TALES OF THE HEART (EDITING)

chapter 12

Aidah

It's 6pm and we are on the plane on our way to paris. After spending a week in Spain, we decided to go to Paris and have some fun. We shortly arrived and everyone was tired. We entered the cab and went to the hotel. We will be staying in 'four seasons hotel george v'.

Once I entered my room, I couldn't help but take a moment to admire the space. The decor was stunning—soft hues and elegant furnishings created a cozy yet luxurious atmosphere. I tossed my bag on the bed and immediately headed to the bathroom, which was, without a doubt, my favorite part of any hotel room.

The marble countertops, spacious shower, and deep soaking tub made it feel like a mini spa retreat. I ran my fingers over the plush towels and admired the complimentary toiletries lined up neatly. After a satisfying exploration, I returned to the main area and flopped onto the bed, letting out a content sigh.

I pulled out my phone to snap a few pictures of the beautiful room before settling in to relax. After a long day of travel, I knew I needed to recharge for the adventures that awaited us in the morning.

I settled into the chair by the window, letting the serene view wash over me. The courtyard was a vibrant tapestry of colors, with flowers blooming in every direction. It felt like a little oasis right outside my room.

The complimentary macarons caught my eye, and I couldn't resist reaching for one. I took a bite, savoring the delicate sweetness and creamy filling. Perfectly paired with the view, it felt like a small indulgence that made the day even better.

As I enjoyed my treat, I thought about all the memories we'd create during this trip. I couldn't wait to explore the hotel and the surrounding area with everyone. But for now, I just wanted to relax and soak in this peaceful moment.

Everyone was in their rooms, likely fast asleep. I changed into something more comfortable and called my boyfriend on FaceTime. He answered on the second ring. "Sayyid Muhammad Remawa," I teased, using his full name.

"Halima Muhammad Deribe," he teased back, a playful grin on his face. He leaned back in his chair and chuckled, "You always know how to bring a smile to my face, Aidah."

"Abdulsamad Ibrahim Shettima is here too!" Samad chimed in, turning his camera to show his face.

I chuckled and shook my head at Samad. "You're such a character!"

"Oh, I know! By the way, can you tell your brother to pick up his calls?" Samad added, referring to Ya Hammad.

"I'll make sure to," I replied, rolling my eyes playfully. "Now, can I please talk to the person I actually called?" He feigned hurt and dramatically exited the frame, leaving me chuckling.

"So, Aidah, how was your flight?" Sayyid asked, adjusting his glasses with that familiar look of curiosity.

"My flight was just okay, Alhamdulillah," I replied with a sigh, trying to shake off the exhaustion. ''Sayyid, when are you going to start teaching me Fulfulde?'' I added

He sighed and smiled. "Soon, inshallah. When are you coming back?"

"In a week inshallah." I replied.

"And you're going to teach me Kanuri too," he said, raising an eyebrow.

"Come on, you really think I can speak Kanuri that well?" I asked, laughing.

"Honestly, with both of your parents being Kanuri, it's surprising you can't speak it!"

"We mostly spoke Hausa and English growing up. At least I can speak Hausa, unlike Nadia! And just so you know, my mom is Fulani, not Kanuri."

"Spare Nadia, please! At least her mom isn't Nigerian!" he replied, shaking his head. "And wait, really? I thought your mom was Kanuri, wow!"