Aria finally returned back to her chamber after spending about three hours in the main kitchen helping around with a contented grin masking her features. She had done what she went there to do and she is sure IyaZulai loves her without a doubt.

Gaining the woman's love wasn't the only thing that took her there though. If the woman is as good as Salaha claims she is, then Aria would give it an hour before a new gossip spread round the palace.

And it certainly will not be about her.

That thought alone had Aria's grin returning on her face. She made her way over to the bedroom, taking off the veil in the process as she made her way over to the en-suite so she could perform ablution and pray. It was already time for Asr prayer.

After she was done saying her salah, she folded the prayer mat and kept it aside. Making her way to the walk in closet she shares with her husband, she started making a mental note of which outfit to change into. As much as she loved the atampha, she wanted to wear something more comfortable.

Just as she had been doing for the past week, she ended up in one of Aali's hoodies and sweatpants which she had to pull the strings to fit her. It was still a bit longer, but she made it work.

She picked up a random novel that she had gotten from the Book bar which was delivered to her a few days ago. She loved the fact that they deliver anywhere in the country. Besides, the packaging was also impeccably done. That was one of the reasons why she ordered from them to begin with because it was honestly too pretty to pass up on.

Settling on the chaise lounge fixated by the window, she sipped her coffee which she had gotten after she had changed and started reading the novel, His Halaal Wife by Fatima Baba Gujbawu. Maya once told her something about the first book, and from the snippets she had heard about, she didn't waste a second getting the soft copies once they were published.

She was honestly proud to say she's one of the first few people to have the honor of reading the book in paperback. Amidst wallowing in worries, she had read the first book, and now that she has a feeling things would turn out well for her, she knew it was the perfect time to read what life has in store for Najib, Zainab and Fatima.

Before she knew it, the time for Magrib came. She placed the book which she was close to ending aside, then prayed. Afterwards, she returned back to her position and forced herself to finish the book before the time for Isha came.

And by the time she was done, it was safe to say that she was out of words. She literally had no words for the plot twists that she encountered while reading the book. Bottom line, it had her flabbergasted.

She placed the book back where she picked it from and prayed Isha once she heard the adhan being called. Afterwards, she made her way into the closet to get something to cover her hair with when she noticed something on the floor, beside Aali's clothing.

Her brows drew in as she crouched low to pick up what seemed to look like a picture. Turning it around, her eyes fixated on the two figures that were smiling in the picture. And once her gaze moved to the person standing beside Aali, she found herself dropping on the cold floor with eyes widened.

Her lips parted as she tried to make sense of what she just saw, but nothing added up. Without a doubt, her eyes saw correctly but that didn't change the fact that she was too stunned to react.

Her eyes flickered to every corner of the picture, trying to spot anything that would make everything sensible, but she found nothing. Remembering that she saw something written on the back of the picture, she quickly turned it around to see the date scribbled on it.

The day didn't ring up anything, but the month and year did.

It was taken three years ago; about the time her life went haywire.

"Aunty Aya!"

Aria blew out a shaky breath when she heard Salaha's voice. Tucking the paper in the sweat pant's pocket, she made her way out of the closet with her mind still racing with thoughts of what she just discovered. "Yes?" She tried to sound normal by hiding the surprise in her tone and expression.

But it was hard to do so especially with what she just discovered.

The look on Salaha's face was one that Aria couldn't contemplate what it meant. The girl looked worried, yet relieved at the same time.

"Salaha what is it?" Aria asked, her voice suddenly coming out stronger.

Salaha blew out a small breath, before she spoke. "Your presence is being requested in Umma's chamber" She stated.

Aria's brows furrowed. "What?" Her voice came out low. "Now?"

Salaha nodded. "Yes. You are requested to be there now"

Aria blinked, wondering what could be going on that she is being requested over. Did something happen to Aali? She wondered, and that thought alone had her racing back to the closet to pick up a random hijab and threw it on. It's already late, she doubts anyone would bother about her dressing.

Besides, the hijab went down and stopped right above her ankle. Taking her phone along with her, she told Salaha to wait for her there while she goes over to see what could be the problem. The girl wanted to protest, but she knew she better stay and do as Aria asked her to. So, she nodded and bid Aria good luck.

Though it was late, the palace was well lit with various light bulbs so Aria had no problem going over to Umma's chamber, but a guard came along with her just in case. She didn't ask him to, and she doesn't recognize him as one of the guards guarding her chamber. When she asked him of his identity, he said he was the one sent from Umma's chamber and only then did Aria realize she had seen him there before.

She dropped the topic and focused on the matter at hand.

The minute she arrived at Umma's chamber, the doors were swung open for her. She stepped in, making her way over to the living room. The first thing she saw when she arrived there were the number of shoes that were there, and there were a lot. Nonetheless, she pushed herself forward though her steps came out slower, for so many thoughts ran through her head that had her swallowing thickly.

Could this have anything to do with the rumor I started? She wondered. Another part of her still had a feeling that it has something to do with her husband.

