A walk on thorns

Chapter 3| Her Arrival

Anisha’s POV

In just one hour, she will be here. Their plane was scheduled to land at 2:00 p.m., and it's already one o’clock. Malam Habu, Jenny, and Rubina are all prepared to head to the airport for her arrival.

I can’t shake the feeling that's been gnawing at me ever since I heard she applied to the University of Abuja. Sabrina’s presence brings a wave of uncertainty, my biggest fear being that she'll quickly see through the way Mukhtar and I live in this house. Sabrina isn’t one to stay silent about things, and that’s what worries me most.

She's always been different, sharp, outspoken, unafraid to ruffle feathers. Even Mama complains about her all the time, but it never fazes her. Sabrina’s mindset is so different, she’s like a black woman with a fiercely independent, almost Western mentality. Had she been raised in America, I could blame her environment. But she grew up here, and still, she’s relentless. She’s right most of the time, but her approach is…uncompromising. Hard to explain, really.

I know the minute she arrives, she’ll scold me for not being there to greet her at the airport. Then she’ll start asking all sorts of questions about my health, why I’ve lost weight, why my skin’s gone ten shades darker. But I’ll manage it. She won’t find out anything, not yet.

I had Karima and Jessica set up her room downstairs, away from anything she might overhear happening upstairs during her stay. Anything to keep her in the dark. She loves a nude color scheme, so we made sure her room was perfect. Anything for you, Sabrina. Just please, don’t find out. I sent up a silent prayer.

Sitting in front of the mirror, I realized I’d lost track of time, it was already 2:40. I added the final touches to the concealer covering the purple bruises on my neck from yesterday's incident.

With one last look in the mirror to steady myself, I headed downstairs. Just as I reached the bottom, the door opened, and there she was. Sabrina rushed over to me, pulling me into a bone-crushing hug that almost made me wince.

“Ya Anisha!” she laughed, hugging me again, full of excitement.

“My God, Sabrina, look at you! You’ve turned into such a beautiful young woman!” I laughed, masking my discomfort.

“Oh, please, I’m just eighteen and a bit chubby. Don’t call me a ‘woman,’ Ya Anisha,” she laughed, and I joined in. “But seriously, why weren’t you at the airport? I missed you so much,” she pressed, her tone laced with a hint of reproach. I knew this was coming.

“I was overseeing the setup of your room and had to get ready before the OCD queen arrived.” I teased, feeling a bit of myself come back.

“Well, I thought maybe you were unwell. You look different,” she said, scrutinizing me closely. “No judgment, just noticing.” She smiled lightly, shrugging.

“Classic Sabrina,” I laughed. “I knew you’d mention it the second you saw me.”

“Well, am I wrong?” she said, with a blush.

“Of course not, Sabrina. I haven’t been feeling my best, but it’s nothing serious. Come on, let me show you to your room,” I said, leading her in that direction.

She cleared her throat in a way that hinted at something teasing. “Married people and their ‘not-so-serious’ sicknesses,” she laughed, and I felt a pang deep inside me.

“Get your mind out of the gutter! It’s nothing like that,” I said, trying to keep my tone light.

A few minutes later.

"Ya Anisha, where are you?" Sabrina’s voice rang out, calling for me.

"Come through the door near the kitchen!" I called back. Moments later, she appeared, wearing a white oversized button-up shirt, loose blue jeans, and Crocs.