So close, yet so far

25

KADUNA STATE, NIGERIA

Hauwa sighed contentedly as she settled onto her vanity stool in front of the mirror, her gaze drifting over the array of luxurious skincare products laid out before her. Today was a special day, and she wanted to look and feel her absolute best. With deliberate slowness, she began her skincare routine, savoring each delicate step.

First, she cleansed her skin with a generous dollop of La Mer's The Cleansing Foam, gently massaging the rich lather onto her face before rinsing it away with warm water. Next, she toned her skin with a sweep of Dr. Barbara Sturm's Facial Toner, the subtle citrus scent invigorating her senses.

Moving on, she applied a rich layer of Sisley Paris's Black Rose Skin Infusion Cream, the sumptuous texture melting effortlessly into her skin as she gently massaged it in. Her skin drank in the nourishing benefits of the cream, looking smoother, brighter, and more radiant with each passing moment.

Finally, she sealed everything in with a generous application of La Prairie's White Caviar Crème Extraordinaire, the opulent cream imbuing her skin with a subtle, ethereal glow. As she finished her skincare routine, Hauwa felt a sense of satisfaction wash over her, her skin looking and feeling its absolute best.

With her skincare complete, Hauwa turned her attention to her makeup, opting for a light, natural look that would enhance her features without overpowering them. She began by applying a smooth layer of Giorgio Armani's Maestro Foundation, the formula blending seamlessly into her skin as she buffed it in with a fluffy brush.

Next, she defined her brows with a few precise strokes of Anastasia Beverly Hills's Brow Wiz, the soft, natural-looking formula adding depth and dimension to her face. She then lined her eyes with a subtle swipe of Tom Ford's Extreme Mascara, the formula lengthening and volumizing her lashes with ease.

Finally, she added a touch of color to her lips with a delicate application of Charlotte Tilbury's Matte Revolution Lipstick in Walk of Shame, the soft, peachy hue complementing her skin tone perfectly. As she finished her makeup, Hauwa felt a sense of confidence wash over her, her features looking enhanced, yet still naturally beautiful.

Slipping into a stunning blue and white boubou from the esteemed fashion house of Oscar de la Renta, Hauwa felt like royalty, the sumptuous fabric draping elegantly across her curves as she moved. She tied the boubou scarf into an elegant turban, the intricate folds adding a touch of sophistication to her overall look.

As a finishing touch, Hauwa spritzed herself with a generous application of Tom Ford's Black Orchid perfume, the opulent scent enveloping her in a sensual, alluring aura. She touched her stomach, a thrill of excitement running through her as she thought about the precious life growing within her.

Hauwa's eyes sparkled with anticipation as she slipped out of the room, making her way to Ya Ali's old room where she and Sa'eed were staying. She had come to get ready in her and Jannah's old room, careful to avoid arousing Sa'eed's suspicion about her elaborate outfit. Today was his surprise party, and she couldn't wait to see the look on his face when she revealed the news about her pregnancy. Little did she know, the day held many more surprises in store for her.

As Hauwa entered the room, she was immediately struck by Sa'eed's dashing appearance. He stood in front of the mirror, spritzing a subtle amount of perfume onto his pulse points, the scent wafting through the air and teasing her senses. His blue kaftan was impeccably tailored, accentuating his broad shoulders and chiseled physique, while the zanna bukar cap added a touch of elegance to his overall look.

Hauwa's heart swelled with pride as she took in the sight of her husband, feeling grateful that he had unknowingly played along with her party plans by dressing in the theme color. She had specifically asked him to wear blue, and he had obliged without suspecting a thing.