For my girl TeemahGujbawu I'm sorry and I love you!

Friday came.

It was the day for the first event.

By then, the hash tag #JAAN21 started trending on the girls' social media accounts, especially the cousins who had been waiting for the wedding. The day before was the Henna day, so they started uploading various pictures and videos then. Suhad's wedding had been the most anticipated in the family, and since they finally had the opportunity, they weren't planning on letting it slip away.

They intended the enjoy it to the fullest.

Guests had filled up the palace. Both the rich and poor members of the family were there, at least, the ones that could make it were. The air in the palace was filled up with glee. Without a doubt, there was this air of jealousy and gossip that is unavoidable at every wedding, yet the happiness surpassed it. Even Mamita made an effort to hide her attitude towards her daughter in law.

The majority of the family accepted the girl. None of the people Jannah encountered hated her. And even if they did, they didn't show it. All they showed was their happiness and the blessings they showered upon her marriage with their son was immeasurable.

One person in particular was extremely nice to Jannah, Didi. It wasn't a surprise though. Everyone that knows about the marriage from the beginning knew that Malika adored Jannah as her own. One would think she's her daughter or her niece. She had always loved Jannah since the day she saw her at Daihaah's budan kai in Katsina. Since Mamita couldn't attend at the time, she did and since that day she had loved Jannah.

The fact that the girl married her step son is something that made her elated. And so, she made sure to show it.

Outside, the traditional musicians didn't fail to impress. They beat their drums and blew their trumpets as loud as the instruments could. Even the traditional guns were fired at the sky, for reasons Jannah did not know. Inside the palace at the main side where Mamita and Didi came together to welcome their guest, the masu kidan kwarya were relentless on singing and praising the Queens. After praising the mothers of the groom, they praised the bride in the most beautiful words one could ever use.

Daihaah, the qirjin biki, in her words enjoyed the praise to the extent that she gave them a huge token, all the while dancing to the tune. It was her best friend's wedding after all, she intended to enjoy to the maximum. For that, the women sang her a song, praising the Ameerah of Katsina, wife to the Prince Aamir El Khabir.

Eventually, Fatimah joined her in the dance since Jannah couldn't. The girl simply watched them from her room. Since she wasn't expected to be outside, she stayed in and enjoyed the show. At a point, she gave one of Suhad's cousins who stayed with her a token to give the women for such a beautiful praise and song.

The cousins who were all elated to be able to witness the beautiful day joined Daihaah and Fatimah in dancing. The elders watched from their chairs a far as the youth enjoyed.

Jannah was supposed to be happy just like everyone else, elated to say the least. Although she had a smile plastered on her face, it baffled her greatly how no one could see what she hid behind it. None noticed that it wasn't a genuine one, not even her husband.

Weird wasn't it? She should be happy to have him, along with her new family.

But, that wasn't what she wanted though. She wanted her family. Her mother and father. And maybe, even a sibling. But she doesn't have that. Right?

She smiled when Daihaah entered the room, Layla trailing behind her. The two wore identical outfits and if not for the bump Daihaah had, one couldn't tell who is who. Layla was glad to attend. Since she only had a few trusted friends she considered Jannah a friend too. After all, she's her twin sister's friend.

Besides, she had no problem attending the wedding. People don't know her face, so they won't know who she is. As long as no one states her full name in people's presence, her identity is safe. And that's all she ever wanted.

Jannah looked up, making the woman doing her makeup stop. Her lips curled into a grin when her gaze fell on the two. Though she had been faking her smiles since morning, that particular grin wasn't fake. She was happy to see them. "Daihaah!" She exclaimed.

Daihaah headed towards her, then embraced her in a warm engulf. When she pulled back, she sniffed and wiped away a tear. "My Gwaggo Janno...you're finally getting married!"

Jannah and Layla shared a look before they both laughed.

"I'm already married idiot. Why are you crying again?"

Daihaah glared at Jannah, swatting her arm. "Common cry in peace you won't let me" She wiped the tears, sniffing back.

Jannah chuckled slightly. "Dijeh do you miss me this much?" She teased, earning herself a glare from the girl.

"I don't" Daihaah shook her head, "You should be lucky I'm here seff" Daihaah gave Jannah another playful glare, "Make I go and look for my man sha. I don't like you anymore"

Layla chuckled, heading towards a couch. "Jannah don't mind Daihaah. She had been disturbing me since about this husband of hers. Small thing she'll start saying 'my man' upan down. As if we don't have husbands too"

"Ai shine" Jannah chuckled in agreement, glancing at Daihaah who stood hands akimbo.

