Difficult times can define you, diminish you, or develop you. You decide~

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After Affiyah left, I was all alone. Khadijah, our house help left too, she had some work to help her mother with.

My mom works in a law firm for five days a week. She also own a boutique which she  juggles with her job efficiently.

I'm used to being alone. Three years ago, when I passed through a harsh phase, mama enrolled me into a fashion designing school to take my mind off things....things I wasn't supposed to think of anymore...things that gave me nightmares.

Mama made sure Khadija stayed with me until she gets back from work. The doctors recommended I don't stay alone.

So after the six month fashion designing course, I started designing Abaya's for mama's boutique. Sales in the Abaya collection sprang so well. We get orders worldwide in hundreds and thousands

After I prayed Asr, I did some school work. Just as I solved the last equation, I heard some footsteps downstairs. Mama won't be back until 5pm and Khadijah also won't come till tomorrow. I peeked through the large curtains of my room and Eze, the gardener was sitting on a bench and listening to his radio. Someone couldn't have barged inside without being spotted, right?

I shouldn't have let Khadija leave.

I did what my instincts insinuated. I opened my side drawer and pulled out a very big knife....Yes I keep a knife in my drawer.

Step by step, I slowly opened the door so that it won't make any sound and alert the thief.....that is if it's a thief...what if it's a kidnapper or a serial killer? I shrieked in fear. The voice in the back of my mind was screaming to take my phone and call for help but I still continued.

As I reached the staircase, I realized the noise was coming from the kitchen. Oh, so the thief is stealing groceries. I opened the kitchen door with my knife pointed to the person.

"Auntie Luba?, Ya Allah you scared me" I quaked dropping the knife on the kitchen counter. She was cooking...oh that explains the sound. It's only Auntie Luba that'll drop by and go straight to the kitchen and start cooking. The woman was obsessed with cooking.

She was my mother's cousin; they grew up together in Borno, maiduguri, their hometown. She stayed in there for her first few years of her marriage before her husband got transferred here.

"I stopped by and it seemed like you were sleeping and I didn't want to disturb you. I'm coming from the market and I'm so hungry. How are you my princess?" She said all in one go.

She spoke again before I could reply. "And where's Khadija? Why are you alone Noor?" She questioned.

"I'm fine Auntie Luba, Khadija had some work to do so I told her she should go" I said grabbing an apple " How is uncle Alee doing? and Sa'ad?, I didn't see him in school today" I added.

"Your uncle is doing fine, Sa'ad had fever this morning, but he's also doing fine now, he'd be in school tomorrow" she replied. I took a bite from my apple and sat on the kitchen counter while I watched her cook. She's such a great cook. The type of cook that makes you forget you're dieting when they visit.

"When will your mom be back?" She inquired just as we both heard the sound of her car.

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By the time we finished cooking, it was already maghrib, so we went upstairs to pray. After our salah, auntie Luba started to tell me list of universities I could apply to...seriously? It's just been one month since I started my final year. I don't even want to start thinking about college with the amount of work load we already have.

Mama looked tired and exhausted as usual. I don't know why she won't leave her job; the boutique's doing so well.

"Mama, are you okay?"I asked as she opened the fridge to take water.

"I'm alright sweetie, just a little headache, nothing much"

We ate together. While I slowly ate, they spoke amongst themselves.

"I have good news to share" Auntie Luba started addressing mama. She continued when mama gave her full attention. "Abu Sa'ad has been transferred...to Malaysia" she stopped to see mama's reaction before she continued "And we're moving.

"I'm happy for you Luba, when are you going?" Mama said. Even though there was excitement in her voice, she had a sad look on her face.

"In two months time Inshaa Allah" she said.

We finished eating and we walked Auntie Luba to her car. "We'll miss you so much Auntie Luba"

"I'll miss you too Noor" she said and hugged me tightly. Her voice was cracked, it was as if she was about to cry. I was on the verge of tears too...I can't even imagine how much I'll miss her. I've know her for all my life.

"Bye" I waved as her car zoomed toward the gate.

Yes, we're this sentimental.

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As Salam alaikum readers

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Love, Husnah💙