The phone rang, each tone dragging on like an eternity, before his voice, steady but drained, broke through. 
"Jadwa?" 

That single word shattered her. A sob burst from her lips, jagged and raw, as she gasped for air. Her voice was unrecognizable, trembling and fractured. 
"I... I don't know... Ya Imran, I can't—" The words dissolved, tangled in a flood of tears. Her breaths came in harsh, uneven gasps, each one scraping painfully at her throat. 

"My baby," his voice was soft yet firm, cutting through the chaos. "Can you just breathe for me? I'm here. I'm right here. Take it slow... just breathe with me." 

His voice was a tether, a steady rhythm in the whirlwind of her panic. She clung to the phone, her grip white-knuckled, but with every deep inhale, guided by his calm cadence, her hold loosened. The crushing weight on her chest began to lift, each breath smoothing the jagged edges of her grief. 

Minutes felt like hours before she whispered, "I didn't realize... how long I'd been like this." The realization hit her like a wave, exhaustion settling into her bones. But his voice planted a fragile seed of calm amidst the wreckage. 

"Jadwa," Imran said gently, "what do we do when someone dies as Muslims?" 

Her breath caught. He must have seen the message in the family group chat; she'd noticed the same notification seconds before calling him. 

"Mm?" he prompted again, his voice patient, urging her to focus. 

"We make du'a," she managed, though her voice broke over the words. 

"Exactly," he said, his tone steady. "We thank Allah, pray for the deceased, and have sabr. Allah gave us both of them, and He took one. He knows best. He could have taken the other too—or you, or me, or anyone. This loss could be the very reason the parents enter Jannah. So, we pray for them. We pray he becomes their vessel to Jannah." 

She nodded instinctively, though he couldn't see her. "Tohm," she murmured faintly, her grief momentarily soothed by his clarity. 

The line went quiet for a moment, the silence heavy but comforting. Then he asked, "What are you doing now?" 

"I'm just sitting," she said quietly, her voice steadier but still fragile. 

"Your room?" he pressed gently, then added, "You should go to our room now, baby." 

She hummed in agreement, her limbs feeling heavy as she pushed herself up. "Okay," she whispered. "Have you spoken to Sadiq?" 

"Yes, I spoke with him and Fatima before you called," he replied. 

"I wanted to go there now," she admitted, guilt twisting in her chest. 

Imran's sigh was soft but firm. "If I were around, we would have gone, baby. But it's late, and you can't drive right now." 

She didn't argue, the weight of his words grounding her. 

"Will you be okay if I hold the call for a minute?" he asked. 

"Of course, babe. Go ahead," she said, her heart steadying further with his reassurance. 

While the call was on hold, she splashed cold water on her face, the icy shock stinging her cheeks but clearing her head. A glass of lemon water soothed her dry throat before she settled back on the bed. 

"Jadwa," his voice returned, warm and grounding. 

"Na'am, albi?" 

"Ibrahim will be dropping off Lily in a bit to stay with you until I'm back," he said gently but firmly. 

"Baby, you didn't have to. I'm—" 

"Jadwa," he interrupted, his voice calm but weighted. "I'm worried. Ya Rabb, forgive me, but I'm doing everything in my power not to lose my mind right now. Hearing you like that..." His voice trailed off, heavy with emotion he rarely showed. 

Her heart sank under the weight of guilt. "I'm sorry I made you worry, habiby." 

"It's okay. I'm glad you called me," he said, his voice softening. "Really, thank you." 

Why is he thanking me? The thought lingered in her mind, but she found herself echoing him anyway. 
"Thank you," she murmured, her voice barely audible. 

"Albi," she whispered, her voice steadier now. "I think I should really go to Fatima's tonight. Please." 

Imran's silence lingered on the line, his hesitance evident. "Tomorrow morning, baby," he said gently but firmly. 

"I am your wife. If I don't go, it wouldn't be right, ai?" she pressed, her voice carrying a thread of desperation. 

He hummed softly, a sound that told her he wasn't swayed. "Let's not talk about going tonight, okay? Lily will be with you soon. Stay put, Jadwa." 

"Tohm," she sniffled, resigning herself to his calm authority. 

