“Assalamu alaikum,” I greet as I open the door.

“Wa alaykum salam.” Mommy replies. I see her seated on the chair with a pillow on her lap.

I smile and kneel on the ground beside her, “Ina wini, mommy.”

“Lafiya, baby.” She says, smiling back.

I scrunch my face, “Is Hoor back?”

She shakes her head. “How was school today?”

I nod, then stand to head toward the staircase when she adds, “and how far with Brianna’s friend?”

I stop. Right, my little lie. “It’s fine, she’s fine.” I think of what to add. “She didn’t need our help anymore.”

“Oh,” mommy frowns, “is everything okay at her end, then?”

I nod. “Yep, everything’s okay.”

She nods, “okay. Change and come for your lunch.”

I climb up the stairs and go into my room, hoping to forget about Aaliyah.

In the evening, we are all seated in the parlour watching nine o’clock news when someone knocks the door.

“Are you expecting anybody?” Daddy ask mommy beside him. She shakes her head.

“Maybe it’s aunty Meena.” Hoor says from her lying position on the rug, an exercise book open in front of her.

Mommy laughs, “I wish.” I stand and adjust my cap. “Let’s go together.” Mommy adds. I stand behind her as she calls out, “who is it?”

There’s a movement before the person replies, “mommy Barakah?”

We turn at each other in surprise. “Yes?”

“It’s Rose. I need your help.”

Quickly, she opens the door. Aunty Rose stands before us, face wet, her hair scattered. “Please,” she says to me, “have you seen Aaliyah today?”

Mommy gasps. My eyes widen. “What happened?”

“Please come in first.” Mommy takes her hand and leads her to where I was sitting, then goes into the kitchn. I stand beside aunty Rose, watching her body tremble. Is it cold, or fear?

“Rose?” Daddy says, watching her in concern.

“Good evening, sir.” She bows her head.

“What’s wrong?” He asks, turning off the TV.

“No, daddy I was drawing the woman.” Hoor whines, then turns to me before noticing aunty Rose. “Aunty Rose.” She quickly stands and hugs her. Aunty Rose smiles and pats her hair. But she looks like she wants to cry instead.

“Here,” Mommy says, handing her a tray of bottled water and a cup.

Aunty Rose sighs, “thank you.” She opens the bottle and drinks straight from it.

“Ke,” mommy pokes me, then tilts her head at Hoor who’s busy watching aunty Rose like TV.

I groan, “Hoor, let’s go and brush.” I hold out my hand.

She pouts, “but I’m still drawing.”

“Finish tomorrow. Oya oya.” Mommy motions with her hand, which means there’s no need to argue. I hold Hoor’s hand and we climb the stairs but she keeps twisting her body.

“If you don’t stop, I will tell Brianna to not teach you how to draw again.” She stops, squinting at me. Then she quickly runs past me. I shake my head at her silliness, then stop to peep down and listen. Is Aaliyah missing?

“Yaya Barakah!” Hoor shouts from our room. I quickly run to meet her. I’ll just have to ask mom later.

The next morning, after Subhi prayer, I follow mommy to the kitchen to help her prepare breakfast. I wait for her to say something. But she just tells me to fetch some sweet potatoes from the store so we can peel them.

We crouch down in the middle of the kitchen, sitting on stools. I peel the back while she rinses and slices the potatoes like fries, Hoor’s favorite.

Still, she says nothing. I sigh in frustration. “Any problem?” She asks.

“No, em, yes.” She pauses, waiting for me to talk. “Em, is aunty Rose okay?”

“Oh, yes,” she smiles, “it was just a misunderstanding.”

“What of Aaliyah? Wasn’t she looking for her?”

Mommy nods, “yes, but like I said, it was a misunderstanding. Rose forgot that Aaliyah was at home.”

I frown. What did that even mean? Was aunty Rose lying?

“The thing is,” mommy continues, looking down. It’s as if she’s thinking of what to say. “Rose got in a motorcycle accident yesterday on her way home. So someone took her to the clinic here. But then she woke up and left, then she came here looking for Aaliyah, forgetting that they have moved. One of the officers from the clinic recognized her and called your dad. Then we informed her husband, so he came to pick her.”

“With Aaliyah too?”

“Oh yes, but you were asleep when she came.” Mommy said, resuming her work.

That made sense. I sigh. Thank God Aaliyah is safe.

“But,” Mommy says, “is Aaliyah okay?” She asks, frowning. What did she see? “She looked sick to me.”

I should tell her about the ugly uncle, but is there any use now? Aaliyah was fine, aunty Rose is fine. So there’s no need, right? Even if I say something, Aaliyah will say I’m lying. I have no proof. So I should just mind my business.

“Because of the wound on her eye, right?” I say.

“Yes, that too, but…” She shakes my head. “maybe I’m just overthinking things.” She says, laughing. “Besides, you should know better since you’re her friend, right?”

I nod. But I don’t know anything, and she won’t tell me. So what kind of friends are we now?

•••

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