Mrs Mahmud, Mrs Mas'ood

38

Hanan decided to play the part of an overprotective sister the very next day. She narrowed her eyes when she opened the door for the man her sister would marry in the near future.

Mahmud laughed. "Hanan, why are you looking at me like that?"

"You armed robber. You're taking my sister away from me."

His brow shot up. "The same way Zayd took you away from her and from your mum and dad?"

Amal, who walked up to them, brought a hand to her chest as though she had been shot. "Oof!"

Hanan eyed Mahmud. "I don't blame you."

Mahmud's smile was beautiful. "It's the truth, Hanan. Live with it." He then turned to his sister. "Hey, Amal."

Amal grinned. "Hi! Baba called. He's going on and on about a car that should be arriving soon."

Mahmud pushed back a groan. "This was why I didn't want to tell them."

Hanan leaned into Amal, her eyes shining with undiluted curiosity. "You got a new car, Dr Muhammad?"

Mahmud nodded. "Yeah. I kinda blew my savings on it because I just couldn't see myself riding anything else."

Amal could not stop grinning. "It's a big car, Hanan. The colour is unique too. I went ahead to download so many images when Baba told me the model. It's a Tundra! The 2023 Tundra Capstone."

Hanan's eyes widened. "Really?!"

Amal nodded while Mahmud's cheeks turned rosy. "It's so pretty. This man placed the order when he was in Wurzburg and according to what he told Baba, it should have arrived by now."

Hanan turned back to Mahmud. "So what's keeping it back?"

Mahmud reached up to rub the back of his neck. "I had them customize the interior. Don't get me wrong, the black and white interior is cool but I wanted something different. They said it's in transit so I'll be getting it in the first week of January In Shaa Allah."

Amal sighed wistfully. "Now I want one."

Hanan linked her arm in Amal's, a mischievous smile on her face. "We should ask Zayd to upgrade his Tundra."

Amal nodded, smiling back. "We should."

Mahmud just shook his head. "I'm done with you two...Can you please get Hauwa? We need to start –"

"There's no need. I'm here."

Three of them turned. Like always, Mahmud's heart raced. Hauwa dropped the pair of sandals she held on the ground and put them on. She spoke as she did so. "Sorry for keeping you waiting. Yarah wouldn't let me put her back in the crib so I had to rock her a little longer."

Hanan snickered. "We told you to leave her alone when you saw that she was awake."

Hauwa straightened, a small smile on her face. "I couldn't help myself." Her smile widened when she met Mahmud's gaze. "Assalam Alaykum, Qalb."

Mahmud easily smiled back. "Waalaykum Salaam."

Amal made a face. "I can't get used to this. I thought it would be easy but I just can't do it."

Hanan nodded in agreement. "Tell me about it."

Mahmud rolled his eyes. Hauwa hugged both women and told them she'd be back soon. Hanan glared at Mahmud when Hauwa was out the door. "Better bring her back in one piece, Mister."

"Or we'll kill you." Amal added.

Mahmud nodded. "Yes madams. I'll bring her back in one piece, I promise."