I sprawled and purred like a cat as I cuddled the soft pillow tightly. The soft bed is nothing like that in Runji which consisted of bamboo sticks they got from God knows where and Ayyah's old clothes serving as our mattresses. I was having a nice dream which consisted of Ayyah, Ya Haidar and I in a very colorful place. Sweet air fresheners filled my nostrils making me inhale deeper as I snuggled my pillow tightly. Out of nowhere, an incessant annoying knock filled my dream. No matter how hard I tried to stay in my dream remained fruitless because I started hearing my name being called. Knowing I had to wake up, I opened my eyes as slowly as I could, anger coercing my thoughts. I kept wondering why our bed felt so soft, forgetting I had left home far away.

"Yasmin! Yasmin!" I heard a voice call as the soft knock continued. I grumbled and groaned frustratingly before leaving the bed to go open the door. Realization dawned on me the very moment I touched the door knob. I wasn't at home! I quickly opened the door.

"Good morning Hajiya" I had greeted quickly, squatting down, that's how I was taught to greet my elders. Besides, this particular elder is the reason why I slept with no neck cramps today. Being grateful is the least I could do. 

"Morning Yasmin, it's 5:00am already, you need to pray." She replied with a soft smile. I stood up slowly with a smile. Then I watched her retreating. I really should go pray but my body is so tired. I stood there like a statue and fell asleep while standing. Thankfully I didn't fall down; I just needed to close my eyes for a few minutes. I have no idea how long I stood for, but I felt slight pain on my forehead, it was non existent at first, then the pain got intense. I pried my eyes open, just to be greeted by some intense gray eyes and furrowed brows. I yelped and jumped backwards. Embarrassment washed through me and I felt like being buried there and there. It was the fair guy from yesterday, the one that scared the blood out of me, the one who wasn't very keen about me using his toilet. How long had he been standing there watching me make a fool out of myself?

He scrunched his face and pointed at the bathroom. Of Course he's urging me to go wash up and pray. I nodded slowly then headed to the bathroom in shame. I hope I didn't snore and scratch my body in his presence.

"God please don't allow me to disgrace myself again" I prayed.

I walked to the bathroom, I made sure not to enter the one from yesterday to avoid being reprimanded again. I performed ablution, and then walked straight to my room, picked up my new hijab from Mama and the prayer mat that was nicely folded on the side drawer. I prayed to my Allah, prayed he takes care of my mother and her family, prayed he has mercy on our souls and prayed we leave this world at the time he was best pleased with us. In Runji, we go house by house to offer our morning greetings after Subhi prayers. Abbu would always find a way to keep me in his house when we get there. Ayyah mostly prefers going there last. He would engage me in conversations until the sun is out.

I folded my hijab and the prayer mat, and then dropped it on the side drawer as I saw it. I picked up my phone to contact my mother but to no avail. She wasn't picking. After multiple attempts, I've had enough and I was determined to go tell Hajiya Asiya to take me back home. On the last attempt, she picked up. I squealed loudly. 

"Mama! Good morning" 

"Yasmin!" she equally screamed. 

"Mama, I've been calling you. I've been trying to reach you badly.  You promised you'd pick up whenever I call." I said tears welling up my eyes.

"I don't know how to pick it; I had to take it to Haidar to show me how to operate the phone. It's complex, you know. How come you know how to operate?" she asked, laughing happily. 

"Mama, I'm not like you. I learned it when Hajiya was teaching you. Mama, how are you? I've missed you so much. Mama when are you coming to visit me" I complained 

"I miss you too. I'll come soon" she said sadly. We both know that's not happening anytime soon. Abbu would not allow it. He will find a way of stopping her if she tries it.

"Have you eaten? What did you eat last night? Hope Haidar's wife fed you.  Hope you ate well" I asked all at once again. 

"Yes I have. I cooked for myself. I'm a strong woman and you know it" she said. We both laughed at her statement. We spoke for some time. I had no idea I was yelling as I was on the phone. Every single person in the house could hear my conversation with her. I would laugh as loudly as I could. I needed her to understand I am fine. I kept yelling until gray eyes found me. He had his permanent scowl on his face as he made his way to my bedroom. I stood like a dummy, while Ayyah kept asking why I was quiet. He pointed at my mouth, and then used his hand to make an impression to tune down my voice. For the umpteenth time, embarrassment flooded my veins. I nodded slowly to his back because he was already walking away. 

"Why are you quiet Yasmin?" Ayyah asked loudly.

"Nothing, I am listening to you" I replied slowly.

"Why are you whispering? She yelled through the phone making me laugh. Ofcourse I am not whispering. This is just how normal people converse on a phone, but she and I did not know that.

**

2 months later.

Days ticked by like seconds. I remember vividly how adapting to my new environment felt like. The first week was really stressful and challenging, having to learn how to use electronics in the house was almost impossible. The demonic vacuum cleaner proved to be the hardest. I termed it demonic because there's not a day I've used it successfully without making a mess. I have told Hajiya Asiya several times to help me get a soft broom from the market but to no avail. She explained the vacuum was easier and faster to use. I told her I prefer using brooms to sweep but she shushed me saying I should learn to be a modern woman. She further explained, now that I've been introduced to this world, it is expected of me never to stoop low. I have no idea what that means but I nodded as obediently as I could.

