Two Brothers, One Heart

Part 2: Chapter 95

As Ali emerged from Tessie's car, a symphony of cheers and laughter erupted from the gathered family, welcoming him home with open arms. The kids, Sabrina and Anwar, held aloft balloons that danced in the air, their vibrant colors and bold letters screaming "Welcome Home!" in joyful abandon. It was still Friday afternoon, and Ali had grown restless, urging the doctors to discharge him from the hospital's sterile confines, where bed rest had become a suffocating shroud that worsened his condition with each passing day.

"Welcome back!" they chimed in sweet harmony, as they enveloped him in a warm embrace, one by one, including Hawwa, whose gentle smile and knowing gaze seemed to hold a world of understanding. As he stepped into the house, Ali's eyes wandered over the decorations that adorned the walls and tables, a kaleidoscope of colors and textures that seemed to whisper secrets of a celebration yet to come. He wondered, with a pang of bittersweet nostalgia, if it was all for him, or merely a precursor to Usman's impending wedding, an event that still stirred a maelstrom of emotions within his heart.

"Thank you, everyone," he said, his voice a low, husky whisper, as they walked towards the dining area, where the aroma of Raqiya's culinary magic wafted through the air like a siren's call. She had prepared tuwon semo with okra soup, a no-meat lunch, especially for him, a thoughtful gesture that touched his heart. Khadija helped Anwar with his seat before taking hers, sitting close to Umar, whose eyes remained fixed on his phone, his fingers flying across the screen with a speed and dexterity that belied the gravity of the case that had been weighing on his mind.

The whole family, including Hawwa, sat around the dining table, a tapestry of faces and stories, each one woven into the intricate fabric of their lives. They prayed before eating, their voices a gentle hum of gratitude and praise, as they savored the tantalizing local food that Raqiya had so lovingly prepared. She had also brought baskets wrapped with 'goro', 'dabinu', and sweets, which she offered to the excited kids, their eyes widening with delight as they sampled each treat.

Tessie looked stunning in her olive green abaya, the scarf wrapped scrupulously around her head, a vision of elegance and poise. "So, have you told them?" she whispered to Ali, who was sitting next to her, but she knew it was above a whisper, a gentle probing that sought to uncover secrets yet unspoken.

"Told them what?" Ali asked, his brow furrowed in confusion, as he swallowed the yummy tuwon semo with okra soup, the flavors dancing on his tongue like a joyful celebration.

"Okay, so Ali and I will get married soon," she announced, clapping her hands, as all eyes fixed on them, a collective gasp of surprise and delight hanging in the air like a challenge. Ali was flustered and annoyed at the same time, hating Tessie's clumsiness, unable to deny the spark of fury that her words had ignited within him.

"

Masha Allah," she said, her eyes shining with warmth and approval. Hawwa added her own words of wisdom, "We're wishing you a happy married life," her voice barely above a whisper, yet filled with a depth of emotion that spoke volumes.

Raqiya's gaze then shifted to Usman, who was savoring his tuwo, his eyes fixed on some point beyond the horizon, his mind already racing ahead to the challenges that lay in wait. "So, when are you leaving for Abuja?" she asked, her brow furrowed in concern.

Usman's response was laced with uncertainty, "I think later," he said, his voice hesitant, a hint of doubt creeping into his tone. Raqiya's eyes narrowed, her expression a mixture of worry and frustration. "You're not even sure about it," she said, her voice tinged with disappointment. "You know the wedding can't commence without you, and you too," she added, looking at Ali, whose eyes had dropped to the floor, his heart heavy with a mix of emotions.