Silence fell. Everyone’s gaze locked on each other in the living room. This one looked at that one, and that one returned the look. Grandma was trying to calculate things in her mind.
“Aunty Aisha, what exactly are you saying? Explain to us clearly, step by step!” said Rimsha’s dad.
Aseef cut in, saying:
“How do you expect us to believe you? How can you claim Josephine is our father’s sister and expect us to accept it? Don’t come here to play games with us. None of us here are kids!”
He spoke seriously and confidently.
She stared at him for a few seconds before replying:
“I think you can see I’m neither a child nor uneducated. I didn’t ask you to interfere in my words. I was speaking first to Dr William. If you are truly triplets, then when I’m done with him, I’ll come to you. But if you are not, then keep quiet—because you are not my match! Leave it for your father to answer me.”
Areef, furious, shouted:
“Daddy, answer us! Who is she?! Otherwise, I’ll break her legs to pieces!”
The insult their grandma was throwing at their father was more than Areef could bear.
James (their father) replied:
“I don’t know her. I’ve never seen her before today!”
At that, Areef turned back to Aisha angrily:
“Get out! Or I’ll throw you out myself after breaking your legs!!”
Without replying to him, Aisha turned to Dr William and said:
“Will you return my children to me—or must I show you right here in Nigeria who I am? These children belong to Allah, not you. And since Allah is not unjust, you have brought yourself here to where I am. Now, you will know you are dealing with Aisha!”
Areef, enraged, raised his hand to slap her, but Lion quickly grabbed it.
“Don’t be foolish. I want everyone to sit down and keep quiet. Not a single word should be heard in this living room. Just use your eyes!”
Lion rarely interfered in family quarrels. Usually, he stayed silent and just observed until he figured out who was right. That’s why his judgments were always fair, wise, and balanced. Now too, he had been quietly studying them, only stepping in when Areef almost slapped her. Deep down, Lion was convinced there was a real connection between Aisha and the triplets. Even if she wasn’t their mother, she was tied to them somehow. He also recognized her face—he had seen her with Josephine before, but couldn’t recall exactly where. And often, when he looked at Rimsha, something inside him stirred—her features carried the blood of Aisha.
Everyone settled into their seats on the sofas, finally quiet.
---
Grandma Naurat Takes Control
They then noticed Grandma Naurat, who had been watching silently, lost in thought about who was telling the truth.
In shock, both Abba and Rimsha’s dad blurted out at once: “Mummy!!”
Grandma Naurat nodded with a smile and raised a finger to her lips, signaling them to be silent just as Lion had ordered. That was exactly what she herself had intended—to calm everyone down so the truth could be uncovered.
She gently told Lion:
“My grandson, sit down as well. Aisha, come sit near me. I want to ask you something.”
Lion, feeling respect and affection for her, obeyed immediately. He sat down quietly, rubbing his soft cheeks.
Grandma then signaled Rimsha to come sit too, since Rimsha was the only grandchild she knew well. Without hesitation, Rimsha went and sat beside her grandmother, resting her head on her shoulder affectionately. Everyone else, including Aisha, Rimsha’s father, and the others, found places to sit.
Then Grandma asked calmly:
“Aisha, as far as I know, you never married while in Nigeria. Even when I left, you hadn’t married. But now you claim these strong young men are your children. When did you marry? Where? And how do you know Dr William? If truly they are your children, then explain to us clearly how they became yours. Don’t just walk in here and demand we accept them as yours. This is a serious matter—explain it.”
Her words carried weight, and everyone knew she was speaking the truth. Still, she didn’t outright dismiss Aisha but gave her the chance to explain with dignity. The room fell silent, waiting for her story.
Lion leaned back, silently observing.
The Truth Demanded
At first, Aisha hesitated as if she didn’t want to talk. Finally, she said:
“Mummy, before I begin, please call Deen, Maik, and Azharuddin. I have questions for them as part of my story. I want everyone here, because each of them has a role in this matter.”
Grandma nodded at Rimsha’s father to summon them immediately. He took out his phone and quickly contacted them. Luckily, he reached all of them and urged them to come right away.
Not long after, they arrived—Abbi, Jelly’s father, and then Azharuddin, each bringing their families. The only ones missing were Hajiya Batoola and Dr Nawid’s wife, Aafia.
Now the room was full, tense with anticipation. Everyone sat quietly under Grandma’s orders. Lion watched carefully, knowing this was a case that needed wisdom to discern truth from lies. Areef, the CIA officer, also scrutinized the situation, determined to use his training to analyze the truth. Meanwhile, Aseef, suffering from a severe headache, laid his head on Rimsha’s father’s lap, too weary for the noise.
