RISE AND SHINE 🌝🌤🌤🌤

Jummu'a Mubarak🌸
Don't forget to recite suratul kahf

Assalamu alaikum my loves😩💕
I missed you 😭❤️
How are you?
Finally an update is here!💃🏻
Let's dive in!!!!

Not edited 🙂🙃

Here's to 200k views🥂😩❤️
Thank you😌💕
God knows how much I love ya all😭❤️🔐

JAWAHIR

"There's no way for me to convince not to stay overnight?" Aayan whined from the room as I pack my bag in the closet. I breathed a laugh under my breath, he is acting like a baby. As if I'm leaving him for years, it's just two days.

"Tesoro, who will feed me while you're gone? Oh my God, I'm going to starve to death!" I exited the closet with my bags in hand. Aayan's eyes bulged out. "Why are you packing so many clothes as if you don't have the intention of coming back anytime soon?"

"Habibi you talk too much, I'll be back before you know it." Aayan let out a sigh and every emotion was wiped off his face, he took a seat at the edge of the bed.

My chest tightened, I kept aside my trolley and took a seat beside him. "If you're not okay with me spending the night there then I would come back tonight."

Aayan took a few seconds before turning to look at me. "And if ask you to come back, will you?" I nodded. "Of course I would."

"I..just be safe and come back soon." He smiled. "I'm going to miss you," he added.

I threw my head back and groaned. "Stop, how do you expect me to go if you're being this way? It's settled I'm coming back tonight besides I've been with them for almost three months."

I closed my eyes when the last sentence rang in my head. If there's one thing Aayan hates then it's talking about the time he left for almost three months. When I opened my eyes Aayan had a bittersweet smile on his face.

"I-" He placed his index finger on my lips. "Don't say anything, and you can spend two nights like we agreed in the first place."

We left the house with me feeling bad about what I said. "Tesoro? We are here." Aayan's voice brought me out of my reverie. I looked around and saw that the car is parked in my parent's compound.

"You're not coming?" I asked after I opened my door and he didn't do the same.

"No," he shook his head. I sat back and closed the door. "Why?" I demanded.

"No reason." Came his reply.

"Then let's go, you won't greet Mammie and Abu?"

"Maybe next time, I really need to be in the office now." He replied. His response vexed me so I alighted the vehicle, took my luggage and left without saying goodbye. I haven't stepped into the house when I heard the sound of his car leaving the compound. That made me angrier, I dragged my suitcase in.

Affan was the first person to see me, he ran whilst I squatted to hug him, tightly. He ran into the house shouting. "Aunty Jawjaw is here!!"

I ambulated to Mammie's room with my suitcase behind me. My mother sat up looking frightened. "Jawahir?! Limadha 'arak mae haqiba; Why am I seeing you with a suitcase?"

"Ahda; calm down, Mammie. I'm just here for a few days." I informed her nonchalantly. In the next few seconds, I felt a shoe hitting my forearm. "'Anti ghaniun jiddaan; you're very stupid. Why would you come back home with such a big suitcase and leave your husband at home, huh? Girls of nowadays." she reprimanded. "Children of nowadays, during our time there was nothing like staying overnight at your parents' house. I visited my father's house only once in a year. You don't just pack your clothes as if you're never going back," she scolded nonstop. "Common pack your clothes and go back your husband's house. Yara sai shirme."

I pouted my lips, why is Mammie saying all these? "Mammie, mana! I miss you guys that's why I decided to come back for a few days."

I kept the trolley aside and sat down beside her. "Don't Jawahir, I don't want to hear it. You're going to your house yanzu ba sai anjima ba."

"Haba mana Mammie, danallah let me stay." I pleaded.

Mammie glared at me and let out a hiss. "And what about your husband? Huh? What of my son Aayan? Who will take care of him in these few days? Don't you know by doing this, you're giving another woman the chance to show care and affection to your man? You don't give men space."

I fell every single cell in my body going cold.

Who will take care of him in these few days? Don't you know by doing this, you're giving another woman the chance to show care and affection to your man? You don't give men space.

No! No way!

"Why are you frowning your face?" Mammie lightly smacked my hand. I pouted my lips, and my mother chuckled. "You're getting jealous already right?"

