Sudan, Khartoum.

***

As much as Khaleel fantasized about his dream turn reality, the way he fantasized his happily ever after with his beautiful gorgeous doctor wife and sweet daughter Raina, he didn't see that turn of events happening.

He didn't plan on meeting Aamirah. the shy, traumatized girl with little sense of humor left in her. Nor did he plan developing an instant deep connection with her- that was definitely not part of his plan.

Not at all.

As a matter of fact, the only reason he took on the NGO job was plain passion and simply walking on his late mother's footsteps. Somehow, doing his job means connecting with his mother on so many levels seeing he has little memories of her.

He has never missed his mother's presence so badly. Now that his sisters, thanks to JamJam found out about his latest mission, they decided to cut off any means of communication with him.

He didn't expect them to take the news well, especially Ya Maamah, but the fact that they didn't give him a hearing ear wounds him severely.

Khaleel checked his beeping phone, it is Batool's usual good morning text and a little dose of 'are you still coming tomorrow' indirectly of course! He sent her a quick reply appreciating how she didn't cut him off like his sisters.

No woman will do that but Batool.. Subhana'Allah! She is certainly one of a kind with the biggest heart. He knows whether or not Aamirah comes out from her hiding cave, he is still going back to Nigeria the next day with the littlest of hope she will ever be able to try and make it work.

He can only hope.

***

Aunty Kulthum sent a warning glare towards Jameelah, she has had enough of all the kids walking on eggshells around each other. For years, she has managed to keep the bond between the cousins strong enough to get them through hard times but now, watching them crumble over something as a personal affair, she simply can't sit back and watch them act childishly.

"My efforts will not go in vain" she had declared and they got a glimpse of her hurting heart because of their problems.

"It's Adda JamJam, the fight stirrer!" Myra said clearly annoyed about the whole situation. "Ya Khaleel is simply too nice. I believe if he wants to take a second wife that's none of your concern!"

"Maryam!" Aunty Kulthum call out.

"This is the moment of truth mommy, we are meant to say the truth, deal with it and get over it!"

"Let's not get too raw" Khaleel intervene glancing at the stairway hoping Aamirah will walk down the stairs. She has been locked in Myra's room for three days straight!

"The truth is always bitter. Adda JamJam is crossing her limits, being mean to Adda Mimi, who has no fault in this is something else talk more of interfering in a personal family feud"

Jameelah gasped "Myra your delusional!"

"I get that your jealous on Adda Batool's behalf, it's okay but Adda Mimi didn't deserve that much hurt. She had only you!"

Khaleel cleared his throat, things are escalating fast and judging by aunty Kulthum's expression, she is worried about that too.

"I just want you girls to know that whatever happens is meant to happen. Whether or not JamJam is in full support of this if Allah wills this marriage will hold on then nothing can stop this from happening" he stood on his feet

"I have a flight to catch tomorrow. Aunty Kul goodnight"

He walked away

***

Mimi jumped out from bed frightened to death! The nightmares are always the worst expect this one, it was different. She had prayed and cried for the past three days and whenever she cried in sujood and prayed istighaara, she ended up waking up feeling more and more confused and dejected. Except today.. today she feels at peace with herself and her condition.

Indeed everything happens for a reason..

Walking to the washroom, she washed up and dressed up in a blue beige blouse and black straight skirt. she grabbed one of Myra's white beaded veil and snuck out silently in other not to wake up her new roommate.

Her heart thumped wildly when she met him leaning against the counter dressed casually in a black buttoned up shirt and matching pants. The dark attire did no justice to his handsomely shaved face and dark orbs, he looked ravishingly, securely blocked out with a blank expression on his face.

She lowered her gaze after shamefully goggling at him.. astaghfirullah.

Aamirah has no idea how he spotted her, but the moment he did, he dropped his steaming mug of cuppa on the counter before saying his salaam. Then, taking her off guard, he apologized.

She let the tears roll down her cheek, as much as she tried to hold it back it was impossible. The brewing emotions and conflict in her chest is already drowning her down, letting the tears flow a little wouldn't hurt right?

