Mrs Mahmud, Mrs Mas'ood

44

Aisha opened the main doors and immediately pulled Hauwa into a tight embrace. Like most of the other women, she had shed a few tears and she found herself tearing up again. She patted Hauwa's back, blinking the tears back. "Oh darling, I'm so sorry."

Hauwa hugged her back and soaked in the comfort. She knew she had a lot of phone calls to make and while she couldn't push them back for much longer, she took a minute to live for herself. She was to sleep over at the Muhammads'; a decision she reached with Mahmud, Salatu, Jimoh, Bashir and Kaycee an hour earlier. She had no idea Kaycee had beat up Gabriel. Only a few people knew and they were determined to keep it from her until they were sure they could bring it up and laugh about it.

Mahmud squeezed himself in, shut the door and secured the lock in place. He then slid past both women with Hauwa's overnight bag in hand and stopped right beside Muhammad who ground his teeth with how tight his jaw was set. When Hauwa and Aisha pulled apart, Muhammad's calm mask came on. Once again, Mahmud was reminded who he resembled in every way possible.

Aisha took Hauwa to Amal's room. She had laid the bed with blue sheets and exchanged the cream duvet with a deep blue – nearly black – one. She had burned turaren wuta too. It brought a smile to Hauwa's face. "Thank you, Mama."

Aisha waved it off. She still blushed whenever Hauwa called her Mama. Muhammad was much worse. "It's alright, Hauwa. This was the least we could do."

Mahmud knocked once on the open door and walked in. "Baba said Zayd called. We may have a meeting with the executives of the bank tomorrow alongside those we suspect are involved."

Hauwa faced him. "Tomorrow is Saturday though."

He nodded. "That doesn't mean much. Reputations can be cleared any day. If we wait until Monday, the media can be tipped and things would spiral out of control. We can't have that."

Aisha's sigh was heavy. "In Shaa Allah things won't go that far." She took Hauwa's hand and squeezed. "We'll get everything sorted out, Hauwa. Don't bother too much."

Hauwa did her best to smile. Aisha left a minute later to get something light for them all to eat. Hauwa sighed and searched her shoulder bag for her phone. "Will you stay with me while I call everyone, Qalb?"

"You don't even have to ask."

She couldn't remember a time when she had so many missed calls and notifications. Even Hanan and Zayd's wedding period wasn't so crazy. She kept the phone calls short so she wouldn't break down and many of those she spoke with completely understood. She then put her social media accounts on private as they had been infiltrated with really nasty comments and tags. When Muhammad came up to tell them it was time for Isha, Hauwa decided to use the bathroom.

Throughout the day, she avoided mirrors; not wanting to see how she looked or how the world saw her. However, in Amal's bathroom, she took a deep breath and faced her reflection. Her face was flushed and her eyes were swollen, dark circles underneath each one. Although it seemed impossible, it looked as though she had lost weight in less than twenty-four hours.

She reached up and removed her veil and under cap. Her natural box braids were still packed back so she freed them and set her scrunchie on the top of her veil and cap pile. When she pulled her trousers down so she could pee, she saw the blood. It was a miracle she did not let out a frustrated and completely exhausted scream.

She blinked back fresh tears and repeatedly breathed in and out. Much calmer, she pulled her trousers back up, put on her cap and stepped out of the bathroom. She went straight to where Mahmud dropped her bag and although she knew she did not come with a pack of pads, she still did a quick search. She was barely holding it in when Mahmud peeped in. "Hauwa?"