Behind My Walls✔️

Chapter 20

"Raliya help me with my bag". I said dragging the luggage bag to her and carrying the other one of my new Ankaras. She dragged it out to the driver while I stood at the door to bade Aunty Asiya and the twins.

"Ikhbal I will miss you so much". She said hugging me tight.

"I will miss you and the twins too". I responded when she released me. I looked at the twins beside the door who were looking somber. "Come here!". I squatted.

They hastily come and both hugged me "we will miss you". They said in unison with their identical teary face. Sometimes I used to wondered how I differentiate them.

I laughed, that they have now grown to pronounce the word 'miss' not 'mish'. I released them and dabbed at their faces. "Don't cry okay?". I smiled "I'm surely coming back, for my cousin's birth ceremony InshaAllah".

"He is a boy!" Hanan exclaimed.

"Yes! He's a boy InshaAllah and do you know what that makes you two?". I asked and they shook their head. "That makes you his beautiful elder sisters". I patted their cheeks and they smiled.

"Aunty let's do our hand shake". Manal suggested and I did the cute handshake they both created.

I stood upright, took my smaller bag, waved at Aunty and headed to the car, as Raliya was seated at the front seat while Layla was at the back. Layla told me that Salim suggested that we should follow the train, that he will come pick us at the station, whereas Layla teased that he wants to meet Raliya but he denied.

I hopped in the back seat and whined the window, waved at Aunty and the twins before we sped out.

Hours passed and we were in Abuja train station. Layla called Salim the moment we arrived and he asked us to meet him at the parking lot. We were helped with our bags by some good Samaritans at the station to the parking lot. Salim hastily opened the boot for them to put the bags as he waved at us.

"Salam our groom to be". Layla teased.

"What?!" He asked looking at her, while I looked at her confused too.

"Nothing". She smirked. What a way to greet. "How was your trip? I hope you didn't forget what you promised to buy for me, and did you take pictures of places you went? don't tell me you don't, because I know you are not photogenic".

I left layla blabbing, and walked to help Raliya put the last bag in the boot. We thanked the Samaritans after denying my offered money and went back to where layla was still talking. I looked at Salim who wasn't a bit listening to her, but his gaze was on Raliya, as Raliya sensed his gaze, she looked anywhere but him.

"Uhumm!" Layla cleared her throat while he hurriedly took off his gaze. Raliya greeted him and he nervously answered whilst Layla dragged me to the back seat and asked Raliya to seat at the front seat, putting her little purse in our middle that there was no space. Nice idea, I sarcastically thought. Raliya hesitated a little before she silently entered.

We quietly drove home, with Salim stylishly glancing at Raliya every minute. He tried including her in some of his conversation, but all she does was nodded and shook her head as yes or no, while layla kept stifling her chuckles.

We arrived home, when Raliya gently hopped out to take our bags from the boot but Salim beat her to it and swiftly took the bags into the house as we followed behind and he went back out to take the rest. Upon hearing our presence, Ammi hurriedly came downstairs and hugged me tightly.

"Ammi I missed you so much". I said when she released me.

"How is your Aunt and the twins?".

"They are all fine, they are sending their regards to you".