The days passed by in a blur and before she knew it, it was Saturday and as promised Layla knocked on her door at eight with a wide smile, lucky for her Hajiya Ladidi didn't open the door she would've had to answer the million questions the woman never stopped asking.

It wasn't a hidden fact that Hajiya Ladidi was not a fan of Layla saying she was a bad influence on her daughter, the fact that she was unmarried added to the her multiple reasons to dislike the lady, but the lady didn't care less what the woman thought of her, growing up she's had a lot of people not like her for measly things like her skin color, being a half caste wasn't exactly a walk in the park, but she didn't see herself as that, her mother was only half Lebanese so to her, she is a full fledged Nigerian Fulani girl and nothing could change that.

Khadijah was already dressed so they took off few minutes after she arrived, knowing her friend she'd gotten up early and got ready or else she would've dragged her either way, and she wasn't keen on making a bad first impression, not that she wanted to impress them but how you present yourself to people not only shows how much you value yourself but also how much you view them.

The drive wasn't that long from Unguwan Rimi where Khadijah lived to jabi east, the Aliero's lived in the quieter and more posh part of Kaduna state.

"Welcome to my humble abode"

Khadijah looked at the huge building ahead of them, and Layla's 'humble abode' doesn't exactly look like one because it was a mansion, three identical mansions to be precise, the one in the middle being the largest, even from the outside.

From the security at the gate down the long driveway that separated near the fountain that stood proudly at the front of the building making a small roundabout sort of, different flowers were spread out from the gate around the whole driveway in an immaculate design, the first thought that came to her mind was gorgeous and the second is along the lines of, how rich were the Aliero's? Apparently very rich, she knew from how much people tall of them, but then when she sat with Layla and sees how simple the lady was, she had no idea what to think.

Layla parked in front of the building by the right side and turned to her friend who was finding it difficult to stop gaping at...well, everything.

"Come on in, Mamie is waiting" Layla's voice snapped her out of her trance and she turned to the fair lady immediately, seeing the hesitation in her eyes Layla sighed softly "I can see the gears turning in your head and before you think about changing your mind I'll drag you out" she threatened jokingly but with underlying seriousness.

"No it's not that, why didn't you tell me you lived in a house that's straight out of a book?" Khadijah raised her brows in question with a teasing smile.

"Must've skipped my mind" Her friend shrugged smiling "Are you coming out or should I be a gentleman and open your door?"

"Shut up" she let out a laugh before she followed suit and got out.

Khadijah couldn't help but turn to the fountain again, it was a contrast to the buildings but complimented it at the same time, the house had modern designs with some parts that are just glass but the fountain looked more traditional with the design being three calabash with different sizes, the smallest at the top where the water falls to the medium and to the largest, the outer part of it looks like cows and camels bent and the water flows to the mouth, with the sunlight accentuating the intricate traditional markings on the calabash made it more unique.

"Hamma Mahmud spent like three months perfecting the design, he wanted it to be one if a kind" Khadijah snapped out of her trance like state upon hearing Layla's voice filled with pride for her brother, from what she's knew about them, he was Layla's favourite and vice versa.

With no more words exchanged they walked to the double doors, before they could knock it was opened revealing a girl who looks no older than six with an iPad and a huge grin across her face.

"Azeema where are you going alone?" Layla asked the giddy girl who moved to the side to let them in.

"No where aunty, I heard a car so came check, Mamie has been looking for you" Azeema's gaze moved from her iPad to her aunt then the unfamiliar face beside her "Good morning" she greeted smiling shyly.

"Good morning, how are you?" Khadijah couldn't help but smile back, she ran off barely holding the big tablet in her hand.

Khadijah's gaze swept over the huge living room Two steps down, everything was in white or gold, which left her wondering how it looks super clean that early and with children in the house, she may not have been to the Aliero's home but she knew they were a large extended family.

Layla walked further with Khadijah trailing behind her, the scent of incense hit her nose and with the air condition it smelled exquisite, the sitting room had two sets of royal chairs arranged in a way that made it seem like a living room for two families but with no barrier, only a few steps before the other set of royal chairs, that had more gold than white, a contrast to the other one.

