Just the two of us (EDITING)✔️

Chapter Twenty Six ~ Stupid anklets 😩

He kept undressing me with his eyes, but I ignored him entirely, pretending he wasn't even there.

"Masha Allah, you're beautiful. So, big bro Afaan has taste!" A girl around my age burst in, wheeling a cute purple trolley.

I glanced at him and saw that smirk on his face.

Ya Allah, this guy should just introduce them already.

As if he read my mind, he finally spoke up. "Dear wifey, meet my favorite aunt in the world, Hajiya Bintu. Hajiya, meet Khadija Afrah."

Hajiya Bintu stepped forward, smiling. "Let me take it from here. I'm Hajiya Bintu, your husband's aunt. I have four kids: Manal, who's in Dubai, Ayoosh, that's her over there"—she pointed to the girl with the trolley—"and then Mannah and little Mahnoor."

I greeted them all and gestured for everyone to head to the dining room after they exchanged hugs and pleasantries with the girls.

We had a lovely dinner, but as the evening wore on, it was time to figure out sleeping arrangements. Hajiya Bintu, Mannah, and Mahnoor took my room. Ayoosh and Zulaikha shared the first guest room, while Harry and Iman took the second. Zara and Zuhra occupied the room closest to mine, and Hayfa, being the quiet one, was fine sharing with Furry.

That left me. Every room was occupied, and I certainly wasn't about to sleep in the parlor and raise Hajiya's suspicions. I tiptoed to Zara's room and knocked softly.

"Assalamu alaikum," I called.

"Wa alaikis salam," they both responded.

I stepped in, yanked the covers, and slid into bed beside them.

Zara glared at me, "If you like, keep flaring your nose. You're not the only one with a nose. What are you doing here?"

I smiled, making a cute face. "Haba, Zara, you're my best friend, Where else will I sleep?"

"Your husband's room, of course," they both chorused.

"I swear, if you don't leave now, I'll scream so loud Hajiya will come in here and drag you to Yaya's room. Don't dare me," Zara threatened.

"Ahh, no need for that," I said quickly, "I just came to borrow some clothes. I left mine in my room and don't want to wake them up."

"Fine, I have one short set and a cotton t-shirt. That's it."

I checked out the clothes, soft but revealing, especially for my figure. But what other choice did I have?

I took them and headed to the bathroom. After a thorough wash, I combed my hair down to its mid-length, put on the clothes, and stepped out.

"Damn, girl! It's giving what it's supposed to give !" Zara teased.

I rolled my eyes, ignoring their giggles, and applied the special humrah Hajiya Bulbul had made for me. The soft, mesmerizing scent filled the room as I strutted out, the girls' playful wolf whistles echoing behind me.

They'll be the death of me, I thought.

Reaching Afaan's door, I hesitated.

One...

Two...

Three. I knocked, then ran to hide like a complete fool. He opened the door, looked around, and went back inside.

I knocked again and quickly darted to a different hiding spot, closer to the room. He opened the door again, more annoyed this time, but I remained hidden. My intention was to get as close as possible then sneak in without him noticing.

On the third try, before I could knock, someone grabbed me by the wrist and pulled me into the room.

"Hello, babe," he whispered, smirking.

---

**Afaan's POV**
After Afrah's little back-and-forth earlier, I told Aneesa to pack her things. She didn't argue. I took her to a nearby hotel and promised I'd return for her after Hajiya left.

I came home, worked a bit, and watched a few movies. By the time Afrah returned with the girls, I could tell she was serious about them being around.

We joked for a while before I went back to my room. The aroma of the dinner they were preparing kept hitting me, and I felt the urge to go downstairs. I could use picking up Hajiya from the airport as an excuse.

Before leaving, I saw Afrah sleeping peacefully on Zara's lap. Her hair covered half her face, and she looked like a beautiful mess. Smiling to myself, I told Zara I was heading to the airport and left.

---

**45 minutes later...**
I arrived first because Ayoosh wouldn't let me help with any of her luggage. Hajiya was busy on the phone, so I carried Mahnoor inside.

Afrah stood there, dressed in a maroon peplum lace that hugged her curves perfectly. Her head tie was slightly pulled back, revealing her front hair, and her eyes sparkled from the kohl she had applied. Her lips, full and pouty in pink, were mesmerizing, and the henna patterns on her hands and legs added a touch of elegance. She looked simply stunning.

She reached out and took Mahnoor from me, her face lighting up as she kissed the baby's cheeks. I almost tripped over a chair while staring at her. I prayed no one noticed.

Dinner was excellent. Afrah really knew how to cook. I'd once joked with Bulls about these "arewa slay Queens" who couldn't cook but could sure look good on social media. But Afrah—she was different. Stylish, graceful, and a fantastic cook.

---
It was around 10:45 pm when I heard the first knock. I ignored it. A second knock followed, and I realized it was the sound of her anklets. Afrah loved wearing them, and if it was quiet enough, you could hear their soft jingle.

I stood by the door, waiting. When I heard her anklets again, I smiled and prepared myself. Before she could knock the third time, I yanked her inside by the wrist.

"Hello, babe," I whispered, smirking at her wide eyes.