The two remained on the line, their silence occasionally punctuated by his soft questions checking on her. "Are you okay?" he asked more than once, his persistence comforting. Over twenty minutes passed before she heard the sound of a car pulling up at the gate. 

She rose, slipping into her jilbab, the phone still pressed to her ear. As she descended the stairs and unlocked the main door, a familiar figure emerged from the car. Anaya stood there, distraught, her abaya thrown hastily over a pair of pajamas. Ibrahim, clad in a pristine white jallabiya, hovered nearby, his presence calm but observant. 

"Ya Ibrahim, ina yini?" Jadwa greeted, her voice still heavy with emotion. 

"Jadu, kina lafiya?" he asked, offering a polite smile as she pulled Anaya into a tight hug. 

"Lafiya lau," she replied, though her voice wavered. She could feel Anaya trembling against her, the silent heartbreak spilling through her posture. 

Ibrahim stepped forward, his tone firm but comforting. "Now is not the time to cry. We've lost something dear, yes, but this is the time for sabr. We must thank Allah for keeping our loved one in Jannah and pray for strength—for the parents and for ourselves." 

Anaya sniffled, pulling back from Jadwa and nodding solemnly. "Ameen," she whispered, her voice barely audible. 

"Ameen," Jadwa echoed, feeling the weight of Ibrahim's words settle over her like a blanket of resolve. 

"Allah ya kara hakuri," he prayed softly, lifting his chin slightly in a gesture for them to head inside. 

"Thank you, Ya Ibrahim," Jadwa murmured. 

"Thank you," Anaya echoed, her voice still shaky as she waved at him before stepping inside. Ibrahim waited until the door closed behind them before returning to his car. 

Inside, Jadwa guided Anaya to the couch in her living room, where she prepared a cup of tea to ease both their nerves. Anaya sat quietly, her head resting on Jadwa's lap. With her free hand, Jadwa caressed Anaya's arm, finding a rhythm in the motion that soothed them both. 

Imran was still on the line. She could hear faint murmurs as he spoke to someone in Arabic, the sound of a remote clicking in the background. 

"Thank you, Albi," she said softly, her gratitude genuine. "I think you should rest now." 

"Alright," he replied, though his voice still carried a note of concern. "Where's Lily?" 

"She's with me, drinking tea," Jadwa said, smiling faintly as she looked down at Anaya. 

"Put me on speaker," he requested, and she complied. 

"Lily," he called, his voice warm and familiar. 

"Ya Moh," Anaya responded, her tone perking up slightly. Jadwa noticed how his voice seemed to lift her mood instantly. 

"Are we good?" he asked. 

"We're good," Anaya replied. 

"Good, good?" he teased, and Anaya chuckled softly. 

"Not good-good, but we're good," she admitted, her tone carrying a hint of playfulness. 

"Toh," he said, his voice shifting to a more serious note. "Let's keep praying. Damuwa ko kuka babu amfani, okay?" 

"In Shaa Allah," Anaya promised, though her voice still wavered. 

"Baby," Imran addressed Jadwa next. 

"Na'am?" 

"Tomorrow will be a very early and busy day. You both should sleep now," he said, his tone laced with gentle insistence. 

Anaya finished her tea, then stretched and stood. "Goodnight, Ya Moh," she said, heading toward Jadwa's room. 

"Goodnight, honey," he replied warmly. 

Jadwa took the phone off speaker and brought it back to her ear. "Baby na," he said, his voice soft but exhausted. 

"Mmm? Big baby," she teased, a small smile tugging at her lips despite the heaviness of the evening. 

"Lokacin bacci ko? Can you sleep? Or should I stay on the phone with you?" he asked, his concern evident. 

"You should rest, albi. I'll sleep with Lily tonight," she reassured him. 

"Alright," he said, though his voice hesitated. "But listen, baby. I won't be coming back tomorrow. I need you to handle some important things, okay?" 

Her brows furrowed. "Okay," she said cautiously. "What things?" 

"You know where my safe is?" he asked. 

"No, I'm not sure," Jadwa replied honestly, curiosity tingling in her chest. 

"In my room, just before you reach the balcony, there's a bronze iron decor on the wall," Imran explained. "Behind it, there's a button. Press it and hold for a few seconds. It'll open a door." 

