Wa'la yahzunka qawluhum(and let not their speech grieve you)_Yunus10:65

I ran hurriedly back to the bathroom in reflex closing the door shut and leaning my weight on it to prevent any access in, just as my legs seems to start functioning because they were wobbly and felt just like jelly a while back in an effort to evade the aggressive animal which seems very eager to pounce on me and was looking at me hungrily as if I was its next meal to be devoured.

I began weighing chances whether to remain inside the bathroom and pray for my safety or to quickly open the door and make a run to my mum's downstairs. I think I should go out,no I can't escape it! I won't take a chance because I vividly remember what happened when I tried that.It was a Friday evening while me and ya Zara were walking back from the library which was some streets away from home when ya Zara spotted a barking dog and suggested we change route but I negated insisting it won't even notice us,so we went by my opinion and were walking pass it when alas! the dog charged at us ,in a disheveled state we followed different path running heavily to escape it but unluckily for me it followed right after me and caught up with me clutching on my skirt till I was flat on the ground and that's when I knew I am also to be another victim of dog bite and in reflex I closed my eyes anticipating its next move which is obviously to bite me but received nothing only to open my eyes and find out that it had being Wade off by a kind passer-by who came to my aid.I could never forget how mortified I felt at that time and to top it I was bruised alot  whose faint scar is still visible on my knees. Thanking him I and ya Zara who caught up to where I was feeling very sorry and at the verge of tears over my state left immediately to save me from pity looks and sympathy I was gaining from passers-by ,that incident made me never visiting that library again and that ordeal was what intensified my fear for dog which explains my state of panic upon seeing one which was all ready to launch on me.

The bickering of people and the seize of the incessant barking of the dog made my anxiety drop because I know help is here .Stepping out of the bathroom all attention turned towards me and I began being bombarded by questions from different angles,"what happened,"are you hurt","please answer us" added Aysha and Anisa my two friends I was expecting.

" I knew it" said Zara after I've narrated what happened,turning towards Sarah who I just noticed standing by the door with the panting dog in her hands stroking it gently.

"Mum please stop trying to defend her and see the truth,coming with it here is not my problem but why won't she hold it in place instead of allowing it roaming about and scaring the hell out of people" finished ya Zara with a scowl etched on her face.

"Am sorry for any inconveniences it might have caused, I am just too obsessed with it being a new pet that I do take it everywhere I go now and if anyone is to be blamed its me not  Rob because I left it to get a glass of water from the kitchen and it fled before I was back entering the room which he found ajar" said Sarah to my mom adding emphasis to the last part.

"Of course its yours whose  where you expecting before" Zara chirped in.

" Zara enough mum cautioned and Sarah you need not apologize, its no ones fault here mum said softly at her,it just took Zaitun off guard".

"Oh well done I will be taking my leave since I've delivered the message she said to mum"

" So soon dear,okay let me walk you to the door" mum said.I'm very positive I saw Sarah smirk at me right before exiting my room with mum or was it my imagination.

"We will just wait for you downstairs said Anisa breaking my reverie but please hasten up added Aysha exiting the room followed up by ya Zara who smiled my way before walking out.

Adjusting my beige coloured hijab to perfection I walked downstairs bading goodbye to mum who insisted on me eating up before leaving but convinced her on allowing me leave by taking a bite of pancake and promising to eat something while at school.

"Don't forget your adhkar girls" mum shouted to our retreating form,"in shaa Allah" we answered back exiting the house and hopping in Anisa's car to leave for school.

" I don't like her" said Anisa irritatingly,"me neither" added Aysha.I know too well who they are referring to than to ask obviously Sarah,as they both know her not only as mum friend's daughter but also from school as we attend the same uni.

" I think its better we revise our note than sulk up on that,don't you think"  I said.

"Yes please let's do",they said enthusiastic dropping the earlier conversation.

The day passed in a blur and I was now back home from school bearing a very sour mood after mum dropped the bombshell on me that my cousin sister's wedding which we will travelling for by next week has now being readjusted to this week due to a demand from the groom or thereabout I guess and much to my dismay I have to be left behind since I still have an exam tomorrow and the next to wrap up. So now just mum,ya Zara and our driver will be leaving tomorrow morning for our hometown Niger state since dad also called earlier informing he could not make it back home to take them  due to  his tight schedules for the week  as he was just recently transferred to  Abuja.

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" What about these" I said pulling out a black sleeved gown with silver embroidery from ya Zara's wardrobe displaying it before her for approval,"nope she said popping the 'p' " it doesn't give off the vibe".

"Ya Zara I think am done here,we've being ransacking your wardrobe for the past one hour and you still haven't settle for a single dress to suit tomorrow's function".

" Well you see Zaitun", its not my fault that I have such an elegant taste"she said  smirking raising her non existing collar.

"Oh well then,count me out in fishing out our elegant style because am out" I said heading for her door." Please Zaitun you have to help me here" she said getting up from her sitting pose on her bedside drawer grabbing my hands before I reach the door.

"Don't say no to this face as she pouted her small pink lips,batting her long eyelashes dramatically, some of the features we both have in common gotten from our mum.