Daihaah huffed lowly, "Leave me alone please" She rolled her eyes then head to the couch Layla is sitting on, keeping her bag. She then turned to the makeup artist, "Miss, continue please"

"Where are you going again?" Layla asked, when she saw Daihaah picked her phone up and started making her way to the door.

Daihaah stopped, then turned around to look at her twin. "I have to go and help Fatima make sure that everything is going on accordingly. Ai mune qirjin biki. We have to make sure everything goes as planned" Without waiting for a response, she headed out on her search for Fatimah.

Jannah and Layla shared a smile before Jannah turned, allowing the makeup artist continue her job. For the rest of the time it took to finish the makeup, Jannah and Layla talked about anything that came up.

Once the makeup was done, Layla brought out the outfit she had delivered for Jannah the day before. They had it hanging in the closet, so she just pulled it out. Zipping the bag open, she picked out the Fulani outfit. She then turned around to look at Jannah who had her mouth hung open. "What do you think?"

"Layla..." Jannah trailed off, blinking rapidly. Since the dress arrived, she didn't get the chance to check it as she had her henna done the day before along with her friends and some of Suhad's cousins. After that, she was so exhausted that she just hit the bed after she prayed. She needed every break she could get since it is the Fulani day, a traditional event Suhad's aunts insisted on having. "This is stunning!"

"Thank you" Layla chuckled, carefully placing the Fulani outfit on the bed. "It's from my latest fashion line. Though, I had a help from a good friend of yours"

Jannah blinked, moving her gaze from the outfit to Layla, her brows drawn in. "Who?"

Layla's smile widened. "Fatimah" She glanced at the outfit, then looked back at Jannah. "The girl is exceptionally talented"

Jannah wanted to ask how Fatimah knew Layla's identity and how they were able to work together. However, she was sure Daihaah had the two work together since they've kept everything from her for over a month. Nothing about their plans surprises her anymore. "It's beautiful really"

"Well then, in that case you better get dressed"

Jannah nodded, and was about to do so when a knock came on the door. Layla turned to Jannah, "I'll check, you wait here"

Jannah nodded and waited as Layla left, along with the makeup artist leaving her alone in the room. A couple minutes passed before Jannah heard the door opened and a person walked in. Jannah who had sat back on a couch looked up, expecting to see Layla only for her eyes to widen when she saw the person.

She stood up immediately, eyes still widened. She blinked, darting her tongue to wet her chapped lips. "Aunt..." Her barely came out above a whisper.

Her aunt smiled back warmly, releasing a small sigh. She waited. She wanted to wait and see whether Jannah would throw her out or not. Whatever decision the girl would make, she would not object. After what her husband did, she was sure that she doesn't deserve Jannah's pity or time of that sort. That is one of the reasons she had been unable to seek out for Jannah since her wedding with Suhad.

Kamal told her about it, when he spoke to her about everything. He admitted to knowing everything, and about how Baba, Jannah's late father knew that he is aware of the secrets they had been hiding.

She felt embarrassed to say the least. When she received the invite, she contemplated on going or not. Then again, she is the only family Jannah has. Or so the girl believes. She had to be there for her, it was the least she could do.

Her husband, she felt ashamed to call him that. Especially since the man doesn't seem to regret what he did.

"Firdausi..."

"Come in Aunt. Please, sit down" Jannah said, gesturing to the couch she was just sitting on earlier.

Her aunt nodded, slowly making her way over to the couch.

Jannah followed behind her, sitting on the carpet while her aunt sat on the couch. "Ina wuni Anty?" She greeted.

"Lafiya qalau Jannah. How are you and your husband?"

"We're both fine Alhamdullilah"

"Masha Allah" The aunt smiled, releasing a small sigh of relief. "Allah baku zaman lafiya"

"Ameen"

"Jannah..."

"Yes Aunt?"

Her aunt inhaled deeply, then exhaled. She then leaned down and took Jannah's hands in hers, "I'm sorry Firdausi, for your uncle did"

Jannah shook her head rapidly. She didn't want her aunt to apologize for something she had no hands in. After everything that happened, she didn't want to hold any grudges against them, she didn't want to hold so much hate in her. "You don't have to apologize aunt. I've already forgiven you"

Her aunt looked down, the tears she held in streaming down her face. She didn't know if she or her husband deserve the forgiveness Jannah just gave her. "Jannah we owe everything..." Her voice trailed off, as she chocked on a sob, "We owe everything to you two. I didn't, I never wanted any of us to take more than we already have" She looked up, her voice coming out barley above a whisper.

