As much Khadijah would've liked to say he has changed, she couldn't, if anything he was dumber than before, though one good thing was he tried to not look at her like an abomination, he made it subtle but there was still caution in his eyes which annoyed her, she hoped it would scare him but he was persistent on having the damned ‘conversation’ she wasn't interested in.

The only thing he kept saying was ‘Wow, it's great that you're now a big woman’ then he would laugh, she has never heard a more disturbing sound.

After a seemingly never ending hour, hajiya Ladidi and hajiya Zainab finally returned, it took all her will power to not scream in joy, they saved her from the torture of having to keep listening to him rant pointlessly.

This time, she smiled happily when they announced their departure, she couldn't hide her happiness, if they noticed they didn't talk.

After they escorted them to the gate, Hajiya Ladidi made sure she gave them space to say their goodbyes appropriately, Khadijah didn't mind much since he was leaving.

“So, we'll talk right?” she hated how he's always asking things but nodded either ways.
“I'll be back in a week more or less, I'm hoping we can meet outside, go on a date or something like that,” he looked up at her, she didn't bother replying, maybe he didn't get the message, “Good bye, take care of yourself.” now she smiled and said finally in her mind.

She stood beside her mother and watched as he got in the car and reversed, they waved one last time before going back inside.

“Masha Allah everything went well.” hajiya Ladidi expressed her joy, not wanting to dampen her mother's mood, Khadijah agreed.

“Yes, Alhamdulillah.” sha started clearing the table while hajiya Ladidi picked the remote, her favorite Hausa show was starting, Khadijah did the dishes then went back to her room to make calls.

She picked her purse and car keys still on the phone, she told her mother she was going to visit Sadiya and was about leaving when she stopped her.

“Take samosa to her, I know she'll like it and the kids too.” she nodded and made way to the kitchen, after packaging the snacks, she picked the bowl and left, picking one for herself and eating on the way, she kept the phone in her bag and closed it, saying a final goodbye to her mother, she left, mentally thanking her father for taking her car outside, even though she didn't block him, it was a little routine he does for her since he knows how much she hates reversing.

“Layla for the millionth time please pick up, I'm worried about you.” she finished with a sigh, she has called multiple times but the phone was off, sending her to voicemail, she gave up and turned the ignition.

“Aunty dee” Hanan squealed jumping, she is always full of energy.

Khadijah smiled and hugged her over active niece, the living room was chaotic, things were strewn around, Sadiya who now has a huge bump was directing the workers on what to do.

Khadijah walked to her sister and hugged her, they exchanged pleasantries before she dragged her up the stairs to the small living room, she wanted to change the setting of the main sitting room before she gave birth which was more or less two months away.

“The house looks like I left Hanan and Junior in charge,” she laughed sitting beside Basma who was fast asleep, she ruffled her hair making the small girl move more in her touch. “How was it?”

“Fine I guess, he's so annoying, I don't even want to talk about that, how is your health?” Sadiya answered with a fine and a shrug, it's always like that for her till she gives birth.

“So, about Layla's birthday, I something to be busy with if not this work will run me mad, what are you planning?” Khadijah sighed before telling her Layla wasn't feeling good and the last thing on her mind would be to celebrate, though she's still going ahead with the planning because she needed to let loose.

“Subhanallah, what do you think happened?” Sadiya exclaimed, she knows Layla is complex, heck everyone that knows her will know that, but she's one of the nicest and loving people she has met in her life.

“I don't know, I need to talk to her that's why I'm going there from here, her cousin wants me to help him help her, I just know she'll be happy with having to eat at the restaurant but she'll never really be fine until she opens up, I want to make her understand that.” Khadijah finished with a soft sigh.

Sadiya nodded In understanding, she knows how close the two are “Insha Allah, everything will fall into place.” she smiled comfortingly at her sister who seemed distressed, she had frown lines on her forehead, “Stop squeezing your face, you'll have wrinkles and you'll look older than me” she joked lifting the solemn mood.

