I clicked the house door close and kept the key safely in my handbag

"Are all the bags inside?" I asked the huge, white Uber driver.

"Yes" He replied and I nodded.

I sat down in the passenger seat while Aman and Anam sat down in the back seat

"Heathrow airport" I told him the place he will drop us.

"Yes ma'am"

Fourty minutes later,we arrived at Heathrow airport and I paid the guy before heading to the departure building

I collected our boarding passes and waited  for our flight to be called

"Mommy where are we going to?" Anam placed her head on my chest.

"Nigeria" I sighed.

"Rearryyy??? I can't wayt!" Aman squealed.

Aman was sleeping on my lap while Anam's head was still on my chest and I could hear their soft snores

"Attention! Passengers of flight 435 Lufthansa from Heathrow airport to Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja" A lady announced.

"Anam! Aman" I shook their bodies.

"Mmm?" They chorused.

"Wake up! Were going to Nigeria" I whispered and they yawned before standing up.

We walked to the boarding gate and showed our boarding passes before moving into the plane

6 hours later

"Buckle your seatbelts as we are about to land in Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja" Another announcement was made and everyone put back their seatbelts.

"We've landed safely and we hope you have a wonderful stay in Abuja,Have a good day"

Everyone picked his or her belongings and the door was opened for everyone to go out

The sun hit my face as my right leg touched the ground

"I can't believe I'm back here,In Nigeria" I whispered.

I picked up our bags and placed them on the trolley before calling someone to help me with it

The dark faces of my fellow Nigerians made me smile and miss Nigeria more than ever

Indeed,no place can ever replace your motherland.

Families everywhere coming to welcome their members

"Mommy where are we going to stay?" Asked Aman.

"In a hotel" I sighed.

"Look mommy,it's Mr Neighbor!" Anam yelled and held her brother's hand before rushing towards their 'father'

I raised my head and my eyes clashed with Aaban's handsome face

I walked towards them and he stared at me with suprise

"I thought you wouldn't come" He smiled.

"I didn't come here because of you" I rolled my eyes.

"When did you come here Mr Neighbor?" Aman dipped his small hand in Aaban's Afro.

"Yesterday,at night" He replied still staring at me.

"Let's go babies" I held their hands and Aaban stopped me.

"I'll take you" He stood up.

"No you don't have to.Thank you" She hissed.

"We are going to the same place" He said.

"And so?"

"Mommy i wantu go with Me Neighbor" Anam held his hand.

"Baby you don't even know him and i don't either,he is a stranger and remember talking to strangers is not good" I said.

Aaban.

I stared at her sharply unable to digest her words.

Is she calling me a stranger!?

After today,if she still wants to us to be like this then its alright.

"Okay" She sighed and we all walked to the parking lot where my driver is waiting.

"Anam and Aman I got chocolates for you" I turned and faced them from the passenger seat.

"Yaayyyy! Toblewwwone!!" Anam squealed.

Layla stared at me strangely and I smirked.

"Why are you acting like some sort of good guy? You're not even related to them you are just a stranger" She hissed.

"Stranger?" I asked with disbelief.

"Yes! Stranger" It was her time to smirk.

"I'm their fa....." The car came to a halt.

"What's wrong?" They chorused.

"I think the engine is over heated,I'll have to open the bonnet so it will cool down" My driver explained.

"Okay we will seat at that restaurant and wait" I grabbed the kids hands and we started walking.

"Where do you think you are going with my children?" She whispered.

"Their also my children and it's not like I'm going to kidnap them" I rolled my eyes.

"Are you a woman? Stop doing that!" She huffed.

"Okay,if you want you can come and if you don't,you can stay here under the sun" I walked away with the kids and we sat down in a place where I can see Layla.

"What do you want have?" I asked.

"Cheese Burger!" Aman flashed me his toothy-grin.

"Me too" Anam pouted.

I ordered two small cheese burgers and three plates of chicken wings.

I paid and we sauntered out only to be welcomed with Layla's hot glare

"Have it" I handed the first plate of chicken wings to the driver.

"Thank you sir" He grinned and I sat with the kids in the car as they ate

"Mommy,you want some wings?" I asked.

"No!" She frowned and sat beside Anam and Aman in the backseat while I was in the front seat

"Mommy it's vewwyyy niceeee" Anam giggled.

