Mrs Mahmud, Mrs Mas'ood

10

Hauwa tried to not get overly excited about the fact that she chose to celebrate Eid-el-Adha in Abuja with Hanan. It was safe to say she woefully failed.

Linda was not too thrilled about spending Eid alone with Yusuf but she knew she could not force Hauwa to come down to Edo with her. Besides, it was better for Hanan to have someone instead of staying by herself. Hauwa knew their parents would be fine.

On Thursday July 15th, Hanan went with Zayd to the hospital to get medical check-ups and tests out of the way. While the other Sufyans got ready to return to Edo – except Jimoh and Salatu's children who wanted to stay back, Hauwa took Hanan's car and found her way to Nate Genius Films at 11AM.

Nathaniel 'Nate' Ogwoche, the contracted wedding videographer and a friend of Amal's, had already been expecting her. Together they went over the wedding teaser he prepared; a teaser that was to be released on the day of Eid, right after the Eid prayer.

"I think you should add a little volume to Hanan's voice." Hauwa suggested to Nate. "The background music seemed a bit too loud there and it was hard to make out what she was saying without the subtitles."

Nate did as she asked and they both agreed it sounded better. She smiled at him. "Thank you, Nate. This is beautiful."

He smiled back. "Thank you too for coming to go over it with me. I can't wait till we release it. I'm so excited."

She laughed. "I'm excited too." She rose to her feet. "Alright, I should start heading out. I have to get my clothes from Aminu Kano crescent."

"Shebi you won't get lost?"

She rolled her eyes. "You people should leave me alone."

Nate laughed and so did she. She relied heavily on her Google map to get to Aisha Abubakar Harun's fashion house and salon. Like always, she was mesmerized with the structure's beauty. The receptionist was just as nice as she had been the first time she visited. As Hauwa waited for them to get Aisha from within the salon, the main doors went open. She turned around. Her heart did a small dance when she recognized those who had walked in.

She'd recognize them anywhere and any day.

Abdulmanan Abubakar Harun, a notable public speaker and marital counsellor, was taller in real life and he easily towered above the two women he came with. He was more handsome in person too. On his left was Zulayha Abubakar Harun, his younger sister. On his other side was Mahnoor Hidayah Muazu, the founder of Soirees by Hidayah; an advertising, public relations and event management company. It was a company Hanan considered for the wedding planning and décor. Unfortunately, Mahnoor had stopped taking clients for personal reasons.

Hauwa never would have imagined she'd be meeting all three of them. Abuja, like she heard time and time again, was a really small place.

Zulayha smiled and raised her hand in a small wave. "Hi!"

Hauwa managed to smile back. She waved too. "Hi."

Abdulmanan just smiled at her, giving a small nod in greeting. Mahnoor, however, had her eyes narrowed and a small frown on her face. Hauwa wondered why. Before she could ask, Aisha Harun stepped out of the salon and she blinked when she saw all of them.

Zulayha's grin was blinding. "Mama!"

Aisha Harun smiled at her. "Hello to you too." She passed on a silent message to the three of them to give her a minute. She then faced Hauwa. Her expression softened. "I hope I didn't keep you waiting, Hauwa?"

Hauwa smiled back immediately and shook her head. "No, not at all. I just got here."

"And so did we!" Zulayha said excitedly. "Mama, she's here for a fitting, koh? We'll wait for you down here if she is then."