Life isn't easy, even when everyday seems so normal there's always a nagging feeling that comes up. A feeling that makes you want to curl up and spend the rest of your life Imagining your dreams and wishing to stay there forever. It takes a lot of courage to snap out of that dream and make it a reality.

Na'eemah closed her eyes as she listened to the background noises of the television. Maami just left for work dropping off Zainab along.

Yesterday was a stay at home randomly doing things day, it was Sunday and she spent the day with Maami and Zainab, cooking, eating, praying, watching movie and basically anything they can find. For a moment she forgot about everything, especially her cousin sister's departing words.

Now Monday, Maami and Zainab aren't at home and she doesn't know what to worry about. The fact that she needs to go to the ATM and proceed to the market which is something she absolutely hates doing or the fact that ever since that day, she didn't talk to Mr Yaari. She sent him a message after their call which he didn't respond to. Now she's contemplating calling him again or sending a message but then that would look desperate of her.

"Addah Naeemah"

Naeemah looked up to Zaliha, their house help who stood by the door

"Naam"

"The driver is back, are we leaving?

"Ohh yes. Let me get ready"

Standing up, Naeemah left the living room and headed over to her room to get ready. Maybe if she tried harder, she'll forget about everything and concentrate on going to the market.

After all the only good thing about stressful things is for it to end!
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The ringtone of Na'eemah's Samsung broke the silence engulfing the car. They just left the market and except for the random chit chat between Zaliha and the driver, the ride was silent.

Naeemah brought out her phone and seeing it was her cousin brought a sense of excitement and disappointment at the same time.

"Hey couz"

"Naeems how are you?

"I'm good. How are you and Hamma Hafeez"

"Ohh we are all good Alhamdulillah. So are you home?

"Ahmm no, I'm on my way though"

"Ohh. You went out?

"Yes, I went to the ATM and stop by to buy some things"

"Well I want you to escort me somewhere, I promise we won't be long"

"Okay then. When?

"In half an hour. Is it okay?

"Yeah sure"

"Great. See you then"

"Bye"

Na'eemah hanged up the call thinking where Humaira might take them, she isn't exactly the low-key type of person Naeemah is.

Minutes later the car stopped to a halt, Na'eemah alighted and went straight to the kitchen meeting the other maid Ramatu who already started cooking. After making sure everything is going well, Na'eemah head back to her room to get ready.

Exactly half an hour after their call, Humaira pulled in and honked. Na'eemah getting the call greeted the maids goodbye and promised not to stay long before going out to meet her cousin.

"You told Maami? Naeemah asked immediately She was in

"Yes I did" Humaira replied pulling out of the house

"You look beautiful" Naeemah said look closely at her cousin who was dressed in a skirt and blouse Ankara with her veil draped on her head. She looked just like the wife she is, an elegant wife if Humaira may add.

"Thank you, you look beautiful too" Humaira sincerely sent her compliment which Naeemah brushed off. Humaira only said that because Naeemah complimented her but unlike her cousin, Naeemah was dressed in a simple gown, a scarf and a veil draped on it. She was looking rather plain and too simple.

"Where are we going? Naeemah asked the question bugging her since

"Ohh we are going to meet my friend, for a brief moment"

"Which friend? I thought you guys usually hang out on Sundays

"Ohh yes we hang out on Sundays with Intisaar and the girls but I'm not talking about them. I was with the girls yesterday, inti is due and you need to see how she turned our. Like an explosive bomb both in the literal and figurative tone. She's all puffed up and angry at every little thing. Nevertheless we had fun"

"Who are we meeting then? Naeemah asked

"Ohh you'll see" Humaira replied with a grin as she drove off increasing the speed and leaving Na'eemah to wonder.
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"Here we are"

Na'eemah looked over to the cafe Humaira brought them as she walked behind her

"Hello my favourite girl"

Naeemah turned to look at the woman only to find aunt Safiyya's daughter, Suhaila and beside her none other than Ameer, her brother in law. Na'eemah wanted to do many things, for starters choke her cousin, walk out of the cafe and head back home. But instead she walked over to them with a small smile

"Hello" Na'eemah greeted sitting next to Humaira

"Hello" They both replied

"Na'eemah this is my cousin Suhaila whom we went to her wedding and this is Ameer, her brother in-law.

Naeemah let her gaze sweep over them She's just finding out or maybe she never looked him like today to notice he is really handsome. He has a kanuri at the same time fulani look to him. Maybe they're kanuri mixed with fulani.

"Nice to meet you Naeemah. I've heard so much about you" Suhaila said as Na'eemah smiled

"Nice to meet you too"

"So I've called and informed Raeesa to meet us here. She's my partnal cousin, I wonder why she's still not here" Suhaila said going through her phone.

After a minute, she and Humaira eye talked and they both excused themselves to sit at the other table leaving Na'eemah and Ameer alone.

Naeemah can swear they did that on purpose and she's not letting her cousin go off the hook for setting her up like that.

"Soo how's everything" Ameer asked his voice coming out soft. While Mr Yaari has a rough hard voice, Ameer had a soft tender one

"All good Alhamdulillah" Naeemah replied just as their tea, cookies and cake slices arrived.

"So what are you up to?

"Uhm nothing actually. Just living" Naeemah replied with a laugh. "You? She questioned

"Ohh I'm working. Trying to get to higher levels" He replied

"Ohh! Well good luck with that"

"Thank you. So do you like cakes?

"Yes I do. Who doesn't"

"Sadist. What flavor do you like?

"Red velvet"

"Really! That's my favorite too. Though there's one I had, very dense and definitely not good

"Seriously" Naeemah said with a laugh "I also had one, it was so hard and dry"

Ameer broke out into a fit of laughter muttering"Some taste like dessert sand or cat's poop"

"Accurate" Naeemah replied with her own share of laughter, holding her tummy.

Maybe this won't be so bad after all.
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