JAWAHIR

I  should start dropping the curtain before going to sleep, the sun is too bright.

I reached for my phone on the nightstand.

12:30 pm

What the.........

I stoop up abruptly, oh my gosh I'm dead.

I quickly took my bath and dressed up hurriedly, I wore a white turtle neck top with dark blue jeans, I picked my bag. Something is missing. Right, my kimono. I'm ready.

I quickly went down. I met Mammie at the bottom of the stairs, ooh ooh

"Mammie I'm so sorry wallah I overslept and......." She cut me off.

"Haba Jawahir, I told you this the day after the sa rana of your sisters, it has been 4 days, and for Allah's sake what are you wearing." She's really angry.

"Uhm..."

"Don't stay there and be blabbering nonsense, go change and wear something presentable." She said sternly.

I hurriedly turn around to go back to my room, I heard her mumbling something like yarinya batasan ta girma ba.

I opened my wardrobe, what to wear?

"Wai baza kimana sauri ba; won't you hurry up" Mammie yelled.

Smh I don't even know where we are going, all she said was we are meeting Abu's old friend, I don't know if it's at his house or somewhere else. I quickly grabbed a black abaya to put on.

"Okay, I'm ready."

"Jaw you'll never change, when we were in school you're always the reason we're late and still here we are." That was Suhayla. I rolled my eyes.

"What did you just do!!!!???" A voice yelled.

I quickly look up to see Ya Akram. oh dear lord. I gulped

"How many times do I have to tell you to stop doing that? Now apologize." I was just staring at him. "Right now." He yelled again.

"Sorry, Hayla." I apologized and she smirked. I rolled my eyes, mentality of course.

I was fidgeting with my fingers and looking at the floor when I was suddenly embraced sideways. "You know I don't like shouting at you, but I really hate it when you do that especially to your elders, so stop it okay?" I nodded.

"Jawahiir...." He warned.

"Okay." I vocalized.

"You won't hug me properly?? I'm back, after all, this month." I turned around and hug him properly.

Ya Akram is our 3rd born, and an Air force officer, he took after Abu. (Abu is a retired Air Vice Marshal *2star general*)He has been in Lagos for the past 3 months. Though he's super strict as you saw earlier, I love him dearly and I really missed him.

"Me ka kawo man daga legas din; what did you bring from Lagos for me?" I asked excitedly. He NEVER comes home without a gift.

"See your mouth kaman legas? Mammie so yarinyanki can speak Hausa?" He teased. She ignored him

"Let her be she's angry cuz I woke up late." I don't like it when she's angry with me.

We went outside and took the Sienna so that we could all fit in.

Ya Akram is driving, Suhayl at the passenger seat, Mammie and Mama in the middle row, and lastly me and Suhayla.

Nai'a and Affan are in school, the brides to be are at work and Ya Nana has gone back to Kano.

We arrived about 30minuets later, tho we all live in Asokoro it's still far. I'm eager to know who we are visiting 'cuz I've never been here with any of family members. When the house came into view or shall I say mansion, my jaw dropped.

Woaah!!

"Who are we here for? The president?" Suhayl voiced out my thoughts.

The house is i mean the mansion i don't even know how to describe it. It's just......... you know.

"Mama who are we visiting?" I inquired again, I think we are at the wrong place.

"This is the Abbas Abdullah's mansion." She replied.

"The Who's?" I asked in confusion.

"You don't know them!?" They all looked surprised even Mammie.

"You don't know them or you've forgotten about them." Mama asked and I shrugged.

"I honestly don't know them." They were all staring at me. I'm I suppose to know them ne?

"The AA's you know, Abu's best friend, they moved to UK some years back, his wife Aunt Maymuna is Mammie's childhood friend." Ya Akram explained. I was just looking at him. "I really don't remember."

"Ko Kausar? Itama you don't remember her?" Mama asked.

"Noop I don't." Who's Kausar?

"Lets go in then." Mammie said and we all followed her.

We were led to a huge living room. Mehn these people are loaded. It's painted white with a touch of gold. The curtain is pinkish or is it peach?I don't know colors. The couches are in the middle of the room, they're white in color with throw pillows of different colors on them, the couches are curved making an O like shape, there also stools between them. Then two royal chairs at where each couch started.

A woman dressed chicly in a gown came in. Masha Allah she's really beautiful at her age, around Mammie's maybe.

