My Sister My Enemy

Chapter Twenty Eight

"Assalamu alaikum." Abdulrahman said as he entered the living room In Firdausi's house. No one was there but the tv was on. He took a seat in one of the one seater sofas in the room, grabbing his phone from his pocket, he wanted to call Firdaus but he heard a door open and when he looked up it was her, Firdaus, his favorite cousin.

She came in with a big smile, taking a seat opposite him. "Look who we have here, sannu da zuwa Alhaji." She teased him knowing so well that he doesn't like her calling him Alhaji, he prefer her to call him by his name instead.

"Oh please don't start the Alhaji thing if you don't want me to leave immediately." He joked and she rolled her eyes.

"Well you can leave because you are not even welcome here." She said feigning anger and right that moment her mother came in.

"And who said so? Shi da gidansu, you can leave if you want to but not him. Welcome my darling." She said while hugging him as she has always addressed him as such. She took a seat on the sofa beside him while he went on his knees to greet her.

"Mama ina yini? Ya gida ya kuke?? I hope everyone is fine." He asked her all at once and she told him to stand up and have his seat.

"Lafiya lau Alhamdulillah, we are all fine my dear, how have you been and how is Katsina?" She asked politely.

"I am fine and Katsina is good too, I have gotten used to it now. Where is Baba and the rest?"

"Oh that is so good to hear, Alhamdulillah. Baba has gone out for work while your cousins are in school." He smiled nodding. Firdaus went in to the kitchen and came back with some juice, water and samosas for him. He smiled saying thank you.

"I thought you said I am not welcome." He teased while she scowled.

"Well not anymore tunda masu gida basu ce ba." She said looking at her mother who laughed at her response.

"Eh din an ki a ce din. Don't mind her my dear, feel at home, let me go in and pray. I will see you in a bit, okay?"

"Okay Mama, take your time please." She smiled and left the living room, hoping that he got to bond more and gist with her daughter.

"So how have you been?" He asked her while taking a sip of his drink.

"I am fine Alhamdulillah, and you?" She asked smiling while he returned the smile and answers her.

"I am fine too." She nodded gently as a response and then it was suddenly quiet and she didn't like it so she has to think of what to say to change the mood but she doesn't know why it is so awkward between them now as they used to be very free around each other.

"So if I didn't call you, you won't even come to say hi, it's been a while we saw last." Alhaji wasn't happy about what she said but she is saying the truth, he hadn't actually thought of coming to their house that very day if not for her call but that's why he is there now, to clear the misunderstanding between them.

"No haba! How can you say that? You Know it's not like that, I have been here only for three days and you have no idea how busy I have been since I came. Like you said it's been a while that we met last but that's because I have not been around and you know very well where I am now. So I am sorry for coming here late." He said that with all honesty and she knew he was right, so she has no reason to be upset with him anymore so she cheered up instantly.

"So how is your girl? I had that you have gotten us a sister-in-law, what is her name?" Alhaji sighed, he really wanted to avoid that discussion for now but since she brought it up why not he thought.

"Well her name is Maryam and she is fine." He replied smiling and she smiled back at him.

"Masha Allah! I am so happy for you, can I see her picture please?" He thought that wasn't a good idea but he can't say no to her so he showed her the picture that Maryam sent him the first time he asked for one, of course you know she looks so beautiful in the picture. Firdaus smiled at the phone screen she is now holding and she kept saying tabarakallah masha Allah!!!"