Jadwa walked to their bedroom, her steps careful, her mind racing. When she reached the balcony area, her gaze fell on the intricate bronze wall piece. She studied it closely, searching for any indication of a hidden mechanism. 

"I can't see any button," she said, her fingers grazing the cold metal. 

"Feel behind it," he instructed, his tone calm yet focused. 

Her fingers slid over the edges until she felt a subtle indentation. "Oh! Found it. Should I press it?" 

"Yes. Hold it for a few seconds," he said. 

Jadwa pressed the button, and after a brief pause, a faint clicking sound echoed. The wall shifted slightly, revealing a hidden door. She gasped softly, stepping back in awe. 

"It's opening," she whispered, her heart beating faster as the door revealed a compact room. 

The hidden space was no larger than a quarter of the balcony, but its contents took her by surprise. A large, imposing safe sat in the center, surrounded by shelves stacked with files. The safe itself looked old, built with heavy steel and devoid of any modern digital features. 

"I see it," she said, approaching cautiously. 

"Good. Now, there's a dial on the safe. Can you see the clear line at 12 o'clock?" 

"Yes," she said, leaning closer. 

"Turn the dial four times to the left and stop at 80," he instructed. 

Jadwa followed his directions, her fingers steady despite the oddity of the situation. 

"Now, turn it three times to the right and stop at 23," Imran continued. 

She complied, her movements precise. 

"Finally, turn it twice to the left and stop at 56." 

She did as he said, exhaling slowly as the dial clicked into place. 

"Done," she said. 

"Good. Now turn the dial slowly to the right. It'll get stiff, but keep turning until it clicks open." 

Her hands trembled slightly as she twisted the dial. When it clicked, she pulled the heavy door open. The sight inside made her breath hitch. 

Rows upon rows of stacked cash filled the safe, each bundle meticulously arranged. The lower levels held files, while the upper shelves were lined with foreign currency in neat stacks. 

"What am I looking for?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. 

"Check the lower levels," Imran said. "There should be bundles of naira notes there." 

Jadwa crouched down, moving a few files aside. Her eyes widened as she uncovered a section filled with naira bundles. "I see them," she said. 

"You'll need to hand it over to my P.A. tomorrow morning. He'll be at the house by six. There's also a file in there—grab that too and give it to Ibrahim tomorrow." 

Jadwa couldn't help but wonder why those specific files were stored in the safe box, separate from the others neatly arranged on the open shelves of the hidden room. The thought lingered in her mind, but she chose to remain silent, knowing better than to let curiosity distract her from the task at hand. 

Her gaze fell on the file Imran had asked her to carry. The bold, clear text on the label read: IBRAHIM NAJEEB BUKAR.

The file was completely sealed, its edges clasped with precision, leaving no room for prying eyes. Even if she tried, she doubted she could open it without leaving evidence. But truthfully, she wasn't curious. Whatever was inside, it wasn't meant for her, and she respected that boundary. Setting the file aside, she turned back to the stacks of cash. 

Carefully, she began counting and stacking the bundles to the exact amount Imran had instructed. Her hands worked methodically, yet as the minutes passed, she felt a dull ache creeping into her fingers and wrists. Still, the growing pile seemed insignificant compared to the sheer volume of cash in the safe—it barely made a dent. 

When she finally finished, she took a step back and exhaled, rolling her aching wrist absently. "Alright," she murmured to herself, surveying the neatly bundled cash and the sealed file. 

Gathering both, she placed them carefully into a sturdy bag she had brought from the room. She double-checked everything, ensuring it was secure before zipping the bag shut. 

As she worked, a thought crossed her mind, and she couldn't suppress a small smile. "Babe, you aren't secretly making blood money, are you?" she teased, trying to lighten the mood. 

Imran let out a low chuckle, the sound soothing despite the weight of the night. "If I were, you'd be the first to know, baby. Don't worry, this is all clean. We've frozen outgoing payments due to some accounting malpractice. I need this cash to handle a major repair tomorrow. Without it, we'll face a huge setback." 

"I understand," she said softly. "In Shaa Allah, everything will work out. May Allah protect you, your business, and all of us from harm and every evil." 

"Ameen, habibty. Allah ya miki albarka," he replied, his voice warm with gratitude. 

"Ameen," she echoed, her heart feeling a little lighter. 

