•Aaliyah

Hamza: *Ina gaisuwa (Hello) Cinderella. Ya kike? (How are you?) It's been a while since we spoke. Forgive me❤

My hearts beats erratically the moment his message comes within my peripheral vision.

I don't want to look or sound clingy so I'll reply twenty minutes from now.

The peace that hung in the air of this house was almost too enjoyable. Since Aunty Raliya's trip to the unknown we've had the most peaceful of moments.

I'm sure she's going to a resort or something with one of her numerous Alhaji's but for some reason I think it's for something more sinister because days before she had been acting too weird and she told us to tell whoever that came to look for her that she was sick and didn't want to see anyone at this point till she has recovered fully.

I asked Safiya since her mother is Aunty Raliya's bestfriend, maybe she'll have an idea since the duo left for the trip together.

Unfortunately, she's as oblivious as I am to their plans. Whenever they're together it's always never good so I pray they don't land themselves in trouble this time.

Curse my inner empathy for making me still care for people who don't care about my well being.

The hollow house of Aunty Raliya has become a sanctuary.

A mini paradise.

And for once I was able to release carbon-dioxide that was beign held in for a year.

A breath of fresh air to de-zombiefy me for the mean time...

I lay on my empty four poster bed underneath my large duvet cover, enjoying the freezing cold air of Air-conditioning of the deserted room. Normally, I hate the idea of being alone in a place but I was lowkey glad that Safiya had gone back to school. Not because I have anything against her but because I was tired of her noisy friends visiting her and would stay for the entire day gossiping. They really need a dose of mind your business pills.

Sometimes I feel a slight tinge of jealousy because of how desolate my life has become though I have family members but not ones I can lean on in times of need. Except Bilal ofcourse...

My eyes start to flutter slowly as sleep tries to overtake me. I toss and turn turn for a few times to find the perfect sleeping position before my eyes shut themselves.

****

*Allahu Akbar*

The sound of the adhan awakens me from my deep slumber. The darkness outside my window makes me get off the bed in a rush.

I can't believe I've missed my Asr salat. Lord please forgive me!

The activeness displayed by my body shocks me. I felt better than I'd felt in a while now thanks to Aunty Raliya's absence but that wasn't the case now. I'd missed a prayer and I had another to perform so I rush to the bathroom to cleanse myself of impurities before performing my Asr and Maghrib salat.

While praying, I felt my stomach produce sounds signaling my olfactory system needed a re-fill so once I'm done I go to the kitchen eat the leftover yamballs I made for lunch then wash it down with a glass of hand squeezed orange juice.

Once I've eaten to my satisfaction, I run a bath for myself with steaming hot water to ease my non-existent, soon to erupt again stress away from my body to make me more relaxed.

The water is almost cold when I come out reluctantly to the room. I wear my favourite Winnie The Pooh pyjamas and position myself inbetween my two large pillows set to binge watch Tiffany Haddish movies for the entire night.

Halfway through the movie, my phone releases a ping and that distinct sound notifies that it's a message from Bilal so I pause the movie and sit up right to reply him.

Bilal: Matan Hamza😂❤️ Ya kike? (How are you?) Are we fighting? Even if you don't want to call at least message me. Haba in-law😂.

For a while Bilal has been rooting for me and Hamza. He really thinks we have a chance of being together and we'd make a good couple. He even made ship names and started calling me 'matan Hamza' and 'in-law'. We're not even married and he has started calling me Hamza's wife.

Imagine! What is Hamliyah?

Ai ka riga limami zuwa masalaci!

*you're running faster than your shadow.

And that was when I remembered Hamza messaged me in the morning. I feel terrible for hanging him. I reply his message and continue my conversation with my dearly beloved yet very annoying cousin.

Aaliyah: We're fighting ooo. Hmm after you lied do you think I'll just leave you? Kuma you refused to stop calling me Matan Hamza. Do I look like his wife? I'm punishing you but it's enough😂😌 so how is our wife?

Bilal: But I apologised mana. You know I can't have my favourite cousin angry at me😂 she's alright. Any new info about you and Hamza?

Aaliyah: Well we haven't spoken in a while but he texted me today. We're cool though he hasn't said anything relating to wanting a relationship with me. I think we're becoming close but I'm taking my time to know him and he understands that so we're taking things slowly till we've fully understood each other.

Bilal: That's good. All the best to Hamliyah!.

Aaliyah: Kai Bilal if you don't stop I'm going to stop talking to you😂 toh Ruby😌yes me too I have a name for you guys. If you disturb me I'll show you pepper😂

Bilal: Iyye sunan ya min dadi a baki (The name sounds nice to say). Thank you boo. I have work tomorrow I'll call you after. Sai da safe (Goodnight) Matan Hamza.

Aaliyah: Leave me alone🙄 goodnight.

I reposition myself on the bed and resume watching 'Night School' till I fall asleep and don't realize the moment I'm being woken up by the sound of the adhan for the subhi salat.
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Ina gaisuwa literally mean I'm greeting you but we'll use it as hello here.

The asterisks are used to identify proverbs and other important stuff so look out for them.

~Aisha Safiyanu🥀