I closed my face with my palms, whining "Mammie!" But deep down my heart is boiling with the thought of Aayan receiving care and affection—the one that I'm the only one allowed to show him—from another woman.

Mammie laughed out loud. "I'm not telling you this to get you worried or doubtful, mind you." She remarked sternly. "But as a wife you need to pull your husband in so much that he won't be able to function properly without you by his side. But if today you're here, tomorrow you're there then..." she didn't complete the sentence. "Anyway, Allah baku zaman lafiya."

"Ameen." I mumbled under my breath. I stoop up and dragged my suitcase, my heart heavy. "Jawahir?" Mammie called back. I turned around to listen to what she has to say. "You can stay for today only, tomorrow you're going back to your husband's house. And I don't want anything like this to happen again, do you understand?"

"Yes, I understand." I nodded. "Thank you." I added before leaving. I took my suitcase to my room. I unrolled the scarf I made a hijab with then released my hair out of it's bun. Mammie's words kept ringing in my head.

I pushed that aside and stood to go and greet my other mum. I met Mama in her bedroom, laying on the bed with the Tv on, she's watching sunnah Tv.

"Assalamu alaikum Mama." I said before taking a seat at the edge of her bed. She kept her phone and remote aside to pull me in for a hug.

"Jawjaw, when did you get here?"

"A few minutes ago," I informed her. "And Aayan?" She inquired. I discretely sucked in a breath before informing her that he's at the office.

I spend about an hour with Mama. Amongst my two mothers, Mama is the one that talks much. Mammie isn't much of a talker.

Abu has travelled so the house is quite without his guests trooping in and out. The sun has fallen and it's almost ten o'clock now and Aayan is yet to call.

I thought maybe he'll call me when he gets back home but no. Recalling the way he left, I don't think he'll call. But what's his problem? He was okay with me leaving then what's with the attitude?

And why can't you call him?

I let out a small hiss before picking up my phone. The call was about to end when he finally picked.

"Hello?" His voice came through the speaker.

"Assalamu alaikum, good evening." I greeted.

"Jawahir, how are you, Abu, Mammie and Mama?" He inquired, his voice seems very odd though.

"You would have known had it been you came in to greet them." I finally snapped. The 'Jawahir' made me angrier.

I heard him sigh. "Jawahir please, right now I have a lot to do. We'll talk later." And the line went dead. The hell?! I removed the phone from my ears to really see if he hung up on me, and he did! And he's not even the one that called.

That night, I went to sleep with my heart boiling.

******

The next morning I woke up with a fever, my head was aching badly I couldn't open my eyes properly. I was only able to pray subhi after that I couldn't even move my fingers.

I heard Mammie calling me but I couldn't answer. Few minutes later, she came in. "Jawahir?" She called. When I still didn't reply, she came to sit beside me.

"Ya ilahi, Jawahir!" She shrieked. "You're running a high temperature." She quickly went to the bathroom and came back with a bowl and towel. Mammie used the towel with cold water to cleanse my body.

After that, she helped me to get dressed then left the room and came back with a tray, Mama trailing behind her. Mama fed me whilst Mammie went to get ready. After that, they took me to the hospital.

Mama went to do the booking and get my file. After about thirty minutes, she came and said I am number fourteen. I looked around the waiting room. A little boy is laying on his mother from the looks of it, he's the one that is ill. I also couldn't help but notice a really old man, my heart broke when I saw his condition. Bruises cover his legs, it looks like he was in an accident.

After about an hour of sitting down idle in the waiting room it was finally my turn. Mammie asked if she should come with me and I told her that it's okay. I pushed the door open after knocking. The doctor is a friendly man around the age of my father, he's very jovial makes you feel at ease with him. He did the necessary check up he had do then asked me a few questions, after that he told me there's nothing to worry about, it's just a change in weather. He prescribed a few drugs for me and we went back home not before collecting the drugs from the hospital's pharmacy.

"Jawahir, I've been trying to call Aayan but the line isn't going through. You should try calling him." Mama told me before exiting my room to let me rest.

I don't know what Aayan's problem is, I sighed. Please I'm tired, I'll call him later. Slowly, I fell into a deep slumber.

★★★★★

"No, whisk that a little bit more and it'll be alright."

"Throw in a little bit of coriander."

