Jannah decided to leave the confines of her room today by herself. She hadn't left the room since four days ago when Aisha dragged her out, she's endured a lot that day because there were lots of people. It doesn't make sense that her daughter knew none of them when she was alive. Then why are they coming especially, because of her to pass condolences? She was just a little girl not some old woman that knew a lot about life. She brushed that off and answered all prayers with a kind smile.

Turning around, she viewed the ivory and bone colored room with a sigh. She's been in there for too long, the depression is slowly weighing down on her. She needs a change of scenery and have a good conversation with her friends. Aisha always brought food for her or send maids with it three or four times a day. Sometimes a large bowl of ice cream in the night with a cute note that warmed her heart.

"I love you, superwoman. Please eat half of it at least, it'll make me so happy."

"Yo, Jannaty! We are all going to reunite in Jannah Insha Allah, pray and eat good food for a better life. You need strength to pray for her. Xx"

She braced herself as she traipsed down the staircase hearing more than few voices downstairs. It is the seventh day after her daughter's death but people are still coming? Maybe some of them are coming for the third of fourth time for a glimpse of her, perhaps? Because it's obvious now that people's curiosity was piqued by the news of Adnan Ibrahim Attahir having a daughter and a wife.

Half the world wanted to know who the mysterious woman is and how she managed to shag the un-shaggable billionaire. If only they knew. She was sitting in her Uncle's house back in her hometown when the news that she is married to the youngest richest man in Africa got to her. Did she believe them? Of course she laughed and continued washing her cousin's clothes along with her Aunt's.

It was only when her parents sat her down with large smiles on their faces, talked some senses into her that she believed she got married and that too to a rich man from the city. That wasn't what she wanted. She never wished to marry a rich man and move away from her hometown. She's always wanted a man from her village after an incongruous experience with one. She started hating each one of them.

They were all the same monstrous, bestial and satanic set of humans. Adnan didn't change her perspective.

She extricated the past from her mind and continued down the stairs, now a little bit reluctant than she was earlier. Most of their faces are not familiar and it is getting overwhelming seeing different set of people everyday when she is not used to that type of lifestyle. She's always loved her comfort zone, she made it tiny and fit only for herself and her daughter who is now no more. That pang again hit her hard.

As Jannah ferried down the stairs, she began to wonder. What are people already saying about her? Is she to their liking or do they find her lacking in some kind of way? Do they think she is not worth the wealthy man? It doesn't matter to her though, she's got a plate filled to the brim with so many frustrating thoughts that what people think is not her concern at the moment.

She landed on the last step and rounded the corner to the general living room where she could see myriad of shoes by the doorway. She paused for a minute and watched the shoes. They all look expensive from Prada, Fendi, Bogs, Vionic and others that appear to be obviously at a premium. Seems like only lavish people are allowed inside the Villa.

Jannah took a deep breath. Time to deal with more people. She thought briskly before adjusting the crinkled cotton veil she's used to cover her head thinking it'd only be her best friend, mother-in-law and sister-in-law in the house but they have unwanted visitors. At least she is mantled in nice eldorado maxi dress that feels comfortable around her soft curves.

She said taslim and entered the room feeling every single person's eyes on her. She held her head up high, glided on the tiled floor still wearing her flip flops. Her eyes scanned the room trying to locate the three women she can tolerate at the moment. Her mother-in-law was sitting in the midst of four older women, that is a no-go place for her. She combed again and found Nawal looking bored around her age mates, seven of them.

Aisha is nowhere in sight so she went to her mother-in-law first. She sat down on the floor beside her and greeted the other women she is talking to. They answered, some with forced smile while others with intense curiosity that made her become suddenly defensive. She could feel some of them judging her. It shouldn't bother her, but it does. In a weird way she wants to be perfect in their eyes though it is not possible.

Not everyone is going to like or appreciate you. Know that and have peace.

The fair one that looks like Hajiya Maimuna grinned easily at Jannah, she is a nice person it seems. "So this is the wife Adnan hid away from us. That naughty child."

