Hayrah.

I sipped my lemonade drink, legs crossed waiting for my husband to get back home from work. He usually comes back before maghrib. I'm used to it, I just sit down at the gazebo with my baby girl and wait for him to come back. "Maami where's daddy?" My four year old girl asked.

"He's on his way baby" I replied. Right on cue the gateman opened the gate and Jabbar drove in. I let maya hug him first before I hugged him "welcome home baby boo" I smiled and hang his laptop bag on my shoulder. I

We walked hand in hand inside the house. "Daddy where's my ithe qweem (ice cream) you promised you'd buy it for me" maya pouted. He placed her on his laps "daddy was too tired to stop at any ice cream shop, but I promise we'd go buy it as soon as I rest a bit" he said and she squealed.

She stood up and ran out of the room. Finally some alone time with my husband. I moved to where he was sitting down and sat on his laps. I wrapped my hands around his neck "I missed you so much" I whispered. "I missed you more" he whispered back.

Knock knock!!

"Who is it?" I asked. "It's me ma'am". I stood up and walked to the door. I opened it to see nana, Maya's nanny. "What is it?" I questioned. "You have a visitor ma" she replied.

"Ok you can go" I ordered and she left. "Just go take a shower, lemme go check who it is" I said to Jabbar putting on my hijab. I went downstairs and met my younger brother Zayd. "Zayd!! Am I dreaming?" I asked looking at him. He hardly comes to my house. "No you're not" he laughed "it's me" he added. Zayd is my eighteen year old brother. He's in level 200 at ABU. Studying civil engineering. He came back recently for holiday.

"How's mama feeling now?" I asked. "She's better"he replied. Mama has heart disease, the day she was diagnosed with it I was really downcasted. Jabbar always takes care of her medical treatments. He bought a house for us before I married him. I am really grateful for that.

He pays for Zayd's school fees. He made sure we lacked nothing. I can't thank Allah enough for making this kind hearted man my husband . "Where's Ya Jabbar?" Zayd asked. "He'll be down in a sec, he's just taking a shower" I replied. "Ramlat!!!" I called out. "Yes ma" she answered. She came into the living room.

"Bring some refreshments  for my brother please" I ordered. "Yes ma" she squatted a little and left. "Did I tell you I was hungry?" He rolled his eyes. "You don't have to tell me that, I know you are" I laughed. "Uncle Zayd!!" Maya yelled and hugged Zayd . "Mayya! how are you?" He asked keeping her beside him.

"My name ith (is) not mayya iths (it's) maya" she pouted. "Zayd stop calling my baby mayya" I warned. "Salamu alaykum" I heard a heart melting  voice  behind me. "Waalaikumus" we chorused.

"Malam Zayd" he smiled. "Ya Jabbar Ina wuni (good evening)" he greeted. "Lfy lau, ya jikin mama? (Fine, how's mama's health?)" he answered. "Fine Alhamdulillah " Zayd smiled.

We moved to the dinning area and ate before going out. "Daddy are we going to go visit maman kaduna" maya asked. "Yes baby, right after we get your ice cream" he replied and she squealed.

We stopped at havilah and bought some ice cream before dropping Zayd and checking on Mama . Jabbar begged Mama to come live with us but she rejected. She thinks she'll be a disturbance. He hired two maids for Mama. The one to cook and the one to clean the house.

"Maman kaduna" Maya jumped on mama's body. "Ya Subahanallah Maya kina so ki karya nine? (Do you want to break me?)" Mama asked as she placed Maya on her laps. Maya loves calling Mama "Maman kaduna". She exchanged pleasantries with Jabbar . "I hope hayrah isn't giving you any problem" Mama said sending daggers my way. "No Mama she's not" he defended.

"Mama how are you feeling now?" I asked changing the topic. "Naji sauki (I feel better)" she replied smiling. We chatted for a while,Jabbar gave Maama some token and we headed back home.

We arrived home and finally some alone time with my husband. I laid my head down on his chest. We were both engrossed in our thoughts. "Maya needs a baby brother or sister you know" he spoke softly. I bit my lips and opened my eyes. "I know" I murmured.

"And you know sooner or later Maya will be asking for a younger baby right?" He asked holding my hand. I breathe in and out "yes Hun, I know all that" I replied. "Are you sure you're even ready for another baby. I mean  you suffered a lot when you were pregnant with Maya.

I remember those days when I was pregnant, Maya really made me suffer from all the abdominal pain, the morning sickness , throwing up all the time, I used to eat like an elephant. I was really huge back then. "Let's leave this talk for another day please" I said smiling."Okay, if you say so" he muttered.

