UNEDITED
•Abuja, NIGERIA
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Aslam got into his car, his heart racing with a mix of anticipation and anxiety. He dialed Amna's number, praying she would answer. The phone barely rang once before she picked up.
"Aslam?" Her voice was breathless.
"Amna," he said, his voice softening. "Are you alright? I'm coming home now."
There was a pause, and then a choked sob. "Okay. Please, come home."
"I will be there soon," he reassured her, as he stopped at a traffic light, hissing because of the traffic.
Amna turned to Rukaiya, who now had a smile on her face. "He's coming home," she whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Alhamdulillah, kukan ya isa toh, Amno." Rukaiya said, gently guiding her upstairs. "You need to get yourself together. You don't want him to come back and see you like this. Let's go kiyi wanka and Freshen up."
Amna nodded and they headed to her room. She went straight to the bathroom. Rukaiya, meanwhile, went to Amna's closet, rifling through the dresses until she found a beautiful lace fitted dress. It was perfect, the color would compliment Amna's skin.
Amna quickly washed up and when she stepped out of the shower, Rukaiya was there, smoking the dress over a khabbasa.
"Wear this," Rukaiya said to Amna with a wink "let that hair fall over your back, it drives them crazy!" she giggled.
Amna took the dress, looking flushed. "Thank you, Ya Ruky. Uwar gida, ran gida."
"You don't have to thank me," Rukaiya replied. "Waittt... uwar gida? Zakuyi amarya kenan?" She raised a brow.
Amna gasped "Wallahi bamu isa bah, shima Ya Ibrahim bai isa bah. You're uwar gida and amarya fah. The only queennnn!" Amna praised and they both laughed.
"Hmmm, I should go before he comes back," Rukaiya said, giving Amna a final hug. "You've got this, act right, ki kwantar mishi da hankali. I don't have to tell you everything. Call me if you need anything."
"I will," Amna smiled. "Thank you so much big sis, kiss my babies for me, sai nazo." Amna hugged her sister-in-law tightly.
Rukaiya was at the door when Amna called her back to quickly help her zip up her dress which was a struggle because of how tight it was before leaving.
Rukaiya left, and Amna took a deep breath, steadying herself. She tied her scarf which covered little of her front hair, showing all of it cascading her back then applied perfume, eyeliner and pink gloss. She walked downstairs to the living room, her heart pounding. She glanced around, ensuring everything was in place. She quickly dashed to the kitchen, peeping her head through the door, she didn't want Henry to see her in the dress. Henry's territory was strictly the kitchen and dining room when asked and she usually dismissed him whenever she was cooking herself. She asked him to make a quick English breakfast.
Minutes later, she heard the sound of a car pulling into the driveway. Her heart skipped a beat.
Aslam was home.
Aslam stepped out of the car, taking a deep breath before walking to the door. He paused for a moment, gathering courage, then opened the door and stepped inside. The house was quiet as usual but the bakhoor in the air was heavenly.
He placed his car keys in the bowl on the console table in the foyer and when he turned, Amna stood there, her hands clasped nervously in front of her. When their gaze met, her eyes filled with tears. "Aslam," she whispered, her voice trembling.