"You're already here, welcome ,welcome, it's good to see you." She has an accent, it's not definite that you can specify it's more like an Arabian accent combined with heavy British accent.

She and Mammie embraced each other for a long time. "Oh Maymunah it's good to see you again." Why is her voice cracking?

They must have been or still are very close. But Mammie never mentioned her before.

"Washtina ya Khadijah; I missed you." The woman's voice is also cracking. I pray that Jahara and i's friendship last like this.

She sat back down and exchanged pleasantries with Mama. She then turned towards us. She smiled brightly, I like her already.

" Ya Rabbi Khadijah the children have all grown up duk sun girma Masha Allah." I laughed mentally because of her accent, the Hausa sounds weird.

"Good afternoon." We all greeted her.

"How are you habibis?" She inquired.

"We are all fine." We chorused.

"I remember when I saw you last, you were very small Jawjaw, now look at you, you're already a beautiful young lady." Aunt Maymunah said to me.

I felt shy, I'm not good with compliments. "Thank you." I said shyly.
I saw Suhayla rolling her eyes, mtsww i don't have your time.

Just then a bubbly girl around my age came in. She screamed when she saw Mammie. "Mammie!!! When did you arrive? And nobody told me you're here, I really wanted to welcome you."

Mammie chuckled "Kausar."She pulled her cheeks "I just arrived." Mammie said as she hugged her.

I think she just noticed us because she ducked her head. "Ina wuni." She greeted but it sounded weird because of her accent. I couldn't help it, I laughed out loud. Everybody looked at me.

"Sorry." I said sheepishly. "It's just that her Hausa sounded weird". They all laughed and she pouted.

"Ok why don't you girls get to know each other, you'll be called when the food is ready." Aunty Maymuna said as they all leave the room.

"I know right! I really want to learn, I know almost nothing, and can you believe it's my language." She rolled her eyes replying to what I said. "Anyway I'm Kausar."

"Jawahir." I replied.

She suddenly screamed again. Ok she likes screaming. "You're Jaw jaw??"

"Uhm yeah."

"Ya Rahman it's good to finally meet you, I've heard so much about you." I smiled at her. It's hard to not like her, she has a welcoming aura like her Mom.

We talked about so many things. I get to know that she has just finished high school like me. She has never been to Nigeria since they left when she was 4 that's why her Hausa is poor. She has a passion for photography, but she wants to study physiology at Nile University.

"But why is your Hausa so poor?" I couldn't help but ask.

Kausar sighed dramatically. "As you know, it isn't Ammiey's native tongue so she's really bad at it, even though she lived in Nigeria most of her life with her family before she married Baba. And Baba was not around that much, and it's impossible not to pick an accent when you lived almost your whole life there. That's why we suck big time, especially Ya Aayan." She explained.

I nodded in understanding, Ammiey is a Kuwaiti from what Kausar mentioned, just like Mammie. But Mammie's mother is a Nigerian while her Dad is a Kuwaiti—which makes her Kuwaiti also, Ammiey is a full Kuwaiti though. Mammie lived with her Dad in Kuwait for some years—that's where she and Aunt Maymunah met.

Kausar led us to the kitchen to see if the food is ready.

Heaven!!!

The kitchen is my favorite place at home because I love cooking, I prefer baking and making pastries though.

"This kitchen is beautiful." I complimented.

"Ammiey likes cooking sosai that's why. I think this is the only room she picked the materials for."

That's really cool.

"Well she designed it well." I complimented again.

"They must be in the dining area, let's go"

Do I need to say it??

Everybody was there. I saw two new faces. They must Kausar's sisters. One whom I think is the eldest, is chatting with Mama while Mammie is showing Aunt Maymuna something on her phone. Then the other sister is sitting down beside Suhayla.

Aunt Maymuna saw us. "Oh you're here. Let's wait a bit for Abbas and Aayan, common sit down"

"Is that Jaw jaw?" The eldest sister asked

"Yes." Their Mom replied while smiling.

"Oh emm gee! I remember when we left, she was still wearing diapers." She also has an accent, it's deeper than Kausar's but not as deep as their mother's. Everyone laughed. Why do they keep saying that?

"You don't remember me do you." It wasn't a question it was more like a statement.

"She doesn't remember anyone actually." Mammie answered anyway.

She doesn't look surprised. "I don't expect her to Mammie." She turned to look at me. "Come sit beside me."

