So close, yet so far

EPILOGUE

                         5 YEARS LATER
ABUJA, NIGERIA
Hauwa could hear the screams and shouts from upstairs as she stirred the soup in front of her. Subaiha, Shahid, and Saif were with their nanny, Fatima, while she focused on finishing dinner before Sa'eed came back from his meeting. She smiled, feeling content with her life, as she remembered all the storms she and Sa'eed had faced but had fought through together.

Their love had been tested, tried, and proven true. They had overcome the obstacles, forgiven each other, and emerged stronger on the other side. Hauwa's heart swelled with gratitude as she thought about the journey they had taken, the lessons they had learned, and the love they had shared.

Just as she was about to taste the soup, her heart dropped, and she ran upstairs like a mad woman. She had been hearing her children playing and shouting as if they were going to tear the house down, but they had suddenly gone quiet. The silence was deafening, and Hauwa's instincts told her that something was amiss.

She opened the door that was closed and rushed in, stopping mid-track when her eyes landed on the scene before her. Shahid, the eldest, was five years old and was supposed to be the responsible one. But instead, he was standing in the middle of the room, covered in flour from head to toe, with a mischievous grin plastered on his face.

Saif and Subaiha, the three-year-old twins, were sitting on the floor, surrounded by a sea of flour, sugar, and cereal. They were both covered in the messy mixture, with Subaiha's hair stuck together with what looked like an entire box of cereal. Saif, on the other hand, had a spoon stuck in his hair, and his face was smeared with chocolate.

The room was a disaster zone, with toys and books scattered all over the floor. The nanny, Fatima, was sitting on the couch, looking frazzled and exhausted.

Hauwa's eyes widened in shock as she took in the scene before her. She couldn't believe the mess her children had made. But as she looked at their little faces, she couldn't help but laugh. They were so adorable, so mischievous, and so full of life.

"Shahid, what have you done? Nasan kaine ogan wannan abun; I know you, directed whatever this is," Hauwa asked, trying to keep a straight face.

Shahid looked up at her, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "I was just trying to make some cookies, Mummy," he said, his voice innocent.

Hauwa raised an eyebrow. "Cookies? With cereal and sugar all over the floor? And inside the bedroom?"

Shahid shrugged his little shoulders. "Sorry Mummy." But his eyes were anything but sorry.

Hauwa sighed, shaking her head. "Well, let's get cleaned up, shall we?"

As she helped her children clean up the mess, Hauwa couldn't help but feel grateful for this life, for this family, and for the love they shared. It wasn't always easy, but it was worth it. Every messy moment, every chaotic day, and every sleepless night was worth it for the love and joy they brought to her life.

As Hauwa finished cleaning up the mess, she helped the children freshen up, washing their hands and faces, and changing them into clean clothes. Fatima, took that opportunity to rest and check on the soup that Hauwa had been cooking earlier. The aroma wafting from the kitchen was tantalizing, and Hauwa's stomach growled in anticipation.

Soon after they had eaten, the children began to yawn, their eyelids growing heavy. Hauwa tucked them into bed, giving each of them a gentle kiss on the forehead. Shahid, Saif, and Subaiha snuggled under the blankets, their soft breathing a testament to their exhaustion.

As Hauwa closed the door to their room, she smiled, feeling a sense of satisfaction. It had been a chaotic evening, but it was moments like these that made it all worth it. She took a deep breath, feeling the tension melt away, and made her way to the living room, ready to unwind and enjoy some quiet time to herself.

As Hauwa settled into the plush couch in the living room, she wrapped herself in the soft blanket from her and Sa'eed's room, feeling grateful for the warmth and comfort it provided. She cradled her cup of coffee in her hands, inhaling the rich aroma that filled the air. It was a habit she had developed courtesy of Sa'eed, who had introduced her to the world of coffee. Now, she couldn't imagine starting her day without a steaming cup.

As she began binge-watching the latest episodes of Wednesday, her mind started to wander. She couldn't help but think about how perfect her life had become after all the drama and tension they had faced. It was as if the universe had finally decided to smile upon her, granting her a sense of peace and happiness she had never thought possible.

Bilal and Safar were still in custody, paying for their crimes, and Hauwa felt a sense of closure knowing that justice had been served. She and Sa'eed still had their disagreements, like any married couple, but he always made sure to reconcile with her, even if it meant waiting for hours. According to him, he couldn't leave things unresolved, even if she was at fault. It was a quality she adored about him, and it only strengthened their bond.

As she thought about her friends and family, Hauwa's heart swelled with joy. Rahma had found happiness with Tahir, and Jannah's surprise announcement about dating Fahad had shocked everyone, but they were now married and expecting a baby. Safira and Safina had also tied the knot on the same day, surrounded by their loved ones. Ajmal was thriving in secondary school, and Ya Aisha had finally found a sense of peace with her mother-in-law. Even Adda Bahijja was beaming with happiness, and Hauwa was grateful to have such wonderful people in her life.

As the episodes played on, Hauwa felt her eyelids growing heavy, but she couldn't help smiling. Life was perfect, and she knew that she owed it all to Sa'eed, who had stood by her through thick and thin. She set the cup of coffee on the side table, snuggled deeper into the blanket, and let the warmth and happiness wash over her, feeling grateful for this beautiful life she had built with the people she loved.

Hauwa woke up to a gentle kiss being placed on her forehead, and Sa'eed's signature perfume enveloped her, transporting her to a world of love and comfort. "Hello, mi Reina," he whispered, his voice husky, making her toes curl in response.

"Hey, baby," she whispered back, her voice barely audible, as she smiled, feeling his warmth and presence.

Sa'eed grinned, looking even more handsome, as he pecked her lips, sending shivers down her spine. It was a moment of pure bliss, a moment of peace and tranquility.

But their serenity was short-lived, as two tiny tornados, in the form of their children, jumped onto the couch, wrapping themselves around Hauwa and Sa'eed. Saif, eager to join in on the action, tried to launch himself at Hauwa, but Sa'eed quickly caught him mid-air.

"Hey, don't break my wife, boy," Sa'eed chided playfully, as he spanked Saif's bottom, making him pout. Hauwa and Sa'eed burst out laughing at the sight of their little boy's scrunched-up face.

Their children were chaotic, but they were their beautiful chaos, a part of Hauwa and Sa'eed's love story. They were the embodiment of their passion, their joy, and their love. And as Hauwa wrapped her arms around her family, holding them close, she knew that she wouldn't trade this life, this love, or this chaos for anything in the world.

I'm done 🥹
I feel so emotional right now and as much as it hurts me when I remember I will never be able to write about Hauwa and Sa'eed's chaotic love story again, I'm glad that I've gotten rid of the burden of people asking me when I'll update 🤣🤍

Jama'a ku tafa wa love🤣😂
Nima a tafa min, three whole completed book is not child's play😌

Please and please send me reviews on my Instagram @layha.xx it would mean the world to me🤍

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