with Hajiya, Aunty Fadeela, Daada, Uncle Abdurrahman, and Aunty Khadijah. After two long and painful hours, Maama gave birth to a beautiful baby girl-you, Jalilah." Janaan's voice softened with a sad smile.

"A week later, we held a grand naming ceremony for you. Everything was perfect, and I adored you so much, Jalilah. I never left your side. It was a dream come true for me; I had always longed for a younger sibling. Jalal, too, was obsessed with you, and the bond between us was precious." Janaan smiled, caressing Jalilah's face as she rested against her shoulder.

"But everything came crashing down when you were a year old. Maama and Papaa were preparing to go to the holy land for Hajj. They were supposed to travel with Uncle Abdurrahman and Aunty Khadijah, but their visas didn't arrive in time, so Maama and Papaa went ahead alone." Jalilah noticed how Janaan's body tensed.

"Take a deep breath, Ya Janaan." Jalilah gently encouraged, and Janaan followed her advice before continuing her story.

"I remember the day they left. Maama hugged us tightly-me and you—and she was crying. She said to me, I'm leaving my Janan; take care of yourself and your sister, okay? I love you so much, more than life itself. She hugged us both tightly and gave us each a heart-shaped locket. I still have mine, and I see you have yours too." Janaan's gaze lingered on the locket around Jalilah's neck.