Painting Jalo estate wasn't an easy task.

Why did I say so?

Because we are helping with the painting,Maina called professional painters but we still decided to help.

Me,Maina,Al'amin,Bashir and Ramlah with Aunty Ruks daughter whose name is Dahlia were all dressed in black clothes which have sprinkle of paint on them.

The rest of the tenants are wearing white.Everyone is doing the painting except the kids.

I finally got to meet the five guys living at the far end of downstairs,not that I was eager to meet them or anything but they are really a sight to behold.

They have twins among them;Jamil and Jamal.

Then triplets,Ahsan,Aasim and Abyad.

They really do have lovely names.They are also all young.Well if 18 is young.

They are just bunch of college guys who have fun.I don't blame them for living their lives to the fullest.

"Aunty M,do the place you can and I will do the rest." Jamal the calmest one of them all stated and I smiled warmly at him "Okay."

I am currently holding onto a light purple paint,the color is really beautiful.I dip the brush inside and bought it outside making some drip on my thigh as I was squatting down.I started spreading the pain as Al'amin called my name "Say cheese." He said with his camera hung on his neck and I did.

My hands started hurting me as I tried to reach upward "Damn you are so short,Mariam." Of course,Maina graced us with his presence now.

Turning around and giving him a hard glare "I am not short." I said turning around and continued painting while he comes closer "Give me, I will do it."

I smiled thankfully shaking my head at him "Jamal said he will do it."

"Who is he?"

Maina really needs to know everyone here,cause wtf!

"One of the tenants,obviously." I rolled my eyes then searching for places the paint didn't touch so I can fix it.

After realizing that Maina is still confused, I called out for Jamal who ran to me willingly "You can take over." I said to him and he took my bucket of paint then pointing at his "You can take over from where I left."

Nodding my head, I started walking and Maina followed me.

I feel sort of accomplished right now.Hehehe!

"Aren't you going to paint?" I asked Maina while I wave at Ramlah who was cheekily waving at me "I'd rather watch you paint."

Scoffing at his tactic,I eye him "What do you really want?" I questioned giving him my attention,Maina isn't normally like this,he is being extra nice today.

He gave a lopsided smile "You know me too well,Miriam." Ahh! So, I was right? Well,bingo!!

He kept quite for a while and I continued painting with the green paint I was holding,I kept spreading the paint making sure I didn't leave anywhere un-painted.

My hands hurts,my legs too and even my eyes too.

I just hope a splurge of colors won't end up being a bad idea.The people of this estate will definitely kill me.

I just hope it doesn't end up too bright,in my own perspective I feel like it will turn out great and colorful,every house have its own paint even though the houses are joined together.

I am already imagining them with swords and guns coming after me to kill me.That is;If this idea turns out to be a bad one.

Blinking my eyes, I pushed the bad thought away.

Think——-

"I am ready to heal." My thoughts were cut short by Maina's nearly breathless words "Pardon?" Okay I heard what he said,it is just that——-Did he really said what he just said?

"I said I want to——."

"I heard you!"

He really said it.

Confirmed!

"How do I do it?"

I turned around and faced him thinking, I don't know about his past but the panic attack he had shows that it is traumatic.

"You need to start seeing a therapist."

"No, I don't."

Rule number 20:Talk calmly even when the person is getting on your nerves.

"You really do."

"Okay,then what?"

"Go to a rehabilitation center because of your addiction for cigarettes." Maybe.

Well, I don't really know.

"Then?"

"Have peace with yourself and say out your feelings.Wait! Your therapist will tell you what to do!" I mouthed smiling at him and he groaned "I don't want to meet a therapist!"

"You really do,Dear Maina." I smiled warmly at him and picked up my paint bucket and left him there standing.

"Better start painting."

"Okay,Mariam the boss."

He even saluted me. I wiggled my eyebrow dancing a little which made him laugh.

Ramlah came close to me "Aunty M," She whispered and I turn around to meet her gaze "Why are you whispering?" I whispered back.

"Why are you whispering back?" She whispered back and I roll my eyes.

"What is it?" Why am I whispering? Gosh,Ramlah shouldn't drive me nut.

A little smile graced her lips as she start painting with my brush "What is between you and the Jalo man."

Jalo man?

Oh Maina.

"What else? Nothing of course." Okay my voice was a little high this time "Tell me about it." She nudged me and I snatch the paint away from her hand and shove a little on her face.

"The sky is pink." I laugh seeing the pink paint on her face,she narrowed her eyes at me before standing up "You started the paint war!"

Well she shoved some on my face too.My brothers wanted to join but we were stopped.

Ugh, I was really having fun.

"Well okay.Let's snap a group picture at least." I suggest and the all came.

Clearing my throat, I smiled before saying.

"EVERYBODY SAY AMALA!"

•••

Dahlia walked into my room and I smiled at her waving my hand.She sat down at the edge of the bed smiling at me nervously.

"Aunty M, I came to talk to you."

I motioned for her to go on,I am way too tired for all this, I don't even want to talk.

"Can you please do my makeup tomorrow?" She questioned hopefully and I happily nod my head "I will be glad to make you look pretty!"

She loosened up a bit and smiled at me "Can you also help me choose what to wear? Umma bought two gowns for me, I don't know which one to put,they are both so beautiful."

Dahlia walked out of the room and got the bag which contains her gown.Aunty Ruks is really trying to give her children a good life.She is a single mother but she still make sure that they don't lack anything.

Dahlia shove a red gown in front of my eyes,it is just a plain red satin material gown,which have a v shaped neck design and also a flowing hand and flowing ends.It also have a very beautiful black belt attached to it.

The other one is a sky blue abaya,which have a splurge of black on it.This abaya is the latest abaya in town.

"Both the clothes are fine." I relented thinking hard as I watch the gowns "Wear them let me see the one which looks more better on you."

After she was done, I came to a conclusion that she should wear the red gown,it went with the party look and also give the birthday girl vibes.It also looks sooooo good on her.Dahlia is the most beautiful among her sister.

I can already imagine the kind of turban I will tie on her and also the kind of makeup I will apply for her.

Simple,elegant and classy.

"So,is that all?"

She shook her head chewing her lips "Aunty M,can you help instruct the decorators too.Umma is planning it like some sort of a funeral decoration." She whined making me laugh.

"I will do that too.Then what?"

She fiddled with her fingers now.Their is something again?!

"Umma told me you talked about dressing code.I want you to help me in choosing what to tell my friends as the dress code."

"Just tell them to wear black abaya or black gown.Well,anything black."

She nod her head.

"One last thing,the food." She muttered "I heard Umma talking about masa.Seriously masa for a birthday party?!"

Letting out a little laugh at her anger,I shook my head "Snacks will suffice.Only snacks and drinks.No need for food."

She nod her head.

She still sat down looking at me and I groaned "What again?"

"Aunty M,come with me now and plan it with Umma.It is tomorrow." Right.

We stepped out and she still stared at me.

"WHAT AGAIN DAHLIA!"

Such a pushy teenager,she is.

"Thank you so much,Aunty M.You are so nice!!!!"

Well she hugged me.