Ramadan is coming,  buckle up guys and do a gazillion acts of ibadah in this blessed month. May Allah spare our lives to witness Ramadan and the night of majesty. Ameen.

HML Chingu.  May yours be among the very best and peaceful ones.

♡♡♡

Rufaidah spent two weeks bonding with her cousins, visiting and getting to know her extended family including her maternal relatives.  She took her Islamic studies seriously and even get to know that the inability to understand things at a normal speed might be as a result of the injury she sustained in her head because of the accident. She was moved when Zubaidah told her she is the reason why she want to become a brain surgeon.  She smiles a little bit more, visit Faridah who is still in coma everyday and even get to start drafting her first book in her Macbook.

Uncle Jibrin told her that he is making some arrangements to send her off to somewhere as she requested and that he will get back to her as soon as everything is settled. She bought a new wardrobe of decent clothes and even bought trads to be sewn for her by Zubaidah's tailor whom she vouched for as the best.

"I think I am ready to go home today" she said, donning on her Abayah after taking a long shower. 

"Haba mana, it's too soon,  please stay a little longer" Zubaidah whined,  puckering her lips in a cute pout.

Rufaidah laughed at her childishness " I can't hide here forever,  besides I need to mend things with the maids at home and I miss the comfort and privacy of my room and I want to sort everything out" she explained.

"If it's privacy you want, you can have Ya Hanan's old room all to yourself and I promise to not even come in unless you ask me to. Just stay okay?" She batted her eye like she's going to cry.

"Zubaidah, Zubaidah, Zubaidah yar autan Hajiya,  save your last born card because it won't work on me" Rufaidah smirked, ruffling Zubaidah's loose hair which she helped her wash earlier in the morning because it stinks which offended Zubaidah even though she knew it's true.  They argue endlessly on when last Zubaidah washed her hair to which she can't remember but defend herself by saying that Rufaidah is a freaky neat freak, the queen of freakies to be precise so even if she hasn't wash her hair for just a week she will still claim that it stinks.

"I promise to be coming often and besides, you're on break, you can come along to keep me entertained and less broody" she offered, winking at her.

"I hope Hajiya won't say no!" She squealed excitedly jumping up and down leaving Rufaidah with a slacked mouth not believing that a simple invitation will make her sweet cousin this happy. 

"I have never been to your new house but Yaya Hafeez always tell me that it will be the most beautiful house I've ever set my eyes on in this country" she babbled,  fishing out clothes from her closet throwing them into a medium sized box.

"He over exaggerated and maybe he's just fooling around as always but trust me, this house has a more homey feeling to it than ours will ever have. It's huge and beautiful but it has no soul, there's nothing apart from the luxury and comfort that will make you want to go back after you left" she shrugged with a sad smile before kneeling down to arrange Zubaidah's box.

"There's no point in doing this you know that right? " Zubaidah asked arms akimbo in awe of her cousin. Some things truly never change especially her knack for perfection,  for everything to be organised. Yet, her life is nothing but chaotic and that must be hard for her to adjust to.

Hajiya and Uncle Jibrin said yes to Zubaidah's request and the girls couldn't be happier.  They made all the arrangements and waited for their brothers to drive them home. Rufaidah sent a quick text to mommy telling her that she's coming back with a guest.

The house is eerily quite as they entered which isn't unusual to Rufaidah.  They made themselves comfortable at the main living room while Yaya shams went up to call mommy and Rufaidah to her room, to check if everything is as she left it before she will allow Zubaidah to come in.

Shams met his mother in her parlour watching a tv drama. He greeted her and told her that they have visitors waiting downstairs.  Hafeez is a regular visitor to the house but they never meet because he always go directly to the boys quarters totally avoiding the main building. As she descends the stairs,  Hajiya Aisha's heart beat escalated.  Though she miss her daughter and wanted to see her, she is dreading having to confront her.

Upon seeing their aunt,  Hafeez and Zubaidah slid down on the rug to greet mommy who scrunched her face in disappointment.

"Lafiya kalau,  who are you? " she asked,  showing no sign of recognition.

Rufaidah was descending the stairs when she heard her mother's reply,  the old her wouldn't care but the new her did and as much as she want to act polite towards her mother she can't let her treat the people who love her enough to tell her the truth haughtily.

"They are my cousins,  the son and daughter of uncle Jibrin whom you didn't hesitate to cut ties with.  She's Zubaidah and he's yaya Hafeez" she spats,  ignoring the trio who are silently begging her to keep calm and rein in her anger.

"Rufaidah!  You're back! !!" Mommy happily exclaimed forgetting Rufaidah's outburst.

"Yes I am, good afternoon mother" she replied and turning to Zubaidah she said " the coast is clear zuby,  you can come in"

Zubaidah followed suit mouth agape at the enermosity of the house and the aesthetic.

"This is heaven on earth" she said in trance.  Rufaidah nodded in amusement because the way Zubaidah is acting one might think she's coming from a village.

