chapter 13

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Aliyah was so happy after her graduation. She and Isabelle took dozen of selfies and posted them online. Aliyah immediately video called Tamim, her old friend from her homeland. Tamim was so happy for her.  She introduced him to Isabelle who was stuffing her face with food at the buffet. She simply smiled and moved to eat some more.

Tamim admired Aliyah's hard work. She was always strong despite of everything she had gone through.

"I can't believe you have finally graduated." He said with a smile. He remembered the first time he ran into her. She was eighteen years old. She had just lost her mother and her house was blown up. She had no one. She was a volunteer at the hospital he was working at. There were so many victims of the horror brought by the invaders. Aliyah was helping at the hospital. She worked around the clock since she had no one in her life and no home of her own.

That's when they became friends  and she moved in with him. They pretended to be married and had adopted a child who seemed like he had no one at that point. Aliyah gave the kid the name Yazid ,after her brother who was killed the first night the soldiers came to their town. She had gotten too attached to the baby to the point that  she was left heartbroken when the kid's real family showed up after  six months of taking care of it.

"Believe it, baby!" Isabelle shouted as she suddenly popped up in front of the screen. Tamim laughed as she brought him back to reality.

"Don't mind her. She is crazy." Aliyah commented. Tamim and Aliyah talked for a while until Tamim was called in. There was an emergency.  Aliyah was glad the number of deaths have reduced over the three years. It seemed like the invaders were giving her people a break.

Isabelle pulled Aliyah at the dessert table and they stuffed themselves. It's not everyday you get free food.

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Hanif was at the office sleeping on the soft sofa at the  corner when his sister Bernice walked in. She ran and took a black maker pen and drew crazy stuff on his face.  Hanif didn't even flinch. She misses his  brother. They never had time to hang out. He was always sleeping  when she was awake. He spent most of his daytime on the bed or sofa.

"Wake up. Daddy is here!" She said slapping him gently. Hanif quickly woke up and sat up in a second. His eyes wide open and he was looking like a cat that's about to jump.

Berenice couldn't help but laugh. He looked stupid with his sudden seriousness and the drawing she made on his face.

"Ooh I will kill you Bernie!" He shouted as she ran outside laughing. He quickly ran after her.

"Catch me if you can!" She said In a singsong voice. Everyone that saw him laughed immediately.

"What's funny?" He asked Malik who was slapping his lap, laughing too hard. He simply pointed to his face. Hanif looked at himself at the glass wall of his office and gritted his teeth. "Bernice Carter!" He shouted and She flinched.

"Yea Brother." She said giving him her puppy dog eyes. Malik laughed even harder as Hanif frowned. "Keep on laughing, next time it's your face she will paint." Hanif said with a serious look.

Berenice quickly jumped on him and squeezed him for a hug. "I miss you so much, Henry." She said and Hanif gave her a warning look. "Fine, Haniifff." She added.

Hanif hugged her back and carried her off the ground. She started kicking and trying to get off him. "Put me down." She begged.

"That's what you get for drawing my face." He said as he twirled her around.

"Please Brother!" She said sounding like a four year old kid.

"No way." Hanif said.

"Put your sister down! Henry." Hanif almost fell down. It's been long since he heard his dad's voice. He quickly put her down. She playfully stuck her tongue out at him. He fought the urge to do the same.

"When will you grow up?" He asked angrily. "Move everything from the office. Your sister is moving in."

And with that he walked out. Hanif felt pain gripping his heart. Just then the frost Queen herself walked in.

"Berenice," she smilled. "Henry."

"Sup?" Berenice said .

"Hey Lisa." Hanif said. She was so grouchy.

"I can see you haven't grown up yet." She said to Hanif and walked past them into the office.

"Are you guys really twins?" Malik asked as he walked into the office to help his new boss settle in.

"Sadly, yes." Hanif said and Berenice pretended to pat his shoulder to show him sympathy.

"It doesn't matter if she is terrible. You have me, your Bernie. You don't need that frost Queen." She said and Hanif mouthed her an Aaaw! . she simply flipped her hair. Hanif smiled. She was such a sweet little girl.


Asalam Alaykum people.
Tell me what you think so far.
Ooh and what do you think of Hanif

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