Shattered illusions

1:The Rushed morning.

Abuja,Nigeria.

Hanan taneem, snuggled deeper into her blankets, trying to escape the reality that was slowly creeping into her consciousness. her room was dark and cold, the air conditioner humming softly into the background. suddenly, the peace was shattered.

Hanan, hanan! Her mother's voice pierced through the silence, growing louder with each repetition.

Hanan groggily opened her eyes to find her mother standing by the window, pulling open the curtains to let a flood of sunlight in.

"Maamah", do you have to? Hanan complained covering her eyes.

"It's too dark and cold in here",her mother replied, switching off the air conditioner.

"Now, wake up and get ready .you have a big day ahead".

Hanan rubbed the sleep from her eyes, still disoriented

"What's the hurry"? She asked, but her mother's next words jolted her awake.

"You have to get your hair done at the salon, and then you have a flight to catch. you can't miss your appointment or your flight."

The mention of flight sent a surge of panic through hanan. she wasn't packed yet!

"Oh no!" Hanan exclaimed,throwing off her covers and rushing to the shower.

I'll leave you to get ready, her mother said, checking that hanan was indeed up and moving.
"Breakfast will be waiting downstairs."
With that, she left hanan.

Twenty minutes later, hanan made her way downstairs feeling more awake after her refreshing shower. she was dressed in a simple but elegant outfit.

As she entered the dining room, she was greeted by the warm smiles of her family,
Hanan greeted her dad warmly "Baba, Ina kwana",he responded with a gentle smile,"hanan an tashi lafiya? She replied,"lafiya qalau,baba".

After exchanging greetings with Ashraf, her dad reminded her,"hanan, hope you're done packing, your flight leaves after magrib." Hanan smiled mischievously and said,"Almost."

Her mother passed her a plate to serve herself, shot her a stern glance and chimed in,"she's going to the salon after breakfast, I"ll help with the rest of the packing " her father nodded in agreement.
Hanan, smiled gratefully at her mom and gave her hug. her mom playfully pushed her away, saying "Dalla sakeni"
Eat quickly, hanan, we don't want you to be late", she reminded.

With breakfast over, everyone went their separate ways. Hanan returned to her room, finished getting ready, grabbed her car keys, and bid her mother and brother farewell before heading to the salon.
Meanwhile, her mother completed packing hanan's belongings.

Upon returning from the salon, hanan prayed her zuhr prayer and had lunch.

She had mixed feelings about going back to school. on one hand, she would miss her family, but on the other hand, she was excited to see her once lost but found friend "Hooriya sambo",whom she had missed. she also looked forward to seeing her annoying brother again.
The break was over, and school had resumed, so it was time to leave. As she finished her last minute preparations, she made a video call to hooriya telling her she was about to leave for airport, hooriya wished her a safe flight.
Just then, her father appeared, asking if she was ready to leave. she confirmed and they set off with her parents and Ashraf.

In the car, she asked her father "Baba when are you leaving for katsina?" He replied,"Next week, in sha Allah."
Her mother chimed in, "I spoke to mubaid, and he'll pick you up at the airport ".
She nodded, "okay".

As they approached the airport, the family's banter filled the car. Hanan turned to her brother Ashraf and said, "you'll miss me". He glanced at her and teasingly replied "you wish." Ashraf jokingly added, I'll cruise with your car, dai." Hanan promptly responded,"maamah", tell ashraf not to touch my car! Their mom chuckled and reassured her ,"kinsan Ashraf ai, don't worry he won't touch your car". Hanan playfully poked her tongue out at Ashraf, who smiled and shook his head, amused by her childishness. Ashraf was never the one to talk too much.

As they arrived at the airport, the lighthearted atmosphere shifted to a more emotional tone. Ashraf helped hanan with her boxes, and their dad said, "toh, hanan ayi karatu". Hanan replied, in sha Allah, baba, and hugged him tightly. She also hugged her mom, and that's when the tears began to flow. Her mom smiled and comforted her, saying "kamar wata yarinya, ba mubaid na chan ba", kuma ba yau ki ka fara tafiya ba. Take care of yourself kinji.?
In sha Allah I will.
Hanan then hugged Ashraf goodbye, and he simply said, "Bye ya hanan."

With one last goodbye,Hanan departed leaving her family behind.

Okayyy, chapter 1 is up let me know what you guys think.
Vote, comment and share for more updates🫶🏼.

With love,Maryam 💕