Jannah didn't know the details, but she knew what her aunt said must have something to do with what Bilkisu told her. She wanted to get answers, and she was planning on getting them soon. Until then, she didn't wat to blame anyone. Not even her greedy uncle. "It's okay Aunt. Billahil azeem I've already forgiven you, both of you. There's no need for you to apologize"

Her aunt smiled, wiping away the tears. She sniffed, staring at Jannah lovingly. "You're just as nice as your mother is. You have a heart as beautiful as hers. May Allah reward you abundantly and remove all the pain in your heart"

Jannah smiled back. "Ameen anty. Ameen"

~*~

"Iyye! Ango, see the way he's smiling!" Deen exclaimed, teasing his elder brother.

Suhad turned around and playfully glared at him, yet the grin on his face remain unwavering. "Leave me alone"

Prince chuckled when he and Deen exchanged a look. "The way you've been grinning since, aren't your cheeks hurting?"

"How would he feel it when all he feels at the moment in love?" Kamal piqued in, making the three men laugh except Suhad who glared at them.

"Why can't you guys leave me alone like him" He gestured to the guy sitting beside Kamal. The guy simply had a smile on his face, showcasing his dimples. He wasn't the type to talk much, he would rather observe.

He's alike to Prince in a way, except while Prince is carefree and a noise maker around his friends, he remains silent. All he does is smile at people. His gentle demeanor and smile that's always plastered on his face is one of the reasons the ladies fell for him.

Prince looked at the guy, chuckling in the process. "Don't be quick to judge Sultan fa. He just isn't in the mood, else, he fit tease pass us all" He shook his head. He didn't see the need to tell Suhad this since they both knew the guy since they were kids, but for some reason, Suhad always underestimated his limit.

Sultan glanced at Aamir. Chuckling lowly, he shook his head. He couldn't agree with Aamir's words. Sure enough, if he wants he can tease pass them all, but he wasn't the type to do that all the time. Only when it's necessary. Although he's close to Aamir and Suhad, he's closer to Deen seeing as he's his age mate.

"No but seriously," Kamal started, looking at the guy beside him, "Aahil doesn't seem to be the type to talk"

Deen scoffed shaking his head in the process, "He is the devil in disguise. Don't let his innocent looks deceive you oh! That's how the girls all fall"

"Are you still not over the fact that your ex-girlfriend always had a crush on me?" The guy spoke for the first time, raising a brow at Deen who huffed. Just like his soft expression, he kept his voice calm. Yet, that edgy tease was still there.

Deen tsked. "You charmed her with those looks" He scoffed again. The girl's topic is something that Aahil always teased Deen about though the guy is married already. His ex-girlfriend, was his first girlfriend that broke up with him and not the other way around, simply because she had a crush on Aahil.

It hurt Deen's ego to say the least.

The only thing that comforted him back then was the fact that Aahil paid no attention to the girl.

"Hold one!" Kamal spoke up, gaining all their attention. "Is his name Aahil or Sultan?" His brows furrowed, "Because while Deen calls him Aahil, Prince calls him Sultan"

"Both" Suhad replied.

"Aahil is his name actually" Deen cuts in to clarify it for Kamal, "Well, his second name actually. Prince calls him Sultan because he's our next Sultan of Sokoto"

"I'm not" Aahil said to Kamal, shaking his head.

Deen playfully glared at his friend, "Say whatever you want. If they give you the throne, tell them you don't want"

"I will" Aahil answered simply, yet the small smile on his proved otherwise.

Kamal chuckled at the friendship the two shared. It was obvious that they are close judging by their bickering and all. He was about to say something when his phone pinged. He placed his hand in his pocket and pulled it out.

Tapping the screen, it came to life. He blinked as his face became stoic when the message he received reigned on him with the realization of what it meant.

The guys noticed the look on his face.

"What is it?" Suhad was the first one to ask.

Kamal stood up, swiping across the screen he scrolled looking for a particular number. He then looked up before tapping the call button, "Jabeer Waziri is planning to escape. We have to strike now"

~*~

Supp y'all!It's been a while.

I've finally updates so stop saying I abandoned you for VEILED. I didn't o. I was stuck, dazzal.

Anyways, things are finally picking up again. Will they be able to get Big boss? Will he escape again?

And we've also met Aahil, my guy! I want to finish this book so I can start his book seff.

Comment please. Vote. And share.

Love, Jannah.