Nafeesa was so engrossed in reading a novel in the living room when she heard a chime of the door bell. She dropped the book and gently walked to open the door. She saw her mother through the pinhole and hurriedly opened the door. Being the well brought up girl she is,  she squatted and greeted her.
Welcome back Umma, she said with a beautiful smile.

Thank you darling, how are you and ya school? 

Alhamdullilah Umma! School has been fine she replied the mother as they walked towards the stairs leading to the bedrooms.

Your cousins send their regards to you and loaded me with gifts to bring to you.

Really? She asked with a cheeky grin that made her pretty face look more radiant.

Yes! but first, take the luggage up and tell Aniba I'm back. She said smiling at her bundle of joy as she sat down on the settee.

Nafeesa ran upstairs dragging the luggage in her wake, full of excitement at the news of her gifts.

Anty Aniba! Anty Aniba!! Umma is back, she downstairs and she said to call you.  The excited girl relayed to the housekeeper.

Aniba has practically become a beloved family member to the Mas'ud family because of the love and care they have always shown her,  they treated her like a part of them rather than a hire help and in turn she sees them as her family who she would do anything for.
Toh muje, she followed the excited Nafeesa downstairs smiling at the young girls antics.

Anty kin dawo? Welcome back,  how was you trip and everyone at kano? An excited Aniba asked.

Lafiya kalau alhamdullilah, they are all fine and send their regards. How are you,  ya gidan and hope this little madam didn't give you too much problem? She asked pointing lovingly at her daughter

Haba anty! Ai Nafeesa is always a good girl and I love staying with her because we have so much fun, ko ba haka bane Nafs? She asked the pouting girl.

Anty Aniba, I told you to not call me Nafs again only Ya Sa'id is allowed to and yes we always have fun. Nafeesa replied.

Okay!sorry babyn Abba da ya Sa'id. Both Umma and Aniba replied her laughing.
Umma lemme go get you chilled zobo(hibiscus) drink anty and I made earlier, it's so tasty.
Okay I can't wait to taste it.

At 5:30 am, Mrs Ma'am had to pull her self out of bed after  her alarm struck for fajr Salat, she could also hear the muezzin call to prayer from the masjid close to their house. She was still exhausted from her trip the previous day but she dragged herself to the rest room to perform her ablution before going to her daughter's room to wake her up to pray to. It had become a habit to wake up at this time to pray her morning obligatory prayer before preparing her husband for work and her daughter for school before going about her own daily activities and businesses.

At 4pm that evening Nafeesa was watching the educational program "Story of Maths" on TV while trying to jot down points she found really interesting. The chime of the door bell interrupted her work and she stood up grumbling about missing something interesting.

She lost her sulky mood the moment she spotted the person at the other side of the door through the pipe hole. She squealed excited as she yanked the door open and launched herself on Ya Sa'id the family friend. She couldn't contain her excitement ad she clung to  him because she hadn't seen him in a while and wasn't expecting to see him now because he was schooling in Egypt.

Ya Sa'id, is it really you? How are you? She asked smiling as she offered him a seat. 
What would you like to eat? Drink or anything? She said all in one breathe.

Deep breathes Nafs, one question at a time. Yes it's me, I'm fine alhamdullilah and just water will do thank you very much he said with a lopsided grin that caused his pearly whites and chin cleft to be noticeable.
B

ut firstly, where's Abba, Umma and my sweet Anty Aniba.

They are all fine as usual, let me call anty Aniba and get your water. Umma and Abba are not yet back.

Anty Aniba, guess who's here she said in a sing song voice as she stepped into the kitchen.

Who is it, she asked still chopping the vegetables she was to use for the evening meal.

Ya Sa'id is here.

Sa'id!! Which Sa'id, Saukan yaushe (when did he arrive)?

The ya Sa'id you know,  he came for break from Egypt and he's in the living room.

She filled a tray with an assortment of snacks and drinks and carried it out to where he was seated.
I thought I asked for water ne Nafs?

Haba ya Sa'id I'm pretty sure you've not eaten and besides I made the chin-chin and zobo myself and I want your opinion on it.

Iyye, my baby is all grown har anty Aniba has started allowing you into her kitchen toh I have to taste this delicious looking snacks and drink kam. He said looking at her adoringly.

So tell me, how are you finding Egypt she asked eager to hear all about the place.

Life in Egypt as a student is not easy and for my kind of course, I don't get to go out on the town, but all all it a nice place to live and their educational system is cool.

Hmm! Ya Sa'id, always studying she joked.
Pot calling kettle black he replied with  smile.

The two are  so alike in most things,  shared the same views in most issues and that is why they are so close like two peas in a pod. They were inseparable anytime Sa'id was around. He's one of the few people Nafeesa was so chatty with.

When are umma and Abba coming back?

Very soon Insha Allah, replied a voice coming out of the kitchen. Huh! Sa'id when did you come back?
Anty Aniba Salam alaikum, good afternoon. Ya aiki? (how's work?).  I missed you fa.

Ba wani nan, you forgot about me ai she said laughing.
Work has been good alhamdullilah and thanks to your baby that helps a lot and doesn't stress me ba.
Gaskiya kam toh ta kyauta, ai my Nafs is always an angel, gashi  she has turned super chef, ko ba haka ba, he turned to look at Nafeesa who was busy playing on his phone.

Of course I am ai. They kept chatting and catching up on each other's lives until the parents came back.

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So I've started a new story even though I said I won't and I will appreciate the support darlings. Please vote, comment, anything it will make my day, month or probably year😇😇.