9:00 PM
Ilham lay on her bed, her mind wandering restlessly. Ever since she returned, her thoughts had been centered on Fawaz, yet there was no sign of him. She was certain he knew she was back news had spread fast with all the people coming to welcome her.
Lost in her thoughts, she suddenly felt a gentle tap.
"Aunty Ilham, Ya Fawaz is calling you," Firdaus announced.
Startled, Ilham sat up. "Really?"
"Yes, Aunty Ilham. He's in Abba's parlor," Firdaus confirmed before turning to leave.
Ilham's heart raced with excitement. She quickly got off the bed, a smile lighting up her face. She changed into a simple blue abaya and wrapped her veil elegantly. Standing before her dressing mirror, she applied a touch of lipstick, admiring her reflection. "Masha Allah," she whispered with a smile. She knew she looked beautiful.
As she walked toward her father's parlor, the scent of her clothes announced her presence before she even entered. It wasn't that she had applied perfume, but the fragrance of the fabric itself lingered gently around her.
Fawaz, who was scrolling through his phone, lifted his head when he sensed her presence. Their eyes met briefly before Ilham lowered hers, a shy smile playing on her lips. She walked closer and sat on the two-seater beside him, her heart pounding.
"Ilham," he called softly.
She lifted her head slowly. "Good evening," she managed, her voice barely above a whisper.
He chuckled lightly. "You haven't changed, have you?"
Ilham looked up, their eyes meeting again before she quickly looked away. He smiled warmly.
"Welcome back, and congratulations, love. May Allah bless your efforts and grant you success," he said gently.
"Thank you," she replied, a small, shy smile on her lips.
"We're all fine, Alhamdulillah. But tell me, what have you been eating abroad? You look more radiant than ever," he teased.
Ilham laughed softly, her nervousness easing a bit.
After a brief silence, Fawaz glanced at his watch. "It's getting late. I should head home now, but I'll come by again tomorrow, Insha Allah."
"Alright, Allah ya kai mu lafiya," she responded softly.
He stood up to leave but then paused. "Oh, I almost forgot." He reached into his pocket and brought out a beautiful necklace. "Here, it's for you."
Ilham's eyes sparkled with surprise. She remembered the ring he had given her before she traveled this necklace was its perfect match.
"Thank you," she said, accepting it with both hands, her heart fluttering.
Fawaz smiled warmly. "Won't you see me off today?"
She giggled softly. "No need, but... wait a moment."
She rushed to her room, quickly grabbing a large shopping bag filled with gifts she had brought back. Returning to the parlor, she handed it to him.
"Here, Noor. It's for you," she said, her face beaming.
He looked at her with admiration before accepting it. "Thank you so much, Ilham."
Together, they walked to the gate. After a final wave, Fawaz left. Ilham stood there for a moment, her heart light and happy, before finally going back inside.
Inside the room, Firdaus, Hiyana, and Amrat were gathered, their heads bent together, whispering.
"I'm telling you, I don't trust this Fawaz," Amrat whispered. "I heard someone saying they might even be planning his wedding soon."
Hiyana's eyes widened. "Really? I find that hard to believe."
Firdaus chimed in, "I also heard that a girl came to greet his mother. They said she's from Adamawa."
Hiyana shook her head. "If it were true, Mama would know. There's no way she wouldn't."
Their conversation abruptly stopped when Ilham entered, her face still glowing with happiness. The girls glanced at each other nervously.
"What's going on? Why are you all staring at me like that?" Ilham teased, her smile wide.
"Nothing, Aunty," they replied almost in unison.
Ilham chuckled, then held out her necklace. "Look at what Noor gave me."
Hiyana forced a smile. "It's beautiful, Aunty."
Amrat's eyes widened as she took a closer look. "Wait, isn't this the same as your ring?"
Ilham nodded, her cheeks slightly flushed. "Yes, he promised to give me the necklace when I returned."
They all admired it for a moment before Firdaus, unable to hold back, blurted out, "Aunty Ilham, did you hear anything we were saying before you came in?"
Hiyana quickly nudged her, frowning.
"What do you mean?" Ilham asked, curious.
Hiyana quickly spoke up, "Oh, it's nothing, Aunty. We were just planning a surprise party for you, but now the surprise is ruined"
Ilham laughed, the sound warm and genuine. "It's okay, really. Just being here with you all is more than enough."
They hugged her tightly, feeling a mix of guilt and relief. Despite their doubts about Fawaz, they couldn't help but be happy for her. Firdaus, who wasn't even her biological sister, felt closer to her than most of her actual siblings.
After a while, Ilham stood up. "I think it's time to sleep. Don't forget to say your du'as. Allah ya tashe mu lafiya."
"Ameen, Aunty" they chorused as she left the room.
Once she got to her room, Ilham sat on her bed and reached for her phone. She dialed Salma's number. The phone rang, and just as she considered hanging up, Salma answered.
"Assalamu alaikum What kind of call is this? Are you chasing a debt from me or what? Do you even know what time it is?" Salma teased, her playful tone unmistakable.
Ilham laughed. "I've returned home."
"What, When did you arrive? And you couldn't even tell me until now?" Salma's excited voice came through, followed by a dramatic sigh. "Well,I'm not coming to see you."
Before Ilham could explain, Salma ended the call abruptly. Surprised, Ilham tried calling again, but it went straight to voicemail.
Shaking her head with a smile, she thought, "This girl will never change"
Setting her phone aside, she changed into her pajamas, recited her nightly du'as, and lay down, her heart full of emotions joy.