"Close your mouth before flies enter"

"Please allow me to do and say whatever I want.  I am a guest in this house and I have every right to gape at everything" Zubaidah retorted giving Rufaidah a don't you dare kind of look.

"Hey! Don't forget that I'm older by three months.  Show some respect to your senior sis here"

"Elder sister my foot" Zubaidah replied with a smirk as they round the corner to Rufaidah's room.

"You have to give me a tour before we settle" Zubaidah started to complain when her eyes come into view at the yet another straight out of a fairytale very spacious room "woah! Don't tell me this is your room?" She asked rhetorically because she saw their bags lying neatly beside the queen sized bed.

Rufaidah is starting to get riled up by the way Zubaidah is acting but she didn't show her, she obliged her request and gave her a tour to the whole house. Meanwhile,  yaya Shams and Hafeez are still in the living room with mommy discussing about only Allah knows what.

♡♡♡

Uncle Jibrin and Hajiya set out early morning the next day after Rufaidah left with Zubaidah to the given address uncle Jibrin tried so hard to get of an obscure village 5hrs away from the city. 

"What if she's not there? " Hajiya asked her husband.

"In shaa Allah she is, even if she isn't we will get a tail since her husband is from there" he assured her.

They travel mostly in silence each regretting the injustice meted out on the said woman they are going to visit and hoping that she's still alive and can forgive them for she has been wronged in ways more than one.

They reached the said village around noon and the driver started asking for direction to Malam Ibrahim's house.

"Kai! He has been late for so many years but his wife and children are still alive.  I can tell you the direction or follow you there" the stained tooth middle aged man offered.  The house isn't far away but he wanted to know what brought rich people to Malam Ibrahim's house in the biggest car he has ever seen in his entire life.

They reached the front door of the house which looks like it will fall off at any moment and they entered with a Salam.  Uncle Jibrin's heart is boiling with rage at himself and their late parents who did this to his baby sister.

"Assalamu Alaikum" Hajiya hollered, seeing that there's no one at the neatly swept sandy compound which housed a small cooking area by the side and a small basket containing kitchen utensils.  The house screams poverty but it's neat.

"Wa'alaikissalam, who is it? The kids have gone on an errand and I can't walk please come in" a frail tired voice called out from one of the two rooms in the house.

Hajiya Samira slowly walked towards the room, praying that the person who just said she can't walk isn't her beautiful, so full of life sister in law.  Her fears were confirmed when she entered the faintly stinking room where Nafisah lay in a bed made with hay, a shabby blanket covering her swollen legs.

"Nafisah what happened to you? " Hajiya sobbed out,  letting go of the little control she has over her emotions.

Nafisah can't remember the last time someone call her by her name after her husband died, she squint her eyes taking a closer look at Hajiya Samira.

"It is Samira Nafisah,  your brother's wife" Hajiya introduced herself walking deeper into the room to hug her.

"No! You can't be her, I only see my family in dreams,  this can't be real" Nafisah said, shaking her head in disbelief that the day she has been waiting for all her life has come.

Uncle Jibrin and the rumour monger can hear everything from where they stand and he's getting impatient to see his sister so he gave the man a crisp new thousand naira note and dismissed him before running into the house.

He barged in with a Salam but froze in his steps after seeing his sister.  She looks worn out and very sick,  she doesn't look like the person he grew up with.

"Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun!  What have we done to you Nafisah?  Can you ever forgive me?" He wanted to hug her yet he is scared she is repulsed by his presence.

"Yaya" she choked,  opening her arms wide for him to hug her. He did so without a second thought and they cried their eyes out for a long while.

"Hajarah will be back soon,  she went to a nearby town to write WAEC,  your name sake Jibrin and Amatu went to the market to sell some goods. They will be back soon in shaa Allah" she said,  clutching her brother's hand like he's a mirage and he will soon dissappear.

"What happened to you? "

Nafisah narrated her ordeal to her brother,  she told him how she didn't regret marrying her late husband but regret letting them cut ties with her because of him. She told them about his family and how they treat her and her kids and how ever since they have been struggling to survive.

"Hajarah is the breadwinner of the family,  she cooks, go to school,  hawk and hustle to keep us alive.  She is a very intelligent young lady and she reminds me of yaya sa'ad. The other two aren't opportuned to go to school so they help around when she's away" she added,  wiping her bloated face.

"I'm really sorry sis. I don't even know where to start apologising from but billahi you're always on my mind,  I think about you every day and wonder how you're doing. I couldn't come because I took a vow to our father but Rufaidah made me realise that this life is too short and blood relations aren't easily cut off.  I am sorry NafNaf forgive your brother please"

They keep updating each other on their lives until she gets to know that their parents have passed away.

"Innalillahi wa inna ilaihi rajiun! May Allah's rahama be with them and forgive their sins. Why didn't you tell me? I've wasted so many years resenting them for what they did to me not knowing that they are no longer in this world.  Allah ya jikansu ya gafarta musu" Nafisah sobbed.

Just then two voices said the salam from outside telling their mother that a huge beautiful car is parked outside the house.