They said their goodnights once more, and Jadwa carefully placed the bag in their closet before returning to her room. 

"Lily," she called softly as she entered, finding Anaya already in bed. "Are you asleep?" 

Anaya sat up quickly, holding out her phone with a small smile. "I'm talking to our soon-to-be bride," she said, showing the screen where Zarah's face lit up. 

Jadwa chuckled, climbing into bed beside her. "Don't you two ever get tired of each other?" 

"Never," Zarah quipped, her voice crackling through the phone speaker. 

The three of them fell into an easy conversation, Zarah's cheerful demeanor lifting the heavy air in the room. For a while, the sadness retreated, replaced by shared memories and soft laughter. 

Eventually, exhaustion claimed them. Anaya nestled into the blankets, her breathing evening out as she fell asleep. Jadwa stayed awake a little longer, staring at the ceiling and replaying the events of the day. Her hand rested protectively over Anaya's, offering silent comfort as the room grew quiet. 

•••

The next morning, immediately after finishing her Subhi prayer, Jadwa stepped into the bathroom for a refreshing shower. Feeling revitalized, she drank her morning ginger shot, then entered her walk-in closet to recheck everything.

After recounting and inspecting her items, Jadwa stood there, almost laughing at herself. She had never seen such an overwhelming amount of money in one place—not even the pile she had seen last night. The bag sitting there seemed to mock her amazement. Sure, she grew up wealthy, but her husband's family was clearly in a league of its own. Yet, their humility was humbling, a trait she deeply admired. 

When she returned to the room, she found Anaya mid-prayer. Jadwa waited until her sister-in-law finished, then spoke softly. "We'll head out by seven. You can squeeze in another hour of sleep." 

Anaya stretched and yawned, already showered and dressed in fresh clothes. "What about you? Won't you sleep for a bit?" 

"Ya Imran ya sani aiki. If I finish on time, I'll rest," Jadwa replied with a light chuckle. 

Anaya smiled, pulling the duvet over herself. "Oh, okay then." 

"What do you want for breakfast?" Jadwa asked, stepping back into the closet to pack a small bag. She had planned to spend a few days at Fatima's, a plan they'd discussed last night. She just needed to confirm with Imran. 

"Don't stress yourself, Jadu. I'll make something for us when I wake up," Anaya offered, her voice drowsy but genuine. 

Jadwa shook her head, smiling. "Alright, if you insist." 

She was happy with how warmly her sisters-in-law had welcomed her over the months. Their growing comfort with each other felt rewarding, so she let it slide this time. 

As the clock neared six, Jadwa dragged the heavy bag down the stairs, unable to lift it. By the time she reached the bottom step, she decided it was good enough to leave it there, given its weight. She set her phone on her lap and scrolled absentmindedly, replying to Imran's text about his conference at the university. 

Minutes passed as she sipped a big cup of lemonade, her latest craving for something sour satiated. When a car drove into the compound and a knock came at the door, she adjusted her jilbab, set the file on a chair, and went to answer it. 

Standing before her was a light-skinned, short man who greeted her politely. "Good morning, Madam. My name is Henry, and I was sent here by Alhaji." 

Jadwa listened with quiet composure. "Of course. Please, come in." She stepped aside to let him enter. 

Henry's eyes darted around, taking in the grand interior. His curiosity wasn't lost on Jadwa, who smiled to herself. 

"Sorry, ma'am," he began, a little flustered. "I'm Alhaji's new PA. He asked me to meet his wife, Mrs. Muhammad." 

"I'm aware, Henry. Please, have a seat," she said, motioning toward a chair. 

She offered him tea, which he politely declined, but at her insistence, he relented. Then, gesturing to the stairs, she pointed out the bag. "That's it over there. Sorry I couldn't bring it any closer; it's heavy." 

Henry glanced at the bag, his surprise evident. "Thank you, Mrs. Muhammad." 

Jadwa smiled graciously, watching as he struggled to lift the bag with both hands. Following him to the door, she added, "Be careful, Henry." 

"Thank you so much, Hajiya, and my sincerest condolences to you and your family. I'm deeply sorry for your loss." 

