Gombe State.

***

One early morning, two weeks before Rakiya's wedding. Inbihaj stopped by to carry Haneesa after leaving the twins, Nabiila, Ajma and her nanny (Kubra) at Haneesa's side. They promised to be back in less than four hours and Nabiila was more than happy to stay with the babies, she needed a distraction and time to herself seeing all her cousins were being too nosy.

They first stopped by a salon, where they washed their hair, trimmed and curled it. Inbihaj suggest they don't plait the hair in the salon and leave it till they go to Dukku, which is in two days because she knows a very nice hair plaiter there.

They had their manicures and pedicures, laughing and talking. After then, Inbihaj drove them to the supermarket where they shopped for their babies.

"No quality diapers in Dukku, buy as much as you can" Inbihaj suggest as Haneesa carried a size two diaper, they proceeded to carry instant milk, some wipes, cute toys they saw, baby soap, baby hair shampoo, baby oil and basically everything they will need to last them their stay in Dukku.

After paying with their husband's ATM cards, they left the supermarket and drove to a shop where Inbihaj asked Haneesa to wait in the car. She stayed there for almost fifteen minutes before Inbihaj exited the shop carrying two heavy bags.

"What is that?" She asked as she kept the bag in the back seat and settled on the driver's seat.

"Our anko (uniform clothes) for the wedding."

"I didn't know we had anko.." She gasped

"Well you have me so don't worry love. And yes, your husband paid.. I talked to him even before you guys came to Gombe and he sent your money for the anko and sewing"

"Thank you so much"

"What are sisters for?" She winked driving them to the restaurant where they ate and talked about how the wedding will be lite and how fine they will look. Inbihaj told her that their head ties and high heels she ordered will arrive tomorrow and will be delivered to them InshaAllah. She couldn't be more grateful for Inbihaj in her life.

"We better get home, we have been away for a while" Haneesa suggest glancing at her watch. It was past Asr prayers and they left home since twelve o'clock. Thank God they both were not praying.

"Toh mamman babies. if you insist. Let's go" Inbihaj groaned making her to laugh. They brought takeaway foods for their husband's because they will be too lazy to cook when they get home seeing how exhausted they were.

Arriving home they met Salman and Ahmaad watching football in the living room. Only one of the twin was with them while the two kids were no where to be found along with Biila and Kubra.

"Assalam Alaikum.. I didn't know you were coming over" Inbihaj said after they chorused their salaam's.

"Wa'alaikum Salaam. Well when I have been receiving debit alerts I had to stop by and collect my card back" Salman replied and they laughed.

"At least we brought some food for you guys, be thankful" Haneesa said and they all laughed. The went to the kitchen and unpacked the food while serving it to them. Haneesa collected Aslaha from Ahmaad asking about Aslam and Ajma's whereabout.

"They went to Ummah's side with Nabiila and Kubra" he replied

"Haneesa you have to do something about this little princess, she is so attached to this monkey over here it is not healthy" Salman said

"What can I do? He pampers her too much wai princess" she rolled her eyes. They excused themselves as they walked to Haneesa's room where they freed their selves from the veil and head tie. Sipping their cold drinks, they talked about how the travelling arrangements will be.

"We should insist on traveling with our husbands.." Inbihaj said as Haneesa change Aslaha's bib which she soaked with God knows what.

"Yes we should. How many buses will be going to Dukku?"

"At least four and three Lexus. We should carry one Lexus and hijack it. You know what.. I have an idea"

"What is it?"

"We should leave immediately after Subh prayers wallahi.. That way no one can change our already made plans."

Haneesa laughed, "your not for real"

"Wallahi I am serious, better start packing early. I will tell Salman about it, we will come and pick you guys up"

"What if Ummah asks about us?"

Inbihaj paused, "well she can meet us in Dukku ai"

🍀🍀🍀

In two days time as planed by Inbihaj, they packed their car in front of Haneesa's side immediately after Subh prayers and she rushed to knock on their door.

"Be fast! Be fast! We have to run before some peeps from Ummah's window and notice one of the cars missing!" Inbihaj panicked as the door flew open. Haneesa rushed out holding the babies while Ahmaad carried their bags to the car boot. After making sure they carried everything, he switched off all the lights and locked the house before joining the rest in the car.

Kubra was sitting in the back seat with Ajma who was sleeping, Inbihaj and Haneesa were in the second row holding the twins individually while Salman was driving and Ahmaad was in the passenger's seat.

"I can't believe we made it" Haneesa laughed.

"Everyone switch off your phones"

"What? No" Ahmaad said "what if Ummah calls?"

"Haba it will be fun, come on" Inbihaj insist and he sigh switching if off. They all had to submit their phones to Inbihaj because she didn't trust they will turn off their phones so she stuffed them in her handbag and zipped it.

"This is crazy" Salman huffed "babe you are crazy"

"I know" she laughed.

***

Haneesa missed Hajiya so much, she just couldn't wait to wrap her hands around the old woman and hug her so tight until she complained about her breaking one of her bones. She wanted to sprint out of the car and run to Hajiya's room but when Ahmaad insist the go to their room and rest first seeing how uncomfortable and irritated the twins were she felt like strangling him but she did nothing like that.

Around past eight in the morning, Haneesa found her self giving Aslam a bath while Ahmaad was with Aslaha. She unpacked their clothes, dressed them in a matching overall and cap, she fed them until they both fell asleep. She watch as Ahmaad walks to the door and opened it just to let the maids enter with different dishes, he thanked them and served some food for Haneesa and him on the same plate.

