Every situation in life is temporary, so when life is good, make sure you enjoy and receive it fully. And when life is not so good, remember that it will not last forever, and better days are on the way~

**********

"Noor" I heard my mom call out from downstairs. I groan to myself and roll out of my soft comfortable bed. I tucked in the corners, neatly folded the blanket and arranged the pillows. I glanced at the small wall clock which read '7:15am'. Realizing I woke up late and I had less than thirty minutes to get ready I stormed off to the bathroom to have a quick shower.

After my shower, which wasn't really quick, I slipped on my school uniform which was a long black skirt, white blouse and a red blazer. I pinned my hijab tightly so that it won't fall off. Shoving my books into my bag as fast as I could, I hear my mother call yet again.

"Noor! What are you doing up there we're going to be late" She boomed. My morning started like this always. Mama screaming from the kitchen telling me to hurry, and me trying my best not to forget anything. I always forget one thing or the other and I don't usually realize it until I reach school.

Grabbing my books I ran downstairs. I meet my mom at the dining table already ready sipping her cup of tea, typing on her laptop and looking beautiful as usual.

"Mama Ina kwana(good morning mom)" I greeted breathing heavily from running all those steps.

"Lafiya" She replied.

I sat down on a chair opposite hers and started to slowly sip the cup of tea mama had already made for me. She knew exactly how I wanted my tea-with very little sugar-brown sugar and double amount of milk. I took a slice of bread and began spreading apple jam on it. I was eating very careful so that I wouldn't spill anything on my hijab.

"You have just three minutes to finish up or else I'll leave you here and you'll have to walk to school" Mama said picking up her hijab and her car keys. She'd never let me walk to school on my own, that's the threat she gives so I'll get ready on time.

I gulped down the contents of my cup and stood up leaving my half eaten slice of bread. I quickly wore my shoes and grabbed my school bag.

I met mama outside leaning by the drivers' door and talking to Eze, our security/gateman/gardener. I greeted him and sat in the car. Mama also got in and started the ignition. Just as she was about to reverse the car, she turned to me.

"Hope you haven't forgotten anything today? I won't turn back if you do" She spoke while readjusting the rear view mirror.

"Uhmmm.....I don't think so" I replied looking into my backpack. I had packed everything into my backpack last night, I didn't think I forgot anything this time.

We reached my school in exactly 21 minutes. I grabbed my bag, and hastily stepped out and ran into the school premises before the gate was closed. Mama waited until I had vanished into the main entrance before she drove off to her office. She always made sure of that.

My name is Noor Abubakar Hassan. So people call me Nooriy/Noora. I live with my mother in the heart of Nigeria-Abuja. I'm the first and only child to my mother, but to my dad, I'm the fourth out of his six other children. My father Senator Abubakar Hassan mostly stay in kaduna state, with his other family.

He finds time visit during the holidays or sometimes weekends but nowadays he hardly comes. I've lived here in Abuja for literary my whole life except for few summer breaks I spent in kaduna. I'm currently coping with finishing the very last year of high school.

To some strangers, my life is the definition of a 'perfect life'. Rich parents, literally born with a silver spoon. But hell no!

Only I know what I've been through.

        <><>

The bell rang loudly signaling the closing time for the school and the students of Al hameeden academy hustled to quickly get out of a place which was hell to them. Well to me I loved school. It's one of the places I forget all my 'worries' and fall deep into another world. The world of learning. As I packed my books into my bag when I felt someone's hand on my shoulder, I turned and met my friend Affiyah grinning widely.

"Noor! Where have you been I haven't seen you all day" she squealed and hugged me tightly. As melodramatic as she could be. Our classes were different, so we don't usually meet during school hours, only during Art and Mathematics.

"How are you" I said pulling myself out of her bone crashing hug.

"I'm fine"She replied and the grabbed my hands as we started walking towards the school gate. "

"The invitation cards have been printed, for adda Sajeedah's wedding, the wedding ceremony would take place on Friday, the 25th of next month, there'll be a dinner party on Wednesday, the 23rd,would you be able to come?"She blabbed as we walked. She was the talkative while I was the quiet and reserved one. I knew she never liked parties or gatherings in fact she was terrified of gatherings. Adda sajeedah's wedding was something she could not miss. She's her favorite cousin after all.

"I'll surely come" I said and smiled at her assuring her I will come even though I have to persuade mama first. I sighted the car that usually picks her up from school with the driver patiently waiting for her.

"Your car is here"I said as I opened my bag and pulled out the mathematics notebook she lent to me last week and gave to her. I wonder why she didn't ask as I totally forgot about it.

"Thanks. Come let's drop you home, I wonder when the bus will be here and it's really sunny today" She said. As usual I declined saying the bus will be here in a minute but it seems today she isn't taking no for an answer as she draged me towards the car.

"It's not even sunny and besides you are going the opposite way, why take the trouble?" I tried to tell her but we were already inside the car so I gave up. It was our daily routine.

We reached home in 10 minutes given that the driver drives the car like it's an airplane. Even with the bumpy road we managed to reach fast.

The moment the car stopped she stepped out saying she's thirsty. It was so sunny outside that I think the heat would perfectly fry an omelette.

I switched on the air conditioner as soon as we stepped in and went to the kitchen to get water. I met Khadijah our house help doing some work.

"You're back already?" She asked while cleaning the kitchen counter.

"Yes" I replied taking out two bottles of water and two glasses.

I went outside and gave the driver some water and he was already chatting with Eze as if they were old friends.

When I stepped back in the living room, Affiyah was looking...oh sorry; staring at our family portrait as if it was the first time she set her eyes on it. She had visited  a couple of times but every time she keeps ogling at it.

"You look cute in that picture" she said slowly sipping her water.

It was just a normal family picture with me sitting down on a chair smiling sweetly at the camera,mom and dad standing behind me. It was taken when I was nine, when we lived like a normal family. I felt the emotions wash over me as I looked squarely at the picture. Some people might think, by looking at the picture, that we are this happy family, living in the most perfect home. But that's not it, we are actually very far from that. We've grown apart without even realizing it.

We chatted about random things for a while before she stood up to leave."My mother must be worried plus I kept the driver waiting, I'll visit some other day, but then I think it's your turn to come over to my house. It's always me visiting, you've never been to my house Noor" She said with a pout.

"I'll come to your house next time...promise" I said passing her bag.

"Alright" She said and smiled.

<><><><>

How are you liking this story so far?
Feedbacks please.

Share~
Vote~
Comment~

Husnah_Hussain