"I'm sure Mamie is in the kitchen, I'll go get her, make yourself at home because you'll be coming over a lot" Layla said with a small smile before running west down a hallway she guessed, she couldn't help but shake her head at her friend, running like a child offered candy.

Khadijah almost jumped out of her skin when she heard a crash, a sound of probably glass breaking, she turned immediately to see a boy who looked to be in his early teens, her eyes roamed over the area as the scene registered in her mind, a hover board sat a few feet away from the boy who was sitting on his back with artificial flowers scattered all around and pieces of what used to a vase, she got up and walked over to him, hoping he was not bleeding, thankful to see no blood in sight she gave him hand.

"Are you okay? Can you stand?" speechless he gave her his hand, it should be weird, a stranger was offering him a hand in his home but what does he care, the tiles were unbelievably cold and his ankle were hurt.

He nodded meekly and stood up with a little struggle.

"Ya ilahi, Abba what is happening? I heard a crash" Hajiya Fatima Aliero, a tall fifty year old woman who looks no older than forty, she was wearing a lilac bou bou with stone work around the neck, silver silk veil wrapped in a simple yet elegant style sat atop her head with no hair showing, she wasn't wearing much jewelry expect for the silver studs on her ears, rings in her long slender fingers and a bracelet, Stunning was one word to describe the woman.

Khadijah bent a little and said a quiet greeting, just seeing her then, Hajiya Fatima pulled the unsuspecting lady into a friendly hug and kissed her cheeks lovingly, her breath hitched not expecting that welcome but she loosened up seeing the smile on the fair woman's face, she managed a half smile feeling the boy's weight from the hand he has over her shoulder, she didn't even know how they hugged, more like she was hugged in that position.

"Oh dear come and sit, this children running around everywhere" Layla took her brother's hand from her and slapped his head upward, Khadijah was already ahead of them with her hands in Mamie's own.

"Adda" Abba whined glaring at his sister who ignored him, the broken vase long forgotten.

Layla let out a small laugh at Khadijah who's head was bowed slightly at Mamie's teasing about her hiding and not wanting to see them, they've been hearing about her since Layla was in secondary school where they met, never physically but they talked over the phone a few times since the two reunited.

"Mamie tell her fa, I've been begging her to come visit" Layla chipped in after helping Abba on the chair opposite them.

"You that I know" Mamie teased, that earned a laugh from Khadijah, easing her erratic heartbeat, she willed herself to calm down, quietly chanting you're fine, no harm here in her head.

A maid dressed in a white blouse and long black skirt walked in with two trays in her hand, one containing snacks and cake and the other fresh mango juice, Mamie had it made specially for Khadijah when she heard it was her favourite.

Before she could say they didn't need to Mamie sent her a playful glare which screamed 'don't even think about it'

"Deena please clean up the vase this loon broke by the stairway" the maid, Deena nodded walking away.

They seemingly forgot about the injured teenager talking about everything and nothing, tired of being a shadow the fifteen year old Abba cleared his throat, after making sure their attention was on him, he smiled.

"Adda you didn't introduce me to this your gorgeous friend, I haven't seen her before, what's your name angel?" the three of them gaped at the boy who had a charming smile on his face, Layla was about to give him a smart remark when a deep voice beat her to it.

"Certainly not your mate because you were a baby when we used to see her, before I get my hands on you Abba better disappear"

It wasn't a long wait yeah, I meet you all in good health hopefully.

I wanted to update yesterday but got caught up so here it is.

This chapter is it yay or nay???

Almost 2k, short I know but I like cut it in half.

How do you see the Aliero's? Isn't Abba just a breath of fresh air?? 😁😁😁and yes I'm horrible at describing stuff so just manage ehhn. Thank you
See you next update, and plsss comment and vote and share.

Thank you to everyone that voted in the last chapter, y'all made my day.

Enjoy the rest of your day

Amyrah