••••

"Promise me you'll come back early today" I said holding Jabbar's briefcase. "I promise, now can I have my briefcase, I'm already late" he glanced at his wrist watch. I handed the briefcase to him "drive safe please" I kissed his cheek. I went back in and finally, I'm alone.

Maya is at school. Now I can watch TV before she comes back. I turned on the TV and changed the channel to MTV base, ridiculousness was on. I Was enjoying my show when someone barged in. I turned to see Aleesa and Aleena. The twins, Jabbar's sisters.

"Hey!!" Someone snapped a finger at me which I probably know is Aleena. They are just so Identical. While Aleena is a little bit Chubby and has a round face. Aleesa is Chubby too but not as chubby as Aleena is.

"Hey, are you deaf? Don't you know how to talk?" Aleesa glared at me. "Sorry, please sit" I smiled warmly. "You don't need to tell us what to do" Aleena hissed. She went into the kitchen and came back with two can drinks giving one to Aleesa .

Aleena took the remote control and changed the channel. Wow! And I can't do anything about it. "Aren't you guys supposed to be in school?" I asked giving them a confused look. "Aren't you supposed to be packing your stuff and leaving" Aleesa hissed and glared at me.

"Mid semester break dumbo," Aleena groaned, going through her phone. I had no time for their shenanigans. I quietly rose to my feet and went to my room.

I opened my side drawer and bought out our family album. The first picture I saw was of my dad holding me in his arms when I was a baby. I flipped to the next page it was a picture of me when I was six, my Mum , Zayd and my Dad. He was holding Zayd in his arms. I sniffed and blinked back the tears that were threatening to fall. I flipped to the next page, my favorite picture. It was a picture of me and my dad, I was on his neck all happy. I'll never forget that day, we went to the zoo in Kano, just me, zayd, my mom and dad.

I used to be a daddy's girl. Well that's what everyone calls me, "daddy's girl". I'm always with my dad. When ever he's not around I feel like a part of me died. He is my hero. He always protects me from any harm. He always read bedtime stories for me and zayd. We were a little happy family.

The day he died of brain tumor, that bitter heart breaking day. That day mama and I got admitted to the hospital. Mama was diagnosed with heart disease. We suffered a lot when he died. It took me 5 years to accept the fact that he is never coming back.

"Hey!!". I jumped in horror. She  scared the living soul in me. I quickly wiped my tears "Aleesa what is it now?" I asked feeling irritated. "We are hungry, go cook for us" she gave me a disgusted look. "Aleesa I don't feel good, just ask ramlat to cook something for you guys" I said and kept the album aside.

"Tab eh lallai ma kam. Anzo gidan hutu. Why don't you go back to the village you came from? Why can't you free my Brother?! You enchanted his brain, he doesn't buy stuff for us like he used to do, he doesn't respect mama like before. All because of you" she finished up with a hiss.

I just smiled and left her in the room. "How dare you walk away when I'm talking to you!" She yelled. I'm older than this spoiled brat with 4 years and look at how she's treating me like some sorta garbage. "Look leesa respect yourself. I don't have time for any of your crap, just leave me alone. Please, is that too much to ask?" She was getting on my nerves. I'm just controlling my anger because of their brother.

"what if I don't?" She eyed me. "Then quietly leave my house" I muttered and turn on my heels. I went downstairs pass the living room to the kitchen. "How dare you walk away when I'm talking to you. And who do you think you are to call my brother's house your house?" She yelled. I went on with my work  like no one was there. "What's going on here?" Aleena asked. "Can you believe this garbage is kicking us out?" She whispered but I could hear what she said.

"What?" Aleena glared at me. "Can you guys just please leave my house, I don't want any problems please" I tried to make them understand but it's like there heads are made of stone.

They kept blabbering nasty words at me. I just ignored and went upstairs. I grabbed my car keys and hijab. I ordered the maid to cook something for maya before i return . I went to NTIC at Inuwa  wada to pick up maya.

"Maami let's go get ithe qweem (Ice cream) before we go home" she said in her cute angelic voice. "We have ice cream at home Hun, I'll give you some when we get back" I explained and she squealed.

I parked the car at the parking lot and zoomed out. I noticed a familiar car. Ya Rabb those twins called there mom. I gathered the courage and went in. She was sitting down on the three sitter clearly waiting for me.

I'm in deep trouble I said to myself

I knelt down to greet her but she didn't answer. She ignored my greetings and hissed instead"so you have the audacity to kick my girls out of their brother's house?" She roared. My head was low. "No mummy she said we should get out of her house"Aleesa said eying me.