The term "Hajiya" made Jadwa inwardly cringe. It felt awkward, too formal for her taste, but she chose not to correct him. Instead, she smiled politely and responded. After Henry left, she shut the door and finished her lemonade and ginger drink. 

Anaya soon came down, looking refreshed, a folded jilbab in hand. "Can I wear this, Jadu? I spilled some tea on mine," she asked sheepishly. 

Jadwa scoffed, playful annoyance in her tone. "What kind of question is that, Lily? Of course, you can wear it. You can wear anything of mine. Kinji?" 

Anaya grinned. "You said it yourself. Don't regret it later. I have my eye on one of your abayas." 

Laughing, Jadwa teased, "When Zarah is around, you don't hesitate to steal my things. But now, it's me you're shy of?" 

Anaya laughed as she walked toward the kitchen to make a chicken wrap from leftovers. They shared breakfast together, lighthearted banter filling the space. 

By seven, Jadwa grabbed her packed a bag putting some ginger drink packs and tea bag for her morning sickness before she ushered Anaya into the car. As she started the engine, she sent a quick message to her chef and Jessica, instructing the other staff not to come since the house would be locked. 

Pulling into the family compound, she parked near Sadiq's section. They first met Fatima's parents, who greeted them warmly despite the somber air. Jadwa offered heartfelt condolences, her father-in-law embracing her with gratitude. 

"Where is she?" Jadwa asked softly. 

"Upstairs. She's nursing the baby," Fatima's mother replied, pointing toward the stairs. 

Jadwa clasped Anaya's hand, leading her upstairs. 

When they entered Fatima's room, the sight broke her heart. Fatima, though smiling faintly, looked drained. Exhausted. Overwhelmed. 

"Jadu," she smiled when Jadwa came closer and gave her a very warm hug. 

"How are you, habibty?" Jadwa asked, and Fatima just nodded away as she breastfed the baby in her hands. 

"Nothing to do, Jadwa. That's our Qadr," she said, closing her eyes and swallowing. 

"I'm so sorry, Fatima. In Shaa Allah, he's in a much better place, and you'll all reunite in Jannah. It's a promise of Allah. He's safe and happy in the care of Ibraheem (A.S)," Jadwa said. Fatima leaned on her shoulder when she finished feeding the baby. 

"I'm trying my best, Jadu. It's hard, but I can't even be sad. Allah has already blessed us. How will I be ungrateful?" she smiled, and Jadwa swore that was the most beautiful smile she had ever seen. Even though it was full of pain, it was filled with trust in Allah, and that gave Jadwa some peace in her heart. 

"Ya Imran told me something yesterday, and I know you know it too, but it's just the most calming thing. We should see it like a ticket for both you and Ya Sadiq to Jannah," she said, and Fatima chuckled along with Anaya, who had just come in. 

Jadwa smiled. "He'll hold your garments and hold on to you until Allah admits you to Jannah," she said, and Fatima nodded repeatedly. 

"You are allowed to cry and be in pain, but make sure your heart is at peace, okay?" she said, and Fatima nodded. 

"In Shaa Allah, habibty," Fatima leaned further into her hold while Anaya collected the baby. "It won't be fair to him if we remain sad and in grief, right?" she asked, pointing at the baby. 

"At your own pace, do whatever you want in your own pace, okay?" Jadwa said, and Fatima nodded. 

They stayed like that for what seemed like hours until Rahma came in with a huge tray of food. "Jadu, I'm sorry. I've been in the kitchen. I didn't know you were all here until Ya Ibrahim asked me to call you down," she said, offering Jadwa a hug. 

"Hajiya is here too. Fatima, get ready; let's go to the parlor. People have started coming," Rahma announced, caressing Fatima's hand. 

"Okay, let me take a shower first," Fatima said, getting up while they all went down with the baby. 

Jadwa felt suffocated. She would be lying if she said the situation didn't affect her. But right now, she had to function no matter what. 

She went down with her car keys and followed through the back door she was now familiar with to grab the file from her car. 

Thankfully, there were no men outside except for the cars—a clear sign that people had arrived. She took out the file, and from a distance, she saw Ibrahim standing on the other side by his car. 

"Amarya, Ina Kwana?" Ibrahim greeted with a smile, keeping his phone away. 

"Lafiya lau, Baban Khalifa. Ya hakuri?" she responded. 