“Where's junior?” she asked after her favorite nephew, he's her favorite not only because he's named after their father, she conncets with him on a level even she didn't know.

“They went out with his father, they were arguing about something with Hanan and disturbing my peace so I sent one away.” Khadijah laughed at that, They are a handful those two.

“I really hope it's twins this time, I really want to call you maman ÿan biyu”(mother of twins) Khadijah teased after a few minutes of silence.

Sadiya's eyes widened comically, she hated twins, they were too much work and just so complicated, her best friend's in secondary were twins and they made her rethink ever wanting twins “Wallahi ba Ameen ba” (By Allah not Ameen) this made Khadijah double over with laughter, she once told her that her fear of twins will make her have them but she didn't belive that, besides what you believe will defirnuly happen to you, she stood firm on that belief.

“I'm just saying yaya, I think ya Abdul will be really happy about it.” she continued laughing, she enjoyed the horrific look on Her sister's face.

“Don't you have to go and see Layla?” this made her laugh more, the mere thought of twins terrifies Sadiya.

“Yeah I should get going, umma sent samosas over, I snagged a couple of cupcakes for you cos I know you love it,” she smiled broadly “And, when I do get umma to bake chocolate cake for Layla, I'll bring it over.” Sadiya hugged to her bosom.

“You know I love you right.” khadijah made show of flipping invisible hair with a smug grin.

“I should actually get going, I want to be home before maghrib.” Sadiya nodded and they made their way downstairs together, Hanan wasn't there meaning she went back to her room, to paint most probabaly.

“Greet ya Abdul for me and tell junior I'll come specially to take him out.”

Khadijah turned the corner to the Aliero house and honked, the gate was opened immediately, she knew it was because they knew the car, the formalities before entering is a headache and she thanked God for not having to go through that.

She smiled appreciatingly at Mannir, he's always nice. She parked at Layla's usual parking spot because it's easier when she was leaving and walked the few steps to the front door, before she could knock a widely smiling Abba opened it.

“Good afternoon beautiful.” his smile grew impossibly wider making him look constipated, she returned his smile politely and asked where Layla was, “I'll show you to her.” he bent his elbow for her to put her hands, he still had that smile on his face while she stood there with a questioning look, “Let's go” he shook the hand almost impatiently, she sighed and put her arms in his, she could swear she heard him let out an excited sound.

“So, are you free this weekend?” he turned to look at her, she was stunned to silence and thanked heavens when a voice answered for her.

“Muhammad Abba Aliero don't let me see your face right now,” Waleedah's voice sounded stern.

Abba groaned annoyed at his elder sister “I'll call you.” he whispered before sauntering off, Khadijah stared at him in shock.

“Don't mind him, he's sick in the head but what can we say, Layla is his idol,” she stood beside Khadijah near the first floor and smiled widely, Khadijah refrained from asking why they were all smiling, “How are you? Layla is probably sleeping, I haven't seen her come out of her room today but I'll take you there, the door is hopefully open.”

The Aliero's, Khadijah knew were many things and chatty was at the forefront, it doesn't matter if you replied, that's entirely your choice but they will talk, so she nodded and kept walking, though she knew where Layla's room was.

She asked where Mamie was, “I don't really know but she'll probabaly be back soon.” they walked in silence, Waleedah stood outside Layla's door then turned to Khadijah who's eyes were already on her, her gaze lingered in her eyes before she nodded towards the door, “Just go in, or wait-” she tried to turn the knob but it didn't open, she let out a silent groan and knocked.

“Go away!” Layla's muffled voice sounded from the otherside of the door.

“Someone is here too see you.” it was quiet for a few seconds then they heard a click, she opened the door only wide enough for them to see it was dark in.

“Dee?! Come in.” her voice sounded hoarse from lack of use, Khadijah smiled appreciatingly at Waleedah then nodded to Layla and disappeared behind the door, Layla locked it back shut almost immediately.

“You look terrible!” Khadijah deadpanned, Layla only sighed and nodded, she switched on the bedside lamp and immediately squinted, she's been sitting in the dark and the light hurts her eyes.

