CROSSED PATHS

|08|

Kano, Nigeria.

"Mama, please! You can do anything to me, but don't hurt my sisters," Ariana pleaded, her voice trembling with desperation.

Hajiya Nusaiba shrugged indifferently. "Then stand up and go do my chores. You have two minutes to be at my side." She walked away without a second glance.

"Ya Ariana, we're really hungry," Safaa pouted, her eyes filled with innocence.

Ariana remained silent, unsure of how to comfort them. She was starving too. Their grandparents had provided everything they needed before leaving, but their cruel stepmother had taken it all away, leaving them without a single grain of food.

"You know what? They must be having dinner by now. Go and join them," Ariana smiled, gently pinching their cheeks.

They smiled but hesitated. "Ya Ariana, Abbi..."

"He won't say anything to you, okay?" she reassured them with a soft smile.

"Promise?"

"I promise. Now go." She urged them forward, following closely behind.

Upon their entrance into the dining room, Hajiya Nusaiba's face twisted in anger. "What do you want?!"

"Mama, we're hungry," the two girls said, their lips pouting.

"And so? I don't care! Leave."

"Safaa and Marwa aren't going anywhere, Mama! They'll have dinner right here with us," Khalil's voice rang with authority.

"Khalil! How dare you go against my orders?" Hajiya Nusaiba's eyes flared.

"Mama, for the sake of Allah, how can you let these small children starve? I won't allow it!" Khalil declared firmly, then called out for Ariana, who appeared immediately.

"You girls, take your seats and eat," he ordered.

Furious, Hajiya Nusaiba stood up and stormed out. Alhaji Malik followed her, trying to calm her, but not before glaring at Khalil. Khalil scoffed, wondering if his parents would ever change.

"Ya Khalil, seriously? I don't understand why you're being so kind to these filthy beings," Jiddah spat in disgust.

"Jiddah, I dare you to say another word, and wallahi, you'll regret it!" Khalil roared, causing the girl to shiver in fear.

****

Emir's Palace, Kano, Nigeria.

"You have no idea how much I've missed you, baby!" A young beautiful lady in her early twenties exclaimed with glee, throwing her arms around Aryan.

"I missed you too, my love," Aryan smiled, gently taking her hands as he led her to the couch.

"Just one more month, and you'll be mine forever, In Shaa Allah," Aryan said, his eyes filled with affection.

"I can't wait, baby! I wish we could bring the date closer. If only Abba would agree to let us marry today," she pouted, her small pink lips forming a soft frown.

"Sabr, my love. The day will come soon, In Shaa Allah."

"In Shaa Allah! I'm so excited, I can hardly wait!" she giggled, making Aryan laugh.

"Oh, how could I forget? And it's all your fault!" She playfully punched his arm.

"What did I do now?" Aryan asked, feigning innocence.

"You kept me here, and I was supposed to go visit Aunt Sultana, my soon-to-be mother-in-law!"

"Sultanaaaaa!" Aira's voice echoed as she entered the room and crushed Sultana into a tight hug. Aryan and the others smiled warmly at their bond.

"My Aira, how are you, my darling?" Sultana smiled, placing a kiss on her forehead.

"I wasn't feeling well earlier, but the moment I saw you, all my happiness came rushing back!" Aira said, making both Sultana and Aryan laugh.

"Leave us," Sultana ordered gently, and Jakadiya and Hadiza left the parlor, giving them privacy.

"Do you know who spoiled my mood?" Aira said, laying her head on Sultana's lap.

"No, my dear, who was it?" Sultana asked, stroking Aira's hair.

"Hmm, Aryan did! And I want you to punish him, my Sultana," Aira pouted, glancing at Aryan, who looked utterly flabbergasted.

Aryan dropped the apple he had been eating and stared at her in disbelief. "Seriously? We were fine before we came into Mom's chamber! Are you kidding me, Aira?" he exclaimed, making them both laugh.

"Yes! You make me forget everything when I'm with you," Aira smiled sheepishly.

Aryan chuckled, while Sultana playfully smacked Aira's head. "Naughty girl."

Aira giggled and buried her face in Sultana's lap.

Just then, Queen Hidaya entered the parlor, her pregnant belly protruding. Aryan barely held back the exasperated sigh threatening to escape him. He still couldn't understand why his father had married her. He was far way older than her. She was the same age as his Aira! The poor girl was terrified of him—it was almost comical.

He stood up and bade his mother farewell before exiting the parlor, Aira following close behind.

"May you live long in prosperous health and wealth, Sultana," Queen Hidaya said, offering a slight bow.

"How are you, Hidaya? Please, have a seat," Sultana smiled warmly. She had never seen Queen Hidaya as a rival; instead, she viewed her as a daughter. She saw no reason to compete with someone who was younger than her own eldest son. On her part, Queen Hidaya had always looked up to Sultana as a mother figure, but the other queens' constant whisperings were starting to cloud her mind.

"Thank you, Sultana," Hidaya smiled weakly, sitting down with great difficulty, her pregnancy taking its toll.

"What brings you here?" Sultana asked kindly, and like a dam breaking, Queen Hidaya's tears began to flow.

***
What do you think about the chappy? LY💕.