Jannah looked down on the carpeted floor and toyed around with her fingers. Someone should come and take her away from this place, she doesn't want to have any conversation with them. The one that just spoke is the only one that seems to genuinely like her. The rest of them are tongue-tied, not able to say anything to her. Is it because she intimidates them? She chortled in her head.

Hajiya Maimuna touched her shoulder, understanding how awkward the situation is for her. "Jannah, these are my sisters. Well, one of them is my blood sister and the other three are my cousins. Shamsiya, Adama, Mubina and my sister..." she pointed at the nice one that talked to her, "...is Asmau."

Jannah smiled at all of them. "Nice meeting you and thank you for coming."

Before either of them could reply, Nawal was by Jannah's side in a second. She gripped the girl's arm and yanked her up away from the geriatrics. Jannah gave a startled and confused chuckle at the eagerness of the other wee woman.

"Sorry but I'm going to take her away for a while. Have a nice chat, Aunties." Nawal announced to the circle of women on the floor and took Jannah away.

"What was that?" Jannah asked as the two of them marched to the end of the living room where twin coffee chairs are situated. Nawal sat on one, Jannah occupied the other.

Nawal took her time, placing her phone on the table in front of them before she answered. "I just saved you from those wolves. I'm sorry to say but my mother's cousins are not nice at all."

"I saw that." Jannah's eyes blinked to where the women are to find them all criticizing her with their eyes.

"I know you are bored so let me entertain you a little." Nawal gave an evil smile then faced the living room fully, her eyes on everyone of their guests trying to find someone to pick on.

Aisha came right then, her face radiating joy at the prospect of seeing Jannah out here socializing with people without being forced. Aisha had fill out a little but she's still not back to her normal self, the sunken face is still present so is the obvious collarbones. Jannah felt guilty for some peculiar reasons though she should feel none of that. They are all grieving in their own way.

Nawal and Hajiya Maimuna too all lost weight and are yet to regain it. Hajiya Maimuna confessed that it's been long since anyone close to her had died so the pain of losing Imara really ran deep to her core. Jannah didn't know what to say then and did what she's been doing for the entire week, stared at them like a dumbo. They hardly talk about Imara anymore, the topic is still sensitive to every one of them hence, they put a cessation to it.

"I'm glad you are out here. Now what was Nawal saying before I arrive? Seems like something interesting is going on." Aisha pivoted to look at the living room too.

For the past seven days, Aisha and Nawal bonded up as they grieve together. Sometimes Aisha would go to Nawal's room and they will sleep together after crying for the night or watch movie with a huge bowl of ice cream and pop corn. Having conversations became more frequent, fluent and just jovial. They keep each other company while at the same time escaping reality with endless topics to talk about all the time.

Aisha wouldn't lie and say she thought she'd ever be this close to Nawal. Everyone in the house, the maids of course, said that she was rude and hardly greets anyone. She is indeed not too nice but not bitchy either. Or maybe because they have a lot of things in common? Nawal studied pharmacy, something Aisha wants to study too in future. They always have much to talk about.

"Oh, I was just trying to entertain her. Get a seat so you won't miss this." Nawal said to Aisha who rushed to the dining room to get a chair.

"We are ready." Aisha said from beside Jannah, her eyes following wherever Nawal's traveled to.

Nawal smacked her lips and bared her teeth. "You see that one wearing peach lace? The one with weird head tie style?"

"Yes." Aisha and Jannah both affirmed at the same time, following the girl's movement.

They couldn't see much from where they are sitting but the girl is pretty in her kind of way. Her nose is a little too long for her small rounded face, her lips wide enough to touch her ears but it managed to emerge gorgeously on her face. That is why they said, in her kind of way. Each feature on her face is not fine alone but molded to her face by the Creator, she looks exquisite. And she's got caramel skin to go with.

"Good." Nawal took her time yet again. "She almost got married to Draco. Don't be shocked. Her mother forced things then and he was just twenty five while the girl was fourteen or is it twelve? I'm not sure but she was extremely young that it would've been child abuse. Draco was just starting to become rich, changing our wardrobe, getting us a driver and whatnot? The woman became desperate and went to a sorcerer."

