Yusrah's POV

"Grin, grin, griiiiiin! The irritating sound of my alarm made me reluctantly open my eyes. I knew I had class and that I might miss it given that I have set it at 8:00am when class starts at 9:00am yet I still stayed in bed and promised myself some few minutes.

Moments passed of me sleeping before I pried my eyes open and saw the time. 8:30am! I sat upright and rushed out of bed heading straight to the bathroom. It barely took me ten minutes before I was out and another ten minutes to get ready and rush out of the room. I stopped by the fridge, grabbed an apple then hurriedly left to school knowing very well I will be late...again.

"Slept back again? Minal asked knowingly as she glanced between the lecturer and I. I kept shut and brought out my jotter.

"When has the class started? I asked writing the topic and date

"Ten minutes back" Asmau, the new friend we made said from behind me. I turned, smiled and nodded before fixing my attention back on the lecturer.

Forty five minutes later, the class ended and we are walking out.

"So glad this is the only class we have" Asmau said as we head to the parking lot

"Honestly. I crave my room so bad" Minal replied as I agreed nodding my head

"I always stay in my room. So much that the staffs doesn't know if I am home or not"

Minal laughed then looked at me "How is your relationship with your step mom coming through"

I thought back to how at first I had wanted to make our relationship work, then I was neutral and then I became distant. She started exhibiting some attitudes that clearly screamed I wasn't welcome in her life and so without hesitance, I removed her in mine as well. Whenever we meet, I greet her politely and she replies. But she subtly drops hint and does things to show her disinterest in me.

"Good I guess" I tell Minal trying to not indulge further into it

"Still talking once a day? Minal asked and I laughed

"I mean I still try to keep a communication right"

Asmau nodded "Right"

We reached my car and the girls greeted the driver. I bid them goodbye and got into the car before we drove away.

The drive from school to our house is thirty minutes. I have been stalling collecting my driver's licence and finally driving because I don't like the stress that comes with it and I really am enjoying being driven for now.

So I relaxed back as always and watched the streets of Abuja.

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I jogged to my room and did my normal routine. I took a bath, prayed and changed into comfortable clothes. I closed the curtains and laid on my bed. Just as I was about to sleep, a heavy knock landed on my door. I pried my eyes open and glared at the door with all the hate and exhaustion I can muster.

"Who's it? I called out and seconds later, the door opened.

I sat upright and stared at my step mom as she walked in and turned the lights on. Behind her are two elderly women who looked eager to see the person in the room as they strain their neck to look at me

"Yusrah" My step mom called out then she looked at the women behind her "This is Alhaji's daughter, Yusrah"

She turned back to me and plastered a smile then said "These are my friends"

"Good evening" I greeted bowing my head a little

"Good evening Yusrah, how are you? One of the women said rudely staring me down

'The other one locked eyes with me then removed her gaze

"What are you doing? My stepmom asked

"Sleeping" I replied

She scrunched her face up "You're always in your room, always sleeping. Be careful not to die in your sleep one day" She ended it with a laugh and they enjoined her, pretending she said something funny.

They turned, walked out and left the room with the door opened and the lights on. Frustration build up in my chest as I glare hard at the opened door. I stood up, marched to the door then closed it hard before stumping back to my bed. The walls around the door might as well have collapsed. I felt a bit guilty for closing the door so hard but if there's one thing that irks me, it's a god damn opened door!

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I went downstairs and made spicy noodles before walking to the living room and settling on the couch. I ate my food in silence while flicking my eyes between the Tv and my phone. Minutes later, I rinsed my plate and was about to leave to my room when my step mom stopped me.

"Yusrah" She said keeping her usual straight face

"Aunty" I replied keeping a neutral expression as well

"Your father is calling you" She turned on her heels and left. I took a deep breath to calm my nerves then followed her to my dad's side

I did Assalamu Alaikum, opened the door then said "Papa, I'm here"

My dad looked up "Princess, come in"

I walked further into the living room and settled on a couch next to him then waited for him to talk

"There are two things I would like to tell you" He paused and stared at me then cleared his throat and continued "Firstly, you should move back to the room downstairs, the one with living room. Your step mom suggested that because she thinks you get uncomfortable when guests come over. This way you have your own space and won't have to keep going back to your room"

I almost snorted not sure if she wants me out of her face upstairs or wants me in her face by not staying in my room.

I nodded "Alright"

"Secondly I want you from now on to be calling her Mama" 

The sudden jerk of my head towards my step mom made my neck hurt. There was a pause in the air as everyone waited for my response.

"Mama? I questioned looking at my father then my step mom again "I should call her mother?

My father nodded and I could swear I saw a little smirk which my step mom quickly concealed the moment it showed.

"Is there a problem my darling? It is absolutely okay if you don't, no one is forcing you" She said sweetly

My dad turned to me with a disappointed look and I quickly interjected

"No its okay, I'll" I'll call you...ma--ma" The words had to be forced out of my mouth and I heaved a sigh when it was out.

"Alright then. Why don't your new mom-

I quickly stood up and dust my clothes before my dad says anything again. "I'm getting sleepy, goodnight to you both"

I gave them a small smile and quickly rushed out. Before I get to my room, I got jerked away

"What the hell? I turned sharply with a glare only to face my step mom.

I stepped back and faced her ready to hear the explanation she has for this violent attitude

"Oh goodness, I am sorry darling. I didn't mean to do it harshly"

She reached out to touch me and I stepped back. A tight smile appeared on her face and she nodded then said "I just wanted to ask if you're okay with calling me mama. You don't feel weird or forced do you?

I looked at her face and felt the need to scream but instead just sighed "It is no big deal to be honest. It's okay"

I turned and started to walk away when she turned me back and this time I turned to her with a tight look.

"Please stop jerking me back like that" I said in an annoyed voice

She smiled mockingly "I am sorry"

I knew she wasn't, mainly because of how amused she looks.

"I am going grocery shopping tomorrow. Would you like to tag along?

I kept quiet for some seconds then said "No, I'm sorry. I have classes all day tomorrow"

I didn't wait for her reply and walked up to my room locking my door.

I took a bath, changed into my pj's, brush my teeth and slumped into bed. I watched a few episodes of the Korean series I'm currently binge watching before finally keeping away my laptop, doing my azkhar and sleeping.