"I need some salad cream here."

"Slice the carrots into cubes."

"Get the casserole out of the oven."

This is what you call rush hour, everything and everyone is all over the place. I pray we finish everything on time, I want this to be perfect. It turned out that Mammie's lost but found brother—Mukarram, is coming today.

I don't know why she decided to hide this particular information from me, it touched me and not in a good way. She was ready to send me back home without telling me, doesn't she want me to meet her brother? Thankfully, I overheard her talking with Mama.

Which brings us to this moment, I took it upon myself to arrange a feast to welcome them. What Mammie was planning to do was so basic, so I told her to sit back and relax. Why would she stress herself when she has a renowned chef for a daughter?

"Jawahir, it's done, is it okay?" One of the workers asked. I checked on it and everything is perfect.

I've been on my feet for almost five hours now, the sun has already fallen. And we're expecting them to arrive around dinner time.

8'o'clock on the dot was when we finally finished everything. Without wasting time, everything was loaded in the car to be taken to Abu's house, he came back early this morning after we came back from the hospital by the way.

When we got home, I made sure that everything was set appropriately before going upstairs to freshen up before our guests arrive.

After taking a shower, I wore a simple red boubou gown. I was moisturizing my body when I heard my phone ring. I've been busy all the day I didn't know where I threw the phone. So all this while it has been in my bag.

I let the call cut with the intention of calling back whoever it is when I'm done. I didn't wear any makeup except for kohl and lip gloss. I took my phone and what I saw made my eyes widen, in fear or surprise? I don't know.

30 missed calls and 10 messages. From the same person- Aayan.

Some of the messages read;

Why aren't you picking the phone?

Are you okay?

What's wrong? You're scaring me, please pick up the call.

Okay now I know you're purposely ignoring me!

PICK UP THE GODDAMN PHONE JAWAHIR!

Taki ta same ki Jawahir; your doom is here. Oh my Goodness, where do I start from? How do I begin explaining....okay calm down, it's Aayan I'm sure he'll understand.

With shaky fingers, I dialed my husband's number. He picked just when the call was about to cut.

"So you finally decided to call?" From his tone, Aayan is really angry. I don't think I've ever heard this amount of anger in his voice. I messed up, big time.

"I'm sorr—

"Just what were you thinking Jawahir? I called you times without number but you decide not to pick my call? Just what do you take me to be? Have you forgotten who the head is in this house, huh?" Aayan spatted harshly. He has never spoken this way to me, if you remove the incident that occurred.

I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath before releasing it slowly. My Mammie always tells me that when you're having a misunderstanding don't let anger blind all of you. If he's being the fire then you should be the ice or vice versa, try as much as possible to not be angry at the same time because during that time every rationality escapes your mind and you might end up saying what you don't and cause damage.

So I let him vent out his anger whilst chanting the praises of the Almighty in my mind to push my own anger away.

"I'm sorry," I said after he kept quiet. "I'm sorry for not picking your call, the phone was not close to me. I was very busy, Mammie's brother will be arriving tonight and I was busy with the preparations of welcoming him."

"And you couldn't spare, at the very least two minutes, TWO MINUTES to text if you didn't have the time to call. A text will have sufficed, you know?"

I sighed. "I know I'm sorry." He didn't say anything but I know he's still on the line, I can hear him breathing. He is still very angry.

Jawahir you're a lady, use your charm.

"I'm sorry," I whined with a pout. " 'Iinaa asif, min fadlik samihuni; I'm sorry, please forgive me."

He still didn't say anything.

"Sahib qalbiun, 'amirul faaris, milki, baladay 'iilaa al'abad wadayimaan, hubbu hayati," I whined like a small baby. (Owner of my heart, prince of knights, my king, my forever and always, love of my life.)

" 'Urjuk samih al'amira, 'iinaha asifat lilghayat walan tafeal dhlk maratan 'ukhraa. I promise." (Please forgive your princess, she's very sorry and won't do it again.)

"What will I do with you?" And from the tone of his voice, I knew that everything is okay now.

"I love you." I told him my honest truth.

"I love you too, so much." He whispered huskily. "I miss you." He confessed after some seconds of silence.

"I miss you too."

"Come home."

"Soon."

