Two Brothers, One Heart

Part 2: Chapter 96

Zaynab's voice was laced with contempt and disbelief as she exclaimed, "What!" into the phone, her tone echoing off the polished marble floor of her spacious office. The room was a testament to her power and status, with its high ceiling, intricately designed chandeliers, and floor-to-ceiling windows that offered a stunning view of the city skyline. The walls were adorned with expensive artwork and framed certificates, showcasing her achievements and credentials. Her massive, walnut-colored desk, adorned with a nameplate that read "Hajiya Zaynab" in bold, golden letters, sat at the far end of the room, commanding attention.

As she reached for her designer-framed bag, which had been confidently sitting on the Walnut desk, a sudden, head-spinning headache hit her, causing her to scrunch her brows and reconsider her actions.

"Are you okay, Hajiya?" asked her PA, a stout lady clad in a pressed tuxedo and slacks with a hijab, who guarded her like armor. Zaynab waved her hand dismissively, signaling her to leave the office. "Tell Bala to get the car," she added brusquely, her tone not polite.

She quickly opened the drawers attached to the desk, which were burdened with piles of files, scrupulously arranged, nameplate, and other paraphernalia. Her designer-framed bag, which had still been confidently sitting on the desk, seemed to be waiting for her attention. She retrieved a sachet of pain relievers and swallowed some pills with the cold coffee that had been sitting there for a while. Islam was becoming a pain-in-the-ass, and Zaynab couldn't help but feel that she was being childish.

As she waited for her PA to return, Zaynab's gaze wandered to the large, flat-screen TV mounted on the wall, displaying a live feed of the ministry's conference room. She was confident of getting the seat, but Islam's recent behavior was threatening to tarnish her reputation. She couldn't let that happen.

After five minutes, Jummai, her PA and bodyguard, returned to inform her that the car was ready. Zaynab heaved a sigh before picking up her bag and letting her flawless buba and wrapper trail behind her. As they walked down the hallway to the Mercedes Benz, all she could think about was how to put Islam back in her place for crossing her boundaries.

As Jummai opened the door for her, Zaynab felt a sense of royalty, accustomed to the treatment she received. She adjusted her jersey hijab as they drove away, her mind preoccupied with thoughts of how to deal with Islam.

Upon arriving home, she found Firdausi and Afra sitting in the living room. Zaynab quickly removed her dark, grim sunglasses and glared at Afra. "What are you doing in my house? Get out before I lose my temper!" she yelled, flicking her fingers at Afra, who was shocked.

Firdausi tried to intervene, but Zaynab interrupted her. "This girl brings you bad luck, Firdausi. She's not a good match for you, so tell her to leave!" Afra quickly gathered her belongings and left, with Zaynab rolling her eyes in disdain.

"Where's your sister now?" Zaynab demanded, her voice high and forbidden. Firdausi stuttered, "She's upstairs in her room." Zaynab walked upstairs, her stilettos squeaking against the marble floor. She used a spare key to enter Islam's room, where she found her lying on the bed, her face buried in a pillow.

"Did you try to ask smarter?" Zaynab asked, yanking Islam's arms and pulling her up from the bed. Firdausi stood frozen, feeling stiff and guilty. Zaynab's actions were overpowering, and Firdausi couldn't stop what was happening.

Zaynab slapped Islam, sending her back to the bed. "It's getting late; we're leaving for Abuja now. Your dad is waiting for us, so get ready." Zaynab's tone was firm, without an ounce of regret or concern.

Firdausi felt a deep sense of betrayal as she approached Islam, who snapped at her hands. "Get out!" Islam yelled huskily, her voice worsening due to prolonged grief. Firdausi apologized, crouching beside the bed. "I did this for a reason, and I know you'll come to understand. I thought you were..."

"Eloping?" Islam completed sarcastically. "Stop being filmic, Firdausi. Tell me what your excuse is. Munafuka!" Firdausi tried to explain what she saw in the home office, but the words wouldn't come out.

"Please just get out, Firdausi," Islam said, walking to the door and holding the knob. "GET OUT!" Firdausi flinched at Islam's loud voice and quickly left the room, feeling like she was in a trance. She walked to Zaynab's room, which was slightly ajar, and peered inside. She saw Zaynab sitting on the edge of the bed, bewailing, her shoulders rising and falling like an object in a capillary tube. Zaynab was shivering and voiceless, but Firdausi couldn't do anything to help.

As the sleek, black cars lined up, ready to embark on their journey, Firdausi sat beside Yasin, lost in thought. The chauffeur navigated the streets of Kaduna, passing rows of houses and shops that seemed to blur together like a kaleidoscope of colors. Yasin, engrossed in his iPad game, remained oblivious to the scenery outside, his thumbs moving swiftly over the screen. Firdausi's gaze drifted to her phone, where a photo of her mother, Zaynab, adorned in exquisite lace and jewelry, caught her attention. Her mother's effortless elegance, even in the face of adversity, stirred a mix of emotions within her.

Meanwhile, in the other car, Islam and Zaynab were deep in conversation. Islam's mind wandered to the unexpected change in plans, as Taslim opted to travel with Ali and Sabrina instead. Zaynab's grip on her hand tightened, a subtle reminder of the complexities they faced. The soft hum of the engine and the gentle rustle of the wind outside created a soothing melody, but Islam's thoughts were far from serene.

As they drove, the cityscape gave way to rolling hills and verdant landscapes, a testament to the beauty of Nigeria's countryside. Islam's thoughts swirled around the impending wedding, her feelings for Usman, and the harsh words exchanged with Ali. The shame of her emotions threatened to overwhelm her, but she pushed on, determined to prove her independence.

Zaynab's voice broke the silence, "You'd drop at the venue to have a few words with the wedding planner. You know the wedding is tomorrow, and we're running out of time." But Islam's attention was diverted by the pictures Tessie sent her of herself with Sabrina in the car. Sabrina's bright smile and sparkling eyes captivated her, and she couldn't help but feel a deep affection for the young girl. She had put Sabrina on a pedestal, hoping to one day have a daughter like her.

As the car navigated the winding roads, Islam's thoughts turned to her faith, and she remembered that it was Friday. She quickly picked up her phone and entered the Qur'an app to read Suratul Kahf. The words brought her a sense of comfort, but she felt ashamed at how her reading days had become scarce, replaced by thoughts of the two brothers who had captured her heart.

The revelation of Usman's infidelity, once a searing wound, had begun to lose its sting. Islam's heart, once heavy with the weight of his deception, now felt lighter, freer. But it wasn't the truth that had set her free - it was Ali's harsh words, uttered in anger and hurt. Those words had sparked a fire within her, a flame of determination that burned brighter with each passing moment.

She was determined to show Ali, to prove to him, that she was more than capable of moving on, of finding happiness with someone else. And that someone else just happened to be his brother - the one person who made her feel seen, heard, and understood.

But as she thought about it, Islam realized the absurdity of her situation. She wasn't in love with either of them, not really. They were just people, mere mortals, flawed and imperfect. And yet, she found herself entangled in a web of emotions, torn between the two brothers who represented different things to her.

As she navigated this treacherous landscape, Islam couldn't help but wonder - what did she really want? Was it revenge, or was it something more? Something deeper? She didn't have the answers, not yet. But she was determined to find them, no matter what it took.