Unedited.

The next day, Rufaidah realized that none of their friends came to pay a condolence visit to her or Reedah's parents and that struck a cord. Rich kids really are pompous and selfish. How can one lose a friend who's so down to earth, so caring and always ready to give in cash and in kind be treated with no respect after her death ? The least they can do is make a phone call which she is a hundred percent sure they didn't.

She was good, she was kind, honest and caring but now she's six feet under. If that is not enough to humble Rufaidah, then nothing will ever make her change her ways and there and then, she vowed to be kind and nice to people even if she gets nothing in return. Her reward is with her Lord and that's more than enough.

After saying some du'as for Reedah, Rufaidah made her bed and cleaned her room even though it's squeaky clean. She brought out one of the ankara gowns sewn for her by Zubaidah before going into the bathroom washing it then finally took
a long relaxing shower. She dressed quickly and went to the kitchen mumbling greetings to the housemaids with a small smile on her face. She met Ummi cleaning the kitchen.

"Goodmorning Madam" she greeted the fully immersed Ummi who isn't aware of her arrival into the kitchen.

"Morning! Aunty Rufaidah. Am sorry I didn't hear when you came in" she replied shaking with fear. Rufaidah's heart sank in her chest knowing that she is at fault, she used to treat the maids like they aren't humans venting her anger at them but not anymore. She will ask for their forgiveness and stop treating them badly.

"Who told you I called for you? I came here on my own accord looking for you. Finish what you are doing and teach me something" she replied with a playful tone.  She started rummaging through the many array for drawers that has everything that one will need in a kitchen.

After some minutes, Ummi announced that she's done. Rufaidah asked her to teach her everything she needs to know about cooking, the right ingredients to use and utensils as she jots down the complex things in her phone.

Unknown to the fast becoming friends, the whole household is in frenzy as to the sudden change of attitude of her royal highness the arrogant princess. The hush hush gist reached the security guards in a matter of minutes. Most are happy for her while some are saying it is not going to last long, that it is only a charade.

They made a simple sphag with liver sauce and watermelon drink for brunch. Rufaidah asked Ummi to join her who meekly declined her invitation. She had to use a very stern voice before she obliged visibly shaking with fear.

"Don't be scared okay ? Am not going to eat you for lunch, as you can see I have food on my tray" she raised the tray she was holding to prove her point before sauntering out almost bumping into one of the eavedropping maids.

"Uhh sorry Ma'am" she apologized with a wild beating heart anticipating a hot slap to her cheeks. To her utter surprise Rufaidah smiled at her telling her to be careful lest she hurt
herself or someone before ambling to her room with Ummi in tow.  She served them in the same plate and since she's naturally not a talker, they ate in companionable silence as Ummi is still not comfortable eating with her mistress and Rufaidah for that matter.

"When are you going to make my hair again?" She asked out of the blue.

"Anytime you're ready Aunty" Ummi replied uneasily.

"Ummi, stop feeling uneasy around me okay ? Consider me as your sister or any blood relation. Am not going to hurt you in shaa Allah and I am sorry for causing you pain one way or the other. I am sorry for making you feel like you don't deserve to be treated like a real human being. I hope you'll find it in your heart to forgive me and you will give me a chance to prove to you that I am a changed person. Please help me be a better person " she solemnly apologised, her head cast down hiding the stray tear. If Reedah is to see and hear her right now, she would have been proud of her, dance a few steps of joy and hug her tight telling her sweet words of encouragement.

"You don't have to apologize Aunty Rufaidah, Billahi I've forgiven you long before you ask and if it is any consolation to you, we don't really blame you because we see what is going on around this house everyday and your anger is justified. I will be at your beck and call in shaa Allah and I'll try to treat you as a sister even though it will be hard seeing that you're not my class"

"Who told you am not your class? No one is better than anybody except those who fear Allah and please Him the most. Consider yourself as equal to anyone on earth don't ever let poverty make you feel inferior" Rufaidah protested in a harsh tone. Desperately wanting Ummi to understand how she considers her parents wealth as a curse to her life and nothing more.

