"Congratulations Nabeela."

I hug Maama back and step away to look at her. She smiles brightly at me, making me shy.

"I'm just so thankful for the smart children Allah blessed me with." Zeenah mutters a playful Alhamdulilahi.

"So, what next now?" I swoon playfully.

"I'm tired, sleepy and hungry. So all I want to do now is jump into a bed and sleep." Maama nods.

"What about the event hall, who's cleaning it?" I point at a cleaning crew vehicle that is parked on the driveway.

"Once the event planning guys leave with their stuff, they'll follow up and get everywhere clean." She nods and Adeel walks closer.

"Beela. Turn around." I turn around and find three pairs of eyes shining at me. Then I scream.

"Congratulations sweetheart." Ya Ajike sings in her usual welcoming sing song voice. My face falls.

"I'm also sorry I neglected you all these past few months. I've been busy, but it's no excuse for my behaviour." I join my hands together in complete shame. I'd forgotten the very people who helped me pull through one of the hardest years if my life.

"Naaah, it's fine. But you owe me free makeup till you die." Ya Nusaiba says with her lips pinched together. I clap my hands.

"It it's that, I can deal. If it's makeup, I'll gladly do it." She smiles and opens her arms out to me. I rush in and feel us being hugged by others.

"We missed you too." I hear Khadijah say. I nod into Ya Nusaiba's hands. When they pull off me, Ya Ajike says my punishment is to set up a meeting between us all. I don't mind. Not at all.

"I'll text you all."

*****

"So, what were you slyly smiling about at the launch." I stare at him slip his pajama shirt over his head.

"I didn't smile slyly. I don't smile slyly." He raises one bushy eyebrow.

"Really? Is this how you want to do it?" I scoff lightly and punch the gossamer down pillow so i can get more comfortable.

" Well, saying I smiled slyly would be taking it far. Sly would suggest something bad." He raises his hands in surrender and drops the wet towel he was using to rub his hair into the laundry basket near the door.

"Okay, let me rephrase. What were you trying to communicate to me that I didn't see?" I smile and nod but he looks at me mockingly and his lower lip spread in complete mockery.

"What are you nodding? It's not sly is it?" I shake my head in silent laughter, before reaching over the bedside table to bring the white envelope I'd left there earlier.

"Here." I hand it to him. He takes it in astonishment.

"What's this?" It's my turn to mock him.

"Mr Hassan, open it." He sighs and tears it open. Then begins to read through the letter. It's a little long considering what it entails.

"Five percent of Aa'ila?" His breath comes out harshly. I roll my eyes. I'd expected this reaction.

"Beela, what made you make this decision? Baaba specifically wanted you to own it. It's all yours." I shake my head knowing I'll be making a lot of explanations.

" Yes, it's all mine, but to whom much is given, even much more is expected. He gave me, and now, I'm giving you a little out if it. Not because you don't have a hundred times over worth of it, but because I just wanted to do something. Something for you." He looks elsewhere, before dropping his shoulders in acceptance.

"Toh. Beela, it's not like I don't appreciate this. I really appreciate it. But," He stops himself at the last second, then he nods.

"Thank you dear wife." I nod my head and burrow further into the duvet.

"You're welcome Mr Hassan." He leans over me to drop the envelope and its contents before turning off the light.

"Beela?" I him out my answer, I'm tired. I've been awake since two am.

"Good night kiss?" I giggle quietly, then take the duvet off my head, he has pursed his lips. I giggle again.

"Goodnight." I land a kiss on his pursed lips, but he catches me off guard by opening his mouth. Ya Allah.

Someone tell Adeel I'm too tired to play games.

*****

"I've shouted it over and over. I'm proud of you." I purse my lips and lower my head in shyness.

"You're such an inspiration yourself. A new restaurant every year. It's not an easy task, but you're taking it in stride." She stops chopping the purple onions to look at me.

"You're an amazing child. Just amazing." I laugh. Maama usually says that not everyone can shut her up, but I managed to do it. She'd been going on and on about how proud of me she is. And how she's glad she didn't pick anyone else to marry Adeel.

"Have you told Adeel?" I stop taking the mint leaves from the stalk and look outside the kitchen to see if he's not coming.

"No." She stops again. This time, she washes her hands at the tap near the large windows before coming close. .

"He needs to know. I won't help you keep this secret for much longer. Yes, it was a small loss. But it's something he has to know about. Innit?" I widen my eyes in fear. I don't know how Adeel will react if I tell him.

A cough breaks the silence. My back goes rigid and a shiver goes through it. Maama makes an Ah sound when she sees its Adeel. I shut my eyes slowly. Time up.

"What is it that you need to tell Adeel?" He walks closer, and if i wasn't feeling so down about telling him, I'd be admiring how beautiful he looks in kaftan and matching traditional hat.

"I'll leave for you both. Call me in fifteen minutes. I need to take out the carrot cake." I nod stiffly at Maama.

He takes a sit in front of me. Blocking my view of the timer on the oven.

"I lost our baby." He cocks his in question.

"You weren't even pregnant." I shake ny head.

" You remember I had to go to the hospital from work during my last period." He nods yes, he'd come pick me up from the hospital.

"The doctor said I lost a foetus. A two week old one." I cried in the bathroom when I returned home, not daring to cry in front of him because the doctor said I lost the baby because my body was too stressed out.

I look up to Adeel. He's quiet, but he's taken off his cap.

"So you mean, we could have had our own baby but we lost it?" I nod stiffly.

He nods and takes a deep breath. "It's fine Beela. We didn't know. We will work harder next time to keep our children safe. Okay?" I nod. He gets up and hugs me. I feel the sting of tears but i don't cry until I feel water drip on my head. I look up to see Adeel's eyes red and him sobbing. I immediately hug him harder.

"I'm sorry." He shakes his head.

"It's not you. It was not your fault. Even if it was yours, we will do better next time. Okay?" I nod and he takes out a handkerchief to dry his wet face.

"Thank God I don't wear makeup or I'd have to redo my liner." I giggle, this man is God's gift to me. I keep unwrapping new parts everyday.

"Thank God you don't." He places his cap on his head back.

"I wanted to go see Muad'h. I'll just stay home. I want to stay in bed with you." I purse my lips at him.

"You're shameless." He looks hurt.

"How on Earth, Mrs Hassan-" he puts his hand on his chest in mock pain. " Are we supposed to try harder if we don't lounge in bed?" I land a slap on his arm.

"You're violent." I frown at him.

"And you have a mouth I should wash with bleach." He opens his mouth.

"Go ahead. With you, you can wash me anyhow." I face palm in reply. I can't beat him. At all.

*******

Hi guys,

How are you all doing, I'm fine. 😁😁😁

I'm officially on holidays.😊😊😊, So frequent updates and Letting Go is on the horizon. So help me God.

Also, this chapter is for Miss_Kahe who's birthday is today. Happy Birthday dearie. God bless you.

We are so close to the end oo. Ehen.

Please comment, vote and share.

God bless you.

TheOmoope.