ORNAMENTS ✅

Chapter Fifty

Dasuki State, Nigeria
2023.

Yazid came in with Asma during Maghrib. No one was in the living room, so he took her to Umaimah's room and then headed for the mosque.

They hugged and exchanged pleasantries; it had been a long time since they last met. Umaimah led her to the toilet to perform ablution, and they prayed Salatul Maghrib and made their duas.

"You used to be my mother's daughter-in-law, and now here I am trying to become your mother's. How life works," Asma said, her tone reflecting a sense of surrender. "And she doesn't even like me," she added.

Umaimah extended her hands to Asma's and comforted her. "You forgot that you were nice to me when I was in your house. I guess it's time to return the favor, don't you think?" Umaimah replied, hoping to ease the tense atmosphere.

Asma smiled; Umaimah's words gave her hope. Hopefully, Nini would come to see Asma as a nice girl.

After folding the prayer mats and hijabs they used to pray, Asma rolled back her veil, and together they walked to the dining area where Nini, Nabeel, and Yazid were already seated.

Nini didn't say a word; she only stared as they approached the dining table. Probably—no, rephrase that—obviously, she wasn't expecting Asma to be the guest they were anticipating for Iftar.

"Nini, meet Asma'u, our guest for today," Umaimah introduced.

"Ina wuni, Good Evening," Asma greeted, fidgeting with her hands. Her gaze was fixated on the ground, revealing her reluctance and anxiety.

Nini hesitated at first but then responded while glaring at Yazid, the kind of glare that indicated, 'You and I will have to talk later.'

"An sha ruwa lafiya," Asma offered her Iftar Mubarak.

Nini replied with indifference evident in her voice, trying her best not to seem rude, but it wasn't working because she sounded rude. "Why don't you have a seat, Asma?" Umaimah intervened, offering her a seat close to Yazid.

She reluctantly took a seat, her face reflecting a broken expression.

"Hi, Asma. Long time! I see you've become skinny; just two days into Ramadan, and by the end of it, you'll turn into a stick," Nabeel joked, but no one found it funny.

Asma only managed a smile and continued poking at her food; she hadn't eaten a morsel yet. From the way Nini replied and brushed her off, only a miracle would make Nini accept her.

Umaimah also took her seat, and only the sound of cutleries clinking could be heard. Still, Asma wasn't eating anything.

"Why aren't you eating?" Nini beat Umaimah to the question. For a moment, Umaimah thought Nini was being nice or reconsidering her stance on Asma. "Finish your food; let's be done with this Iftar so you can go back home."

And there she burst their bubble. Nini, why? Umaimah wanted to ask. She had never seen her be rude to anyone, so why to Asma? It wasn't Asma's fault she was born into the Yabo family.

"Nini, Yazid likes Asma, and it happens she likes him too. I've known Asma'u for quite some time now; she's a nice girl. Do you think we can speak to Abba and schedule their wedding after Eid, together with mine and Umaimah's?" Nabeel asked, cleaning his mouth with a napkin after finishing his food. How fast the guy eats!

"I don't think so," Nini replied, curt and short.

"Why?" Umaimah asked, deciding to intervene.

"Because I don't approve of her, and I don't need to spell out the reasons why I don't. Do I?"