"Go and wear something nice, I want you to accompany me to Zubaidah's house " she finally stated, taking a long gulp from the tumbler.

Ummi squirmed uncomfortably thinking of how to tell Rufaidah she doesn't have any decent cloth to wear, that the ones she gave her were forcefully taken by the agent who brought her to work in the guise of taking it to her siblings.

Sensing her unease, Rufaidah gave her a long Abayah with rhinestones adorning it. It is very expensive but she didn't care giving it out because she has dozens of them and she's even thinking of buying new clothes to suit her new lifestyle. "Wear this and take any shoe you fancy from the rack" with that being said, Ummi carried the used plates first before heading to the room she shares with the elderly cook to change.

The maids gathered in the room asking her ten questions in one breath. What she did in Rufaidah's room, why she gave her the dress and what is going to happen next.

" I hate hypocrisy! All of you should get out of my room. Ummi don't answer them or else you'll lose your chance of  being in her good books. And don't ever tell anyone anything that's between you and her, they are jealous and might tell her lies that'll make her hate you" The elderly cook Hajjah said shaking her head in disgust.

Ummi nodded and went into the bathroom to get ready. She slipped into the Abaya, rub Vaseline on her lips and powder on her face.

"Wai wai wai Ummi kin ganki kuwa? Just good clothes are making you look this beautiful then how will you look when you go to school and get exposed to make up and good dressing?"Hajja exclaimed in excited amazement. She knows that Ummi is beautiful but just the Abayah made her look like royalty. Ummi shyly thanked her and went out. Praying that Rufaidah isn't mad at her for taking so long.

She met her saying dhikrs on the mat which shows that she just prayed zuhr salah. She waited by the door standing and mulling over the events of the day with surprise. She knew that Rufaidah isn't a bad person as she portrayed herself to be the day she made her hair but this, asking her for help, being nice to her, eating in the same plate with her and asking her to accompany her is to another level. It seems like it is all in her dream and she is going to wake up to the harsh reality.

***

Zubaidah, Jibrin Junior, Amatu and Hajarah have just returned from the hospital when Rufaidah's car zoomed into the house.  Amatu ran towards Rufaidah flailing her arms excitedly. When she finally reached where she was standing, she jumped on her saying she missed her.

"I miss you too munchkin" Rufaidah said, pinching her now chubby cheeks. After a minute of scrutiny, Rufaidah observed that the girl looks beautiful, chubby and happy.

"Mashaa Allah, someone is eating too much junk and getting fat" she teased still holding Amatu's hands.

Nudging her shoulders in protest with a cute pout, Amatu said she isn't getting fat which made Ummi and Rufaidah laugh at her. Rufaidah was in the middle of telling her that she looks more beautiful being fat when she spotted her exact face in another body gawking at her with mouth hanging open .

"Who is that??" She finally asked pointing at Hajarah. Amatu burst into a fit of giggles clutching her stomach " I told you so. Didn't I?. Ya Hajar looks exactly like you. Everyone's reaction is epic"

Rufaidah managed to reach where the trio were standing eyes glinting with amusement.

"Zuby don't tell me she's also my twin whom I never know existed until now. Looking at her, it's like am looking at myself in a mirror"

Even the introverted Jibran had to laugh out loud "We thought of the same thing Rufs but she isn't. She is just your cousin" zuby replied after laughing to her fill.

Turning to Hajarah who is also laughing at her, Rufaidah said "In that case. Assalamu alaikum couz. How have you been, how are you? Am so glad to finally meet you. My name is Rufaidah and I am your cousin"

"Waalaikissalam. Am fine sis! My name is Hajarah and it is nice to finally meet you too. I've heard so much about you from Zubaidah" she replied albeit a bit shy.

They exchanged greetings with Ummi without showing her any sign of disregard or that she's not their class as they ambled towards the house.

