"Aunty I have to go home now". I said.
"No, stay and eat dinner, besides your Ammi called that Layla is staying in your house for the weekend, so both of you should eat before going". Aunty Ruqayya stated.
"Actually Ammi cooked food for us, you don't have to stress yourself mom". Layla said.
"Okay then, till you come back". Aunty Safiyya said.
"Goodnight". Aunty Ruqayya said.
"Okay goodnight". We said leaving the kitchen.
"Are you leaving your blue again?". Yusuf asked holding blue.
"Ohh! I will be back tomorrow okay". She said rubbing blue's back.
"Sallam". Salim said entering the living room and we all responded.
"Why are you back early today!?" Layla asked.
"Less work day I guess". He sat beside Yusuf. "Uhmm! Ikhbal how is Raliya?" He asked.
"Sorry?" I asked looking at Layla who started chuckling.
"I.. I mean with the incident that happened to her mother, I'm just asking if they are fine".
"You said Raliya, not 'how is Raliya's mom?". Layla's teased stifling a laugh.
"No.. No is not what you think". He defended.
I smiled "Raliya is fine, she was supposed to come back this week but maybe she will be back next week". I stated and he smiled. I actually forgot to call her back but I will just call her when I get home.
"Ohkay! we have to go now, goodnight blue". Layla said.
"Goodnight 'mama blue'". Yusuf teased.
"Whatever!" She snorted.
"Wait layla when are you coming back? I'm traveling on Monday". Sadiq said.
"I'm coming back tomorrow InshaAllah".
"Okay then goodnight". We responded and walked out.
"Layla did you know that Halima posted her picture with Sadiq, this morning, I actually forgot to block her and I was scrolling through my WhatsApp stories when I viewed it".
"She think she won! bet me she is surely going to regret it".
"Besides I blocked her now, I don't care with... whatever!, I'm done with both of them". I said driving through our street "layla the car is still here".
"Yeah, should we tell Abba about it? I'm feeling uneasy about it presence". Layla said.
"Not really, maybe is the neighbour's". I watched the car closely but it was highly tinted. I parked the car and met Ammi watching TV in the living room.
"Ikhi did Raliya called you?" Ammi asked after we joined her watching.
"Let me check". I browsed my purse for my phone and scrolled to see her missed calls.
"Well, I missed her calls, and I tried calling her but her phone wasn't reaching". She declared.
"Okay, let me call her". I dialed her number twice but no answer, I called again, then she picked.
"Raliya, I missed your calls what happened?".
"Aunty I want to tell you that I will not be able to come back".
***
"Kawu why will she be a burden to us?". I asked, clicked the speaker and sat beside Layla.
"Ikhbal, is not like we don't want her to come back, its just that her mom doesn't have a workplace where she could sleep and we felt like since she normally doesn't sleep in your house, we don't want her to be a liability". He stated.
"If you think Raliya will ever be a liability, then you are wrong. Kawu, Ammi wants her to come back, we all do".
"She is not going to just stay, without doing anything, I registered for her to start tailoring classes here in birnin yaro". He said.
"Kawu, that's not a big deal", I paused rubbing my forehead. "Ammi actually wanted to make it a surprise to her, that when she comes back she will pay for her to further her education".
He sighed "I don't know if studies is important in her life now, it is good for her to just learn a skill order than studying".
"Kawu how could you say that!? education is very important in her life right now and besides she can learn a skill even when she is studying".I stated feeling aggravated. "And you are educated, Aunty Fati (kawu's wife) is educated, why will Raliya's education be a problem?".
He sighed "Its not that I am neglecting her to study, I just don't want it to bother you, like with all the expenses".
"That's not a problem Kawu".
"Okay, I will talk to her mom, I will call you later". He hung up, What is wrong with him!? what's the sudden change?.
"Ammi he said he will talk to Raliya's mom that he will call me later".
"You know most people, especially who resides in the village doesn't usually accept girls education, they used to think that its a waste of money, since girls are dedicated to the kitchen". Layla stated.
"That is so much wrong because not only are girls denied their freedom but right, and every girl deserve to be educated, because not only for her benefits but for her children". I said.
"And to me girls education is very important because she is the one going to raise the future generations, ignorantly or literates". Layla said. We stayed for some minutes and my phone started vibrating".
"Hello, kawu". I picked.
"I'm sorry if what I said upset you, I'm not trying to be offensive, I just don't want her education to trouble you".
"You don't have to be sorry, and Raliya is like a sister to me, we will gladly want her to stay with us even if she has somewhere else to".
"Okay, thank you, she will be back by next week". He said.
I smiled "honestly I will be traveling to Kaduna next week, so if we can meet with her and travel back together".
"Yes, that will be great, regards to Aunty".
"InshaAllah, goodnight". I hung up feeling relieved. "Ammi she will be back next week, I will just meet her in Kaduna and we will travel back together".
"That's a good idea". Ammi said.
"That will be great because I was planning to travel for the holiday to my Grandma in Kano". Layla said excitedly. Her maternal grandma is in kano.
"Yeah, then we should travel together". I grinned.
Ammi stood "let me go and warm your food, your Abba will be back in minutes, hatta nataman min tanawul alaesha me'an.So we can eat dinner together". She strolled to the kitchen, just then Abba entered the living room.
"How are you habibtees". He asked after we greeted him.
"We are fine". We responded.
"How was your Exams? I didn't get to ask you yesterday".
"Alhamdulillah. Thank god.". I said and layla smiled. Ammi came out with the plates of food and we helped her set the dinner. We settled down and joyously ate our dinner.
*****
Hi guys, updating this chap' took ages bcuz school was 'Hectic' sigh! So hope y'all are great?
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Behind My Walls✔️
General Fiction[COMPLETED] This is the story of a young lady who found herself being the only child of her parents which seems normal at first, but it comprised of hardship, struggle, grief, love and partial joy. ~ My name is Ikhbal, I am 19 years old from Abuja N...
