"Good morning Abba, Good morning Mami" I greeted as I went to sit down next to them

"You are up early? Mami questioned as she halted sipping her tea and looked up at the clock.

"Mami it's Monday" I stated keeping a straight face "I have classes"

She nodded "Knew the princess won't wake up this early except for her own needs"

I kept quiet and placed two slices of bread on my plate.

"Zahra and her mother will be coming later in the day " Mami said as I grabbed Nutella chocolate spread and started making my sandwich.

"She told us yesterday" I said biting into it and relishing it's taste.

"Will you be back before she's here?

"Yes Mami I only have a two hour lectures"

"Alright then"

I finished the last bite of my sandwich and drank up the orange juice.

"Goodbye" I said standing up and taking my bag. I'm almost late.

"Wish your father luck. He's meeting the investors today" Mami said and I turned to Abba with a huge grin

"Good luck Abba am. May it be a success"

"Thank you Humaira. Take care"

I gave them a smile before hurriedly leaving the house. The first class I have is taken by a strict lecturer. He won't let me in if I'm late without nagging about it even if I was his mother in-law.

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"So tell me Humaira. Have you spoken with hafeez again? Inti asked as we walked out of Baze premises

"No. But we will keep in touch" I replied trying to stuff my pen back into my bag. If loosing pen could make someone rich, I had be a zillionaire by now. I loose that thing almost every damn day.

My phone rang suddenly and I dropped the pen on the ground. I hissed keeping the bag and bent down to pick up the pen.

"Humaira, the call will be disconnected" Inti said picking it up

"Let it. I will not loose this pen today again" I replied as I stood up and looked at her

"Yes she's here. You know how she is, let me give it to her" inti said to the other person on the line and handed the phone over to me

"Humaira! A pen is more important than my call?

Zahra shouted as soon as I placed the phone on my left ear.

"You won't get it. I kind of made a promise not to loose this" I replied and heard her muttering "Allahu yahdeeki"

"So how are you, how is the journey? I asked completely ignoring what she said.

"Alhamdulillah, we are almost there. I actually called to ask you for a favour my dear amazing sweet ,sweet cousin" She said in an overly dramatic voice.

"You always ask for favours Zahra. What is it now? I asked as we walked to the car.

"I really need you to make me that amazing ricotta cheese cake you made the last time I came. I swear it is the best cheesecake I've ever had"

I looked over to Intisaar who was focused on our conversation and was about to enter the car. I opened my door and got in before answering her.

"Zahra, you are the one attending culinary school but I'm the one making food for you. Who's the chef between us?

"Ohh my dearest maimai. You are talented you don't need any culinary school to do amazing things like me" She said trying her best to convince me

"Yes you can say that now since you want cheese cake. Where was that thought when you were basically banning me from cooking because I'm not a certified chef? I replied raising a brow.

"Forget what I said and please do it for me. Pretty please... with a grape on top?

"Fine" I muttered rolling my eyes before realising she couldn't see me

"Thank you thank you thank you. I love you so much"

"I know you do. And by the way I just rolled my eyes at you\

"I won't comment until I have my cheese cake first" She replied with a laugh.

I bid her goodbye before the line went dead.

Now I have to drop by to get ricotta and sour cream. What if I had no money on me? I groaned internally as I informed the driver my next stop.

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"Mami, Intisaar is here" I shouted after saying my Salam and walking into the house.

"Maman auwal where's Mami? I asked the elderly maid who was keeping the salad bowl on the dining table

"She's in the kitchen" She replied and I groaned.

Of course Mami heard me but pretended not to. She doesn't like it when someone shout something to her, you have to go and meet her first.

"Let's go" I said to Intisaar as we headed to the kitchen

"Mami I have been calling you" I entered the kitchen watching as she rinsed a cup and kept it on the tray.

"I always told you not to shout out to me" She replied turning and her gaze landed on Intisaar

"Ahh inti you are here" She smiled handing the maid the tray "Welcome"

"Thank you Mami. Good afternoon" Intisaar greeted innocently and roll my eyes. The typical behaviour0 when we are in-front of parent.

"How are you? Mami asked pulling her into a hug

"I'm good. Mama sent her regards"

"Thank you. I hope she's doing well? Mami gave Intisaar her biggest smile and I sighed. Typical behaviour of parent to their child's friend.

"Yes she is Mama"

I blocked out their voices as I brought out my cheese, butter, caster sugar, corn flour, vanilla extract, egg and sour cream then started mixing them knowing they will be here any moment from now.

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"Ouch" I winced quickly putting my finger into my mouth. I can count the number of times I baked and didn't burn this poor little finger. I made cinnamon rolls alongside the cheesecake for my friends.

"What did you make for us?

I heard Yusrah's excited voice and turned to look at her behind her Juwairiyya walked in panting as she kept the shopping bags on the kitchen island. Typical juju to get so many junk food each time we meet.

"What did you get us? I ignored Yusrah's question and instead asked Juwairiyya who was heading to the water dispenser while still panting. Leave it to Yusrah to let juwairiyya take all the shopping bags.

"You bought them, I didn't" Yusrah's words whenever Juwairiyya complain.

Yusrah turned to me "Her usual. She insisted we stopped by the mall as always" I nodded and brought out the cheesecake from the fridge

"Smells and looks yummy" Juwairiyya said after gulping down two glasses of water

"You finally found your voice" I teased as I removed the pan and Juwairiyya sighed dropping her head.

Intisaar barged into the kitchen and shouted "They are here"

"YESSS" Yusrah squealed and we all rushed out of the kitchen.

Aunt Leema and Mami were hugging while Zahra was dragging her suitcase into the house.

I grinned when I saw my aunt then I shouted her name and rushed to hug her.

"My darling" Aunt leema pulled back and watched me "You have grown into a beautiful lady" She exclaimed dramatically.

"Aunt" I laughed "You saw me last year"

"A year is a lot of days" She replied joining in the laugh

"Good afternoon Aunt Haleema" The girls chorused and she looked at them

"Come here you all" Aunt leema opened her hands "Yalla, give me a hug"

"What about me? Zahra dropped the suitcase and glared at us while heaving.

"Come here my love" Mami said hugging her

Zainab rushed down the stairs "Aunt" she shouted and ran to Aunt Leema who bent down to pick her up.

"You really are fit to pick up this young lady" Mami laughed shaking her head

"You need to also eat healthy and hit the gym sister in-law" Aunt Leema replied sending mami a wink

"The gym! Mami exclaimed dramatically "please let me be" She shook her head

"You are really glad you have a nice body" Aunt added stepping back to give Mami an once over. Mami pushed her off and turned to us

"Why don't you guys go to Humaira's room. Help Zahra with the suitcase"

We nodded and headed upstairs while Yusrah helped Zahra with her suitcase.

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