TALES OF THE HEART (EDITING)

Chapter 20

Enjoy....🍁

Three weeks later

Abuja, Nigeria

It's been three weeks since I returned from Florida for good, and I can't help but feel a twinge of sadness as I think about that place. There's something about it—the vibrant energy, the warmth of the sun, the life I built there—that I will surely miss. But Alhamdulillah, life here is going smoothly, and I'm adjusting more each day. The transition hasn't been easy, but it's been full of blessings.

Insha'Allah, soon, Baba, Ya Ahmad, Yassine, Mairam, and I will be going for Umrah. The thought of embarking on this sacred journey fills my heart with peace and excitement. It's a beautiful opportunity to reconnect with our faith, to seek forgiveness, and to pray for the things closest to our hearts. I'm looking forward to the moments of reflection and the spiritual closeness to Allah, especially with my family by my side.

I feel so grateful for the direction my life is taking—Alhamdulillah, everything is falling into place, and I trust that this trip will be a turning point, one that will bring even more blessings and growth for us all.

Last week, we celebrated a huge milestone—Amma's graduation with her Master's degree in Fashion Design and Interior Decoration. It was such a proud moment for all of us, and we couldn't be happier for her. She's worked incredibly hard to get to this point, and seeing her achieve this goal felt like a victory for the whole family.

Yaya, Ya Hammad, Ya Bebi, Yakaka, Ya Zahra, and Ya Ibrahim were all there to celebrate with Amma.

Today is Saturday, and like most days lately, it's one of those slow, lazy days where I find myself with nothing on my agenda. Yesterday, I spent some time at Maryam's house with Dami. We spent hours catching up on everything we've missed—talking about life, old memories, and of course, my upcoming wedding. It was nice to relax and share our excitement about the big day ahead.

Right now, I'm at home, lounging in my room, tucked into my cozy bed, watching a show while chatting with Sayyid on the phone. He's telling me all about his ex-girlfriend, Hanan—how she keeps calling him, pleading with him to marry her. It's a bit of a mess, and I can tell it's weighing on him.

Here's a refined version of that dialogue:

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"She even told me it's fine if I marry her *after* marrying you. Babe, can you believe that?" He said, "God knows I can't marry two wives," he added, his voice tinged with annoyance.

"I can't even imagine that... gosh," I said with a small laugh.

Honestly, I can't even imagine being with a co-wife, let alone sharing my husband with someone else.

"I can't share my husband with anyone else—I can't share you," I said, pouting slightly, even though I knew he couldn't see it.

"Don't worry, baby," he said softly, his voice full of reassurance. "You're never going to have to share me with anyone."

"So, how's your weekend been so far?" I asked, smoothly shifting the topic.

"So hectic," he replied with a sigh, his voice tinged with exhaustion. "I end up working even on weekends!"

We talked about work for a bit, exchanging updates and frustrations, but soon the conversation naturally drifted to something much more exciting—our upcoming marriage.

"I can't wait for you to be mine, completely," he began, his voice filled with anticipation. "Subhanallah, you have no idea what I've been planning for you."

"Really, Sayyid? What exactly are you planning?" I asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.

He chuckled, a hint of mischief in his voice. "I'm planning so many things," he said, his tone filled with affection. "To love you unconditionally, to kiss you senselessly... Ya Allah, so many things."