I opened my eyes and checked the time. It reads 11:15am. Begrudgingly, I made my way out of bed and into the bathroom. Minutes later I was out and heading downstairs to quickly fix something for myself when the aroma of my favourite breakfast hit my nose. It's been days since I perceived it so I quickly rushed to the kitchen and met my aunt making waffles.

"Good morning aunty" I greeted hugging her back

"Morning baby girl, how was your night? She asked as I walked to the kitchen island. I took a seat and watched her arrange the waffles on a plate then grabbed the strawberry sauce and drizzle on it. Next she piped whipping cream in it then topped off with the sliced strawberries.

"It was good"

She placed it before me and kept a cup of hot chocolate next to it. I beamed with joy at the literal example of a perfect breakfast.

"Thank you so much aunty. This really feels like a luxury right now"

She laughed as she fixes a plate for herself "When was the last time you had a proper breakfast"

I paused, thinking, then said "In forever. It hadn't felt the same since you left for that wedding"

She laughed and sat opposite me "Well I am here now"

We finished our breakfast in silence then I took my plate to the kitchen before settling down on the island again. I grabbed my phone and kept one leg up, drawn to my chin.

"Don't you have school? Aunt asked as I heard her grab the rice bin and starts pouring rice into it.

"I have a 2pm class" I replied my eyes glued to my phone

"You're on Instagram?

"Nop, Netflix" I turned the phone to her swiftly

"On your phone?

I shrugged "I am watching a series"

Aunt did an ahhh then sat next to me "What series?

I looked up from my phone "Korean, will you like to watch it?

She scrunched up her face "I prefer Turkish. I heard girls these days are obsessed with Korean dramas and their men"

I laughed and went back to watching my series.

"So" Aunt started then cleared her throat "Your cousins and their mom are coming over"

I kept my phone on the island and looked up, giving her my sole attention "Cousins?

She nodded "cousins"

"Which cousins?

"Aunt murja and her kids. They are coming for a vacation"

I hid the little excitement I felt at that knowing I once had a crush on Aunt murja's eldest son.

"So when are they coming?

"In two days time" 

"All of them? I asked just to be sure

"Yes, all of them. I was surprised they weren't in school but well, ASUU and Sufyan has days off"

I nodded then stood up "I will go get ready for school then" I looked down at my phone "It's past 1pm"

Aunt nodded then grabbed the sugar and the sugar bin before she started to pour into that as well. I pushed in my chair and left the kitchen feeling the one thing I haven't felt in a while... excitement.

Aunt murja is my father's young sister. She was at the hospital when my mom died. She has four children, Sufyan her first child who is 23years, Zahra my age mate, Amal 15years and Amma 13years. They all live in kaduna together with Papa's youngest brother, Uncle Umar who is also my favourite.

^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

They are coming today and I had no lectures, which made this day feel like Eid. Especially with Aunt and all the maids going to and fro with food arrangement. I finished eating my cereals, rinsed the bowl and walked to the drawers. I opened one and took out an apron before tying it around and looking at aunt.

"Is Uncle Umar coming? I asked aunt grabbing the cabbage to slice

"Yes he is"

I grinned so hard, I felt my cheeks hurting. Aunt turned and looked at me for some seconds then smiled "You'll love it when they are here"

I nodded, still smiling, and we worked in silence.

An hour later, I was done with making the coleslaw and washing my hands at the sink.

"All done" Came the voice of aunt from the dining.

I dried my hand and walked ton her looking at the dining table arranged with food and utensils.

"All done " I smiled as we gazed over the varieties of food on the table. I mentally praised aunt and I and the maids for pulling it off. It looks like an official lunch or a fancy buffet. I have never been fully immersed in cooking in my entire life till this day. We made the signature Nigerian rice and stew, coleslaw, shepherd's pie, grilled chicken and fish, fruit chutney, smoothies, brownies and queen cakes for desert.

"So, when are they arriving? I asked turning to look at Aunt

She looked down at her watch "Maybe in thirty minutes time"

"I will quickly go freshen up" I said and turned to leave to my room.

"I will tell your dad about having lunch with them" Aunt said then also left to papa's chambers.

"You are welcome aunty" I said the moment I step outside

"Don't stand here come give your mom a hug" Aunt Murja replied grinning .I went into her arm and she gave me a warm hug

"Susu" Zahra screamed and jerked me away from her mom giving me a bone crushing hug

"Can't breath " I muffled out

She let me go and held me at arm's length "I miss you so much Susu" She reached out and pinched my cheeks "You're getting chubbier"

I swatted her hand "Leave my cheeks alone. And Tabarakallah Masha Allah"

"Addah Yusrah" Amal and Amma squealed running towards me. We almost toppled over as they collided with me engulfing us all in a group hug.

"You two will hurt her with your magnitude"

The twins let me go and we turned to see the owner of the voice. Sufyan, my childhood crush looks a hundred times better than when I saw him last. He was now a tall and extremely good looking man. I don't usually stare or take interest in men, but when you see a fine man you know one.

I gave him a small smile and he nodded with a polite smile on "Hello Yusrah"

"Let's all go inside" Aunt Murja said and we ushered them in.

After they relaxed a bit we went to the dining area and it was all love and laughter again. Our voices echoed and bounced against each other as we rejoice in being in the presence of people you love, and people that love you.

Minutes later, Mama B came in and the mood deflated a bit. I continued eating before a question popped in my head and I quickly asked.

"Mummy where is uncle Umar?

She turned me and smiled a bit "Oh yes, we were supposed to be here together but he said we should go ahead instead. He wanted to stop by to get you something apparently" She paused then continued "I don't know why he didn't get it in Kaduna " she finished off with an eye roll and I chuckled

"He shouldn't have gone through that much trouble" I said adding half of tuwo to my plate

"You know he has to. You're his favourite "

I smiled and nodded. I am his favourite and that thought alone is a happy one.

"Assalamu alaikum, I am here" Uncle Umar's voice rang above the sound of cutlery and we all looked up

I drag my chair back and ran to him "Uncle"

He laughed and opened his arms "Munchkin"

"I thought you've forgotten about me" I said punching him playfully on his arms

Uncle Umar frowned "I can forget myself but not my munchkin"

I rolled my eyes and laughed and leaned in to help him with the shopping bags

"These are all yours" He whispered in my ear and I grinned hard

"Thank you so much uncle Umar"

He smiled and looked up just as aunt started talking

"You two have the rest of the vacation to do hold your reunion moment. Now, come eat"

"Oops I forgot you just arrived and haven't eaten" I said as we settled down on the dining table

"It is okay munchkin. Let me eat and freshen up and then we talk. We have a lot of catching up to do " he said and winked

"Well before then, can we go to your room? We also have a lot of catching up to do or have you forgetten about me ? Zahra asked with a death glare

I grabbed my plate and walked to her seat "How can I possibly forget about you my beloved"

"Yen yen yen" She rolled her eyes and hooked our arms and lead us to my section.

For the first time since my mother's death, I was completely at ease.