Just the two of us (EDITING)✔️

Chapter Forty~Nine

"Okay, first things first. I don't want anything too extravagant, just a small family gathering," I said, glancing at Zuhra, who had walked in five minutes ago. "Zuhra's handling the invites, so I'll give you the list of guests I've written down. You can add your own suggestions."

We were currently planning Afaan's surprise birthday party, and the planning alone was already exhausting. I couldn't even imagine how chaotic the actual day would be.

"Oh, speaking of birthdays, Dadi miji isn't her birthday just two days before his Zara'u ?"  Munira asked, as if remembering something important.

"Yes, it is," Zara replied with a grin, "and please, stop calling me Zara'u, Muntee. You know you hate when I call you that."

"Exactly! Muntee sounds like you're calling me a 'munter,' and that's offensive," Muntaz complained, rolling her eyes dramatically.

"Can we please stay focused, you two? I'll inform everyone by tomorrow—"

"Adda, Ya Afaan said you should get ready. It's getting late," Zulaikha interrupted, poking her head into the room.

"For real? What time is it now?" I checked my phone and frowned. It was already 9:30 p.m. I sighed in frustration as I picked up my veil and fixed it over my head.

"Why the sigh, Madam Information Minister? I thought Ke dadi miji," Munira teased again.

I shot her a playful glare. "Muni , don't push it. You know what I'm capable of."

Zara quickly jumped in to shield her friend. "Please, Afrah, spare her! She is just messing with you."

We headed out of Zara's room, but not before I practically emptied her Afifah humrah bottle on myself. As we stepped into the parlor, an awkward tension filled the air. Ammi was sternly reprimanding Furairah , who sat with her head down.

"Afrah come," she called with a warm smile when she noticed me standing by the door , and I immediately walked into her embrace.

"Ammi, you're always spoiling Afrah. What about me?" Zara whined, pouting as she crossed her arms.

"Don't mind Zara," Ammi chuckled. "She's just jealous. Go on, he's waiting for you outside. Thank you for the gifts, my dear. Allah ya maku albarka."

"Amin, thank you, Ammi. Goodnight," I said with a grateful smile. There was something about Ammi that always filled me with so much respect for her. She truly was the ideal mother-in-law—kind, loving, and wise.

"Ke, Furairah, can't you greet?" Ammi's voice suddenly became sharp, reminding me of how my own mother used to be.

"Ina wuni," Furairah mumbled, not even bothering to hide the sarcasm. She threw a smirk in my direction, leaving me to wonder what that was all about.

"Lafiya lau," I responded, deciding to brush it off. We weren't exactly on speaking terms, so I wasn't going to force it. After bidding Ammi another goodnight, I headed out with Zara and Munira , who waved goodbye, promising to FaceTime me so we could continue planning. I really wanted to drive, but I could tell from Afaan's straight face that it was best to let him take the wheel.

Hard guy, Hard guy.

I stifled a laugh, realizing I had spoken aloud. Afaan's eyes flickered toward me briefly before he sighed and returned his attention to the road. What is going on with this man?

As we drove, my thoughts began to wander. I was two weeks late. But I didn't want to get ahead of myself just yet. First, because periods could skip for all sorts of reasons. Second, I needed to get tested. And third... well, there wasn't really a third reason. I was just excited at the thought of possibly having a little mini-me running around. And a little bit of Afaan in the mix too, of course.