Meenah's POV

I was in a place full of peace and solace. As if I was floating on cloud nine and the cool air blowing with full authority. It was completely dark yet full of light. It felt really amazing just to live in the moment. As if all my problems disappeared by the snap of a finger.

Well too bad it couldn't last any bit longer as I was awakened from my beauty sleep by an annoying sound in my left ear. I turned around, further from the annoying sound, and shoved a pillow over my head, hoping that maybe whoever is disturbing my sleep will just disappear into thin air.

Again. The there was a loud scream into my ear. This time I jerked up in a sitting position ready to attack whoever it is. And then 'viola' it was my most annoying sister waking me.

"Urgghh...this girl will be the end of me someday"I muttered as she pushed me into the bathroom.

I left the bathroom into our closet and changed into something presentable to pray into. I picked a black jumpsuit with a hoodie attached to it. I removed my cropped tank top and short and changed into my jumper. I wore a black hijab and jogged downstairs to join the prayer that has already started.

After the prayers we recited the Quran in sync. It was peaceful,calming and relaxing. The void that has been missing in my life for some months feels complete.I felt happy despite losing a lot in life, and what I lost was nothing compared to what I have now. I have my family. And there's nothing worth more than family.

*•*•*•*

The clouds were heavy, the storms on the way, ready to knock down trees and weak houses. The light blue sky turning into dark spooky ash color, illuminating the upcoming lightening. I was sitting on the balcony wooden chairs, enjoying the weather,sipping my coffee and texting on my phone. It was peaceful as the cold harsh winds blew into my face.

The weather was so relaxing and immediately I felt like painting. The idea popped into my mind as I stumble up from my chair, rushing through the corridors to our room to get my canvas, paints, paintbrushes and some other art stuff.

As I got back to the room I noticed Neenah laying on her bed, her back facing the ceiling. She was wearing a long baggy shirt with a plain black leggings. As always reading one of her textbooks. She didn't notice my presence as she continued reading her book aloud.

"Hey Sis, wanna come to the balcony and keep me company, you can also take your textbooks with you." I asked her as I sat down on the edge of her bed.

"But it's raining outside, I think it will be too cold at the balcony right now." She said, turning around to face me.

"Oh come on, it's not as if we are going outside the rain, and anyways we won't get drenched" I said with a pout on my face, as I got up from her bed and went towards my bed side drawers where I normally keep my paint platter and brushes. I took my twelve sizes paint brushes and the platter and walked ahead towards the closet to get the paints and canvas.

I got out from the closet, my hands full with equipments and I almost stumble to the floor when Neenah rescued me from falling. "Thanks sis" I said with a smirk.

"Lets go" she said as she collected some things from me and dragged me out of the room.

"The house seems empty? Where's mum and Dad? She asked me as we made our way to the balcony.

"They left an hour ago. They said something about hiring a lawyer or something before the left. I think it has to do with the forged documents. But they will be back soon don't worry. And oh mum said we should make dinner." I explained all in one breath.

Neenah nodded as we sat down on the balcony chairs and I started to work. I noticed the look of distance and sadness on her face. She was deep in thoughts. "Don't worry Neenah, all will be well in sha Allah" I squeezed her hands and she gave me a sad smile.

I was painting the sky, it was something I love doing, diving into nature. The birds in groups flying so peacefully always got my attention. The combination of different blue shades and a little bit of pink plus the flying birds.

As I was painting the last bird on the canvas my phone rang. I was going to ignore it when I gave it a glance to check who was calling and my eyes widened with surprise and amusement.

Neenah's eyes almost bulging out of their sockets as she put both her hands covering her mouth. Her expression was funny and if not for the situation right now I would have laughed really had, but I will keep the laughing for late because my phone is still ringing and I don't want to answer it in my sister's presence and if I leave the place to answer the call she would be suspicious which I don't want her to. So I decided to pick up the call with her by my side listening to each and every conversation.

