It's been a week since Fawwad and Walija have reconciled and things have been going on smoothly and their love for each other have been growing gradually.

Walija had just finished dressing up as they were going to her parent's house. Her parents had returned for holidays the previous week whereas Neimat had arrived the previous day. So, they decided to go and see them.

Fawwad was already waiting for her when she got down to the living room.

"Shall we?" Her voice came through gaining Fawwad's attention.

"Masha Allah. You look so stunning" he said as he moved towards her.

She was wearing a yellow peplum blouse with a green straight skirt. She wore a black kimono over it with a matching veil. Her scent was girly and sweet.

"Why not we stay back" he said when he was close enough.

"Stay back?"

"Yes, I just want to sit and look at you"

"Ohh God!" She laughed as she lightly smacked his shoulder "You can never get tired of pulling my legs right?"

"Hey! I wasn't, I'm damn serious"

"Come, let me tell you something" he came closer and she whispered something into his ears which made him smile.

*****

They reached the house in less than thirty minutes. When they knocked, Muhseen opened the door. When he saw his sister, he instantly jumped on her hugging her so tight. He took her unaware and the effect made her to almost fell down if not for Fawwad that quickly held her wrapping his arms around her waist.

They were still in that position oblivious to them that Neimat had arrived at the scene. It was when she cleared her throat that they noticed her presence.

"So your house is not enough for you. I will call Umma to come and see what you two are doing in her house" she teased them laughing.

Fawwad ducked his head low scratching his nape while Walija pretended as if nothing happened and went over and hugged her muttering "I miss you too sister" in her ears.

"Good afternoon ya Neimat" Fawwad greeted.

"Afternoon to you too my dear brother-in-law" she smiled "hope my little sister isn't giving you any headaches" she teased.

"No, not at all" he smiled.

"Good afternoon ya Fawwad and ya Walija" Muhseen greeted trying to gain back their attention which made them all laugh.

"See how my little boy has grown taller and of course stronger" Walija said while pulling his cheeks "you almost made me fall" she laughed.

"But your superman was fast enough to stop that from happening" Neimat said laughing and she knew they all felt embarrassed even though Walija tried so hard to hide it but it was obvious.

"Where's your twin?" Walija said trying to change the topic. But she clearly knew that wasn't the end for Neimat as she had found what to tease her with for the whole day.

"He's inside"

"Alright, let's all go inside" Walija said and they moved into the house.

Mubeen and Bushrah were seated watching TV when they walked in. They all rushed to Walija hugging her.

"Ya Walija! I've missed you so so much" Mubeen said excitedly before he turned to Fawwad"good afternoon ya Fawwad"

"Afternoon Mubeen, how are you?" Fawwad asked smiling.

"I'm fine, thank you"

"Now who's this little angel?" Fawwad turned to Bushrah who was clinging to Walija.

"Bushrah, this is your uncle" Walija said to her. "Uncle Fawwad" she added.

"Good afternoon uncle Fawwad" she greeted him in her little soft angelic voice.

"Afternoon angel. How are you?" He asked as he stretched his hand out to her which she gladly went over to him.

When they all got seated, Neimat went to call Umma who was in the kitchen. And after a few seconds, Umma appeared in the sitting room smiling.

"So, we have special guests today" she said.

"Umma!!" Walija shrieked and went over and hugged her "I missed my Umma so much" she said.

"How are you my dear?" Umma asked looking at her daughter with admiration. One look at her, one can tell she was finally living in peace and she was happy.

"Alhamdulillah" and they walked together to the sitting room.

Immediately they were in the middle of the room, Fawwad crouched down and greeted Umma. "Good afternoon Umma"

"Afternoon my son and please stop crouching down to greet me" she added with concern "take me as your own mother and not your mother-in-law please" she smiled. He also smiled and nodded before he got seated.

"How was your journey?" He asked.

"It was fine. Alhamdulillah" she answered smiling. "How are you coping with her?" She asked and her question made the couples to quickly exchange glances and smiled at each other. Umma saw that but pretended like she didn't. "Saratou!" She called on to the housemaid and when she came, she said "please get them something chill to drink" she said because she doesn't need an answer to her previous question. Their looks say it all.