"Can we go and meet Hajiya now?" She asked as they cleared the plate.

He sighed, "Are you not knackered? Rest. We will meet her later"

"Haba Ahmaad.. I will cry" she threatened and he glance at her puppy dog eyes, he wouldn't try any act that will trigger her. After their fight when she learnt he was with Sadiya and Maryama the previous night, it took lots of sorry before she finally let the matter go.

"Alright you can go. Tell Hajiya I will come later InshaAllah. I'm sleepy"

Squealing, she got dressed in her material bubu and white veil which she wrapped around her head. She applied some kohl and lip balm before taking a picture of the sight before her. Ahmaad was sleeping with Aslaha beside him and Aslam beside Aslaha, his hand was over them as he snuggled into Aslaha snoring lightly. She smiled, there goes her new wallpaper.

Switching off the lights, she stepped out from the room and walked to Hajiya's side which was a long walk. She met a maid who was dusting Hajiya's room and after a long session of trying to understand each other (because she was speaking fulfulde and Haneesa couldn't understand a word) she understood that Hajiya was in the main living room so she walked there trying to keep calm.

"It's my granddaughter's wedding. Everything has to be perfect!" She heard Hajiya's voice and she Salaamed.

"Subhanalilahi! Burdah is that you!?" The Old woman gasped in joy closing her mouth with her hand. Haneesa found herslef lunging on Hajiya as she cried. She really do miss her.

"Oh my child! It is you"

"Hajiya inna wuni"

She let go of the hug wiping away her tears, "Lafia. When did you arrive?"

"A while ago"

"With who? Where are the rest?" She questioned and Haneesa told her they left before everyone.

"I am very happy to see your Burdah, I missed having you around. How are you my dear? And my great grand kids? I heard the girl was named after me.. What do you call them?"

"I missed you too Hajiya. We are all fine Alhmadulilah.. It's Aslaha and Aslam"

"All this modern names. Just say mini Hajiya and small Daddy" she teased and they both laughed.

"I hope no one is giving you a hard time my dear?" She asked and Haneesa knows she was referring to Ummah.

"Hajiya you worry too much.. everything is fine" she replied. They talked for a while until Hajiya noticed how Haneesa was yawning so she shooed her to sleep in her room while she anticipated the arrival of the guests.

🍀🍀🍀

"This is uncalled for. What rubbish!?"

"Mommy.."

"No Salman, don't interrupt me when I am talking. Which type of childish act is this? Do you know that we had to leave Maryama and Nabiila behind because there is no space for two more people!" she yelled.

Inbihaj chuckled lowly before composing herself. She wished it was Maryama and Sadiya they left behind, it would have been hilarious.

"I'm sorry"

"It's not his fault mommy, I also contributed to this childish act" Ahmaad add while Salman sent him the, 'let me handle this' glare.

"No it's not his fault, Mommy it's mine" Salman argued.

"It doesn't matter really, since everyone is here then why the commotion!?" Hajiya asked entering the room.

"But Hajiya Maryama is not here, she is stranded in Gombe" Inna Naana replied

"Haa'ann. Naana are you not the one that told me she will be coming with Hammad? (Abba)"

"But.."

"Enough of this Naana, we didn't invite you to cause a misunderstanding. We invited you because this is a happy occasion"

Everyone knows that despite being mother and child, Hajiya and Naana don't have the best relationship.

"Burdah, Inbihaj and Sadiya come with me.." Hajiya said and they all follow her out of the room. The tension was too much and Inna Naana looked like she was going to burst any moment from now.

"Inbihaj and Haneesa, you both are in charge of this wedding. I want everything to go perfectly alright.." Hajiya started as they reached the kitchen.

"InshaAllah Hajiya, don't worry we will take care of things" Inbihaj replied.

"And you Sadiya, you will help them and do as they say"

"Chab!" she hissed "Hajiya I can't work with someone who doesn't know how to speak our language"

"Two people here can't speak your so called language Sadiya so be specific" Inbihaj sparked irritated.

"Adda Inbihaj at least you are Fulani and you can hear our language, even though you can't speak it fluently you can hear and understand the language. But some people are just deaf and dumb when it comes to fulfulde"

"Halima Sadiya! Walla haa kïlo! (You don't have sense)" Hajiya scold.

"Hajiya I was just saying the truth.."

"wh..."

"Hajiya please don't worry yourself, I will take care of Sadiya myself" Inbihaj replied glaring at her

"they are both your elders so you will do as they say.." Hajiya command before walking out of the kitchen.

"Keh marar kunya ko? (Your disrespectful right?)" Inbihaj asked Sadiya who hissed.

"Hiss one more time and see what will happen to that your shapeless mouth!" Haneesa warned

"How dare you talk to me like that!? Inna must hear this"

She laughed, "Wallahi you have entered my black book" and with that she sashayed away.

She Is ready for drama.

****
Fire on the mountain...🔥🔥

Please pray for my Uncle who died yesterday in a ghastly car crash along with his wife and kids, and also his sister. 😭💔 as I am writing right now his other sister (who was in the car) is in the hospital.. In a very critical condition. (She is the only one who survived)😥
May your soul rest in peace Uncle Jamal and family💖 Ameen.

Jazakallah.

May Allah forgive our sins and shortcomings.

Ameen.