After that we both kept quiet, listening to each other's breathing. It's soothing.

"I went to the hospital today." I told him to fill in the silence.

"What! Why? Are you okay?" Aayan began to panic. "Calm down, it was nothing, the doctor confirmed that. He said it's just a change of the weather."

"And you couldn't tell me." I could detect the hurt in his voice. "Mama called you but you were unreachable and then I kinda forgot."

"How are you feeling now? I hope you didn't stress yourself?"

"I'm okay, please don't worry."

"You know I will."

Aayan and I chatted, he told me about his day and I about mine. We talked about nothing and everything. We didn't hang up till I heard the arrival of our guests.

" They are here, I better go."

"Please don't," he said in a whine like tone.

Dear heart, please be still.

"Aayan—

"Okay," he sighed. "bye, I love you."

"Me too."

Just as I was about to remove the phone from my ear, I heard Aayan speaking. "What was that?"

"What was what?" I asked, confused.

"What's 'me too?'" I'm sure he air quoted the 'me too.' "Common my dear, say it back properly with a good bye kiss."

I chuckled, feeling very shy. "Helloooo, I'm waiting," Aayan spoke when I didn't say anything.

I finally gathered the courage and did what he asked. "Muuuaaahhh, I love you too!" I didn't wait for his response, I cut the call but before I did I heard his laughter.

I chuckled to myself whilst shaking my head. Ya Allah! I love him!

I refreshed myself up before going downstairs to meet our guests. The scene I met made me shed a few tears. Mammie and her brother were in an embrace, her body was shaking, she's crying and he, he kept rocking them and shushing her while trying to swallow his own tears.

I cannot begin to imagine how it'll feel to not be in contact, for more than twenty years with the only brother you have. I know it'll hurt, a lot. Just thinking about not seeing any of my brothers hurt then you can only imagine.......

After a few tears shed here and there, introductions were made. My uncle Mukarram has only one wife—Aasiya, and four children. A boy and three girls. Safwan is the eldest, he has a wife—Fadwa and a daughter, Hajar. Then the second child, Ibtisam, followed by Ilham and Iffat.

The girls are all unmarried. Ibtisam, the eldest is twenty five, Ilham is around my age and Iffat is thirteen.

"Come my daughter, come." My Khal(uncle from mother's side) called.

"Masa' alkhayr; good evening." I greeted. His eyes widened. "Masha Allah, Masha Allah, she speaks her mother's tongue." He smiled at Mammie. They look alike, he's like the male version of my mother and they all look like Papi, their father.

"Kayf halik abnataya; how are you my daughter?"

"'Ana bikhayr nashkru Allah; I'm fine we thank God."

My brother, Ya Yusuf and his family came too and the rest of my siblings that are not physically present were present on face time.

"Baba would have been very happy to see you and your kids Khadijah," Khal said with a bittersweet smile on his face, Mammie had the same expression.

"May his soul continue to Rest In Peace," Abu prayed and we all answered with an 'Ameen.' Then a prayer was said for him.

Even though I never got the opportunity to meet my maternal grandfather, I love him and pray for him all the time. I wished I met him, to thank him for bringing up my Mammie the way he did. Even if I've never met him, I feel like I've known him all my life. When I was kid, whenever I sit with my mother, I use to ask to tell me about my grandfather, how he was like. And she would say, he was a man that sprinkled happiness, joy and smiles wherever he go.

Mama came in to inform us that we can all walk to the dining table now. Mammie herself served the dishes. For the main course we made chicken Parmesan pasta casserole, chicken kabsa. We also made a little taste of Africa, party jollof rice and fried rice with suya. We also made club sandwich salad and steak salad. For the drinks we made zobo; hibiscus drink, kunun aya; tiger nut juice and pineapple lemonade. And finally for dessert, we made Apple slab pie, no bake eclair cake and trifles.

"Alhamdulillah, Masha Allah, I'd love to meet this wonderful chef." Zawjatu khal; my uncle's wife said.

It was Mama that answered. She let out a small laugh before speaking. "You don't have to go far, it's your daughter right there." She said pointing at me.

She looked at me in awe before beckoning me to where she sat. She took a hold of my palms. "These palms of yours are blessed Masha Allah," she said kissing the back of my hands.

"My daughter is talented," Khal chimed in.

