Belated Eid-Moubaraq lovelies. Taqabbalal lahu minna wa minkum! May we live long to witness another Ramadan in hopes that Allah has accepted our ibadah and forgiven our sins. Ameen❤

Deep inside her heart, Nafisah knew that one day her brother will come looking for her because of the beautiful bond they have. She had almost given up hope when he showed up in her house like the knight in shining armor he has always been and now here she is, in a big expensive car, end route to the city she hasn't been to for nineteen years to get the long over due medical care she needed. She is sure that Jibrin will spend his last kobo to ensure she get her limbs back and she can't wait for that to happen solely for the sake of her beautiful children whom have never complained about her inability to cater for them even though they have every reason to.

" I can't believe Hajarah looks like Rufaidah" she said out loud instead, hiding away her gleeful thoughts.

"Me neither, they are in for a shock when they see each other. The resemblance is so striking I don't think a stranger can tell one from the other" Hajia replied merrily. Glad that Nafisah is willing to forget the past.

"Mashaa Allah, may Allah bless them all" she said, adjusting Jibrin juniors head on the head rest. He has been sleeping ever since because of the air condition while Amatu the curious girl that she is, is busy looking out the window eyes filled with wonder as to the beauty of nature and how the car swiftly moves. She once in a while exclaim out loud asking Hajiya a question or two.

"Village girl, come and have some rest, I promise to show you more places when we get to the city" Uncle Jibrin called out to Amatu to join him in front, tapping his lap for her to lie down.

Amatu shyly nudged her shoulders, looking at her mother for approval. Nafisah smiled at that saying " It's okay my dear, he is your uncle you can sleep on his lap. Besides, am having a headache and your occasional shouts aren't helping matters"

Amatu leapt to her mother's side in fright, touching her forehead for any signs of fever. " Sannu Ummi, do you want to drink water? Where are your drugs?" She had forgotten that they are in a moving car and have left everything in the village.

"I will be fine my dear, go get some rest. If it persists I promise to wake you up" Nafisah assured her daughter who reluctantly crossed to the front and instead of sitting on her uncle's lap, she sat beside him and placed her head on his side.

The little exchange between mother and daughter had moved Hajia Samira so much that she shed a few tears. Nafisah is indeed truly blessed with foresighted, kind and adorable kids who are growing up with nothing but love and contentment in their hearts. Unlike other children that are born and brought up in a village where is little to no good upbringing and religious education, she had tried to make her kids stand out and they are more or likely to act better than those brought up in the city and that made her respect for her shoot to another level.

Hajarah looks wiser than her age and she is every sure she has inherited the intelligence gene from her mother's side. From the way she speaks with fulfulde accent in a calm manner, one will think she is a posh girl who has never struggled in her life. But she is a lady of eighteen years who has been taking care of her mother and younger ones, battling with school and household chores yet there's so much light and energy in her it's palpable.

They arrived a few minutes past 9pm and were met with Yaya Hafiz waiting for them at the gate. Being the warm personality that he is, Jibrin and Amatu instantly liked him and he keeps ranting off their ears with anything that comes to his mind. When Hajia complained about it, he simply said " I miss them too much Hajia, I can't waste a second without letting them know how much I love them"

Hajia laughed out loud " Allahu yashfika Hafiz, when did too much talk become a way of showing love? Disappear from this place right this instance kafin ranka ya baci and please tell Zubaidah and Rufaidah to be here as early as they can tomorrow"

The doctor arrived shortly after and he advised for Nafisah to be taken to the hospital for better diagnoses. After eating a hearty meal, Amatu and Jibrin were shown to the guest rooms while Hajia, uncle Jibrin and the doctor left to the hospital.

"Yaya this place smells so nice and it's too cold. My clothes are also very nice" Amatu observed.

"Same here my sister, I just don't want to embarrass Ummi, but this house is heaven on earth" they laughed and highfived each other.

"Ummi is going to be alright in shaa Allah. Everything is going to be fine and we will go to school just like Adda Hajar" He mumbled to himself before finally drifting into a deep slumber. The best he ever had since birth.

❣

"Guess what?" Zubaidah chirped, halting Rufaidah who is just coming into the room in her steps.

"You scared me girl!" She feigned annoyance, subtly glaring at the sister she comes to love so much.

"Our long lost aunt is at the house right now, daddy said we should be there as early as humanely possible and we have additional three cousins to love and to cherish " she rambled as Rufaidah stood by the door, looking at her .

"Are you sure daddy said as humanely possible or it's just your exaggeration in play " She air quoted finally ambling into the room holding two big polythene bags containing a large tub of ice cream and other edibles courtesy of Yaya Shams.

"Whatever!"Zubaidah mumbled, putting on her cap to cover her head before collecting the spoon offered to her by Rufaidah.

Rufaidah couldn't eat the ice cream in front of her because it dawned upon her that she knows nothing about the said Aunt and cousins. No one has ever mentioned them to her even when they visited their relatives and just like that, she will be subjected to another trauma of accepting and loving people she's supposed to love unconditionally right from childhood.

"What happened to her and why is she just popping up?" She finally asked Zubaidah who is oblivious of the predicament her sister is plunged into.

"I don't know the specifics, just that grandpa disowned her and no one cared to look for her until now that you insisted to go to a village to sort out yourself. That is why daddy and Hajia went looking for her and now they are here and he wants us to meet them" she explained albeit guiltily because she isn't supposed to hide such a huge secret from her.