It took a whole 2 weeks for me to know my way around the house. The multiple rooms belonging to the children were quite hard to master. Alhaji Baqi is as nice as his wife. He's always busy though. But he always comes home in time for dinner. It's like it's a rule that must never be broken unless there's a tangible excuse. After a month, Hajiya started taking me out to the market, and small shops around town. I still don't know my way around the market. The most amusing thing is the multipurpose shops I've visited. I always look forward to being asked to get something from the multipurpose shops because I know I'll get to buy the cold thick sour thing they call yogurt. It's paradise.

At times Hajiya's sister and her children Sagir and Sumayya would come to visit bringing the sweet version of the yogurt called ice-cream. I'm the only one who's always at home so I get to eat to enjoy all the sweet goodies they bring along with them. Sagir and Summayya are the same age as Farooq. Sumayya has a major crush on him. She talks about him all the time. She would blush by slight mention of his name. She would always relate everything to him. It's quite annoying to listen to if you ask me, her brother Sagir would always be on his phone typing away. 

The house is quite big. Hajiya Asiya and her husband Alhaji Baqi shared the master bedroom, which was on the far edge of the house. I've been there a couple of times to clean. I wonder why they bother cleaning their house. It's always clean. Then the other rooms are occupied in twos. Abdulhafiz and Abdullahi shared one close to the general bathroom. Anisa and Hadiza shared one opposite to Abdulhafiz and Abdullahi's. Grumpy pants have his room to himself and I'm presently staying in Saratu's room. It had been her room all along. Hajiya removed the bed and replaced it with a bunk bed. Saratu was a bit displeased about sharing the room with me. It's expected, I am a maid or something like that. It's only proper if she complains. The weekend she came home, she realized I was neat; she became a big sister to me instantly. 

I was quick to recognize them when they visited, as a result of the gigantic picture frame in the living room. They all looked happy in the picture, laughing at something someone probably said, Except Farooq who cocked a brow. Yaya Abdullah and Yaya Abdulhafiz, as I was told to call them, are nice people. They are always laughing and joking around. They are a lively and jovial pair, whereas, Saratu is a reserved and religious person. She's always wearing big hijabs and socks. She always exclaims with the name of Allah. And when she recites the Quran, I leave whatever I'm doing just to listen, it's pure bliss. The last two are the ones who I haven't met. I don't know what they're like, but I am hopeful they'll be as nice as their siblings.

Today is the last Sunday of the month and we are going to visit them in school. I was included in this visit because the other months I always stay back, either tidying up or sleeping because of the things Hajiya makes me cook. She's always teaching me how to make new dishes. This month, she only cooked fried rice herself, she ordered everything. I was a bit glad; I might only have to prepare dinner. The older ones were going to arrive any minute. Saratu claimed to have a Muslim student Society meeting yesterday (Saturday) that was why she couldn't come since Friday. The two older brothers said they were studying and would come with saratu. Mr Grumpy pants have been in this house since Friday. He came by noon. I made sure to stay away from him; Hajiya on the other hand keeps sending me to him. 

"Assalamu Alaikum!" both Yayas yelled as they made their way into the house. I like their relationship; they seem to be together always. I've never seen them with any other friend, just the two of them always. It actually bothers me how they manage to study different courses and still be this close. Hajiya explained the departments are far from each other and they do not share a hostel. As their noises filled the air, Alhaji Baqi's voice boomed across the hallway to the kitchen.

"What kind of nonsense is this? As big as you are, you come home yelling and disturbing everyone's peace. Be very careful" Typical parents, you come home all happy and they ruin your mood. 

"Good afternoon Baba" they chorused in unison. I couldn't help but laugh a little. 

"How are you? How are your studies? Hope you've been learning well?" he said walking to the living room. I made my way to pick their duffle bag but Alhaji Baqi stopped me. 

"If these big goons cannot carry their bags, then that's not your problem, go and help Hajiya. Leave them alone" he said, putting on the TV. They rolled their eyes and picked up their bags headed to their room.

"Maman mu!  Good afternoon. Hope you've been fine. We've missed you" they said in unison again kissing her cheeks. She laughed and asked them how they were doing. I continued peeling the pineapple to make fruit salad. I really don't understand the concept of chopping different fruits then mixing them. I'll prefer to chew the damn thing one after the other. 

"Mama, this baby of yours is just getting prettier," Abdulhafiz said, making me stiff. This is so embarrassing. Abdullahi laughed at my stiffness. 

"Leave her alone please. How come you didn't bring Saratu along?" Hajiya said changing the topic. 

"She went to get popcorn for Hadiza, she wants to bribe her for using her ash colored hijab. You know Hadiza is very territorial when it comes to her belongings" Abdulhafiz answered. Abdullahi made his way to where I was standing, he picked up a slice of pineapple and cut it into two, passing it to his brother. Then he pinched my cheeks saying my skin is softer. Well that did it. Hajiya flared up and chased them out of her kitchen. But the damned boys refused to leave. They only promised not to tease me again. Abdullahi had started telling his mum about the girl he really likes when Coldest (my new nickname for Farooq) came in. 

"Aren't......y.... you supposed....t... to take your b..bags to y...your rooms first? You... L....left them in....t...the  hallway.." he said, making all of us freeze, except Hajiya of course. She was smiling brightly. I've never heard him talk throughout my two months of staying here. His jaw was locked and he wasn't smiling. Alhaji Baqi might not know this but I promise Farooq is his Doppelganger. Both had this unique deep voice which makes your intestines coil with amazement. They're really the same. Just that damn skin color difference which has proved to be a barrier between the two.