Affairs Of The Hearts |✅

13|Home Sweet Home.

Abuja, Nigeria.

"Huh! It's so good to be back home again! Hospital sucks. Home sweet home." Jalilah smiled as she settled onto one of the couches.

"Mummy, I want to eat your yummy plantain frittata, please," she added with a pout.

"Okay, my baby. I'll make some in ten minutes," Hajiya Khadijah replied with a smile, heading to the kitchen.

"I'll go to my room and freshen up while she's making it," Jalilah said weakly as she stood up. She was about to climb the stairs when she turned back.

"Wait, why is the house so quiet, Adda Mahee? Where's Daddy and Hajiya?" she asked, looking at Maheera, who simply shrugged.

"I don't know either. Hajiya's been acting strange since morning... I mean, she's naturally grumpy, but today she's been oddly happy, smiling all morning."

"Well, maybe she just remembered our late grandfather today," Jalilah remarked, and they all shared a laugh before she headed upstairs to her room. Once inside, she sat on her bed and eagerly dialed Aslam's number, which he answered on the first ring.

"I've been trying to call you, Cake! Your number was unreachable. What happened?"

"Sorry, Cupcake. I've been trying to reach you too. Are you discharged yet?"

"Yes, just got home a little while ago," she replied with a smile.

"Alhamdulilah! Glad to hear that," he sighed.

"I really missed you, Cupcake. When are you coming back to school?"

"I'm not sure... It depends on my health. I missed you more, Cake! Can't wait to see you!" she squealed, and he chuckled.

"Um... Cake, I'm really sorry about my grandmother..."

"No need to apologize, Cupcake. I understand her perspective. Honestly, I was proud of her. What happened at the hospital showed me how disciplined and respected your family is."

"Aw! You have no idea how much that means to me, Cake! Thank you. I can't love you less," she said just as Hajiya Khadijah opened the door and entered. Jalilah noticed the serious look on her mother's face and quickly ended the call.

"From today onwards, I don't ever want to see you on the phone with that boy, understand? In fact, I want you to cut all ties with him," Hajiya said firmly.

"But why, Mummy? I thought we were done with that issue," Jalilah replied, pouting.

"Just listen to me, okay? Here's your plantain frittata, as you requested," she said, placing the tray on the bedside drawer. "Your daddy and I will have some tea with you later, okay, sweetheart?" She smiled and kissed Jalilah's forehead before leaving the room. Jalilah stared at her mother's retreating figure, wondering why she suddenly wanted her to cut off ties with Aslam.

---

Jalal lay on his bed, eyes closed, thinking about his sudden marriage to Jalilah, when he felt tiny fingers gently caressing his hair. He opened his eyes to see Alaina's smiling face.

"Ya Jalal! You're awake!" she grinned.

"I wasn't sleeping, Alaina. What are you doing here?" he asked, sitting up.

"I came to play with you, Ya Jalal," she replied with a pout. "You promised you'd play with me, remember?"

"Yes, but I have some work to do now. We'll play later."

"But I want to play now!" she insisted, nearly in tears.

"Alright, go get ready. We're going out," he said, and Alaina squealed with joy, giving him a quick peck on the forehead before rushing off.

"Mummy, help me choose what to wear! Ya Jalal is taking me out," she whined excitedly.

"Really?! Can I tag along?" Jalilah asked eagerly.

"Of course you can, Jalilah! Go get ready," they heard Alhaji Abdurrahman say from behind.

"Yay! Thanks, Daddy!" Jalilah giggled and headed to her room.

"Daddy, can I come too?" Banina asked.

"Sure, all of you get ready," he replied, and she followed her sister with a smile.

"Ya Jalal, we're ready!" Jalilah called, standing beside his car.

Jalal froze for a moment. He couldn't remember promising to take all three of them out! He remembered agreeing to take Alaina, not the whole group.

"To...?" he raised an eyebrow.

"Well, aren't we going out?" Jalilah asked.

"Right... with Alaina, not the two of you."

"Please, Ya Jalal! We're really bored... It's the first time you're taking us out anyway," Jalilah pleaded with a pout.

"Get in," he sighed, and they thanked him before getting into the car.

As Jalal entered and was about to start the ignition, he noticed the passenger seat was empty. Did they think he was their driver?

"I'm not your driver, am I?" he said calmly, and they got the hint. Jalilah, seated by the window, quickly got up and moved to the passenger seat. With everyone settled, they set off.

"Ten minutes to get whatever you want," Jalal said when they reached the mall. He handed his credit card to Jalilah, giving her the pin.

"Thanks, Ya Jalal."

"But aren't you coming with us?" Alaina asked with a little pout.

"No, Alaina. Go have fun, okay?"

"Okay," she replied, nodding, though disappointed. Noticing her reaction, Jalal quickly added, "Alright, Alaina, get a tub of ice cream for us to share when we get home, okay?" He smiled, and she giggled, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.

They exited the mall, laughing with their arms full of shopping bags, when Jalilah accidentally bumped into a guy, causing her items to spill.

"Where were you?!" the guy barked.

"Excuse me! I'm the one who should be asking that! You bumped into me, spilled my items, and you're barking at me? How dare you!" Jalilah retorted.

Banina, who had just finished picking up the items, tried to calm her sister down. "Let's just go, Jalilah. We don't have time for this."

"No! How could he just bump into me, spill my things, and then yell at me? Like, seriously!"

"Do you know who I am? How dare you speak to me like that?" the guy shot back angrily.

"I don't care who you are! It's not my business! I want an apology now!"

"How dare you say that to me!" The guy roared, raising his hand to strike Jalilah when a firm hand stopped him. Jalilah shifted her gaze from the guy to find Jalal, standing beside her, eyes blazing.

"Alhamdulilah! Ya Jalal is here," Banina whispered with relief.

"Who are you?!" the guy shouted.

"How dare you raise your hand against her?" Jalal replied, anger evident in his tone.

"That's none of your business! You're not even related to each other!" the guy sneered.

"And what makes you think we're not related?"

"Because clearly you aren't! Just a random guy meddling in others' business," the guy smirked, prompting Jalal to clench his fists.

"Damn it! She is my WIFE!"

---

Written on 25.10.20.
Edited on 30.9.22🖤