Coventry, United Kingdom.
"Sleepy head. Take your bath and have your breakfast. We're going out." Janaan smiled adoringly at her sister, who had just woken up from her long nap.
"Really? Where are we going?"
"Many places...we're gonna explore."
"Alright!" Jalilah giddily jumped up.
"But I have a question, Ya Janaan."
"Sure, ask."
"When am I going back to Nigeria? It's been almost two weeks since I was brought here."
Janaan's demeanor immediately changed. She hated it when even the mention of that country came up—it brought back memories she'd rather forget.
"Um...I'm sorry, Ya Janaan. It's just that they might all be worried about me, especially Ya Jalal."
"Do I care?" Janaan snapped, gritting her teeth.
"Huh?" Jalilah asked nervously.
"That's exactly how I want them to feel—to be worried sick about you!" With that, Janaan left the room, banging the door behind her.
Jalilah sighed, thinking about the worry her family might be feeling, especially her Ya Jalal. Oh, how she missed him! Her phone was confiscated, and Janaan had barred her from accessing any gadgets in the house. Yassalam! She desperately wanted to communicate with him, just to let him know she was safe and healthy.
She sighed, headed to the bathroom to take a bath, and finished getting ready. She came out minutes later, only to find Manal chatting on her phone. Jalilah saw her chance.
"Manal, can you please lend me your phone for a few minutes? I just want to check something on Safari."
"I'm sorry, but I can't, Jay. Ya Janaan strictly warned me not to let you use any of my gadgets." Manal smiled apologetically before leaving the room.
Jalilah felt a surge of frustration but pulled herself together to get ready for the day. She joined the family at the dining table, and they all smiled at her as she sat down to have breakfast with them.
After breakfast, the kids and Manal left for school, Hammad went to work, and Janaan and Jalilah set off for their day of exploring.
They visited various attractions, from immersive game rooms to the London Dungeon, and many other fun places. By the time they returned home, they were exhausted but content from the adventure.
Janaan smirked as she lay beside Hammad, her head on his chest. "Aunty Fadeela called. The whole family is a mess now—exactly as I wanted them to be." A triumphant smile curved her lips.
"You shouldn't be happy about others' misery, babe," he said softly, caressing her hair.
"Have you forgotten what they did to me? And besides, I'm only taking back what's mine! She's my sister, not their daughter!"
"And her husband? Don't you think you're being unfair to both of them?"
"Please, Hammad. I didn't bring this up for a lecture. Or have you forgotten the promise you made to me—to always stand by me and my decisions?"
"I did, babe. But only if your decisions are right. I can't just sit and watch you make the wrong choices or hurt yourself in the name of revenge."
She sat up, tension tightening her face. "What do you want?"
"Jalilah's worried. Take her home."
"Impossible for now."
"Why, if I may ask?"
YOU ARE READING
Affairs Of The Hearts |✅
RomansaCOMPLETED ~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...