" I'm so not falling for that this time" I said crossing my hands over my chest trying not to give in.

" munchkins" mum chirped entering inside the room, "I think I have a problem" she said settling on the bed,"what's wrong mum"  we said in sync forgetting our earlier banter.

" I can't find an outfit in my closet to suit the function" added mum.

"Ya Allah mum,first ya Zara,now you! I said sighing. Mum looked towards ya Zara and upon the heap of cloth on the floor with none as a choice nodding understandingly.

"I think I have an idea" mum said ,"we hit the mall" mum and ya Zara said in unison hi-fiving each other at their now solved puzzle.

"Hurry up girls and dress ASAP so we could make it to the mall and be back before it gets late,"I will just get my abaya, see you girls down in 5 min as she hurried out. Following her act I also scurried to my room grabbing an off white veil rolling it to complement my green atampa gown with an off white polka dot and grabbed my vine flat for finishing and rushing downstairs to meet mum as she hate waiting applying no make up.Reaching down to find mum and Zara discussing about the wedding resurfaced my anger.

" Mum I don't think I should tag along to the mall when am not included in the journey " I said gaining their attention.

"Honey I thought we talked about this she said walking towards me placing her hands on my shoulder raising my chin to look right into her eyes ,you know i'd  never leave you behind if not for the fact that you are yet to finish your exams unlike Zara who has wrapped up hers,and I would have gladly cancel this trip if not for its importance,which you clearly know right?

" Yes I know" I said defeated

"And I have no worry leaving you because Hadiza was very ecstatic when I called informing her I'd leave you at her place till we are back,she's a friend I couldn't ask for more and Sarah is also there to keep you company" mom said cheerfully

"Mum you know we dont get along" I said

"You know I don't like it how you girls act odd towards each other for God sake you are almost of same age with Sarah just a year older"

"Well its not my fault because everytime this awesome daughter of yours try to start up a conversation with her she just  ignore,and I think am done acting nice"

"Don't say that my love,you know our religion imbibe on us to always do good to people even to those who do us bad," so now you promise to always be nice to everyone irregardless of how they treat you?

"Yes mum" I said sheepishly.

"No way mum" ya Zara said startling us,"what's wrong we asked confused",have you forgotten Sarah has a dog" she said looking over mum and me as It dawn on me and I also look over mum for solution because I'm not going with that dog there"

"Not to worry"mum said "you know I'd also consider that",unfortunately the poor thing had being knock dead by a car when Sarah left with it" this morning

" Oh" was all the both of us said,before reaching for mum's posh venza outside to head out for the mall.

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Zara's abaya

Their mum's
Photo's credit to UC

I was totally exhausted and headed straight to my room to freshen up and pray after our trip to the mall with ya Zara trying almost all outfit well saying all is a hyperbole but she did try a lot before finally settling for one while mom wasted no time in picking out a nice dress with a matching scarf.On the other hand I got a Chanel bag and a plump on mum's insistence.

"Zaitun" ya Zara peeked Into my room"mum said to come down if you are done, the delivery is here".

"Yea am done",I said getting up from my crouched pose on the praying mat folding it and unrolling my scarf as I've just finished praying following after Ya Zara immediately to the dining to tame my rumbling stomach with the food we ordered out cause we were all too exhausted to cook up something and our maid out of town for visit.

Bading them goodnight after having my fill I trudge to my room with a drooping eyes and wishing for just a thing- to reach my bed.

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"Mum should I take this to the car also" I said pointing to her handbag,"

"No need my baby I will take it along when going out,are all the luggage in the car"

"Yes mom and Adam(driver) is already in the car waiting up"

"We're not leaving till your friends are here to pick you up for school" mum said firmly."

"No mum I will be... I started but the honking of a car outside interrupted me which meant their Aysha are here and my cue to leave for school as well as  mum's and zara  for their journey.

We all walk out of the house immediately after locking everywhere, their Anisa came out of her car exchanging pleasantries with mum and Ya Zara before heading back for the car to give me privacy to bade off their mum.

"Sweetheart" mum added once more placing her hands on my shoulder "please keep your phone charged and close to you so we'd get you when we call and please don't skip out on your meals because I clearly know how you only pick on food, look at how skinny you've become her eyes scanning my lean physique and most importantly always stay on track with your prayers and adhkar she continued, I don't know why my eyes begin to moisture on her words.

"I talked to Hadiza and she will pick you up from school to her house after the exam,is that okay with you"

"Yes I managed to croak out before mum took me in for an embrace "I will miss you so much my munchkin"." I will miss you too I said with a hoarse voice.After we broke the hug ya Zara who was unusually quiet today which was unlike her lodged forward hugging me.

"I will miss you our little zaitun"

"Oh please am not little" I said breaking the hug and glaring at her".I noticed her eyes were glistened but broke into laughter at my act.

Mum shoo me away to Anisa's car insisting we leave before they do and with a heavy heart I entered the car poking out my head through the cars window to see they did same."Come back soon I shouted to them from our moving picanto, "in shaa Allah they answered back before our car finally zoomed off and in my heart the only wish  was ya Allah please keep them safe.

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