Uncle Herry and the others watched in shock and fear, while Dr William maintained a stony calm. Jay and John, however, looked utterly unconvinced, regarding Aisha as if she were insane.
Clearing her throat, Grandma Naurat began:
“Aisha, here are Zahradeen and the others. Now tell us—where did you meet this man? And how do you claim to have children by him?”
Abbi was stunned to see Grandma but held his tongue as instructed.
Turning to Abbi, Aisha asked:
“Deen, do you recognize this man?” (pointing at Dr William).
Abbi paused for a few moments, then answered:
“Of course—at Harvard University in Washington DC, right?”
Aisha nodded. “Yes.”
Then she asked:
“Do you remember how he once slapped me, and you fought him for me?”
Abbi thought again, then confirmed: “Yes, it happened.”
At that, Grandma interrupted firmly:
“Aisha, start from the beginning. Tell us everything clearly, no skipping. Everyone is waiting for the truth.”
Taking a deep breath, Aisha began her story.
Some Years Ago – Harvard University
She sat on one of the beautiful chairs in the garden beside the Surgery Department at Harvard. A book was in her hands, and she was lost in reading. She wore black jeans and a plain white T-shirt, her long Naurat-like hair loose, without a scarf. She was radiant and fair, almost indistinguishable from a white woman. Her striking eyes, inherited from Dr Salman, drew admiration. Students walked by, but she seemed oblivious, focused entirely on her book.
A white girl approached her and greeted her politely. Aisha returned the greeting with equal courtesy.
The girl extended her hand.
“My name is Cherish Daniel. What about you?”
Briefly, Aisha replied: “Aisha Salman Sultan.”
“Wow, are you a Muslim?” Cherish asked in surprise. Aisha nodded.
Delighted, Cherish bonded with her, and soon they became close friends. Despite their different religions, their friendship blossomed. Cherish often escorted Aisha to the mosque, waiting for her outside, and Aisha respected her by acknowledging her church days.
For a whole year, their bond deepened. Cherish often visited Aisha’s home, and Aisha likewise went to hers. One day, Aisha’s brother Abbi visited her, and the siblings spent the night reminiscing about home.
Description
Tension in the Living Room
Silence fell. Everyone’s gaze locked on each other in the living room. This one looked at that one, and that one returned the look. Grandma was trying to calculate things in her mind.
“Aunty Aisha, what exactly are you saying? Explain to us clearly, step by step!” said Rimsha’s dad.
Aseef cut in, saying:
“How do you expect us to believe you? How can you claim Josephine is our father’s sister and expect us to accept it? Don’t come here to play games with us. None of us here are kids!”
He spoke seriously and confidently.
She stared at him for a few seconds before replying:
“I think you can see I’m neither a child nor uneducated. I didn’t ask you to interfere in my words. I was speaking first to Dr William. If you are truly triplets, then when I’m done with him, I’ll come to you. But if you are not, then keep quiet—because you are not my match! Leave it for your father to answer me.”
Areef, furious, shouted:
“Daddy, answer us! Who is she?! Otherwise, I’ll break her legs to pieces!”
The insult their grandma was throwing at their father was more than Areef could bear.
James (their father) replied:
“I don’t know her. I’ve never seen her before today!”
At that, Areef turned back to Aisha angrily:
“Get out! Or I’ll throw you out myself after breaking your legs!!”
Without replying to him, Aisha turned to Dr William and said:
“Will you return my children to me—or must I show you right here in Nigeria who I am? These children belong to Allah, not you. And since Allah is not unjust, you have brought yourself here to where I am. Now, you will know you are dealing with Aisha!”
Areef, enraged, raised his hand to slap her, but Lion quickly grabbed it.
“Don’t be foolish. I want everyone to sit down and keep quiet. Not a single word should be heard in this living room. Just use your eyes!”
Lion rarely interfered in family quarrels. Usually, he stayed silent and just observed until he figured out who was right. That’s why his judgments were always fair, wise, and balanced. Now too, he had been quietly studying them, only stepping in when Areef almost slapped her. Deep down, Lion was convinced there was a real connection between Aisha and the triplets. Even if she wasn’t their mother, she was tied to them somehow. He also recognized her face—he had seen her with Josephine before, but couldn’t recall exactly where. And often, when he looked at Rimsha, something inside him stirred—her features carried the blood of Aisha.
Everyone settled into their seats on the sofas, finally quiet.
