AFFAIRS OF THE HEART

55| Sealed...

Abuja, Nigeria.

"I heard that your little rival is back."

"How I wish she'd just been killed by whoever kidnapped her," Nabila hissed.

"Are you serious? Have you forgotten that our spy told us it was her elder sister, the one with a long-standing grudge against the family? She would never kill her sister, you know."

"Whatever! I just wish she'd disappear or something!" Nabila clenched her fists, her eyes flashing with anger.

"He rejected my request! How dare he? Does he think he can just cut me out of his life like that? He must be kidding." She chuckled, brushing her newly painted nails.

"What's your plan now?"

"To separate him from that little thing he calls a wife!"

"Almost impossible, Bila," Mahiya said.

"Why is it impossible?"

"How do you plan to do that? Don't forget she's not just his wife; she's also his cousin, practically raised by his parents. I'm sorry to say it, but you might need to rethink your strategy."

"What do you suggest? Get married to Jalal as a second wife? No way! I don't share what I love with anyone—and never will!"

"But in this case, you might have to, Bila. The man in question doesn't even see you as anything. If you really want him, this time around you may have to share. That is, if you even get the chance to marry him." Mahiya's words earned her a fierce glare from her friend.

"I am Nabila Muhammad Safaana! I get everything I want!"

"Oh, you're right. But remember, Jalal Marshall isn't someone you can buy with money, Nabila. He's far, far richer than you could ever be. Take this as the sad reality."

---

"C'mon, Ya Jalal," Jalilah pouted, trailing him.

"Jalilah, I'm going to take my bath. Do you want to come in there too?" he teased, smirking.

"Of course not! But please promise me you'll start teaching me how to drive today?"

"No promises, but I'll think about it." He shrugged, disappearing into the bathroom.

Jalilah sighed, annoyed, and flopped down on the bed, casting a glare at the en-suite door. She reached for his phone, which was lying on the bedside drawer.

"Who doesn't put a password on their phone? Ya Jalal is just built differently," she chuckled as she started scrolling. She was amused to find he only had WhatsApp and a few other apps. He only had eight apps total: WhatsApp, MuslimPro, the Holy Qur'an, Hisnul Muslim, a hadith app, two banking apps, and WPS Office. Jalilah smiled, impressed.

She loved how religious her husband was. She felt lucky to have him—after all, every Muslim girl's dream is to marry a man who will guide her toward Jannah. She was so absorbed in scrolling that she didn't notice when he came out.

"Seems like wifey found something interesting on my phone," he hummed, adjusting his bathrobe. Jalilah quickly put the phone down, feeling shy.

"I was just checking the apps you had! It's not what you think," she stammered, and he chuckled, heading to his closet. Shortly after, he emerged, fully dressed.

He extended his hand, and she gladly clasped hers into his as they exited the room.

"Are we still on for the driving lesson?" she asked, batting her lashes.