"It's almost time you guys" Yusrah said coming into the kitchen after keeping the tray on the dining table.

Yesterday was the most fun of my days within these past months. The girls all told me how they met with their fiances and who they were. Zahra promised she has no one and is stuck with me.

Fast forward today started with us making breakfast and right after that went into the kitchen and started preparing for the guest. Intisaar's mother said she's leaving everything to us and so we took care of the kitchen. Now we are done with cooking and are arranging them before we all will take a bath and get ready.

The fiance's family are coming with two of his friends. The family are to sit and talk in Inti's father's living room and we are to go to the guest room.

"All done" Zahra exclaimed looking pleased with her work as she gazed at her mocktails

Covering up the casserole, I slowly took the shepherd's pie I made to the dining table. Arranging the plates and cutleries near it.

"Now that we are all done, let's get ready" Juwairiyya shouted as she left the kitchen heading to Inti's room. All day she has been waiting to try our her gown and get all dolled up. You will think she's the one getting engaged.

We all left to the room and took turns cleaning up, I wore a simple peach gown with golden embroidery on the sides and wrist and a small bow at the back. It was simple yet elegant. After getting ready, we moved to getting Intisaar ready in a red floral gown flowing in an A shape. She went with a simple mascara, lip balm and Kohl make up with brushes of powder. Right when we were done and I finished clipping my hijab, Intisaar's elder sister, Yaa Rahma came into the room.

"Girls, we ready? She asked smiling

"Yaaa Rahma" We all shouted rushing to hug her. Yaa Rahama was like the elder sister I never had, she was the type that is always willing to be there for you.

"When did you arrive? I asked as we all stepped back

"Just now. And I decided to surprise you"

"Where's Yaa Maryam? Yusrah asked

"She's with her husband's family in Niger" She replied and we nodded

"Where are the kids? Juwairiyya asked looking around

"Ohh I left them at home with the Nanny. I just can't" She said shaking her head

"Addah" Intisaar complained looking at her through the mirror

"What! Let me enjoy this event to the fullest. You look beautiful by the way" She said walking to her and kissing her head

"Thank you" Intisaar replied

"I heard what happened" Yea Rahama added turning to me and grabbing my hands "Insha Allah you will fight through this my darling" She smiled and gave me a hug

"Thank you" I said smiling as she broke the hug

"I'll leave now and go search for some left overs although I don't promise not eating those on the dining if I didn't find any left overs" She said winking as she exited the room

"Ohh" She peeped her head back in "They are here. That's what brought me in the first place. Some of you take her to the other parlour while some of you help the maids take refreshments to the main parlour" She finished off and closed the door

"Juwairiyya and Zahra, you take her to the parlour, Yusrah and I will take refreshments" I said as Intisaar stood up

"You're a life saver. I nhate meeting elder people" Juwairiyya said and I I shook my head.

We made sure everything wa okay before we all went out and headed downstairs then took our separate ways.

This night better be interesting.

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After taking the refreshments and greeting them, we were told Intisaar's elder brother took the fiance and his friends to the other parlour and we left to go greet them before leaving them alone.

Yusrah went in before me as I had to stop and remove my sandals, with a salam I entered the living room meeting the gaze of my friends and the gaze of two unfamiliar eyes and one very very familiar one.

Of course Hafeez has to be the friend! Can my life get any less novel-like?

I went in and sat down pretending to not notice him as I greeted them all and after a few minutes the girls and I stood up to leave when Hafeez called Zahra. Even when something tugged me to turn back and glare at them a I suddenly turned suspicious, I kept my head high and left the living room as we all headed to Intisaar's room.

"Well I'm sure we tried and that is a satisfying feeling right there " Yusrah said plopping on the bed.

"It is" I said lying next to her. "Hey where's juwai--

"I'm here" She said coming into the room with a big tray and two maids trailing behind her carrying equal size of trays with varieties of all we cooked

"Now you're the life saver" I said getting down ready to eat

"Humaira" Zahra said coming into the room

"Hum" I said scooping out the shepherd's pie

"Hafeez said he really wants to talk to you" She said looking directly at me

"Well as you can see I'm about to eat" I said grabbing a spoon

"No you aren't" Juwairiyya said snatching my plate

"What do you mean? I asked glaring at her

"Please Humaira even if it's for our sake" Zahra said and I rolled my eyes

"Why are you being so stubborn. At least give the guy a chance to speak" Yusrah said pushing my head

"WTH" I shouted turning to glare at her

"Maimai please go. I promise to keep every bit of the food for you and you even get an extra chocolate parfait" Juwairiyya said with pleading eyes

"Every bit? I asked narrowing my gaze and he nodded

"Fine" I said standing up and adjusting my hijab

"Yayyyy"

I took a deep breath and turned to them "If I get hurt again I'm cutting your tongues off" I threatened then went out of the room

"Any other place not my tongue please. I love to eat and talk and taste" Juwairiyya rambled as I rolled my eyes, again!

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I saw him sitting down on the gazebo with his legs crossed looking breathtaking as usual.

"Assalamualaikum" I muttered coming to sit next to him

"Wa'alaikumus Salam" He said raising his head to look at me and shifting a little.

"How are you doing Humaira? He asked as I kept my gaze ahead

"I'm good" I said curtly

"You look beautiful" He said with a soft tone and the sincerity in it made my head snap up to him

"Thank you" I replied quickly averting my gaze

"Maama sends her regards" He said after a long minutes of silence

"How is she and the other kids? I asked knowing he's referring to the girl in his orphanage

"They are fine. They missed you" He said softly

"I missed them too" I said glancing at the ground

"You don't miss me? He asked as I continued looking at the ground

"I do" I said automatically not even realising I said that

"There's never a day that passed without me thinking about you a hundred times" He said and I shot him a questioning look

"Okay fine. But I did once count and I swear it was 57" He said as I threw my head back laughing

"Well you could call or text or say hi but you didn't" I said shrugging while he kept quiet looking into space

"I didn't know how to face you" He finally said after what felt like eternity of silence

"Why? I needed you at that moment the most! I said turning and looking at him

"I know and I really wanted to be there for you. I want to be there during every problem you face"

"Then why didn't you? I asked raising a brow

"Not when I'm associated with the problem" He said and I raised a brow

"What do mean?

"When I heard the news, I wanted to call you but then I saw who did it and the other person apart from Alhaji Sani was none other than my Father, Alhaji Salisu Basheer.

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