February 7, 2020

Aliyah's POV
The little witch is true to her words because the following day, her sister, Haleemah, pays a visit to the Abubakar Mansion.
She is an older version of Ayeesha though one can see the resemblance with Rasheed and Uthman. A maid announces her presence as she walks into the living room with an air of authority. She hands her sleeping child to the maid who also takes her handbang  and hurries out of the room. The child is probably a few months old and a female judging from her clothes.

Haleemah regards me for a brief second before going to sit down on one of the cushioned chairs. Another maid comes into the room carrying a tray. On it was a glass of cold water and a plate of cashew nuts.  The maid hurries out of the room leaving both of us alone in the room. 

Her face is calm. She picks some nuts and places them in her mouth gently as if they would fall on the floor if she didn't. After a few seconds of chewing,  she picks the glass and takes a few sips of water. She places the cup down and takes her handkerchief. She begins to pat her lips with it gently.

What is the meaning of all these?  I thought, feeling slightly irritated.

"You must be the new one," she begins.

"What?"

"You are not that good looking but I didn't know you are also deaf," she speaks again, still maintaining her calm face.

I glare at her. I conclude at once that I do not like this woman.

"The previous ones were far more stunning. Some were stupid, some were smart, some were a little too smart for my liking and were immediately taken care of, " she makes sure to lay emphasis on the last three words.

I decide to say something before she thinks am stupid.
"My name is Aliyah. And I am certainly not Rasheed's whore. We are just friends."

She laughs. The sound of her laughter brings chills to my spine. This woman is dangerous.

"Is that what he tells you?" she asks as she stands up and walks towards me.

Her dress, her hijab, her sandal and her jewelries all speak wealth. The Abubakars are really wealthy. They didn't need to show you or tell you, they simply reeked of it.

"Look here! I don't care who you are to him but don't you dare act smart by trying to get your filthy hands on his money because if you do, I will not hesitate to cut your hands off. And one more thing, stay away from Aliyah and Uthman!"

The threat is clear. With the way she speaks, I know she will do what she has just said. I am tempted to reply her back with some venomous words but I bite my tongue and smile at her. She glares at me before regaining her calm composure and walks out of the living room.

That little witch will pay for this.  Letting her sister insult me. I will teach her a lesson she will never forget. Few hours later, Haleemah is about to leave. Ayeesha carries the little baby while Uthman carries her hand bag.  Haleemah spares me no glance as she walks past me but Ayeesha smirks at me because she knows her sister has dealt with me.

Today is not the day. Today is not the day I win. Besides, I will not let my plans be foiled by some spoilt brat. I will let them think they have put me in their place. I will let them have the last laugh... for now. But soon, I shall reclaim that glory from them. Rasheed, his love and his wealth are the higher goals here, not getting back at his sisters.