After a few minutes, Saratou came back with a tray full of refreshments including fresh fruits. They all ate while conversing and laughing. They really had a fun time. Abba and Elkarib; Neimat's husband also joined them later on. It was just like a mini family get together.

They were all seated when they heard the adzaan to zuhr prayer. Abba, Elkarib, Fawwad, Mubeen, and Muhseen moved to the masjid(mosque) and left the ladies behind. Umma went to her room with Bushrah while Neimat and Walija moved to the room given to Neimat.

After they finished praying, Neimat was just curious so, she asked.

"Sis" she called.

"Huh?" Walija turned to place down the folded hijab before she went and sat with her sister on the bed.

"What's up with you and your husband?" She asked smiling.

"I don't get you" she pretended like she doesn't understand what her sister meant.

"Oh come on Walija! Stop pretending. I've seen everything. Are you in love?"

"Ya Neimat!" She whined feeling shy of her sister's question.

"Yes, tell me"

She contemplated for a few seconds before she said "well...actually yes" and immediately she closed her mouth, her sister hugged her excitedly.

"Masha Allah. I'm so happy. I knew a day like this would come. Now, you've seen what I've been telling you about patience. Some things in life don't just get to us easily, especially good things. We have to exercise patience and wait for them following them with duas" she sighed and smiled before she continued "Fawwad loves you Walija, he loves you truly. And yes, it was that obvious" she added.

"I'm finally happy ya Neimat" she uttered with sincerity.

"All praise be to Allah the Almighty" she smiled and hugged her.

They were still in the room catching up when Bushrah came in to tell Walija that Umma wanted to see her. She knew why Umma was calling and just thinking of it, made her blush.

*****

She entered the room silently with a salam. Umma was seated on the single couch in her bedroom and asked her to come and seat beside her.

Umma sighed before she began "I'm pretty sure you know why I called you right?" she said and Walija shyly nodded fidgeting with her fingers.

What the heck! Why am I suddenly feeling shy around Umma?

Umma's voice was what pulled her out of her thoughts.

"You don't have to tell me anything because I've seen it myself"

"You did?" She asked baffled.

"One look at you two, one can tell you're living peacefully and the bond of love between you two is that strong to be noticed by everyone" she sighed before she continued "I won't lie to you but I left this country with a heavy heart. I wasn't happy by the way I left you. Even though we weren't together, I know my presence could be a source of comfort for you. And then, a few months after our departure, the tragic news of your accident reached us. I almost lost it Walija" she said like she was living the bitter past all over again.

"I'm sorry Umma" Walija said with teary eyes.

"There's nothing to feel sorry about my daughter. What matters more is that your safe and sound. Do you know that I had already booked a flight to come to Nigeria on that fateful day?" She rhetorically asked smiling.

"You did? Umma, you wanted to come and see me" she asked with her eyes bulged out.

"Yes, but your father stopped me. He said your in-laws promised to take care of you and if I came, they'll feel as if we didn't trust them with you. They were so worried and concerned about you and also, I trusted Hajiya Hauwa, I knew she will never do anything to hurt you, so, I stayed back"

"They did fulfil their promise Umma. They took very good care of me just like their own daughter" she smiled.

"You are their daughter Walija" Umma stated.

"But Umma, do you think...F-Fawwad loves me for who I am?" she found herself asking and immediately the words left her mouth, she felt like the ground could open up and swallow her because of embarrassment. But she has to know and she will most believe it if it came from her mother.

"Why not? Could there be any reason?"

Umma is the type of mother that's free with her children. She gave them the face to come to her whenever they need guidance or assistance in anything in their lives that's bothering them. So, whenever they were lost, they first go to their mother.

"Well, it's just that he started showing concern towards me just...after the accident. And I used to think it was out of pity"

Umma laughed before she said "and so what if he fell in love with you out of pity. There's nothing bad about it. In fact, it was a blessing to you two because maybe that was how God planned for you to finally be happy" Umma held her face and said, "has anything changed after you've recovered completely?"

She thought for some seconds before she said "no, I think if anything, it just got better"

"Then you have nothing to worry about. Love him back and live happily with your husband. Your Umma is not getting any younger, I need to see my grandchildren" she teased laughing.

"Ummaaa!!" She whined covering her face in the nook of her mother's neck. Umma just smiled and hugged her back muttering 'Alhamdulillah'

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