"Hakuri ya zama dole. How are you?" he asked. 

"I'm fine, Alhamdulillah," she smiled as they exchanged condolences. 

"Ya Imran asked me to give you this," she said, handing him the file. 

"Yes, I was expecting it," he chuckled. "Thank you so much. Mutumin naki ya fara tsufa; he forgot to give it to me before he left," he explained. 

"Gaskiya dai," she laughed. "It seems like." She laughed again not being able to help it.

"Sorry for the stress. I have to travel to Maiduguri today, so I had to get it. I thought I would be able to wait until he's back," he apologized. 

"No, no," she shook her head, waving her hands. "It's no stress, Wallahi. It's nothing, I promise," she waved it off. 

He nodded in appreciation and kept the file in his car. It was her first time having a proper conversation with him, and to her surprise, he wasn't as stoic as she had thought he'd be from his appearance. 

"Where is Khalifa?" she asked when she didn't see him in the car. 

"Khalifa is glued to grandmother. He has refused to even stay with me and Sadiq today," he shook his head. 

"Rahma told me Hajiya was here. I left them inside kenan. I hope you'll be leaving him for us today," she said. 

Ibrahim chuckled and stood straight. "Muhammad ne mai bata mun yaro. If he was around, I'm sure he'd agree to stay, but now he'll follow Hajiya everywhere," he said. 

"I agree. He told me he's his best friend, but I'll try my best to convince him," she smiled politely, seeing another man approach them. 

"Make his friend talk to him; he'll definitely agree," he said. 

Soon, a car pulled up with a truck behind it. It was Imran's personal assistant. Ibrahim asked Jadwa to stay as a few men unloaded the car with various foodstuffs, sacks of rice, and many other things. 

She was asked to separate the portion that would be shared as charity and the one that would be cooked in the house and taken out as sadaqah as well. 

The workers in the house came and offered their condolences. Soon, Jadwa found herself supervising everything in the kitchen and greeting guests. 

Now, she was tasting the kunu Hajiya's women made, and she asked them to add sugar to it after separating a batch without sugar for people who couldn't have any. 

The large outdoor kitchen was bustling with women that Hajiya brought. The firewood smoke and large pots of different types of food filled the air as Jadwa carried a flask. Breakfast had been served, but she wanted to take the kunu to Fatima and welcome Hajiya, whom she had still yet to greet. 
She brought out flasks from the kitchen and put them on separate trays with cups, telling the maids to follow her with them. 

The first person Jadwa saw climbing up through the door that led her directly upstairs, avoiding the men that sat there, was Ameerah, Ammi, and Hanan. 

Out of courtesy, she went to Hajiya first, gently sitting on the floor and playfully tapping Khalifa. 

"Matar Uncle Moh!" he exclaimed, and she immediately regretted her decision because he was so loud that everyone burst out laughing, including Fatima. 

"Shh," she eyed him, and he covered his mouth, saying, "Sorry." 

She shyly hugged Hajiya. 

"Matar Uncle Moh! Kai, this boy is shameless," Hajiya said, hugging Jadwa back as the women in the living room laughed. 

Jadwa noticed there weren't many people there. It was just her family, Ameerah's family, and Ibrahim's. No one else was there, including Rahma's mother. She had been expecting more women compared to men, which had made her prepare a lot of food for indoors. 

"Good morning," she greeted, still holding Hajiya's hands, who looked at her lovingly. 

"Good morning, my daughter. How are you?" Hajiya asked, and they proceeded to exchange condolences. 

"Hajiya, I brought kunu for you. I heard you didn't eat anything," Jadwa said, pouring her a hot cup and handing it to her. 

"My dear, it's nothing. Please, you've worked hard; you should rest, okay?" Hajiya said, tasting it. 

"No sugar?" she asked, closing her eyes and looking at Jadwa slyly. 

"Khalifa, didn't you say Hajiya was monitoring her sugar levels?" Jadwa asked, and Khalifa nodded. 

"Exactly, Hajiya, there's enough sugar," Jadwa assured her. 

"You see? Your daughter is controlling me now. Muhammad's traits have started rubbing off on her," Hajiya said, turning to Ammi, who shook her head in disbelief. 