"Assalamu alaikum" She said, the minute she stepped foot in the living room. That had the people there looking up, some recognizing her voice while the others looking up to see who it was.

From what she could see, almost everyone is there except the adults. She couldn't spot any of the Queens, or Umma. But, Aali's siblings along with his cousins that she had encountered on a not so good note were all there—including Maya and Muneer.

Her gaze moved from them to the one that had her breath hitching at his sight. He remained one of the few people sitting on the couches, clearly the oldest of them all. She didn't pay any other another glance, her gaze not once moving away from his.

She was simply rooted in her spot, eyes widened and lips parted slightly as he stared back at her.

She noticed how his lips curled into one of those smiles that had always annoyed, yet made her feel things she had never felt before. She hates to admit it but she missed that smile of his.

But she couldn't smile back, nor could she move her eyes away from him. She really couldn't care that everyone in the living room was staring at them. Just like she didn't care about them when he stood upfrom his position and walked towards her.

She made no effort to move from her position. Her eyes were the only thing that followed his movement. It wasn't until he stood in front of her, leaning down to pull her into his warm embrace did she snap out of her trance. She released a breath, her hand moving to wrap around his body.

"Hello Askim" He mumbled in her ear, his husky voice one that sent chills down her spine. How she missed his voice, and that endearment that he uses to call her.

Ya ilahi.

"How..." She couldn't form coherent words. At that moment, she wasn't sure if Aali still remembers that they had an audience or maybe, he just didn't care but she was glad she wasn't the only person wrapped in this bubble of theirs.

He chuckled, finding humor in her astonishment. "I miss you too" He pulled back, then flashed her a wide smile. "Come" He then took her hand in his, "There's something we need to do first" He said, before pulling her over to the couch he was occupying earlier, letting her take the space beside him before his face turned expressionless when he stared at the others.

Aria finally looked away from him, her gaze moving round the place until it landed on Maya who threw her a smirk. She had to look away before a blush could form on her face, but her gaze unfortunately fell on Hudayya who winked at her.

The blush definitely appeared then, judging from the small squeeze Aali gave her hand which he held in his firmly. Aria threw him a glance, and when her eyes met his, he threw her a wink.

She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. If she ever doubted that he and Hudayya were siblings, then their reaction right there was all the confirmation she needed.

Aali finally looked away from her, determined to get things done. "Thank you all for coming on such short notice. Now that my wife is here, we can finally get down to business" He started, his tone coming out strong and steady as his gaze moved from the ones sitting on the couch, which included Maya and Muneer since they are one of the oldest, to the others.

"What is this about?" A woman, whom Aria doesn't recognize asked from the couch beside them. Beside her sat a man that is also unfamiliar to Aria. "We can all see that you are healthy now, and Alhamdullilah, it's all that we've been praying for but what is the point of gathering us all like this?"

A couple of others mumbled in agreement, and Aali waited until they are done before he spoke again. "I'm sure all of you are aware that I was poisoned, right?"

Most of them nodded.

"I've heard that most of you are giving my wife here, a hard time because of it. Apparently, you claim she is the one that is behind it"

Hafsa, who sat beside Hasnain was quick to shake her head. "We didn't claim anything. Your most trusted guard was the one who proved that she" She pointed her finger at Aria, who threw her a glare but she ignored her. "Was the one who did it"

Aali released a small, barely noticeable sigh. That was something he wanted to deal with later, the whole Amadu stuff that is. "Nothing has been proved yet and I can confidently tell you this, my wife had nothing to do with it" His eyes were settled on Hafsa when he said this, letting her know that he meant business.

She scoffed then looked away.

"In fact" Aali continued, moving his gaze away from her, "The real culprit behind it is here"He narrowed his eyes slightly at no one in particular.

His words had them murmuring amongst themselves as they tried to make sense of what he said. How could the person be among them if it isn't Aria? Even she was taken aback by it, because she whipped her head around to look at him.

Aali then swallowed hard, "But I won't reveal who it is yet. After all, it's a well-known saying that in baka iya kama barawo ba, to shi zai kama ka" He stated, his tone and expression cold. "On that note, I'd like to use this opportunity to let you all know that I will never tolerate any disrespect towards my wife again. Yes, you are all my family members and you mean a lot to me. But whether you like it or not, Aria is your family too. And I expect you to give her the same amount of respect you shall give me both as your family member, and, as my wife"

The room became dead drop silent when he said that. Aria on the other hand was trying to stop her heart from racing at his words. It's not fair that he's making her feel a sort of things with his mere words. How can something he says so casually have that effect on her?

"Does any of you have a problem with that?" He asked, his gaze not once moving away from them. His tone was daring, as is daring them to say any word that will not sit right with him. Amongst the siblings in the family, he is one of the oldest. And because he is the Prince next in line to become the Calipha after his father, the respect acquainted towards him was way more than that given to the others.

Besides, they all knew Aali's temper well. No one wanted to be on the receiving end of it.

As such, none uttered a word, and once he's sure that they won't, he spoke again. "Now that that's settled, if you'll excuse us, I have some catching up to do with my wife" With that, he stood up and led Aria away from them.