CHAPTER 3: MOTHER’s KINDNESS

"Ihsan " He mumbled with a sigh.

"Let me go and greet her." I replied with the same tone, reaching for the door.

"Wait. One more thing, She came with my sisters." I felt my legs turn to jelly. I was going to faint. For a second I heard my heart beat in my ears.

"Surrayyah?" I really hope it's surrayyah. Oh God please let it be her.

"No, Basma and Yusrah." I felt a lump in my throat, lump? Nahh, Anger I had reached my limit one word and I swear I would snap. Basma is the last born she is 17 and in university but she has no respect no regards and lacks both home training and manners. Yushrah was my age mate but two months older than I am.

She was meant to marry someone three years ago, But He later found out her true colours and decided not to go ahead with the marriage. She has been home with her mother and is also her care taker.

How ever she also doesn't like me they both don't like me for no good reason. But surrayyah. Abdullah's elder sister. She atleast has a very deep regard for me as well as his elder brother Khalifa.

Maybe its because they were both older and more matured at the time i got married to Abdullah so there mother couldn't feed there minds to hate me.

I just realised i had my jaw dropped with my eyes opened looking dead in the face whilst he Stood there gawking "What!" My tone came out so sharp it could slice up an apple. I think. He knew what he did to me wasn't right you could tell from how his body language changed

"I swear i thought it was Only Yushrah that was coming as well." You thought?

"But Basma is meant to be in school. Right?." I point out. He looks unsure.

"She left the hostel to stay with Umma but she would also go back soon."

"Why didn't you tell her to stay back in the hostel. It's not like the school is far." He looked me in the eye. I hate fighting with Abdullah

"She's only here to see her mum. You would have done the same". I ruffly smiled. "So you're now siding your family." His brows knotted. "I'm just trying to explain to you that she isn't staying for long. Why is Basma a burden sef. Its not like she has ever done something to you."

"Wow." I mumbled under my breath. I felt Abdullah come closer to my ear. "I'm sorry." He whispered his breath fanning my ear. "What were you looking for." I asked him and he showed me his hand and i see his Cufflinks.

We walked downstairs dropping the topic, He tried to hold my hand as we walked down but I avoided that. I really didn't want him touching me right now.

"Wow, Nana you have become prettier from the last time i saw you, You are now getting Daddy's looks" I heard Yushrah's voice talking to Nana who smiled after receiving compliments from her 'aunty', even though everyone knows Nana looks just like me but let me just ignore that.

"Umma did you bring the crayons " She asked looking at the huge bag her grandmother got, So much for hearing she was spending just three weeks.

"Ah, How could I forget, C'mon Basma pass me my hand bag." Basma stood from her seat to the Red hand bag by her left, she checked and pulled out the big pack of crayons with a rainbow on it I looked like the one i saw in the store the other day.

Nana jumped from her grandmothers thighs to grab hold of her crayons. She examined it with a full grin.

"Mommyy" She rang to my side holding the box with so much care like it was and egg that could break any second if not held carefully. "Umma got the one's we saw at the store." She stood in front of me starring at her crayons "Ay, That's good you should thank Umma."

"Oh" she quickly ran back "Thank you Umma Thank you." Nana reached for her cheek and kissed her softly. She is always so sweet

"Umma how was your Trip." I asked. All 6 pair's of eye's now looked my way . Zawj made his way to seat close to there last born Basma. And I sat on the sofa backing the kitchen door.

"Good afternoon UmmNana." Basma greeted bending alittle which is a sign of respect in the Hausa land. Yushrah greeted as well with a smile.

"It was good UmmNana."

Well that's a first. This marks the first time she called me UmmNana it was always Ihsan!.

I opened my mouth to talk when Abdullah spoke from accross the room. "Well. Umma I have to rush back to the office." I looked at Abdullah who was checking his wristwatch. He didn't tell me he was going to work. "Well. Yusrah, Basma I will be back soon, kun ji."

(Kun ji do you understand.)

I was sending draggers waiting for him to turn and face me and see the bewildered look on my face. He wants to leave me with three women who lowkey hate me. What am i saying highkey hate me, He might just come back to meet my corpse with a knife in my eye. He finally turned and gave me a quick smile. He stood up walking to the foyer for his car keys.

"Ihsan?" He called.

I don't think I have ever been this happy Hearing Abdullah call for me. I strolled to his position whilst everyone paid attention to Nana who was drawing a lion Red. "Zawj you didn't tell me you were going to work." I whispered." I just received an email when I sat down. I have a meeting with some managements."

My frown deepened this cannot be happening not to me, not Today!

"Hm..Good luck." I made sure my irritation come out in my voice.

"Wait, Are you angry?" I turned not giving him another glance before turning towards the cream retroe square armed sofas Ignoring him.

Of course he knew i was angry not only did I not know she was coming she came with her evil daughters but then he leaves me alone with her. He paused for some seconds before walking out picking his keys.

"What would you like to drink." I asked them from my seating position. All eyes where still on Nana so i guess they didn't hear me I opened my mouth to speck again.

"Help me with The bags to my room eh' while we decide what to drink." they couldn't even wait for Abdullah to completely leave through the gates. I looked up to the bags there where three boxes and two small ones. Yusarah and Basma all looked away and I realised she was talking to me.

"Em okay, No problem, Zawj- i mean Abdullah suggested you sleep in the guest room downstairs so you would be close to the kitchen incase you need som-"

"Basma. Remind me what Aunty sadiya said on the phone I can't recall was it red lace or blue." She backed me. And I swear I saw a smile creep on the corner of Basma's lip to that action. I picked up two boxes i wonder what a woman staying for three weeks would do with large boxes like this. I picked up the two on each hand pulling the tires on the tiles "Basma can you please help me with the third." I asked nicely. With a smile even.

"Yeah, Sure i will." You know sometimes basma can be nice but sometimes especially when her mother is around she is never nice but today she is surprisingly.

Dropping the box beside the room i examined the room. Every thing was well kept the bed had on a green bedsheet for her. The lights where working. Well everything seems to be in place the door swung open and i see Basma by the door and Yusrah behind her with there mother's hand bag. "Salam." She mumbles, Yushrah walked in as well holding the two small bags in her hands. "Waaslaikumsalam." I answered her I tired not to smile. You know they say if you smile too much well just smile but not too much. She giggled a little which caught me off guard.

"Some people when you come to there house they now stop smiling at you because they think they are above you." Basma informed Yushrah talking in a low voice but i still over heard.

They dropped the bags and stepped out after Yushrah smiled at the joke.

I stood there for minitues still shocked by what she said, I finally realised i was standing too long and my feet were hurting. I walked out and found them giggling with there mother. I avoided them making my way upstairs. I have decided to take care of my mental health and i was not going to let them ruin the good streak i have kept.