YOURS, JANNAH

#FIFTY SIX

Jannah decided to leave the confines of her room today by herself. She hadn't left the room since four days ago when Aisha dragged her out, she's endured a lot that day because there were lots of people. It doesn't make sense that her daughter knew none of them when she was alive. Then why are they coming especially, because of her to pass condolences? She was just a little girl not some old woman that knew a lot about life. She brushed that off and answered all prayers with a kind smile.

Turning around, she viewed the ivory and bone colored room with a sigh. She's been in there for too long, the depression is slowly weighing down on her. She needs a change of scenery and have a good conversation with her friends. Aisha always brought food for her or send maids with it three or four times a day. Sometimes a large bowl of ice cream in the night with a cute note that warmed her heart.

"I love you, superwoman. Please eat half of it at least, it'll make me so happy."

"Yo, Jannaty! We are all going to reunite in Jannah Insha Allah, pray and eat good food for a better life. You need strength to pray for her. Xx"

She braced herself as she traipsed down the staircase hearing more than few voices downstairs. It is the seventh day after her daughter's death but people are still coming? Maybe some of them are coming for the third of fourth time for a glimpse of her, perhaps? Because it's obvious now that people's curiosity was piqued by the news of Adnan Ibrahim Attahir having a daughter and a wife.

Half the world wanted to know who the mysterious woman is and how she managed to shag the un-shaggable billionaire. If only they knew. She was sitting in her Uncle's house back in her hometown when the news that she is married to the youngest richest man in Africa got to her. Did she believe them? Of course she laughed and continued washing her cousin's clothes along with her Aunt's.

It was only when her parents sat her down with large smiles on their faces, talked some senses into her that she believed she got married and that too to a rich man from the city. That wasn't what she wanted. She never wished to marry a rich man and move away from her hometown. She's always wanted a man from her village after an incongruous experience with one. She started hating each one of them.

They were all the same monstrous, bestial and satanic set of humans. Adnan didn't change her perspective.

She extricated the past from her mind and continued down the stairs, now a little bit reluctant than she was earlier. Most of their faces are not familiar and it is getting overwhelming seeing different set of people everyday when she is not used to that type of lifestyle. She's always loved her comfort zone, she made it tiny and fit only for herself and her daughter who is now no more. That pang again hit her hard.

As Jannah ferried down the stairs, she began to wonder. What are people already saying about her? Is she to their liking or do they find her lacking in some kind of way? Do they think she is not worth the wealthy man? It doesn't matter to her though, she's got a plate filled to the brim with so many frustrating thoughts that what people think is not her concern at the moment.

She landed on the last step and rounded the corner to the general living room where she could see myriad of shoes by the doorway. She paused for a minute and watched the shoes. They all look expensive from Prada, Fendi, Bogs, Vionic and others that appear to be obviously at a premium. Seems like only lavish people are allowed inside the Villa.

Jannah took a deep breath. Time to deal with more people. She thought briskly before adjusting the crinkled cotton veil she's used to cover her head thinking it'd only be her best friend, mother-in-law and sister-in-law in the house but they have unwanted visitors. At least she is mantled in nice eldorado maxi dress that feels comfortable around her soft curves.