Jadwa shyly moved away before Hajiya could demand more. She served Fatima, Anaya, Rahma, and Ammi, gesturing for Hanan to serve the other women in the room. 

"Hajiya, not just Muhammad; all of you have completely dragged my daughter to yourselves. Look at her; she didn't even greet me," Ammi said, earning a few smiles from around the room. 

Deep down, Jadwa's heart warmed at how lucky she had been with her in-laws. 

"She's ours now, completely. Sorry, Maman Ahmad," Hajiya chuckled. "Jadu, go and greet your mother," she playfully scolded. 

Jadwa greeted everyone politely before sitting next to Ammi, handing her the hot mug and leaning on her for some comfort. 

"Are you okay?" Ammi and Ameerah asked softly. Jadwa nodded. 

"Ina mai gidanki?" Ammi asked in a low tone. 

"He traveled out of the country yesterday," Jadwa replied, taking a sip from Ammi's cup. 

"Everything is good, right?" Ammi asked. 

"Alhamdulillah, Ammi, everything is fine," she said, swallowing back her anxiety. She wished she could talk more or tell her, but she just couldn't, especially not now.

"When will you come home and spend time with us?" Ameerah asked. She had been staying with Ammi since Ahmad traveled. 

"I've been going to school, but In Shaa Allah, I'll come this week," Jadwa said. 

"Wait till your husband is back. You know I don't like it when you move up and down, especially when he's not around," Ammi preached like a mother. Ameerah shook her head, giving up. 

Jadwa was too exhausted to argue, so she just nodded and stayed silent, watching the women who were either praying or reading the Quran. 

She got up and checked on Rahma, Anaya, and Fatima. She sat in front of Fatima, who was on the phone. 

Jadwa didn't know what was being said, but it was clear that whatever it was, it was breaking Fatima's heart. 
"Alhamdulillah, Ameen, Ameen, I love you too, Ameen," was all Fatima kept saying as a tear rolled down her cheek. 

Jadwa gently wiped the tear with her hand before Fatima dropped the phone. 

"They just buried him," Fatima said, and Jadwa hugged her tightly. 

Somehow, she admired Fatima's strength and how she was handling everything. She consoled her until she stopped crying and left her with her friends who had just arrived. 

The rest of the day passed in silence until it was evening. Jadwa had just prayed Maghrib and texted Imran. Most of the guests had left, including Ammi and Ameerah. Only Hanan remained. 

Dinner was almost ready, but Jadwa promised to make Fatima some pepper soup since she, too, was craving it. She was about to head downstairs when a knock came at the door. 

Fatima, Rahma, Lily, and Jadwa were in the room, while Fatima gave the baby some vitamins. 

"Come in," Fatima said. 

Sadiq entered, saying his salaam. 

Rahma hugged him first, then Anaya. Hanan greeted him and offered her condolences. 

"Our big sis," Sadiq teased, addressing Jadwa. 
"Thank you so much for all you did today, may Allah reward you"

She smiled. "If I'm the big sis, why would you thank me?" she joked, telling him they were family now. 

They stood to leave, but Sadiq stopped them. 
"No, please, y'all can stay," he said. "Let's all hang around before Isha." He ushered them back into the room, and they sat down again smiling at how strong he seemed to be.

They began talking about life and politics, but Jadwa noticed how he sat close to his wife, one hand wrapped around her shoulder as he pulled her closer. He dropped a quick kiss on her temple and rubbed her shoulder. Jadwa shifted her gaze to the floor but soon looked back. 

He collected the baby and chatted with his sisters and Hanan, while Jadwa and Fatima watched. 

"Has she eaten?" he asked Jadwa. 

"She ate a little rice and some kunu in the morning—not too much," she snitched, and Fatima glared at her. 

"Lily, put some food for us, please. I'm hungry too," he said. 

Lily opened the food flasks and served them in one plate, handing it to him. 

"I'll get another fork," she said, and Jadwa noticed her eyes growing teary. She decided to give Lily some time before checking on her. 

"I'm not hungry. Jadwa will make me pepper soup later," Fatima said. 

The look Sadiq gave her made Fatima quiet down and take a bite. 

At that moment, he reminded Jadwa so much of Imran. They truly were brothers, and she could see the same traits in them. 

