*
"Good evening, Maimuna." Aliyu smiled broadly as he stepped into the room. Maimuna was sitting uncomfortably still on the chair the maids her brought her, twirling her thumbs around in a small circle. She stiffened as Aliyu approached her, trying to hide her unease. If Aliyu noticed anything, he did not show it outwardly.
"Good evening, Aliyu." she replied as he took the farthest seat from her and sank into it.
"It's been a while since we last spoke together, hasn't it?" he asked with the most fake smile Maimuna had ever seen.
"Indeed it has." she replied, mirroring the same fake smile on his lips.
"And the children?"
"They are all fine, Alhamdulillah."
"And yourself?"
"I am well, may Allah be praised. Thank you for asking." she said.
"That is good to hear." he said as h