"Haan, I want her to sit near me" Kausar whined.

I chuckled and sat down beside the sister.

"I'm Kulthum and that's Maheera." Maheera turned towards us when she heard her name.

"Hello." I greeted.

"Hello Jawahir, it's good to see you." She smiled. She doesn't talk much I observed. She's more like Ya Farha.

"Anti jameelaton jiddan; you're so beautiful." Kulthum complimented. I blushed. "Thank you, you're beautiful too." She smiled.

Just then a man around Abu's age came in. He must be there Dad.
None of them look like their dad, it's only Maheera that has his skin tone but their looks and facial structure is all from their mom.

He sat down and they exchanged pleasantries with Mammie, Mama and Ya Akram.

"Soja, how's the work?" Mr Abbas asked Ya Akram.

"Alhamdulillah." Ya Akram replied.

"Which state were you posted to?"

"Lagos, sir." Soldiers smh always polite and respective.

"I know Malik must be very proud, where is he by the way?"

"Actually, he's not here, he has gone to China to buy some machines" Mammie explained

"Soja ya zama dan kasuwa; he's now a business man."

Abu became a businessman after he retired some years back. He now owns a chain of food manufacturing industries in the Northern part of the nation.

"Twins how are? Ya makaranta; how's school?" He turned to Suhayl and Suhayla.

"Alhamdulillah." They responded. Hmm see them behaving like innocent people.

"And Jawahir, how are you dear?" He turned to me.

"I'm fine Alhamdulillah." I smiled.

"Masha Allah, may God bless you all."

"Ameen."

We finally started eating the Aayan guy that's suppose to come is late. The food is amazing. I need to meet the chef.

Just then a guy came in. He must be Aayan, omg he's soooo astags. He looks like his mom but got the height from their Dad. He's returning from work because he's dressed in a suit.

"Assalamu Alaikum."

"Waalaikum mussalam." We replied.

He walked towards Aunt Maymuna. "Ammiey Ana asif, I was in a meeting and I lost track of time, I'm so sorry"

"It's okay Habibi, but please be on time next time."

"I promise."

"Mammie Good afternoon, how are you?" His accent is like his mom's but deeper really deeper.

They all have accent, but their dad's own is different. He doesn't have that Arabian accent, just British. I love theirs tho. Its really beautiful, especially when they are trying to speak Hausa. Lol even though they sound funny.

"Aayan, workaholic."Mammie teased and he smiled a bit. "I'm fine Alhamdulillah."

He greeted Mama. He, Akram, and Suhayl did their bro hug thing then
nodded towards Suhayla and I politely.

"Akhi, I've made a new friend today, so you've lost the bet." Kausar smirked. "Yallah pay me."

"You guys made a bet about when you'll make friends?" Kulthum looked at them strangely. "I swear you guys make bets on everything."

"You see he thinks I won't be able to make friends easily, because according to him 'I'm not social enough', I'm not Ya Maheera."
Maheera glared at Kausar which she ignored  and continued. "I attract people, like a magnet attracts metal."

He scoffed. "Ok, what do you want?"

"I'll have to think." She said excitedly. She was mumbling something like I'll make you bankrupt.

"Well you have today only, If you're not able to decide by then, it's your loss."

"But...." she pouted then sighed. "Okay I agree."

"Good." And we continued eating.

*********

We were all in the living room except for the men. They've gone to the mosque. Maheera and Kulthum are talking with Suhayla. And the elders are watching NTA.

"Tashi, let's go to my room." Kausar grabbed her Mom's attention. "Ammiey, Jaw jaw and I will be in my room."

"Ok dear."

Her room is like stepping into a fairy's home.

"Wow, I love your room."

"Thank you. So I was thinking" She started. "Which university do you wanna go to?"

"None." I replied and she stared at me like I'm crazy. "You see I don't really have a career in mind. I love cooking, I've always wanted to be a chef so I'm thinking maybe culinary school."

"That's awesome, when ever I'm craving I know where to go." She exclaimed excitedly and I laughed.

She smiled. "I really like you Jaw jaw."

Awwn, she's so sweet.

"I like you too Kausar." I smiled brightly.

"We are gonna be best of friends."

"Yes we'll be." And I'm sure of that, I can't wait to introduce her to my friends I'm sure they'll love her.

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Yours truly
Memzyb✨🌹