Hearts entwined in jannah | (jannah series #2)

CHAPTER 16: CONFESSION

KANO STATE, NIGERIA

Pain, anger, frustration and sadness gnawed on Amina for the past 2 days ever since they returned from the Talba residence but most of all, she felt guilty. Guilty because she was betraying Azran and a lovely family like the Shugaba's, they were all loving and sweet people and they had been nothing but welcoming towards her for the past 2 days and to think she was going to destroy them by using the child she will bear for Azran and take away the throne that had belonged to the Shugaba's for 100s of years. She wasn't exactly proud of what she was about to do but as the saying goes 'desperate times calls for desperate measures'. No matter how much she loved Azran, she couldn't sit by idly and watch her father kill her sister Jawahir, at least he wouldn't kill Azran so it was much better even if they might not end up being together after he found out.

"You have been spacing out a lot for the past 2 days." Azran said as he came towards her, he pecked her cheeks and sat down besides her. He placed his hands on hers and immediately her body became stiff and he quickly retracted his hand.
"Oh I'm sorry." Azran said, feeling disappointed. He had noticed the way she always flinched whenever he tried to touch her as if she didn't trust him.
"You know I would never hurt you, right?" Azran said, his voice barely above a whisper, Amina smiled gently at him and then she raised her hand and placed it on his cheek.
"I know."
"Then why do you always flinch whenever I try to touch you?"
"I'm just not used to all this touching." Amina said timidly and Azran sighed before he pulled her towards him and placed her head on his chest.

"Aww look at Azran being all lovey-dovey." Mahi cooed as she barged into the room without knocking and the two immediately released each other as if their bodies are on fire.
"Have you ever heard of something called knocking?" Azran said irritatedly and Mahi rolled her eyes as she moved towards him and started to pinch his cheeks.
"Oh my sweet sweet brother, you are so whipped." This time it is Azran who rolled his eyes while Amina was to embarrassed to say anything, her cheeks had turned warm and had turned the darkest shade of red.
"I came looking for Amina, don't start feeling as though you are important." Mahi said when she was done pinching his cheeks that had gone red because of her abuse. 
"Come, Azra's and my friends are here." Mahi said and without waiting for any of them to say anything, she held Amina's hand and dragged her out.
"Your friends better not bully my wife." Azran shouted from the bedroom and Mahi gave him the middle finger even though he couldn't see her. Amina only tsked softly, she was still getting used to the way they behaved rashly with each other.  A huge contrast to the glamorous and elegant family they show to people, sometimes it made her wonder if they had clones and the behaviour they show on tv is the real them but what she doesn't know is that, what she sees now is the real Shugaba's'. A big happy and annoying family.

As Amina and Mahi walked hand in hand towards the garden, they were greeted by a magnificent sight. The royal garden was a lush paradise filled with vibrant flowers of every color imaginable. The sweet fragrance of roses, jasmine, and lavender filled the air, creating a magical atmosphere. Majestic trees provided shade, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves, making the whole place feel enchanted. Birds chirped melodiously, adding to the symphony of nature. The pathways were lined with intricate hedges, leading to a grand fountain at the center, where water sparkled and danced in the sunlight. It was a truly breathtaking sight, fit for royalty.

Amina who was too busy watching the magical like garden in front of her didn't notice the five people who were sat in the swing chairs but their eyes were keenly observing her, when she finally turned to look at them, she smiled. Even though she was nervous inside because she recognized them as the people she had bumped into about 2 weeks ago. She was already in enough trouble, she didn't need a bunch of rich arrogant brats bullying her, only two people in the group returned her smile. The first one being Maryam who had a wide smile on her face and it showcased her sparkly white teeth, the dimple on the left side of her face deepening. The second person is Badriya, Badriya had a straw delicately placed between her lips, her face contorting in pure bliss as she voraciously sucked every last drop of the smoothie from the cup in her hand. The intensity of her love for smoothies was evident in the way she savored every sip, lost in the moment of pure delight. Badriya opened her eyes after savoring the last drop of her second cup, sharing a fleeting smile with Amina as their eyes met, swiftly reaching for another cup from the opulent marble table before her. The table, a masterpiece of elegance, gleamed under the palace's golden light, its intricate carvings and luxurious design a testament to the grandeur of the surroundings. The maids, well aware of her fondness for smoothies, always ensured an abundance of the refreshing drink whenever she graced the palace with her presence, a thoughtful gesture that added an extra layer of comfort to her visits.