I blushed in response.

After dinner, the men retired to Abu's living room while we the ladies went to Mammie's living room. We were amidst of chatting when a salam was said, which halted our chatters.

"Come in," Mammie said, it was a man's voice so he was definitely waiting for permission.

Mr Aayan Abbas Abdullah walked in, in all his handsome glory. He's spotting a milk colored kaftan with the shirt stopping an inch before his knees. He's not wearing a cap which made his dark, soft curly hair bare to everyone's eyes.

He squatted to greet the elders. "And who's this gentleman?" Aunty Aasiya asked.

This time too, Mama was the one who gave an answer. "He's also your son, Jawahir's husband."

"Mabrook, mabrook, May Allah SWT bless your marriage and protect you from the evil wishes of both humans and nonhumans."

We all muttered ameen. When our gaze clashed, Aayan winked at me and I quickly looked away feeling mortified. How could he do that in front of our parents, what if someone sees? That was when I noticed the kind of look Ibtisam was sending Aayan, what the.....

"Jawahir go serve your husband." Mammie's order bought me out of my reverie. That Ibtisam better be careful, cousin or not...

I quietly served Aayan some fried rice with suya and kunun aya, I know he loves it.

"Is someone not happy to see me?" Aayan asked in a teasing manner, I pouted in response. I pushed the plate to his front and he insisted on me sitting down to eat with him. I told him my stomach is full, he said I shouldn't leave him alone then.

As he was eating, Ibtisam came in. I mentally rolled my eyes, what does she want now?

"Hey, mind if I sit?" I just sent her a fake smile while Aayan answered her. "Of course, sit please."

"Soooo, have you ever been to Kuwait?" Ibtisam asked, as a conversation stater.

"Yes, actually my mom is from there."

Why Kuwait? I've never been to Kuwait.

"Oh wow," she exclaimed. "so you're are a Kuwaiti then?"

Aayan chuckled, why is he chuckling?! "No I'm not, I'm a Nigerian, my Dad is a Nigerian."

"So you're a half caste." She concluded.

"Yes, yes he is," I chimed in. "just like I am."

"Awwwwwwwwwwwwnnnnnnn," she exclaimed with exaggeration. Somebody tell her to shut up, please.

Then she started talking about places in Kuwait that I have no idea of. And Aayan too followed her and was talking like a spoilt tap.

Why am I feeling like a third wheel here when she's the third wheel?!

"Your food is getting cold, baby." I told him, batting my eyelashes.

"Oh right," he resumed eating but still, he did not keep quiet. I wanted to stand up and leave, but a thought crossed my mind so I decided other wise.

Ya Yusuf walked in and I almost cried out in relief. Ibtisam left after exchanging pleasantries with Ya Yusuf. I left too but not before having a chat with my big brother.

I met Hairan—my sister in law, in my room changing her Tasleem's—her youngest child—diaper. "Hey Jaw," she greeted cheerfully.

"Hey." I grumbled in return, I grabbed my suitcase and dumped in the clothes I came with.

"Someone is grumpy, what's wrong?" She inquired. I zipped up the bag to look at her. "Why are some girls classless? Like he's married why don't you just back off but no," I rolled my eyes. "that won't stop them from opening their thirty two." I hissed at the end.

"Ohhh," Hairan's mouth made an 'o' shape, her eyes lightened up in recognition. "I get what this is about," she nodded her head. "I can feel the J burning."

"It's not about being jealous.....okay maybe I am jealous." I said when I saw the look Hairan was sending my way. "But why would she come and sit down to have a chat with my husband when she saw us sitting together, even if he was sitting alone she doesn't have the right to walk up to him, sit down and have a 'chat', for what reason?"

Hairan let out a laugh, she laughed so hard that she had to sit first. I just rolled my eyes at her. She should have hit on Ya Yusuf, i'd see if she'll laugh like this too.

"Chill Mrs AA, nobody is going to take your husband away from you."

I opened my mouth to respond but I wasn't able to as Ayman came in to inform me that Aayan is waiting for me. Just as he left, I heard Mammie's voice, shouting at me to come out, that I left him waiting.

I said goodbye to Hairan and dragged my suitcase. "Don't trouble the poor fella, please. It's not his fault." She called out with a chuckle as I shut the door.