Jannah and Aisha gasped, their eyes waltzing around the room trying to locate who the mother is.

Nawal continued. "I won't tell you who her mother is, she's dead actually. The girl's name is Ilham, still not married and was waiting for Draco until she found out that he was married. I'm sure she hasn't given up. She was looking for him earlier but I told her he was making love with his wife upstairs."

Jannah smothered a laugh behind her palm. "You didn't?"

"Oh, yes I did. Why would she be asking about someone's husband?" Nawal made a face.

"You are evil." Aisha smiled then added. "But I love that comeback."

Nawal flipped invisible hair to the side of her shoulder. "I know. I never liked the girl since from the beginning. She stole my toy when we were young and had the audacity to bring it back when she tore every limb."

They continued to gossip, laugh and have fun for another hour or so when a maid came to them.

"There is a man outside wanting to talk to you. He is Mr. Adnan's friend, he said. Jibril Shehu." The maid conveyed the message with boldness that Jannah admired.

But who is this Jibril She-? Then she remembered. Of course, the only friend Adnan has in his entire thirty four years of living. How is that possible? Not being hypocritical or anything but she's had more than one friend in her hometown before that incidence. This man on the other hand had an entirely different story from hers.

Jannah stood up. "I'll go see him."

Aisha looks concerned and uncertain. "Are you sure? You don't have to exert yourself for him."

"I'll be fine, Shats. I'm sure he is just here to pass his own condolences probably because he could not reach Dracs." She gave them both a smile and excused herself from the living room.

Adnan is unreachable now. No one knows where he is, not even Ammar who always knew where his brother is. She promised herself one thing, a soft life filled with felicity and peace of mind. Adnan is anything but those things so she's come to a conclusion and decided that if he doesn't know what he wants by the time she is done grieving, she is going to leave him for good.

She is going to talk about this again with her mother-in-law first. It is her decision to make but she wants to talk to the woman about it so she won't be taken by surprise when it happens. She's talked about it once before Imara's death. Adnan is also another part of her that is making her have restless sleep and depression. She's lost her daughter and instead of him to embrace her and be with her through this, he ran away like a damned coward. He should know what he wants or this entire thing is going to end.

Her love for him won't stop her from finding happiness somewhere else, she is done. The only person chaining her to him is dead, she is free to do anything.

Jannah stepped outside the patio door, the sky is slowly starting to darken. Blue and white canvas making way for grey and obsidian to take place. The sun setting, ready to let the moon illuminate the sky like it did during it's time.

Her eyes scanned the place for a man, there he stood in kaftan looking handsome and takeaway. He came forward, casting a spellbinding smile her way that made her knees weak. Jibril Shehu isn't more handsome than her husband but he's got this calm aura, gentle ambience, mischievous gleam in his bituminous eyes and charming personality to cheer his dangerous mystery. A man one should fall in love with because it is safe, the love will be reciprocated.

"Good evening, Jannah. You're looking well." He smashed another smile her way, she couldn't help returning one.

"Good evening and thank you." Oh, she's made the conversation awkward by not complimenting him too or asking something. He proved her wrong.

"I've been meaning to stop by and pass my condolences but I thought I should wait until you've settled down. I know losing a child is terrible but here I am." He jumped a bit on his feet. "May Allah forgive her and I hope she is in a better place."

"Insha Allah. Amin Amin. Thank you very much. This means a lot, truly." Her eyes are trying to start shedding those traitorous tears. The man is too nice.

"I'll be on my way then. Take care of yourself, okay?" He nervously murmured but it looks like he wanted to say something different.

"I will, thank you. And you should too."

He smiled boyishly at her then turned around and left. She gulped when her heart gave a little leap. "Turn around!" She chanted in her head and he did when he reached his car. Her heart literally exploded when he gave her a small discreet wink. She felt her stomach deepened, her entire body flushed excitedly. There is something going on here, she felt it and is certain he also did. The chemistry exists and it fluttered around them.

Is this a sign?

Hmmmmmmmmm.... Ni bazan ce komai ba