"That's cool. I can't wait to meet them" Rufaidah finally said, taking a big scoop of her ice cream with a shrug. She texted Yaya shams calling him a traitor for not telling her anything until she finds out herself.

Sorry! I love you too. He replied.

I know you do! Saying it a thousand times won't change the fact that am offended. Thanks for the treat tho. You're the best😘.

The old her would have thrown a tantrum, hit her head on the wall and muffle her screams with a pillow but the new her that finds peace and light in her faith in Allah will take things as they come knowing that the one who created her knows what is good for her and whatever happened has been predestined even before she comes into the world so why worry when He is in control of everything?

Zubaidah made herself comfortable in bed watching a movie in her laptop while she made a call to Mama asking after Faridah's health before opening the Quran app to go over the surah she learned earlier that night.

Early morning after subh, Rufaidah went into the maid's quarters for the first time as she can remember to summon Ummi.

"Aunty you should have used the bell as always, you don't need to come here" Ummi said, crouching down a bit as her heart goes out to the poor young lady.

"Please get up, I want you to make something for us in an hour and then maybe you will make my hair later in the day" Ummi looked at her like she has grown horns.

"Okay Ma'am what do you care to have ?" She replied still shaken.

"Anything suitable for breakfast" She answered before sauntering back to the room. Zubaidah is still on the praying mat beautifully reciting Surah Rahman.

"Mashaa Allah! I can not wait to recite as beautifully as this" Rufaidah commended when she is done with a dreamy look on her face.

"Soon in shaa Allah" She smiled, folding the hijab she used and the mat.

"Are you excited to meet them?" She enquired typing hurriedly on her.

"I don't know, am just curious as to who you're texting this early morning" she raised a brow.

Zubaidah laughed shyly before mumbling something under her breath. "I will soon find out, you better tell me" she prodded.

"Alright amebo, he is someone I met two months back. We are just friends"

Smirking, Rufaidah asked if she can date the said friend and Zubaidah goes all defensive on her, saying he's already engaged to someone.

"May the Lord save you girl. You're a goner" she commented laughing at Zubaidah's stricken expression.

"Am off men for life! Your boyfriend is safe babe" with that being said, she went into the bathroom.

"I will kill youuuuuuu" Zubaidah screamed at the closed door. Rufaidah smiled evilly, mentally patting herself for a coercion done well.

They arrived at the house by 8am and nothing looks out of the ordinary except daddy's visible glow of happiness and contentment and Hajia's excitement. After pleasantries have been exchanged, Rufaidah sat down on the lush carpet fiddling with her phone listening to the conversation between daddy and Zubaidah.

"How are you?" He asked, sincerity laced in his tone.

"Am fine daddy, how was your trip" she skillfully evade the question.

"How about your mother?"

"I don't know, I haven't seen her since day before yesterday " She shrugged, nonchalant.

Daddy gave her a wry smile shaking his head in a negative way.

"I'm trying to forgive her, I really am but everything is overwhelming" She flail her arms in frustration.

"It's okay my dear, take your time but don't be harsh to her or disrespect her. No matter how bad she is, she is still your mother and that comes above every other thing" He gently chided with a serious voice. With trembling hands and shaky voice, Rufaidah promised to try harder.

They were told about Nafisah's condition and that she has been admitted in the hospital. Daddy told them the little he knows about Amatu and his namesake hiding the fact that Hajarah is the splitting image of Rufaidah saving it for when they will meet so that he will see the surprise and awe on her face.

Amatu being the talkative smart girl that she is immediately warmed up to everyone during breakfast. Jibrin keeps staring at Rufaidah till it became creepy and she had to ask.

"You look exactly like Adda Hajar that's why he is staring at you. She is writing exams that's why she is not here with us. I wish she is here to eat these delicious foods with meat and sleep on a soft mattress that makes one miss subh. I miss her" Amatu rambled in one breath while everyone stared at mouth agape.

"Alhamdulillah! I finally found my twin in the family. Come and sit beside me baby girl, you are too adorable to sit beside girls " Hafiz quipped.

"Hahahaha, not funny bro" Zubaidah replied. Turning to Amatu she said "How old are you by the way and who told you that Rufaidah looks exactly like your sister?"

Amatu gave Zubaidah a duh look as if she is under estimating her intelligence " I am nine years old and I have eyes to know that they resemble each other " Her reply made everyone laughed out loud.

"You're a piece of work" Zubaidah said in between fits of laughter.

"I like your dress" Amatu complimented the A shaped ankara gown Zubaidah was wearing.

"Aww thank you hun. I will ask my tailor to sew nice clothes for you too" She patted her head.

"Thank You"

Jibrin didn't utter a word until they all left the table to the main living room.

"How is Ummi?" He asked no one in particular but his expression shows that he is about to cry.

"She is going to be okay. We will soon go and see her" Hajia replied understanding his plight.

Rufaidah was a about to call Mama when her call came through.

"Assalamu alaikum Mama, good morning how is Faridah"

The reply given to her made her go rigid in shock before she sprinted out of the house shouting for someone to bring her the keys.

♡
Assalamu alaikum beautiful people! I hope this chapter meets you in good health. The chapter is short, boring and more of a filler. I promise to give you something hot when next I update in shaa Allah. For now, manage this a my goron sallah to you guys.

Shukran jazeel💕