Better Late Than Never

23

Lagos, Nigeria

The Murtala Muhammed Airport was a bustling hive of activities. Ayra loved it while Ayman worried about the weather.

Ibtihaj had warned that Lagos could be hot but he'd underestimated it. All he wanted to do was turn around and head back to Aomi where the air was nice to inhale and it didn't feel as though he'd not like wearing his thobes around. Also, Lagos already seemed too busy and too loud and they'd barely even settled.

One of Ibtihaj's cousins, who was more than familiar with the airport, took on the role of the group leader and led the way to the luggage conveyor so they each claim their bags and boxes. She told them the Adeolas had already sent someone to get them for the airport and that the person who was sent would have no problems finding them.

Once everyone had claimed their baggage, they made their way towards the exit of the terminal. Ayra was looking from left to right when she spotted an overly familiar face. Telling herself she probably hallucinated, she blinked and shook her head before she looked again.

When it was confirmed that she was not hallucinating, her eyes widened and a gasp slipped past her lips. She let go of her box handle, not caring if the box fell or not, and then she was running, screaming softly "Ibty!"

Ibtihaj, who'd watched her best friend amusedly, laughed and ran too so the both of them met in the middle. It was a miracle they didn't fall with how hard Ayra jumped on Ibtihaj and how hard they hugged. Amna and Aabidah ran past them, screaming as well, to hug Adil who'd come along with his wife-to-be.

Grinning widely, Ayra pulled back and cupped her best friend's face in her hands. "Ibty, you're here!"

Ibtihaj was grinning too. "I am here o! You're finally in Lagos. To God be the glory."

Ayra laughed. "I finally am." Bouncing on the soles of her feet, she hugged Ibtihaj again. "God, you have no idea how relieved I am just by seeing that you're really doing okay. I'm so, so happy you're here."

Ibtihaj smiled warmly, hugging Ayra back just as tightly. "I am okay, my dear, and see ehn, everybody in my house will tell you how happy I am that you're here too...Oya, free me abeg. Let me not seem like person that does not have home training. Let me greet my second family o."

Ayra bit back a laugh and stepped back. "Go ahead, ma'am."

Ibtihaj smiled smugly. "Thank you. Just wait for me. I dey come."

The reunion was nice and the greetings were lovely. Adil was more excited to see Ayman than Ayman was to see him. It was beautiful watching Adil stick to Ayman's side while smiling widely and dropping one phrase or the other. Ayman raised a brow and clearly contemplated committing murder. Ibtihaj pointed a finger in Ayman's direction and sternly warned that nothing should happen to her man.

One could always count on Adil to be smug about being protected by Ibtihaj. The others laughed when his mother teased him for being way too deep in love with Ibtihaj. It didn't take them too long to leave the terminal and board the bus the Adeolas had arranged.

Unfortunately for Ayman, his time and talks with Ayra had come to an end as Ibtihaj held her close and made sure to sit beside her. Resigning himself to the role he had to play, Ayman reluctantly let Adil do to him what Ibtihaj did to Ayra.

As they made their way out of the airport, the Bellos asked how everything had been going so far. Adil was the one who filled them in; telling them nearly everything was back on track and that some vendors were replaced. Some names were to be removed from the guest list so peace could reign. Also, accommodation had been rearranged so nearly everyone was in the same place and safe.