chapter thirty two

I stretched my body for a minute before looking at Maya that was squinting her eyes in search for something.

We have finally arrived at Nnamdi Azikwe international airport. And my body was as stiff as dusting broom....again. But the flight was much more fun than the first one. Maya made a list of movies we would watch in the plane and we watched just few movies throughout the flight.

"There she is" Maya said shaking me and pointing at Habiba that walking towards us with a wide grin. "Habibaaa" we squealed and hugged her tightly. "Hey girls,how's the journey? I missed you" Habiba rushed her words. "Its was fun. We missed you more" I answered feeling like crying.

Maya raised her eyebrows at me. "Uhm...what?" I questioned her and she pointed to something behind me. I turned to check what it was but I was immediately pulled into....someone's body?

I realized the person was hugging me so I hugged the person back. "I missed you Khair" a male voiced said. Who is this? I tried to push the person backwards but he held me tighter."I missed you sooo much" the person repeated and that's when I recognized the voice. Ibrahim.

I forcefully moved myself away from him and he gave me a caring smile. "Ibrahim, how dare you?" I said lowly. "I'm sorry, I was just super excited" he admitted grinning like a four years old. "Ohkayyyy" I said not knowing what to say. This boy is.....ughhhh

At least he's better than Smith. My subconscious said and I immediately agreed. I cringed upon hearing his name. Thank God I don't have to deal with him for maybe a month.

"How are you here?" Maya asked saving me from his intense staring. "I came with Habiba" he casually said and we both turned to look at Habiba. "Ahh, pls you both should stop looking at me like that pls. I went to your house to clean up your room and he was there,with his brother Mustapha. I told him about you guys coming back today and I will be the one to pick you up, so he asked if he can tag along and I said no prob. I know I talk too much" she finished her ranting with a sigh.

Ibrahim helped us with our baggage into Habiba's car. Maya quickly sat in the front seat before I made my way to the car. I know why she did this. This girl is something else. I entered the back seat and Ibrahim was already seated there. I sat at the edge of the car door.

Habiba started the car and drove off to Maya's house. Ibrahim kept smiling at me like a freak the whole damn time. I was just glad he didn't try to do anything except to smile of course. Maya and Ibrahim came down of the car as Habiba pulled into the parking lot.

"Aren't you coming in?" Maya asked when she saw I wasn't coming out of the car. "There is no way I'm coming into your house." I said looking at her. "Why? You can come in and eat then go to your house" she said trying to convince me. "Nop, you will just make me stay for the whole day and I don't want that" I said in a serious tone.

"Ok finneee. Its true. I will visit you maybe tomorrow. Byeeee" she said entering her house.

"Habiba, drive me to my house" I commanded playfully. "Aye aye captain" she said saluting me and start her car engine. Ibrahim blew me a kiss and I pretended not to see that. He entered inside the house still waving till the car was out of sight.

......

I reached my house and waved Habiba goodbye. I net my parent and hugged my mum while I greeted my dad. They asked me thousand questions about my education and I answered with a nod or a yes. My dad went inside his room and my mum hugged me again this time with tears in her eyes.

"Come on mum,I was gone for just seven months and you are crying as you saw me,what if I get married?" I joked and she laughed lowly. "Children of nowadays just want to get married. Don't worry,I will talk to your dad about your marriage" she said in a serious tone. "Noooo I was just joking wallahi" I quickly said with embarrassment and rushed to my room not waiting for what she will say next.

I showered and prayed the prayers I missed. I called uncle Haroon and told him about my arrival. I went downstairs to the dinning table cos I was super hungry. My mum cooked a delicious traditional food and I ate to my satisfaction. I continued eating and I was so full.

"Alhamdulillah" I said as I finished the whole food in the food flask. I washed it down with cold water. "Ooouucchh" I whispered when I want to stand up but couldn't. I think I will have to crawl back to my room and that's what I did.

"What am I seeing like this?!" My mum yelled. "Mum stop shouting. I over ate and I can't walk" I explained to her forcefully. "And that's why you are crawling like an overgrown spider in my house ko?" She yelled again and I just hope my dad is not hearing her. "No its not like that...." I started but she interrupted. "Its like what then? My friend stand up and walk" she shouted

I forcefully moved myself up and I was feeling so heavy. My mum eyed me one last time and walked down the stairs. I climbed the remaining few stairs like a woman that is pregnant with an elephant baby for Two years. I collapsed on the bed immediately I reached my room. In less than a minute,I fall into a peaceful slumber.

...

"Khair wake up" someone voice echoed in my head. "Wake up" the voice said again and someone was now shaking me. "Hmm what?" I groaned. "Stand up" the person said again.

Maya will never let me sleep in peace. Ever

"If you don't stop shaking me,wallahi I will punch you" I threatened. "Iyeh,this girl you have grown some guts. Before I come back,don't stand up you will see what I will do to you" she said and left me alone.

In two minutes, she returned again and yanked the blanket off me. "Stop pls. Seriously I will slap you" I said trying to open my eyes. I felt a painful sting in my cheek and I opened my eyes when I realized I was slapped. "Stand up Ummul Khair. Its eight o'clock and you haven't even prayed subhi"

Geez,my mum,when did she fly to San Fransisco?

"I'm talking to you and you are looking at me like I have grown two heads. You thought its Maya ko? You forgot you're now back in Nigeria" my mum reminded me.

Oh, I totally forgot

She hissed and walked out of my room. I took my phone and checked the time. It was 8:17am. My eyes widen and I quickly head to the bathroom. I performed ablution and came out to pray.

I went down for breakfast and saw no food on the dinning. I went to the kitchen and prepared my own breakfast and then took it to my room. I entered my dad's room and saw both of them there. I greeted them and proceeded in going outside but I was stopped by my dad.

"Ummul Khair come here" he ordered sternly and my heart started pounding.

Did I do something wrong? Or is it about me waking up late this morning?

I turned back and walked inside the room nervously. I stood in front of them not knowing what to do. "Sit down or are you just going to stand in front of us like a mountain?" My mum said eyeing me.

My mum and eyeing, God, she will never get tired of that.

I sat on the carpet and kept looking at it as if I will paid for it. I waited for them to start talking but they weren't. Are they waiting for me to say something first?

"I'm here" I managed to voice out looking up at him. "I just want to inform you that we are travelling to Kaduna tomorrow so start packing your clothes." He said looking at me also.

Pheew. That was close,wait but why?

"Is there any ceremony happening in Kaduna?" I questioned and I immediately regretted it with the kind of look my mum shot me.

"So we can't visit our family in Kaduna unless there is ceremony ko?what kind of question is that?" My dad said clearly angry. "I...I'm sorry I just...." I started

"Keep quiet and leave this room" he said with a tone of finality. I looked at my mum apologetically and she ignored me. I stood up and took off as quickly as possible.

I'm in soup.

I reached my room and my mum entered shortly after. She started talking about keeping good relationship with your family members. My day went off with my mum preaching me each minute.

What have I gotten myself into?

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