"Lallai ma.. When did you guys gathered the money and bought the house together?" She asked. I kept num! "Am I not talking to you" she yelled making me to jump. "I..I didn't ki..kick them out wallahi" I defended myself. "Will you shut that hole you call
Mouth!!" She yelled. "I know my girls won't lie"

"Look hayrah please pack your things and leave my son alone, he doesn't like you. He's just helping you because he has no choice. You're poor and he's rich, there's much difference between you two.

Please just ask for him to divorce you and leave my son alone. He has a wife waiting for him. I'll help you in anyway if you just pack your things and go. I don't like you Hayrah and I'll never do". They all stood up and left me there on the floor crying. Why does she hates me this much? So bring poor is a fault now.

I wiped my tears and went to check on Maya in her room. Nana was giving Maya a bath. "Make sure she eats please" I said and she nodded. I went to my room and settled down. I took my phone and dialed on jabbar's number.

After three rings he answered "hello wifey" he said. "How's work?" I asked. "Tiring, is everything ok? Your voice is somehow". I hesitate before replying "oh everything is fine, don't forget the promise you made" I tried to change the topic. "I know something is up, I'll be on my way now" he hung up.

I sauntered into the bathroom to washed my face. I came out and applied a light makeup. I changed into a long sleeved peach fitted gown and went to the kitchen. Food was already ready. I went out to the gazebo alone since Maya was taking a nap.

I waited for about 10 minutes before his car drove in. I walked slowly to his car and opened the door for him. "Welcome home baby boo" I said and gave him a bone crushingvhug. I missed him. "You look pale" he examined my face "what's wrong?" He asked. I faked a smile "nothing" I muttered. "Let's go in" I added.

We went in hand in hand to his room. He took a shower and dressed in a grey sweatpants with black shirt. We went down to eat. "Where's maya?" He asked. "She's taking a nap?" I replied. "Hmmm who cooked this?" He asked pointing at the food in front of him. "Uhmm, Ramlat".

I know he doesn't like it when she cooks. "You know I prefer your cooking" he whined. I rolled my eyes "I'm sorry, it won't happen again" I squeezed his hand.

We finished eating and went to the living room to watch tv before asr. I sat down between his legs with my head on his chest. "You know mom called saying something about you throwing the twins out" he started. Ya Allah what will this woman achieve if I leave this house? "Wallahi jabbar I didn't.."

"It's okay, I know you didn't do it" he whispered. I closed my eyes smiling. "I know you're trying so hard to impress my mom and I appreciate that. Hun, I don't want you stressing yourself over it please, kinji ko". I bit my lips and nodded, not even looking at him.

He turned me around facing him. I sat on his laps and placed my forehead on his. I slowly joined our lips together in a kiss. It was gentle and slow. He laid me down on the sofa making him on top. He kissed my neck as my hand went through his Afro. He pressed his lips on mine.

The hot session went on before his phone interrupted. He groaned making me chuckle. "Salamu alaykum"  he answered sitting down, his right hand on his head with his elbow on his lap. "Mom is everything alright?" He asked looking panicked. "Okay I'll be on my way" he cut the call and stood up.

"What's wrong?" I Asked looking at him. He scratched the back of his head "I don't actually know, mom just called and told me to come meet her now" he told me. I sighed "you should get going then" I smiled at him. "Aren't you going to accompany me?" He smirked. "No, she didn't say you should come with me" I stood up and went to the kitchen.

"C'mon please just accompany me. Please" he pouted. I can't resist it. Or can I? "Baby boo you should get going please" I pushed him towards the door. "Well at least lemme go get the car keys" he laughed. "I'll get that for you" I said and sashayed upstairs. I came back with the car keys. I just hope  everything is alright.

It was time for asr so I went upstairs, performed wudhu and prayed. I went to Maya's room, she was still sleeping peacefully. I reduced the air conditioner and went out. I settled down in the living room watching cake boss on TLC with a bag of chips by my side.

"Maami" I heard Maya calling. "Baby girl come here" I gestured her to come. I placed her on my laps. "Are you hungry?" I asked and she nodded rubbing her eyes. "Let's go find something to eat then" I kissed her cheek and strapped her on my waist.

I sat her down on the kitchen island "maami my ithe qweem". I totally forgot I promised her ice cream when we are are home .I opened the fridge and brought out the ice cream. I put one scoop for her in a bowl with piece of cake on a plate. I settled down on a stool close to her enjoying my ice cream too.

"Salamu alaykum". Finally baby boo is back. He came into the kitchen. He kissed Maya's cheeks and she giggled. I noticed his face, he looked down. "Baby boo what's wrong?" I held his hand in mine. He sighed "I don't know how you're going to take this. I have a really bad news" my heart was already beating at a high speed. Is he going to divorce me?

"Hayrah I'm getting married next month" he blurted out.