We got home at last. We were talking when we walked into the magnificent living room of the manor. The living room had plush French furniture and decorated in the most exquisite way I have ever seen. Everything screamed money from the gleaming marble floors to the high white ceiling, furniture, and design. There was snack sitting on the glass coffee table in the center of the living room. The living room was warm unlike the cold freezing air outside. I pulled off my gloves and coat.

Nani was standing in the living room, hugging a woman that had her back towards us. Some luggage sat in the middle of the living room. From behind, I knew the woman was wearing a sari. They giggled talking when the woman turned around.

"Aunt Caroline!" Mahira screamed.

"Mahira!" Aunt Caroline screamed as Mahira ran into the woman's opened arms. They laughed engulfing each other into a hug.

Aunt Caroline was beautiful, with a smile that made her face radiant. She wore a baby blue sari with silver works around its border. The drape of her sari was let out, folding as she hugged Mahira. Her long raven black gleaming hair was pulled back into a low bun with parting in the middle. She accessorised her dressing with a simple gold necklace and matching earrings with bangles dancing on her wrists.

"Nani, Assalamu alaikum" I greeted giving Nani a hug.

"Walaikum Salam, beti" she replied hugging me back.

"How was school?"

"It was fine Alhamdulillah" I answered kissing her cheeks.

"You have grown so big, Mahira" Aunt Caroline said. "It's been five years since we met. You are all grown up now" she twirled Mahira around enthralled by her growth.

"I was eighteen then aunt and just preparing for college" Mahira said, laughing. "You could not make it to Amir's wedding" she held Aunt Caroline's hands.

"Oh sweetie, I am so sorry. Michael's wife, Hannah, just gave birth. Poor Hannah has no mother. I decided to stay with her for a while to help her with taking care of the baby since she was a new mother. I am so sorry I could not make it to Amir's wedding" she apologized.

"Oh, Aunt Caroline, I have missed you so much" Mahira squealed.

"How is your mother?"

"Mama is just the way you left her. Everyone is perfectly okay Alhamdulillah"

"Holy Mary!" Aunt Caroline exclaimed looking at me as she released Mahira's hands. "Who is the beautiful lady?" she asked walking up to me.

"Aunt, you could not make it to Amir's wedding right? She is Amir's wife" Mahira answered.

"She is the Nigerian I have heard a lot about" she walked up to me holding my hand. "You are Noorie right?" I nodded my head. "My eldest son, Joshua and his wife Mary told me about you when they returned back to India. You are indeed beautiful" she hugged me.

"You are not an exception either" I answered.

"Amir had chosen well. It has also been five years since I last saw him" she placed her hand on the low of my back. "I just wish Samira is here" she said, her tone sad.

An eerie silence settled within us. Nani sighed and sat down, her eyes telling her pain. I might not understand how it feels to lose a child but I could see the pain Nani's eyes held.

"Aunt, Why are you here?" Mahira asked breaking the silence.

"I came here for vacation" Aunt Caroline answered looking back at Mahira.

"And Uncle John?"

"John?" she huffed throwing her hands. "He is in Bangalore exploring. I wanted to be away from India for a while that's why I am here for three months. I heard London is an amazing place to be" she said giggling.

"Taka! Taka!! Taka!!!" Ramlah Aunty's voice came from the foyer.

She screamed the Japanese butler's name as she walked into the living room, gracing us with her presence. She looks fatter than she was during my wedding. Joblessness, I guess. Taka came out from the hallway leading to the kitchen. With disdain, she threw the cup of juice she held on his face. Everyone's eyes grew wide except Aunt Caroline who had her eyes narrowed a grim look on her face.

"This juice is nonsense" Ramlah Aunty shoved the cup into the shocked butler's hands. "I told you mango and not orange" she screamed oblivious to her surroundings. "Will you get me what I requested for?" she hissed, giving him a look filled with disgust.

"Sorry ma'am" Taka apologised with a bow and left.

Aunt Caroline cleared her throat getting Ramlah Aunty's attention. With elegance, she walked towards a swelling Ramlah Aunty who snorted and walked up to her. The silver mule Aunt Caroline wore clanked against the marble floor.

"Cousin" Aunt Caroline called, the left side of her painted lips tugged upwards making a sinister smirk, and her eyes glinted with hate for her cousin. Ramlah aunty snorted wrapping her thick arms around her bulging stomach.

"What are you doing here?" She asked her voice cold.

"I am here for the same reason you are here, to stay" Aunt Caroline answered in the same manner. "Seems you haven't changed at all except you are looking like a pregnant elephant and your bad attitude is still in you. Being proud of other's property when you have none" she continued her voice calm. I stifled a laugh at the insult which was true.

Ramlah Aunty threw her cousin an annoyed look that showed how much she hated her. Without a word, she walked out clearly pained.

"Mama! Mama!!" Farhaan shouted running into the living room, behind him, his siblings and Yusuf followed.

"Aunt Caroline!" the kids shouted together running towards Aunt Caroline.

"Aunt Caroline" Sahibah bhabi's soft voice came next.

The kids' screams had everyone coming down except my husband, Tubassum, and Aaban who were not around. The women and kids hugged Aunt Caroline talking and laughing while the men greeted her with a smile. Looking at the excited and happy look on everyone's faces told me they all love her. She was a nice bubbly woman. Mahira left immediately telling me she had to be somewhere before going home.

I was tired, that kind of tired that needed me to be in bed asleep. At the same time, I was famished. I needed food. I walked upstairs, my joints slightly aching. I needed a shower, that will relieve me of the day's stress then I will say my prayers. When I got to the room, after slipping from the dirty clothes into a towel, I checked my phone hoping to see Amir's missed calls but there was none. An ache settled in my heart. I turned around and walked into the bathroom.

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