“Gee, thanks” she muttered sarcastically sitting cross legged on the bed.

“You're welcome.” Khadijah made a popping sound after that, she turned to her friend who had on an oversized hoodie with shorts, her hair was mounted on top of her head making it look like an unfortunate tattered nest, even with the dim light, Khadijah could make out her swollen eyes.

“Did you sleep last night?” she received a groan as an answer which meant no, “Why didn't you?” her voice was soft this time.

“Insomnia.” it wasn't new, Layla always had trouble sleeping but she knew the lack of sleep wasn't just that, though she didn't voice it.

“Your phone?” she asked instead.

“Dead” she nodded her eyes on the small table at the other end of the room, a laptop was on it and stray pencils, Layla followed her gaze before sighing “I know you want to talk,” she moved so she was laying on her back.

“I want you to talk,” She turned to look at Layla's face “I have so many questions but I don't even know where to start, just tell me, let it out, you know I'm here for you.”

Layla nodded and swallowed still not making an effort to talk, Khadijah patted her hands in a comforting gesture.

“Not now, when you feel like it”

“From where?”

“Anywhere you feel like.” she inhaled and sat up, resting her head on the headboard “You know with the dim light and all, this seems romantic.” Khadijah let out a loud laugh and Layla followed suit, sad or not, Layla will always be Layla.

After they sobered up, Layla closed her eyes and opened it, like she was battling with herself “Jawad is getting is married!” she stated simply, her breathing wavered a bit, it still sounded strange to say it, but who was she kidding, he wasn't going to stay single forever groveling for her.

Khadijah nodded in understanding, from what she's gathered, he's not only her cousin or childhood friend.

“And I know it's sort of selfish but, why?-” she looked almost hopeless it made Khadijah frown, “-All my life he's been the only constant you know, I know I have people but we are related and he, he could easily pretend I don't exist, he is always there for me, even when I'm being a total bitch, you won't believe how many times I told him to leave me the hell alone, and now that it's actually happening, I don't know what I'm supposed to do or feel.” she finished with a heavy heart, her voice didn't quaver nor did she feel tears, she was convinced she'd cried herself dry, but she knew, it was a coping mechanism, it wouldn't hurt if she pretends she doesn't care.

“Talk to him.”

“I can't!” she said exasperated “It would be selfish of me, he deserves better, I'm too-” she let out a breath “-Im too broken for him, he needs normalcy and that's the last thing he'll get from me, I don't have peace” she turned indicating the conversation was over, Khadijah got it and changed the topic to Abba and his courage.

“It's because Hamma Asad isn't around, he's scared of him shitless.” they laughed, Asad can be intimidating.

“He doesn't look scary to me, I mean your brothers are all tall but not scary, maybe that's just me though” Layla nodded in agreement.

“They are weirdly tall, they should've just been basketballers instead of their career choices,” she laughed at the imagine of any of her brothers with a jersey, that's something she didn't want to see, other girls might find it nice but she, utterly disgusting.

She snapped her fingers like she remembered a very important thing “Though if there's one person I can actually say might intimidate me, it's hamma Shaheed, the guy has no chill”

Khadijah squinted picturing him, sure he was always aloof and frowning, but there's something about the Aliero's and kind faces. “Maybe, he just looks like he doesn't like people at least two meters close to him.” they laughed at that too, it is true.

After stating the characteristics of her other brothers, Layla felt relieved at the laugh, not only because it made forget her worries, she was happy Khadijah too seemed to be having fun.

“Ugh, I should get going.” Khadijah stated looking at the time, it was to six and she wanted to be home by maghrib.

Layla felt drained but masked it up with a smile, “Alright, let me throw on an abaya and walk you to your car”

“Oh shut up and sit, You should go take a shower” she pointed to the bathroom door.

With an exaggerated gasp, Layla who was standing by the bed placed both hands on her waist “Are you saying I smell bad?”