Anam picked a piece from my plate and handed it over to Layla

She took a bite and I could see how amazed she looked but she masked it off immediately.

"You like it?" I asked.

"No!"

"Okay,thank goodness I didn't buy it for you or else you would have made me waste my money" She gasped.

"You didn't!? Just great I'm not even hungry"

"Don't worry angry bird,I got one plate for you" I passed the last one over to her.

"You should not have" She said sarcastically and dug in.

Some minutes later,we rinsed our hands and continued the drive to Layla's house.

Layla's Pov

I looked up to the familiar streets of Abuja making me miss home

How will I face my family? My siblings! Will they even spare me a look?

I watched as Aaban and the twins played games and watched kids YouTube videos

They looked so adorable which made me wonder why I didn't let them grow up with their father but I shrugged the thought off immediately and as all the past memories crashed back

My thoughts:Layla what are you doing?!? Remember all that he did to you and you're still acting cool with him?

Remember that he had a wife that you know but you never knew that she is your co wife!

I hissed and looked outside the window

We arrived at my house and I stared at the familiar surrounding.

My childhood memories! Oh Lord

I gave Fadoul a call and told him to please pick up the kids cause I don't want them to witness any drama that is about to happen

We walked into the house and I saw 5 kids playing around

Two girls and three boys

I called all of them but only the eldest came and bent down to her height

"What is your name?" I asked

"Layla" She whispered uncomfortably.

My eyes filled with tears of joy

She must Ya Faree's daughter Layla!

I pulled her into a tight hug and hot tears started rolling down

She was yanked off my body and I fell

"Layla how many times did I warn you not to talk to strangers!?" I heard Ya Faree's voice which I can recognize a mile away.

"Stranger?" I asked with disbelief and stood up.

"I understand that you're angry but Layla is still my niece" I said.

"You didn't think of her talkless of her mother when you decided to run away so why show your fake concern?" She hissed and was about to leave when she stopped.

"Everyone is waiting for you inside you should be fast cause we have families that care for us to attend to" She said obviously hurt.

I know that she is doing this because I made her feel hurt

I sniffed and sauntered into the house with a heavy heart

"Assalamualaikum" I whispered.

"Waalaikumusalam" They chorused and I raised my head to see all the faces I missed and longed to see

I was expecting Zee and Kameela to rush and hug me but none came instead,I received hurt expressions

"Baba" I sobbed and ran to my father.

I hugged him tightly and I was very surprised cause he hugged me back

"I'm sorry my child I'm very sorry please forgive me" Tears started rolling down my father's cheeks.

"Please stop apologizing father,I always knew that my old baba is going to come back" I cupped his face and wiped his tears.

"Whatever I did to you was not of my own accord,I only did what my mother told me to and i found out the truth since I got you and Aaban married and believe me I always felt guilty but I couldn't do anything cause my mother threatened to end her life right in front of me so I had no other choice"

"It's alright Daddy" He kissed my forehead and turned towards my siblings and signalled for them to leave

Now it was only Me,Aaban,Baba,Uncle Muhammad and Aaban's mother.

"Mama" I rushed towards my ex mother inlaw.

"Layla" A sob escaped her lips.

"I missed you so much my daughter please don't ever leave us" She kissed my forehead.

I didn't even know what to say so I just kept quiet

"I heard that you two have children where are they?" She asked curiously with happiness.

"They will be here later" I flashed her a tight lipped smile

"Inawuni Uncle Muhammad" I lowered my head.

"Lafiya Layla,ya kike" He asked.

"Lafiya"

"Toh madalla"

"I hope the both of you know why we are all gathered here" Baba started and Aaban and I nodded

Oh my Lord!!😂💔

Did y'all expect me to continue??? Nahhh!!!

Sup guys! How was the chapter?
Should I even call this chapter a cliffhanger or not 😂

Sha Sha I can't wait for the next chapter!!

Its going to be so hot and will change alotta lives

Byeeeeeee!!

If y'all are wondering why I'm updating early these days then it's because I'm eager to finish this book😚

And I promise to update early if I get much comments and votes cause this typing is not easy sef

Would you rather have real Nike Skechers or normal Sweatpants signed by Cristiano Ronaldo

You know the usuals😌❤️

Maamakabir 💗