Mrs Mahmud, Mrs Mas'ood

5

May, 2021

Mahmud helped his mother and the female help set the table for Iftar. He tried to calm his nervously racing heart but it was hard to do so. In mere minutes, he was going to meet Hanan and although he had enough time to prepare himself, he was still nervous. He hoped that she was exactly as Amal had described.

They were in the final part of the blessed month of Ramadan and since Zayd was planning on going to Edo by the end of the month to propose with his family, there was no better time to have Hanan introduced to the Muhammads.

Aisha stepped back and smoothened out the invisible wrinkles on the long Ankara top and straight skirt she wore; an outfit that looked so regal on her.

"I'll just go upstairs." She was just as nervous. "I'll get your father downstairs, not like he needs my help or anything."

Mahmud nodded. He knew that was her way of telling him that she did not want to answer the door when they eventually arrived and since Muhammad was still upstairs, there was no one else to do it but him.

When she left, he let out a breath and adjusted the top button of the black kaftan he wore; one out of many that were always sewn to perfection by their – his and Muhammad's – trusted fashion designer, Ali Abubakar Harun. His straight hair had grown out and although it needed a trim to cut off an inch or two, Mahmud did not yet feel motivated to do so. He had carved his stubble to keep it neat simply because Aisha loved it and she liked to touch his face. He wouldn't tell her that he loved it as well. It was nice to see it after having a clean shave for a while.

His parents came down just as the doorbell rang. For a moment none of them moved. Both he and Muhammad then faced Aisha who was the most sociable of them three. She eyed them both. "Why did I even come down?"

Knowing neither of both men was going to make a move towards the door as long as she had nothing doing; Aisha sighed and walked in that direction. Mahmud and Muhammad followed her, stopping a few feet away. Aisha unlocked the double doors and opened just one to reveal Amal who had a wide smile on her face. "Mama!"

Aisha could not stop herself from laughing. "Hello darling."

Mahmud watched Amal step in after hugging Aisha. Zayd followed before Hanan timidly stepped in, a very nervous smile on her face. Amal stepped into his line of sight and her smile was blinding. "Hello, Dr Muhammad."

He raised a brow. "You seem very excited, Amal."

"I am! I'm finally introducing Hanan to you all so why wouldn't I be excited?"

Mahmud turned back to his mother who now had Hanan's hand in hers, welcoming her to the family. Mahmud exchanged greetings with Zayd and then watched Hanan introduce herself to Muhammad who quietly welcomed her to their home. She looked worried and Mahmud could not blame her. How reserved his family was would always be a stark opposite of the Dantatas and she had met them first which meant she probably expected Muhammad to be like Umar.

Such moments made Mahmud wonder where Amal got her personality from because she was a thousand times more sociable than all of them combined. Not wanting anything to go wrong, Mahmud smiled at her. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Hanan. Amal wouldn't shut up about you."

Amal shot him a look. "I did no such thing!"

Hanan's laugh was breathy. "She doesn't say much about you though."

Mahmud's smile stretched by an inch. "That's expected. There's not much to say about me. I just work and read. I sleep when I'm not doing either. It's a boring lifestyle."

"But you are helping so many people." Hanan said sincerely. "That's a lot to talk about."

Mahmud did not have a reply to that. Thankfully, Aisha spoke up. "Are we going to stand here? Please let's go in."