CONNECTED HEARTS

11:Dinner And Discoveries!

So maimoona darling😂❤️ yeah you girl!!
This one goes to you thanks for the comments 🤝💋 keep it coming!!

As the seconds ticked by, minutes turned into hours, and hours into days. Before Adyan knew it, three days remained before he flew back to China. With less than six months left to complete his education at Tsinghua University - a four-year program he was almost done. Meanwhile, Mr. Kabir, Humaydh, and Mr. Salman had met to discuss the potential relationship between Adyan and Kaltoom, deciding to give them time to get to know and understand each other without forcing them into anything they didn't want. To celebrate Adyan's impending departure and for the families to meet, they planned a dinner gathering. They also expected to meet Khalid, Kaltoom's older brother, who had arrived in Nigeria two days ago and was due to arrive from Abuja that afternoon.

Each family was getting ready for the dinner, which would take place at the Salman's mansion that evening. It was already 5:24 pm, and the Salmans were expecting the Humaydhs to arrive soon. The house looked immaculate and beautiful, with every detail perfectly in place - a clear indication that this was an important occasion. Various dishes were being prepared in just the right quantities, as Mrs. Salman believed that food wastage was a disrespect to nature's bounty. At the Humaydh's mansion, Kaltoom had turned her closet upside down. She was excited for the dinner, but even more thrilled because her dearest brother, Khalid, was arriving home any minute. Farouk had gone to pick him up from the airport, and Kaltoom was FaceTiming with Amani, seeking her friend's help in choosing the perfect dress for the evening.

After what felt like an eternity, and plenty of bickering and oohing, Kaltoom and Amani finally settled on a stunning outfit: a maroon-colored fitted turtleneck slit dress, paired with a matching Burberry purse and low heels. Kaltoom complained about looking too extra, but Amani wouldn't budge. Kaltoom dressed up, rolled her veil, added some kohl to her eyes, and applied lip balm - not seeking attention, but effortlessly exuding elegance. The color complemented her skin perfectly, and she looked absolutely gorgeous. Just as she was about to head out, the maid announced Khalid's arrival. Kaltoom's excitement was palpable; she rushed downstairs, almost tripping, and gave Khalid a bone-crushing hug. In her enthusiasm, she didn't notice their cousin standing behind him. "Oh my gosh, Maimoona!!!" she exclaimed, rushing to hug her favorite cousin. Maimoona, Mrs. Fatima's sister's daughter and Kaltoom's best friend since childhood, was the same age as Kaltoom, and the two shared a special bond.

Maimoona had a fair complexion, similar to Kaltoom's, and the two friends bore a slight resemblance to each other - some might even mistake them for twins. Her small nose and puckered lips gave her a perpetually cute look, reminiscent of her childhood. What Kaltoom knew, however, was that Maimoona had harbored a secret crush on Khalid for years. Maimoona would often spend her holidays in Kaduna, not just to enjoy Kaltoom's company but also to catch glimpses of Khalid. As Khalid was always protective of his sister, Maimoona got to know him closely, becoming one of his closest friends, all while keeping her feelings hidden. Only Kaltoom was privy to Maimoona's secret admiration for Khalid, and perhaps the reason behind her unexpected choice to study theater arts in Paris instead of law at Oxford. It was a surprising decision, given her passion for law, but it seemed her heart had other plans.

The family reunion was brief, lasting only 15 minutes, before Khalid and Maimoona were whisked away to get ready for dinner at the Salman's. Khalid was curious about who they were meeting, but he didn't get a chance to ask, so he bit his tongue and waited patiently. Little did he know, the evening would bring more than just introductions.