Hayrah.

　　       I sipped my lemonade drink, legs crossed waiting for my husband to get back home from work. He usually comes back before maghrib. I'm used to it, I just sit down at the gazebo with my baby girl and wait for him to come back. "Maami where's daddy?" My four year old girl asked.

　　      "He's on his way baby" I replied. Right on cue the gateman opened the gate  and Jabbar drove in. I let maya hug him first before I hugged him "welcome home baby boo" I smiled and hang his laptop bag on my shoulder. I

　　        We walked hand in hand inside the house. "Daddy where's my ithe qweem

ice cream

you promised you'd buy it for me" maya pouted. He placed her on his laps "daddy was too tired to stop at any ice cream shop, but I promise we'd go buy it as soon as I rest a bit" he said and she squealed.

　　        She stood up and ran out of the room. Finally some alone time with my husband. I moved to where he was sitting down and sat on his laps. I wrapped my hands around his neck "I missed you so much" I whispered. "I missed you more" he whispered back.

　　Knock knock!!

　　        "Who is it?" I asked. "It's me ma'am". I stood up and walked to the door. I opened it to see nana, Maya's nanny. "What is it?" I questioned. "You have a visitor ma" she replied.

　　          "Ok you can go" I ordered and she left. "Just go take a shower, lemme go check who it is" I said to Jabbar putting on my hijab. I went downstairs and met my younger brother Zayd. "Zayd!! Am I dreaming?" I asked looking at him. He hardly comes to my house. "No you're not" he laughed "it's me" he added. Zayd is my eighteen year old brother. He's in level 200 at ABU. Studying civil engineering. He came back recently for holiday.

　　          "How's mama feeling now?" I asked. "She's better"he replied. Mama has heart disease,  the day she was diagnosed with it I was really downcasted. Jabbar always takes care of her medical treatments. He bought a house for us before I married him. I am really grateful for that.

　　         He pays for Zayd's school fees. He made sure we lacked nothing. I can't thank Allah enough for making this kind hearted man my husband . "Where's Ya Jabbar?" Zayd asked. "He'll be down in a sec, he's just taking a shower" I replied. "Ramlat!!!" I called out. "Yes ma" she answered. She came into the living room.

　　        "Bring some refreshments for my brother please" I ordered. "Yes ma" she squatted a little and left. "Did I tell you I was hungry?" He rolled his eyes. "You don't have to tell me that, I know you are" I laughed. "Uncle Zayd!!" Maya yelled and hugged Zayd . "Mayya! how are you?" He asked keeping her beside him.

　　         "My name ith

is

not mayya iths

it's

maya" she pouted. "Zayd stop calling my baby mayya" I warned. "Salamu alaykum" I heard a heart melting voice behind me. "Waalaikumus" we chorused.

　　      "Malam Zayd" he smiled. "Ya Jabbar Ina wuni

good evening

" he greeted. "Lfy lau, ya jikin mama?

Fine, how's mama's health?

" he answered. "Fine Alhamdulillah " Zayd smiled.

　　      We moved to the dinning area and ate before going out. "Daddy are we going to go visit maman kaduna" maya asked. "Yes baby, right after we get your ice cream" he replied and she squealed.

　　       We stopped at havilah and bought some ice cream before dropping Zayd and checking on Mama . Jabbar begged Mama to come live with us but she rejected. She thinks she'll be a disturbance. He hired two maids for Mama. The one to cook and the one to clean the house.

　　        "Maman kaduna" Maya jumped on mama's body. "Ya Subahanallah Maya kina so ki karya nine?

Do you want to break me?

" Mama asked as she placed Maya on her laps. Maya loves calling Mama "Maman kaduna". She exchanged pleasantries with Jabbar . "I hope hayrah isn't giving you any problem" Mama said sending daggers my way. "No Mama she's not" he defended.

　　       "Mama how are you feeling now?" I asked changing the topic. "Naji sauki

I feel better

" she replied smiling. We chatted for a while,Jabbar gave Maama some token and we headed back home.

　　      We arrived home and finally some alone time with my husband. I laid my head down on his chest. We were both engrossed in our thoughts. "Maya needs a baby brother or sister you know" he spoke softly. I bit my lips and opened my eyes. "I know" I murmured.

　　        "And you know sooner or later Maya will be asking for a younger baby right?" He asked holding my hand. I breathe in and out "yes Hun, I know all that" I replied. "Are you sure you're even ready for another baby. I mean you suffered a lot when you were pregnant with Maya.

　　      I remember those days when I was pregnant, Maya really made me suffer from all the abdominal pain, the morning sickness , throwing up all the time, I used to eat like an elephant. I was really huge back then. "Let's leave this talk for another day please" I said smiling."Okay, if you say so" he muttered.

　　••••

　　     "Promise me you'll come back early today" I said holding Jabbar's briefcase. "I promise, now can I have my briefcase, I'm already late" he glanced at his wrist watch. I handed the briefcase to him "drive safe please" I kissed his cheek. I went back in and finally, I'm alone.

　　       Maya is at school. Now I can watch TV before she comes back. I turned on the TV and changed the channel to MTV base, ridiculousness was on. I Was enjoying my show when someone barged in. I turned to see Aleesa and Aleena. The twins, Jabbar's sisters.

　　       "Hey!!" Someone snapped a finger at me which I probably know is Aleena. They are just so Identical. While Aleena is a little bit Chubby and has a round face. Aleesa is Chubby too but not as chubby as Aleena is.

　　       "Hey, are you deaf? Don't you know how to talk?" Aleesa glared at me. "Sorry, please sit" I smiled warmly. "You don't need to tell us what to do" Aleena hissed. She went into the kitchen and came back with two can drinks giving one to Aleesa .

　　      Aleena took the remote control and changed the channel. Wow! And I can't do anything about it. "Aren't you guys supposed to be in school?" I asked giving them a confused look. "Aren't you supposed to be packing your stuff and leaving" Aleesa hissed and glared at me.  

　　      "Mid semester break dumbo," Aleena groaned, going through her phone. I had no time for their shenanigans. I quietly rose to my feet and went to my room. 

　　         I opened my side drawer and bought out our family album. The first picture I saw was of my dad holding me in his arms when I was a baby. I flipped to the next page it was a picture of me when I was six, my Mum , Zayd and my Dad. He was holding Zayd in his arms. I sniffed and blinked back the tears that were threatening to fall. I flipped to the next page, my favorite picture. It was a picture of me and my dad, I was on his neck all happy. I'll never forget that day, we went to the zoo in Kano, just me, zayd, my mom and dad.

　　        I used to be a daddy's girl. Well that's what everyone calls me, "daddy's girl". I'm always with my dad. When ever he's not around I feel like a part of me died. He is my hero. He always protects me from any harm. He always read bedtime stories for me and zayd. We were a little happy family.

　　       The day he died of brain tumor, that bitter heart breaking day. That day mama and I got admitted to the hospital. Mama was diagnosed with heart disease. We suffered a lot when he died. It took me 5 years to accept the fact that he is never coming back.