"Aamirah.."

Ya Rabbil Aalameen!

This guy will not be the death of her.

She refuse to let that happen.

Can he stop with the deep, soothing, shivers running down her spine Aamirah? She can't handle another unknown emotion right now.

"I am sorry for everything too. For stumbling inside your life, without an invitation might I add. For disrupting your life and causing you nothing but heartaches and life changing decisions. I am so sorry"

He stepped forward creating a short distance between them "Don't! It was meant to happen and trust me, I do not regret meeting you Aamirah. If anything I regret putting you in between my family drama"

"Your wife.." she croaked out ignoring the blazing heat in her chest.

"Batool is fine with this, it's me and her, we'll go through it"

She heaved a deep breath "But.."

"Aamirah this is not about anyone else. Please! It's you and only you"

Locking eyes with him, she felt the jolt of sparks in her body. The flames of fireworks sparking making her toes to curl almost immediately. "Okay.. I'll marry you"

***

Finalized. Sealed. Signed and sealed! The fact that she married another person's man breaks her heart but for her own personal selfish reasons, she is glad she is, at long last, going home. This has been her dream for the past seventeen years of her life and when she finally gave up, Allah answered her prayers in the most beautiful way ever.

As she watch Myra pack her clothes neatly in a black trolley she let her borrow, the tears sting her eyes. Myra paused to look at her, "Ya Allah! What again? Why the tears?" She asked dramatically and Mimi chuckled.

"Do you think JamJam will come out and say goodbye?"

"Oho! I don't know" she shrugged off her shoulders "Honestly Adda JamJam is battling her own inner demons and with Ya Khaleel and you hitching up, it will take a while for her to get there"

Aamirah nod her head. She knows, without a doubt Jameelah is the most insecure and sentimental girl she has ever met. "She is a very slow learner"

"Myra!!!!" She shrieked at her bluntness.

Laughing, she zipped the neatly arranged luggage. "Sorry not sorry"

After forcing Mimi to apply a dark eye liner to her already natural lined eyes, she dabbed her face with powder and a lip full of gloss. Finally, they walked out the doors, this time as Mrs Aamirah Khaleel.

Woah!

"May Allah bless your union and May He be with you always. Take care of Khaleel, he might act strong but he is very fragile" Aunty Kulthum embrace her in a hug.

Mimi swallowed the lump in her throat.

Is Aunty Kulthum not aware that it's just temporary? Regardless, she replied "InshaAllah. Thank you for accepting me in your home and for being so kind, May Allah reward you abundantly"

The moment was caught short when Khaleel and Kabeer walked inside the house. They had just returned from the mosque where the wedding was conducted, even after the legal documents, they needed to make it officially halal so as to not make it suspicious to the officials of Sudan.

"May Allah bless your union. Sorry on JamJam's behalf, she is a little bit.. moody" Kabeer refer to Aamirah when they arrived at the airport.

"Ameen. It's nothing, please let her know that I am deeply sorry for everything"

He nod his head before hugging his best friend and driving off. The minute they passed through the usual procedure without any harm thrown their way, Aamirah let out a deep breath she has been holding.

She simply cannot wait to breathe in Nigeria's air as weird as it sounds.

"You okay?" She heard Khaleel who is sitting beside her in the comfort of the first class asked.

"This is extravagant! First class! Really?!"

"A little bit overboard, I agree but try and enjoy it"

She rolled her eyes. "Thank you"

His eyes were locked on the magazine in his hand but when she whispered those words softly, he looked up at her.

Despite knowing the drama that awaits him at home, somehow, he couldn't help but feel confident and happy.

"Your most welcome"

***

Assalamualaikum! Hellloooo everyone!!

It's been long, I hope I meet you all in good health. Alhamdulilah.

ATTENTION: Buckle up.. were going for a ride🤭 Mimi is now Mrs Khaleel TWO fahhh

All the people who turned back on Mimi😝😝 ta shiga gidan Khaleel da qarfi da yaji.

Toh uwar gida.. here we come!!!

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