"Ummi you need to see the car,  it looks expensive and cool too. In shaa Allah when yaya Hajar gets rich she is going to buy the exact same type for you" Amatu rambled,  ambling towards the room.  She was surprised to see foreign faces in their house and a man sitting beside her mother.

"Good afternoon" she knelt down and respectfully greet uncle Jibrin and Hajiya Samira. 

"Good afternoon my dear how are you? " they chorused in answer,  each eager to engage in a conversation with her.

"Ummi tell Amatu to come out right this instance,  she slept throughout our stay at the market and today is her turn to make lunch.  Yaya Hajar will be back late and tired" Jibrin complained from the shed they use as kitchen oblivious of the strangers in his mother's room.

Hajiya remembered that they have packed food before coming lying in the trunk of the car.

"Come inside" she called out.

Upon seeing strangers,  he did the same thing his sister did by greeting them in a friendly yet curious manner.

"Come here my name sake, let me take a very good look at you" Uncle Jibrin motioned for him to come and sit beside him. Introductions were made and the kids show immense joy. Amatu even begged her mother to let her go to the city with them.

"Don't worry, we are all going back there together in shaa Allah" Uncle Jibrin said and Jibrin was sent to bring the food warmers inside.  The way the kids devour the food like they have never eaten in their lives brought tears to uncle Jibrin's eyes.

"Why didn't you come back?  Why didn't you seek for our help? " he asked the question nagging him.

"You cut all ties with me yaya, I can't go back,  it will break me more if you reject me again and I promised my husband to not go back until you come looking for me" she replied.

Uncle Jibrin went out and made a call to his doctor telling him to get the best medical team ready to take care of his sister and to expect him in a day or two.

They talk about everything and nothing and he told her to start packing.

"I can't leave Hajarah here, she has just started her exams and has a long way to go before she is done" Nafisah protested,  furiously shaking her head.

"That will be taken care of but you really need medical attention ASAP" he reasoned, urging his wife to help him convince his sister.

"I'm sure Hajarah will be happy to let you go so that you will get the long overdue medical care you need.  She's not going to be here by herself,  Rufaidah will come and keep her company" Hajiya added.

"What about yaya Sa'ad will he be okay with this? " she asked.

"He's not even around to protest" he assured her. Hajiya Samira helped out the kids to make dinner all the while admiring how well Nafisah single handedly raised them so well without much education but they are doing just fine.

♡♡♡

Hajarah is a splitting image of Rufaidah, you can call them identical twins and no one will doubt you for a second.  She was shocked to see strangers at their house and surprised that they are gawking at her neat yet shabby and undersized school uniform she has been wearing for years. Not knowing that they are marvelling at the stark resemblance she has with her cousin.

After greeting them and asking her mother about her health,  she handed her mother a pain relieving drug saying it's the only one she can afford.

"I'm famished ummi" she complained.

"Hope you served the guests something? " she directed the question at her siblings.  Jibrin nodded in the affirmative while Amatu the talkative one replied with " They gave us a delicious food yaya Hajar, you will forget everything the moment the exotic aroma reach your nostrils and they are ummi's brother and his wife.  They are taking ummi and us to the city. Uncle said he will enroll us in school,  aunty promised to buy us new clothes" she rambled.

Hajarah whirled around to look her mother in the eye "ummi is that true?  What are you waiting for?  You guys should hurry and go before more damage is done to your legs" she bowed down in sujudul shukr "thank you so much for coming at the time we needed you most, I am not even mad that it took you so long but ummi has faith in you, she always tell me that you'll come for us. Alhamdulillah" she rambled excitedly taking out an old ghana bag to stuff their clothes in it.

"Don't bother yourself,  we are going to buy all of you a new wardrobe and get you out of here after your exams but you need to follow us to the city for now because it's not safe to leave you alone" uncle Jibrin explained.

"I am sorry but I can't, I have another exams tomorrow but I can stay with a friend at her house before you come back.  I will be fine.  I just want my ummi taken care of at any costs" she said with conviction lacing her tone.

After much deliberation it was decided that Hajarah should stay at her friend's house,  uncle Jibrin saw to that personally and handed her a bunch of naira notes to take care of herself.

"I will bring your cousins to keep you company in shaa Allah" he promised before they drove off. Hajarah is too happy to even shed a tear because she has never been away from her mother and siblings all her life.  She muttered some duas for her mother and their safe arrival in the city before going back into the house that is much better looking than theirs.

"Your troubles have come to an end.  Your uncle is very kind and he looks rich.  All your dreams will come true Hajarah just wait and see the wonders of God" her friend said, patting her back gently.

"In shaa Allah" she whispered.

♥♥♥

New update till after Ramadan in shaa Allah.

Remain pure and heartily blessed and may this blessed month fill us with all the goodness it comes with.

Ramadan is for breaking bad habits not putting them on pause. May Allah continue to guide us aright and protect us from the evils of satan the outcast.

Shukran jazeel.  Until then if we are alive and healthy.