---
Grandma Naurat Takes Control
They then noticed Grandma Naurat, who had been watching silently, lost in thought about who was telling the truth.
In shock, both Abba and Rimsha’s dad blurted out at once: “Mummy!!”
Grandma Naurat nodded with a smile and raised a finger to her lips, signaling them to be silent just as Lion had ordered. That was exactly what she herself had intended—to calm everyone down so the truth could be uncovered.
She gently told Lion:
“My grandson, sit down as well. Aisha, come sit near me. I want to ask you something.”
Lion, feeling respect and affection for her, obeyed immediately. He sat down quietly, rubbing his soft cheeks.
Grandma then signaled Rimsha to come sit too, since Rimsha was the only grandchild she knew well. Without hesitation, Rimsha went and sat beside her grandmother, resting her head on her shoulder affectionately. Everyone else, including Aisha, Rimsha’s father, and the others, found places to sit.
Then Grandma asked calmly:
“Aisha, as far as I know, you never married while in Nigeria. Even when I left, you hadn’t married. But now you claim these strong young men are your children. When did you marry? Where? And how do you know Dr William? If truly they are your children, then explain to us clearly how they became yours. Don’t just walk in here and demand we accept them as yours. This is a serious matter—explain it.”
Her words carried weight, and everyone knew she was speaking the truth. Still, she didn’t outright dismiss Aisha but gave her the chance to explain with dignity. The room fell silent, waiting for her story.
Lion leaned back, silently observing.
The Truth Demanded
At first, Aisha hesitated as if she didn’t want to talk. Finally, she said:
“Mummy, before I begin, please call Deen, Maik, and Azharuddin. I have questions for them as part of my story. I want everyone here, because each of them has a role in this matter.”
Grandma nodded at Rimsha’s father to summon them immediately. He took out his phone and quickly contacted them. Luckily, he reached all of them and urged them to come right away.
Not long after, they arrived—Abbi, Jelly’s father, and then Azharuddin, each bringing their families. The only ones missing were Hajiya Batoola and Dr Nawid’s wife, Aafia.
Now the room was full, tense with anticipation. Everyone sat quietly under Grandma’s orders. Lion watched carefully, knowing this was a case that needed wisdom to discern truth from lies. Areef, the CIA officer, also scrutinized the situation, determined to use his training to analyze the truth. Meanwhile, Aseef, suffering from a severe headache, laid his head on Rimsha’s father’s lap, too weary for the noise.
Uncle Herry and the others watched in shock and fear, while Dr William maintained a stony calm. Jay and John, however, looked utterly unconvinced, regarding Aisha as if she were insane.
Clearing her throat, Grandma Naurat began:
“Aisha, here are Zahradeen and the others. Now tell us—where did you meet this man? And how do you claim to have children by him?”
Abbi was stunned to see Grandma but held his tongue as instructed.
Turning to Abbi, Aisha asked:
“Deen, do you recognize this man?” (pointing at Dr William).
Abbi paused for a few moments, then answered:
“Of course—at Harvard University in Washington DC, right?”
Aisha nodded. “Yes.”
Then she asked:
“Do you remember how he once slapped me, and you fought him for me?”
Abbi thought again, then confirmed: “Yes, it happened.”
At that, Grandma interrupted firmly:
“Aisha, start from the beginning. Tell us everything clearly, no skipping. Everyone is waiting for the truth.”
Taking a deep breath, Aisha began her story.
Some Years Ago – Harvard University
She sat on one of the beautiful chairs in the garden beside the Surgery Department at Harvard. A book was in her hands, and she was lost in reading. She wore black jeans and a plain white T-shirt, her long Naurat-like hair loose, without a scarf. She was radiant and fair, almost indistinguishable from a white woman. Her striking eyes, inherited from Dr Salman, drew admiration. Students walked by, but she seemed oblivious, focused entirely on her book.
A white girl approached her and greeted her politely. Aisha returned the greeting with equal courtesy.
The girl extended her hand.
“My name is Cherish Daniel. What about you?”
Briefly, Aisha replied: “Aisha Salman Sultan.”
“Wow, are you a Muslim?” Cherish asked in surprise. Aisha nodded.
Delighted, Cherish bonded with her, and soon they became close friends. Despite their different religions, their friendship blossomed. Cherish often escorted Aisha to the mosque, waiting for her outside, and Aisha respected her by acknowledging her church days.
For a whole year, their bond deepened. Cherish often visited Aisha’s home, and Aisha likewise went to hers. One day, Aisha’s brother Abbi visited her, and the siblings spent the night reminiscing about home.