Chapter 61 — An Unexpected Visitor
The peaceful atmosphere beneath the tree did not last long.
"Please tell me why this assignment is thirty pages," Rayyan complained for what felt like the tenth time, rubbing her forehead dramatically.
"Because your village husband stressed the lecturer before he gave us," Folakemi replied immediately.
"Fola!" Rayyan shouted.
Balkis nearly fell from laughter while Rihannat covered her face helplessly.
"You people will not let me rest."
"Never," Folakemi answered proudly before taking another puff-puff.
Rihannat shook her head softly, her smile lingering.
Then suddenly—
"Rihannat."
The girls turned at the unfamiliar male voice.
A tall young man stood a few meters away from them.
Instantly, the atmosphere changed.
Not dangerous.
Just… unexpected.
The stranger looked properly dressed in a simple black kaftan with neat glasses resting on his face. Calm expression. Mature appearance. Maybe late twenties. But what caught their attention most was the expensive car parked not too far behind him.
Folakemi's chewing slowed immediately.
Balkis lowered her phone.
Rayyan narrowed her eyes carefully.
Meanwhile Rihannat blinked in confusion.
"Yes?"
The man smiled politely.
"Sorry for disturbing you. Are you Rihannat Collins?"
Her friends exchanged quick glances immediately.
Collins.
That surname still sounded unfamiliar even to them sometimes.
Rihannat stood slowly. "Yes… I am."
The man nodded respectfully.
"My name is Idris."
He hesitated briefly before continuing carefully.
"I came from your grandfather."
Silence.
Even Folakemi stopped chewing completely.
Rihannat frowned slightly.
"My grandfather?"
"The older Mr. Collins."
Her heartbeat slowed strangely.
Grandfather.
The word still felt unfamiliar inside her chest.
The man reached into his pocket before bringing out a neatly sealed envelope.
"He asked me to give this to you personally."
Rihannat collected it slowly.
"What is it?"
"A formal invitation."
The girls leaned closer immediately.
Idris smiled faintly at their obvious curiosity.
"There will be a family gathering this weekend."
Rihannat looked confused.
"A gathering?"
"Yes." He nodded politely. "Your grandfather wishes to officially introduce you to the extended Collins family."
Complete silence.
Rihannat froze.
Even her friends stared in shock.
Extended family?
Idris continued gently.
"Many family members abroad recently returned after hearing about you."
"He ordered your parents to tell you but they refused. He wanted an elaborate welcome party for his granddaughter. Your parents are afraid you might feel overwhelmed but your grandparents can't wait to see you. Please understand....."
Her fingers tightened unconsciously around the envelope.
"So he wishes everyone to meet you properly."
Folakemi's mouth dropped open instantly.
Balkis looked ready to scream.
Even Rayyan looked stunned.
Rihannat herself did not know what to feel.
Nervousness.
Fear.
Confusion.
Hope.
Everything mixed together at once.
Idris seemed to notice her hesitation.
"You do not need to be afraid," he said kindly. "Your grandfather specifically instructed everyone that you must be treated with respect."
Folakemi whispered under her breath, "As they should."
Thankfully only Balkis heard her.
Rihannat swallowed slowly.
"I… I don't know if—"
"Your parents will also be there," Idris added softly.
That stopped her immediately.
Her parents.
Basit's family.
Everyone together.
Idris gave a small respectful nod.
"I have delivered the message." Then he smiled slightly. "And personally… welcome home, Miss Collins."
Something about the sincerity in his voice touched her unexpectedly.
Before she could respond properly, he excused himself politely and walked away.
The girls remained frozen until the car disappeared completely from sight.
Then—
"Ahn-ahn!"
Folakemi exploded first.
"Extended family ke?!"
Balkis grabbed Rihannat's arm dramatically.
"You are attending rich people meetings now?!"
Rayyan looked equally shocked.
"Wait… they're introducing you officially?"
Rihannat sat back down slowly like her legs suddenly lost strength.
"I think so…"
Folakemi screamed quietly into her palms.
"God when?!"
The others burst into laughter instantly.
Even Rihannat laughed helplessly despite the nervousness building inside her chest.
Balkis snatched the envelope carefully.
"Can we open it?"
"No!" Rihannat grabbed it back immediately.
"Wicked friend," Folakemi muttered.
Rayyan however noticed something else.
"You're nervous."
Rihannat looked down quietly.
"A little."
"A little?" Balkis repeated dramatically. "My sister, I would have fainted already."
Folakemi nodded seriously.
"Especially if rich overseas relatives are involved."
That made Rihannat laugh again.
But deep down…
She truly was nervous.
Meeting Mr. Collins was one thing.
Meeting the entire family?
That sounded overwhelming.
What if they disliked her?
What if they compared her to someone else?
What if—
"You're overthinking again."
Rihannat looked up immediately.
Rayyan was watching her knowingly.
"You forget something."
"What?"
"You survived worse things than meeting rich relatives."
The others nodded immediately.
"And besides," Balkis added, "anybody that insults you will fight all of us. We all are going. You are not alone."
Folakemi cracked her knuckles dramatically.
"Especially me."
"You cannot even fight mosquito," Rayyan replied.
The girls dissolved into another round of laughter.
And slowly…
Rihannat felt the tension ease again.
Maybe she was scared.
Maybe everything still felt unfamiliar.
But she was no longer alone anymore.
And somehow—
That made every new beginning less frightening.
@olukoyazainab