"Please talk to this 'habibty' of yours, Jadwa. Haba! She's not eating well," he said in frustration. "Wait till my child is grown then you can choose not to eat," he added with a playful edge, tugging Fatima's ear. 

"Ouch!" she chuckled, slapping his arm. "You might as well take care of the baby alone and feed him yourself." She rolled her eyes, taking another bite. 

Hanan laughed at the couple with admiration while Jadwa got up and fixed her jilbab. 
"Let's go down and cook," she said, dragging Rahma, who was dozing off, and Hanan. 

"Keep my own!" Sadiq called out from the door, and Jadwa chuckled. 

"Don't worry; your own is even more special than Fatima's," she replied and walked to the kitchen. 

Once Hanan and Rahma got into a deep conversation, Jadwa slipped away to check on Anaya. She found her in her room, her face red and swollen from crying. 

"Lily," Jadwa said, walking in. Anaya quickly covered her face with her palms to hide the tears. 

"It's okay. You can cry," Jadwa said, sitting beside her and holding her hand. 

Anaya burst into fresh tears, and Jadwa's heart sank as she enveloped her in a hug. 

"Do you want to share what's on your mind?" Jadwa asked softly. 

"It's just..." Anaya sniffed and swallowed hard. "I'm just so sad. I went to my friend's house who lost her little sister the other day, and today, our house just seemed so empty compared to theirs," she cried. "When I opened the food warmers, I just saw too much food, while at their house, they were even looking for more food to give family members." She cried harder, making Jadwa's heart tug even more. 

"I swear I'm not ungrateful because Ya Imran has given us everything, and Ya Sadiq takes care of me and Rahma really well in this house. But it's just... It's really just us and us alone!" she said with a sigh. "We don't have any other family. No one shows up, even at times like this, since we lost Abba," she ranted. "Gosh, I can't even remember much of him because I was too young," she chuckled bitterly. "I'm not jealous"
she added with another chuckle. 

Jadwa smiled lightly and wiped her tears. "It's okay if you feel jealous, Lily. Everyone has their struggles, and everyone has an incomplete part," she said, blinking away her own tears. "Soon, all this will be over. The kids will grow, the house will be filled with children, and you'll have your own family. We will meet here for happy occasions, and I promise it'll be a house filled with family and joy," she reassured her. 

Anaya smiled through her tears. 

"Alhamdulillah, you have amazing brothers. And look now, me and Fatima have become your sisters, and our families are yours too, right?" Jadwa asked, squeezing her hand. 

Anaya nodded. 

"Exactly. So don't cry over this, okay? It's Allah's will for you. Always be thankful to Him because He is the best of planners, and He has so much more for you," Jadwa said warmly. 

Anaya leaned forward and enveloped Jadwa in a long hug. 

"I needed this," Anaya whispered, pulling back and smiling through her tears. 

Jadwa patted her hand gently before standing up. "Alright then, let's go downstairs. I'm making Fatima's pepper soup, and I'll need your help," she teased, trying to lift her mood. 

Anaya chuckled and wiped her face. "Okay, I'll come in a minute." 

Jadwa nodded and left the room, feeling a sense of peace. She paused in the hallway to answer Imran's call. They had been texting throughout the day, juggling their respective busyness.

"Will you be able to come back?" she asked softly into the phone, leaning against the wall and biting her lip. 

"I talked to Sadiq earlier, baby. I can't but I'll try to shorten the two weeks to ten days. There's just too much to handle here, especially with some of our properties and investments. We've postponed the meetings too many times already," he explained, his tone calm yet regretful. 

"It's okay," she replied, trying to reassure him. "Take your time, I promise. Everything is fine here, and we're all handling it well." She could almost feel his smile through the phone. 

They continued talking for a few minutes, sharing updates and comforting words, until something clicked in her mind. 

"Babe, I'm cooking! I completely forgot, I left them in the kitchen!" she exclaimed, laughing lightly. 

He sighed, his tone shifting slightly. "Please don't overwork yourself, Jadwa. There are plenty of people around to handle these things," he said, sounding both caring and a little frustrated. 

"I won't, I promise, darling. It's just me, the girls, and Hanan," she assured him with a smile he couldn't see but would certainly hear in her voice. 

"Alright, then. I'll call you later, baby," he said softly, ending the call.

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