Khadijah laughed then shook her head “Don't put words in my mouth, your eyes are swollen and you need a hot shower, a very hot one, to relax your muscles, I can hear them making sounds like Baba gateman's old bike.” Layla's eyes widened, the worst thing you could compare anything in this world to is their secondary school's security man's bike, it was basically rusting metals.

“I feel very insulted” she made show of wiping tears.

“I'll see myself out, try and sleep tonight okay” she nodded, Khadijah walked up to her and pecked her cheeks teasingly then tapped it, they laughed at Awrah's signature greeting.

They said their goodbyes again and after making Layla promise to charge her phone and call, Khadijah walked out, not forgetting to close to the door behind her, even if it was for a few hours, she felt relieved to have cheered her up.

She was almost at the door of her car when a voice stopped her.

“Dee, if I didn't know better I would've said you liked coming out in hopes to see me.” Fahad smiled widely at her, waving his hand that held his phone.

She greeted him politely to which he answered happily, asking how everyone she's ever talked to in her life was, he didn't literally ask that but she felt like it.

“Random question, Between mocha and umber which do you think will look better on a dress?” he listened to something on his phone then added “And the shoe to go with?”

Khadijah looked up at him questioningly.

“It's for my sister, she won't leave me until I tell her.” he added, saying the last part more to the person on the phone rather than her.

“Umber if she's light skinned, a light colored veil and shoes to match.” she replied after thinking about it, he nodded appreciatingly then relayed the message, she didn't pay attention to what he said after that but she heard him groan then tell the person to not blow up his ear drums. He pocketed his phone and rubbed his hands together.

“So besides wanting to see my handsome face, what brought you by?” he had a smile on his face, she couldn't tell if he was joking or serious.

Ignoring the first comment, she replied rather in a duh tone that she checked up on Layla, he repeated the name thrice as if trying to recall if he's ever head of the person.

“Oh, shorty, how is she?” he didn't give her a chance to answer, though she wasn't going to and she felt he knew that,  he continued “About her, I might've known her since she was born but I never seem to know what she likes, I think I do but I apparently don't,” he said that part to himself but she heard “So, besides You and food, what other thing does she like in this world?”

Khadijah turned to him like he grew two heads but only shook her head, what does Layla like? Everything, she isn't picky.

“Yeah, much things, her birthday is coming up, you know right? Of course you do,” he nodded like he solved the world's biggest mystery before continuing, yet again “With what's happening and her childhood love probabaly getting hitched,” she didn't miss the slight change of tone when he said that “I wanted to do something for her birthday, have her distracted of some sort, do you have anything in mind?”

She refrained from screaming yes finally and nodded, “I wanted to reserve favorite restaurant here and have a few people she likes invited for dinner, I know she won't like a bunch of people she doesn't know at her birthday, so just a few friends, have her favourite food and favourite songs played, it should just be Layla”

“That's a good idea, except Layla? People will run” he joked which earned him a half smile. “Her favorite restaurant, isn't that in Abuja?” he asked no one in particular, she told him another branch was opening in kaduna and he nodded. “Okay, anything you need help with?”

She replied no before immediately nodding.

“The reservation, I talked with the restaurant but they still haven't gotten back to me, it might be hard to have it there but I believe we can just order the food and find another location, since their opening is a day after, it'll be almost impossible to have them agree to open a night before.” she realised that was the longest she's ever spoken to him or any person at once throughout the week, the longest she went was two sentences.

“Don't worry about that, I'll call you after everything is set up” she nodded and pressed the button to unlock the car, he unexpectedly opened the door for her, she almost jumped out of her skin while he looked like it was something completely normal for him, when she sat he closed the door and said good night, she saw him standing while she turned and made way to the gate.

Hey Asslamu alaikum, hope you're all fine?

So it's late Ole me again, but if you've read the message on my board you'll know why, sorry for the late update, no very very late update.

This heat ba, I don't even have energy for long talk, just please vote comment and share, I'm literally pleading, the comments in the last chapter were downnnn, like down, please vote and comment.

I need air

Amyrah