Hello Assalamu Alaikum.

This is the last free chapter as promised😊.

...
Imaan (17 years old)

2014.

Lina stared at Amaani and I with tears on her face, her full lips were swollen and the tip of her nose was a fiery shade of red, not to talk of her eyes, those were like molten lava.

"I don't know why Daddy's agreeing with people's demands this way. I don't know why he lets everyone control him." She sniffed, unbothered by the tears that were streaming down her face.

It's been long since I saw her looking so distraught and caring not a whit about her appearance. But then the two of us were the only audience around.

"It's his mother we're talking about Lina." I pressed my hand gently over her arm.

She shook her head violently, "It's not about Hajiya Babba, this isn't about her, it's about that conniving witch who tells him heaps and heaps of lies about us. The hell she thinks she is?"

Amaani and I have always been waiting for the moment when Hajiya Babba was going to decide that we should return to Nigeria and live our lives like what she believes is supposed to be how average Nigerian hausa/fulani children are brought up. We knew that was coming.

But no one saw the decision to move with Lina coming because she was already based here. She has a life here, she's in her third year of school just on the brink of graduating and Mommy wants her to return with us, her words were;

"There are good schools in Nigeria that you could transfer to, if you're not able to get that you could start afresh. You're still young, just 21. You have all the time for education, we can't let a young lady like you live all alone in a different country. We'll worry too much."

That was lousy. Lousy with a capital L.

I don't even know who she wants to draw back from their happiness the most, herself? Her daughter? Or us. Because the opportunities Lina will miss by returning with us are the same opportunities we all lose including Munee. But then, who was I kidding? Munee started school in Nigeria this year at a private university in Abuja, she stays with Uncle Ahmad's family at his wife's insistence.

Amaani sneered, "she has nothing to lose. Lina trust me on this no one's going to make you go anywhere. I promise you this."

"You don't understand. It's not about me alone, it's about all of us." She cleared her throat noisily. "I don't even know where to begin from, I won't say I agree or understand Hajiya Babba's point but keep that aside, why would Daddy drop such a huge stepping stone for him to the side as though it meant nothing and go back to the place that's filled with hurtful memories?" None of us answered her because we saw our return coming when we visited Nigeria last year. She didn't.

We consoled her the best way we could by going out, we went to the mall and got new heels for she and I, Amaani got new handbags and sunglasses.

By dusk you wouldn't believe it was the same Lina who was bawling her eyes out earlier. This Lina had a grin on her face and a sister on each side holding her hand and laughing with so much abandon on the streets of London.

...

I had no idea Ya A was on his way. My jaw dropped to the ground when I found him in the kitchen, casually helping himself to breakfast while Lina chattered on and on beside him.

"Oh my God!" I squealed, fighting the urge to jump up and down. "Ya A you didn't say you were coming, I can't believe it!" I flew to him and we high-fived.

My shouting must've awoken Amaani because she came gliding into the kitchen like a hobo zombie, "surprise surprise," she mumbled, plastering herself to his other side and looking not so surprised.

A few minutes later we found out that Amaani reported the whole situation to Ya A a few days ago, he wasn't supporting the part that said Lina to follow. He assured us that everything was going to be fine and promised us that it wasn't going to be that bad. We weren't half as against it as Lina was anyways.

In all honesty I wasn't even sure how I was feeling at all about it. Mixed feelings and all that yeah.

True to Ya A's words, he calmed the storm that began brewing, excluded Lina from our little party and got us even anticipating the return.

....

Amaani (17 years old)

Ya Maleek, the brooding frowner actually smiled when I told him we were coming back home for good. It was on FaceTime and I had to screenshot the smile because it's worth being kept. History.

Over the last year he and I have grown closer despite his fake reluctance. I know he likes me as much as I like him but we're not relationship close, we're best-gee close. Who would've thought he was a mind reader? He's a huuuge mind reader and guess what? He helps with my assignments sometimes or guides me through even if the topic isn't in any way related to the course he studied in school. I don't give a fig because he's a genius.

Our return was scheduled for the beginning of summer and I was already feeling nostalgic. I stare at the flowers too long, I spend almost every weekend hanging out with friends, Imaan and I have a bucket list we have every intention of fulfilling before we leave and it involves traipsing and touring all the parts of England we haven't explored yet. Daddy indulged us by making sure we have the means to explore.

We went to several cities, took the bus to parks we had no intention of visiting and ate street food. Earlier today we had Kimchi at a Korean restaurant and to put it mildly I'm not going near a Korean restaurant within a hundred mile radius again. To me, it's overrated. Or I'd rather have their Bulgogi, it tastes way better.

Lina though claims she loves it. Inserts gag emoji!

The weather wasn't too bad, I was in a pair of faded blue jeans, yellow cropped top over which I wore a brown jacket and my brown veil was wrapped around my head unlike Imaan who wore a long-sleeved baby pink jumpsuit, black leather jacket and boots, and a black veil. 

I dipped my fingers into my tote bag in search of my magnetic veil clips because the veil keeps slipping off, which is annoying. After getting Imaan steady it in place I urged her forward so we won't miss our bus home.

When we got home high from the events from today we went straight to our rooms, freshened up before I made my way out to laze in the dark, to watch the stars on a carpet. Something I recently discovered I was obsessed with. If I had any intention of going for a professional course I would've taken something that has to do with astronomy.

But, it's me we're talking about. I want out of any and every stressful situation.

"I thought Sadik wasn't returning until early next year."

I didn't mean to eavesdrop but Mommy's voice floated from wherever she was in this house straight to my ears. I obligingly listened. Not my fault she's speaking loudly.

"Mum I honestly don't like him, it's Abdullah I want." Munee's whine came through making my brows hit the top of my head. They were probably on video call because Munee was on speakerphone. I wouldn't have heard her voice otherwise.

The girl's 18 and she's already discussing the man she "wants" with her mother. I visibly shudder at the thought. Even if my mum was alive I doubt if I could have tried that.

Then it rang on my head what she said.

It's Abdullah she wants? Which Abdullah exactly?

"Look Muneerah, your Aunt and I want you with Sadik, don't you know how the Abdullah you want wrecked me over? He changed my plans completely regarding those useless girls. I do not want him with you."

My jaw slackened and my body stiffened as I listened.

Useless girls?

They were playing matchmaker with Ya A and Ya Sadiq, and calling us useless while at it.

P-A-T-H-E-T-I-C.

"Mommyy I've been in love with him since the first time I saw him." She cried into the phone and I rolled my eyes three times.

God forbid Ya A has anything to do with Munee.

"Get over your silly infatuation with him, it'll pass. Between the two Sadiq is much better."

It's been so long since I actually saw Ya Sadiq. In fact, even in pictures we don't see him anymore. The only memories I have of him are blurred and to be honest, faded. I don't and will never ever believe that any man is much better than my Ya A.  This woman's just being selfish because Ya Sadiq actually is related to her.

The conversation was pissing me off now so to avoid any problems that'll lead to Daddy getting mad at me I folded my carpet noisily and walked away from their pathetic conversation pitying both Ya A and Ya Sadiq for being the centre of their attentions. Pathetic

Day after day, Mommy proves to be the wrong person for our Dad. I wonder if he sees that too.

...
Hello Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah Wa Barakatuh.

I hope everyone is doing well Alhamdulillah? Mashaa Allah.

So, as stated earlier. Chapter 10 will be the last free chapter to be updated on wattpad, For more, Contact me on Instagram @ameenatou_ @x.wiltedrose
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Thank you🤍

NanaAmiinah.