"Hafeez, you're here " Zahra muttered standing up

"Yes.... Have we met before? Are you Humaira's friend? He questioned and I looked at Zahra daring her to tell him how he had been the talk of our discussions.

"Ahmm no, I know you on social media and .... And I know your organization which funds for... Ahm...for orphans and "almajiranci" She replied her eyes darting between me and him

"Also I've seen you at L&N when we went for dinner"

He did an "Ohh" then said "Maybe I didn't catch your face that day. Nice to meet you..."

"Zahra. It is nice to meet you too Hafeez. Humaira has— "

"Hafeez please do have a seat and Zahra, please ask the maid to bring refreshments. I will be back in five minutes" I quickly interrupted her knowing she might trail off into somewhere else

She nodded and I raced up the stairs then stopped midway and looked down "And Zahra, don't talk beyond limits"

She rolled her eyes obviously getting what I'm saying and walked towards the kitchen.

I hurried to the bathroom and washed my face, came out and grabbed a gray gown with white stripes before changing into it. I rolled the veil on my head, pinned it and grab my small purse. I put on my shoes and headed out to booming laughter.

"And that's how Humaira had this huge lips like "pomo". She was hilarious, her lips were so huge that it actually looked like a cow's butt" Zahra exclaimed laughing. Hafeez wiped a tear from his eyes as he laughed hard.

I closed my eyes tightly feeling the national embarrassment I just received then opened them to glare at the both of them

Didn't I just told this young lady not to speak beyond limits?

"Hahahaha Zahra, very very funny" I muttered sarcastically ascending down the stairs

"Couuzzz" She grinned sheepishly and I rolled my eyes

"Let's go hafeez" I muttered and he nodded standing up

"Goodbye Zahra for now, we have to meet again, these stories are hilarious" Hafeez said looking over too me and I raised a brow at him.

"Of course. I have loads of them" she replied and I gritted my teeth then said "If mami comes back, tell her I'm out with Hafeez"

Zahra smiled a mischievous smile as we both know what mami will think then she said

"Yes I will. Have fun and avoid getting big lips again"

"Ohh shut up" I yelled stomping my feet as I walked out of the house with a laughing hafeez trailing behind.

___________________________________

"It's so beautiful" I muttered mouth agape as we passed through the hefty gates of the orphanage with the inscription of H.S ORPHANAGE and beneath it the motto of ( Raised and shall Rise as a phoenix)

"Why a phoenix? I asked turning to see Hafeez looking at me

"Because a phoenix is a legendary bird and just like it, I want this orphanage to be legendary" He turned to me and I laughed then muttered "Cheesy"

He laughed and added in a serious tone "And the fact that it burns itself to produce a new version of itself is a more matured way to say we sometimes hurt to produce a better version of us. So no matter what hardship we endure, the end will always be okay"

"Woah" I breath out laughing. "You are a better writer than I am" I added and he rolled his eyes

"Are you kidding. You are, the Humaira and yes I got this name from one of your poem"

"Birth of a phoenix" We said at the same time and laughed

"I think your new name should be phoenix" He added as we headed towards the large buildings of the orphanage.

As we approached it,I saw young children running around playing. The place was like a park, the kids were laughing having zero care about anything else. This was like their little paradise.

"Hello children" Hafeez said and they turned to look at him with awe. You can clearly see how they look up to him. Like he saved them from something and he will continue to. And technically, he did save them from the vices of the world we live in. They're kept away from child abuse, child trafficking, child rape, child kidnap, child sacrifices and many more hideous acts.

"Mr hafeez" One of the female kids exclaimed and Hafeez bent down to hug her

"How are my muffins doing? He asked smiling widely while the kids formed a circle around us.

"We are fine. New rooms are have being built for us and even new swings" A boy came forward grinning and Hafeeza mirrored his huge smile

"Sir, it's you" A lady who seemed to be in her late 40's walked towards us as she held a young girl's hand.

"Yes Maman Nana it's me" He replied standing up and her gaze cut to me

"And who's this beautiful lady?

"She's a special friend. Humaira" Hafeez turned to me and smiled and the woman clapped her hands

"So she's the Humaira" She held my hands and I shot hafeez a questioning look

"I didn't say anything bad. I sometimes tell her about your writings" He replied and I looked back to her

"Humaira, this is Binta also known as Maman Nana. She's the female head of the caretakers" He added

"Good afternoon" I greeted politely with my hands still in hers

"Afternoon Humaira. It's an absolute pleasure having you"

"Same here" I replied with a smile

"Humaira, I will be going with maman nana to see the new hostels. Will you come or stay here? Hafeez asked and I turned back to look at the kids

"I will stay here" I replied and he nodded

The elderly woman let go of my hands then said "You all have fun"

She turned to the kids "Don't wear aunt Humaira down"

They smiled and nodded their head before she turned and left with Hafeeza.

___________________________________

Hafeez's POV

"It's really beautiful. They did a job well done" One of the male head said and I nodded

"It's perfect. The other kids should move in here" I said as we went out of the hostel

"Ohh and Sir, the information of the newly brought in almajiris are with me. Will you like to see them? He turned to me

"Yes take them to my office"

"And also days back we had some visitors who will like to donate to the orphanage"

"Call them and schedule a meeting before next week. I will be going back to London soon"

"Yes sir"

I quickly halted in my steps at the sight before me.

Humaira lay on the grass laughing her heart out as the kids tickled her. She was hardly controlling her breathing and for a minute I worry she might have a stomach ache.

"Okay please stop I promise to play with you" She managed to speak out and they helped her sit upright

"Thank you aunt humaira" They chorused and she smiled

"What game is it? She asked as maaama (one of the kids) answered

"The costume game. We all wear costumes and perform and you will be our judge

"Sounds like fun since I'm not wearing one" She laughed

"You don't wear them? One of the boys asked

"No of course I do, when I was in primary school" She replied

"What's your favourite costume aunt? Maaama asked again

"Bunny" She replied smiling "I love bunnies"

"Alright then. Let's go get ready" Maaama screamed and they all jumped before running inside leaving a smiling Humaira behind

"She looks so beautiful" Maman Nana said coming to stand next to me

"Yes she does" My eyes lingered on her smiling face "she always does"

"Make preparations for the mic and music. And get me a bunny costume" I said turning to face maman nana who looked at me wryly.

__________________________________