I met him in Abu's parlor. We said our goodbyes and turned to leave. "Goodnight Aayan," a voice called from the stairs. We turned around simultaneously, it's Ibtisam coming down the stairs. "Goodnight Ibtisam."

Ohh so they are already on first name basis.

"Goodnight Jawahir." She said. "Night." I muttered and dragged my suitcase out.

"Let me help you with that." Aayan said wanting to collect the suitcase from my hand but I didn't let him instead I said. "I can carry my suitcase by myself."

"Oookkkaaayyy," he said sending me a skeptical look. I placed my suitcase in the boot before entering the car.

"Tesoro," he called. "You alright?"

"I'm fine." I replied.

"You sure?" He insisted.

"Peachy." I said with a fake grin.

We drove home in silence, neither of us said anything. I alighted the car, after he parked it. I walked into the house and went straight to our bedroom, in there I walked into the closet to keep my suitcase.

I came out to meet Aayan already dressed in his pajamas. Without saying anything, I walked into the bathroom to freshen up and change into my pajamas too.

When I came out, Aayan was waiting for me by the door holding an oil bottle. "Help me oil my hair please."

"Not now Aayan I'm tired." I attempted to walk past him but he dragged me back. "Okay, what really is the problem?"

"Why don't you go ask your new friend." I bit out.

"Okay, now I understand." He let out a small chuckle. "So all this while you've been frowning your beautiful face for that reason?!" Then he started laughing, which added fuel to my annoyance. I folded my arms as I wait for him to finish laughing.

"You're through?" I raised my brows.

"Oh common babe, you have nothing to be jealous of. This man belongs to you and you alone."

"And who said I was jealous? Please don't flatter yourself." I rolled my eyes.

"Of course you are, I can practically smell it burning from here." His hands stretched out to tickle me. I slapped the hands away. "Stop it Aayan,"

"Ouuu so I am Aayan now huh?" He pulled me by the arm and I fell on his chest, he used both of his arms to cage me in. "What happened to sahib qalbiun, 'amirul faaris, milki, baladay 'iilaa al'abad wadayimaan, hubbu hayati and baby huh?"

Oh my God! I hid my face in his chest. I should have never said all that. Now he'll never let me leave that down.

"Common let me see your blush," he pulled me away from his body. Aayan chuckled. "Tesoro open your eyes."

I opened one lid before opening my eyes slowly. "There you are." He smiled at me, his million dollar smile. "You're so cute wallah." He quickly leaned down to peck my nose before pulling me back into his body.

He took a hold of my hand and placed it on his chest, where his heart is thumping at a fast rate. "See, you've already formed a kingdom in my heart and nobody can rule it except you. That's why I want you to calm down, there's no need for you to be jealous, for Aayan belongs to his Tesoro alone."

"Okay maybe one day she'll have to share..." I gasped. "with the children she'll give birth to in sha Allah." He completed the sentence with a huge smile on his face. I burrowed deeper into his chest and he tightened his hold on me. I felt him kissing the top of my head. "Ana ohbouki."

I slowly pulled away to look into his eyes and I know that he understands so I don't have to say it out loud. "Common," I pulled him by his hands. "let me oil your hair."

I sat down on the bed and he did too, then laid his head on my laps. I poured a generous amount oil in my hand, then slowly I sank my fingers into his soft curly hair.

That's how he fell asleep, this isn't the first time though. My husband can be a baby sometimes. I used a towel to clean my hands then I adjusted his sleeping position. I switched off the lights before sinking into my husband's waiting arms.

Heaven on earth!

I love love😍😍😍 sigh! Still part of the NBSB though😁😆💁🏻‍♀️👑

So Mrs AA was jealous😂😂😂 she's too cute😌💕

Okay, who missed me? *wiggles eyebrows* I missed you guys like sosai sosai.

Thoughts on the chapter? Do leave em in the comment section please, thank you 😌🙃

I have a message for y'all on my IG! Check it out. Username: Maymunatu_bukar. While at it, hit the follow button😁😁 thank you.

Mehn, I missed writing author's notes🤧🤧🤧

Don't forget to please
VOTE
COMMENT
SHARE &
FOLLOW

Yours truly
Memzyb✨🌹