They ate, made merry, poke fun at each other for hours and it was the best day of Rufaidah's life that she let herself enjoy to the fullest with no reservation. Ummi and Hajarah clicked and they start gisting about village and how different it is with the city. They listened with raft attention to everything, asking questions on what they've never heard of. Hajiya Samira and Uncle Jibran felt happy for Rufaidah as they can hear her laughter from the living room.

They went to see Nafisah in the evening before finally heading home. Shams was back and eating in the living room when they came back.

"Welcome, who's this ?" He greeted looking at Ummi with curiosity.

"Evening Bro. How was work? She's Ummi and she lives in this house" she replied, eyeing him to not ask any further question. Ummi profusely thank Rufaidah for the wonderful day out before finally heading to the maids quarters. Rufaidah sat with her brother recounting what happened at Uncle Jibrin's and the hospital to him, she told him who Ummi really is and his heart swelled with pride.

"When are you going to start working for me sis ?" He asked after a while toying with his car key.

"That'll be after we come back from the Holy Land. If you're too busy to go I'll go alone" she pouted.

"In shaa Allah we are going together, I can't let you go there alone. I have to finish off some projects first. Goodnight dearie, let me call it a day, am knackered and have to be at the office by 8am" he replied yawning and flexing his arm.

"Goodnight bro, may Allah be with you and please tell that teacher that I am back so that we will continue with the lessons" she bade him goodnight staying behind to watch a TV show airing on MBC Max.

****

Rufaidah went to a nearby private school with Ummi the next day and enrolled her in their lesson class. She took her to the mall and ask her to carry whatever she want ranging from clothes,shoes, inner wears, toiletries and  perfume. Ummi couldn't believe everything is happening for real as she cautiously pick things her conscience nagging her to not take it too far. She bought some things for Hajjah too. Rufaidah paid without even batting an eye and she drove them back home.

"Make sure you're there every week day. I will be giving you transport fare and if am not busy I'll take you there by myself. Be ready after ishaa, the islamic teacher will be here in shaa Allah"  She informed after listening to Ummi go on and on thanking her for her kindness.

She lay in bed going over her lessons after which she called Mama and asked how she is doing. She watched a movie and type a chapter of the book she isn't taking serious in her laptop. She took out Musayyib's picture with Zubaidah and Faridah from her bedside drawer and with a deep sigh start mulling over her life so far. She has so many things to be thankful and sad for. So many special memories with the people that are no longer here with her and those who are here and ready to go to any length just to make her happy. She is thankful for getting the chance at redemption, a chance to right her wrongs to people and to her Rabb, a chance at a better life and that's the best part.

She summoned all the servants in the house to the pouch steps and address them.

"I am sorry for treating you badly, for making you feel like being poor is a curse and a ticket to be treated like trash. Am sorry for everything that I intentionally or unintentionally did to make you sad, hurt or downgraded. I can't turn back time to right my wrongs but in shaa Allah from this moment forward I'll try my maximum best to be kind and considerate. Thank you all for your time and I hope you find it in your hearts to forgive me" She said with a shaky voice, feeling so nervous her legs were shaking.

A chorus of we've forgiven you, may Allah forgive us too trailed behind her but she's not naive to think that all of them have forgiven her wholeheartedly but she hopes that someday, if they see that she has indeed really changed, they will find it in their hearts to forgive her.

Yaya  Shams was able to finish off in one week and their flight is scheduled for the next week. In those two weeks Rufaidah visited Mama, her uncle's house, had a barbecue lunch with her cousins and Reedah's brothers, gave the servants twenty thousand naira each and read anything she could lay her hands on about Umrah, the lesser hajj. To think that she has been to so many countries but never the holy land is a shame to her father's wealth and the money she has at her disposal. Neither mommy nor daddy gave them a call and none of them bothered to care or call them.

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Am a sucker for changed people😍😍 

Thanks for your patience. Jazakumullah khairan.