"Hello!! Hi big bro...what's up, been long we haven't talked. Ya Allah you have totally forgotten about your sisters. Hope you are okay?"i said all in one breath as if I knew he was going to call and rehearsed. I waited for his voice to come up. I heard some shuffling from the other side of the phone. The network wasn't cooperating, Maybe it was because of the long distance.

"Hey...baby sis, how are you?" He spoke, I finally heard his voice after some weeks, even though we secretly talk months ago, he suddenly stopped calling and answering my calls. I was really worried though.

"I am not fine, since you didn't bother to call for three weeks."

"I'm sorry, you know how much you mean to me huh. I was kind of busy and something came up."

"Oh...what is it? Are you in trouble? Ya Allah!

"Don't worry sis I'm fine. But..."

"But what?"

"I'm broke and you know how mine and Dad's relationship isn't that good for me to ask for some money. I'm in serious need of money. I need your help sis." He bawled from the other side of the phone.

I glance at Neenah and saw her head very close to me, her ears almost touching the phone as she listened carefully to what our dear big brother was saying. She saw me looking at her and she gave me a smile. I went back to my phone call.

"Oh oh but what happened? How did you become broke? What happened to your photography?" I asked.

"Erm..erm...let's just say things happened and I don't do photography anymore. I'm planning on coming back home but I don't want dad to think I'm a good-for-nothing-son as he always thinks.

"Hmm...okay I have saved some money in my account, I will transfer it to your account. But please Yaya be careful. You know how things are at the moment right. And when are you planning to come back?, don't worry about Dad he's not going to overact. Just inform me before coming okay."

"Thanks sis, you are the best. I love you sooo much. I promise I will be careful and I will let you know when I've plan. He hanged up.

"What was that?"Neenah asked full of confusion. "Oh I thought you were eavesdropping on everything?" I inquired , raising my brows a little higher.

"Well, what I'm trying to ask you is that since when have you two been communicating? Huh!"

"Ah...we erm..erm.." I stuttered trying to find the best words to fit her question. The Meenah that never gets into that -out-of-words- phase is now speechless. amazing. Absolutely amazing now my great predictably sister is now going to understand why I was out of words.

"We have been in-touch since the day he left" I said not making eye contacts with her as I pretended to concentrate on my Art work.

I glanced at her. She was quiet, didn't say a thing. And from her attitude I knew that she knew about it for long.

Ya Fadil was the our only sibling apart from the two of us. We were very close even though he was seven years older than us. He never left the empty space of a brother unattended, he was always there for us. And that was what made him special. Mischievous, kindness, loving, honest, religious, empathy, and his goofy smiles that makes my heart faltering.

He had everything, the looks, money, brains, talent and us. But he chose his talent, his dream and passion over his family.

He completed his degree at the university of Birmingham few years ago. Dad was so happy and he offered him a job in his company, ya fadil declined.

"I want to be a photographer, I want to tour the world, Dad, I want to enjoy for a while." He said to dad. There was a very big misunderstanding between them, they didn't get to explain their feelings and that lead to their fight. Ya Fadil gave Dad his certificate and left.

At that time we all lived together in Birmingham. After the fight We came back to Nigeria. Dad and Ya Fadil still in the anti-communication phase while mum was left in the middle, heartbreaking over her son and husband's fight.

It was all a disaster to us, but we lived with it, never uttering Ya Fadil's name in Dad's presence.

Even after their fight, Abba still sends him pocket money but never tells anyone. And I being the mischievous, I was always in-touch with him. He is my only brother and I couldn't just stay away from him and forget him. I would do anything for him, even if it means I disobey my dad then I would.

Because he is my brother and I love him.

•*•*•*•*•*

Hello dear readers

Longest chapter ever😓

Its been a while since I have updated. Hah! Can't believe it's been more than a month😱 I'm really extremely sorry for that even though In the last chapter, I told you guys I would take a break because I'm have a freaking writers block🤧😓

Anyways how was the chapter?huh? How did you like the new character? Did I introduce well? What do you think? Put your suggestions in the comment section please.

Your votes are needed please!!🤤🤒

Yours khameelarh🖤