***

The sound of an alarm clock shrilled violently waking up the sole person occupying the room.

Filled to the brim with annoyance I slapped my phone for the umpteenth time. And unfortunately I had been snoozing it instead of stopping it altogether.

With a groan, I rose from the bed and slipped out of my pair of fuzzy socks before getting into the room's adjoined toilet.

Partially awake I blindly reached for the tap to splash some water onto my face. That's the problem with sleeping late.

I've been awake for half the night talking on the phone. It has been a couple of days since i, my father and Mommy were back from our miniature 'world tour' and it was fun.

All my life I've never thought that i could be as happy as I've been for the past two months. It felt too surreal i didn't want to be pinched back to reality.

As funny as this sounds but I've become far more closer to Bashir than I've been when i was living at Yaa Ayshah's.

We talk on daily basis which mostly consists of telling each other how our days went. He has been job hunting because Mama said she wouldn't marry off a jobless man.

My father promised to spoil me rotten and he's doing a great job at it even though it's not necessary but it amazes me how a person could love another like he does me.

He has got me one of the greatest phones, only the best choice of clothing from the 'best' according to Mommy.

I practically have to close my eyes and ears whenever we go to a fashion mall. All i do is nod at whatever Mommy deems will look good on me without taking a glimpse at the price tag.

I've been used to wearing the lowest of clothing. Used mostly, by Basira and other people. Most often torn or too small, faded. You name it.

So all this is still new to me and i bet i would never get used to any of it any time soon. It feels too much it's overwhelming.

Apart from phone and clothes, I've tasted several continental dishes that i can't seem to find rice and beans appealing anymore. Some sweet, sour but all in all they were mostly delicious apart from seafood, the day we took that i could only eat the ones Mommy referred to as prawns and crabs. The others had me puking.

I've grown more skin and my skin glows like that of a bride. Thanks to Mommy and all the spas we went to.

Oh and i just remembered. My 'wedding' is around the corner apparently so my parents are 'furniture shopping' everyday. I've been shown a thousand of pictures of beds, kitchen equipments etc. I couldn't choose any so i let them decide.

However, Mommy insisted that i pick- Maroon and beige or Black and white or Purple and lilac for the sitting room, kitchen and bedrooms.

I decided on Black and white for one room and the kitchen, Purple and Lilac for the other room since she said they were probably furnishing two to three rooms depending on the total number of bedrooms which i believe will be not more than 3. Anything more than that is something i would deem unnecessary for two people to live in. Then Maroon and beige for the sitting room.

She had to show me the colour combinations on her phone for i could only indicate the colours Black, white and purple. Maroon, beige and lilac were colours that I've seen but have never known their names. How lucky!

I took a long comforting bath and got dressed in a Cream coloured dress. One of the lots that we got for me.

I was busy rubbing perfumed oil on my body when i remembered who i was meeting today. My brother Kamal.

I've seen his pictures and we have been in touch since before we went on our trip but we never got the privilege to meet each other. Until today. Hopefully.

Excitement bubbled within me making me increase my pace. I rubbed my lips with lipgloss and swiped some kohl to my eyes just like Mommy taught me before rushing out of the room.

I've been living with my Father ever since we got back but Mommy said she would be taking me to her place tomorrow. That we've got 'things' to do and discuss about.

There was no awkwardness in our interaction, it's like we have known each other for years which is quite surprising. I have always been anti-social even before i started hawking. All my life I've only had two friends-Afiyah and Rabi'a the girl i made acquaintance with at the hawking ground we refer to as dandali. Then there is Bashir.

But now i feel like a yarn bas been taken out of my soul making me feel free, act free and interact with people socially.

With my Father i feel at home. No shyness or village girl attitude.

"Good Morning Daddy" i greeted, taking a seat beside him. He wanted me to refer to him as that and besides that's what others except Kamal refers to him as. He calls him Baba.

Smiling to himself, he put on his left arm over my shoulder and grinned. "Eager to meet your brother aren't you?"

"I am" I admitted with a grin too. His was too contagious.

"He's on his way, he's taking too much time ma"

"Tell me more about him" I excitedly requested. He has told me stories about Kamal- my brother who I unfortunately don't share the same surname with and many more stories about how life has went with them all without me. Kamal Hashim is my Half brother.

"Why don't you hear all about him from the man himself, but i can tell you his age, he's about 29. He's friends with your boyfriend's brother" Daddy smirked.

"Daddy!" i exclaimed hiding my face from his view.

"Okay okay. Your fiancé or husband to be" He teased.

"Ya Allah" i once again exclaimed before turning on my heels to the house's compound.

I inhaled deeply as i stepped a foot outside. Natural air is totally something to savour. Things have changed drastically for me, i was even taught how to check the time on a clock. My education is still the issue we haven't discussed about but i know Daddy's making arrangements for it because I've heard him talk about it on the phone once in my presence.

Everything is just overwhelming --- in a good way.

First, Mommy got me enrolled into a catering school which I'm yet to start.

Second, The two of them asked of what i had passion in and i without a hitch replied- tailoring. Now i have a person who comes home and teaches me all about it. It's exciting and entertaining and I've already learnt the basics. Mastered? Not yet.

The sound of a car's engine roaring into the house broke the bubble i was confided in, making my eyes wander off to the direction of the sound.

One thing I'm not used to is the hugs i receive from Non-mahrams (The male persons i can't marry) and other female company i get introduced to. It's always awkward for me. The only one i got acquainted to is Daddy and Mommy's because there is hardly a day that passes without Mommy hugging me atleast 3 times.

A fair, tall and muscular (Not too much) man clad in a Sky Blue Half jumper styled Kaftan walked towards me and i immediately recognized him as my brother, Kamal. My Father and Mommy has shown me a couple pictures of his and i feebly remember seeing his face on Bashir's phone as one of Mukhtar's friends when he got married.

A little smile automatically made its way to my lips and he reciprocated from afar.

_____
AN

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah wa Baratuh. So who's ready to see a new side of Fatimah, a more exposed and positive side? I am!!!

Kaina bisa wuya for those who understand Hausa. Sorry for the long wait!

Happy Elections Fellow Nigerians.

So how have we been? I've missed y'll.

Kindly V. C. S!

MaAssalam.

NanaAmiinah_Xo.